Jenny Smith
Jefferson City
Dear Editor
As the GOP has gained more power in Missouri, gun laws have been eviscerated and gun deaths have risen 61 percent. Until 2007, the gun-related death rate in Missouri had been a steady 12-13 per 100,000. Then in 2007, the requirement for a gun permit was abolished and in 2016 "stand your ground" and concealed carry became law. Gun deaths steadily climbed and by 2019 it was 21 per 100,000. This year, the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) was passed. What will gun deaths be in five years?
SAPA nullifies federal gun laws and penalizes local law enforcement up to $50,000 if they cooperate with federal agencies such as the FBI, ATF and DEA. Sheriffs and prosecutors all over the state have banded together in opposition to this law. Already, many investigations have been halted. Missouri's police, sheriffs and Highway Patrol had always relied on the superior databases, equipment and manpower of the feds. The criminals love SAPA. Clearly, the GOP isn't focused on public safety.
Further evidence: Republicans have demonized public health officials and passed laws limiting their authority to direct public health policy. Attorney General Eric Schmidt is the black knight battling "evil" COVID-19 vaccinations. The more outrageous he is, the more he hopes to rise to the top of the GOP heap running for Roy Blunt's seat. Ted Cruz is at war with Big Bird. They demand personal freedom to spread COVID-19? Is this the issue?
Voting restrictions: Despite the fact Missouri had the highest voter turnout ever in 2020, no credible evidence of voter fraud and with Republicans winning everywhere, still they passed Senate Bill 631 restricting voting rights.
Lawmakers gave Missouri voters the middle finger salute by first repealing Clean Missouri and then trying to cut funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion.
House Bill 574 assures citizens whose land and streams have been polluted by hog sewage run-off can't sue the CAFO.
Let's ban the teaching of critical race theory! Never mind it is not part of any Missouri high school curriculum.
Let's condemn Liz Cheney but Paul Cozar's violent video is OK.
Has the GOP been hijacked? Can't they win simply as conservatives anymore? Seems they must create phantom issues to keep their base afraid and riled up. Crazy is no longer marginal. It's mainstream Republicanism.
Republican conservatism is dead. Culture wars get them out to vote.