via The Fix

Days after rallies across the nation in support of a minimum wage increase, Congressmen Emanuel Cleaver, Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan and have all come out in support of a minimum wage increase.

The 3 co-sponsored federal legislation (H.R. 6211) that would raise the minimum wage to $9.80/hour. This summer, Gov. Jay Nixon and Senator Claire McCaskill have also made it clear they support a strong mininimum wage.  

(It's good policy -- and good politics.) 

Whether or not Congress' consistent record of dysfunction holds up, the citizens of Missouri will have a chance to raise the minimum wage here $1 to $8.25 on the November ballot.

Its yet to be seen if any candidated or elected official on the right side of the fence will come out in support of such a commonsense way to jumpstart the economy, and give a much needed raise to the state's  lowest-paid and poverty-stricken workers.

Ed. note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that Nixon and McCaskill had taken positions on the new HR 6211, introduced yesterday. 

As Representatives Birther Tim Jones, Jason Smith, John Diehl, Caleb Jones, Shelley Keeney, Chuck Gatschenberger, Vicki Schneider and Chrissy Sommer and Senator Jane Cunningham enjoy their ALEC junket in Salt Lake City today, supported by Jefferson City lobbyists for MTIA, AMEC, CenturyLink, RAI, AT&T, MCTA, Comcast, Gamble & Schlemeier, Ameren and Peabody Energy, we bring you this great new animation on how the ALEC hijacks our lawmaking process across the country. 

It's only been a week since 12 people were killed and 58 were wounded in the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, and already we have not one but two events with Missouri legislators revolving around guns, guns, guns.

We've got Rep. McCaherty hosting a fundraiser raffling off an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle similar to the one used in the recent shooting, and now we've got Sen. Brian Nieves excited to host a fundraiser where contributors can join a "Home Grown Event" and shoot! I mean, really folks, this is meant to be FUN.

From: Brian Nieves <briannieves@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Subject: Come Join Us!!

I have GREAT News!!

We have received a number of sizable checks from supporters who wish to underwrite our Sporting Clays Event THIS Saturday, the 28th!! Why is that good news for you?!?! Simple: I'm opening up the event at a Greatly Reduced Price which means we want you to come whether you have a big contribution or not! Heck, I'll probably let you come for FREE or you can just contribute what ever amount you feel like!!  Really folks, this is meant to be a FUN, Home Grown Event and we want YOU to join us! Don't worry about the money, just call us Right Now!

We are excited to see you on Saturday and don't want money to get in the way so call me or Tim directly to let us know your coming and then just simply come! My number is 314.XXX.XXXX or Tim at 314.XXX.XXXX

See you Saturday!

-Brian
 

Of course you'll remember Nieves as being the guy who loves himself an AR-15 assault rifle, as you can see in the video below.

And you'll no doubt remember Nieves' brush with the law when assault allegations were made against him two years ago:

The Kansas City Star reports today that state Rep. Brian Nieves (R - Franklin County) is at the center of a complaint made Thursday to police in Washington, Missouri. According to the Star, a campaign worker for Dick Stratman (Nieves' challenger in the Republican primary for state Senate) stopped by Nieves' campaign office Wednesday morning to offer congratulations for Nieves' victory in the primary.

The campaign worker, Shawn Bell, was leaving the office when he reportedly ran into Nieves, who -- per the complaint -- threw Bell against the wall and then drew a handgun from his pocket that he used to intimidate Bell.

[emphasis added]

With Nieves' notorious temper, his love of guns, and previous allegations made against him, you'll no doubt understand when I say I'm declining the invite to go shoot some clays, even if it's supposed to be a FUN, Home Grown Event. I think I've gotta... wash my hair, or... clean the garage... I'm definitely booked on the 28th.

Looks like someone asked Rep. Caleb Jones (R-California) to fork over $25,000 to the pro-Sarah Steelman Now or Never PAC:

(click to embiggen)

Looks like Jones has decided that since he doesn't have a race for his seat this year, seeing that he's unopposed, he's going to play with the big dogs. What's that old saying? If you sleep with the dogs, don't be surprised when you wake up with fleas.

New radio spot from Peter Kinder responding to Brad Lager charges, via PoliticMO: 

You may have seen news that Rep. John McCaherty is "auctioning a .223 caliber AR-15 semi-automatic 'assault' rifle Aug. 27 to raise money."  A questionable choice at any time, in my mind.  Well, Rep. McCaherty doesn't want to talk about the fundraiser at all, and hopes a big email blast to supporters will make the story go away:

From: <john@electjohnnow.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Subject: AR 15 Drawing

There has been a lot of interest in the AR 15, especially since the shootings in CO.

Let me begin by saying there are some bad people in the world that will use weapons of any type for bad things, and we are praying for those who were injured, and the families of those who lost loved ones in CO. Still there is no way for the government to make everyone safe...if we outlaw everything that can hurt someone, we would have nothing left. I believe those that commit such horrible acts should be dealt with immediately, and with all the justice system has to throw at them.

Birther Tim Jones is hypocrite and extremist, but you knew that already.  After expressing great disgust with any sort of questions about whether different public gun policies could reduce gun violence, Jones expressed a desire for new public gun policies to increase gun usage: 

I think if someone had been in that [Aurora, Colorado] movie theater and had been exercising their second amendment rights a little bit more, we might not have had so much bloodshed. You know, I mean, there's a point where you say, why do we have to wait for the police to show up to clean up the mess and the disaster after all the blood had been shed?

Listen here: