Not Just Business as Usual

November 25, 2016

Unity. That is what I reflected on this Thanksgiving. It is a true testament to the remarkable character of Americans that after a divisive Presidential campaign season, we can all respect our differences and come together for the good of our country and for our future generations.

Since his electoral victory to become our next President, Donald J Trump, true to his word, has focused on unifying Americans. Whether it’s sitting down and meeting with leaders of the Democrat Party, establishment Republicans or taking the time to hear from those most critical of him over the past 18 months – our next President has focused on the exact things our current President has failed over 8 years to ever do – developing relationships and building consensus to put America, not a political party first.

Unfortunately, the national liberal media, who we discovered colluded with the Hillary Clinton campaign, remains obsessed with the fact that they haven’t been catered to every minute by our next President. They remain dedicated to their biased double standard and would have you believe the Trump transition is in a ‘chaotic state’ of sort.  Unfortunately to their chagrin, our next President has spent more time charting a path for the future of our country, than doing the evening talk show circuit like our current Commander in Chief.

Truth be told, Donald Trump is ahead of where Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were at this point in their transitions into the White House. Even the former head of the liberal Obama campaign, David Axelrod has publicly condemned criticism of the Trump transition stating, “We hadn’t made any major announcements at this point in 2008, I don’t remember being criticized about it.”

In 2008, then President-Elect Obama had only named one Cabinet position by December 1st and still had multiple vacancies in his Cabinet at the start of January. President-Elect Bill Clinton didn’t even make his first Cabinet pick until December 10th! Since 1968, George H.W. Bush has been the only newly elected President to name any Cabinet level positions within the first 2 weeks of winning the Presidency and he had the ability to witness a Presidential administration as Vice-President for 8 years.

As our next President has had time to sit down and consult potential Cabinet Secretaries, what has emerged in his selections are some of the most qualified and skilled individuals to lead our country. The type of leaders who will reassert America’s rightful place in the world, who will stand with our allies, deter our enemies, and Make America Great Again here at home.

One of President-Elect Trump’s most recent selections of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education highlights our next President’s priority to move power out of Washington, away from bureaucrats, and back to the states and small town communities upon which this nation’s freedoms were founded. When I opposed the misleading Every Student Succeeds Act, I went against the Republican Party and our leaders, but I did so because I believed that it didn’t give enough control over our children’s education to the small towns and localities which know their children best. Education Secretary Nominee DeVos has stated that we should not have common core national standards and a one size fits all approach, she’s a reformer from outside Washington who supports local control. She is exactly the type of Education Secretary who will get Washington out of the lives and out of the classroom of every teacher and student across our nation and understands the purpose and potential of an education. Like Ben Carson said when he visited Sikeston, “what you do in the first 25 years of your life will lay the foundation for how hard or easy the next 50 years of your life will be.”

Donald Trump doesn’t owe anything to Washington insiders or party elite. He is accountable to the American people, that’s it, and that’s the way it should be. Donald Trump is a successful business leader who has spent his career surrounding himself with the best and brightest minds. He will continue to meet with Republicans, Democrats, economists, security experts, business leaders, military generals, farmers and hard working families to understand the right policies needed on day one to get our country moving forward again. I continue to be impressed and appreciative of the outreach and hard work of our next President – it’s a refreshing change from the government knows best approach of the last 8 years and a change overwhelmingly called for by the American people.

Celebrating Thanksgiving
 
Just a few weeks ago we came together as a nation to decide our future as we voted for the individuals who will lead us in the years to come. A few days later, we paused to honor and remember the efforts of the men and women who have fought to preserve our right to vote, and our many other freedoms. Now, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s a time to give thanks for the many blessings we have as a people and a nation.
 
Unlike many other nations, we do have free and fair elections where the decisions of folks from all walks of life are counted equally. Even if you’re unhappy with the outcome of the elections, you have to admire a system that allowed all of our voices to be heard through the voting process. Even better, we are able to do this is in a nation where equality and opportunity are real things. We are fortunate to live in a land where dreams can come true through hard work and determination, and where the American Dream is a reality for those who pursue it.
 
And on a day where we give thanks, it is important to keep in our hearts and prayers the many men and women who continue to serve and protect our great nation. So many of them are away from home, and apart from those they love during a time of year when being with family means so much. They have put love of country above all, and for that we must give them our sincere thanks and gratitude.
 
It’s also during this time of the year when we should look beyond our own trials and tribulations, and ask what we can do to help those around us in need. As you give thanks with your family, I urge you to take the time to start this discussion. While you may have plenty, so many others do not. It is during the holiday season that a donation to the local food bank or the Salvation Army can mean so much for a family that otherwise would go without.
 
On a personal note, let me also say that I am extremely thankful to continue to have the privilege of serving as your state representative. It has been an honor and a blessing and an experience that has forever altered my life in a profoundly positive way. As I sit down with my own family this Thanksgiving, I will certainly have your family, and all the families of this district, in mind as I think about the legislative session that begins in January and the things we can do as a legislature to make our great state even greater. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve as your voice in the halls of government, and may you have a happy Thanksgiving.
 

Missouri State Senator Doug Libla Announces Intent to File Legislation Regarding Violence Against Law Enforcement

Jefferson City, Missouri - Today, Senator Doug Libla (R-Poplar Bluff) announced he will file legislation on December 1st enhancing penalties for those who are convicted of attacking law enforcement officers and first responders.
 
“Our law enforcement officers need to know that members of the Missouri General Assembly have their back,” stated Sen. Libla. “As Chairman of the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee I will keep this important issue at the forefront of the committee and Missouri Senate’s agenda this upcoming legislative session.”
 
Under current law Missouri statute outlines the penalties for crimes, and allows for enhanced penalties on special victims, which definition includes law enforcement officers and first responders. Senator Libla’s legislation will further increase the penalties for specifically attacking law enforcement officers and first responders. “I am amazed and dismayed at the level of disrespect being shown to the brave men and women who have chosen to serve and protect us. For simply wearing the uniform our heroes are being targeted and attacked. This has to stop,” declared Sen. Libla.
 
Senator Libla was re-elected to a second term in the Missouri Senate earlier this month. He proudly serves the counties of Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Shannon and Stoddard. For the last two years he has served as Chairman of Senate Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee.

Missouri - Governor-elect Eric Greitens launched his transition website, govelect.mo.gov this morning and encouraged Missourians with a desire to serve their state to apply.
 
"What we have earned is something sacred: the privilege to serve,” Governor-elect Eric Greitens said. “We are looking for the best and the brightest to join our mission to create more jobs, higher pay, safer streets, and better schools for Missouri."

Governor-elect Eric Greitens has selected his former Campaign Manager and current Senior Advisor, Austin Chambers, to oversee the transition. Additional members of the transition team will be announced in the coming days.

Those interested in serving Missouri should submit their resume, cover letter, and contact information through the website.

Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes
 
As citizens from all walks of life turned out to cast their votes and make their voices heard on Election Day, it was an important reminder of the freedoms that have been fought for and defended throughout the centuries by the many brave men and women who have rightfully earned the title of hero.
 
It’s on Veterans Day that that we pause as a nation to honor those who have put their love of country above all else. It’s a time to thank those who have risked life and limb to ensure Americans can vote on Election Day. It’s a time to salute those who have fought to protect us from the scourge of tyranny and injustice. It has been said many times before, but it must be said again on Veterans Day; we owe these brave souls a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. That is why it’s imperative that our gratitude and respect for their service be sincere and abundant.
 
However, even with the commitment so many of us make to honor their heroism, many of our veterans continue to live without any sort of recognition of their selfless service. Think about these numbers for a moment. Each night here in this country there are more than 50,000 homeless veterans sleeping wherever they can find shelter. In fact, veterans make up more than 55 percent of the homeless individuals on our streets. Consider too that the suicide rate among those who have served is 50 percent higher than those who have not. And even here in Missouri, where we make a concerted effort to do all we can for our veterans, we still see approximately 2,000 veterans on a waiting list to receive care at one of our seven veterans homes.
 
The good news is that Missouri is a state that is willing to do all it can to help the more than 490,000 who call our state home. Our economy is boosted by the nearly 50,000 veteran-owned businesses within our borders. Our efforts to invest in our veterans through job training and new educational opportunities saw more than 14,000 veterans go back to school and receive more than $55 million in assistance in 2014. Missouri has also worked to help veterans overcome substance abuse problems by creating Veterans Treatment Courts. And thanks to these efforts, not only have thousands received the training they need to get better, higher-paying jobs, but we’ve also seen the suicide rate among veterans in our state drop by 37 percent over the last few years.
 
These are all positive signs and reasons we should take pride in our state and the way we acknowledge and treat our veterans. But there is always more we can and should do. That can be as simple as expressing your gratitude by saying thank you to someone you know who has served, or as involved as donating your time or money to charitable causes that work with our veterans. And for the legislature, it means continuing to find policy solutions for the issues faced by our veterans.
 
On Veterans Day I ask that we all make the promise to treat our veterans with the respect they have earned. And let us vow to do that not just on one day each year, but on each and every day. Their extraordinary accomplishments have created an extraordinary debt that we must consistently work to repay. Their sacrifices have given us the nation we love, and their commitment to service has protected the freedoms we all hold so dear. For this and for all they have done, we must always be grateful.