JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC

Following Kansas City Mayor Sly James’ refusal to endorse the proposed, half-cent sales tax yesterday, the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph also came out flatly against the tax.

An afternoon post on the diocesan website said that developing “next generation medicine leading to cures for the people of the world is an ambitious and worthy goal, which should not be paid for by a regressive tax on the citizens of one county in a single state.”

The post went on to say that taking $800 million from Jackson County taxpayers (over the 20-year, initial life of the proposed tax) “without improving local services, will be additional spur for young families to move out of Jackson County.”

The statement also addressed the diocese’s concerns about ethics in medical research. The post said:

“There is nothing in the text of Question 1 to prevent embryo-destructive research. Although many scientists believe in the long-term potential for clinical applications from embryonic stem cell research, it destroys nascent human life and is thus immoral…”

That point is likely to reverberate with many conservative Catholics. There are plenty in that category.

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Regarding Mayor James’ statement, I learned just last night from an irrefutable source that before the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City — the prime mover behind the tax proposal — brought its case to the County Legislature, the civic leaders first spoke with Mayor James. He told them he couldn’t support it.

No wonder…with other pressing issues on the city’s plate, including renovation of KCI, separating the combined storm water and wastewater sewer system, and building the $100 million streetcar system downtown.

Rebuffed by James, the Civic Council took its extravagant and risky plan to the county, selling it well enough to convince the County Legislature to put it on the ballot. Now, the Civic Council is trying to take us county residents for a ride.

Fortunately, a veritable mountain of organized opposition is developing, and the Civic Council’s $1.5 million to $2 million campaign could very well end up falling flat.

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This is all pretty serious business, you know, but here, for your enjoyment are three pertinent cartoons that a friend of mine put came up with. All three are included in posts — “August Ambush,” “Current Sales Tax Rates” and “Translational Means I Don’t Get It” — on stopabadcure.org.