Springfield's News-Leader Gets Senator Blunt Just Right

Springfield Missouri's local newspaper, the News-Leader, printed an editorial opinion piece on Senator Roy Blunt and boy, did they get him just right.

Blunt cares about Blunt, Inc. 

– not Missouri

The article, in its brief but important entirety:

Roy Blunt was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 and to the U.S. Senate in 2010. He rose swiftly through the ranks in both chambers, attaining the positions of majority leader in the House and chairman of the Rules Committee in the Senate. In these positions, he has been useful to the lobbying activities of his family. In his third term in the House, Blunt is married to a D.C. lobbyist. His wife, Abigail, and his son, former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt, are active lobbyists in Washington. His other son (and campaign manager), Andrew, is an active lobbyist in Jefferson City. It would not be inappropriate to assign the following title to Roy’s family: Blunt, Inc. A Governmental and Lobbying Corporation.

When professors of political science teach a course on pressure groups, they describe the most powerful lobbying operation as one that includes one member sitting in either the House or the Senate. The Blunt family fiercely denies any connection between their lobbying work with one another. They would like you to believe that family talk is about sports, television, movies, travel and so on, but each one keeps secret from the others their own lobbying activities and never, under any circumstances, exchange any information that would be useful to the work of other family members.

An article on the front page of the June 18 News-Leader is an account of the strenuous (or one might say frenzied) fundraising activities of Sen. Blunt in defending his seat against Democratic challenger Jason Kander, Missouri’s current secretary of state. In the article, it mentioned his fundraising schedule in Washington last week that included a Tuesday evening fundraiser by the Beer Institute, a Wednesday morning fundraising breakfast for Missouri Republicans and two Thursday evening events hosted by major governmental contractors General Dynamics and Siemens. So, in the space of 48 hours he was raising money for the Missouri GOP, from which his campaign will benefit and from three organizations that have business before Congress.

It is fair to say that Blunt’s life is based in Washington. This statement is reinforced by the fact that the Blunts’ Springfield home is a condo which he uses on his occasional visits (usually at holidays) or when in town for Greene County Republican Party events. The condo also serves as his official Missouri residence.

Blunt’s contact with the general public is limited to his occasional “tours” of the state, which is rather remarkable for a person who represents the state. In these tours, he is very unlikely to meet any Missourians except those who are active members of the Republican Party. When he has meetings in Springfield they are usually closed to the general public, which makes him unavailable to those who might hold different opinions.

His connection to Missouri is very slim and tenuous. The real focus of his life is to serve as the congressional base for Blunt, Inc.

And yes, it was from last July but it's important to keep in mind, right up to and including November 8, election day.

Another great thing about the article, besides that they got him so dead on and that they printed and distributed it, is that it also got picked up by USA Today so it went national. Another important thing to keep in mind is that it is from his home area and that home is decidedly Right Wing, Conservative and Republican. If ever there were a time and a person for getting the old, tired politician, in it for himself, it would be this Missouri Senator, Roy Blunt. And that time is now. If ever there were a person who fit the definition of a "career politician", it's Senator Blunt.

The conclusion, folks?

Vote Jason Kander for Senate

 Link:  Even in a do-nothing Congress, Roy Blunt stands out for his absences

Finally, finally, some good news out of Jefferson City

Good news out of Missouri's state capitol seems extremely rare for those of us for the people and not first for the wealthy and corporations so it was great to get this good, if expected, news this week:

Kander proposes campaign contribution limits in ethics bill

Now Secretary of State, Mr. Kander had made it clear, before taking office, that he would do exactly this and propose campaign contribution limits back into Jefferson City and it's long, long overdue. In fact, the previous limits should never have been done away with but you know those pesky Republicans. The only thing better than "campaign contributions" is the possibility of having no limits whatever.

What's great is that our own Representative Kevin McManus of Kansas City joined him in proposing the measure. 

Kudos to and for both of the men for this move.  Here's why, a bit from an article on this:

In the final quarter of 2013, Missouri lawmakers and political action committees received nearly $8.5 million in contributions of more than $5,000.

And sure, the Republicans in general, along with the corporations and wealthy, expeciallly Rex Sinquefeld, of St. Louis, will all be against this but hopefully, hopefully, the people will get behind this measure and Sec. of State Kander and Rep. McManus and get this passed so we can get our state government back for the entire state, back for the people.

Here's hoping.

Corruption and the Missouri State Legislature

As our local NPR station, KCUR, recently reported on air and on it's website, "A national study of risk of corruption by the Center for Public Integrity docks Missouri for being one of only four states without any limits on campaign contributions."

That this passed, that the Republicans in Jefferson City passed this, a couple years ago is still repugnant and disgusting. That it's still the way our government is goes against everything true democracy is about.

We need to change this. We need to change this back. There need to be campaign contribution limits here in Missouri--that is, if we don't do away with them entirely, in the best-case scenario.

Having no campaign contribution limits in the state and now, due to the US Supreme Court's Citizen's United ruling, in the entire nation, makes your and my influence and vote miniscule while the wealthy and corporations are freed to buy our legislators, their legislation, our laws and so, ultimately, our government. It's "all them, all the time."

A few people running for offices right now are committed to changing this, to reinstating campaign contributin limits in our state.

The first is Jason Kander, running for Secretary of State.

Besides supporting this smart, badly needed legislation, he has worked for more ethics in our state government overall, is for shrinking state government and other excellent causes and issues. You can learn more about him here: http://www.jasonkander.com/ and here: http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?district=044

Another candidate running for office right now that has Missouri state government ethics in her campaign and political sites is Susan Montee.

You can learn more about Ms. Montee, her positions and goals here: http://susanmontee.com/ and here: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/07/19/voters-guide-susan-montee/ and finally, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Montee

Finally, Kevin Morgan is running for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 38th District.

He also supports campaign contribution limits, among his other issues. You can learn more of him here: http://www.kevinmorgan.com/ and here: http://midwestdemocracy.com/candidates/kevin-morgan/

These people need your support. They need our support. They need our votes, this November in the election.

We need far better and stronger ethics laws and support from our legislators and so, our government and for all of us, not just those with the big money to throw around.

Links: http://kcur.org/post/campaign-contribution-limits-big-donors-find-way

http://www.stateintegrity.org/campaign_financing_policies

http://www.stateintegrity.org/your_state

http://www.stateintegrity.org/missouri

Jason Kander's first campaign video

As shown and suggested above, this is current Missouri State Representative Jason Kander's first YouTube video for his run to become Missouri's Secretary of State. Clearly, he's running heavily on his military career, as well as his government service otherwise.

Hopefully he--and we--can get some better, stronger ethics down in Jefferson City.

Hopefully we will get campaign contribution limits put back in place for government representatives, candidates and elections.

At least that.

If you can contribute to his campaign, go here: https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?X=Kombg46fJQZ2cwe54v5kxSB/7Dc9YpoWUJcamvGTZmM%3D

BREAKING NEWS: Kander files for Secretary of State

This, just now, from Jason Kander's Facebook page: "Officially filed as a candidate for Secretary of State today. Now back to work." Who knows? Maybe, one day, if we work hard enough, we can have good, strong ethics laws--and hopefully ethics--out of state government in Missouri one day soon. That and campaign contribution limits. Here's hoping.

SUPPORT REP KANDER'S KANDER'S ETHICS REFROM PROPOSAL

Representative Jason Kander wrote a column--posted at The Turner Report blog (link below)--about how he "recently filed sweeping ethics reform legislation for lawmakers to consider as the annual legislative session begins this week." He goes on: "This bill would ban lobbyist gifts, reinstate campaign contribution limits, and prohibit lawmakers from lobbying for two years after they serve." It's so brief and yet so important. I think most all citizens and voters would agree that we need to get the big, ugly, corrupting money of the wealthy and corporations out of our election system and government. It is, in fact, corrupting and puts our government out of balance. It ends up favoring those corporations, the wealthy and their self-decided "needs" instead of those of the entire state, let alone the average citizen. So good on Rep. Kander. Hopefully this legislation will get broad-based support, statewide. It's important you know of it, first. Now, please contact your local state representative (see 2nd link, below) and let them know you do support it and want them to pass it. We'll be a far better state for it. Link: http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5985022&postID=2135556382289548605&page=0&token=1325967272550; http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx

A Missouri Travesty

Thanks to Representative Jason Kander for this video and to Tony at Tony's KC Blog (from whom I saw and appropriated it). This is too important not to put up.

It is stunning that these are the conditions for our state.

This all needs to change.

And as soon as possible.

Ethics in government?

I follow 44th District Congressman Jason Kander on Facebook (yes, Facebook) and find today that he wrote an "As I See It" column that was printed in The Kansas City Star this morning.

It is excellent.

In it, he very succinctly calls for ethics legislation for all the representatives out of Jefferson City.

Hallelujah. Amen, brother.

A couple examples:

"Missouri’s “anything goes” system of campaign finance seems designed to promote, not deter, laundering of political contributions. It is common practice by many Missouri politicians to shuffle funds from one political action committee to another to “wash” contributions and mask their source."

"We should ban committee-to-committee donations and make it a felony to transfer political money for the purpose of hiding the original donor."

For me, as I said on his FB page earlier today, the topper was when the Republicans took down all limits on campaign contributions.

That was terrific if you're a corporation or just simply filthy rich (and I mean filthy). This way, you can virtually, if not actually, buy any regulation or bill in government you want--or think you need.

On top of that, you can certainly help any friend and crony you want get elected so, again, you can get whatever legislation you decide you and/or your business needs.

Poor? Middle-class? Sure, you're screwed but for the wealthy and, again, businesses, you're in. You have it made. Truly the finest government your money can buy.

So kudos to you, Representative Kander. Good on ya', mate. We're with you. Keep pushing for higher ethics standards and ethics reform.

Let's help clean up Jefferson City and our government.

Hey, I can dream, can't I?

Link to story: http://www.kansascity.com/618/story/1592164.html