Hennessy's View

Let’s face it: the Missouri GOP has become a club to advance the careers of a select few favorites. It is not a party to advance conservative principles.

And that needs to change here and now.

And that means some old names need to retire.

Here’s just one example of the ideological impotence of the Missouri Republican Party:  The St. Louis County Assessor.

The GOP created the St. Louis County Assessor’s office because of corruption and incompetence in the political patronage version of the office under Democrats Buzz Westfall and Charlie Dooley. When it came to to actually fill the spot, though, the GOP – and its wealthy stars – kept their money and their time to themselves.

They handed an elective office to a far left Democrat because Chip Wood, the Republican candidate, was not one of them.  The Republican vanguard wanted Gene McNary—nice guy, but he lost the race in the Central Committee to Chip Wood.  So the Republicans took their ball and went home.

How selfish were these Republicans?

• One State Senator from St. Louis County attended a $150 per person fundraiser for the candidate but paid only $100.  And if you think it had something to do with Chip’s property tax issue, think again. This Senator from an affluent area never asked for the money back after the story broke.
• A rising start in the GOP House (who hopes to be Speaker one day) is busy amassing over $1 million for his re-election to the House.  A million bucks for a race in which he’s likely to run uncontested. He’ll spread that wealth around next year—to buy votes for the Speakership.  With tons of cash in the bank, this bright young man did little or nothing for the assessor race—yet his constituents will be disproportionately damaged when the elected Democrat assessor uses his power to redistribute wealth in St. Louis County.
• In his race for the Senate, Jim Lembke worked tirelessly to win in a very tough district.  But the Missouri GOP did almost nothing to help.   In 2010, the Missouri GOP did as little as possible in St. Louis County.  The result: two state-wide Republican candidates who won their elections handily lost landslides in St. Louis County.

When the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition launched its Block Captain program in May 2010, the GOP was there—to discourage volunteers.  Realizing the power of boots on the ground in neighborhoods around the area, the GOP launched its own campaign to draw Tea Partiers into Township meetings and assure them that everything’s under control.  “Nothing to see here, so go on home.”

Some did.  Other Tea Partiers were wise enough to see through it.

What we need on the right is a party, not a club for the pretty people.

We have a year and a half to prepare for 2012.  As it stands, the GOP in Missouri is headed for a train wreck.  Its overwhelming majorities in the both state houses has produced little more than fluff.  Fluff and big bank accounts for the select few who want higher office.

The Tea Party’s mission is not to advance political careers, but to inspire people.  We assert our God-given right to liberty and our Constitutionally guaranteed right to a republican form of government.  Those guarantees existed before there was a Republican Party, and we expect those guarantees to stick around after the GOP folds its mildewed tent.

Popularity: 1% [?]

On Monday, we learned that US Senator Claire McCaskill failed to pay property taxes on her personal luxury jet for three years.  Previously, she had charged taxpayers some of the cost of operating her private plane. Before that, it seems, she registered the plane in property tax-free Delaware. 

On Monday, Claire wrote a $287,000 check without batting an eye. Now, St. Louis County says she owes them another $33,000 in interest and penalties, for a total bill of $320,000. 

Then on Wednesday, we learned that small business owner, Chip Wood, the Republican candidate for County Assessor, owes $12k in property taxes on his business in the city.  Wood told KMOX that, with the collapse of the real estate market, his company had to choose among the mounting bills to pay.  Apparently, Wood’s company chose to pay health insurance, rent, and wages to his employees, hoping to catch up on taxes when things turned around.

By keeping his business open, he will pay the city every penny it’s owed. And the depopulating city of St. Louis is spared yet another empty storefront.

Not only is this a difference in degree, it’s a difference in kind.  The difference here is not so obvious, but it is profound:

• Chip Wood made a difficult economic choice to try to save his business and pay his people with every intention of making the city whole
• Claire McCaskill hired a team of accountants and lawyers to shield her from every possible tax, and amidst their dodging, dipping, diving, ducking, and dodging they dropped a $287,000 property tax bill.  Oops!

Not all tax stories are equal. I trust that reasonable people realize that a businessman fighting to keep his doors open and his employees employed  is different from a millionaire fighting to fly her luxury jet for free.

P.S.  On April 5, I will L. K. Wood, as everyone should, for County Assessor. He’s the only qualified person in the race.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Meet Chip Tuesday, March 22 from 5:30 to 7:00. Details below.

You can help clean up St. Louis County government. And you can have a good time doing it.  Here’s how.

1.  Like L. K. “Chip” Wood’s Facebook page. It’ll take only a second, and you’ll feel more connected and productive just by doing it.

2.  Visit Chip Wood for Assessor and enter your email address in the email sign-up box on the right.  While you’re there, take a look around and get to know Chip Wood a little better.

3.  Attend a Meet and Greet with L. K. “Chip” Wood this Tuesday, March 22 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.  at the Log Cabin, 3751 S. Lindbergh Blvd.  It’s just $25 per couple.  Please call 314-909-0109 to make reservations. [click for map]

Tuesday’s event is sponsored by Bonhomme Republican Women. 

Popularity: 1% [?]