“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>There has been a lot of very much warranted press attention given to Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and his inappropriate and disproportionate use of public funds for his travel and campaign expenses. This spending blurs the line between government duties and political business.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>A declared deficit hawk, Kinder claims a special regard for St. Louis. Although he hails from Cape Girardeau, a bastion of ultra conservatism, he has spent a great deal of time in this area attending, over the years, Cardinal baseball games, corporate sponsored fundraisers and importantly, Tea Party rallies. He is also a frequent guest at civic celebrations including some African-American events, and he reportedly enjoys a close relationship with some Democratic elected officials.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Apparently ignoring Kinder’s well known core values, some of these Democrats—accustomed to scorn from most outstate elected officials—seem seduced by Kinder’s frequent visits to St. Louis and his avowed special attachment to the place and feel he deserves praise and even support in his expected bid to return the Governor’s office to Republican control in the 2012 election. We need to point out that, notwithstanding their incessant rhetoric about social values, budget cutting and the frugal use of taxpayer dollars, there is an ample history of proliferate spending and questionable personal conduct by many GOP elected officials in this state.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>But the Kinder conduct that needs to be examined more closely, especially by the African-American community, is his flaming rhetoric at Tea Party rallies that have made him a Tea Party favorite. We also want to remind everyone that Kinder filed his own lawsuit last July to stop federal health care reform—a public policy that will enable thousands of Missourians, including many African Americans, to get access to health care. Kinder also strongly opposes the disclosure of the individuals and organizations that are providing the funding for the legal challenge. Much of the opposition to health care reform comes from the insurance industry and politicians who see an opportunity to undermine President Obama by spreading misinformation about what they derisively refer to as Obamacare—a code word that carries implicit disapproval of the president himself and his legitimacy as the nation’s top elected official to many in this state.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>When Kinder filed his lawsuit, Missourians Against Obamacare, his comments were revealing about his true political beliefs; his suit contends that Congress oversteps its authority and tramples state sovereignty and that Congress cannot demand that state officials enforce a “federal scheme”. These views strike us as ominous and disturbing, and reasons for real concern about some of the social and political values of Mr. Kinder.
