Ed Martin for Congress 6037 Hampton Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63109

David McArthur talks to Randy Tobler about ”Moose” McArthur

Dave MacArthur from Doug Edelman on Vimeo.

A recent episode detailed “yacht [...]]]> “Donnybrook” is a television show, run on local public station KETC channel 9.  Panelists focus on local issues typically engaging in a spirited back and forth among local media figures.  Anyone who loves St. Louis will become an instant fan (one of the legendary panelists Martin Duggan has endorsed my candidacy).

A recent episode detailed “yacht gate”, a controversy involving Russ Carnahan and his decision to berth his luxury yacht across the river in Alton (follow the link below – the segment starts at about 22 minutes).  While Alton may provide the preferred amenities for caring for his yacht, it has the added benefit of allowing our Congressman to avoid personal property taxes.

Having St. Louis’s favorite media curmudgeon Bill McClellan acknowledge that my objections to Carnahan’s decision have a point is something of a rush. I would like to expand on the theme Mr. McClellan and others began.  I would also like to rebut the charge that this is “absurd” and “meaningless” or that this is just a political story.

It is both a political story and a big deal.  Russ Carnahan has voted for every major tax increase to cross his desk.  Cap and trade, and increase in estate taxes, the taxes and fees contained in Obamacare are just a few.  Does anyone think Russ Carnahan will vote to block a value added tax?

Therefore, one can logically conclude that Carnahan thinks Americans are just not paying enough in taxes.  It follows then that since Russ Carnahan is an American, he would think he is not taxed enough either.

That’s not how he lives.

Russ Carnahan has structured his boat ownership in such a way as to avoid paying taxes.  I certainly don’t begrudge a man a tax break, but from a congressman who clearly thinks Americans need to pay more taxes it demonstrates an stunning myopia.  Not only does it look bad (imagine the fun his campaign would have if I had my Ford truck registered in Belleville to avoid taxes) it shows that Carnahan has at best addled thinking when it comes taxation.  He either thinks he owes too little and ought to pony up, or he thinks we are taxed enough and ought to resist new taxes.

The more likely explanation is that Russ Carnahan simply does what speaker Pelosi asks of him, without thinking too much about it.  His own health care benefits – and that of his staff – are threatened by Obamacare.  Does this sound like a man who is carefully considering the impact of legislation?  Like all of us, he wants to minimize his tax bill because he thinks he pays enough already.  Unfortunately for us, the perks and power that come from being Nancy Pelosi’s “low maintenance” congressman matter more than protecting his constituents from job-killing tax burdens.  In all due respect to Ray Hartman, the care and thoughtfulness Russ Carnahan puts into his decision making about issues like taxation are at the very core of governance.

Russ Carnahan lives as if we are taxed enough, but votes as if he is not.  I think the way he lives is the correct position, I just wish he’d vote that way.

That’s how I will vote as your congressman.  I will not raise your taxes.

April 22 Donnybrook

Ed Martin for Congress  6037 Hampton Avenue [...]]]>

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