Ed Martin For Congress » Congress

Labor Day, 2010

Webmaster — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:06:49 +0000

Labor day is a day first established to celebrate ”the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.” Today all of America’s workers enjoy the holiday, both those who are and are not organized. The interests of both categories of workers have converged and in most ways we are all in the same boat. As we enjoy the lovely weather and take the day off from our labors, I think it is important to look at where we are when work resumes on Tuesday.

Too many Missourians are out of work. Recessions are part of the cyclical life of an economy. I have lived through at least three, depending on how you count them, and while it is frustrating and worrisome, America has always bounced back, stronger than before.

This recession has enjoyed a great deal of “help” from the Federal government, or at least what has happened has been billed as help. As the various schemes to “help” the average worker have unfolded, we find the only folks helped were the politically connected.

Consider the Chrysler bailout, ostensibly to help stabilize the job situation for auto workers. First, the deal shut-down hundreds of dealerships. Sales staff were laid off at these firms, along with union service workers, disproportionately in areas away from an urban center. The decisions to shut down one dealership over another had nothing to do with the long-term economic health of the company, but rather was done under an airy rubric of “shared sacrifice.” In reality, the closures brought no measurable improvement to Chrysler’s bottom line, and may be a long-term detriment as buyers switch to other makes that have a local presence.

Fenton workers certainly shared in the “sacrifice” as they watched their tools, equipment and jobs packed up and shipped to Mexico and Canada. Their children and grandchildren will be paying the taxes that cover the cost of Chrysler’s bailout with no job to show for it. The Chrysler bailout fiasco is an unfortunate example of this congress’s incompetence.

The stimulus, another attempt by Congress to borrow enormous sums of money to shore up the economy is proving to be a colossal failure. Among the few types of projects we can all agree create jobs that benefit us all are “infrastructure” projects. How many times did we hear “shovel ready” jobs. The River Des Peres was built during the Great Depression era and benefits St. Louis to this day. However, in nearly a trillion dollars of borrowed money that we will have to pay back, only about 5% is going toward those sort of long-term infrastructure jobs. What of the other 95%? Did Russ Carnahan tell us only 5% will be going toward “shovel ready jobs? Who do we blame for this bald-faced lie?

Any reasonable person would see spending 300 million dollars in our district to make 561 jobs as an insulting waste of resources America simply does not have, but that’s what we have done here in Missouri’s 3^rd District. Millions of dollars have evaporated into the pockets of the politically astute. Congressman Carnahan’s brother Tom is in line to receive $90 million stimulus dollars for his wind farm, one example among thousands of insiders getting their “fair share” at our expense, with no accountability whatsoever, and no jobs as promised.

America’s workers are the most productive in the world, and we love to work. Our government has been overtaken by nannies bent on regulating every aspect of our lives and greedy politicians who cloy and grasp at every dollar they can send to their friends who in return send pennies on the dollar in campaign contributions for favored treatment. 55% of Russ Carnahan’s campaign war chest comes from political action committees who want to keep their place at the trough he fills with borrowed money.

The private sector is being strangled with red tape and robbed with high taxes, wrecking jobs that exist and preventing job growth that would normally occur naturally after an economic correction. It is Congressmen like Russ Carnahan tightening the collar.

These days, what we need in Congress are men and women with a conscience. One of my ancestors is James P. Mitchell (my grandmother’s father’s cousin, though we called him our “great uncle”) who served as Eisenhower’s Labor Secretary. Secretary Mitchell was well-regarded by both labor and business owners for his fairness and obvious concern for the workers of America. As I have come to understand my uncle’s career and approach, I see a man who knew that business owners and their employees need each other to succeed. This congress is punishing business owners without regard to the effect on the tens of thousands who are being thrown out of work, or kept off payrolls all over the country. I will work to be a leader like Secretary Mitchell, who provided commonsense leadership and put the needs of the people first.

No more wealth redistribution, giveaways to family members and campaign donors. Stop the takeover of health care, energy, and finance. Congress needs to change direction and chip away at the taxes and regulation that are creating uncertainty in the business community and destroying growth.

No more bailouts. No more regulatory burdens and stifling taxes for small business. I mean to go to congress and get the IRS and the bureaucracy off the neck of small business. From this new, free environment will flow jobs, jobs, jobs. Congress just needs to get out of the way.

Lowlight of Carnahan’s Reign; Highlighted in New Ad

Webmaster — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:22:19 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Congressman Carnahan Bailed Out Auto Industry – Jobs Moved to Mexico

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) August 16, 2010 – Jobs! Missourians need them and Congressman Carnahan is working against them. That is the focal point of the newest ad “Lost” from the Ed Martin for Congress campaign. The ad kicked off and began circulation today.

Congressman Carnahan approved Billions for an auto bailout, then sat and watched as Chrysler closed its Fenton plant and shipped the jobs to Mexico and Canada. The hard working people of Carnahan’s district want to know why $550 Million, of their tax dollars, was spent on stimulating jobs across the border. (Bloomberg Businessweek, Thomas Black, June 24, 2010) While 700 Chrysler dealers were closed in the U.S., five new Chrysler plants were built in Mexico – creating 1600 jobs…in Mexico. (Southeast Missourian, Melissa Miller, April 21, 2010) (IndustryWeek, Agence France-Presse, Feb. 9, 2010)

Where was Congressman Carnahan? He was busy jet-setting around the world on lobbyists’ dollars and rubberstamping Nancy Pelosi’s bills that he admittedly didn’t even bother to read. A short list of Congressman Carnahan aka Congressman Bailout’s wasteful spending votes are as follows:

$700 Billion Wall Street Bailout

$787 Billion Stimulus Plan

$1.1 Trillion Obamacare Plan

$1.1 Trillion Earmark Spending Bill

$846 Billion Energy Tax Plan

Enough is enough! Congressman Carnahan is obviously out of touch with his constituents. It’s time to say “No” to Rubberstamp Russ.

Congressional nominee Ed Martin, even while never having served in office before, has a proven track record of fighting for jobs. In 2008 he took on a David and Goliath fight and founded SaveAB.com. It was a grassroots effort to help save local jobs at Anheuser Busch. Even with 85,000 supporters the sale went through, but Ed’s determination to save jobs has not and will not waiver. He is willing to go up against the biggest Goliath of all –b ig government.

“Every day I am out traveling the district meeting with families and small business owners and spreading the word about my grassroots efforts “Shop Local – Hire Local.” There is such a sense of desperation and uncertainty among people. We need someone in Congress who will work in their best interest. The government can be described as a blanket for businesses, it can provide a small bit of comfort however wrapped too tight it becomes constricting and can smother small business. The intrusive regulations of cap and trade for example that Congressman Carnahan supports would be devastating to small businesses and smother them into non-existence. That is not how you create jobs,” said Ed Martin.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is in St. Louis today meeting with Ed Martin and lending his support. Congressman McCarthy knows what it takes to create jobs and keep small businesses in business. “Before his 21st birthday, McCarthy successfully opened and operated a small business, Kevin O’s Deli. Owning a small business gave McCarthy important experience about the difficulties that entrepreneurs face from burdensome regulations and onerous taxes.” (kevinmccarthy.house.gov)

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Carnahan, a Hospital Lobbyist, Kept Taking Pay from Client While Serving in Office

Webmaster — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:14:03 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Potentially Over $200k in Pay for “Not Lobbying” and No Record of Carnahan Recusal for Conflict of Interest

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) July 29, 2010 –A new revelation of unreported payments to Congressman Russ Carnahan threatens to shape his race for re-election. Based on Carnahan’s 2004 federal personal financial disclosure, he may have received more than $200,000 from his sole former lobbying client, BJC, while he served in the Missouri legislature from 2001-2004. Although nothing bars a sitting member of the Missouri legislature from getting paid while serving, the amount of payment and Carnahan’s role as BJC’s top lobbyist (a.k.a. government affairs director) suggests an ongoing relationship that may have skirted Missouri Ethics laws and, at a minimum, wreaks of politics at its worst.

Here are the facts:

From 1997-2000, Carnahan was a registered lobbyist on behalf of BJC. In 2000, as Carnahan ran for state office, he continued to lobby, but he terminated his lobbying later that year after he won election to the state legislature. While in the state legislature, Carnahan continued to disclose BJC as his employer, but it is unclear what he did to deserve the pay, which appears to have been $88,000/yr. based on his 2004 federal personal financial disclosure. In recent years, the state legislature has been roiled by questions regarding what kind of payments sitting legislatures can receive. It now appears that Carnahan was ahead of his time in taking money from a client with an interest before the legislature and for whom he had lobbied.

“Getting paid $88,000/yr. by a former lobbying client while serving in the legislature is the kind of insider trading that Americans have come to despise in their elected officials” said Ed Martin. “We want men and women to represent us not career politicians who milk the system. I call upon Congressman Carnahan to publicly address this glaring conflict of interest, and I will request the appropriate authorities examine this unseemly relationship.”

Timeline:

1997 – Russ Carnahan registers as a lobbyist for BJC
1997-2000 – Carnahan lobbies Missouri lawmakers on behalf of BJC
2000 – Carnahan files to run for the state legislature but continues lobbying through the November election.
2000, December – Carnahan terminates his lobbying just weeks before his swearing-in
2001-2004 – Carnahan discloses continued work for BJC in his annual state level personal financial disclosures, but no monetary amount is given
2004 – Carnahan runs for Congress and discloses his $88,000/yr. pay from BJC in his federal level personal financial disclosure.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

The Outrage of Obamacare Continues with Recess Appointment

Webmaster — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:44:22 +0000

Recess appointments are lawful, and were meant to be a means of filling key positions in high government when the Senate is not in session. Appointees can only serve a limited time. Controversial appointees put in place by recess appointment know that they will later face a Senate that was none too pleased at the President’s dodging of the chamber’s advice and consent role. For this reason it is rarely used by the president for nominees to whom the Senate has expressed objections.

Obamacare’s passage was not only a fiscal disaster set to cave in our future, it made a shambles of our legislative process and a mockery of the will of the people. Last year Scott Brown was elected to Ted Kennedy’s seat on a groundswell of opposition to Obamacare. Despite this, the arrogance and condescension of Congress went on unabated, and through a series of byzantine rules, deals and obnoxious flouting of standard process, a wildly unpopular law was crammed down the throats of America.

President Obama’s arrogance continues in the appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. Handpicked to be Obama’s official hatchet man in implementing Obamacare, Dr. Berwick has yet to answer questions posed by the Senate. Obama’s spokesman claims the appointment is in response to Republican resistance – as if resisting an evasive nominee to implement an atrocious law were a bad thing.

While this Congress and this Administration are providing a rich environment for things to undo, the top of my list is Obamacare. I will join GOP colleagues and Democrats who are interested in representing their constituents in efforts to repeal and replace. First, repeal Obamacare in its thousands of pages of bureaucratic morass and replace it with the handful of reasonable reforms it contained. I will pursue other changes in the law to deal with important health insurance issues, such as insurance portability, national competition among insurance companies and special pools for patients with preexisting conditions.

Nancy Pelosi, with willing participants like Congressman Russ Carnahan have dutifully done the bidding of President Obama and has infuriated America. I am running to provide representation for Missouri’s 3rd district, not “rule”. I ask for your vote on August 3rd in the primary, and the battle to end Obamacare will begin.

Town Hall to Address Local Veterans’ Affairs

Webmaster — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:43:20 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Senior Member of Armed Services Committee to Attend

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 30, 2010 –As Congressman Russ Carnahan pointed out there seems to be “repeated problems” plaguing one of our local VA hospitals. Unlike Carnahan who sat idly by for six years not addressing the issue; congressional candidate Ed Martin is taking action.

Ed Martin is hosting another town hall on Veterans’ Affairs Thursday July 8, 2010.Congressman Mac Thornberry of Texas, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, and Joe Frank, past National Commander of the American Legion will be in attendance to hear directly from our local Veterans. Martin has also extended an invite to Congressman Russ Carnahan.

What: Town Hall on Veterans’ Affairs

When: Thursday July 8, 2010 5-7 pm

Where: Two Hearts Banquet Center – 4532 South Lindbergh Boulevard St Louis, MO 63127

Why: To address any concerns regarding our Veterans, specifically issues surrounding the recent health violations at John Cochran VA hospital

“For too long now the voices of our Veteran’s have fallen on deaf ears. I cannot sit by and watch as the very men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom are cast aside and mistreated. If there is a known enemy or obstacle putting our Veterans in harm’s way it should not be ignored but rather addressed immediately. I want to hear the concerns of our Veterans and, when elected, promise to work tirelessly to in return help fight for them,” said Ed Martin.

Ed Martin is honored to have Congressman Mac Thornberry on hand at the town hall to help immediately address any grievances and/or interests of our local Veterans.

Ed Martin, whose brother is a Marine, has a deep and personal concern for the treatment of our Veterans. He has requested, when elected, to be assigned to the Veteran’s Affairs Committee in order to oversee and help protect Veterans. At a town hall for Veterans this past March Ed Martin received a written endorsement from Joe Frank, the Past National Commander of the American Legion.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Stimulus – Epic Failure

Webmaster — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:47:38 +0000

I heard a pastor say that you can either be humble, or be humiliated. The chart below, adapted from the slick packet used by the Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama to sell America on mortgaging our future, details how the arrogance of the Obama administration is meeting its nemesis. Far from the mild unemployment and speedy recovery, we have historically high unemployment and we seem stuck there with no end in sight.

Nothing about this is surprising. Tea party activists all across the nation warned against the $787 billion dollar stimulus. We knew from managing our own financial lives that America cannot borrow and spend its way into prosperity. The Federal government has no money of its own to waste, it can only take it from the private sector – or in this case obligate. Billions in spending will, like night follows day, lead to billions in taxes. Businesses clinging by their fingernails know that various regulations like Cap and Trade and programs such as Obamacare will increase the cost of hiring a new employee or expanding their business. Couple this with the inevitable tax increases, the massive spending is having the opposite of its promised effect.

There is zero satisfaction in pointing this out, only the bitter knowledge that Congressman Russ Carnahan lacks the basic economic understanding that government spending of this nature benefits the economy. The American constitution in defining narrowly what the Federal government may do had the added effect in keeping the Federal government out of the way of the private sector. For two centuries America was able to pay its bills, only occasionally going into debt, then retiring that debt responsibly. This congress has found a wide variety of spending opportunities and have frivolously wasted it on pet projects that do nothing to deal with our most pressing issue – Americans need jobs.

The only thing that can save America is Americans. We need congress to stop spending, reduce regulation, relax taxes and undo legislation that has been signaling businesses that the Federal government is going to punish their efforts to prosper with higher taxes and increased red tape.

How to get $149,000 From Supporters – “Legally”

Webmaster — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:07:00 +0000

While a state representative, Russ Carnahan purchased a piece of property for $146,250. He bought this property from a real estate investment company. The firm in essence allowed Russ Carnahan to own the property and make payments, rather than closing the deal with either cash or a settlement from a loan. Russ Carnahan was able to make payments of for two years. Once he became a congressman, he sold it to another firm for a tidy profit of $149,000.

Needless to say, this is a bit unusual. One does not normally buy commercial property from an investment firm on layaway. Finding a plum deal takes a great deal of research and no small amount of savvy and acumen. Real estate investors labor for months to score a deal like the one Russ Carnahan enjoyed. Being a state rep or congressman should take a great deal of work, too and ought to occupy one’s attention leaving little time for the hours of phone calls and legwork needed to score a lucrative real estate deal.

How exactly did Russ Carnahan get so…lucky? Did he get by with a little help from his friends? Both the firm that sold the property and the firm that bought the property are contributors to Russ Carnahan’s campaign.

Sweetheart deals like this are not unheard of in the private sector, but are appalling in the public sector. A private individual who gets a sweetheart deal cannot influence laws for the benefit or detriment of others. While this may not be illegal, it is certainly immoral. Unfortunately this is the kind of insider trading that is too common among Washington insiders, driving good people to despair that their government will ever represent anyone but their own self-interest.

It is also why incumbents command so much campaign cash.

I sincerely believe we can beat Russ “Rezko” Carnahan, but I will need your support. We need your prayers, your volunteer effort and finally your financial support. We will be coming up on the end of the quarter and we need to show that our campaign is a serious contender. Russ is calling on all his limousine liberal friends – like those who handed him the sweet deal – to finance his final grasp for power. Can you find $100, $75, or $50 in your budget? Any amount is deeply appreciated for the sacrifice it is in these difficult times.

Those among you who are able, I would challenge you to “max out” and give to the limit of $4800 for the primary and the general election. Together we can all get Washington back on track.

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

Carnahan’s Claims Crumble

Webmaster — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:47:16 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Secret land deal proves Carnahan’s claim as false

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 17, 2010 – Congressman Russ Carnahan’s office blatantly attempted to mislead the public regarding his failure to disclose not one but two of Carnahan’s limited liability corporations. The first LLC not disclosed concerning the Congressman’s 42-foot yacht came to light amid an ethics complaint filed by citizens of Missouri’s 3rd district. Carnahan quickly filed papers with his sister, Missouri’s Secretary of State, and was able to dissolve the LLC after hours on a Friday. By Monday morning they were dissolved – which is an unheard of timely fashion for shutting down an LLC. In dissolving the LLC and amending his disclosure he publicly admitted wrong doing.

What Congressman Carnahan hoped would go unnoticed was that when he dissolved the Chris-Craft LLC he dissolved yet another LLC that for 5-years he failed to disclose. Did Carnahan lie to his sister in order to get an active LLC shut down so quickly? Carnahan disclosed his Castle Ballroom LLC in 2004 yet failed to do so in the following subsequent years. In a recent news article it was reported that, “Neither LLC was used, and Carnahan dissolved them in mid-May following media reports…” (The Hill, Susan Crabtree, June 16, 2010) However a bit of research proves that statement false. Carnahan’s Castle Ballroom was indeed used – it made a significant donation to the Congressman’s campaign in 2004. Not to mention it proved to be a lucrative real estate deal for Carnahan too. He bought the property in 2003 and about a year and half later, with no noticeable improvements made, more than doubled his money. Now he’s trying to sell such blatantly false claims as the LLC wasn’t active and never used? What exactly makes this property so profitable? Why did he feel the need to keep it a secret and not disclose the LLC?

Instead of being up front and honest with his constituents, Congressman Carnahan again tried to mislead them with an attempt to throw a baseless claim at his opponent. Carnahan’s camp threw out a trumped up claim that Ed Martin was “…choosing to violate the financial disclosure requirement…” The fact of the matter is Ed Martin, being a first-time candidate, had a number of questions regarding all of the paperwork and requirements needed to file his financial disclosure correctly – unlike Congressman Carnahan.

There is a long paper trail documenting Ed Martin’s correspondence with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. In order to offer complete transparency it is all on file and was – without being asked – handed over to several news reporters well before Carnahan’s outrageous claim. There has been transparency all along.

“To criticize someone for making sure they follow procedure correctly is nothing more than fear and anger rearing its ugly head. Carnahan knows he can’t explain his failings and secret deals, he feels backed into a corner and is obviously feeling the pressure; not knowing what else to do he is lashing out with a trumped up claim. Maybe Carnahan should have taken the time to ask questions and learn how to file properly like Ed Martin– but then again Carnahan doesn’t seem to be a fan of transparency,” said Ed Martin’s campaign spokeswoman, Theresa Petry.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Carnahan Family Feud – Robin Criticizes Bailouts, Brother

Webmaster — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:22:57 +0000

Carnahan criticizes bailouts
Democratic Senate hopeful stops in St. Joseph

By Andrew Gaug

Sunday, June 6, 2010 at midnight

Bailouts, oil spills, partisan bickering – Robin Carnahan said it needs to stop.

The Missouri secretary of state, currently running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, made a stop at a private residence on Lovers Lane Saturday morning to gain support for her campaign.

On Ms. Carnahan’s tour, titled “Stop the Bull,” the self-proclaimed country woman told about 80 attendees she has grown tired of the games politicians have been playing in Washington.

“One thing I learned when I was down on the farm was to know bull when I see it,” she said. “What I need is for you to know bull when you see and hear it as well, and call people out on that.”

Even with a Democratic majority in Congress and a Democrat in the White House, Ms. Carnahan said she has seen too many people get off easy while Americans foot the bill.

“We have too-big-to-fail companies continuing to be bailed out, and we have folks … in the Gulf now that are creating problems and expecting us to pay the bill for that,” she said.

In what might be taken as a counter to her own party’s activities, Ms. Carnahan said increases in government spending need to come to a halt.

“We’re in a situation where people are really changing their habits because we’re in a down economy, and we expect Washington to do the same,” she said.

Ms. Carnahan’s likely opponent in November would be Republican Congressman Roy Blunt, who stopped in St. Joseph on Friday. Ms. Carnahan realizes she’s facing strong opposition.

“It’s going to be a close race,” she said.

Ms. Carnahan warned that Mr. Blunt wields a strong sword, including heavy lobbyist donations. She mentioned a $1,000 contribution he received in May from Halliburton, a point she found offensive, as he serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Just last month, he started taking money from Halliburton who, if you remember, is one of the companies responsible for what’s going on in the Gulf right now,” she said.

Also a point of frustration for Ms. Carnahan was Mr. Blunt voting against ideals he claims to base his campaign on. She cited Mr. Blunt’s vote against the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010, which offered $3.6 billion in tax breaks for small businesses,

“This is a guy who runs around on a bus that says on the side, ‘Jobs for Missouri’s Future.’ And yet, when he goes back to Washington, he votes against those things,” she said.

Not skirting the elephant in the room, Ms. Carnahan said the oil spill that has dominated the news should not turn into another case of history repeating itself.

“We’ve got to hold the folks accountable who caused the problem, and not have this be another place where we’re expected to bail them out when they create a problem,” she said. “We’ve seen that story before … and we ought not to have to put up with that again.”

Link to Original Story

Carnahan Photo Op Proves He’s a Hypocrite

Webmaster — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:15:00 +0000

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

He votes against local cement companies then RSVP’s for ribbon cutting of new cement plant

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 4, 2010 –Congressman Russ Carnahan obviously has no scruples and will apparently do anything for a photo opportunity. He pushed his way into a ribbon cutting ceremony that is to be held later today to celebrate the opening of a new Holcim cement plant in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. It is odd behavior from a congressman who voted in favor of the Waxman-Markey Clean Energy and Security Act. It’s a bill known as the cement tax or cap and trade and it is sure to prove devastating to the cement industry among others.

Just last year a Holcim representative talked about the dangers of regulations like cap and trade. “If you’re going to regulate our industry and go with no more coal to power the plants, what’s the alternative?” Sharon Myers, Holcim’s environmental manager, said. “And at what cost to you, your children, and your grandchildren?” Myers went on to say, “We can potentially regulate the industry out of the United States.” (ADA Evening News, Justin Loftin, March 11, 2009)

What does Rubberstamp Russ plan to say to Holcim as he helps cut the ribbon on its newest plant, “Congratulations – I voted to put you out of business?” And as he celebrates the 250 jobs the plant will create in his district will he openly admit that if he has his way their jobs are in jeopardy? Because if the cap and trade bill that Congressman Carnahan voted in favor of actually passes it’s unknown if this new facility will even meet the new government standards and regulations.

Since Carnahan is actually in the district maybe he can go explain why he voted for cap and tax to the 165 employees at the cement company Buzzi Unicem in Festus too. Of course we’ve come to know Congressman Carnahan never truly wants to discuss his actions with the people he is supposed to represent. It’s understandable though; who would want to admitthat they just followed orders from Pelosi? Maybe, like the stimulus bill, he didn’t read the cap and trade bill either. Maybe, like the healthcare bill, he simply didn’t understand the implications it would have on the people of his district – the small businesses it would cause to close, the high energy costs passed on to the people, or the continued job loss.

“The hypocrisy displayed by Congressman Carnahan is typical of a Washington-insider. People are tired of politicians like Carnahan who cast votes against them and then the very next minute pose in a picture smiling as if what they’ve done is a good thing. Carnahan must have learned his spin zone tactics from Pelosi – she was camera ready and smiling as she forced government healthcare upon us. The people of Missouri’s 3rd district are too smart to fall for Carnahan’s posing –they are calling his bluff. They want a real representative not a feel good photo opportunity,” said congressional candidate Ed Martin.

Analysis done by A Concrete Products and Cement Americas found that congressmen with cement interests in their districts voted against the Waxman-Markey Act by a 2-to-1 margin. A large number of the 44 Democrats who voted against it have cement properties in their district. (Concrete Products, Cement Tax, July 1, 2009)

Carnahan as usual did not vote in the best interest of his district but rather rubberstamped the bill along party-lines; once again the actions of a Washington-insider.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com