Previously:

Campaign Finance: a league of one’s own (March 16, 2014)

Campaign Finance: “…Outstanding. Now all we need is a deck of cards…” (April 28, 2014)

Campaign Finance: Well, there are two… (July 2, 2014)

Understatement (July 20, 2014)

Robert Onder, one of three candidates in the republican primary for the 2nd Senate District, had a good campaign fundraising day today as reported to the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C131072 07/22/2014 ONDER FOR MISSOURI Missourians for Excellence in Government 6175 Westminster St Louis MO 63112 7/22/2014 $10,000.00

C131072 07/22/2014 ONDER FOR MISSOURI Grow Missouri 308 E. HIgh Street Suite 301 Jefferson City MO 65101 7/22/2014 $12,000.00

A curious individual might ask, “Who funds Grow Missouri?” This being a progressive political blog, we have the answers to your campaign finance questions right here:

C131097: Grow Missouri

308 E High St Ste 301 Committee Type: Political Action

Jefferson City Mo 65101

([….] Established Date: 07/08/2013

Information Reported On: 2014 – July Quarterly Report

Beginning Money on Hand $31,830.98

Monetary Receipts + $1,500,000.00

Monetary Expenditures – $179,203.42

Contributions Made – $86,500.00

Other Disbursements – $0.00

Subtotal     $1,234,296.58

Ending Money On Hand   $1,266,127.56

[emphasis added]

That’s an impressive grassroots fundraising effort. Or is it?:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED

GROW MISSOURI [pdf] 7/15/2014

Rex Sinquefield 344 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 5/13/2014 $1,500,000.0[0]

[emphasis added]

Okay.

Think about that for a moment. A single contribution so large that the Missouri Ethics Commission system can’t handle the extra zero.

Okay. You might also ask, “Who funds Missourians for Excellence in Government?”

Remember this?:

Campaign Finance: Well, there are two… (July 2, 2014)

[….]

C121488 07/02/2014 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 retired 6/30/2014 $100,000.00

[emphasis added]

In the past:

C121488 12/24/2013 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 none retired 12/23/2013 $25,000.00

2013 must have been an off year.

C121488 12/21/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 12/20/2012 $275,000.00

[emphasis added]

[….]

….No contributions yet for 2014. We’ll see. Astroturf in politics is always interesting.

Wouldn’t it be easier just to write the checks directly to the candidate’s campaigns? Just asking….

Well then.

And then there’s this contribution last month to Robert Onder’s (r) campaign:

C131072 06/30/2014 ONDER FOR MISSOURI Missouri Club for Growth P.O. Box 2068 St Louis MO 63158 6/30/2014 $15,000.00

[emphasis added]

Remember this?:

Understatement (July 20, 2014)

[….]

The term “largely” doesn’t do the reality any justice.

On Missouri taxes and education policies, Rex Sinquefield’s clout is growing

By JASON HANCOCK

[….]07/19/2014 6:11 PM

“….We are not a puppet of Mr. Sinquefield,” Abrajano said. “His contributions are truly his only involvement….”

Oh, but the rest of us are.

[….]

To recap, three entities each made large dollar contributions to Robert Onder’s (r) 2nd Senate District primary campaign. All three entities have at least one other person in common.

Our question remains, since there are no campaign contribution limits in Missouri, wouldn’t it have been easier to write just one check?

… and they’re both from Missouri.

Astroturfing – A professional political campaign disguised as a ‘grassroots’ uprising (astroturf is artificial grass)….

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C121488 07/02/2014 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 retired 6/30/2014 $100,000.00

[emphasis added]

In the past:

C121488 12/24/2013 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 none retired 12/23/2013 $25,000.00

2013 must have been an off year.

C121488 12/21/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 12/20/2012 $275,000.00

[emphasis added]

And who have been recipients of this largesse?

In 2012:

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Schmitt for Missouri

Po Box 220722 Kirkwood MO 63122 12/29/2012 $25,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Citizens To Elect Jamilah Nasheed

4710 Lee Apt 1 St Louis MO 63115 12/29/2012 $25,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Slay For Mayor

6559 Itaska St Louis MO 63109 12/31/2012 $50,000.00 Monetary Yes

[emphasis added]

In 2013:

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT 8 Day Before Special Charter Election-3/5/2013 Joe Keaveny for Senate 6219 Westminster St Louis MO 63130 01/02/2013 $2,500.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT 8 Day Before Special Charter Election-3/5/2013 Slay For Mayor

6559 Itaska St Louis MO 63109 01/19/2013 $50,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT 8 Day Before Special Charter Election-3/5/2013 Slay For Mayor

6559 Itaska St Louis MO 63109 02/02/2013 $50,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT April Quarterly Report Slay for Mayor

6559 Itaska St Louis MO 63109 03/02/2013 $50,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT AMENDED October Quarterly Report Friends of Steve Webb

3829 Kentucky Derby Drive Florissant MO 63034 09/12/2013 $1,500.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Missouri Senate Campaign Committee

PO Box 754 Jefferson City MO 65102 12/31/2013 $5,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report House Republican Campaign Committee

PO Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 12/31/2013 $5,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Dempsey for Missouri

2 Westbury Drive St Charles MO 63301 12/31/2013 $5,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Citizens for Torpey

821 East Manor Rd Independence MO 64055 12/31/2013 $2,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Committee to Elect Rebecca Roeber

603 NE Clubhouse Drive Lees Summit MO 64086 12/31/2013 $2,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Friends of Robert Cornejo

PO Box 346 St Peters MO 63376 12/31/2013 $1,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Redmon for State Representative

PO Box 43 Monticello MO 63457 12/31/2013 $1,000.00 Monetary Yes

C121488 MISSOURIANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT January Quarterly Report Kevin Austin for State Representative

2648 Corona Circle Springfield MO 65804 12/31/2013 $500.00 Monetary Yes

[emphasis added]

No contributions yet for 2014. We’ll see. Astroturf in politics is always interesting.

Wouldn’t it be easier just to write the checks directly to the candidate’s campaigns? Just asking.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C131097 05/15/2014 GROW MISSOURI Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 5/13/2014 $1,500,000.00

[emphasis added]

Come to think of it, for some people one point five million dollars is the equivalent of eleven cents.

There’s a history here (from 2013):

C131097 07/11/2013 GROW MISSOURI Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 7/9/2013 $1,300,000.00

C131097 12/20/2013 GROW MISSOURI Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 12/19/2013 $245,000.00

C131097 12/31/2013 GROW MISSOURI Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 12/30/2013 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

Missouri’s astroturf supported plutocratic future will be stunning in its magnificence.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: how astroturf (the fake grassroots) works (August 1, 2013)

HB 1955: a modest proposal (February 21, 2014)

[….]

The Red Lily, Anatole France

…For the poor it consists in sustaining and preserving the wealthy in their power and their laziness. The poor must work for this, in presence of the majestic quality of the law which prohibits the wealthy as well as the poor from sleeping under the bridges, from begging in the streets, and from stealing bread…

Here’s a modest proposal: limit campaign monetary contributions to eight times the hourly minimum wage. That is, a day’s wage for honest work – a “reasonable” amount available to every working adult in the state, no matter their economic status.

After that if you want to contribute more to a campaign using your individual sweat equity by going door to door, doing literature drops, walking in parades, stuffing envelopes, whatever, then go ahead and knock yourself out.

The law, in all it’s majesty, allows each and every one of us to contribute one point five million dollars or eleven cents to support our choice of political causes. It’s your choice…

You just need 37,500 people to chip in. And then vote.

Previously: Campaign Finance: Wouldn’t it be easier to just write them a check directly? (April 14, 2014)

Do you think he took it as a suggestion?

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C121045 04/25/2014 TEACHGREAT.ORG Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 4/24/2014 $750,000.00

[emphasis added]

Nah, he couldn’t have, could he?

Meanwhile, celebrate astroturf!

For now it’s still only one vote.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: here’s $31,000.00, go beat up on public school teachers (February 26, 2014)

Campaign Finance: Bah, humbug! (December 25, 2013)

Campaign Finance: how astroturf (the fake grassroots) works (August 1, 2013)

Campaign Finance: teachers are evil, except when they save kids from a tornado or a crazed gunman (May 24, 2013)

Campaign Finance: using a lot of money to beat up on teachers (May 28, 2012)

More astroturf money, today, via the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C121045 04/14/2014 TEACHGREAT.ORG Grow Missouri 308 E High St. Suite 301 Jefferson City MO 65101 4/11/2014 $95,000.00

[emphasis added]

And where does “Grow Missouri” get its money?:

CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED

GROW MISSOURI [pdf] 1/15/2014

Rex Sinquefield

244 Bent Walnut

Westphalia MO 65085

Retired

12/19/2013 $245,000.00

Rex Sinquefield

244 Bent Walnut

Westphalia MO 65085

Retired

12/30/2013 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED

GROW MISSOURI [pdf] 10/15/2013

Rex Sinquefield

244 Bent Walnut

Westphalia MO 65085

Retired

7/9/2013 $1,300,000.0[0]

Pelopidas LLC

1034 South Brentwood Blvd.

St Louis MO 63117

7/15/2013 $22,000.00

[emphasis added]

That just oozes populist momentum, don’t it?

Previously:

Campaign Finance: here’s $31,000.00, go beat up on public school teachers (February 26, 2014)

Campaign Finance: Bah, humbug! (December 25, 2013)

Campaign Finance: teachers are evil, except when they save kids from a tornado or a crazed gunman (May 24, 2013)

Campaign Finance: using a lot of money to beat up on teachers (May 28, 2012)

…signing those checks…

Yesterday, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C131097 12/20/2013 GROW MISSOURI Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 12/19/2013 $245,000.00

[emphasis added]

Do we detect a lack of enthusiasm here? I mean, it’s not like it’s $1,3000,000.00.

Previously:

The zombie GOP tax reform is digging itself out of the grave, meaner and uglier than before (October 26, 2013)

Campaign Finance: how astroturf (the fake grassroots) works (August 1, 2013)

Campaign Finance: En passant (July 31, 2013)

New Missouri Rule: if the governor governs right of center you can’t call him a “liberal” (July 1, 2013)

Governor Nixon saves Missouri from GOP anti-tax true believers’ leap of faith (June 6, 2013)

Heh, astroturf.

You think somebody loves them some HB 253? Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C101046 07/17/2013 MISSOURI CLUB FOR GROWTH POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 7/15/2013 $750,000.00

[emphasis added]

Jay, I wonder what they’re gonna spend all that money on? Nothing says “grassroots groundswell” like a check for three quarters of a million dollars from one person.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: be afraid, be very afraid (July 11, 2013)

Campaign Finance: total warfare, on all fronts (July 12, 2013)

Campaign Finance: total warfare, on all fronts – part 2 (July 12, 2013)

Astroturf refers to apparently grassroots-based citizen groups or coalitions that are primarily conceived, created and/or funded by corporations, industry trade associations, political interests or public relations firms.

Yesterday Representative Vicky Hatzler (r) sent out her latest e-mail missive with some interesting observations an Medicare:

From: Representative Vicky Hartzler [….]

Date: Sat, Aug 25, 2012 at [….]

Subject: View From the Capitol – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s Newsletter for the Week of August 20-24, 2012

To: [….]

….The deficit for 2012 alone….

….On another matter, I felt honored this week to be recognized for my efforts to address issues involving senior citizens. I was presented with the “Standing Up for America’s Seniors” award by RetireSafe – a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of America’s seniors on such issues as Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being….

[emphasis added]

There is a history of receiving astroturf awards.

Let’s take a look at RetireSafe [2004]:

….RetireSafe is a project of the Council for Government Reform, a corporate-backed group that advocates privatization of Social Security and other government services….

[emphasis added]

Uh, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t privatizing Social Security the third rail of American politics? Like that worked out so well for George W. Bush.

Via OpenSecrets [2012]:

Client Total Subsidiary (Lobbied For) Industry

Council for Government Reform $144,341 RetireSafe Repub/Conservative

[emphasis added]

So much for “nonpartisan”. Their financial numbers are down quite a bit from peaks in 2000, 2005 and 2010. 2011 was a particularly minimalist year.

Interesting, let’s look at what RetireSafe was up to when Medicare, part D was in the works.:

The Hill

September 22, 2004 Wednesday

Want to earn quick $4K? See GOP firm

By Bob Cusack

….A recent e-mail sent from the DCI Group’s Starlee Rhoades to healthcare consultants says that the campaign will run from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 and that the client is RetireSafe, which has sponsored the hiring of healthcare consultants….

….Reached yesterday, Rhoades initially denied that she was involved in this campaign. But when told that her e-mail had been distributed widely, Rhoades said, “I can’t talk about it.”

In a faxed comment, RetireSafe acknowledged it has launched a nationwide education effort on the new Medicare drug law….

Yes, that Medicare, part D. You know:

A Windfall From Shifts to Medicare

By MILT FREUDENHEIM

Published: July 18, 2006

….in creating the federal Part D program, Congress – in what critics saw as a sop to the drug industry – barred the government from having a negotiating role….

Saving money with the ability to negotiate volume discounts? Not a priority.

Economic Downturn and Bush Policies Continue to Drive Large Projected Deficits

Economic Recovery Measures, Financial Rescues Have Only Temporary Impact

By Kathy Ruffing and James R. Horney

May 10, 2011

….One of the major domestic initiatives of the Bush Administration was enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (known informally as the Medicare Modernization Act, or MMA). The MMA created a new prescription-drug benefit in Medicare, known as Medicare Part D. This legislation was only partly paid for, and it added significantly to the deficit that President Obama inherited….

….CBO now expects the net cost of Medicare Part D over that initial 2004-2013 period to be about $375 billion (as compared to the original $552 billion figure). But, it is not possible to tell whether the savings in Medicaid and other programs have deviated from CBO’s original estimate of $157 billion….

I don’t think Representative Hartzler (r) quite gets the irony of happily trumpeting an award she received from an astroturf group which at one time advocated for legislation which increased the national debt, while at the same time she decries that same national debt.  

Earlier today I headed down to the “Energy Citizens’ Rally” that Sean mentioned yesterday. The American Petroleum Institute has put together multistate campaign against climate change legislation and a new clean energy policy.  API has also hired local oil industry lobbyists to organize rallies by bussing in employees from local oil and gas companies and their contractors. St. Louis’ rally was no different – organizer Ryan Rowden is a registered lobbyist for the Missouri Petroleum Council.

I arrived at approximately 11:45 – doors were supposed to open at 11:30. Although I imagined that meant the program wouldn’t start until sometime after noon, FreedomWorks promised free hamburgers and hot dogs to attendees, and I wasn’t about to pass that up. But when I walked into the hotel (yes, the “grassroots” rally was held in a hotel ballroom) I didn’t see anyone at all. A quick walk through the main floor of the hotel revealed nothing, but then I noticed a herd of people in matching yellow shirts pouring through a side door, where helpful staffers were directing them up a set of stairs. I pushed past them outside, and sure enough, two busloads of employees with yellow “I’m an Energy Citizen” T-shirts in their hands or worn over their work clothes were emptying onto the street.

I took this video clip, attempting to look like a tourist trying to get past the buses to film the Arch and the Old Courthouse. Notice the yellow shirts in hand, the staffers directing people to go in and take the escalator.

Unfortunately, one of the staffers noticed me filming and notified me that he had told security what I was doing and that I would not be allowed into the building because I seemed like I wanted to disrupt the rally. I protested that I was just curious about what was going on, but he repeated that I would not be allowed in. I suppose the only images they want coming out of these rallies are tightly controlled interviews with oil and coal industry workers after a captive propaganda session.

Thus ended my foray into the bizarre world of hotel ballroom astroturf rallies with energy employees and their bosses. And I didn’t even get a hamburger.