Look up the word “nepotism” in the dictionary. You may find a picture of Congressman Russ Carnahan of Missouri.
His brother, Tom Carnahan, heads up Wind Capital Group–a wind energy development company.
The company announced last week that they have closed on a $240 million financing package which consists of a construction loan, term loan, and letter of credit.
and here’s where it gets incredibly shady…
-The group is also seeking $90 million in aid from the federal stimulus bill.
-They need cap-and-trade to pass in order for the project to survive.
-Russ Carnahan felt comfortable voting for cap-and-trade even though it directly impacted his brother.
So much for the rules, right?
Here’s how 24thState.com put it:
“So let me get this straight. The brother of a Congressman, son of an appointed Senator, and brother to a Senate wannabe, and son of a deceased governor managed to qualify for a big fat loan that is based on the government building new transmission lines out in Dekalb County? Funny how that works.”
Without a cap-and-trade bill the power generated by the wind farm is more expensive than coal and about as expensive as natural gas.
This is Kennedy-style politics at its absolute worst. When will we get fed up with our elected officials using their votes as a tool for securing tremendous wealth for their friends and families?
According to 24thstate.com, the political back-scratching isn’t anything new in Missouri:
“The Wind Capital Group spokesman is Tony Wyche. Tony is married to Sara Howard, who is no Russ Carnahan’s communications director for this election campaign. Tony was Robin Carnahan’s spokesman for her Secretary of State reelection run, in addition to his duties for Tom.
Sometimes I wonder if there are only like five Democrats in Missouri, but they all belong to 30 coalitions and have 40 jobs apiece. The same names keep popping up – and they’re always getting government money for something.
That’s what is most offensive. The Carnahan’s may not be shaking down investors in backrooms individually, but the policies they support are that mix of public/private investing that always seems to make the family of politicians rich.
All for your own good, of course.”
More:
-RedState.com: “Doing Well By Being a Congressman’s Brother”
-Here is the complete report from 24thstate.com
-Dana Loesch argues that the government needs to get out of the way on wind energy and let the market determine its trajectory.
