Showdown at the Capitol Targets Rex Sinquefield

Editor's note: A previous version of this post incorrectly identified Kent Gaines as a lobbyist for Sinquefield. Gaines used to lobby with Travis Brown, but the two are no longer partners; only Brown is a registered lobbyist for Sinquefield. We regret the error.

Over 100 Missouri taxpayers and activists marched on the south Capitol steps this morning to make their voice heard and to form a battle cry against Rex Sinquefield's attempts to "buy" decision makers & initiative petitions.

Rally-goers were encouraged to join in a western showdown theme and carried signs exclaiming "Wanted:  Sin Man" and charged "Hell No!  There's no way, your pay-to-play won't work today!"  

The crowd made four demands of Sinquefield and circulated the following flier throughout the downtown area:

Rex Sinquefield is a retired investment banker who uses his fortune to finance short-sighted sweeping schemes that harm our economy, hurt hard working Missourians and influence public policies.

•  Rex—is single-handedly funding a multi-million dollar statewide initiative petition to end earnings taxes in St Louis and Kansas City that if passed will hurt local government and residents safety!
• Rex—avoided campaign finance laws when he created 100 separate political action committees to funnel monies to candidates so he could influence outcomes of our elections and lawmaking at the Capitol.
• Rex—pays lobbyists to get our state lawmakers to eliminate all taxes and impose a mega sales tax to injure Missouri families.
• Rex—openly uses “pay to play” politics by giving thousands in campaign contributions and corporate jet rides to MO lawmakers!

Rex—the people of Missouri want to expose you and demand you change your selfish ways!

• Rex—will you stop abusing the initiative petition process and halt the “Let Voters Decide” campaign that if passed would shut-down local government in Missouri’s two largest cities?
• Rex—will you step-down as a Show Me Institute board member?
• Rex—will you be a good-citizen millionaire role model and advocate that corporations pay their fair share in Missouri and fight for progressive tax reforms—not a mega sales tax proposal?
• Rex—will you end your “pay to play” politicking and give monies to entities that build communities rather than buying off politicians who support big bank bailouts and corporate self interests?
• Rex—will you advocate for vital jobs, public education and economic programs to help our economy recover?

We work hard in this economy—and we need an economy that works for us! We can’t afford to buy off government but we pay our taxes! Where’s a return for our investment?