Expect More Rate Gouging from Blunt-SBC-AmerenUE, Inc.

Governor Matt Blunt fired Missouri's consumer advocate yesterday, almost certainly at the urging of SBC and AmerenUE, both monopolies and regulated utilities.

The state's official consumer advocate has been fired by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt's administration after a legislative session in which he criticized "the anti-consumer initiatives" backed by Blunt and Republican lawmakers.

Faithful Fired Up! readers will recall that both SBC and AmerenUE are represented by Andy Blunt. 

It's quite amusing to watch conservatives attempt to spin this as part of Blunt's efforts to promote economic development and create an entrepeneurial climate.  The Public Counsel advocates for consumers before the PSC in matters relating to public utilities, as in monopolies.   A weak public counsel doesn't promote economic development, it promotes rate gouging.