Judge Michael E. Carter Files For Missouri State Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE St. Charles Missouri, February 23, 2016 St. Charles attorney and Judge Michael Carter filed today in the Republican Primary for the 23rd District State Senate seat.  The seat is currently vacant following the departure of former State Senator Tom Dempsey. "When you look at what is going on nationally, people are sick of politics as usual.  They are fed up with hand-picked successors, political dynasties, and special interest politicians. I love going to Jefferson City, as unbelievable as that sounds I really do; but, in more ways than not it is just as broken as Washington.  The will of the people is often ignored and it can feel that no one cares about those people who should be our first priority -- the good people that work hard, pay the bills, follow the rules, and don't have time to get to the state capitol to speak for themselves," declared Carter. "My roots, my family, and my business are in this community.  I didn't move into the district to run for office.  People know that I will stand up and fight for their interests. They know I worked to ban the profiteering red light cameras in Wentzville which led the way for passage of a countywide ban.   Ask anyone who knows anything about red-light traffic cameras in the St. Louis and St. Charles county areas and they know the name Mike Carter. I started the 'ban the cam' movement for all the right reasons and I will now finish it with a statewide ban, I'm successful enough that I can't be bought and strong enough that I can't be bullied.  The big money out-state foreigners and unions have begun funding their chosen candidates," says Carter. Judge Carter said his major goals would be to:  Pass A Statewide Ban On Red-Light, Speed, and Traffic Citation Cameras Generally. End The Bureaucratic Stranglehold On State and Local Government Programs - Make Bureaucrats Re-apply for Their Jobs Every Five Years Just Like the Elected Officials They Serve. Ensure that real-world application and common sense are considered in light of Municipal Court Reform Senate Bills 5 (2015) & 572 (2016). Though Reform Was Needed and Somewhat Welcomed Statewide, Municipal Courts Are Meant to Be Localized Centers of Behavior Modification in Their Respective Communities. Stripping Courts of The Means to Exact Appropriate Impartial and Measured Justice is Not the Answer.  Pass Meaningful Ethics Reform and Put an End to The Frat House Atmosphere in Jefferson City. Make It Easier For Businesses To Flourish and Insert Business Efficiencies in Government Offices. Make It Easier To Challenge Property Tax Assessments and Other Seemingly Unilateral Governmental Rulings - Level The Playing Field In Administrative Hearings. (Carter is a 27 year REALTOR and Knows First Hand How Real Property Assessments Should Be Handled) Frequently Interact With Missouri Voters Through Direct Automated Telephonic Contact Wherein Voters Can Quickly and Easily Reveal Their Desires and Opinions About Crucial State Issues. Carter says he is also running to see if real independent ideas and speaking candidly with voters can overcome money, big name endorsements and politics as usual; culminating in an elected Senator who is beholden to no one. This very same approach put Carter on the bench in Wentzville Missouri. Michael Carter has an undergraduate degree from UMSL and both a Masters of Journalism and Juris Doctorate from Mizzou.  After passing the bar exam, he began the Carter Law Offices, LLC at Fifth Street and Boonslick in St. Charles.  Carter is now serving his second term as judge of the municipal court for the City of Wentzville.  Past experience includes having clerked for Missouri Western District Court of Appeals, serving as a Senior Fellow Clerk/PR Missouri Attorney General's Office, and doing public relations and legal research for the United States Senate.  He was also a senior lecturer at the University of Missouri for 13 years and holds a real estate broker license, served as a Director of the St. Louis Board of Realtors, is the publisher of the New Wentzvillian, and author of a coming book.  Carter and his wife have two children, a family dog and reside near Cottleville.                                                                                                                                  Paid for by Vote4Carter.com Committee, Janet Kontz Treasurer Contact:  636-916-4040 Felicia@CarterLegal.com

YOUTUBE QUOTE: Eric Greitens is the Brian Williams of the SEAL Teams."

In case you have been looking for it. Interesting Video on Missouri Gubernatorial Candidate Eric Greitens -- Fact or Fiction? 

YOUTUBE QUOTE:  ". . . Here’s the deal if anyone is still wondering: Eric Greitens is the Brian Williams of the SEAL Teams.

Instead of believing a host of bought and choreographed endorsements, ask guys who ACTUALLY served with him. We ARE those guys – WE KNOW HIM. We are the nameless, faceless silent professionals who endorse this video and believe that being a SEAL is NOT a resume bullet.

Outsiders may wonder - why take Eric to task? Why give a shit? Because “brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold.” 

Enough is enough. This conversation is over. . . ."

America In Search Of A Superhero; Explaining The Rise Of Donald Trump

Commentary

By Judge Michael Carter

Every age has its heroes.  The stories of some, like Hercules, have withstood even the test of time.  Americans have embraced the superheroes of popular culture since Superman first appeared in 1933.  Today the superheroes of comics are a mainstay of the movie industry, and we flock to see our larger-than-life heroes.  Since 2002 there have been fifty movies centered on superheroes of one sort or another.  We have an almost insatiable appetite for this genre of entertainment.

Many political pundits have attempted to explain the rise and prolonged dominance of Donald Trump on the political stage as the result of his celebrity status.  If celebrity status alone were the key to political fortune then why haven't more movie and television stars made the transition?

The answer may be that voters this year are looking for a little something more.  America is in search of a real superhero and many believe they have found him in Donald Trump.

Trump closely mirrors the movie adaptation of Marvel Comic's character Tony Stark, better known as Iron Man.  Stark is portrayed as an outspoken, brash, headstrong, single-minded, unapologetic, tough-as-nails, super wealthy celebrity, with a giant ego and playboy tendencies.  Tony Stark even puts his name in giant letters on his office tower.  Sound familiar?

Trump may not have a metallic suit that is impervious to damage, but up until the Iowa Caucus he did  seem pretty impervious to attacks from others, and even from self-inflicted damage, in his high-price designer suits.  Other Presidential candidates rolled up their sleeves, donned plaid shirts, and tried to blend into the rows of corn to prove how common they were in Iowa, but  Trump flew in wearing his signature suit and tie... the Iron Man of business.

Perhaps some of the yearning for a superhero in politics is because the enemies America faces in the world seem as sinister and powerful as the villains of our comic book fantasies:  Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and ISIS.  Bio-terrorism, chemical weapons, nuclear proliferation, fear of another recession, and even climate change threaten our way of life.

And Iron Man isn't the only superhero Donald Trump is channeling.  There is a lot of Captain America in his appeals to patriotism, his kick-in-the-front-door approach to dealing with ISIS (or is it HYDRA?), his yearning to return to a simpler time.  Some of it is the image he cultivates for his campaign, but a lot is what voters project onto him.

Heroes aren't perfect.  They often stumble before they ultimately succeed.  The story-line wouldn't be as interesting if Superman didn't have his Kryptonite, The Dark Knight - Batman wasn't borderline psychotic, and Tony Stark didn't think so highly of himself.

It seems difficult to ever imagine Marco Rubio being that larger-than-life hero, or Ted Cruz, and certainly not Jeb Bush.  They all seem more like sidekicks.  Rubio is at best Dick Grayson as Robin.

Donald Trump appeared gracious after his second-place showing in Iowa, perhaps humbled, but not broken.  Tony Stark has also fallen and had to come back many times, rebuilding his fortunes much like Donald Trump.  Will Trump come back even stronger in New Hampshire?  Will he win South Carolina?   Will Donald Trump be the superhero so many believe him to be?

The Democrats have their superhero equivalent in Bernie Sanders.  Like Spiderman's Peter Parker he seems deceptively un-heroic, but the only way to explain the seemingly boundless energy of a 74 year old man on the grueling campaign trail is a radioactive spider bite.  He certainly seems to have slowed Hillary Clinton to a crawl with some sort of sticky web.

There is, of course, a difference between being a real hero and one of fantasy.  We know there are no real superheroes.  But that doesn't stop the archetype of the superhero from being engrained in our popular culture.  It may not be at the conscience level, but I believe many Americans yearn for a political superhero to save the nation from threats both real and imagined.  To the extent a particular candidate reminds them of the characteristics they liked in the character of a superhero, the more drawn voters will be to that candidate. 

---

Mike Carter is a past Director of the St. Louis Association of REALTORS, former Senior Lecturer at the University of Missouri, current Municipal Judge for the City of Wentzville, and General Counsel for one of St. Charles County's largest employers. He has worked for the Missouri Attorney General's Office in Consumer Protection as well as Missouri's Western District Court of Appeals.  Carter holds both a Juris Doctorate and a Master's Degree in Journalism from MIZZOU.  He has helped lead opposition to red-light cameras in Missouri and championed the countywide ban of red-light cameras in St. Charles County. Mr. Carter is married with two children and a family dog. His family belongs to St. Joseph Parish in Cottleville.  Carter's first book is expected to be published this Spring. (http://www.MikeCarter.com)

Wentzville Alderwoman Wright Feels Threatened by Alderman Swanson

COPIED FROM FOX 2 BETSY BRUCE - January 28, 2016

FOX 2 NEWS WENTZVILLE, MO (KTVI) - A Wentzville alderman (Swanson) says he used the wrong word when he suggested a fellow alderman's election opponent could be "eliminated." However, that is not satisfying the alderwoman (Wright) who says she felt threatened by the phone message.

Alderwomen Linda Wright brought the issue to the forefront during a regular board meeting Wednesday night. She played the phone message from her colleague, Alderman Matt Swanson.

In the message Swanson said, "I just got a call from somebody who wants to talk to you and hopefully we can eliminate your opponent. So if you get a chance, give me a call and I think you'll be really pleased with what I have to say."

Alderwoman Wright said she was scared by the message and wondered if she would be safe and if her election opponent would be safe. She added during the Wednesday meeting, "Is there a payoff coming to someone?" She believes it is an effort to get her to stop supporting the current mayor, Nick Guccione, who is being challenged in his reelection bid.

Alderman Swanson said Thursday he meant no harm to anyone in his message. While Wright believes it was an inappropriate effort to influence her vote, Swanson thinks she is retaliating against him politically. He believes the city board should investigate Mayor Guccione. However, board members decided during a closed executive session not to do that. Wright said she believes there is no evidence the mayor did anything wrong during the selection of a new city prosecutor.

Judge Michael Carter's State Senate Bid Could Derail Best Laid Plans Of Opponent's Big Name Donors

Copied Directly from Release For Immediate Release. St. Charles Missouri. January 13, 2016 Big money donors from across the state have been lining up behind the two announced candidates in the Republican Primary for State Senate in Missouri's 23rd District. With the help of proponents of Right-to-Work, businessman Bill Eigel has been receiving large donations, including one for $50,000, in a race to try to match the fundraising head-start enjoyed by State Representative Anne Zerr. Zerr has opposed passage of Right-to-Work legislation in Missouri as did former State Senator Tom Dempsey who resigned to accept a position in the private sector. But the rush to try to tip the scales in favor of Eigel could be upset by the potential entry of local attorney and municipal judge Michael Carter. Carter has been signaling for months an interest in the position and, like Donald Trump, could self-fund his own campaign and not have to rely on the myriad special interests lining up to do battle for this open seat. Pundits believed Eigel's chances received a boost when State Representative Mark Parkinson chose to drop out of the race and throw his support to Eigel against Zerr. But the entry of another conservative, well known candidate in the race would just as quickly dim Eigel's hopes. Carter says he shares a lot of the same conservative and pro-growth positions as Eigel, but like Zerr, has actual roots in the community. "You just don't move into the state and then move into St. Charles County a year before the election because there is an open Senate seat. There are plenty of good people from St. Charles County, who know the people and the issues and aren't just looking to use our community as a stepping stone," Carter observed. Carter also said he's not excited about the influence the big donors seem to be buying. "I'm politically realistic, but would rather more local St. Charles political forces help our next State Senator as opposed to the good people of Joplin (referring to Eigel's largest contributor). I also wonder about the giant labor union forces (referring to Zerr's biggest backers). I think voters deserve and want someone who knows and will worry about what's important to the people of St. Charles County and not what candidates will owe their biggest donors. Voters want independent-minded candidates more than ever," Carter says. Carter says he is still considering whether to get in the race when filing opens in February. Contact: dixon 636-916-4040felicia@carterlegal.com Mike Carter is a past Director of the St. Louis Association of REALTORS, former Senior Lecturer at the University of Missouri, current Municipal Judge for the City of Wentzville, General Counsel for one of St. Charles County's largest employers, worked for the Missouri Attorney General's Office in Consumer Protection and Missouri's Western District Court of Appeals, holds both his Juris Doctorate and Master's Degree in Journalism from MIZZOU, he helped champion the countywide ban of red-light cameras in St. Charles County, is married with two children & family dog, and his family belongs to St. Joseph Parish Cottleville.

Missouri Senate President Tom Dempsey Ends A Long And Productive Political Career

Commentary

By Judge Michael Carter

Missouri Senate President Tom Dempsey resigned as the leader of the State Senate and from the Missouri General Assembly in a heartfelt and moving statement released July 31st.  It came as a surprise to many who have become accustomed to following the political career trajectories of those in Jefferson City, but not to those in St. Charles who knew that Senator Dempsey remained, at heart, a man of the people.  There are those who cheered him on as he rose from a City Councilman, to State Representative, then the State Senate, and the President of that powerful elected body.  Many, like myself, expected Senator Dempsey to be Governor one day.  He had the talent and the skill to have made that jump, but he also had something sorely lacking in too many elected public officials today.  Tom Dempsey had a sense of perspective.

His two page letter of resignation explains eloquently the trade off of career and family; the lost time he had to spend away from his wife and family five months out of the year when the legislature was in session.  He talks about the loss of his mother two years before and how it moved him to reassess his priorities.

Senator Tom Dempsey

Senator Tom Dempsey was exceptionally nice each time I dealt with him.  He was responsive and shared my views on the abuse of red light cameras.  Listened to my concerns about the special interest restrictions the legislature had placed on the ability of local governments to dismiss a police chief when deemed necessary.  Even on the controversial Senate Bill 5, which I felt went too far in stripping municipal judges of some discretion in sentencing, Senator Dempsey and his office listened to my suggestions and kept me well informed of the bill's progress.  Most everyone I have spoken with in Jefferson City has had similar experiences dealing with Senator Dempsey.

It also seemed to me that Senator Dempsey, like old St. Charles, was from a simpler, more honest, and straightforward time.  The harsh slash and burn political climate and gamesmanship that poisons progress was not his style.  Tom Dempsey liked to get things done and didn't feel you had to end up hating someone you simply disagreed with over an issue.  His letter of resignation proudly lists many of the things he was able to help bring about as President of the State Senate, despite the bitter atmosphere of government today.

So for his 17 years of public service, we thank State Senator Tom Dempsey and wish him well in his new career.  We also thank him for not letting Jefferson City change who he is and we say welcome home Senator.

St Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann Discusses New Eastbound Boone Bridge Span Opening In Next Couple Days (StlToday.com VIDEO) 5 Bridges Built in His 27 Years In Office.