“There was a time when a good reputation and a handshake sealed business deals.” These are the words of Robert Sanders, owner of Sanders Hauling. For more than four decades, he has serviced many citizens in Town and Country. Despite this, an editorial in today’s Post-Dispatch really made me ponder the future of small hauling businesses in the area. At an Oct. 16 meeting, the task force chairman revised a previous proposal, deciding to go with a single citywide bid. According to the article, “The winner would offer smaller haulers sub-contracting roles, allowing them to still do rear-yard pick-up but under the big hauler’s contract.”

We have discussed this issue as much as any other on this blog, and seen varied perspectives from our staff. I totally agree with the previous posts of Justin Hauke and Michael Pakko; district trash plans demonstrates a “collective mindset that has been imposed on constituents with a certain degree of arrogance.” This is evident in the way Town and Country passed this proposal. Passing a recommendation 2-1 while someone is spending an anniversary with a loved one sounds like upscale student council drama. I think this proposal presents a threat to individual freedom of choice for the citizens of Town and Country. I mean, it’s typical of small businesses in Missouri. People have a strong proclivity for small companies because they are personable, loyal, and — most importantly — DEPENDABLE. Although I understand the rationale behind the a government’s decision to monopolize trash and hauling (e.g., creating less wear and tear on streets), I think we should leave the choice up to the people.

The greatest thing about this editorial is the comment by John Hoffmann, a Town and Country Alderman that vehemently opposed the new proposal. From the article:

“Let the free enterprise system take its toll,” he said. That way, he added, “little guys” like Sanders will have a “fair and even” chance.

Hmm … “Let the free enterprise system take its toll?” That sounds so familiar.

Show-Me Institute contributors and scholars have recently submitted a number of opinion pieces about the proposed Metro tax increase in Saint Louis County. This augments the writing we released previously about light rail in Kansas City. With both issues on the ballot Tuesday, if you live (or shop) in either place, please take some time to review the articles. For St. Louis, we have pieces arguing the measure is a good idea and a bad idea, another in which an intern looks at both sides, and one from an economist’s perspective. For Kansas City, we have some great detailed work by Randal O’Toole.

We were honored to have Wendell Cox agree to write a piece for us. His work is an inspiration to many people involved in think tanks around the world.

I am no stranger to livestock. Out in WashMo, I lived across the street from Regal Dairy Farm. My dad always claimed it was the second-largest dairy farm in Missouri, but I have yet to find a way to verify this. My grandpa Othmar (pronounced Ought-Mur) lived about a mile down the road on his farm, where he would raise cows to slaughter. Today, I’m dating a young Washingtonian woman whose father happens to own Williams Brothers Meat Market (the perks there are endless). Beef holds a special place in my heart … and stomach. So, when I read this story from the Kansas City Star, I just couldn’t help but comment.

Commercial farms, in a lot of ways, are like Walmart (yeah, they got rid of the dash). A lot of people have a problem with Walmart, whether it be the low wages or the way they treat their employees, many people opt out and choose to shop at other, smaller, local places — like, say Schnucks. But, on the other hand, there is also that large portion of people who choose to shop at Walmart regardless of what they hear. The externality costs, to them, are outweighed by Walmart’s low prices.

Now, large commercial farms, like those described in the article, are a lot like Walmart. They are good at what they do, raising healthy animals to slaughter. And lots of them, too. Just like some people have a problem with the way Walmart treats its employees, many have a problem with how these farms treat the animals they raise. Yet, for many people, these costs are still offset by the cheaper price of meat. Going to Sam’s Club and buying your own weight in ground beef at a low price sounds very appealing to many people.

Now, I’m not saying these commercial farms are wrong or evil, or what-have-you. Heck, I’m an econ major. I’m always the unpopular guy in the argument, defending Walmart and outsourcing. Economics, after all, is the study of choices. People always have a choice. If you don’t agree with commercial farms, there are always smaller options, such as Williams Brothers. While the prices sometimes don’t match Wally-World, you know the cow or hog you are eating was raised locally and as humanely as possible.

It’s all about choices. You have to weigh the costs and benefits and decide which is best for you.

I think the difference between commercial farms and Walmart is fairly obvious: people vs. animals. Walmart employees have people to speak out for them, whether they be unions or lawyers, these people have a voice. With the animals being raised at these farms, it almost seems like people are waiting for some sort of Lorax-type character to appear and speak for the animals. On the other hand, I’m sure the commercial farm industry would love to find an animal like the Dish of the Day from Douglas Adams’ The Restaurant at the End of the Universe — a cow that not only wants to be eaten, but is vocal about which parts of his body taste the best, and which sauces go well with them.

Now, hopefully, I have plugged Williams Brothers enough so that I can score some free pulled pork sandwiches next time I stop by.

One of the top stories in the Post-Dispatch today reports that registered sex offenders will be closely monitored by increased police presence on Halloween.

There are some problems with sex offender registration as a whole, so it may not be worth the increased police presence. Some states require handgun owners to register with the state; would we want increased police presence outside the homes of registered gun-owners?

If parents worry (they will, and should, worry) for their children’s safety on this most-spooky holiday, perhaps their concern should center around more obvious dangers. The kind you can literally see coming.

When I was an elementary student at Kennard Classical Junior Academy, I remember being absolutely furious about having my gym class canceled. I had stretched, my shoes were tied tight, and I was ready for a classic game of kickball — but three guys named Clinton, Bush, and Perot spoiled my day. Our gymnasium was taken over by grown-ups who used our facility as a polling place in the 1996 presidential election. This year, things will be a little different for the lucky kids of St. Charles and St. Louis County.

An article in the Post-Dispatch had me floored when I read that more than half of the St. Louis County school districts were canceling classes at the request of the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners. In a report released last Monday, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced that 76 percent of Missouri’s registered voters are predicted to vote in the November 4 election. If this holds true, more than 3.2 million votes will be cast, which may create complications. From the article:

Because this election is expected to have a huge voter turnout, election organizers and schools are concerned about building security and parking. They also want to make sure schools can set up voting booths in their largest areas available, typically in cafeterias, gymnasiums, hallways and classrooms.

I understand the logic in closing some of the schools down, but what about those parents that work full time? Forcing them to look for a babysitter or take time off from work could put them in very inconvenient positions. School that considered closing, but chose to remain open, have called on parent volunteers to help patrol halls and asked teachers to carpool. Other districts, like Parkway, chose to keeps schools open just so the students could “observe the legislative process, to see it in action,” in the words of one official.

I think that parents’ biggest fear is that: (1) Obama and McCain volunteers will get involved in a royal rumble in the school cafeteria; or, (2) a serial killer or child molester will happen to find his way into a random hallway of the school. While I am not much of a fan of disenfranchising felons from the voter booth, Missouri law prevents felons who are still on parole or probation from voting or entering the premises. As far as an Obama McCain brawl, I think that would provide entertainment for all ages.

Hmm … if the students could get a day off, I wonder whether there is any hope for interns?

A reader sent us a video promoting transit funding in general (and the MetroLink tax by extension), and, as promised, we are pleased to share it with you. Here it is. It is very funny, and nobody doubts that sitting in traffic is just about the least productive thing you can do with your time.

On the cover of today’s Post-Dispatch, there’s a photo (unfortunately not online) taken at Hazelwood MIddle School. It depicts a handmade sign that reads “Voting Place,” and includes the names “Obama” and “McCain.”

Doesn’t that violate regulations prohibiting campaign signs at polling places? Or is that sign up just for the kids’ voting, to be taken down when the adult voters arrive next week?

I’m hoping that it’s just for the kids — but, even so, this might be a good opportunity to teach them that we don’t promote particular candidates at the polls.

I don’t know if you guys knew this, but I’ve done a bit of work regarding the upcoming Proposition C. Cough. Cough.

Well, as you might already know, Prop C — also known as the Missouri Renewable Energy Initiative — would require Ameren, Empire, and KC Power & Light to produce 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2021, with a 1-percent rate increase cap.

Surprisingly, there has been little to no opposition to this measure. Even KCP&L has endorsed it, while Empire and Ameren have remained surprisingly neutral. Well, the Springfield Business Journal has posted a great article this week detailing the support and limited opposition to the law. Spoiler alert: A certain Show-Me Institute intern is interviewed near the end of the article. This article is as cool as the Fonz, Bart Simpson, Steve Holt, Chester Cheetah, and Batman rolled into one.

There is a fine article over at the Kansas City Post about something that has long bothered me greatly — governments hiring lobbyists to lobby other governments for more money. I don’t need to add anything more, because the article itself says it all perfectly, but the practice needs to stop.

Missouri ranks in 22nd place. Not bad. Not great. A bit below average, sure, but with room for improvement.

In a study by the Chicago-based Better Government Association, Missouri’s state government placed 22nd overall in the Integrity Index. The judging included five categories:

• open record laws
• whistleblower laws
• campaign finance laws
• open meetings laws
• conflict of interest laws

A high point of the study is the fact that Missouri ranked 4th for whistleblower protection laws. Overall, Missouri was handed a 53 percent score. Not a grade that will make it on the refrigerator, especially compared to Lisa’s A+++. Our low point, unsurprisingly involves campaign finance laws, where we ranked 42nd. Wow. Not surprising, especially considering some of Missouri’s stories.

Here’s a little more info on Missouri’s campaign finance laws. And, in case you were wondering, New Jersey placed first overall and Arizona placed first for campaign finance laws.

The city of St. Louis is continuing its war against citizens’ right to express themselves. Having already told Jim Roos that he’s not permitted to use the side of his building to call for an end to eminent domain abuse, the city’s meddling bureaucrats have shown themselves to be equal-opportunity censors by citing a local business owner for his signs supporting Senator Obama. Roos, aided by the Institute for Justice, is currently pursuing a lawsuit in federal court to vindicate his constitutional right to share his message. I can only hope that the gentleman who commissioned the Obama sign will do the same.

There was a time when this sort of paternalism would never have been tolerated. Consider this passage from a 1902 Missouri Supreme Court case interpreting the state Constitution (emphasis in original LexisNexis case citation):

[T]he right of free speech, free writing or free publication, were not created by the Constitution which recognizes those rights as now existing, and only seeks their protection and perpetuation. That instrument simply forbids any law to be passed impairing the freedom of speech, and then gives a general and perpetual guaranty against any interference from any quarter whatever, with the freedom of every person “to say, write or publish whatever he will on any subject.” Language could not be broader, nor prohibition nor protection more amply comprehensive.

Wherever within our borders speech is uttered, writing done, or publication made, there stands the constitutional guaranty giving staunch assurance that each and every one of them shall be free. The Legislature can not pass a law which even impairs the freedom of speech; and as there are no exceptions contained in the rest of the quoted section, the language there used stands as an affirmative prescription against any exception being thereto made, as effectually as if  words of negation or prohibition had expressly and in terms, been employed.

Alas, with its sign ordinance, the city is saying to its residents that the government’s desire to control which signs go where is more important than the right of individuals to express their views with each other. It is a shame. If the state and federal constitutions mean anything, they mean that free people should not have to seek the government’s permission before sharing their ideas about issues of public concern.

If you like studying government, covering politics, and writing about it all on a blog, then yesterday’s Post-Dispatch had a dream article about the dispute over the county seat in Gasconade County. Many Missourians are familiar with the historic county courthouse in Hermann, that county’s current seat government, from their trips to the many wineries in the area. At least, you remember it on your journey to the wineries. But some people in Owensville — and the article makes it seem like a very small number of people are behind this — want to move the county seat to their community, farther south. The Hermann Advertiser-Courier has an additional article about the issue, touching on why members of a committee looking at courthouse reconstruction were not told of an existing agreement between the county commission and the state.

But lets get down to brass tacks. From the Post-Dispatch piece, how often does this happen?

If voters approve the move, it would mark the first time a county seat has been relocated in Missouri since 1930 when construction of the Lake of the Ozarks inundated Linn Creek in Camden County. Prior to that, a county seat hasn’t moved since before the turn of the century. Hermann has been the Gasconade County seat since 1842.

Supporters say they want the move in order to save taxpayer money by moving county facilities into a recently closed school, rather than spending millions on renovating the historic courthouse. People in Hermann see a different motive:

Many opponents of the move blame Lairmore, one of three county commissioners, two of whom are from Owensville. Critics accuse him and a handful of other Owensville residents of orchestrating the move.

[...] Many blame the commissioners for allowing the building to fall into disrepair so it can be condemned.

Some speculated that the proposed move was part of a push to get Highway 50 moved closer to Owensville. Still others believe politicians and power brokers some how stand to make money.

It certainly is interesting. It would be funny to see people claim that Clayton is too far east in St. Louis County, and try to move the county seat to Town and Country. I guess Gasconade could try to imitate Jackson County and have a split county seat, with facilities in both Hermann and Owensville. But, in the end, I must conclude that this is one of the most insane proposals I have heard of recently. Hermann, Mo., is the face of the county. That courthouse along the Missouri River is the face of Hermann. The people of the entire county should pay to renovate it, and the seat should stay where it is.