Letter to the Editor

Your View

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Dear Editor

Republicans took control of the Missouri Senate in January of this year. This was historic inasmuch Democrats had been in majority for 50 years. When Sen. Peter Kinder, Republican of Cape Girardeau, was elected Senate president, he had a unique opportunity to lead.

Senator Kinder's actions have been repeatedly shown unacceptable by measures of a reasonable person. Senator Kinder has gone ballistic in response to the governor's June 29 union order. He has gone way outside the bounds of propriety of a person of his rank. Kinder's ire caused him to improperly use state equipment and employees' time.

Recently, he took strong action that could lead to the politicization of state employees. I've read because he's irate about Holden's order, Kinder sent e-mail messages to 22,000 on-the-job state employees. The e-mail reads in part, "I am not opposed to unions." His behavior shows otherwise. Kinder and his constituency are opposed to unions. He is attacking state employees' unions, even though state law forbids using intimidation or coercion to influence a worker not to join a labor organization.

Peter Kinder seeks to sway the opinions of state employees and the public. But, along the way, he has damaged his standing.

Sincerely,

Bob Shettles