The State Journal-Register writer was too polite to point out the hilarious irony, but I'm not. He'll be helping to enforce big government red tape at the State Fire Marshall's Office.
Yes, he emceed events for the same tea party that tells us "government doesn't create jobs." Of course, those events were in Springfield, Illinois where the top employers are: 1) State Government, 2) Hospitals that survive on government funding, 3) Public schools and colleges, and 4) Our publicly owned utility. Most people in Springfield wouldn't have jobs if it weren't for government.
(Liberty...and a job funded by an EPA grant)
In this economy, after Bush's recession, I can't blame someone for taking a government job that goes against their values, even after claiming on air that Obama's stimulus wouldn't work. At least Obama managed to create the job this tea party leader is working at now.
I listened to Dave Kelm's show occasionally and even called in twice. I wish him luck in his new job. I also wish him luck at reconciling his conservative ideological fantasies with the hard reality of his new position as a big government bureaucrat.