Republicans

And So It Begins

Taking no chances that the grassroots come out in opposition, the Progressives strike.

The Michigan State Senate nearly doubles our state gasoline taxes.

Voting to raise the gas taxes by 17 cents at legislative maturity, RINO Senate Leader and tax raiser Randy Richardville’s bill will create even more hardships on those who are already struggling to put fuel in the tank.  Much of it earmarked for mass transit too?  Wonderful.  The Ivory Tower reports:

The bill from Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, was passed quickly and without debate, by a 23-14 vote, after a number of false starts earlier in the day.

The Senate took “a big step to show people we’re serious,” Richardville said. “If you’ve got an alternative, we’re going to take a look at it.”

Emphasis provided to demonstrate what double speak is

those-guys

Cowards and thieves.

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Gary Peters, Governerd Rick Snyder, and Gun Control

Bloomberg has a story about the “Paltry” Democrat freshman class, whose only lawmaker elected is Gary Peters of Michigan.

Michigan is a good example of why the efforts to repeal the 17th Amendment makes clear sense.  The framers of the constitution intended for senators to be picked by the legislatures of the respective states, and for the past four years in Michigan and for the future four years, Michigan will be dominated by Republicans.  If the 17th Amendment had never been instituted a hundred years ago by progressivist constitution destroyers, it is highly unlikely that Michigan would have either Debbie Stabenow or the newly elected Gary Peters as senators, since they are both Democrats.

But to truly understand who the voters of Michigan picked as their newest Senator, you really do not need to go any further than Bloomberg.

Michael BloombergAfter leaving elected office as mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, the anti-Second Amendment billionaire, has been working to be the counterweight to the NRA.  He is the founder and owner of Bloomberg LP He means business on gun control, and flexed his muscle in the 2014 elections by contributing over $20 million dollars.  It is worth noting that he did not spend his money for short term gain alone, he is in it for the long haul, spending $50 million to start a  grassroots gun control network called Everytown that claims to be for gun safety, but it is for gun control.  Above education, above immigration, gun control is Bloomberg’s number one issue, and he is focusing all of his attention and resources toward it.  As he told the New York Times, “You have to be careful if there’s two issues you care about, and they’re good on one, bad on the other, what do you do? And I think you’ve got to pick your issue. In our case, my case, it’s guns,” he told the New York Times. “I care very much about immigration. But guns are the No. 1 thing.”

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Say NO to Al Psholka

A Conservatively Strong GOP house needs a true Republican leader.

A message from your conscience.

PLEASE consider talking to your newly elected rep about one of the most important decisions he/she will make very soon.  The Hastert rule being ignored brought us medicaid expansion, and will cost us more in gas taxes very soon.  From a Facebook post:

After the shellacking of the Dem Progressive agenda yesterday, it is time for the MIGOP to wake up and change direction. They need to realize that they dodged the bullet and rode the wave of Anti Democrat voter sentiment, NOT a wave of Pro Republican Sentiment.

The MI House republicans could start by electing a new House leader that will not be a rubber stamp for the Guvnerds’ agenda. Rumor is that many of the House Republican caucus want a chance to vote on the Hastert rule. I would challenge Cotter to make a Few Points into a Platform that would Garner him support from many of the incumbents and from most of the Newly minted Freshman.

1. Promise to allow the Caucus to vote on adopting the Hastert rule.
2. Promise to allow Tom Hooker’s heartbeat bill to be put on the floor.
3. Promise to allow ALAC (Rep. Tom Hooker again) to be put on the floor.
4. Promise to not allow Elliot Larsen, and other Legislation that does not have Majority Republican support to see the light of day.

We already face too much danger from the Lame Duck session. We can expect many of those term limited out, Jase Bolger, randy Randy Richardville, Haveman, and others seeking future appointments and Government job opportunities, to attempt to curry favor with the Guvnerd, and special interests.

A strong stand now would garner support, and help place those currently seated on notice that Business as usual will not be part of the agenda after Jan 1.

Call your newly elected Rep and tell them to support Kevin Cotter for speaker.

kevin-cotter

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Pay up Suckers

Never underestimate the local ‘Team R’ actors who will roll with RINO Ron’s DIA Bailout.

gingell_mike_smIn the letter, which Gingell read to The News, Gargaro said he wants to work on connecting the three art authorities — which are contracted with the DIA and collect tax money on behalf of the county — with compensation decisions by meeting with them three or four times a year.

“So the county art authorities have opportunity for input, so that’s a good measure,” Gingell said. “They would review the DIA audited financial statements and discuss it in an open forum with the art authorities. It’s definitely more outreach, more transparency, more practical steps to address compensation.”

Reached by The News Wednesday afternoon, Gargaro declined to discuss the specifics of the letter or what it was offering. “I haven’t had a chance to speak with the commissioners about it yet,” Gargaro said.

In other words, Eugene Gargaro hasn’t read the official script yet.

Gargaro is expected to meet with commissioners during their caucus Thursday morning, Gingell said. That will take place just before the start of the regular board meeting, at which commissioner Dave Woodward, D-Royal Oak, had planned to offer a resolution to dissolve the Oakland County Art Authority, which sends $11 million a year to the DIA.

Gingell said once all 21 members of the board read the letter and speak with Gargaro, “my personal opinion is things will move on” and the issue of dissolving the art authority will be over.

REST

Yep. Easy peasy. Just another case of watching the layers of bureaucrats and their insider onion peel.

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Steve Boron: “Conservatism Wins,” especially in tough districts

Protecting gun rights, cutting taxes, reducing spending, and stopping Obamacare. These aren’t issues you’d expect a Republican to run on in a blue district, like Michigan’s 16th House District which consists of the cities of Wayne and Westland. But Steve Boron says it’s the only way Republicans can win over Democrats and Independents.

Steve Boron talks with a voter over the phone. He estimates that his campaign has placed over 15,000 live phone calls to voters in his district.

Steve Boron talks with a voter over the phone. His campaign has placed over 15,000 live phone calls to voters in Michigan’s 16th House District.

“A lot of voters are disengaging from the political process because they feel neither party represents them,” said Boron. “Instead of being ‘Democrat-lite’, Republicans need to take a stand for conservative principles and inspire their base to get out and vote.”

Steve Boron is a 20-year member of the UAW, the owner of a small solar panel business, and a lifelong resident of Westland. On paper, he seems unlikely to be a free-market conservative – let alone a Republican candidate for State Representative. But Boron says his background is his biggest strength.

“I’m a blue collar worker and a union member just like most people in the district. Voters here will trust me before they trust a career politician or a wealthy CEO,” he said. “I understand what issues matter to my community and how to tailor the conservative message to win over their support.”

Campaign Strategy

When asked whether he has any proof his strategy works, Steve Boron responds that he is simply “retooling” Barack Obama’s successful re-election strategy.

“Obama won in 2012 because he moved to the left, fired up his base, and got out the vote,” Boron says. “It made me wonder, ‘why can’t Republicans improve on that model?'”

Boron points out his training at the Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership and experience as a grassroots activist were also formative in his understanding of political strategy.

“We’re focusing heavily on voter identification and microtargeting. Once we know where a voter stands on a few issues, we know how to communicate to them,” he said. “For example, every supporter of the Second Amendment we identify will be targeted with a message about my ‘A’ rating from the NRA and the endorsement I received from the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners.”

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Michigan’s Voice for Victims?

One Citizen's concern over Michigan's growing imbalance of power and the eroding of the checks and balances built into our governmental system to protect individuals from injustice. The gentlemen is far from alone in his concerns.....

boot

Neither the Right nor Left, The Republicans nor the Democrats, have a patent on being the protectors of the citizen’s individual Liberties.  When it boils right down to it, a political policy vehicle can, and often does, fail with it’s endorsements. And our elected representatives often fail their constituents when  it comes to the protection of the individual.

We can stay on the merry-go-round of party politics that villainizes the opposition party, (often warranted) or we can start grading our elected on their effectiveness, and willingness to challenge the system and allow unhindered due process afforded every citizen in our U.S. and State Constitutions.  When the system fails, when petitioning is exhausted and disregarded,  The people have the right and duty to make it right at the ballot box.

Please read the following opinion letter sent to me by a very admired friend.

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Gridlock Is Good?

Bill Ballenger, Kyle Melinn make the point that might have to be considered in this election.

Video found at VoteForGridlock.com

Its pretty bad when our BEST alternative comes from tying the hands of our lawmakers so that they might accomplish none of their goals. Its bad when either gubernatorial candidate represents a regressive or potentially dangerous path for our state. Its uncomfortable to have to advocate such a position, but Ballenger, and Melinn get it.

Look, its not as if we didn’t warn of the poison infecting the Republican party before. Mark Schauer is BAD NEWS. But Rick Snyder, beyond whatever reasonable reforms already made, has his own plans that we will not, and can not support any more than the Democrat’s own.

If Snyder loses, (which appears to be less probable the more folks see Schauer) it must be seen as a clear repudiation by conservatives, and a loss of the base. Don’t think the flags wouldn’t be raised for broader support of the Schauer (leftist) doctrine. As we have seen already, the Romney loss and subsequent misplaced blame was a severe example of denial by party leadership.

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Eaton County Dems and LALWV in on giving the rusty hatchet to Tom Barrett?

Update – 16 October 2014 @ 1042 Hours

I received a reply from Ms. Wilson.

We had no time to reschedule it, to notify people of its rescheduling, and to find the personnel to handle another date. We also weren’t entirely sure that Barrett would not show up for the full forum. I do regret that I didn’t have a chance to let Theresa Abed know the circumstances, but everything was speculative until the evening of the forum itself.

So yeah, Jacquelyn Tennis was barking up the wrong tree.

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Candidate Rick Snyder (2010) vs. Gov. Rick Snyder (2012) On Guns

Originally posted on MIOpenCarry.org (Reposted with permission)

According to OnTheIssues.org, in 2010 then gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder’s campaign website contained the following in regards to whether or not he would support the 2nd Amendment and the rights of gun owners:

“In one word: absolutely. I actually own three guns myself. I have a 12 gauge shotgun and two .22 rifles that I use for target shooting. I believe the 2nd amendment also protects the right of citizens to have a gun in their home to protect their family and property. I also support the rights of gun owners to responsibly carry their gun, as long as they have attained the legal permit. While I’m not an avid hunter, I support the industry and believe it plays an important role in our economy and quality of life. It also can have a valuable environmental conservation impact and I would work to streamline the processes so that hunters get better customer service from the state and local governments. We have a long tradition in our state of supporting gun rights and the hunting industry in Michigan and I would continue to support that tradition as Governor.”

Now there are two big problems with the highlighted portion. The first problem is that rights and permits are mutually exclusive. A right, by definition, is something that belongs fundamentally to everyone, as opposed to a permit which gives you the ability to do something you could otherwise do. The second problem is that when Gov. Snyder was given the opportunity to backup his words he folded.

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