New federal standards as a result of Fred Upton's foray into progressive design have resulted in the loss of American light bulb producing Jobs, and the end of the traditional incandescent bulb as we know it.  As seen with the reelection of Obama, as well as Upton, I guess Interference in the course of an individual's personal choices is just the way government operates, so we just sit back and reelect the smug jerks bent on schtupping us and laughing about it.

Of course, American ingenuity is tested on a regular basis by those who every day face the effect of government 'Upton' types, and markets will find a way to offer similar goods.  Its usually smarter than the elected class and can find its way out of some insane bureaucratic mazes. In this case it is in the form of "rough service" MADE-IN-USA incandescent bulbs that we will sell on a test basis in our retail store in Traverse City.

Warm light from a real incandescent bulb is the way to go.  And they taste better anyhow.

The Michigan lawmaker sponsoring a bill authorizing red light cameras has made a U-turn on the issue.

Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, who chairs the House Transportation Committee, last year co-sponsored a bill that would have banned red light cameras. This year, he sponsored a bill that would have brought red light cameras to traffic intersections across the state.

However, Rep. Schmidt said he has chosen not to move the red light authorization bill forward because of concerns he says he now has about traffic cameras and privacy issues.

Concerns about privacy?  Sure it is.  At testimony, Rep. Peter Pettalia spelled that all out for Wayne.

Manufacturers of red light cameras have a reputation for heavy lobbying in state capitols. It is not clear if sponsors of the bill have received any campaign support from red light camera manufacturers. Contributions do not have to be reported until the end of the year in an off-election year, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

Traverse City and Traverse County have been under financial pressure from unfunded pension liabilities, and revenue from red light cameras could provide some relief. However, Traverse City Manager Jered Ottenwess said he is not aware of any interest in installing the cameras.

All but one of the eight co-sponsors on the red light camera bill are Democrats from the Detroit area.

I suppose it's not a good day to be a Show Pony in the 104th with further political aspirations.

Jack Hoogendyk penned a piece the other day that might have turned a few heads.  His email article "Money, Power, Quid Pro Quo - How it Destroys Good Policy" used a story from the 'watching Michigan' site that suggested Arlan Meekhof's position on Medicaid expansion might be compromised by a desire for leadership.  The article painted a scenario under which it seemed possible that Senator Meekhof might capitulate to expansion:

"But, by rising to the seat power as leader, you too are owing to someone. All that money you spread around during the campaign; where did that come from? The lobbyists. And those lobby groups that endowed you with all that cash, do you think maybe they have a few quid pro quos as well? Oh, yeah.

...

I remember when there was a key vote on insurance reform in 2003. Blue Cross/Blue Shield had much to gain if the vote went their way. They had to put a full court press on Republican lawmakers to get the needed votes. Several members were swayed by promises that "your campaign debt will go away."

Hoogendyk ended with wonderment of of the house votes and a question whether Arlan Meekhoff, as a man of integrity would cave to the a desire to grow in office.

"... Were they promised help in the upcoming election? A few seats could be in trouble because of the Freedom to Work vote. Some future campaign cash could be helpful...in exchange for a key vote now.

I know Arlen Meekhof quite well. He is a man of integrity. I appreciate that he has always stood tall on social issues. He is a staunch defender of life and traditional values. But, is he vulnerable to the intoxicating lure of power? Will Arlen Meekhof compromise his principles in exchange for leadership? Only time, his votes and his post-election campaign finance report will tell for sure."

With regard to HB4717 that passed out of committee 9-5 a little while ago:

"I would like to address those who have decided to support Governor Snyder wish to pass HB 4714. I would also like to acknowledge those who took the time to respond to my initial email both pro and con. I have been following Lansing for 31 years only to be frequently disappointed in the representation. I am aware that sometimes your job is difficult. I am also aware that you are sent to Lansing to represent your constituents. It seems that too frequently, government is at odds with that representation and the costs, as a result, are detrimental to good government and harmful to the taxpayer.

While you may choose to support the governor over the citizens of this state, you must also accept the fact that you may be the focus of those who oppose and elect you. Should any of the groups who oppose your decision start to feel the negative effects of that decision, you can rest assured that they may seek other groups to come to their assistance. The legislature recently passed a law to make it more difficult to remove officials through recall. Once again, not serving those who elected you but your own interest. I suggest that before you decide such a life changing decision for Michiganders that you could become the object of their frustration. I am not proposing this, but wish you to be aware. In http://home.comcast.net/~bogaert/Opinion.pdf you will see that the groups can work together to remove the legislator who most egregiously has worked against them.

Obamacare is not a small issue. You must realizes anything you can do to hinder its implementation will help save us from a disaster waiting to happen. For those who say "it is the law of the land" remember Rep. Nancy Polosi's comment that "we must pass it to know what is in it". If that is how you think laws should be passed, you represent no one not even yourself.

Respectfully,
Rose Bogaert, Chair
Wayne County Taxpayers Association, Inc.

By golly, you don't take marching orders from that extremist old tea party right? No worries buster.  Never were any "marching orders".  Only a little faith in a conservative whom it was thought could recognize right from wrong. I hope the soul of the party finds its new home bright and lively.

Snyder will not win in 2014.

According to this source:

"On reliable information from inside the GOP caucus the plan is to vote out of committee Tuesday for passage on the floor Wednesday or Thursday Michigan HB4714, medicaid expansion. The bill seems to be changing by the hour but not necessarily for the better. The current version does set up an exchange and REQUIRES enrollment in a plan whether a person is eligible or not: "Sec. 105c. The department shall provide a process by which individuals may apply for or renew medical assistance eligibility through a website from which the department shall enroll individuals in the appropriate health care program without regard to the specific program for which the individual applies." This provision and others are dependent upon waivers from the Obama Administration, or requires the state to SEEK such waivers, but does defeat the proposal if they do not succeed. THIS BILL LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN DRAFTED BY HEALTH INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS WHO WILL SELL SOVEREIGNTY FOR SHORT TERM INCOME."

You know the drill.

In the next two weeks there will be incredible pressure by lobbyists who fail to understand their industry has an end in sight if they are successful in convincing Michigan legislators to expand government for their own particular purpose.  Our legislators who remain outnumbered also are being led by the corruptive influence of a governor who has his own agenda.

Why is it that government must constantly move the line in the sand in a way that chips away at our liberties?  Why do we continue to elect those who are so readily available and capitulating to the Lansing and National parasites which outnumber them 8 to 1?

Schmidt didn't write this legislation any more than he built Cobo Hall with his bare hands.  This is likely template legislation provided by ATS to Schmidt, and the reward for being such a bold legislator remains a mystery.

Any dummy that follows him into this rabbit hole just adds another reason to distrust our legislators' ability to learn from history.

The burdens and additional paperwork small business will face if the internet sales tax is enacted might mean nothing to the Walmarts or other big box houses which have a nexus in each and every state.  However, a small operation that does business on the internet and ALREADY faces a shipping obstacle the box houses can overcome with trucking logistics, will be forced into near impossible operating conditions.  There might be other solutions, but no-one has come close to the right ones yet.

There are some legislators that serve their (well funded) masters well.

Tax Tyrants?

Click on their images and call them to ask "why would they want to hurt Small Business in Michigan and elsewhere?"

SAY NO to HB4202 and HB4203

Some of them glaringly obvious, some perhaps not-so-much.  Michigan Campaign For Liberty did a pretty good job of banging out 17 reasons why to hate the red light snitch devices, and perhaps adding to why folks like Wayne Schmidt ought not EVER seek political office EVER again.

From constitutionality to poor allocation of resources, to outright graft, you have seen our other commentary on this issue.