Tag: Congress

Here is his announcement video.

Other races around the state will see challengers as well.  Dave Camp is being challenged by Pete Konetchy, Fred Upton by Jim Bussler, Justin Amash by Brian Ellis, and Kerry Bentivolio by David Trott.

Veteran and Iron Mountain resident Alan Arcand will be announcing his run today:

12:00pm in CST
Dickinson County Healthcare System, Iron Mountain, Mi
Alan's official announcement to run for Congress for Michigan's First District! It will be held outside the front of DCH (Dickinson Healthcare), Iron Mountain Mi

Of course, current events have shown that the constitution has has limited support from the cowards in congress. (Hint: the word is IMPEACHMENT) Inaction and a lack of oversight by congress into the executive operations has allowed the federal buraeucracy to operate with impunity. Adding to this, property forfeiture under the guise of criminal deterrence has been the source of income for local law enforcement that sells its soul to the justice department. From a Detroit News Editorial

"Since the U.S. Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Fund was established in 1986, the federal government has used property forfeiture to deter criminal activity and to incentivize local governments to cooperate with federal anti-drug and anti-terrorism efforts. Under the 2001 Patriot Act, Congress expanded civil forfeiture to include cash transactions, requiring banks to report deposits of more than $10,000 to detect terror-related money-laundering schemes.

But this instrument also has been used to harass law-abiding Americans, particularly business owners who regularly deposit cash of $7,000 to $9,000. The businesses are often seen as trying to skirt the $10,000 bank reporting requirement.

He pads the expenses with his own services.

The ivory tower reports Foreclosure Don David Trott has heavily invested in his own campaign to become a US congressman.

"An Oakland County lawyer has raised nearly $650,000 in a month on the campaign trail -- including more than $200,000 from himself -- far outdistancing the Republican congressman he hopes to unseat."

However, Trott isn't really leaving himself as exposed as those whom he has made his living off of for so many years.  Risk is for losers, right?  Get a few Daddy war-BUCKS from Cronyist liberal Illitch family, some Devos dollars, and bill yourself heavily so that an amended filing pays you for your time.  The story continues:

".. Trott contributed more than $105,000 in in-kind services -- including research, consulting and legal fees -- as well as putting $102,600 of his own money into the campaign, according to FEC records.

It seems that the "more than $105,000" number can be considered a debt of the campaign with a little modification of the paperwork.  Add that to his personal $102,600 cash infusion, and he could make a little ka-ching for his troubles as long as there are others filling the coffers.

As posited by Scales (a thoughtful and accurate analysis) in his comment:

"Benishek, Camp, Rogers, and Upton just endorsed Gary Peters for US Senate!"

On matters of amounts, levels of funding, and minor issues like renaming parks for your friends agreement across the aisle might not be such a big thing.  However in this issue of surrendering Principle and giving the worst president in the history of this nation a football spiking win and subsequent destruction of our healthcare?

It must be intentional.  They mean it.  They agree with it.  They want it, and so does Gary Peters. The similarity of thought is amazing.

To the above folks, we ask "Why bother to go to Washington?" or "Why be a Republican at all? To win races?"  Benishek especially, given the support he NEEDS to even think about winning.  A very real possibility: 48-40 loss in next years general (if you make it that far) to Jerry Cannon.  Sorry buddy.  I'll let you guess at where the odd votes go.  As for Upton, Camp, and Rogers?  Not really surprised.  Safe districts, but might still face primary challenges.

Those MiGOP Congressional types who did us right.
Miller - Nay
Bentivolio - Nay
Walberg - Nay
Amash - Nay
Huizenga - Nay

"While I am accepting of the fact that we need to move beyond this battle, I remain disappointed that the President and Senate Democrats failed to negotiate in good faith with the House to find a long term solution to many of these issues. Washington now needs to move past this gridlock and instead focus on policies that will create jobs and a healthy economy. Addressing the status quo of trillion dollar deficits, a weak economy, and a health care law that is unfair and harmful to families and our economy needs to remain at the forefront of Congressional efforts to find positive solutions."

As soon as I get a chance to identify if there are any GOP cowards from Michigan we'll make sure they see the wall of shame for at least 6-8 months or until a primary is assured for their seat.  The "deal" appears to have another provision that should fill your drawers with last night's cream corn and ask why the GOP exists at all. Politico reports:

"The legislation also includes a McConnell-written proposal that would allow Congress to disapprove of the debt-ceiling increase. Lawmakers will formally vote on rejecting the bump of the borrowing limit - if it passed, it could be vetoed by Obama.

The deal would also deliver back pay to furloughed federal workers, require a study of income verification for people seeking health-insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and also allows the Treasury Department to use extraordinary measures to pay the nation's bills if Congress doesn't raise the debt ceiling in a timely fashion.

"The plan includes a proposal offered by McConnell in the 2011 debt ceiling crisis that allows Congress to disapprove of the debt ceiling increase, which means lawmakers will formally vote on whether to reject a debt ceiling increase until Feb. 7. Obama can veto that legislation if it passes. If Congress fails as expected to gather a two-thirds majority to override the veto, the debt ceiling would be raised.

we know that "standing" is a common way of denying the adequate redress of our grievances to the court as it is, so this might well be a lost cause.

Given our support for primaries as a way of determining the most conservative candidates, it would be a little contradictory to announce opposition to a primary itself. However, there is no reason we cannot advocate for the better candidate.

Today, Michigan Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema endorsed Kerry Bentivolio for Congress.

Bentivolio says

"Dave Agema is a veteran and a fighter for conservative principles. While in Lansing, Dave valiantly fought against big government and reckless spending. I'm honored to fight alongside him to keep this seat in conservative hands."

Agema says

"While Kerry is busy fighting to get rid of Obamacare and keep us out of war, some establishment Republicans are busy thinking about their political ambitions and targeting Kerry. This seems to be a Tea Party vs. Establishment race. I am proud to stand with conservatives throughout Michigan in supporting Kerry Bentivolio for Congress."