Tag: Elections

Particularly on issues of such magnitude as transparency or government influence in our daily lives. Yet a presumed difference between private and government monetary involvement on any issue seems to be enough to persuade its scholars that transparency is not an absolute.  Where government monies are spent it seems, is far more important to your freedoms than that which is expended to influence those expenditures or other acts. And that personal monies expended to influence government are not necessarily an impact on any personal liberties to warrant a demand for transparency.

We DO agree that limits should be removed from campaign finance. We agree that limiting to an arbitrary amount can impede free speech and political expression. What is considered a fair contribution into the process is a completely subjective matter that can only be resolved by the person who is willing to contribute into that process.  A person's individual priorities and where a subject reaches a level of importance are hardly the providence of external assignment.

Thus the most accurate manner in which to protect what is a sovereign right is to allow, nay, PROTECT, that person's ability to engage in the process at a level appropriate to that person alone. Our place, and that of government should be to prevent that which would infringe on such activity and instead encourage a stake in the game.

In other words, if an individual wishes to personally expend $1 Million on a county commission race for a friend, there should be no objection from government. If it was to advocate bonding for a new swimming pool in a community, that money expended by itself guarantees no votes, and it is that person's right to seek such approvals.

And anyhow, some things can be overdone.

A recent in-box treat from the "Michigan Freedom Fund" declares a victory in the name of free speech.  The release says:

"LANSING, November 14, 2013 - Michigan Freedom Fund President Greg McNeilly today released the following statement after Senate Bill 661 passed 20-18 in the Senate:

...

"Government has no right to target and punish the free speech of individuals, whether or not it is unpopular or delivered through an unpopular medium.  Today, the Senate did the right thing by standing up for our rights and putting the Constitution first." "

Ruth Johnson apparently triggered a legislative action with a recent press release and intent on expanding reporting by shadow groups.

" LANSING, Mich. - Saying the public has a right to know who is behind some of the most negative advertising in political campaigning, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today proposed a sweeping new disclosure rule.

"In a country where free speech is protected, these ads are part of the political landscape and we can't stop them - but when they try to influence an election, we can make sure the public knows who is paying for them," said Johnson, a long-time fighter for transparency in elections.

Specifically, Johnson's proposal targets political ads that try to persuade voters about the worthiness or unworthiness of a candidate or proposal without actually using the words "vote for" or "elect." They often encourage voters to contact a specific candidate, as in "call candidate Smith and tell her she shouldn't ignore senior citizens" or "go online to let candidate Jones know you care how he is wasting tax dollars."

Because of a loophole in Michigan law, those electioneering ads - which are carefully crafted to meet the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law - do not currently require any campaign finance reporting. "

Cliff's Notes version?  Sheriff Nick Finch, released a dude they caught carrying a pistol.  Reasoning?  Amendment II supersedes bad gun Laws.  Florida AG Pam Bondi (known enemy of We the People w/ scrubbed video), prosecuted, Sheriff Finch.  A jury (God bless 'em) told The State to go bag their duplicitous ass, and get the good Sheriff back on the job, of which, in an extraordinary prudent move, Gov. Scott immediately did just that.

For record, those who keep track, that makes for, Sheriff Nick Finch = 1 certified Oath Keeper.

Our elected 83 in Michigan?  For the most part, they suck eggs.  As noted here, and here on RightMichigan, they suck more so in Kalkaska.  Then there's this from The Blaze on Crawford County LEO thuggery.

Here is a list of the following races on the ballot. We encourage all of our readers to find out as much information about the ballot measure or people running and make an informed decision.

City of Brighton:

City Council: (Vote for up to FOUR)

Ricci Bandkau

Shawn Pipoly

Kristoffer L. Tobbe

Susan L Walters-Steinaker

Shanda Willis

Note - Shanda Willis ran against Rep. Bill Rogers in 2012 as a democrat.

Ballot Proposals:

CITY OF BRIGHTON

PROPOSAL 13-01

Shall the City of Brighton, for the purpose of improvement, repair and maintenance of public streets, public sidewalks and public storm drainage facilities, levy up to 1.2500 mills ($1.2500 per thousand dollars of taxable value on all real and personal property) for a period of ten (10) years, 2014-2023, inclusive?  If this new millage is approved and levied in December 2013, the estimated amount of revenue that would be collected in the first year would be approximately $487,061.21.

CITY OF BRIGHTON

PROPOSAL 13-02

Shall the City of Brighton, for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining public safety equipment, which may include patrol vehicles, body armor, weapons and law enforcement-related technology, levy up to 0.3800 mills ($0.3800 per thousand dollars of taxable value on all real and personal property) for a period of ten (10) years, 2014-2023, inclusive?  If this new millage is approved and levied in December 2013, the estimated amount of revenue that would be collected in the first year would be approximately $148,066.61.

CITY OF BRIGHTON

PROPOSAL 13-03

Shall the City of Brighton, for the purpose of improvement, repair and maintenance of public buildings and public parks, levy up to 0.3700 mills ($0.3700 per thousand dollars of taxable value on all real and personal property) for a period of ten (10) years, 2014-2023, inclusive?  If this new millage is approved and levied in December 2013, the estimated amount of revenue that would be collected in the first year would be approximately $144,170.12.

CITY OF BRIGHTON

PROPOSAL 13-04

The MEDC, under pressure to show successes is feeling the heat as it reports little to no success for all the money taxpayers have ponied up over the years.  But hey, as Beck says: "Things are gonna change, I can feel it."  The Cap Con reports

"Michael Finney says the Michigan Economic Development Corp. has turned over a new leaf.

"Gone are wild bets on unproven technologies," the president and CEO of the quasi-governmental and private entity said in a recent press release.

Finney's comments came in response to what he called, "overheated news reports," of an Auditor General report that said only 19 percent of the original jobs projected by the MEDC came to fruition. Finney said that the report also concluded the program was "effective."

Those of you who know me, might have heard the ads I ran for the 104th district State rep seat.  Running against one of the biggest supporters of crony capitalism Wayne Schmidt, I felt it might make a difference to talk about that particular blight on public service.  The ads said:

"My family and I have taken our share of risks pursuing independence and prosperity for over 15 years. Our business has had good and bad years, yet throughout it, we've never asked, nor expected the government to make it any easier through grants or incentives like the ones given to those favored by Lansing's elite.

Yet we still pay for those incentives. And so do you.

In fact, our incumbent representative recently expanded those incentive gimmicks with HB5477, costing us even more.

Picking of winners and losers continues in Lansing, yet the chosen winners often fail. And what the the bureaucrats risk, is not their own paycheck, but ours

Its time to stop this practice of political constituency. Its time to send a champion to fight for you in Lansing, to challenge the increasing bureaucratic mess that threatens our very liberty. To stop political reward schemes, and pandering to those who would bankrupt the state's ability to pay its bills."

Unfortunately, I was not successful, and Michigan was rewarded with a third term of pale pastels in Republicanism from the North, expanded medicaid dependency, and implementation of Obamacare in Michigan. One vote perhaps not enough to stop it all, but one that would have ended an incumbency and sent a message.

Ask yourself why certain politicians; Snyder, Schauer, etc.. have such difficulty revealing their donors.

Could it be those donors are the same people?

I have had several video segments from an event on Mackinac Island with candidates in a fundraiser. The Madison Project PAC, and Jack Hoogendyk have been seeking REAL Republicans to support for legislative positions, and much like our $100 project are supportive of primary efforts that bring conservative values into play.

Gary Glenn, who shepherded Right To Work in Idaho in 1985, and has been a stalwart supporter/participant of Michigan's effort is looking to gain Michigan's 98th district house seat.  Gary wrapped up the "pickle bucket" stump round up on the island in this clip.

As mentioned in earlier posts, I had several video segments from an event on the island with candidates in a fundraiser.  The Madison Project PAC, and Jack Hoogendyk are seeking REAL Republicans for legislative positions, and much like our $100 project are supportive of primary efforts that bring conservative values into play.

Next in the series is Tom Barrett running for the 71st district house seat.

As mentioned in earlier posts, I have several video segments from an event on the island with candidates in a fundraiser.  The Madison Project PAC, and Jack Hoogendyk are seeking REAL Republicans for legislative positions, and much like our $100 project are supportive of primary efforts that bring conservative values into play.

Next in the series is Phil Stinchcomb running for the 61st district house seat.