Tag: Fred Upton

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.

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.

A Bill Wilson Op-Ed notes how Michigan Congressman Fred Upton would prefer to shoot 'gift horses.'

That old saying, "if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything," is being proven true yet again by the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives.

Failing to embrace an agenda that would keep faith with the people who elected them, the House GOP honchos -- led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton of Michigan -- are about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

As the uproar over millions of insurance cancellations began to build, Upton and his cronies devised a cynical plan to try to grab credit "for doing something" to address the real pain and anguish felt by American families.  ..

By Rick Manning

Republican Washington, D.C. insiders have spent the past month wagging their fingers at tea party types and telling anyone who will listen that these people just don't understand realpolitik and the "politics of the possible."

In a first reveal of what constitutes the Beltway Republicans "possible", Fred Upton, the inert chairman of the House Commerce and Energy Committee has introduced legislation to deal with the Obamacare problem of the day - people are losing their health insurance due to regulations propagated by the Obama Administration.

After bruising battles trying to stop, delay or defund Obamacare, Upton's politics of the possible is language that would allow, if they wanted, health insurers to continue to offer this year's plans to customers next year.

Apparently rather than push for a real solution to Obamacare now that some Democrats are approaching panic mode as their constituents and supporters are getting the higher premiums and dropped policies that the Ted Cruz's of the world tried to prevent, the possible politics crowd is choosing to push legislation that delays the problem for another year, and allows the politicians to blame the insurers when policies are cancelled.

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

The role of the US House is supposed to be fund as needed, and not as a great big package.  The President as Cruz explained, called out the dangers of veterans services and parks being put at risk by the GOP led house holding off the big package.  The US House responded appropriately and offered funding only to have it rejected by Harry Reid.

Huh go figure.  Michigan GOP Reps pay attention.  KNOW that you are winning FOR the country.

In fact, I should have eight other press releases similar to this one.  Tim Walberg (CD7)yesterday, voted in favor of legislation that would provide funding for the National Park Service and the Veterans Affairs Department. However,both pieces of legislation failed by not gathering enough Democrats to reach the two-thirds required for final passage.  We have discussed this (quite appropriate)strategy on these pages recently.  Walberg says:

"President Obama and Congressional Democrats are already on record as supporting a piecemeal approach to keeping the government funded. It's disappointing some of my colleagues in the House do not feel as strongly about veteran services and disability claims, national parks and other areas of importance.

I remain committed to finding a compromised way to move this country forward. We deserve better."

Reality, is that Obama and Reid have said they will not negotiate.  The GOP led US House is completely in the correct mode holding out specific funding legislation for what might be perceived as an immediate need, while other negotiations (and hopefully complete dissolution of Obamacare) are being made.

Congress has already set an example of continuing resolutions, and money spending sans a budget, balanced or otherwise. Frankly, the role of congress has become that of enabler and cash valet to the spenders elsewhere in government, and little more.  Competing special interests over the years have created some form of acceptance that ALL issues are important enough to fund fully, and no congress critter majority has been able to (as a whole) suppress the need to please.

Its now a different world.  The stakes are higher, there is a tyranny begging to be funded, and the people are screaming at the top of their lungs that ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

And something happened in the meantime that should give us hope.  Letting a little steam off the pressure cooker that is Washington DC, the president is at the time of this writing, expected to sign a bill guaranteeing pay for military services and members in the event of a 'shut down'.

"The measure would also ensure continued pay for civilian employees of the Defense Department and Pentagon contractors whom Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel determines "are providing support to members of the Armed Forces." "

Think about it as one less thing the president can hold over the Republicans in congress. And the fact is, he really MUST sign it.  Otherwise the tables are turned hard on him.

And it is pure gold that should not be squandered.