Tag: Greg MacMaster

Considering the ridiculous assertion by Wayne Schmidt in 2012 that he was a superior gun rights advocate with his deceptive bright orange mailer which stated: "Vote on August 7 to protect your gun rights"; with no candidate carrying anti gun views in competition at that time.  The implication that voting for the challenger (myself) would imperil such rights was frankly, "Nutty"

Schmidt's progressive attitude with regard to big government, complete streets, expensive transportation schemes, expansion of welfare, and pandering to whomever is in power demonstrates a left of center (read: Democrat) socio-type,  and should hardly leave anyone comfortable with him protecting such rights anyhow.  And as for the gun positions, in 2012, he wasn't even rated by Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners like most other candidates.

"Bait and switch," a term he uses to describe the promises and ultimate product, is no stranger to any government program designed to help so many.  He writes:

"In 2012, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that the United States leads the world in health care research and disease treatment.

For the 85% of Americans that have health insurance, the access they have to cutting edge, life saving technologies is among the very best in the world.

But not every American has insurance, with upwards of 49 million being uninsured, according to the 2010 Census.

The question for policy makers in Lansing and in Washington should be what to do to help the 15% gain access to the quality care that the rest of us have.

Unfortunately, Washington and Lansing's answer has been to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

In 2010, Congress passed, and President Obama signed, the widely unpopular and flawed Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Among the provisions of this act is enticing Michigan to put an additional 300,000 citizens on Medicaid with the promise that the federal government would pay for taxpayers' additional costs.

When the expansion was first voted on in the House, I supported it. This wasn't really Obamacare, we were told. This was Michigan getting its fair share back from Washington.

It initially seemed like a good deal for Michigan taxpayers, who receive back only $0.80 for every tax dollar they send to Washington.

But there was more to the bill.

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.

Each of these representatives put their mark on the dotted line for eventual higher federal taxes, Obamacare, and expanding reliance on a bigger government. They are Republicans, who have sought and won the trust of those who believe in a LIMITED government, and support a platform that says Republicans will do so. Many wouldn't even be in office if it were not for the grass roots conservative revolution in 2010; a group that is hardly out of the picture.

JamesBolger@house.mi.gov; mikeCallton@house.mi.gov; HughCrawford@house.mi.gov; CindyDenby@house.mi.gov; AnthonyForlini@house.mi.gov; FrankFoster@house.mi.gov; BenGlardon@house.mi.gov; JosephHaveman@house.mi.gov; BradJacobsen@house.mi.gov; KlintKesto@house.mi.gov; EileenKowall@house.mi.gov; AndreaLaFontaine@house.mi.gov; MattLori@house.mi.gov; LisaLyons@house.mi.gov; GregMacMaster@house.mi.gov; michaelmccready@house.mi.gov; MargaretOBrien@house.mi.gov; DavePagel@house.mi.gov; EarlPoleski@house.mi.gov; AlPscholka@house.mi.gov; AmandaPrice@house.mi.gov; BillRogers@house.mi.gov; MikeShirkey@house.mi.gov; WayneSchmidt@house.mi.gov; JimStamas@house.mi.gov; JohnWalsh@house.mi.gov; KenYonker@house.mi.gov; DaleWZorn@house.mi.gov;

We know of a couple who have said they will change their votes.  They are not responding to threats of activists, but realize after making their choices, that they have been lied to along the way by the governor, the Lt governor and lobbyist after lobbyist looking for that next windfall on the taxpayer dime.  Help the rest of them get the information they need.

The last chance is tomorrow or this week.  

As many of you are aware, State Senator Howard Walker R-37th has decided to forgo a second term, thus leaving a fairly solid Republican seat up for grabs.  Walker might well have gotten tired of the threats to primary him, but he has publicly  responded that it was a family decision.  We wish him the best, and hope he departs the senate with head held high, SANS a Medicaid/Welfare expansion vote when the time comes.  Voting FOR such a thing would be a pretty serious blemish on a fairly decent record to walk away with.

Unfortunately, the shame of expanding government is carried by the already announced would-be replacements.

Wayne Schmidt RINO-104th, and Greg MacMaster R-105th, are vying for the seat, each with the distinction of having supported the growth of government through their vote for Obamacare.

Note the designated (R) difference used, as their overall records could be parsed to paint a true picture of ideology.  Schmidt's frequent support of many things expansion and subsidy, stand in contrast to the GOP platform of smaller government, and intrusion. Of course Schmidt's record is longer, and more easily scrutinized than that of MacMaster, who riding the Tea Party wave of 2010, has since revealed that on key issues, he cannot be counted on to hold the conservative line. MacMaster has been a vocal opponent to disastrous A21 policies, and has introduced legislation that has made it no further than the committees, one of them chaired by Schmidt.

So we are at the starting gate with Wayne "I Like Big Government" Schmidt, and Greg "I tried to cut a deal for small business" MacMaster.  The former being one you can trust to disappoint frequently; the latter not solidly rooted in conviction.  The former not nearly as 'popular' as the latter, being one who doesn't raise money so well.

So do we break out the checkbooks, hold our noses, pirouette, or sit on our hands?

After the Governor attempted to subvert the will of the people and the legislature with a convoluted 'intra-local' agreement on his pet bridge project, he now finds there is no state money available for his new tool.  Unless he pulls an "Obama" and violates the Michigan constitution, no money can be appropriated to the new method which has raised eyebrows with conservative leadership in the Michigan legislature.  The stopping point?  From the Detroit News:

"The House Appropriations Committee amended a supplemental funding bill barring the Michigan Economic Development Corp. from spending general fund taxpayer money on construction or development of the proposed New International Trade Crossing.

"I just want to ensure that no taxpayer money is being spent on something that shouldn't," said state Rep. Dave Agema, R-Grandville, who sponsored the amendment. "Nobody has the authority, including the governor, to spend any money without the Legislature and appropriations (committees) appropriating the money."

Anyhow, there is ONE little point that needs to be addressed.  The ability of an Intra-Local tool to even have ANY validity between nations.  Would such an agreement even be legal? Our constitution says not so fast.  Only the President with the consent of the US Senate can enact such contracts. From Article 2 Section 2 of the US Constitution:

" .. He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States .."

An 'attaboy' and thank you goes out to House Appropriations Committee members Dave Agema, Chuck Moss, Bob Genetski, Eileen Kowall, Matt Lori, Bill Rogers, Jon Bumstead, Kevin Cotter, Ken Goike, Nancy Jenkins, Peter MacGregor, Greg MacMaster, Earl Poleski, Phil Potvin, and the lone Democrat voting yes with those members, Richard LeBlanc.  They have saved our state a little embarrassment for the time being.

Former state Sen. Walter North of St. Ignace offered his endorsement on Tuesday after MacMaster discussed challenges facing the state with North, who also was executive chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
 

"I am extremely honored that Senator Walt North has endorsed my campaign." MacMaster said after the meeting. "I would be truly honored to continue his legacy in the Legislature and Northern Michigan."

The other endorsement from state Rep Paul Opsommer:

"In these tough economic times we need tough-minded representatives who can make the hard choices that will put Michigan back to work, and Greg is that person,"
And,   "Greg brings to the table the values and integrity Lansing so badly needs."

The sound could be better, and as with some of the videos taken at  the event, I could not compress without losing content, so they are  broken into two parts.