Tag: HB4714 (page 2)

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."

Only one word comes to mind: Starve.

Yannow, between the Governerd surrounding himself with a deadbeat Treasurer, and a Medicaid billing mooslime responsible for at least one death now dumping $25K into the One Tough Nerd PAC <cough>HB 4714</cough>, all one has to do is sit back and watch "Rick Michigan" implode all on his own.  Damn good thing you're getting your monies upfront, young Johnny.

The state of Michigan will soon allow companies, organizations and communities to use the popular "Pure Michigan" branding in joint advertising and marketing.
....

"We will create customized 'Pure Michigan' advertising campaigns centered around clusters of business that we have in the state," Finney [MEDC] said. "You could take automotive, or you could take dairy [Subsidized], or you could take other agricultural products [Subsidized too, even The Dead], or software and we'll create customizable opportunities for companies to actively participate in the campaign."

The move is an extension of what the state has done with the tourism industry, where it has worked with about 50 partners to jointly advertise cities and tourist attractions such as The Henry Ford [501(c)(3) Tax Exempt] in Dearborn, Finney said. In those cases, the state [all taxpayers] and the entities split the costs for the creative advertising, he said.

God, I just despise the nasally weasel.  Snyder embodies everything that is in topic over here.

Gov. Rick Snyder's decision to take Detroit into bankruptcy has statewide popularity, but his advocacy for expanding Medicaid has cost him support among fellow Republicans, according to a new poll released exclusively to The Detroit News.

Snyder's favorability has regained ground from a 38 percent low point in February after the divisive right-to-work debates, climbing to 44 percent this month, according to statewide polls commissioned by Lambert, Edwards & Associates, a bipartisan public relations firm.

....

The poll conducted by Denno Research shows 36.5 percent of all voters are more likely to vote for Snyder because of his stance on Medicaid, but it has come at a price among his own supporters and strained his relations with some Republican lawmakers.

About 37 percent of Republican voters said they were less likely to vote for the incumbent Republican governor because of his support of expanding the Medicaid entitlement program, a major component of President Barack Obama's health care law.

"He's got his party behind him on (Detroit)[duh!], but when you talk about Medicaid expansion, forget it [Jeez, go figure]," said Bill Ballenger, publisher of the Lansing newsletter Inside Michigan Politics.

When Snyder is out at County Party fundraisers, pay attention to what the Nerd doesn't say about his government growing, tax hiking agenda before writing him and Schostak that contribution check.  NOTE:

While the governor held a series of forums over the past month advocating for Medicaid expansion inside medical facilities across the state, he's taken a different message to his Republican base lately.

During a speech Monday night before Macomb County Republicans in Sterling Heights, Snyder didn't mention his Medicaid plan or his proposals to raise taxes to fix the state's roads, but made clear the state would not be bailing out Detroit.

What a mealy-mouthed corporatist weasel, nevertheless, there it is = Rick Snyder.

More importantly, the 800 lb. Conservative Gorilla is in the "Big Tent" and still has no use for milquetoast Team R pale pastel.  If Senate Republicans had any doubts on how/why they should Vote No on HB 4714, it has been unequivocally removed for them.  Or, be betrayed again by a term limited Richardville without the kiss.

Snyder is straight up serious in taking care of his health lobby friends. He is not going to quit, or roll over as along as he thinks he can 'turn a few.' Some good information on the status of the expansion of the medicaid/welfare state in Michigan is always available if one pays attention.  To wit, Jack Hoogendyk says:

"The governor of Michigan has not given up on his quest to expand Medicaid. He succeeded in getting HB 4714 through the house in June. He hit a roadblock in the Senate. Since they failed to take a vote on 4714 and went on recess, the governor has been on a statewide tour in an attempt to whip up support in the general public. A special work group has been assigned to find "substitute language" in the bill that can get the needed votes for passage. Rumor is, they are on their 9th version of the bill.

The Senate is not scheduled to meet again until August 27th. Many members have left town to go on vacation so, it is highly unlikely that there will be any action before that time. Here is what I know from a VERY reliable source: 19 members of the Republican caucus are "solid NO" on Medicaid expansion. If you do the math, that is half of the senate. If a vote was taken today and it was a 19-19 tie, the lieutenant governor would then have to cast the tie-breaking vote. You know what he would do."

This scenario is NOT impossible, but at this point not likely, unless some fence sitters indicate they will deal.  

In a way, one might actually be able to gauge the integrity of their state senator by what that senator does, and what deals are made in exchange for a yes vote.  For the most part, sides have been chosen.  The fence sitters are either A. Waiting for a better deal/promise from the governor, or B. are truly conflicted as to the real cost/benefit of the equation presented them.  

And perhaps the latter reason could encourage a little more resolve from some constituents.  In fact, having heard in the last week that Tom Casperson might be leaning the humpty dumpty route and favoring the Snyder Medicaid plan, perhaps some clarification calls to the honorable Upper Peninsula State Senator are in order? As always we encourage the most respectful dialogue with our legislators and their office personnel. And as Casperson has been a strong A21 opponent, it might help to point out that Medicaid Expansion is undoubtedly part of the A21 plan.

Jack Hoogendyk, highlights some contemporary examples of how some politicians reach the truly ignorant among us .. and themselves.  

Politicians have been using euphemisms to sell bad ideas for years. When they can't get a new government program through because everyone knows it will expand government and/or take away freedom and individual choice, they just come up with a good-sounding name. Examples:

• H.R. 3567 or "The Respect for Marriage Act" repeals the federal Defense of Marriage Act, states have the right to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
  
• The "Employee Free Choice Act" (H.R. 800) replaces the existing secret ballot elections for union membership with a system in which workers must publicly sign union cards; in effect, no free choice.

..

"Compelling" of course, for those who actually believe the Governor, an executive who is in reality, looking to fill a budget gap with federal largess for a few years by "caring about one another." The expansion however, is not-so-much for the indigent, but rather for the 'donut hole' middle class. An interesting point is being made by Jack McHugh, legislative analyst at the Mackinac Center:

"One of the promises Obamacare proponents make is that the law will reduce this reliance on emergency room care. However, it may be more likely that Obamacare will actually increase the pressure on emergency rooms, not decrease it, according to studies."