Tag: Payoffs

The National Review has an interesting piece that raises some questions about our own accountability trail with regard to purchasing large systems, and awarding contracts.  Apparently Michigan is being used to circumvent Illinois' tougher bid process and timeline for the purpose of Medicaid processing. According to Illinois officials:

" "Illinois has an intergovernmental agreement with the state of Michigan and CNSI is one of Michigan's vendors," Jakubek wrote in an e-mail. "Communication with MI and the entire project team is ethical and necessary to work on this project."

Read the entire story.  

The 'whistle-blowing' sources will be protected, as the reporters are legit.

Who was it?

John Mackey, The former liberal turned moderate/considered-conservative businessman who royally ticked off the administration a couple years ago with his scathing editorial on Obamacare. The editorial frankly is worth going over again. Its brilliant.  In fact, I would say the man is equally so, and understands how to squish those (organic) lemons into some fine lemonade.  It takes opportunity multiplied by desire for the lemonade.

And maybe a little cash.

Desire of course for the finest lemonade around, or at least a few good jobs, and the possibility of revivals in neighborhoods might what is driving this successful entrepreneur to look at a full blown grocery operation in Detroit.

We all know cash is king... Or maybe better stated, "FOR Kings.."  Contributions to the coffers of political despots often encourages their favors, and the green is the grease of the political wheels.  And Dingell, as well as Snyder got plenty of grease to go around.

Fact of life..  Bring the king a gift for his pleasure and thou shalt have his dispensation.

Snyder loves kings..  In fact he might well fancy himself the "Nerd King" in waiting..  Working his own royal treasury from the peasants, that consummate power player, Rick Snyder must have gifted well enough over time to warrant the investment of $7.5 Million in taxpayer funds to his own business venture; Ardesta.

I mean shucks, I can hardly remember all the times I was told things like "you're 6 percent higher than ABC Security out of Hoboken," or "with prices that are 10 points more than Amalgamated CCTV products of Denver, no wonder you have to give a hat away with every $10,000 sale."

Its unbearable to hear the words "You Cost too much!" ..grooooan. It especially hurts, because I like to offer world class after the sale service, and especially because I like to be able to pay the rent.