Tag: Taxes (page 5)

We all know now; it's indisuptable fact. The masks have come off. It's true. The Democrats and RINO's are Socialists. Even Jeffery Immelt (CEO for GE, the tax dodger) has been praising the communism of China. Lenin himself said the point to Socialism is Communism, which manifests itself as a god-like loyalty to party out of fear or desire for power in which the average citizen spies on his/her neighbor for beni-points since the state controls all means of production, and therefore, the acquisition of wealth, or in the case of fully mature communism, the acquisition of your next meal. But notice how they get a foothold on power: Criticize things, like capitalism, as being what they are not, and criticize their opponents for being who they are. This means there is not a "vast right wing conspiracy" as Hillary Clinton asserted just out of the blue; rather, there is, in fact, a Left Wing conspiracy that's been going on for 100 years the results of which we are seeing today. But I digress...

The governing body which resides over the largest public budget in the Northwestern part of the state continues to thumb its nose at taxpayers.  A recent (probable) violation of the open meetings act, adds to a list of actions that are not only indicative of sloppy governance, but more likely sanctioned acts of deception and perfidy.  A scheduling ruse used by the board to hide its 'open' retreat worked to its advantage with no public present, with no recordings made of the retreat activities, and no option of challenge by the public, plans that will likely be rubber stamped in future open meetings which the board normally schedules.

Examples of deceptive practices are not exactly limited to what I write here.  This particular story however, notes a growing disdain for the concerns taxpayers might have for the appropriate management of their resources. There are concerns that remain unanswered.

A recent bond issue was a catalyst in engaging some of us in the Grand Traverse region with regard to the actions of the local board for Traverse City Area Public Schools. (TCAPS)  The $100 million bond issue came on the 5 year anniversary of another like it in 2007.  Part of the issue that inspired opposition of myself and others was the inclusion of a $26.5 million 'performing arts center' in the bond which many see as wasteful and unnecessary.  The timing also coincides with one of the worst economically difficult times the region has seen.

The bond was defeated by nearly 60-40%, which might make some think it would have failed no matter the opposition.

The sad reality is that it would have likely been a reversal in percentages seen without organized resistance and the sunlight provided by that resistance.

Of course, its not as if there will be anyone to collect from except Obamaphone zombies.

The City of Detroit for its part must give up a portion of its taxes to guarantee the authority debt. A new authority of course means new high paying jobs for all manner of unqualified cronies:

"(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) or any ordinance of a city to the contrary, a city that forms a lighting authority shall pay $12,500,000.00 annually to that lighting authority from the proceeds of the tax authorized under this act. ..."

Of course the tax rates will have to be allowed to increase.

Last week we discussed this particular issue.

No district or constituency is immune to the effect of pay-for-play politics.

Matt Frendewey, director of communications for the Michigan Republican Party, issued the following statement:

"Democratic Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway must protect the integrity of Michigan's judicial system and immediately resign.

"Justice Hathaway's real estate scam involved transferring properties out her and her husband's name into the name of their children in order to obtain a short sale. Her actions are offensive to the many Michigan families who have faced difficult times during Michigan's economic down turn. As a justice on the highest court in Michigan, Hathaway's involvement in the alleged scam, the FBI investigation, and today's complaint undermines her ability to affectively sit in a position of judgment over Michigan citizens and the state's judicial system.

"Swift and immediate action is required before Hathaway's scandal scars the highest court. I can only hope that Michigan Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer, a lawyer himself, recognizes good policy must trump partisan politics and will join the Michigan Republican Party in calling for Justice Hathaway's resignation."

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway faces allegations of defrauding her bank by hiding assets to unload a $1.5 million Lake St. Clair home on a short sale and escape $600,000 in debt, The Detroit News has learned.

U.S. District Attorney Barbara McQuade filed a civil complaint Monday in Michigan's Eastern District seeking forfeiture of Hathaway's posh second home in suburban Orlando, Fla.

McQuade charged that Hathaway and her husband, attorney Michael Kingsley, "systematically and fraudulently transferred property and hid assets in order to support their claim to (ING Direct) that they did not have the financial resources to pay the mortgage on the Michigan property."

The complaint claims Hathaway and Kingsley engaged in money laundering, but neither has been charged criminally in the case.

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All of the study of what happened, the consequence, and the long term effect politically, has to date been pretty much reserved to the national contests. Punditry since November 6th has dissected, analyzed, and made best guesses as to why certain election had any particular results.  Something generally not discussed however, has been local initiatives and issues.  At least not the part where there is a conflict in government's management of our resources.

One of those issues in Northern Michigan was a bond request made by the board of Traverse City Area Public Schools. (TCAPS)

Underneath the perceived troubles in funding public education is an emerging reality.  Because of the nature of taxpayer funding, and the struggle for local school districts to grab their 'fair share' of Michigan's education budget pie, expenses that were once built into operating budgets are now separated from them, and allowed to be levied through millage requests.  These building fund requests allow for purchase of new infrastructure, equipment, and maintenance.

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WJBK) - Remember we told you about Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway and her property shell game?  It involved four houses, her stepchildren, a mortgage on a Grosse Pointe house she didn't want to pay anymore and now a federal grand jury.

She's not the only Judge Hathaway who's got problems keeping her houses straight because now we've come to find that her daughter, Dana Hathaway, who was just elected to the Third Circuit Court, has her own issues with shuffling property and shorting the tax man.

Rest with video