Tag: Tyranny

"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.

Didja notice that?  When John McMaverick condescended to us lowly peon citizens, Jane Fonda got a twinkle in her eye.  That's what is wrong with the GOP.

You can believe the well produced propaganda piece on Michigan's new-found prosperity, OR you can observe what has been happening to the men and women and families that feed us.  No amount of Rah-Rah for right to work (which I support tremendously) and budgets done on time can take away the rotten stink of tyranny that comes through our state's administrative efforts. As far as the bureaucratic 'rule makers' are concerned, the peasantry is far to pitiful to fear, except for a few trouble makers.

A few troublemakers, merely following tradition by doing what generations have done to make the country healthy and prosperous. Farmers, who like any other business that must inevitably deal with an onslaught of government intrusion into their affairs, making a mockery of presumed prophylactic and protective measures for the public good. Family Farmers, like other mom and pop business ventures who have had the oxygen sucked out of their existence by expansive government till they fall one by one.

Veteran Mark Baker of Baker's Green Acres is the equivalent of today's canary-in-the-coal-mine that is Michigan.  Except THIS bird isn't dying to tell you the oxygen has left the premises.

His words are straight up and easy to understand.

Snyder inherited this issue from the former governor.  When he was elected by a minority of Republicans, and faced a loonytunes SOB in the general "hired", there was a clear warning that this could hurt Michigan families, yet he ignored it.

Medical device manufacturer Stryker of Kalamazoo layoff of 1000 workers is because of Obamacare according to the Weekly Standard:

" Late last week a Stryker spokesperson told me that Obamacare will cost the company fully 20 percent of its total research and development investments."

What might you think about it?

" I don't think it's the right answer. However, it is the law of the land, and the real question is: What can we do to make it a positive for Michigan?"

Just suck it up and play nice while the nice man in the whitehouse showers our Great Lakes State with golden raindrops.

Tomorrow's court hearing will likely signal more of the end to private property ownership and farming for small family organizations.  The hearing is at 111 Canal St. Lake City, MI and starts at 2 pm. The Bakers are facing a DNR $700,000 fine for wanting to do business as they have for decades. Donations are being accepted for their legal costs of defending not only THEIR way of life, but challenging the state imposed rules which CRUSH small farms and small business for nothing less than "the best of intentions."

The Attorney General, OR The Governor COULD 'save the day' of course, but it could have happened already.

Anyhow, The Bakers can still keep an upbeat attitude. In fact they are having a pig roast on Saturday along with some fund raising activities. And you are all invited. Celebrate the farm Saturday at their place.

"The hogs are scalded and ready to roast.  The yard is looking good.  All the animals have been admonished to be on their best behavior.   We are anticipating good weather (if the weatherman can be trusted), which makes a hay ride a lot more fun.  There will be several ways you can enjoy and help support the farm: bid on products from our friends and associates in the Silent Auction, take home some farm products, and donate to the "piggy bank."

Here's the plan for the Celebration of the Farm on Saturday:  ..."

Best of luck to the Bakers.

Part of that task is to provide an atmosphere that PROMOTES a healthy dialogue between employer and employee. A couple of points made below should be noted.

Michigan Freedom To Work, a coalition of union and merit shop workers, employers, retirees and thousands of grass roots activists favoring more Michigan jobs, labor freedom and workers' choice, today announced its analysis of proposed Medicaid expansion in Michigan.

"Medicaid expansion as proposed in HB 4714 is anti-worker and anti-jobs,"

"It is designed to triple Medicaid payments and add nearly 500,000 more to Michigan Medicaid rolls. It will encourage employers to hold down hours and wages, and place a glass ceiling over those workers seeking advancement. Earn a quarter raise and lose your insurance? Many of those already having private sector insurance will lose that preferred care and they will be dumped on Federal public insurance. It may save some companies money to push some of their operating costs on our grand children but it will disrupt the employer/employee relationship and shock Michigan's fledgling recovery into a tail spin. That is not wise public policy.

What better way to insure higher prices, less competition, and bigger bureaucracies than to pass the so-called "MainStreet Fairness Act"?

A letter being sent today to the Michigan Congressional Delegation makes the following claims:

• "The signatories consist of a wide spectrum of constituencies, including small business owners, members of state retailers associations and chambers of commerce, local elected officials, and consumers, all who want to see this commonsense highly oppressive solution signed into law."
  
• "This is a critical issue for small businesses. They not only struggle to match the tax-freeShipping and logistics added prices their customers can find online, but also frequently find themselves in the frustrating position of having their stores used as showrooms by online shoppers.  Their time and resources are being used up to make sales for their out-of-state competitors."
  
• "Opponents of the Marketplace Fairness Act have tried to argue that it imposes a new tax on consumers.  But that is simply not true.  The Marketplace Fairness Act will impose no new tax or tax increase of any kind, but merely create a method that states and communities can use to collect taxes they are already owed. An incredible bureaucratic nightmare for low volume sellers who are struggling to deal with increasing regulatory conditions already.  For over two decades, the Internet sales tax loophole has prevented these taxing entities from receiving the legitimate revenue they need to fund essential public services for our residents leaving a revenue hole that taxpayers have had to fill."

It is an increase in the cost of business.  An increase in the complication of business. An Increase in the growth of government.  An increase in prices as the big box stores and larger internet retailers regain their advantage over the mom and pop enterprises.

Its cronyism.  Pure and simple.  BIG MONEY pushing the little guy out, and using the hammer of government to do it because that 'little guy' keeps competition in place.

I have said before, that there IS a way to solve this, and for the states who collect sales tax to get their revenues, but this cluster foxtrot is not a good path.  Any congressman worth his or her salt would recognize a disaster in the making for what it is.