Tag: politics (page 3)

Let that sink in.

Allowing private citizens to make a decision on what garbage service they might purchase.

The chilling advocacy of removing the ability of one to contract for themselves, often becomes the result of a perceived problem.  A perceived problem that has likely been amplified by complaints of noise, traffic, and "those ugly ol garbage trucks driving by more than once a week."  Grown out of proportion by elected officials concerned about the financial means of maintaining roadways as their budgets disintegrate around them. Grown, amplified, and thrust forward eagerly by the "gods of the copybook headings."

A city, and two townships have fallen to this ruse of benefit to the citizenry.   The false promise of saved roads, and less garbage truck traffic blight buying the conservative souls of those who think they are being fiscally responsible negotiating the "best deals" for their constituents.  The false promise and Faustian bargain that takes away the true rights to negotiate for one's own self, and instead, insert a board-knows-best dependency upon the public.

Strangely, I would have been as equally satisfied with a cheer instead.

Targeted along with two other commissioners, the editorial slap came as the result of a committee of the whole vote taken by the Grand Traverse Commissioners to eliminate the operation of a baseball program from county control.  The vote to do so was 5-3. My motion to do so, was motivated by a number of reasons, not the least of which was the illegitimate removal of the program by the county from the American Legion in 2010.  The removal in 2010, precipitated by community clamoring to "DO SOMETHING!" when there was a delay in the planning for the upcoming baseball season.

The American Legion ran the program for 62 years, and shares the tradition with other Legion Baseball programs around the country.  Its a big part of their year to year community involvement.

A very bad thing happened yesterday.  A deranged man attacked a public figure, for a reason that only he might know.  In the process, he also attacked and killed others who may, or may not have been intended targets.  Apparently the initial target was a Democrat, and he used a gun.

As was expected, there is posturing in the editorial theater about where the responsibility lays for yesterdays horrific act.  As was also expected, the initial barrage was aimed at conservative groups or individuals for 'fanning the flames' with talk radio, tea parties etc.  And there is no surprise that Sarah Palin, whom the left fears with the darkest and seemingly largest parts of their souls, would become a target yet again.

There were an unofficial 308 homicides in the city last year, Detroit police announced Monday, a decline of more than 15% from the 364 in 2009. The city's highest homicide number was 714 deaths in 1974, the almanac said.

In addition, nonfatal shootings in Detroit decreased 10.5% last year from 1,307 to 1,170 in 2010, police said.

Fred Upton got the post he wanted in the House, as Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Boehner gave him the job over massive objections from conservatives.  Perhaps if Upton cries, he will convince some of them that he's going to be a real stalwart.

JGillman of RightMichigan voices the concern that so many are thinking.  Now that Upton got the post over all the objections, will he do what needs doing?

Judging from some of  his responses to criticism, I'd say that's a definite no.

He posted an article on Right Michigan, saying, in part,

The American people are fed up and demand that we tackle government spending and the federal budget deficit immediately. The days of the administration printing more money as a solution to meet budget shortfalls are now over.

There was a very real possibility of paying even higher taxes these last two years.

We talk here about the problems Lansing has, and the nature of politics, special interest etc.., It seems we are not always too satisfied with the direction our leadership in the state's capitol and the outcomes produced with regard to budgeting.  What many don't realize, is the efforts by the tea party folks had an immediate effect on our state's legislative bodies.  When the first 300 folks showed up on a cold February day for the first Lansing tea party in 2009, it did NOT go unnoticed, according to Senate Majority leader Mike Bishop.

Bishop says "it made a difference right away," when asked after his presentation during a Traverse City visit about how long it took for legislators to start taking the rallies on the steps of the capitol seriously. He continued, talking about how it gave strength to many lawmakers to hold the line. "..they knew they had support."