Tag: primaries

The MEDC, under pressure to show successes is feeling the heat as it reports little to no success for all the money taxpayers have ponied up over the years.  But hey, as Beck says: "Things are gonna change, I can feel it."  The Cap Con reports

"Michael Finney says the Michigan Economic Development Corp. has turned over a new leaf.

"Gone are wild bets on unproven technologies," the president and CEO of the quasi-governmental and private entity said in a recent press release.

Finney's comments came in response to what he called, "overheated news reports," of an Auditor General report that said only 19 percent of the original jobs projected by the MEDC came to fruition. Finney said that the report also concluded the program was "effective."

Those of you who know me, might have heard the ads I ran for the 104th district State rep seat.  Running against one of the biggest supporters of crony capitalism Wayne Schmidt, I felt it might make a difference to talk about that particular blight on public service.  The ads said:

"My family and I have taken our share of risks pursuing independence and prosperity for over 15 years. Our business has had good and bad years, yet throughout it, we've never asked, nor expected the government to make it any easier through grants or incentives like the ones given to those favored by Lansing's elite.

Yet we still pay for those incentives. And so do you.

In fact, our incumbent representative recently expanded those incentive gimmicks with HB5477, costing us even more.

Picking of winners and losers continues in Lansing, yet the chosen winners often fail. And what the the bureaucrats risk, is not their own paycheck, but ours

Its time to stop this practice of political constituency. Its time to send a champion to fight for you in Lansing, to challenge the increasing bureaucratic mess that threatens our very liberty. To stop political reward schemes, and pandering to those who would bankrupt the state's ability to pay its bills."

Unfortunately, I was not successful, and Michigan was rewarded with a third term of pale pastels in Republicanism from the North, expanded medicaid dependency, and implementation of Obamacare in Michigan. One vote perhaps not enough to stop it all, but one that would have ended an incumbency and sent a message.

Ask yourself why certain politicians; Snyder, Schauer, etc.. have such difficulty revealing their donors.

Could it be those donors are the same people?

Oh and BTW Henry?  Thanks for the timely commentary.

As promised, Governor Snyder will have to face the reality that the conservative base might well leave him to fend for himself as he repeatedly (and without remorse) promotes expansion of the ACA in Michigan.  Joan Fabiano and Jen Kuznicki in an article and open letter to the Governor explain that Republicans should, and will not be casting their vote for him in the coming election.

"It is with careful consideration that we decide on a course of action that is, in our view, politically problematic, but nonetheless a forthright answer to a governor who will not listen to his base: Conservatives should not help this Governor get reelected."

Many are concerned that The 2014 Democrat candidate for governor is likely to take advantage of this, and they are correct.  Thus another reason to fight for, and support the legislators who stand up for limited government intrusion into our lives; something clearly pointed out as part of the problem with the ACA by Fabiano and Kuznicki:

'Unsustainable consequences of the passing of the "Affordable" Care Act will leave millions without a job, and millions with cut hours and wages.  Those consequences lead us to believe that expansion will overwhelm the system, rip off doctors, temporarily prop up hospitals, all leading to requests for more taxpayer funding on both the State and Federal levels.

Medicaid expansion is not solely a fiscal issue, it gets to the heart of the role of government in our lives.  Take into consideration the life of a restaurant worker who has been working full time.  Due to Obamacare, he will be facing a cut in hours because of the fees placed upon his employer by the cynical law.  He will lose his health insurance as a result, and he will be eligible for Medicaid if the state expands it.  You have, at the hands of government, changed that man's life from being a hard-working climber to one that has been knocked back by a government he is in charge of.  He has lost half of his income so that the government can manage his life.'

In an unexpected move, Former Congressman Bart Stupak has endorsed across the aisle, and named Jason Gillman the man to beat for the governorship of Michigan.

Speculation ended only yesterday, when the 1st district Democrat declared that he would rather run against fellow first district citizen, businessman, and author Jason Gillman, for Governor of Michigan, than he would against the current incumbent Rick Snyder.  "My goal is to win back the state for Democrats, and I think I could actually beat Gillman," Stupak said. "And anyhow who is that guy?"

Stupak's campaign manager Dennis Lennox was hired by the former trooper and legislator after it was determined that he was personally responsible for a long string of Republican losses. Lennox reportedly said "What can I say? Its not everyone who has such consistent results," and when questioned about his last paying job, he simply replied "please talk to my attorney."

Stupak was recently recruited by Michigan Democrats by newly installed Dem Chair Lon Johnson. Johnson who lives in the 1st district apparently still 'owed one' to the former congressman not for political favors, but from "that time when he was a trooper and was really cool and let me off with a warning." according to Johnson.

Snyder wants the exchanges, apparently based on some funding that comes along with it.  But the funding is only temporary,and the rules for an exchange set up as "local" will not be allowed to carry the rules that local (state) citizens might want.  The default nature of a federal set of rules is in fact the reality NO MATTER who sets up the exchange.  The expense of ongoing operations of course will fall on the backs of  Michigan citizens.

Tomorrow at 830AM there will be hearings.  You may not be able to make it, but you can have your testimony entered into the record.

You can e-mail the Committee Clerk: Malika Abdul-Basir
E-Mail: mabdul@house.mi.gov and ask that your e-mail be entered into public testimony.  

House Standing Committee Meeting
Health Policy, Rep. Gail Haines, Chair
DATE: 11/29/2012
TIME: 8:30 AM
PLACE: Room 519 House Office Building, Lansing, MI
AGENDA: SB 693 (Sen. Marleau) Insurance; health; MiHealth marketplace; establish.

Any Republicans Reps who vote for this have a problem on their hands. Since the re-election of Barack Obama, conservatives, and other Republican activists have had to redouble efforts in stopping the implementation of Obamacare. And as observed during a conference call tonight they will likely prevail. A brief discussion of hitting newly re-elected speaker Jase Bolger with a recall faded quickly, though it will not likely be forgotten by some.  Bolger, who won by a narrow margin (roughly 800 votes) is being closely watched on the exchange issue and one other key issue close to the heart of traditionalists and conservatives; ALAC. (HB 4769)  The controversy surrounding the Roy Schmidt party switch also haunting him adds fuel.

If Bolger is seen on the wrong side of these issues by conservatives, and particularly the exchange, could be as damaging to the political careers of any reps who vote FOR the exchanges as a recall of Bolger might be.  One only needs to look at a simple mailing sent out during the primary season to understand how any perceived supporter of Obamacare will be permanently labeled. (below)

Starting today, all hands are on deck for either Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum in Michigan.  Its been a long time where the Republican presidential primary contest has mattered so much to one or the other candidate. Newt and Paul have no chance according to initial polling, but the statistical deadlock makes every effort toward influencing our voters that much more important. A loss here for Mitt means he will have to have to reassess his presumed plan in life, and perhaps add a "plan-B".  A win for Rick solidifies the growth of support experienced after the "beauty contests" a couple weeks ago.

Mitt and Rick are hitting the state hard. To be sure,  surrogates are moving about as well. Including the hectic activity by Super-pacs in the near constant advertising around our local and cable news shows. Romney will be in Traverse City on Sunday, is touring the state and Santorum has already started appearing at southern Michigan spots, and there is a Susan B Anthony list Bus tour out stumping for him.

One would expect Romney to be faring better in Michigan, his home state.  

Especially considering all of the top name advocacy; Snyder, Schuette, Kahn (the guy who sold out to forced unionism), Richardville (the guy who has Kahn's back)Congressman Dan Benishek, 1st District, Congressman Bill Huizenga, 2nd District, Congressman Dave Camp, 4th District, Congressman Fred Upton, 6th District, Congressman Tim Walberg, 7th District, Congressman Mike Rogers, 8th District, Congressman Thad McCotter, 11th District, etc etc. etc.

If Romney loses in Michigan, the super Tuesday event could be scary for the blueblood Rs.  It may mean there are folks are vulnerable to primary activity if running for their next terms.  It means Republican voters are not going to fall in line so easily and might be willing to look at challengers from outside the establishment prescribed choices.

Its a good sign.