Monthly Archives: February 2014

Elections, Michigan

Don’t Forget, Tuesday Is Voting Day

by  •  • 2 Comments

voteFebruary 25, 2014 is a voting day.

Remember, Tuesday is that special voting day where your local school districts count on snowbirds to be absent from the rolls so they can get millage requests passed.  In Elk Rapids, its a bond that has failed a couple of times, and last time by only a few votes in the general election. (November) They figure it ought not be hard to get it through while many of the property owners are absent.

Never mind the cost of a special election to taxpayers when nothing else is on the ballot.

Around Michigan there are dozens of examples of this type of electoral abuse, so lets not make it a rewarding venture.  Do a favor, and give your over taxed friends a call and reminder.  Unless there is a really good reason, off cycle elections are generally made to “slip one by” the voters as a rule.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

All the Other Stuff, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Peters To Be Protested (News Conference) Outside His Home

by  •  • 9 Comments

SATURDAY: Dexter Woman to Confront Congressman Gary Peters for Attempting to Silence Her ObamaCare Story

boonstraApparently Gary Peters wasn’t happy about AFP criticisms over his support and vote for the health care catastrophe known as Obamacare.

An ad that Americans For Prosperity has been running with a story of a woman severely affected by the law, was challenged in court.  AFP and the woman in the video are apparently going to the source of the lawsuit.

Americans for Prosperity-Michigan Activists to Join Julie Boonstra for News Conference Outside Rep. Gary Peters’ Home in Bloomfield Hills

LANSING, Mich.—Julie Boonstra, the Michigan mother and leukemia survivor featured in a new Americans for Prosperity Gary Peters issue ad, will seek to confront Congressman Peters at his residence in Bloomfield Hills today. Representative Peters has taken legal steps to silence Boonstra’s story and force television stations to pull the issue ad in which she is featured, off the airwaves. Click here to read the legal letter from the Peters Campaign: http://americansforprosperity.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Peters_letter.pdf

With some of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan’s most dedicated activists supporting her, Boonstra will stop by Gary Peters’ residence in Bloomfield Hills today in an effort to confront him directly about his attempts to intimidate and silence her. The media is invited to attend.

It will be interesting if he so much as goes out to get his mail.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

Conservative News, Michigan

When Less Means More

by  •  • 4 Comments

Clearly, we dodged a bullet by not establishing a state run exchange. The AG appears to be watching for 'ricochets.'

Attorney_General_Bill_Schuette_410797_7For anyone who wondered WHY we did not establish a state run exchange, the answer is clearly about surrendering authority.

Not unlike the camel’s nose, the exchange was a buy-in to undermine state sovereignty. Fortunately, Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette appears to be trying to make sure the mandate does NOT apply to Michigan residents. From MLive:

Attorney General Bill Schuette is arguing an IRS rule offering tax credits to individuals buying health insurance on the federal exchange from states without their own exchanges violates the U.S. Constitution.

The argument was made in a “friend of the court” brief filed in a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where individuals and businesses from states without insurance exchanges are challenging the ability of the IRS to offer tax credits for buying insurance through the federally established exchange.

Schuette and the attorneys general for Kansas and Nebraska argue that allowing the IRS to offer the credits overrules the decisions not to set up exchanges under the Affordable Care Act that 34 states made and is invalid under the Tenth Amendment.

Schuette’s on the right track.

Additionally, it should be noted that this might not be the most popular move, and could be painful to his campaign in the general. As many Michiganians are expecting a federal subsidy, it may not happen or they may lose that subsidy if this action is successful.

This is a courageous and quite correct move.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

Michigan Politics, Philosophy, Republicans

A Short Treatise On Extremism

by  •  • 0 Comments

EOne of the most concerning comments a Constitutional Conservative Republican can hear from a fellow Republican is that they are “extreme” in their views.

The schism within the party should seem a remarkable thing if one was to examine what ‘extremism’ truly is.  Is there a defined line in the sand, or a point in which an accumulation of thoughts and philosophy render one susceptible to branding with a scarlet “E”? And like much of the politics playing out across the US, Michigan has developed what appears to be a Left-Right paradigm within a party presented as being on the right side of the political spectrum as long as can be remembered.

That, OR the window of tolerance for views once held as standards has been closed.

Extremism is subjective.  It is a moving target. And it is a relative condition that exists ONLY from the perspective of those who would label one with such hyperbole. This is unarguable.  If someone were to examine another person’s political views and agree with them, they would not likely make the claim that they too, are ‘extreme.’  Their philosophical centering at-rest is the foundation on which their opinions are formed, decisions are made, and with politics, support and votes are rendered.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (1)Nuh Uh.(0)

Cronyism, Humor in Michigan

Fridays Fabula: A Distich of Dicks

by  •  • 2 Comments

Pretty much accurate about everything, I’d say. Follow the money, which is pocket change for the Wooden Shoe Mafia Amway/Alticor/Alterra/Prince/RDV Corporation/Windquest clan.

Outside of the Johnny one note RTW whining that’s getting real old (didn’t address Public Sector), nonetheless, it is true that Rick Snyder did lie to his Democrat base that elected him.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(1)

All the Other Stuff, Michigan, Philosophy

Support Price Gouging – Friday Divertere

by  •  • 0 Comments

More than once we have witnessed the attorney general’s office go after or closely watch gas station owners for price gouging after severe weather events.

But is it even appropriate to do so?

In 2008, Governor Jennifer Granholm had taken a threatening posture reminiscent of HER AG days, and as pointed out, I believe she was wrong. I approached this subject with support towards those who would profit from temporary misery, and ended with support for those especially miserable:

But when considering the situation, how bad is it to charge more for gas, and at WHAT point is it considered price gouging?  Not only that, but what RIGHT does GOVERNMENT have to CONTROL Prices?  If a station owner  is looking at NO deliveries for the next two to four days raises his prices because his supplier is unable to guarantee delivery, who is in a position to criticize it?.  What is that person supposed to do? By gas prices going high temporarily, it guarantees that those who TRULY NEED the resource will have it.

This video completes the argument.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

Michigan

Open Carry March on 2 March (a Sunday) in Grand Rapids

by  •  • 8 Comments

Last year, Johann Deffert faced a felony stop, illegal detainment, and disarmament by the Grand Rapids PD merely because he was openly carrying a holstered pistol while walking down a sidewalk, an act which is legal in the state of Michigan. As a result, Deffert has filed suit against the City, the Police Chief at the time (Kevin Belk), and the three officers who responded.

As a result, I talked with Tom Lambert, Michigan Open Carry Assistant Legislative Director and Board Member, and we came up with a plan for a march around the 1 year anniversary of Deffert’s illegal detainment, including breakfast at the establishment that Deffert left prior to being picked up.

We’ll be linking up around 1000 for breakfast at New Beginnings Restaurant (1455 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). At around 1130, we’ll be leaving Fuller Park (250 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids 49503) after connecting with those who didn’t attend breakfast for the corner of Lakeside Dr. and Michigan St., the rough location of where Deffert was detained.

After hanging around for a bit, some of us will be heading towards city hall, while others may return to the park and leave.

While not really “news” per se, I thought that there are those on here who might be interested in participating.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

Michigan Politics, Rent Seeking

Has Money for a Camera Crew and Time to Play With a Shovel?

by  •  • 5 Comments

Pure Propaganda

“While it’s 30 some degrees, I can’t imagine what it’s like doing this when it’s zero. Um, but it’s a lot of work, and uh, at the end of the day, I bet I sleep really, really good.”

Aw, why that just tugs away at my little ‘ol heartstrings, does it yours? C’mon, they’re getting paid Prevailing Wage to fill holes with the most complex of tools known to all of mankind to operate – a garden shovel. The lengths these bureaucrats will go just to extort more pissed away tax dollars.

If going all Hollywood production on us with our tax dollars, Kirk, at least come up with a new schtick.

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

Elections, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Straw Poll Eye Opener

by  •  • 3 Comments

Its already assumed by many within the Michigan Republican party that Governor Rick Snyder will essentially cruise to a win over a scandal ridden Schauer campaign.

wes-nakagiriWe have had a different take on it; essentially arguing ANYONE could beat Schauer, so why not have a robust primary on the GOP side?  Alas, as there are few who wish to spend money fighting both the candidate, AND risk being on the outs in the GOP in the future, we are relegated to the squishy liberal incumbent.

Someone HAS taken a cue from the weakness of the establishment in the supporting organization however.  When challenger Todd Courser came within a couple dozen votes to oust sitting MiGOP chair Bobby Schostak in a prior convention, it sent a message that a shakeup is in the works.  By the time the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference had happened, no challenger had yet appeared to depose Snyder, but a contender willing to stand before Republican Delegates in 2014 and challenge Sitting Lt Governor Brian Calley had made it clear he was in it to the end.

Wes Nakagiri announced his candidacy, and the Snyder Calley folks took him seriously.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)