Daily Archives: June 20, 2017

Political Self Perpetuation

Making The Democratic Process In Michigan Just A Little Bit Less Democratic With A 21st Century Poll Tax

Representatives Steve Marino, Tommy Brann, Julie Calley, Kimberly LaSata, and Jim Lilly have just introduced six bills, HB 4745 to HB 4750, to increase filing fees for various down ballot political offices across the State of Michigan by 50% to 300%.  These are the fees prospective candidates can pay to get on the ballot in lieu of filing nominating petitions.

As you might expect, the highest (300%) filing fee increase proposed applies to candidates for State Representative (and Senator).

The kicker here? The filing fee is also no longer refunded to the runner up.  So running for political office in Michigan just became more expensive exclusive.

You Betcha! (13)Nuh Uh.(0)

What is Young Americans for Liberty Hiding About Brian Calley’s Part-Time Legislature Campaign?

A week ago, I was able to break national news regarding the involvement of the Young Americans for Liberty in Brian Calley’s part-time legislature campaign. The article caused an immediate stir, and elicited a caustic response from the YAL national leadership.

Although I was hoping for YAL to take responsibility for what they had done and at the very least ensure that they would be more careful when signing on to future campaigns, I realize that Washington D.C. organizations do not typically operate in that manner. Transparency is a four-letter word inside the Beltway, and although “liberty” may be in the organization’s title, YAL is clearly not immune to the sinister machinations of the swamp.

For the record, I have spoken to various YAL groups throughout the state of Michigan, and maintain a solid rapport with certain chapter leaders. Additionally, I help administer the Oakland County chapter of Campaign for Liberty, and I serve on the board of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Michigan. So it is not in my personal interest to see liberty organizations be disgraced. Far from it, in fact. Nevertheless, every organization needs to be held accountable and exposed if it is engaging in shady or possibly illegal behavior. In my opinion, an organization should be held to a higher standard if it carries the banner of liberty. My article demonstrated with facts how YAL activists and resources were funneled into a campaign to rehabilitate the deservedly poor reputation of one of the worst big government Republicans in the state, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

You Betcha! (15)Nuh Uh.(9)

Proud?

Public safety is no longer the business of this government.

Sometimes we just have to stop and shake our heads.

Should visitors to Traverse City feel comfortable any longer  about the safety of their families/children in our public restrooms?  Not because of dysfunctional little boys who think they are girls, or ..the other way around.  Not because of a special rights law, or ordinance that the Traverse City government is forcing upon business owners. (which is already being done in other ways)

But because there is now there is being broadcast, by official proclamation, a sense that a gender neutral bathroom scheme is the thing to do in our newly enlightened culture; that there is a need to allow men and women, women and boys, men and girls to take care of nature’s business and perhaps discuss the issues of the day in a unique side-by-side.

From the Ticker:

Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Monday stating Traverse City will make an effort to provide gender-neutral bathrooms within city buildings and encourage other community businesses or organizations to provide at least one gender-neutral restroom in their place of business.

Mayor Jim Carruthers noted the resolution was referring to “single-stall occupancy, lockable bathrooms,” which could accommodate a wide range of users, including single parents with opposite-sex children and individuals with disabilities. “We’re not talking about talking a public restroom that has multiple stalls and just all of the sudden letting mixed genders go into that,” Carruthers said. Werner confirmed, however, with City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht that the resolution allows individuals to use public restrooms based on their personal gender identity or expression, which Trible-Laucht affirmed.

Confirmed.

Read the rest, (it’s short) and then check back on the comments often.  Already there are folks who are “Proud” of this commission’s actions.  They are “proud.”  Let that sink in.

In the meantime, we’ll just let the authorities sort out the expression of the day, OK?

Oh, and maybe let visitors guess which of our local bathrooms might contain a ‘surprise’ guest.

You Betcha! (10)Nuh Uh.(0)