Jason

Cronyism, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Rent Seeking, Republicans

It’s The Constitution .. Stupid.

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The US Constitution being ignored is not a compelling reason for a Con-Con.

Donald Trump did (with a pen) what we asked for our GOP legislature to do for the last 6+ years of controlling the house.

Whether he realized it or not, he might well have set the tone for examining presidential actions, and more importantly how the bureaucracy interfaces with the public going forward.  Citing the constitution, the Trump administration has declared it will no longer pay for health care subsidies, period.  From ABC news:

”  the White House said the government cannot legally continue to pay the so-called cost-sharing subsidies because they lack a formal authorization by Congress.

However, the administration had been making the payments from month to month, even as Trump threatened to cut them off to force Democrats to negotiate over health care. The subsidies help lower co-pays and deductibles for people with modest incomes.

Halting the payments would trigger a spike in premiums for next year, unless Trump reverses course or Congress authorizes the money. The next payments are due around Oct. 20. “

Unless he “reverses course?”

He cannot reverse course.  It would be as illegal as Obama making the payments in the first place.  In fact, this very act was already preceded by a declaration that the very payment of those subsidies was unconstitutional, not just yesterday, but actually in APRIL of this year by US attorney general Jeff Sessions:

” Sessions said during a Fox News interview that the payments to insurers, which reimburse them for lowering the cost of copays and deductibles for low-income Obamacare customers and are the subject of a House lawsuit, should be appropriated by Congress.

Sessions’ comments come as insurers are concerned whether the Trump administration will continue to reimburse them for the cost-sharing reductions.

Insurers are required under federal law to provide the reductions for Obamacare and have been getting reimbursed by the federal government. They are expected to receive $7 billion this year.

But Sessions said a lawsuit filed by the House against the Obama administration in 2014 “has validity to it.”

The lawsuit argues that the Obama administration illegally bypassed Congress and didn’t get an appropriation for the payments.

Nobody could say they didn’t see this coming.

But where is the Michigan angle you ask?

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You Betcha! (14)Nuh Uh.(1)

Democrats, Detroit, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Because GOP Voters Are THAT Stupid?

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The Draft Roger Penske campaign cannot be for real, can it

Only in Michigan could we nominate a Republican who donated to his opponent’s war chest.

It would be one thing if Roger Penske and his wife donated to Debbie Stabenow 10 years ago, had buyers remorse (who wouldn’t), and then decided to rectify by running for the US senate seat to correct it.  It is quite again another to donate $30,000 aggregately, less that a year ago, and expect to be nominated.

Kathryn Penske

2555 Telegraph Rd Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302

. / Homemaker

 

12/08/2016

15000.00

15000.00

Roger S Penske

2555 Telegraph Rd Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302

Penske Corporation / Chief Executive Officer

 

12/06/2016

15000.00

15000.00

Good grief.

Take off the top-hat and tuxedo and pay attention. Even rich penguins remain to this day, birds that cannot fly.

Who comes up with these crazy ideas?

 

You Betcha! (13)Nuh Uh.(1)

Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Michigan’s Next Attorney General?

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Tom Leonard takes first step to secure the GOP nomination

Video Player

Michigan Democrats have what some might call a “kiddie pool” of candidates.

Not necessarily because of immaturity (though some might argue this), but because of the depth it represents.  There are few rock stars remaining in Michigan politics on the donkey side of the slate, and those who have any gravitas are shooting for the governor’s seat.

Tom Leonard, instead of waiting around for even more Republicans to be elected to do the right thing has taken a chance or two.  He attempted to get the income tax reduction finished, but it wasn’t something our ‘progressive’ governor wanted, and the chief executive’s cronies did what they do; stall good policy. Unfortunately Leonard’s time as house speaker has come to an end.   Some might consider it the other side of the blade of term limits.

This is Leonard’s announcement for Michigan’s attorney general.  Below the fold is his emailed announcement.

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

Cronyism, Democrats, Elections, Government Incompetence, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Part Time Legislature, Republicans, Taxes

10 Years Later

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The 'temporary' tax hike is still with us.

It didn’t go away.

Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the signing of Jennifer Granholm’s income tax hike in October 2007.  Liars lie, and we have had our share over the years. On whether a particular democrat would sign on to such a drastic measure as reducing the net income of every single Michiganian?

Which is why it may have been encouraging for job makers and Michigan families when Bieda got the nod. After all, just last fall while campaigning for reelection he told the Detroit News that he was not out to raise taxes on Michigan businesses.

Q: There’s growing talk in Lansing about placing a sales tax on services that are now exempt. Would you support that approach?

A: Generally speaking, I think a tax on services, with perhaps some very limited exceptions, is something that I do not support.

One of a majority signing on to the temporary tax.

It was temporary. It was supposed to be rolled back.  Given GOP has had control of all branches of the state since 2010, and how we have been sold a bill of goods on the (NEW) gas tax, who is it that really needs a kick in the ‘ass?’

You Betcha! (12)Nuh Uh.(0)

Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Island Quick Notes

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A quick heads up on this weekend's Mackinac Island activities.

Decompressing from the Michigan Republican Party’s Mackinac Island leadership conference.

“Together We Rise” was this year’s event theme, and the invited speakers were phenomenal. Speaking over the weekend to the Michigan Republicans was Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky, Governor Eric Greitens of Missouri, Former U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah, and U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The Grand Hotel on the island was the setting for this year’s event (as well as all before), with several panels and opportunities to socialize.

Coming away from the conference a few questions remain on what we might see on a couple of major races.   As yet (unless I missed something), lt Governor Brian Calley has not yet declared his candidacy for Governor, and the lack of organizational element present on the island suggests he probably will not.  Likewise the question of whether the US Senate race will also include U.S. representative Fred Upton is unanswered.

the latter item may well have been answered with the new design of his political paraphernalia, showing no seat designation, and including the state as a whole, instead of a district.  Upton had people on the ground and his own rally, something not usually seen for a simple win congressional re-election campaign.

I have over a thousand pictures to process, and will get back to this as soon as I can.

You Betcha! (8)Nuh Uh.(1)

Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Republicans

The Good The Bad & The Other

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Expected Republican candidates for governor reviewed.

The Michigan Republican field can be quite interesting sometimes.

As many might already realize, a Democrat candidate could be a criminally challenged former State Representative, and still get the full (and active) support from the party of the left in a bid for major office. The bland but nevertheless regressive nature of the left allows even the most obscene stupidity in it’s ranks.  No special prerequisites for candidates other than kill babies, deny God, and let little boys be little girls if they want.

Republican contenders must have their own specific characteristics and features.  No such amorphous qualities are allowed to exist on the right (as they do in the left) to win over all factions of the GOP brand. Below is a list of the expected and declared Republican candidates for governor, and my own estimation of their specific advantage and disadvantages in securing maximum support from GOP supporters and grassroots.  They may or may not be in the order suggested by the title of this piece.

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You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(1)

Conservative News, Elections, Liberty, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Philosophy, Republicans

We Could Be So Lucky?

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Hey Brian Calley, I double dawg dare ya!

Next to Rick Snyder, John Kasich is about as crappy a GOP governor as they come.

Swamp dwelling, crony, big government.  But enough about Mr Snyder, as he will be soon relegated to the back pages of the lousy Michigan RINO politicians catalogue.

I suppose however, I could expound upon the fact he led us exactly where Ohio’s Governor Kasich Did. And in contrast, other state leaders understood what a raw deal Obamacare was, and refused to play in the healthcare toilet with the former president.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Was one of them. Unafraid to opine, he clearly presented medicaid expansion for what it was, a dependency scam that leadership failures like Kasich and Snyder embraced.

But speaking of Ohio’s governor, his protege is about to embarrass him further than he has already with his pitiful presidential bid.  The loser is going to be shown by his Lt. Governor how good government is done. The student becomes the master.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor said Monday she would end the Medicaid expansion in Ohio if she is elected governor – a clean break from the man she has served alongside for the last seven years, Gov. John Kasich.   …

“Medicaid expansion is fiscally unsustainable and will be ended under a Taylor administration,” Taylor said. “I believe that we must identify new, innovative, market-based reforms to address the issues Medicaid currently addresses today. I want to return Medicaid to its original mission of serving the people who need it while incentivizing work and ensuring opportunities for long-term success for those who are able.”

Don’t we all love happy storybook endings?

Of course, what can we say about the guy who was one changed vote away from having to cast the tie breaking vote of HB4717?  Or the eight who really never had a clue which goal line was their own.

Anyhow, we wish the Lt. Grasshopper of Ohio the best in her gubernatorial bid, and thank her for her willingness to get out in front with some much needed political jujitsu.

 

You Betcha! (12)Nuh Uh.(1)

Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Bow Tie Bad Ass?

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Former Michigan Supreme Court chief hits the ground running.

Bob Young knows how bad Debbie Stabenow’s performance has been.

He knows she is a tool of the crazy left who [just prior] to each election cycle plays a little more accessible to the normals and puts on a conservative face.  H eknows how bad her policies have been for Michigan and the nation.

I suppose anyone with an IQ above room temperature would know these things as well.

Of course, until Kid Rock actually files and demonstrates that he is a serious candidate, Young is the easy favorite.  Others who have entertained the idea of occupying the seat that the meat puppet now enjoys are now looking at more attainable goals.

 

 

You Betcha! (10)Nuh Uh.(1)

Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Religious Freedom

They Never Quit – Updated

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Michigan Civil Rights Commission meets Monday September 18 to potentially redefine sexual identity.

You all might recall the whole Frank Foster Fiasco?

In an effort to force the public into accepting deviant lifestyles as normal, the Elliot Larsen civil rights act was seen as an avenue of success.  Certain GOP representatives were lobbied for maximum influence and given vast sums of ‘campaign’ cash to encourage inclusion of homosexuals a separate protected class under the act.

Foster, a ‘tea party’ favorite when first elected, allowed his political ambitions to put at risk all that he purportedly stood for.  Foster gambled on money being more important than blatant disregard for the people he represented, while pro homosexual activists were betting that an avowed ‘conservative’ would be the best path to the change in Elliot Larsen, they failed to properly estimate his constituents.

Instead of getting the change they desired, other GOP legislators in the state were clearly warned that flirting with the goals of the fringe left was nothing short of a political death wish. Elliot Larsen Changes were abandoned, and until now, the path to ‘normalcy’ a freakishly far-off dream.

Yes, “until now.”   Because in a few days, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission could be contemplating redefining the definition of sex.

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

Michigan, Michigan Politics

Social Media

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The little guys could very well become little again.

We use Facebook, Twitter, Google, and some other platforms, but a recent experience with our internet oriented family business has left me a little concerned.

For 20 years, we have operated a web based security camera equipment business.  For 20 years I have fought for keyword optimization, good search results, and developed a reputation befitting the nearly first store of its kind on the internet.

It has always been tough, and others now do the search optimization a little better.  But over that same time I have developed good relationships, and the customer base remains sufficiently strong.

Strong enough in fact to have missed the impact of some serious subversion that was going on for nearly two weeks.

Late in August, I was reviewing visit statistics for CU1.COM, and noticed a sudden drop of about 300 daily visitors starting on August 12. Followup revealed that the website had been completely scrubbed from the Google search engine.  Even using the EXACT domain address as a search term, Google returned only an alternate possibility with it’s “Do you mean ..?” suggestion.

I was able to reach a support person at Google, and explained my concern, and the site appeared later that day as-if it had never had been missing.

Consider that the internet has provided those new ways in which we can communicate.  First we had chat rooms, then the blogs.  At the point of that last, a new investigative phenomenon had been born.  Citizen reporters and pundits.  Big Media had it’s grip broken, and no longer was there a leash on the truth.  When Twitter, facebook, and other social media  venues began and the phenomenon of facebook page likes became a rage, it appeared there was even more opportunity to get ‘the message’ out.

Partly True, until it no longer is.   Really.

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