Cronyism

Cronyism, Democrats, Detroit, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Deep Pockets – Short Arms

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As expected…

Detroit’s planned 3.3-mile $137 million Woodward Avenue streetcar project faces a $12 million funding shortfall, and Michigan members of Congress warn the project could be in jeopardy unless the Transportation Department gives it more money.

A two-page letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx obtained by The Detroit News on Tuesday warns that the project urgently needs additional grant money to proceed. But even without federal funds, officials of the so-called M-1 project says it would survive — but concede it might have to be scaled back.

Whoa! Has anyone looked at the top two names listed on the M-1 Rail Board of Directors? Click here. So, you mean to tell me that Roger Penske, or Dan Gilbert, both billionaires, can’t reach into their front pocket and pull out $6M each? YGBFKM. Better yet, if one looks a little further down the Board of Director names listed one will see Ilitch Holdings. How about giving a little back to the rest of us in the state, Mike and Marian? There you go. Penske, Gilbert, and Ilitch, can all pony up $3M each to cover the “shortfall”.

Funny how yet another .gov subsidized P3 project always has these budget “shortfalls,” isn’t it?

The May 1 letter, which has not previously been made public, discloses that Detroit applied for a supplemental $12.2 million grant from the Transportation Department’s TIGER grant program. The project received $25 million in federal funds from the program in January 2013.

“Without the requested $12.2 million TIGER grant, this important project will be delayed indefinitely, and we fear the resulting costs could make the project unaffordable,” said the letter signed by Sens. Carl Levin of Detroit, Debbie Stabenow of Lansing and Reps. Sander Levin of Royal Oak, John Dingell of Dearborn, John Conyers of Detroit and Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township. The lawmakers, all Democrats, urged Foxx to “award a TIGER grant to close the funding gap.”

Ah, all Democrats Socialists. I guess that is where the Ilitch’s paid their “fair share” already.

Subsidies in perpetuity! Get ready to keep paying up, Nerd voting suckers.

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Cronyism, Republicans

Another “Grand Bargain”

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Was that crappy cow-box computer company a bastion of nepotism?

Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday appointed the father of House Speaker Jase Bolger to the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees.

James Bolger, of Whitehall in Muskegon County, is a former state police leader, a criminal justice instructor at Grand Valley State University and alumnus of WMU.

The Republican governor appointed Bolger to the remainder of an eight-year term that expires on Dec. 31, 2020.
….

“I look forward to my dad’s efforts to help WMU continue to excel and prepare their students for success while providing parents exceptional value for their investment,” Jase Bolger said in a statement.

And, only 18 months for his brother to leap up the government trough. One can’t really figure out why Jase Bolger votes the way he does, can they?
BolgerSchmidtFraud

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Conservative News, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Shades Of Bob Bennett

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Could the unexpected defeat of Eric Cantor foretell another conservative wave like the Bob Bennett race did in 2010?

gadsden-flagMichigan’s capitulating Republicans should take note.

In 2010 Bob Bennett was the first contemporary shot fired across the bow of ‘establishment’ Republicans.  His denial in the 2010 selection process served as a warning to those who capitulate a little too well with THE OTHER SIDE.  He was removed and replaced with a rock solid Mike Lee.

Since that that year’s drubbing of liberals, the importance of the tea folk has been ignored or belittled, as the GOP old guard attempted to take back the power they had only ‘loaned’ to the Gadsden waving conservatives.

One of the issues that is a hot button issue amongst the constitutional crowd is immigration reform.  Its not a problem that we have immigrants, but one of loading the system and the federal government not doing their job.  House majority leader Eric Cantor has taken a position favorable to immigration reform and amnesty.  It was likely the reason he fell.

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Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Rent Seeking, Republicans

If it isn’t a Cousin With Furniture Contracts, Then it’s…

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Other no-bid contracts on wasteful spending eliminated from Wisconsin government.

“I guess if I were running a multimillion-dollar company, which you are called MDOT, and I only got one bid, boy, would I be nervous as to what I had missed, and I guess I would step back and look at the entire process and start all over again,” said Sen. Bruce Caswell, R-Hillsdale.

REST

Ironic is who is now the fly in Snyder’s Big “transparent” Government ointment. Yet, MDOT and the Republican brain-trust say they need more money for fixing roads? Gee, one wonders why…
Talgo_MDOT

click to enbiggen

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Cronyism, Michigan Politics, Opinion

For Thirty Pieces Of Silver

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When it comes to campaign finance, the tea party movement just doesn’t get it

“You can’t save the world if you can’t pay the rent.” – Morton Blackwell

It’s always an interesting academic exercise to attempt to calculate what Judas Iscariot’s 30 pieces of silver would have been worth in contemporary American currency. Depending upon whose calculations you use (and what assumptions they started with), estimates have varied from a few “benjamins” to a quarter-million “eisenhowers.” Almost all of the speculation, however, misses the point. And if you’re wondering how Judas’ epic infamy is connected to Mr. Blackwell’s wisdom, well, we’ll discuss that after the break.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Detroit, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Detroit Bailout Leaves Michigan Taxpayers On The Hook For More Than $195 Million – AND A LOT MORE!

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1 Detroit Aid $195M

Below you will find just a few examples of how Michigan Taxpayers are on the hook for a hell of a lot more than this “Grand Crap Sandwich Bargain” of $195 Million of your tax dollars! If this isn’t leaving a bad taste in your wallet just wait, now that this is done they are working real hard for you up in Lansing to pass legislation as to raise your Gas Taxes too. 2 FilmTaxCredit

While Detroit Goes Bankrupt, Michigan Taxpayers Hand Disney’s ‘OZ’ Nearly $40 Million in Film Credits and this is but one example there are numerous other Film Subsidies that have and will be handed out to Obama’s Hollywood supporters!

The hard part to swallow is our legislators all think it’s funny that they are spending our tax dollars on this wasteful venture that corrupt politicians created in the first place. They won’t be out done they will all laugh when they pass yet more tax increases on we Taxpaying Citizens of Michigan.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Democrats, Detroit, Elections

We’re looking at a new level of cognitive dissonance coming from Lansing.

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A long time ago, I would be asked to accompany family members who wanted to go to the local Fretter or Highland whenever they wanted to buy any appliances/electronics (yes, I know that I’m dating myself here). They always had this question in mind, ‘How An Appliance Home Warranty Can Help Protect Your Budget?’ Part of it was because they knew that I had a vehicle big enough to bring home whatever they bought without much trouble. The other was that I could usually be counted on to hook it up after I brought it in.

One of the things I hated most about those experiences was dealing with the salesmen when actually making the purchase.

Even though my relatives were usually buying something listed in the newspaper ad so what we should be paying going out the door wasn’t a mystery, at the counter the salesman would always give them that sincere look and always ask them if they wanted to purchase additional items to go with what they were there to buy in the first place. Looking a little baffled at the salesman’s question and not appearing certain about how to answer, I’d step in at that point and tell them firmly, but politely, that I’ve hooked up enough TV’s, stereos, etc. to know what else I would need to get it to work and would’ve had it on the counter if we actually needed it. Being a little put off, but still undiscouraged, they turn to them again and ask about getting additional “warranty/insurance coverage” for their purchase. More often than not, it wasn’t any better than the manufacturer’s warranty. I strongly told them “no” for a second time.

At the time I didn’t know this, but they were using a technique called “upselling” which is a used for the benefit of the seller in additional to the actual sale of the item.

“Upselling” is also a technique being used by the Republican Leadership in Lansing to rationalize to the people they represent why they have abandoned their own stated principle of, ‘government practicing fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.’

 

{Continued below}

 

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Cronyism, Democrats, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Taxpayers Take Another Swirl Around the Detoilet Bowl

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Efficiency of government solutions? Howza ’bout a 22.9% ROI Return On Coercive Theft.

Then, there is this anathema.

Contractors said it was easy for costs to escalate. Often, the worst homes on the block were selected. Some needed expensive foundation repairs, lead and asbestos abatement and new plumbing and electrical systems. And many homes, especially in Boston Edison, are just big, adding to costs for roofing and other materials.

“Wherever we go in the city of Detroit, it has to be subsidized,” said Lisa Johanon, executive director of Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp., a nonprofit that did two renovations. “It is costly, no doubt about it, but I think we have some stabilized neighborhoods.

“It’s just what it takes right now to get Detroit on its feet.”

Exit question: When did His Word become the words of a wealth redistributing commie? I must’ve missed that memo. Folks, it’s pretty basic. See HERE, and HERE.

House-Speaker-Jase-Bolger-An-investment-in-Detroits-future-is-not-a-bailout-of-its-past-guest-co

A pox on their ☝ house.

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