Cronyism

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

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.’

 

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Taxpayers Take Another Swirl Around the Detoilet Bowl

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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Minimum Wage Insanity Passes GOP ‘Firewall’

Sausage Grinding In All Its Glory. Minimum Wage Today, Higher Gas Taxes Tomorrow.

snyderIn a move reportedly designed to head off a ballot initiative, a higher minimum wage was passed and signed by Governor Rick Snyder.

Snyder yesterday signed ‘bipartisan’ legislation raising Michigan’s minimum wage by September to $8.15, and to $9.25 an hour by 2018, a move he said “will help hard-working residents without hindering the state’s improving economy.” SB 934 is now Public Act 138 of 2014.

Oh, and by the way; It should be noted that a majority of the House Republicans voted NO on this. (albeit a small one)

We support those voting no, including one of our Northern Michigan legislators who gets it.  Greg MacMaster (R-105) says

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Another old Joke That Never Seems to Lose its Luster

Remember what happens when the Republican Majority’s lips move in Lansing? Well, another joke…

So, a husband walks out of the bathroom naked and starts to climb into bed. His wife gives him a pained look as she says, “I have a headache.”

“That’s okay,” he replies, “I was just in the bathroom powdering my schwantz with aspirin. Would you like it orally or as a suppository?”

Essentially why Peter Pettalia is just a dick. He’s gonna screw you one way, or another.

Good luck in November, ball-less dick. You have lost my vote.

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Constitutionalist Incumbent Bentivolio Still Putting Whup Azz on “El Gringo Bandito” David Trott

Bentivolio Still Maintains Double Digit Advantage In CD11 Race.

bandito-trottFrom a MIRS Tweet

Not surprised.

Trott would likely lose in the General to anyone nicer than Hanibal Lector anyhow.  But we’ll be watching.  The “El Gringo Bandito” Reference BTW, was just too good to pass up.

Perhaps you might just go and READ IT.

 

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Detroit Bailout: Why the “Grand Bargain” is actually a Faustian Bargain.

Not actually Gov. Rick Snyder

 

Like most Conservatives here, I was disappointed, but honestly not surprised in the least, by last weeks vote in the Michigan House on the “Grand Bargain”.

I say this because leading up to the vote, when my sources go dark, or when they do finally return my calls and begin to waffle, that is almost always an indication that things are going bad rather quickly.

I’m not going to mince words here. Aside from absolutely hating that misleading term “Grand Bargain”, I still can’t see why people in Lansing can’t/won’t do their homework on what is really going on here and why they are reticent on calling a bailout what it actually is: a bailout.

You’re probably asking yourselves; what causes people like that to lose their way?

Limited government and fiscal responsibility were once hallmarks of the Republican Party platform a long time ago.

Let’s take a look as to what happened, shall we?

 

{Continued after the fold}

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Yep… Stick a Fork in it

Bolger, Bumstead, Callton, Cotter, Crawford, Daley, Denby, Forlini, Genetski, Glardon, Goike, Graves, Haines, Haveman, Heise, Jacobsen, Jenkins, Johnson, Kowall, Kurtz, LaFontaine, Lauwers, Leonard, Lori, Lund, Lyons, McBroom, McCready, Muxlow, Nesbitt, Outman, Pagel, Pettalia, Poleski, Price, Pscholka, Rogers, Shirkey, Somerville, Stamas, VerHeulen, Victory, Walsh, Yonker

Doomed_

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AFP Mobilizes Grassroots to Oppose Detroit Bailout, Pension Deal

AFP Grassroots Gear Up to Fight Detroit Bailout Deal

horizontal-black_13 The Michigan chapter of Americans for Prosperity is launching an effort to contact 90,000 grassroots activists across Michigan and engage them in opposition to the latest iteration of the Detroit bailout deal

The group plans to spend significantly in order to hold state legislators accountable if they choose to support an appropriation of Michigan taxpayer dollars for this deal. Checkout StrongerDetroit.com for more information on the bailout and AFP’s grassroots efforts.  Scott Hagerstrom says:

“Detroit receives more of our hard-earned tax dollars than any other municipality in Michigan.  It should be clear to all of us that throwing more good money after bad can’t save Detroit from big-government policies that constrict private growth and rob taxpayers of wealth. Allowing the City of Detroit to sit on $3 billion in assets while pensioners see cuts is not acceptable. Lawmakers in Lansing need to know that 90,000 Michigan activists are watching closely as they consider appropriating more money to throw down the drain.”

And we agree.

Detroit tries to have its cake and eat OURS too, and our GOP legislators could very well sell us down that river.

Go get em AFP.

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Snyder’s *non-bailout* Detoilet Bailout and Lansing Legislator Looter Scorecard

I have to hand it to the folks over at MCC, this is a great vote tracking device.

A bipartisan 10-bill package has been introduced in the Michigan House related to a proposed Detroit bailout. A link to the concise, objective, plain-English MichiganVotes.org descriptions of all 10 bills is here.

It’s worth noting that the grant (or bailout) bills do not require passage of the reform bills to become law. Also, nothing would prohibit a future Legislature from repealing the reform measures, although in practical terms this could get complicated given that a potential federal court bankruptcy settlement may be all wrapped together with the grant and reforms — if they are approved.

REST

Big, big, Thank You shout out to, Mr. McHugh.

onetermnerdA reminder from the beginning of the year… when Bee-esS Talks – Money Walks.

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