Cronyism

Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Rent Seeking

Bankrupt – The Movie

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Detroit.

Cronyism, corruption, bailouts, favored status, confiscation through eminent domain, picking winners and losers.  Sound familiar?

This documentary premiered yesterday in Washington DC, and offers some historic perspective to the decline of Detroit.

Perhaps even, an explanation (a warning) of what is to come next, as long as we allow our governments to engage in corporatism; a way in which our taxpayers dollars are funneled into the pockets of special interests  and how corruption has abused Detroit, providing little benefit to those paying the bills. At one point Thomas LaDuke makes a great point about not questioning “people’s heart or motives,” but his frustration of how city residents don’t actually see how the city has been run.

Enjoy

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Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan, Republicans

Now why might this be?

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Something interesting to note with battleground state data that has been released a short while ago.

Gallup: January 2-December 29, 2014

Obama Approval ratings in Senate Battleground States (this is the YEARLY average, the President’s current numbers are actually lower in EACH of these states).

  • Alaska: 33.5%
  • Arkansas: 34.9%
  • Colorado: %42.3
  • Georgia: 45.4%
  • Iowa: 42.5%
  • Kentucky: 35.1%
  • Louisiana: 40%
  • Michigan: 47.7%
  • Montana: 33.1%
  • New Hampshire: 44.6%
  • North Carolina: 43%
  • Oregon: 45.4%
  • South Dakota: 31.7%
  • Virginia: 46.4%
  • West Virginia: 25.1%

The current numbers may be lower, but I see one particular thing that makes sense.

You have to love Michigan’s push for medicaid expansion, and ceding to the Obamacare plan along side other progressive Obama ‘likes’ such as common core, A21, and transportation schemes. The highest appreciation for Obama, coming from the state that is controlled by Republicans.

Because Republicans manage those failed progressive schemes so much better than the Democrats.

#AmIRight?

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Cronyism, Rent Seeking

A Nation Of Takers – Divertere?

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The worst part of Rick Snyder’s MASSIVE expansion of the MEDC, and the plans in the works for the rewarding of Michigan business to resettle in Detroit, is that the money comes from elsewhere.

Central planning under ANY pretty name is STILL central planning.

 

This video by AEI is entertaining, and the messaging is spot on.  Any 8 year old could understand, but will our legislators?

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Michigan Politics, Rent Seeking

A Couple Of Things

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Watch this first (H/T to CS)

Then consider that aside from Snyder’s inaccurate representation of Dow family history, it wasn’t a government program that brought the best and the brightest from other countries to the United States, and to Michigan in particular.  It was that immigrants could be left alone for the most part to ply a trade, offer a unique service or product, and be free to compete in open markets.

By skewing the field in some way to aid immigrants coming to Michigan, or to pay off ANY interest to settle here, the governor fails to acknowledge he must first steal from existing taxpayers who are made of immigrants and natives alike.  He takes from some, to favor others in a bizarre preference game.

One that needs to stop.

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Michigan, Michigan Politics, Rent Seeking

Unconstitutionality Of Energy Mandates

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Conveniently, the bigger power concerns in the state capitulated to ridiculous 10% energy mandates during the Granholm administration.

In 2012, an even MORE ridiculous 25×25 requirement was promoted (and failed) as a constitutional amendment, in a state which has a monstrous electricity appetite as a leader in manufacturing.  Now as the legislature approaches the crossroads of [Oh gosh we can’t meet the 10%!] and [What the hell happened to electricity prices?] in Michigan, another 35% ‘mandate’ pusher shows up with a ‘conservative’ emphasis and the useful idiots who have already signed on.

As soon as Michigan State Representative Mike Shirkey announced a solid-as-steel return to electricity competition in our state, the rust of cronyism began eating away at the plan. Snyder stepped up the call for increased renewable energy in the midst of the current mandate meltdown, and a new shadow group was formed with friendly ‘conservative’ faces to front it. (see useful idiot mention above)

Sometimes however, its worth looking to other experts who have a different take on such things.

Are the mandates even legal?

Thanks to the TB912, and Dining Room productions for another useful and informative video.

And On a related note: Cap Con today, has another take on this.

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Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan

Don’t Bail Out Detroit

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Apparently, there is a caveat to recent ‘good news’ for the DIA.

Reposted from The Mackinac Center for Public Policy in time for Rick Snyder’s State of the state address tonight:

 

Don’t Bail Out Detroit with State Tax Dollars

By Michael Lafaive
The recent announcement that philanthropic foundations may donate $330 million to help the Detroit Institute of Arts, which would also help city pensioners avoid the consequences of Detroit government mismanagement, sounds like great news.

Unfortunately, there may be a hook: A requirement that the state treasury contribute, which would convert voluntary private generosity into a coerced taxpayer bailout.

A state bailout of Detroit is a terrible idea. It creates moral hazard and adds to the overly generous financial support the city has for years received from state taxpayers.

And it’s unfair.

READ MORE ►

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Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Hellooooo, John Rakolta

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“You’ve heard of the bridge to nowhere?  Welcome to the jail for no one.”

Told ya.  You’re getting warmer, Ross.  However, that jail for no one will be gobbled up by Dan Gilbert for pennies on the dollar.

And, you’ve got a whole gaggle of MI-GOP bootlickers who watched Rakolta line his pockets, main one being, the State AG.  Next question would reasonably be, what did the wife of former State AG (Commissioner Laura Cox) know, and when did she know it?

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