Elections

Cronyism, Democrats, Elections, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Blast From the Past

by  •  • 0 Comments

Memory holes are fun.

mcc2009-05-graphic6LRG

Time’s second most outrageous was a $1.9 million appropriation for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College of New York. The earmark was inserted by none other than Congressman Charles B. Rangel, D-New York, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which is where federal tax laws are drafted. According to Time, the project’s total price tag is $30 million, and it has been dubbed the “Monument to Me” by its critics. The magazine notes that a more junior member of Congress questioned Rangel about the propriety of members using taxpayer dollars to sponsor projects bearing their own names. “I would have a problem if you did it,” Rangel replied, “because I don’t think that you’ve been around long enough.”

Only 108 members voted to cut federal taxpayer subsidies for the Rangel Center. Five Michigan Republicans and four Democrats were among the 316 who voted to save the earmark.

Well, at least voters in CD-6 and CD-10 understand the mindset of Fred, and Candi in their wagon circling little D.C.-GOP world they live in.

None of it should surprise. And, to think that Camp replaced Charles… go figure.

You Betcha! (14)Nuh Uh.(0)

Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Opinion

Pure Gross Waste of Tax Dollars

by  •  • 1 Comment

Hey y’all, guess what. Our big spending Lansing Majority is about to stick us with the tab to change out frivolous road signs. You read that right. My Rep., Peter “I love Red Light Cameras” Pettalia (video here) just recently got some traction in the House for his buffoonish legislation to rename tourist-trap roadways with the Pure propaganda trademark. Added MEDC approved bonus? MDOT will have control over the “indeterminate” costly bid process! Cha-ching for some crony relative with a sign business.

Now, for some credit where credit is due.

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on March 26, 2014, to require the proposed signs to also disclose the amount of cash subsidies and selective tax breaks the state paid to corporations and developers through its “economic development” programs, with the information posted in the same sized font. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 26, 2014.

Thanks for trying, Rep. McMillin. You’re a true lone voice of Conservatism in Lansing. Consistency matters.

Maybe now some of y’all will have a better understanding why I take offense at these two sleazy CD-8 sociopaths.

You Betcha! (20)Nuh Uh.(0)

Conservative News, Cronyism, Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Not a Gadsden to be Found

by  •  • 4 Comments

Living in Michigan, is one step closer to getting a whole helluva lot more expensive.

A House committee on Wednesday voted to permanently shift money from Michigan’s general fund to transportation spending. Another panel approved legislation bringing the diesel tax in line with the gasoline tax and taxing fuels on price instead of a flat per-gallon basis.

Fuel taxes would grow with inflation.

The $450 million is just a third of what Gov. Rick Snyder says is needed to bring Michigan roads up to par. Michigan’s gasoline taxes are among the country’s highest while its per-capita road spending is among the lowest because the sales tax on fuel primarily goes to non-transportation funding.

Then, there’s the 900% increase on business.two-headed-snake

Permits for oversized and overweight trucks would jump to $500 under House Bill 5452, as amended and advanced by the transportation committee. Overweight permits currently cost $50 for a single trip or $100 for multiples. The original bill would have doubled those fees, but Rep. David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) won an amendment to raise the rates even higher.

MDOT gets to run further amok entering into agreements, too. Sure is a winning stratagem all them TEA folk have chosen with allowing the bastards to run wild simply because the Majority in Lansing has an “R” after its last name.

Out of sight, out of mind.

You Betcha! (27)Nuh Uh.(1)

All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Republicans

How Can Rich Perlberg Walk Straight?

by  •  • 6 Comments

Obama supporter thinks he can prevail in Michigan's 42nd district Republican Primary.

perlbergChutzpa.

And man parts the size of watermelons.

That is the only way I can describe one of the ‘Republican’ candidates in Michigan’s 42nd district State Representative race. The former general manager of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus entered into the four way Republican primary April 11, and apparently offers himself up as the RINO candidate.  (sorry Kevin, this one sticks)

And other Republican In Name Only candidates could only be jealous of the nerve Rich Perlberg has demonstrated in calling such a socialist standard as Barack Obama, a good choice for conservatives.  Jennifer Hensley documents the history of editorials from the Press & Argus including doozies like this endorsement:

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (10)Nuh Uh.(2)

Conservative News, Elections, Michigan Politics

Arcand’s position on abortion funding…

by  •  • 1 Comment

Arcand's position on abortion funding...

Alan Arcand on the RTL endorsement of Congressman Benishek, and his votes to support abortion through the funding of Planned Parenthood and ObamaCare:

“If a bill or continuing resolution to fund Obamacare was placed in front of me which also included funding the veterans, I would have to acknowledge the fact that if I was to vote yes on this bill it would pay the veterans who put their lives on the line everyday for this country. I myself being a veteran know what is involved with this duty, but I also know that I would be doing a GREAT disservice to our future generations leaving them with nothing more than an oppressive government that forces them to eat, drink, think, live and die all at the whim of the government.

If I was to vote yes, we would win the fight for the veteran, but lose the war for our country. If I vote no, we live to fight another day for the veteran, the American people, and our posterity. The argument I keep hearing is that we need to go along to get along until someday in the future, when we get the majority, and then we can change the world. The reality of it is that this will not happen. Election after election we hear the same nonsense that next time it will be different. That is how we got here, going along to get along instead of being vigilant and jealous of our liberties. We have allowed our representatives to be frivolous in their votes and unaccountable for them.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (4)Nuh Uh.(2)

Cronyism, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Philosophy, Republicans

Amash V Ellis Money Quote

by  •  • 0 Comments

ellisThere is very little you need to know about Brian Ellis

Ellis who is challenging constitutional Republican incumbent Justin Amash in the third congressional district race holds little support from any grass roots.  Ellis’ primary financing is from himself and Washington lobbyists, with less than 3% coming from small donors.

But the real kicker is what the former Granholm appointee and Michigan strategic fund huckster says openly.  From the Washington Examiner:

Ellis also has no patience for Amash’s insistence on abstract ideas like the Constitution and liberty. “He’s got his explanations for why he’s voted,” the Weekly Standard quoted Ellis saying, “but I don’t really care. I’m a businessman. I look at the bottom line.”

Oh.  How nice.

Though we’ve probably reported on this before, its good to have a reminder there are still plenty of RINOs to go around.

You Betcha! (5)Nuh Uh.(0)

Elections, Michigan Politics

2014 Michigan Congressional Races

by  •  • 3 Comments

2014 Michigan Congressional Races

Cross-posted at The Western Right, Right Michigan, and Red Racing Horses.

Michigan will see several interesting congressional races in 2014, with four open seats and several competitive primary challenges.  Michigan now has 14 congressional seats.

There are several articles that analyze the general political leanings of the districts.

Michigan Redistricting: Congressional Map Passed
Republican Michigander Congressional District Profiles (Sidebar at right)

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (3)Nuh Uh.(0)

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

Freedom Fund Silent On MCRI Victory

by  •  • 1 Comment

Why is such an influential 'conservative' group so silent about such a civil rights victory?

cone-silenceA funny thing happened on the way to yesterday’s US Supreme Court victory for Michigan.

Greg McNeilly, and the DeVos funded Freedom fund were unusually quiet.  The all-things-go except true equality “Freedom Fund” was silent on the issue, offering no opinion, no support, or any insight where it stands with regard to racial preferences.  Apparently, this influential, well financed, political advocacy group had no qualms about the state constitution being squashed by activist judges.

The question if of whether we should be surprised was answered years ago.  In 2003, Greg McNeilly, who was the executive director under Michigan Republican party chair Betsy DeVos,  made it clear that voters should not be in charge of repairing the mistaken race based decision making process.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (17)Nuh Uh.(0)

Conservative News, Democrats, Detroit, Elections

Read it and weep BAMN (along with every other race-hustler and their catspaws)!

by  •  • 1 Comment

“Deliberative debate on sensitive issues such as racial preferences all too often may shade into rancor. But that does not justify removing certain court-determined issues from the voters’ reach.

Democracy does not presume that some subjects are either too divisive or too profound for public debate.The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
Submitted w/o any further comment.
You Betcha! (3)Nuh Uh.(0)