Michigan Politics

Michigan Political considerations.

Moneybags

BuySeatMy wife asked me, “who is this guy?”

She was referring to the now frequent television commercials for fourth district congressional candidate Paul Mitchell. And if you have never heard of him before, its because he has not held political office that you might recognize.  Another bucket list brigade member, GOP primary candidate Paul Mitchell has already piled tons of cash into Michigan’s 4th congressional district race in an effort to present himself as a real contender.

Cable and broadcast buys for April and May have already exceeded a quarter of a million dollars, and sources have indicated he intends to whiz away his entire bank account to feel extra special if necessary.  And who cares if anyone knows who he is, or what he stands for?

Ah yes, the “what do you stand for?” question. That place where people look beyond the claims of a candidate being a conservative first, and actually predict what kind of legislator they might actually be.

And if the nape hair instincts kick in at the point where you realize a candidate has no record to examine, is blowing a wad of his own cash, and was the finance chair for the Michigan Republican Party, then you might be paying attention.

Oh yeah.. All that.

You Betcha! (22)Nuh Uh.(8)

Conyers NOT On Ballot

180px-John_Conyers_1977_Congressional_photoPolitics is always interesting.

Forever termed congressman John Conyers will not be on the ballot this year. Conyers has been in congress since 1965, (The picture at right from 1977.) and quite possibly will be gone after 2014.  From Fox news:

“Longtime Congressman John Conyers of Michigan doesn’t have enough signatures to appear on the Aug. 5 primary ballot, an elections official announced Tuesday.

Conyers’ nominating petitions were insufficient, Wayne County Clerk Kathy Garrett said in a statement.

It follows her report last week finding Conyers more than 400 signatures short of 1,000 needed. Garrett said Tuesday that he had 592 valid signatures after challenges.”

It comes as no surprise that Conyers’ signature counts included WAY too many that were not registered voters.

The REAL talent is in the Democrat party however.  Many were likely dead for decades as well.

You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(0)

MIGOP Subverts Michigan Constitution to Silence Voice of the Voters

Richardville MackinacNo matter how you feel about raising the minimum wage for or against this is just plain wrong! When the will of the citizens are subverted along with their constitutional rights by any political party its tyranny.

Never mind that giving voters the final word is precisely what the framers of Michigan’s constitution had in mind when they established the ballot initiative process in the first place.

So Michigan Republicans have decided to short-circuit that process you know, the untidy one ordained in Michigan’s constitution in favor of closed caucus meetings where Republicans who control the Legislature can wire an outcome more palatable to their business buddies who contribute to their campaign coffers.

The arrogant disregard of Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville for the democratic process that the ballot initiative was designed to keep in check is evident in his statement.

You Betcha! (7)Nuh Uh.(1)

MacMaster On OTR

About halfway through this episode of WKAR’s Off the Record with Tim Skubick candidate for the 37th District Michigan State Senate Race, Greg MacMaster answers questions on Prisons, Detroit, and Roads.

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

Minimum Wage And Restaurant Reviews

Truthfully I have never eaten at the Swiss Inn in Lake George, Michigan, so I have no idea of how accurate some of the statements I have found are.

But I had to find out more about the restaurant owned by a man who commented on one of my own statements.  In response to it, and to a recent Capitol Confidential article, he says with his own words:

“As a restaurant owner in northern Michigan, I would disagree with you! The last time the minimum wage went up (30%) I raised my prices only 15 cents to make up for the difference. What we (Small Businesses) need more than ANYTHING, is more spendable income in the hands of the people who spend it, the Middle Class. Giving me and other businesses a tax break did very little to help me. Adding a NEW tax actually took money OUT of our fragile economy, hurting it more. The ONLY thing that would cause me, (or ANY small business), to hire someone, is if there is an increase in the demand for my product or service. I believe the increase of minimum wage will help everyone, putting more money into the economy will not only help the struggling workers, but it will also help the struggling small businesses, and an increase in taxes for the State. Everyone wins!!! As far as a tipped employee goes, the smaller tips you claim will happen, will be taken care of by the $7.60 per hour they will be gaining!”

Everyone wins!

You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(0)

MIGOP “Tactics” as to get “Their” Chosen Candidates Elected

I’m sure this is going on all over the state as to stifle the Grassroots, Conservatives and Tea Party that dare challenge the establishment but this one is in my own backyard. We all have seen how the MIGOP establishment has gone after and targeted two conservatives Justin Amash and Kerry Bentivolio. Jason Sheppard and Richardville

I had seen in my facebook notifications that one of my facebook friends liked a page so I investigated. To my surprise and shock I couldn’t believe that many of my conservative friends would like a “yes man” for Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville for State Rep. 

The MIGOP establishment has a plan in place as to get their chosen candidates elected and will go to any and all lengths as to make sure this happens. Let’s take a close look at just one example in my district how they are going about this.

You Betcha! (5)Nuh Uh.(1)

Lerner Found In contempt

Abusive IRS director found in contempt of congress.

joker-petersGary Peters voted ‘innocent’ on IRS chief Lois Lerner’s contempt charge.

Lerner arguably directed the IRS policy to discriminate against conservative groups and their ability to finance against the ongoing federal tyranny.  She was then called to testify on the matter in front of a congressional oversight committee.  Instead of simply refusing to testify, she made a statement before a congressional panel investigating her crimes, THEN shut up expecting to enjoy 5th amendment protections.

It doesn’t work that way.

A Bi-partisan congressional vote 231-187 with 6 democrats joining the Republicans  found Lerner in contempt.  Nothing will happen of course, until the gatekeeper of lawlessness, Eric Holder is impeached and removed from his office.  Holder himself was found in contempt, and still exists as US Attorney General.

Michigan Republicans present voted to find her in contempt. (Bentivolio was unable to make this vote)  Conversely, All of Michigan Democrats including US senate candidate Gary Peters would apparently excuse this type of lawless behavior, and voted to protect her.

Remember this lesson and internalize it.

 

You Betcha! (7)Nuh Uh.(0)

Why Does This Remind Me Of Our Local School Board?

Face it, your local school board doesn’t give two whits what you have to say.

Whether it is a complaint of how they are spending taxpayer resources, common core, or the introduction of inappropriate materials to our youth, they just don’t want to hear it.  In Traverse City, parents have been ignored when sexually explicit curriculum was given to their adolescent children, and that curriculum was allowed to stand.

You Betcha! (7)Nuh Uh.(0)

Roads And A Different Type Of Letter

A Better Way to Fix Our Roads

Christchurch, New Zealand - March 20 2011: Fitzgerald Avenue Bridge Destruction.It seems that soon, the ‘dodge-em’ game on the way to work is going to turn into bumper cars.

Yeah, the roads are bad. A combination of a harsh winter, diverting funds for an unneeded bridge construct, along with poor planning and oversight from the transportation committee has left the roads in Michigan in the worst shape since forever.

The road building interests are already chomping at the bit, eager to get those lucrative contracts. The public is ready for any relief from the banging, swerving, and white knuckling trips to the store or work.  The stock prices on the strut and tire manufacturers have likely been going through the roof.

Something needs to be done.

The road lobby has loved Governor Snyder’s first suggestion of raising revenue (raise taxes) by a $billion-point-two.  The tax and spend sycophants in the legislature have eagerly lined up for their favor from the guv, and were ready to give him what he wanted. Until the push back by taxpayers.

Republican speaker Jase Bolger, seeing the the gathering of pitchforks by the ‘townsfolk,’ has seemingly cut the ‘revenue increase’ part of the solution in half, but tax increases are still going to be part of the equation. And even the guy who at first touted his efforts in creating the alternative is still afraid to stand on its merits, letting Bolger take all the credit for himself. (listen to this montage – hilarious)

Peter denied Christ only three times; I guess this must be a pretty serious threat to someone’s campaign. (and no, I am not really comparing anyone in Lansing..) 

You Betcha! (16)Nuh Uh.(1)

Sunday RightMi Reader

Blogging Around The Geat State Of Michigan On State Local And National Issues

logo-sphereMIRS Weekly Report – Primary challenges emerge for 19 GOP incumbents Yours truly quoted with one of our favorite lines.

Grassroots In Michigan – Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes! Clearly Joan has had enough of that. The transportation bills seem to promise more taxes. And under a ‘Republican’ administration, no less.

Motor City Times TWOFER! – Robin Hood Tax: Another bad European idea that will find its way here Minimum wages are too low, right? AND Regional blackouts coming to an electrical outlet near you starting in 2015 Driving home the point that the EPA is a thing that must be removed .. like yesterday.

Michigan Taxes Too Much – ICY Michigan Just because there was a lot of ice this year.

The Shekel – Several articles on a recently attended NRA convention Quite complete with pictures and seminar reports.

Wayne County Taxpayers – Contacts in All 83 Counties are Now a Reality for Part Time Legislature Petitions If you need some petitions, we’ll get em to you.

Watchdog Wire – OPINION: Sports Media Scrutinize Richard DeVos’ Views on Traditional Marriage Thanks Izzy! This is just really good on a number of levels.  I’ll leave it to the reader to figure out why.

You Betcha! (6)Nuh Uh.(0)