Michigan Politics

Michigan Political considerations.

Has Money for a Camera Crew and Time to Play With a Shovel?

Pure Propaganda

“While it’s 30 some degrees, I can’t imagine what it’s like doing this when it’s zero. Um, but it’s a lot of work, and uh, at the end of the day, I bet I sleep really, really good.”

Aw, why that just tugs away at my little ‘ol heartstrings, does it yours? C’mon, they’re getting paid Prevailing Wage to fill holes with the most complex of tools known to all of mankind to operate – a garden shovel. The lengths these bureaucrats will go just to extort more pissed away tax dollars.

If going all Hollywood production on us with our tax dollars, Kirk, at least come up with a new schtick.

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Straw Poll Eye Opener

Its already assumed by many within the Michigan Republican party that Governor Rick Snyder will essentially cruise to a win over a scandal ridden Schauer campaign.

wes-nakagiriWe have had a different take on it; essentially arguing ANYONE could beat Schauer, so why not have a robust primary on the GOP side?  Alas, as there are few who wish to spend money fighting both the candidate, AND risk being on the outs in the GOP in the future, we are relegated to the squishy liberal incumbent.

Someone HAS taken a cue from the weakness of the establishment in the supporting organization however.  When challenger Todd Courser came within a couple dozen votes to oust sitting MiGOP chair Bobby Schostak in a prior convention, it sent a message that a shakeup is in the works.  By the time the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference had happened, no challenger had yet appeared to depose Snyder, but a contender willing to stand before Republican Delegates in 2014 and challenge Sitting Lt Governor Brian Calley had made it clear he was in it to the end.

Wes Nakagiri announced his candidacy, and the Snyder Calley folks took him seriously.

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Nyet x2

This is why ANYONE who can unseat Snyder in the Republican Primary could cruise control into the governor’s mansion.

Presented in Specially patented RightMI.com ®BiParti-Vision. (click the start arrow of each; one right after the other)

We are doubly ‘pooched.’

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Are Democrats and Republicans just one Party? I report you decide!

Campaign Fundraising has very “Questionable” Union Donations to MIGOP Republicans

 

Rebranding the GOPSo you think you’re voting for a Republican?

Better check the candidate your casting your vote for because if you don’t you may not get what you think! This statement says it all. Amber McCann, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe said:

“It’s not a shock to see large contributions from “Unions” like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Regional Council of Carpenters to the Democrats.”

Oh Really?

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Obamacare’s Part-Time Side Effect – Michigan Employees’ Hours Cut

As a result of the cut, Karyn’s hours were reduced from 37-39 hours per week to an average of 25 hours per week.  She says the lost wages equate to more than her mortgage payment each month.  She is incensed that she has gone from paying extra on her mortgage each month–with money left over–to the situation of having to dip into her nest egg.  “This is just not sustainable,” Ruley said.  “I can’t save for retirement.  I’m taking side jobs to make ends meet.  They told us to wait and see how great it was going to be when it was fully implemented.  Why couldn’t they just let us keep what we had, what worked for us?”

To continue reading, visit Campaign Life.

 

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DNR Strategy & Land Grab Update

After Event Report - MUCC Hosted Event In Acme, Michigan February 17, 2014

DNR-trust-fundLast night’s Agenda 21 party (oops, I mean Land Trust Town Hall) showed Rep. Wayne Schmidt as the pro-government, anti private property progressive he is. Sitting on a panel hosted by MUCC, surrounded by reps from the Land Conservancy, MEDC, and League of ‘Conservation’ (NOT conservative) Voters; he pressed this audience for support of his bill (HB 5210) to remove the cap on State owned land in the Northern Lower and UP.

Apparently, 5 million acres of State owned land is NOT enough.

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Because When They’re Right

twinkieWe’ll say so.

Mlive is telling us that Governor Rick Snyder is asking for the ban on domestic partner same sex benefits to remain in place until properly adjudicated.  They report on the activist Judge who has first tossed the ban:

The motion asks Judge David Lawson to rule in favor of the state in a lawsuit filed by five same-sex couples. The motion argues that the 2011 law banning the benefits “eliminates local government programs that are irrational and unfair” and promotes “financially sound” local agencies.

In June 2013, Lawson issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing the law, Public Act 297, saying the plaintiffs in the case had a good chance of proving at trial that the law violates the equal protection guarantee of the U.S. Constitution.

“A good chance” is a pitiful reason to upend due process and legislate from the bench.

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Detroit News Report falls short on Michigan’s Road Fund Money Allocation Problem

gas-tax-hike-snyderMichigan ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to its per capita spending on its roads and bridges, according to a report citing U.S. Census Bureau data. Is it because Michiganders don’t pay a high enough gas tax, or have our legislators been re-directing our road tax dollars elsewhere?

Michigan has the 5th highest Gasoline Tax in the nation, only Democrat controlled CA, NY, HI, CT are higher! Michigan’s gas excise tax is 19 cents per gallon. Michigan also collects sales taxes and an environmental regulation tax for a whopping grand total of 39.4 cents per gallon.

Michigan legislators have been stealing, robbing and shifting “our” road fund monies for years! Now that the kitty is bone dry they have the gull to suggest “we taxpayers” pony up by accepting a gas tax and vehicle registration fee increases.

Michigan legislative Transportation and Infrastructure committee chairs Wayne Schmidt (R) House and Tom Casperson (R) Senate would serve their constituents and all Michigan motorist well by pushing legislation that would outlaw any further diversions of Gasoline Tax monies from roads, bridges and infrastructure. Unfortunately these two seem more concerned about “Horse Trading” with politically well connected real estate developers.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140213/METRO05/302130103/Michigan-ranks-last-per-capita-spending-roads-bridges

~ Article continues below.

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Getting to Know Your Candidate: Democrat Mark Schauer Gets His Protest On

Democrats are constantly protesting, chanting, complaining, whining and agitating. If you’re a Democrat, protesting is part of the job description. 

Back in 2012, one term Congressman Mark “Hey, I thought I was voting for a jobs bill” Schauer (who was blown out of congress in 2010 after a single term) decided to join in the protests during Michigan’s Right to Work vote in Lansing. You know, to polish up his Democrat bona fides.

Seeking to enhance his Democrat bona fides, Schauer runs to the nearest (friendly) camera after getting his protest on to tell his story about being on the receiving end of “mace or pepper-spray” during the protest.

No, really:

Mark Schauer’s resume is… How do you say this politely… Thin for a Governor

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Too Much Private Property

If Schmidt has his way, Northern Michigan communities will see new challenges

DNR-trust-2One of the little deals with the DNR and its ability to purchase land, is that it is limited.

Limited to 4,650,000 acres in fact, with some exceptions, and not more than 3,910,000 acres north of a line between Mason and Arenac counties, to be exact.

This means that the amount of land that is available for private use and development will not continue to shrink indefinitely.  It means that the revenues from oil and gas lease rights are not forever used to remove land from local tax rolls. It also means that overzealous misplaced urban planner graduates from the MSU school of property theft have one less tool in their belt of American dream destruction.

in 2012 Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, signed a common sense piece of legislation (huh.. how bout that) that put a check on the runaway property acquisition of the DNR, and the way in which it distorts property values and makes desirable land unavailable for private use.  The ONLY 5 Republicans Voting against the bill at that time were Jon Bumstead, (R) Holly Hughes, (R) Peter Pettalia, (R) Bruce Rendon, (R) and Wayne Schmidt, (R).  They and their Democrat property rights thieving counterparts were sent packing, as the bad ol Republican bullies put that limit on the quite literal GROWTH of government through land purchases.

Surprise, surprise, now they are back. And they brought friends. And they seem to think Michigan has too much private property available to it.

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