Michigan

Cronyism, Michigan, Opinion

Four Months of Paid Vacation

by  •  • 6 Comments

Yeah, it’s a Thin Blue Line, alright.

An investigation of an Oakland County police chief for suspected political sign theft last July has been completed and turned over to the Michigan attorney general’s office to review for possible charges.

shiny-badgesThe Michigan State Police took over the investigation of Waterford Township Police Chief Daniel McCaw in September after the Oakland County Sheriff‘s Office recused itself from looking into allegations because of law enforcement associations with McCaw. McCaw has been on paid administrative leave since September.
…..

McCaw was stopped and questioned in July when an officer spotted him late at night removing signs from a vacant gas station lot. McCaw, who was in civilian clothes at the time and in an unmarked vehicle, told the officer he had permission to remove the signs asking township voters to vote “no” on new millages. The officer never wrote up the incident and allowed McCaw to drive away.

McCaw has told others he was removing signs that had been placed too close to the roadway. The owner of some of the removed signs, Kyle McGrath, complained to township officials other non-millage signs in the same location were left undisturbed.

A public safety millage renewal on the ballot which would have affected McCaw’s force was subsequently passed by voters.

MORE with Dash-cam Video

Should be a slam-dunk conviction for our AG with aspirations, yes? Don’t bank on it. For the majority Party holding the lever of power in every branch of Lansing, well, they let the cat out of the bag on their beloved public sector union friends. Yes, their friends – not ours.

Fact.

You Betcha! (23)Nuh Uh.(1)

All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Want to see what a Michigan republican party-backed $195-million Taxpayer funded bailout of Detroit gets you?

by  •  • 8 Comments

Just to be on the level, I’m not going to bring back stories about grossly overpaid art museum CEO’s and their boards, not-so secret loans to art museum CEO’s, and art millage scams promoted against Tri-County Taxpayers.

Feel free to use that search window in the upper-right corner if you’re inclined to read more about it.

No, I’m going to talk about what the good people in the Snyder/Calley/Weiser/et al republican machine are in effect helping to promote with your own hard-earned tax dollars.

Just a quick warning to those who wish to continue: The remainder of this post does contain some graphic and disturbing descriptions.

Consider yourselves warned!

{Continued after the fold}

READ MORE ►

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

Conservative News, Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy, Proposal 15-1

Second Highest Sales Tax in the Nation and Chasing Away Employers

by  •  • 7 Comments

They_screw_the_little_guyWell, that’s what the Snyder/Calley Ballot Proposal to raise the sales tax 16.7% is – Second only to California – and we all know (or should know) what a fabulous job creator environment California is, right? Can you say exodus? Yes, high taxes are a factor driving business away but, massive regulatory issues also plague them, which destroys jobs and their creators. Interestingly enough, and very similar to the Golden State, our One Party Rule majority in Lansing, is on floundering course to the same tax and regulatory environment as can be reviewed here.

Oh! Then there is this wee bit of judicial tax policy “intent” legislating from the bench.

The controversy involves 134 out-of-state companies doing business in Michigan. They sued to collect $1.1 billion in refunds they believed they were due under the 2007 law. If they prevailed, the loss would have created a large hole in the state budget.

happy-snyderThe Michigan Supreme Court ruled in July that IBM could receive tax credits under the old law.
….

Tricia Kinley, senior director of Tax & Regulatory Policy for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said she had not reviewed Talbot’s decision [Engler appointee], but the chamber believed the Supreme Court decision on the IBM case should have settled the issue. She said the chamber found it “utterly disappointing and stunning” when the Legislature and Snyder signed the law to “undermine” the high court’s decision.

“That sends a chilling message to job providers,” said Kinley. “You can try to have your day in court, but even if you go through the great pains of litigating and you win, the Legislature might pull the rug out from under you.”

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill Schuette, who defended the state in the case, referred questions to the state Treasury Department, where no one could be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

Surprised the top cop and the taxman hide from their retroactive thievery? Not really, as it has become standard operating procedure for those in today’s government, and an electorate with a 30 sec. attention span. Nevertheless, isn’t this refreshing to see someone at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce has the integrity to speak truth to power? I’m actually glad to see a woman wearing the pants at the chamber who boldly calls it the way it is without pulling any punches on The Big Spending Party.

Yes, Mr. Studley, we are directing this at you. It’s time for your leadership against $700 million more for non-road related spending.

Ps. Uh-hum, tis the season, you know? Until we’re proven wrong, res ipsa loquitor…

You Betcha! (19)Nuh Uh.(1)

All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Maybe A little Mis-Read?

by  •  • 2 Comments

A Traverse City Retailer might well feel the pain of his misplaced good cents.

There will be more than a few legislators regretting their turkey moves of additional regulatory rules during the ‘lame duck’ session.

But its not just the legislators. ‘Exhibit A,’ might well be a story that ‘celebrates’ the “early Christmas present” that Front Street Traverse City business received via SB 569 and SB 658 on Friday Morning. Demonstrating that the lobbying efforts of a few rent seeking business interests are not at all in line with taxpayer interests, the piece on Saturday’s TC Ticker starts with the ‘celebration’ of the “main-street fairness” law:

“It’s been years in the making, but state lawmakers have handed brick-and-mortar retailers like Bill Golden and others throughout Traverse City and Michigan a welcome Christmas present. Starting in October, more online retailers will have to add on Michigan’s sales tax to customer purchases — just like Michigan retailers have always had to do.”

Of course, folks around here (and very likely in all other places) understand that what is sold as fairness is usually anything but fair.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (19)Nuh Uh.(0)

Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy, Proposal 15-1

Oh Noes!

by  •  • 1 Comment

Just happened across an amusing yet insightful Skubick piece where after wading through canned Snyder vague response answers, it appears that our enlightened governor is having a sad moment over those with opinions in the blogosphere.

To be sure the governor did not raise this issue, but he was not bashful about wading into the debate regarding what appears on the blogs that dot the political landscape on the Internet.

sad_snyder_keanu_reeves_meme_He reads some of them and he is concerned.
….

As for the number he assigned to the intellectual offerings he opines, “it’s a very low number.”

A minus number?

He would not go that low but he did offer, “Too often it’s people not acting with civility and
respect. They often are quite mean to one another.”

Well golly gee willikers, effeminate King Richard. Does it make one wonder that every time Snyder dreams up another way to grow government or, blow through yet another $1.9 BILLION on things unrelated to the original purpose of roads, why there may be a lack of civility? Seriously, how endearing is it for anyone to have a Republican in the governor’s office, who when he does not receive his way when in conflict to Party platform, his chosen course of action is to stomp his feet like a spoiled brat child who has never been taught the word ‘no’ in his life? Respect that? Nope, not me. Respect is earned, and not doled out just because one has ability of processing air.

In other news for MI-GOP chair… Sen. Colbeck has chosen to breathe new life into the Rodney Dangerfield joke. Yessirree. Congratulations, Pat, I was wrong about the soap as you’ve now removed any respect I once had for you. Oh! And, Hezbo Paul is contemplating a run, too. Swell. Just, swell.

You Betcha! (29)Nuh Uh.(1)

Democrats, Humor in Michigan, Michigan, Opinion

Brandon, Brandon, Brandon…

by  •  • 1 Comment

For me, Twitter has become entertainment in its ability to rapidly convey snark. Do not misunderstand what Twitter is – it’s a powerful promotional tool but, for the most part it remains a pebble to cast potshots. Much can be said the same about Facebook in its circles of *friends* and *likes* which can be purchased. What’s the old rule? Paper always beats rock or, in this case – pebbles. This is why blogs will always reign supreme over the two aforementioned medias in the vastness a blog has ability to cover. Well, that, and I enjoy a healthy dose of snark as much as anyone else so, those with a Revolutionary bent for a cradle-to-grave government overreach mentality… perhaps, there’s old vacancies in Cuba waiting for you, Rep. Dillon?
Raul

And, oh why lookie here…

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (22)Nuh Uh.(1)

Cronyism, Michigan, Opinion, Proposal 15-1

So much for the RTW/FTW Law, huh?

by  •  • 2 Comments

Pusillanimous, who apparently has now decided to punt to voters too, has its followers, and its name is… Prevailing Wage.

Other great moments of courage in Michigan Chamber of Commerce history?

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (22)Nuh Uh.(0)