Michigan

Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Michigan Governor: State tax surplus could be used to limit cuts to pensions in Detroit bankruptcy proceedings

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Michigan taxpayers have been overcharged by the state of Michigan to the tune of $350 million. That is what Michigan’s budget surplus really is, the state taxed its citizens an extra $350 million that they had no plan to spend. So, rather than sending the money back to the taxpayers, spending the money to fix our literally crumbling roads or simply hang on to the money for a rainy day, what does our nerd Governor propose?

Gov. Rick Snyder said Thursday he’s open to using one-time surplus tax dollars for the state’s contribution toward a fund to bolster Detroit pensions and settle the city’s bankruptcy.

Snyder has pledged $350 million over 20 years toward a $816 million fund designed to limit cuts to pensions and shield city-bought art at the Detroit Institute of Arts from being sold to satisfy creditors.

While private sector citizens in Michigan have had to go round after round of belt-tightening  (job losses, furloughs, pay cuts) during the reign of economic terror during the Granholm era. Now we have to punch additional holes in our belts for even more belt-tightening during the ongoing Obama disaster. Why should Michigan taxpayers take it in the shorts, again, protecting city worker pensions? Let them tighten their belts, or sell the DIA art and other city assets like other bankruptcies require. Get expertise available via Arizona Bankruptcy and Debt Solutions

BTW, you know after Snyder uses our tax ‘surplus’ protecting city pensions, he will come hat in hand looking for additional ‘revenues’ (i.e. taxes) to fix our roads.

*** Cross-posted at motorcitytimes.com ***

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Conservative News, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Frank Foster Views Race And Lifestyle Choice Equally

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fosterIts not surprising to see the comments by Foster in today’s Petsokey News story.

Lee Chatfield, a candidate challenging Frank Foster for Michigan’s 107th State Representative race is being questioned for campaign donations accepted from true Republican Dave Agema’s pac.  Agema, a conservative who (contrary to progressives and apparently Frank Foster) believes in the sanctity of marriage, and that is between one man and one woman.

Foster, utilizing the Alinsky tactic of isolation would like to paint Chatfield in the manner that progressive liberal Republicans have tried previously with Agema himself.  But there is a very good reason he would do so. A reason that most folks might not be aware.  From The Petoskey News

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

Freedom Fund Silent On MCRI Victory

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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.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy

Timing Is Everything

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The overturning of the Sixth Circuit Court may have positive impact on other Michigan imperatives.

Supreme_Court_US_2009The US Supreme Court decision today was probably an easy one.

In a 6-2 ruling. (see KG’s article for a link) the court upheld the ban enacted by Michigan voters in 2006; Proposal 2, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.  Race shall NOT be used in admission policies in our colleges and public institutions, or for purposes of employment or contracting through government. From the Detroit News

The ruling championed the right of the voters to set policy in writing their own state constitutions.

“Perhaps, when enacting policies as an exercise of democratic self-government, voters will determine that race-based preferences should be adopted. The constitutional validity of some of those choices regarding racial preferences is not at issue here,” Kennedy wrote. The decision here “is simply that the courts may not disempower the voters from choosing which path to follow.”

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who appealed the appeals court ruling, hailed the justices decision.

That was a free promo, Bill. Lets start working on the next battle shall we? – JG

There is no doubt Michigan’s Attorney General carried this one across the finish line, but the argument was simple on a number of levels.

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

For the Record…

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Why primary Benishek???...

 

For the Record…
Why primary Benishek?
Let us count the whys…
Dan Benishek on Government Reform 
The 4 R’s: Read It; Reduce It; Repeal It; Reform It
Dan thinks the three R’s are great for schools. But Congress need’s 4 R’s:
Read It. Dan actually thinks it’s crazy that this should even need to be said, but the biggest change you could make to Congress is to make them all read the bills they’re voting on. Washington’s biggest messes are coming from legislation no one has read.
Reduce It. We’re $13 trillion in the hole, and on the brink of a financial meltdown that will ruin the nation because Congress won’t stop spending. Dan will. It will be hard. It will take lots of sacrifice. But we can’t leave this debt for our kids to pay back.
Repeal It. The health care bill is a mess. It needs to be repealed, and replaced with real reforms to put patients–not bureaucrats–in charge of health care.
Reform It. Out with the career politicians. Out with the special interests. And in with the voices of taxpaying American citizens who agree that enough is enough.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Republicans

Ethics, Integrity, And Long Knives

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wayne-afp009“He’s our hometown boy.” Said one of the executive committee members of a vote taken this last Thursday.

The vote, was one by the executive board of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party on whether to endorse State Senate Candidate Wayne Schmidt over Greg MacMaster in the 37th State Senate primary contest.  The vote to choose one candidate over another in partisan (GOP) races would normally be considered off the table except under extraordinary circumstances.  At least that is how it is designated in the by-laws of a number of other GOP county parties.

Questions must be asked.  Is it prudent or even a legitimate practice? Is it fair to the candidates?  Is it fair to the membership, and does it misrepresent the opinion of the party at-large?

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Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Its Official – Arcand Is On The Ballot For CD1!

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Incumbent Dan Benishek has yet to turn in any signatures and has not yet filed.

10255365_1422616394659740_9023389005365349001_nAs of this writing, Alan Arcand is the only candidate for Michigan’s first Congressional District.

Turning in 1300 signature today (picture on right) at the the Secretary of State’s office this morning in Lansing,  the Iron River native has made his mark.  He is challenging Republican incumbent Dan Benishek in the August primary for the House seat in Michigan’s largest Congressional district. Arcand, an Air Force veteran and father of three young boys, cites Constitutional violations by both Congress and the administration as reasons for his campaign.

“Washington is definitely broken, and I’ve been fixing things all my life. It’s time for some serious repair of the federal government. We need to enforce the Constitution and regain control of the government to ensure the future and prosperity of our children.”

Arcand will be forming his campaign committee immediately upon his return to Iron River.

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Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Opinion

The “New Normal” Nation Within America

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Little did the Founding Fathers know that only 237 years after giving George III a boot ride out of America, that a new empire surpassing Britannia’s size would now occupy America.

The number of Americans who were enrolled in Medicaid at any time during fiscal 2013 exceeded the entire population of the United Kingdom, according to new data published by the federal government’s Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission (MACPAC).

Were Medicaid a nation instead of a U.S. entitlement program it would be the 20th most populous country on earth.

“The estimated number of individuals ever covered by Medicaid remained steady at 72.7 million in FY 2013, compared to 72.2 million in FY 2012,” said MACPAC’s statistical report, released on April 1.

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Congratulations Nerdpublicrats, and Mr. “Take a vote, not a vacation” – You ALL helped Obama grow that!

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All the Other Stuff, Michigan, Michigan Politics

AFP Major Tax Day Plans Across Michigan

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Americans For Prosperity Engages For Tax Day Rallies In Michigan And Elsewhere

afp-LH_smallAmericans For Prosperity is not exactly bashful this tax season.

On Saturday April 12, AFP will be with activists to stage demonstrations across the country, and at a couple of places in Michigan.  In Livonia, AFP is holding a Tax Day Rally at the VisTaTech Center, Schoolcraft College from 11 AM  to 3PM The rally will feature speeches by Tony Katz, host of the radio talk show “Tony Katz Tonight” on 93.1 FM WIBC and contributor to Townhall.com; and Frank Beckmann, host of “The Frank Beckmann Show” on News/Talk 760 WJR and Detroit News weekly columnist.

Up North, In Gaylord, AFP will have a “Going After the Bucks” Tax Day Rally at Big Buck’s Brewery in Gaylord; 550 S. Wisconsin Ave Gaylord, MI 49735 to rally for our economic freedoms! If you register, AFP is buying lunch! You can register here! (we hear the food is really good) Time of the rally is 11:30 to 3pm

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