Opinion

Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy

I don’t smoke pot, but I think you should be able to

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The War on drugs must end: not working, causes violence, started in racism, many drugs have medical uses, and it just plain costs too much.

First, let me talk about me for a moment.  I consider myself a Republican.  I am a precinct delegate, a member of the Ingham County Republican Executive Committee, and a frequent delegate/alternate to State Republican Conventions.  Let me also say this: I don’t smoke pot.  By that I mean, I tried it — once.  It wasn’t for me. I have seen people who have been addicted to it and them getting admitted in Addiction treatment center delray beach.  I don’t judge people who do.  It could be completely legal and I don’t see myself partaking in it.  Point being, I’m hardly a  stoner or a druggy: I don’t have a dog in this fight.

So, that’s me.  Now to the issue: we need to end prohibition.  I know the headline lured you in thinking I was just talking about Marijuana.  WRONG! I’m talking about all of it: Marijuana, Meth, Crack, Cocaine, Heroin, you name it.  Why?  Let me lay out a few reasons.

1. The War on Drugs Simply isn’t Working!

Yep, that’s right, the war has been going on for decades and we are losing, folks.  Back in the early 1900’s, when there was no prohibition the percentage of the population that used what we now consider to be illegal drug as compared to now was actually less.  Trillions of dollars spent on the war — how can this be?!?!

By continuing prohibition, you’re actually making an incentive for people to push drugs and I mean push them hard.  If these things are a commodity you can buy at any corner store, the profit margin on this stuff is going to be lower — much, much lower.  Right now there is a huge profit margin which makes opportunity for adventuring black market entrepreneurs.  With a lower profit margin, these things become far less profitable to “push” on a person to person basis.

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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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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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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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Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy

Article V Debate In Traverse City

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What is an Article V Constitutional Convention and why did the Michigan Legislature apply for it?

912TBIn recent months, there has been an interesting divide in conservative politics on the efficacy of holding an Article V constitutional convention.

Points have been made vigorously on both sides of the issue. Some argue that an article V could get out of hand, while others see it as a way to harden  constitutional principles firmly with specific goals.  The fact is, that average Joe hasn’t a clue of what it entails, what the risks are, or what might be unexpected outcomes.

Here is an opportunity to hear both perspectives presented in a debate format among good friends; each, who are solidly on either side of the question.

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All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Michigan, Opinion

Stephen Henderson, why do you have a Free Press reporter playing fast and loose with the facts?

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This is an update to a post that I wrote yesterday.

Let me start off by saying that sometimes I get feedback on what I write. Usually e-mail. Sometimes face-to-face. Last night/this morning it was different…someone actually called me. I didn’t recognize the number at first, but later found found out afterwards it was through a mutual friend.

I got some complements on what I wrote, but they wanted to know why I stopped where I did.

Truth be told, I was on the Eastside for most of that day. I didn’t have enough time for a more thorough follow-up because of my own schedule.

I spoke to them about what was missing and asked them to forward me some links for verification.

It’s amazing what gets “omitted” in a product put out by “professional” journalists. In this case, The Detroit Free Press’ own Niraj Warikoo.

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