The zombie analogy used here demonstrates an accurate portrayal of the typical interview a constitutionalist and historian can expect from most 'news' types nowadays. Though satire is used here, the topis is rock solid and very serious.

Apparently, its good to be Andy Dillon.  At least in terms of taking home a nice fat government sized paycheck. Snyder appointed the former top house Democrat, (remember this) Andy Dillon to the Michigan's top money collecting position in 2011, raising a few eyebrows from Republicans. In October of 2013, personal issues caused him to resign the six figure salaried position, again raising eyebrows; this time curious as to where he might end up.

Assisting and advising the incoming treasurer was expected, but apparently its still going on, and its like he never left:

"Dillon is being paid about $174,000 a year -- the same salary he received when he was treasurer.

State Democrats believe Michiganders should be reimbursed.

"Maybe in Rick Snyder's world it's okay to pay people not to work while giving outrageous bonuses to investment fund managers, but that's not the Michigan way," said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson in a media release. "Rick Snyder and Andy Dillon should repay taxpayers for the money that Dillon was paid not to work. The people of Michigan have a right to expect that taxpayer resources will be used to build a stronger middle class, not to pay off political cronies." "

First off Mr Johnson, it was YOUR wife who raised nearly a $billion to fund the 'Chicago Way' which was brought nationwide. Secondly, Dillon is one of your guys.

Send Julianna over to his crib with a pledge card for Mark.

In an absolutely hilarious statement, his spokesperson explains the plight as NOT being needed for paying the help:

Schauer spokesman Zack Pohl said the campaign has "every day expenses" such as offices, employees and materials to pay for and denied the request for public funding was a sign of a fundraising weakness for Schauer seven months before the primary.

"It's fairly common on the Democratic side, especially when you have a wealthy opponent like Rick Snyder," Pohl said.

Schauer isn't seen a good investment, even though he is all the Dems have, and that isn't saying much. In the meantime, if the political welfare check doesn't arrive on time, you can bet the operations will be done out of a cold cardboard box with a few less employees. Economic reality folks.

And in other news, Governor Rick Snyder will spend half a million smackers to persuade folks what a good job he has done:

" Records reviewed by the Free Press show the Snyder campaign has purchased $400,000 worth of TV air time during the Feb. 2 Super Bowl with Fox affiliate WJBK-TV (Channel 2) and $18,000 worth of ad time on the Lansing Fox affiliate, WSYM-TV (Fox 47). Though full details were not available, the purchases are part of a statewide buy for a 60-second spot. "

*contains CS approved language.

"White bourgeois Liberals who think the only thing wrong with this country is that there aren't enough bicycle paths"

ROFLMAO!!!

Yup. Line up all the Bee-esS artists who can kiss my Scottish arse. Front of the line?  Howza 'bout The Nerd's newest stealth org masquerading as "conservatives" that are "on a mission from God".

The recent launch of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum comes as Gov. Rick Snyder and legislators consider updating Michigan's electricity law in 2014 or 2015.

Group executive director Larry Ward [yes, this Larry Ward] says the organization supports an "all-of-the-above" [Coal? Not so much] energy policy. He says it's time for Republicans to lead on energy policy.

Michigan law sets a 10 percent renewable power standard that must be met by the end of 2015. A recent report to Snyder says 15 percent renewable electricity in 2020 and 30 percent in 2035 are achievable. [need a Prop 3 Reminder?]

Or, howza 'bout this Snyder reminder? The MCEF... what despicable ad nauseam. His Word is to "subdue earth, have command over it, eat its critters, and have a few bonfires or be swallowed by earth" not to go breaking out knee pads and fellate it on Pelosi's Sofa.

H/t Market-Ticker

At least if Gary Peters is all the Democrat party has to offer. The RNC has targeted a number of politicians who parroted the Obama lie:"You can keep it .." in the run up to passage of the ACA.  They will be running a series of ads pointing out the many times each of these folks opened their pieholes to mislead constituents in this regard. The Michigan ads will initially be radio spots like this one (modified for Peter's name used instead) saying:

"So what's your New Year's resolution? Here's one you can keep. Resolve to keep [Senator/Representative] honest in 2014.

President Obama and [Senator/Representative] said if you like your insurance plan you can keep it under ObamaCare. They lied to you. Big time. PolitiFact called that the "lie of the year."

Millions will lose their insurance--and their doctors.

2014 is your chance to hold [Senator/Representative] accountable. Tell him this is one New Year's resolution you're sticking to.

The Republican National Committee paid for and is responsible for the content of this advertising. GOP.com"

From the Ivory Tower in 2009:

" .. Illegal immigrants won't be covered, Peters said. Medicare benefits won't change, and will include no co-pays for preventative care and a reduction in drug costs. And Congress isn't being treated any differently than anyone else who has employer-covered insurance, Peters said.

"If you're covered and you like your insurance, you can keep it," he said. "

Though this is very serious, It still reminds me of a joke.

Take for example one of the new Michigan Board of Education members, elected in 2012 for an 8 year term.  Michelle Fecteau, is (according to the state's site) currently the Executive Director of the Wayne State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.  The site also notes her position is "jointly affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers," making her recent actions straight up incestuous. As reported by EAG:

"But that's not stopping one board member, Michelle Fecteau of Detroit, from using her position to try to intervene on behalf of a local labor union that's negotiating a contract with a privately-operated charter school.

This is an unusual situation in more ways than one. First of all, Cesar Chavez Academy in Detroit is one of a very few charter schools in Michigan with union teachers. The staff was converted last year through an ongoing campaign by the American Federation of Teachers.

But the Chavez union and the charter operator have yet to come to a contract agreement. That's not surprising, because many of the items that teachers unions bargain for tend to have a paralyzing effect on schools, allowing them less flexibility to make academic inroads. It's hard for a charter school to maintain the positive characteristics of a charter school with union rules and pay scales in place."

What a shame that the MIGOP wouldn't spend more than $265 cash and $16.95 worth of food in 2012. Charter Schools work better in many cases because the rules don't hamstring innovation and proper resource allocation.  Fecteau's efforts are designed to make them fail, and drive students back to an imploding public school system.

As the drum beat for real electric competition picks up, its interesting to see utilities offering reductions in rates.  How convenient and thick with irony is it that as Mike Shirkey starts beating said drum, DTE proclaims accross the board rate cuts! From Crains:

"Last month, DTE announced it would lower electric rates starting this month for business and most industrial customers between 5.5 percent to 7.4 percent and drop residential rates by an average of 6.5 percent. The cuts are expected to save about $80 a year for homeowners and varying amounts for businesses based on usage.

It was DTE's first rate reduction since 2007, when the company lowered base rates by $80 million. "

Yes timing IS everything when attempting to pass legislation that limits consumer choice.  Perhaps its good to look benevolent so that people say "what a nice organization this is," and let up pressure on competition legislation.  It worked in 2007, and monopoly legislation passed. And now that the peasants with pitchforks and torches are approaching,

"Since 2008, requests (and approvals) for rate increases have been nearly four times the historic average. Meanwhile our retail electric energy costs have gone up more than 30 percent, while wholesale costs for electric energy in the Midwest region have gone down almost 50 percent.

Let them eat it.