To her credit, there were some votes which did fall into those criteria.

Sadly, there were many bills she introduced and votes of hers that did not.

Now, I can go on about items like why she received things like an embarrassing 56% approval rate in 1997 and paltry 69% approval rating in 1998 from the Michigan Conservative Union (state chapter of the people who put on the yearly CPAC Conferences) and a discomforting 57% approval rating in 2002 from Michigan Gun Owners of America. I can talk about her fluff bills like making the Cherry the official state fruit. Or, mandating warning labels on window blinds (does anyone really question whether you might choke yourself if you put your head in there). But things got better (or worse, depending on where you stand in supporting her) the more I read.

Some of her bills she introduced and supported that "Knocked the ball out of the park":

During the heady days of the early 2000's when state budgets were becoming a pathetic joke and lawmakers scrambled to find whatever revenue they could, from any source they could, to get state government to limp along into the next fiscal year, then-Rep. Cassis proposed a bill to double the fees for legal documents that Michigan residents needed to pay when filing. Later, then-Senator Cassis introduced a bill to slap an additional 35 cent tax on cigarettes (whoops...can't use "tax", lets try a softer term like "equity assessment"), from companies that weren't part of the original tobacco settlement agreement.

Speaking of smoking, guess who supported a bill to trample on the rights of private property owners by banning smoking in Michigan bars and restaurants?

If you said; "Nancy Cassis", good call.

Apparently, the effect on private businesses bottom lines and plummeting Michigan Keno sales didn't factor into her backing of this bill.

But, hey? What does less money into the state's coffers mean when the state can tell an individual what they can do with their own body and property? It's for their own good, and that's all that matters.

I'm not even finished yet. Her storied legislative record continues.

Senator Cassis also introduced bills to impose even more restrictions on Michiganians who are in the contracting trade. Back in 2005, she introduced SB 631 & 632 to increase the fees for contractors and increased the state regulations over that business. She did the same thing again in 2007 when she introduced SB-453 increasing them even further.

You would think for someone who loves expanding government with more fees, that she would eventually develop a soft spot and cut people a break, especially during the Granholm-induced recession.

Well, she did.

In 2005 then-Senator Cassis was THE person responsible for implementing the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit. For those who aren't familiar with what this is, this is where you can effectively have a "negative income tax", whereby state government takes from the people who produce income, and gives it to people who do not.

Wasn't that nice of her?

People who are generous with other people's money factor very highly when I step into that voting booth on election day.

In 2006, then-Senator Cassis introduced a bill that would give local municipalities who made irresponsible agreements on their labor contracts, the ability to borrow money to pay for those bad decisions resulting from the unfunded liabilities from those contracts. No vote of the people required to implement.

Effectively, a tax increase on future taxpayers in that municipality.

Oh, but it gets better.

In 2008. then-Senator Cassis introduced a bill granting an exemption to foreign companies from paying into the Michigan Business Tax.

Michigan-based companies: Pony up. These foreign companies are going to get a free ride!

Nancy Cassis apparently has a thing for foreign companies over Michigan based ones. In 2010, she supported tax breaks for battery manufacturers like Korean-based LG Chem, not once, but twice.

Isn't it reassuring to see that she believes in playing around in the private sector with the public purse? Almost like Obama with Solyndra?

I can continue, but I have no intention of competing for Kevin's record in cranking out a Magnum Opus here on RM and I believe that I've made my point regarding Nancy Cassis' record.

Now, compare this to the maxim that Kerry Bentivolio has put out which bears repeating once again:

How I Will Determine My Vote

Article 1 Section 8 gives specific enumerated powers to Congress. Anything not expressed within this section is outside the authority given to Congress.

These are the questions I will ask on every bill:

1) Does the Constitution give us the authority to act on this issue?

    -If yes, continue to question two
    -If no...then vote no!

2) Will it benefit ALL of the people?

    -If yes, continue to question three
    -If no...then vote no!

3) Can we afford it NOW without having to borrow?

    -If yes...vote yes
    -If no...then vote no!"

Oh, one last thing.

Regarding that "too extreme" comment Brooks made, I only have this response to provide from someone whom even Brooks cannot even dream of holding a candle to.

"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

Words to live by for people who have obviously forgotten the true role of government.