Slotkin Rebuttal???

LOL. Fail Bot. Elissa Slotkin will respond to President Donald J. Trump’s Joint Address to Congress tonight. Senator Slotkin stands…

READ MORE ►

The Fly

Thrown together for your amusement/entertainment. From the perspective of a fly on the wall in Lansing. You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(1)

READ MORE ►

Michigan Politics

Are We Michiganians or Michiganders?

by  •  • 12 Comments

Is Governor Snyder’s Use of the Term “Michiganders” Discriminatory to Women? Michiganian is the “official” term for a person from Michigan, according to the U.S. Government Printing Office.Michiganians

The Michigan Historical Center also uses Michiganian, and it is the term of choice in the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, a 40 volume collection of reminiscences, transcripts of historical documents and other historical material about Michigan life dating back to the 1870s.
http://mittenhistory.com/2013/03/05/are-we-michiganians-or-michiganders/

The term goose applies to the female in particular while gander applies to the male in particular. So when Governor Snyder uses the term Michigander he is essentially leaving woman out of the equation and is discriminatory towards Michigan women. Therefore the correct term as to be all inclusive including both male and female citizens should be Michiganians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goose

The number of women serving in the Michigan state Legislature’s “Good ‘Ole Boy’s Club” has fallen to a 20-year low. Michigan is ranked 36th in the nation in terms of female representation in the Legislature. Even though women represent 51% of the state’s population, only 18.9% of the legislators in Lansing are female.

http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislators/womens-legislative-network/women-in-state-legislatures-for-2013.aspx

You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(1)

Michigan, Michigan Politics, Rent Seeking

Shirkey: New Report Shows Electricity Competition Works

by  •  • 2 Comments

energyMike Shirkey says a new report shows electric monopolies cost families and job providers billions, and cripples local economies.

We knew that.

Apparently an Illinois study offers overwhelming Support for reforms Similar to Michigan House Bill 5184. State Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) highlighted the report today showing a dramatic $37 billion in consumer savings in nearby Illinois since that state replaced its monopoly-style electric system with competition and customer choice.  The report cites an $18 billion in savings for residential customers and $19 billion for companies and job providers.  Chicken feed. Yes?

READ MORE ►

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

All the Other Stuff, Michigan, Michigan Politics

Schuette’s Assistant Attorney General – The New Norm

by  •  • 4 Comments

harry-martinWe like Bill Schuette.

At least I do. He knows it, and there are a lot of good reasons why.  Of course we have disagreements on a couple of issues, and will call them out as we see them, but he has done a reasonable job of representing the state and its constitution (reasonable – not great) during his term.

But he needs to get out front on this thing. 

In fact he could have done so a while back. The feral DNR issue has been a debacle from the get go, and THEN AG Schuette’s office sends out the guy in the video below.  He first verbally challenges the Mark Baker directly (bypassing the attorney) in way that certainly appears threatening, pulls the I don’t really give a $Hi# attitude with the rest of the crowd, and then decides the pledge of allegiance is not for him.

A real class act.

READ MORE ►

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

Michigan Politics

Governor Rick Snyder Flips Position Agrees with Clinton to “Force Internet Sales Tax”

by  •  • 10 Comments

Snyder “Favors” State Action on “Internet Taxes!” Governor Rick Snyder said Wednesday the Legislature should tackle the problem of collecting sales tax on Internet purchases instead of waiting for action by Congress as he’s previously advocated.Clinton & Gov. Snyder

Snyder’s shifting view on the issue came one day after The Detroit News first reported his newly appointed state treasurer, Kevin Clinton, came out in favor of the so-called “Main Street Fairness Act” legislation aimed at forcing all Internet retailers to collect the sales tax.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140226/POLITICS02/302260099

Main Street Fairness Act was introduced by a Democrat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Street_Fairness_Act

Snyder’s Newly Appointed State Treasurer Clinton: Force Internet retailers to collect Michigan’s sales tax
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140225/POLITICS02/302250063/Treasurer-Force-Internet-retailers-collect-Michigan-s-sales-tax

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

Michigan Politics

Is it time for Michigan’s Legislature to go Part-Time?

by  •  • 0 Comments

The taxpayers of Michigan would be better “served” with a part-time legislature and it would be more in line with the “Pure Michigan” theme. Michigan legislators worked (in session) only 81 days during 2012 and 100 days in 2011; pay them accordingly.A Part Time Legislature

The way it’s set up now only works for the legislators, the powerful “lobbyist” and “special interest” that contribute to their campaign coffers.  Essentially public policy is set by these groups over “We the People” who have elected them to represent and serve us. The public be damned.

The idea that they are working for us just does not cut it. The only thing they are working on is getting re-elected so that they don’t lose the gravy train they already enjoy along with their spot at the public “feeding” trough.

Many legislators constantly complain about people receiving welfare benefits without knowing their situations by claiming they are lazy and refuse to look for work. These legislators are in session for less than half of the 365 days a year, and yet receive all the benefits of a full-time worker.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)

All the Other Stuff

Tea Party Pow Wow

by  •  • 3 Comments

gadsden-flagRegister for the upcoming Michigan Tea Party Pow Wow. Register by Clicking the picture!

Friday, March 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM – Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 5:00 PM (EDT) Mt Pleasant, MI at the Soaring Eagle Resort.

You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)

Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy

Fostering Distrust

by  •  • 3 Comments

According to Michigan State University Board of Trustees Conflict of Interest Policy, some of the responsibilities of the individual and several members of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees are:

  • Fiduciary Responsibilities: Trustees will act in a manner consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities to the University. Trustees will place the University’s interests ahead of their private interests. Trustees will exercise their powers and duties in the best interests of the Board and the University and for the public good.

  • Conflict of Interest: (a) A conflict of interest exists when a Trustee’s financial interests or other opportunities for personal benefit may compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, the Trustee’s independence of judgment in fulfilling his/her Board duties. (b) Trustees will endeavor to remain free from the influence of, or the appearance of, any conflicting interest in fulfilling their Board duties. Trustees will exercise care that no detriment to the University results from conflicts between their interests and those of the University. (c) Trustees will attempt to refrain from accepting duties, incurring obligations, or engaging in activities that would be incompatible with, or in conflict with, their Board duties.

Now, I’m not a Harvard-trained Philadelphia lawyer, but I am an educated man who is perfectly capable of understanding basic legalese. And I gotta tell you, I’m having one helluva time reconciling that with this here 7 Action News investigation from WXYZ-TV in Detroit.

READ MORE ►

You Betcha! (3)Nuh Uh.(0)