“Because we’ve seen Gadsdens flooding Lansing, over the State Income Tax hike? Medicaid expansion? The non-bailout Detroit Bailout A/K/A DIA Bailout? Doubling Tipping Fees (garbage collection tax for the mouthbreathers)?
With an alleged Republican executive branch? – Corinthian Scales November 14, 2014″
I’ll be 100% honest here, this comment from Corinthian Scales (along with Kevin Rex Hines’ follow-up…linked here) on the Snyder(Calley)/Richardville Gas Tax Hike, really bothered me over the weekend.
Despite 1,200 miles of driving and numerous other issues I’m currently juggling this weekend that aren’t exactly going according to “Plan ‘A’ “, both gentlemen’s very direct comments regarding this issue gave me reason to pause over the weekend.
Ultimately, I feel that this is a guestion that should to be addressed if the Conservative Movement here in Michigan (and elsewhere) is to have any long-lasting relevancy.
{More below the fold}
It’s not as if we had any real problems facing down the other side (Yes, I am borrowing some examples cited by others).
Against Gov. Granholm shenanigans, we had no problem organizing against:
– Service/Business tax.
– Income tax hike.
– Using state budgets like they were some kind of ball-and-cup con-game for the rubes in her own party.
It may have not been as successful as we would’ve liked in the end, but we had no difficulty in getting everyone together against Pres. B.O. and:
– Obamacare.
– Amnesty for Illegal Aliens.
– Trying to set the Guinness World’s Record for racking up astronomical amounts of national debt under his administration.
Still working (far longer than the progressives ever thought would happen). Work in progress and work in progress. Still, we had no difficulty in getting everyone together against those either.
So, why are we having so much difficulty when the “conservatives” with the “-r” after their name pull the same stunts?
The party affiliation after their names should be irrelevant.
If you want to do something incredibly stupid like raising taxes without looking for any spending alternatives to cut first or expanding the size and scope of government (despite lacking any REAL authority for the actions that you are proposing), those people ought to be spurred, shunned, harangued, made into pariahs and given a quick kick off into the curb.
We don’t need them.
We don’t want them.
So, why do most people turn and look the other way when this happen?
Yes, we have the republican establishment types who have infiltrated the Tea Party, 9/12 and other Conservative Movement here in Michigan and are doing a slam bang-up job running interference for the status quo by muddying up the waters and sowing seeds of doubts in people minds regarding the nuances of what is acceptable and what is not.
Yes, we have people that (sorry, but I got to be honest again), I feel are in some way are intimidated by the establishment types.
This does NOT have to be.
Politicians (and party apparatchik) are no different than most of the people they claim to represent. My experience is that they are more often than not, not any smarter than they people they claim to serve.
I’ve observed that they do have a slightly lower work ethic than we do. In fact, I would actually categorize this as a weakness due the the fact that they are easily willing to compromise their principles in order to make nice with their fellow politicians, and in the end exert less effort on their part.
The only real difference between “us” and the rest of the establishment class (I wouldn’t call it an advantage by any stretch of the imagination), is that they are more polished at interacting with others.
That’s it.
They’re just better actors.
Smile.
Go along to get along.
Sell out what you believe in.
Move onto higher office.
Repeat with next batch.
But, does it have to remain this way?
I would say “No”.
We can change the paradigm right now by taking a stand, learning more about how the process works and taking a more direct role ourselves in which direction it should go.
By this point, you’re probably asking yourself, “Okay speech so far, KG. But, how does one get more involved and learn about how to interact with the system?”
Fair question.
Why not start with what started this exchange and something that just came across my inbox just this morning.
From the good people at AFP-Michigan:
“Please join Americans for Prosperity for a citizen activist Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 10th.
Among other issues, lawmakers will consider a gas tax hike in the “lame duck” legislative session. With 80 lawmakers unable to run for re-election, your voice in the policymaking process is needed now more than ever!
AFP experts will provide training and talking points that will equip you to interact with your policymakers on this and other issues. A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served for all who come out to lobby their lawmakers.
Day at the Capitol
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Contact: Bev Sempsrott or Annie Patnaude at Americans for Prosperity-Michigan with questions, (517) 853-9073 or infomi@afphq.org“
So, does anyone want to learn to be part of the solution?
“
(5)Nuh Uh.
(1)
OK, that's a fair question, KG, however, I now have a question for the good people at AFP-Michigan.
WhenTF are they going pull their heads from their ass and stop being a part of the problem or, are they just too gottdam stupid to not see what the entire internet saw?
Thanks, jackass.
AFP used the same tactics (using us as nothing but pawns) on 3 separate occassions during Right-To-Work...not to mention immediately afterwards when they refused to approach their buddy 'Rick' or any of their other legislative 'lunch partners' when videos showed us being assaulted time and again (not even half the story).
There has not been a significant presence in the Capital since..which is exactly what both sides were looking for in the end (with AFP's help).
AFP were nothing but seedy producers in a sham production (see the over 30 grand slid to the 'hot dog guy' by (?) whose 'one man' tent we were told not to enter previously) and I certainly would never trust them with my life again...let alone my children's for I could care less what cause.
My take on the comments above are this: Given that we are not at cross-purposes on this issue (and I am not aware of any other group that is mobilizing ANY type of opposition to the gas tax), I would recommend working for a common goal on this one issue alone.
After that, feel free to toss any AFP mailings in the trash, change your e-mail setting to mark anything from AFP as spam and feel free to slam your door in their face if AFP comes around.
More specifically...
If you want to show up on the 10th, great.
If you want to show up on the 9th or 11th, that'll work, too.
Any other day in December before the House declares sine die...have at it.
If you want to go "Lone Wolf" and knock on doors or make phone calls yourself, you won't hear any complaints from me.
Bottom line: I shouldn't have to tell anyone that this tax is a terrible idea. The fact that it was "resurrected" by Sen. Richardville (HB-5477 was shot down earlier in the year), and promoted by Gov. Snyder (who is spending WAY too much time schmoozing the Chi-Comms) is flat-out arrogant, insulting and disrespectful to real bona fide Conservatives.
For the record, CS, AFP's Snyder ad pissed me off as well.
However, at the very least right now, we need allies.
As for the possibility of any violence (a'la FTW): Yes, you need to go through prisoner processing in order to enter the office buildings (but not the Capitol).
Is anyone really expecting the critters on the House side to act like old-school, hard-core, pipe-hitting Teamsters in either building?
AFP has done far more to support my own particular issues than they have to throw in with the guv.
I would proudly call them allies.
KG, let's get one thing straight here. I in no way have ever suggested that anyone not ride a mule for all it's got. Do you not recall this and this? The fact is that I will use whatever tool is in the toolbox if it is what accomplishes a task at hand.
Bottom line - both Party's are f**king us, and so are its dark money apparatchiks.
I would not discourage anyone from attending/learning about the legislative process yet I would merely ask them to remember a few facts from exactly two years ago at the same location/same 'educators'/same 'rally' atmosphere:
If your motive for attending an AFP function is to receive 'straight answers' from people who actually sit down and 'deal' with your legislators one heck of a lot more than you will ever dream of doing..forget it.
The overwhelming single issue involving Right-To-Work was our legislature's refusal to (finally) break the police/firefighter's union and prevent the inevitable from happening on the final day. There wasn't an AFP employee in attendance who would touch the question with a ten foot pole and just as many who enjoyed you asking it in front of their 'legislative lunch partner'. This is why (nearly) nobody in the entire state even remotely connected with a nearly 3 year old (still weak and dying) conservative movement showed up on the coldest day of the year to fight for what was right concerning corruption in state government. Well over 26,000 teachers in Tea Partier's local school districts refused to show up for work that day. Gasoline was allowed to be hauled up the steps of our Capitol and poured into a hot running engine. Our precious Capitol interior was pounded and stomped on (in unison) in a blatant attempt to bring down the structure ala Madison, WI. where millions of damage was caused. Citizens were assaulted both on the steps of the Capital and on the grounds themselves within spitting distance from fellow union members sworn to protect.
The State Police came back with $19,000.00 for the (FOIA requested) video...AFP immediately FOLDED over the price of history and/or what should have been fought AT ANY PRICE clear up to the highest court in this land for our children's future right to peacefully assemble and speak.
AFP was 'all about' finding out what happened...yet 'mysteriously' (and apparently in less than 24 hours)...a lone hot dog vendor in a (purposely) empty tent...had well over $30,000 in his pocket for being nothing but a well planned talking point.
AFP was NOT pounding the desktops of the same leaders that they (now) want to 'show you off to' over ANY of the above in the days that followed the destruction of your children's rights forever here in Michigan. The State Police came back with $19,000.00 for the (FOIA requested) video...AFP immediately FOLDED over the price of history and/or what should have been fiercely fought up to the highest court in the land for our children's future right to peacefully assemble, speak AND BE PROTECTED WHILE DOING SO.
AFP was 'all about' finding out what happened...yet 'mysteriously' and apparently in less than 24 hours...a lone hot dog vendor in a (purposely) empty tent...had well over $30,000 in his hands for being nothing but a well planned talking point (my legislator summed it up best IMMEDIATELY on Fox when asked to respond to "Their Will Be Blood" ... "...but just remember that WE had our beloved Lansing iconic hot dog stand knocked over!...oh yeah...and the tent with all those people in it...").
AFP will never choose mere peons (us) over mere 'principle'...pulling the strings of legislative America (their handlers) or frankly sitting down to lunch with the people who most likely will land them their next jobs or further their very narrowly focused careers.
They are LOBBYISTS, folks.
Understand who you're spending the day with in the context of recent Michigan history and how that history changed forever your children's ability to (safely) argue much more contentious (future) issues than 'gas taxes'...and I'm certain that you'll have a good time.
...sorry for the repeated paragraph (above).
They may be lobbyists, yet they represent me better than most of the legislators, and MOST CERTAINLY more than any that have represented me in my district period.
"..They may be lobbyists, yet they represent me better than most of the legislators, and MOST CERTAINLY more than any that have represented me in my district period..."
I guess my point is that if you approach someone with your legislator's ear...and that person won't necessarily fight with their last breath for your children's (future) right to freely/safely assemble/speak as you were struck down defending their right to do....what does it matter if one is 'holier' than the other..when BOTH could care less in regards to your grandchildren taking one upside the head (someday) in Lansing as well?
I love 'causes'...yet I'm no different than the next guy in that I'm not going into a true 'fight' without the guy next to me (at the organizational level) at least having my back.
The only person(s) who will fight for my children's future in the way you describe would be myself, and others in my family. That must be my understanding.
I look at AFP and other like groups in the way I see legislators; not because they have a vote per se, but because they have great big megaphones that can sometimes move those votes. AFP, like many reps will sometimes take a position that may not reflect what I want, but I weigh it like I do the actual votes taken. 95% of the time I agree with them. And the 5% of disagreement is not litmus, but rather methodology and policy differences.
AFP has correctly identified a core group of economic principles, activated a larger group of people who also support those principles, and puts a great deal of pressure on legislators when those principles are made into active issues. The organization becomes a tool for those willing to participate.
Is there big money behind AFP? I would imagine so. If I am a Koch, and I love my country, and can make a difference by providing resources for the fight against progressive economics, then I am all-in. If I benefit from a healthier economic climate as a result, then it has its other rewards.
But on issues they have no interest in pursuing? They might stand back, as is their prerogative. For allies on those fronts we search elsewhere.
That may be all well, and good, J-man. However, any organization who cuts an endorsement video supporting a broadcasted agenda (28 days prior no less) for someone they know damn well is performing another theft and emboldening MDOT, well, that signifies to me that said organization is too dumb to pour piss out of a boot even if the instructions were written on the heel.
They also were quiet as a mouse shitting on a piece of cotton when Snyder/Calley raised the State Income Tax.
I'd like to add something concerning the events and more importantly the thousands of demonstrators huddled in the bitter cold on the morning of Dec. 11th, 2012.
We are constantly searching for issues which unite us across the aisle and which will turn this great state around. When we miss the opportunites that God constantly presents for us to achieve this goal it is at our own peril.
Is anybody (in their right mind) in favor of physically assaulting the other side and destroying their property? No.
Will these same people cheer publicly in your own community that 26,000 teachers illegally walked off the job that day? No.
Are there any state troopers that you know of (outside of die hard union members) who would have handled the security/assaults/endangering of the public/attempted destruction of the Capitol interior in the same manner that their superiors chose? No.
A local libertarian group was asking for 'causes' which could catapult their membership and endear themselves to the general public. One issue that seemingly jumps across political lines is election fraud...not interested. Another that was mentioned is the simple timely posting of meeting minutes/agendas and/or the low cost of videotaping same...not as appealing as legalizing pot.
There is good in everybody. Yet if conservatives are not willing to seek out and make their own issues that (at least I would offer) God is putting right under their noses to build the community leadership that they constantly speak of...who do they have to blame but themselves?