Tag Archive for Michigan

Government Incompetence, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy

A State Of Emergency

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Unbound utilities, unchecked environmentalism, and short-sighted planning responsible for when/if the lights go out.

Years ago I wrote on the EPA regulations that essentially write off the future of coal for electrical generation.

Shortly after that that I wrote another piece which described the layers of problems facing the folks in rural areas, and specifically the Upper peninsula with the failure to support our coal burning electrical platform.  However, the meat of the piece better describes the way in which natural gas providers have also played a a part in defeating coal.

Coming amidst an impending decision by the EPA on the Utility MACT (maximum achievable control technology)  rule that is expected to lead to job loses, plant shutdowns, and rolling blackouts across the country, this strange partnership raises a question.  What does Chesapeake stand to gain, by pouring money into a seemingly disparate organization with extremely different objectives and priorities? Politico writes:

The ads come as the coal industry is at war with the Obama administration over new rules to curb pollution from coal-fired power plants. The EPA is expected to issue new rules on Friday to curb air toxics from power plants, which are estimated to cost industry about $10.9 billion each year.Stricter rules for power plants are expected to offer a competitive advantage to the cleaner-burning natural gas industry.

Oh, so its an end-justifies-the-means kind of thing.  Rent seeking.  But when questioned, Chesapeake officials have stated that the flood of cash to ALA is merely business as usual for the company, which donates to “a wide variety and number of health and medical-related organizations.  Well that’s very responsible of them, bravo for being so charitable.

Of course we all know better.

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Cronyism, Economy, Government Incompetence, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Part Time Legislature, Rent Seeking, Republicans, Sports

Sausage Making

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Regional 'payoffs' still ignore proper role of government.

Cronyism is now everywhere.

I have written at the beginning of Snyder’s terms that he was the guy who essentially brought the neu-cronyism to Michigan.  He invented the current form, and served as its first overlord.  Money spent in ways that used to invite constitutional challenges, now routinely passes through the sieve of Lansing into favored projects and could be expected to always get the blessing of the governor.

I doubt the new governor will do anything but enhance it’s reach as she attempts to cajole lawmakers from the ‘other side’ to embrace her sure-to-be bizarre mechanizations that raise the cost of government further.  Sadly, it is a Republican legislature that continues to make this kind of thing happen:

$10M In Sports Funding Coming: Is Indoor Traverse City Sports Complex Next?

By Beth Milligan | Dec. 29, 2018

$10 million in state funding is headed to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to create a regional sports commission – an initiative that dovetails with an effort by Traverse City Tourism to explore opening a year-round indoor sports complex in Traverse City.

Governor Rick Snyder signed off Friday on two supplemental spending bills totaling $1.3 billion for numerous projects throughout the state, including road upgrades, contamination clean-up, and education initiatives. The bills – approved earlier this month by state lawmakers – also include funding for community projects throughout Michigan, including $10 million to establish the Northern Michigan Regional Tourism and Sports Fund and to create a Great Lakes Sports Commission.

…

… Traverse City Tourism hired a consulting firm earlier this year to conduct a feasibility study on whether there is a need for such a facility in the area, how much it would cost to construct, and if it would be financially sustainable. The firm’s results are expected in January. But Traverse City Tourism President/CEO Trevor Tkach says preliminary findings “prove there is enough demand to run a cash-positive business if the facility gets built.”

Maybe “cash positive” means profit?  Maybe, maybe not.

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Michigan

Because.

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"I'll just hang out here in the white house and sulk about the wall.." LOL

It drives those with TDS crazy when they think the guy has finally made some major blunder, then finding out they’ve been fooled again.

If you aren’t sure what I am referring to?  Its OK.  Not a big deal.  in the mean time Just appreciate that we have Michigan Service members in that crowd below.  May God continue to bless the Trumps, and our nation.

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Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Republicans

Snyder: “I’m Tired – And Not Really A Republican Anyhow”

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Rick Snyder was never 'with us' anyhow.

His people got folks dead in Flint, and his instincts are off when faced down with the next lost decade.

Skubick asks what he’ll do with the GOP legislature’s attempt at reigning in the oncoming freight train of bureaucratic nightmares.  He says “just wait.”  From Fox2:

“In the new year Democrat Jocelyn Benson will be the new Secretary of State, Democrat Dana Nessel will be attorney general. Democrats have cried foul and want the governor to veto those bills.

The governor steadfastly refused to say what he will do even though he was pressed to do so.

“I will carefully evaluate and make a decision in the best interest for the people of Michigan,” Snyder said.

Tim Skubick: “Is it fair to say you would not have introduced this legislation if given the choice?”

“Tim. I’m not to get into all that speculation because people will try to read into what that means I’m going to do,” Snyder said.

The governor confesses he has personal feelings on this alleged power grab but he would not budge on that either.

“I have personal feelings on many issues but as governor I keep those feelings to myself,” Snyder said. “Because I am responsible to not act on my personal feelings but to represent the people of Michigan.”

Of course he is.

The I–Told–You–So is so damned thick around here.

And it (and at least a couple dozen other stories chronicling Slick Rick’s reign of stupid)  ain’t wrong.

 

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Michigan

So Far So Good

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Court of Appeals AFFIRMS Arena Authority Preemption

I mentioned ‘Preemption’ the other day.

Apparently, last week the Michigan appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that preemption is indeed still a thing. It cleared the air that ‘authorities’ which are a subdivision of government fall under the State’s Act 319 of 1990, but also properly noted that the lessees CAN enforce their own rules with regard to publicly owned arenas, etc.

Several years ago, the Lansing center folks booted a bunch of open carry guys from the Republican convention which was awkward, because well ..Republicans are supposed to be pro second amendment, right?  No more, unless the MI GOP SPECIFICALLY issues a no firearms rule for its conventions, right?

Good job, and well done to our brothers at Michigan Open Carry and Michigan Gun Owners Inc..

Until the next challenge.

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Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Taxes

Michigan Benefits From Trump Tax Cuts

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All of Michigan residents are winning from the Republican tax reforms.

The left would have you believe that only billionaires are the winners from the GOP/Trump tax reform measures.

While some claim the tax cuts only increase the debt, the reality is that the economy must expand, it must grow.  It is only growth that can support the already ballooned national debt, and it is only growth that can free those who are chained to dependence on others including services that cost taxpayers so much.

So is it the rich who are the sole beneficiaries of the tax reforms?  In Michigan alone, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  From Bonuses, to lowered utility bills, the tax breaks extend to all, and allow the state’s economy to expand and create new opportunities that The Democrats would prefer you didn’t see.  Democrats like Debbie Stabenow, who wouldn’t support such performance increasing reforms.

Americans for Tax Reform have documented specific financial benefits (by state) that have developed as a result of Republicans taking the queue from President Trump. They report that:

Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by the Republican congress and signed by President Donald Trump, 90 percent of wage earners have higher take-home pay. And companies of all sizes are already giving bonuses and raises and expanding the scope of their operations.

Michigan specific benefits are as follows:

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2018 US Senate Race, Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Protect The American Dream Tour

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John James surging in Michigan, taking nothing for granted.

John James will be making a number of Northern Michigan Stops this Friday.

Friday, October 26th, John is making a tour through Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula– and you have the chance to meet him at one of four different rallies.

Alpena County Breakfast
Location: Alpena Victory Center, 1201 W. Chisholm, Alpena, MI
Event Time: 8:45 AM Doors Open, Breakfast 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Marquette County Rally*
Event Time: Doors Open Noon, Event runs 12:30 PM-1:30 PM
Location: Marquette Commons, 112 South 3rd Street, Marquette, MI 49855

Iron Mountain Rally*
Location: Lake Shore Systems, 2141 Woodward Ave, Kingsford, MI
Event Time: Doors Open 1:00 PM, Event Runs 1:30 PM-2:30 PM (Central Daylight Time)

Traverse City Rally*
Location: Traverse City Victory Center, 1148 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City, MI
Time: 4:30 PM-5:30 PM

*Marquette, Iron Mountain, and Traverse City stops Congressman Bergman will be joining

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2018 US Senate Race, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

John James Conversation 1

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Getting to know the Republican candidate who will unseat Stabenow

In this election cycle, I am not sure there could have been a better person to take out Debbie Stabenow.

The meat puppet herself is already advertising that she is a defender of farms etc., though we know better.  It is the go-to place for her in each election cycle, even though she hates the ‘family‘ part of the equation.

Failure by previous candidates to note that Stabenow has failed the farmers in Michigan and elsewhere is compounded by being completely out-of-touch for 5 of the 6 years terms, unless one is a major donor; most of which are found out-of-state.

In this video series, John James candidly addresses such things appropriately, and with authority we have missed in prior electoral runs at this office.

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Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion

Foster Home Self Defense Lawsuit Moves Forward

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Does one relinquish their rights in Michigan in order to foster a child?

Attorney Bill Schuette does a solid here.

Nick Lyon is having a bad week, but probably deserves it.  He is now on trial for Flint’s water based woes (why Michigan ever became involved in this however is beyond me), and the department he runs is being sued for constitutional violations.

William and Jill Johnson live in Ontonagon Michigan.  They wanted to take care of their grandson.  They also wanted to step up and offer their home to foster other children in need.  This last part put them at odds with MDHHS and along with others sharing their interest sued MDHHS director Lyon and the state of Michigan.

11. The Johnsons were asked by the State of Michigan to be foster parents to their grandchild. When Johnson and Jill and Mason went to pick up Johnson’s grandson at the MDHHS, Johnson was searched. Even though Johnson was not carrying a firearm, the MDHHS officials still demandedto see Johnson’s Concealed Pistol License. The caseworkers stated that Mr. Johnson, a 100% disabled veteran, was going to have to give them the serial numbers for all of his guns, including shotguns and rifles. When Johnson questioned the caseworkers about this, they told him: “if you want to care for your grandson you will have to give up some of your constitutional rights.” They then told the Johnsons that “there would not be a power struggle, that they would just take his grandson and place him in a foster home.” The MDHHS later said they had “big concerns” over Johnson exercising his Second Amendment rights and carrying a firearm. There is nothing in Johnson’s history that would warrant such concerns.

Thanks slick Rick for this pick.

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2018 Michigan Gubernatorial Race, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Republicans, State Convention

Convention Time

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Step Right Up - The Greatest Show On Earth is about to begin!

Every two years, the factions of the Republican party get to have a little fun.

Don’t get me wrong, the democrats run the fun/ridiculous machine overtime.  No matter what anyone tells you, those who hook their wagons to the Socialist lite democrat banner are already exhibiting what should be in the APA DSM manuals.  The GOP has a few critical cases, but generally the differences are in the way we want to approach the argument.

However, there are still too many people who think that a life of crime  ..er a life of service ..  a political paycheck is the way to go.  Perhaps the prestige of those ‘power’ positions, and maybe even the real reward of patronage while in and out of office can make such aspirations appealing.

It may seem that the time spent and asses people have to kiss to grab that golden ring would be far better spent with family, doing vacations, building a business, etc.  I have run a couple of primary challenge campaigns to incumbents, but have no desire to be seated long term.  Some folks do it to effect REAL reformative change however.

I suspect most politicians actually feel that they have a ‘mission’ as well when starting on such an adventure, but also having won a campaign against an incumbent in a primary, I have also experienced the pressure of acceptance.  To the novice of political office, it is exceptionally easy to be sucked into the ‘best intentions’ paradigm.

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