Author Archives: Rabman13

John Dingell has a protegee here in Monroe
John Dingell supports the entire left wing agenda of the Obama administration. How is it that a Republican would praise a politician for keeping his snout in the public trough 53 years is truly breathtaking? By the same token, no one should be surprised by Randy Richardville’s actions. He has never aligned himself with true conservatives.
John Dingell has a protegee here in Monroe

Time to Vote out the Incumbents?
Only way we will have Real Change and True Representation!
This is not only a Washington problem but here in Michigan as well. To many lawmakers interested in what’s best for themselves and their Party and not their constituents who they are supposed to represent. Personal careers, power and re-election is first and foremost on their agenda. They pander to the Lobbyist, Special Interest, and organizations that benefit all concerned except us, We The People! Please visit the site below to see just a couple of such representatives that fit the bill. Please leave a comment in the GuestBook.
Time to Vote out the Incumbents?

P.O.P. *New Political Party*
This party is dedicated to vote every incumbent out of office in the next elections. If you’re Democrat, vote Democrat. Just don’t vote for the incumbent. If you’re Republican, vote Republican. Just don’t vote for the incumbent. We need to send a message to all politicians, that we’re tired of their B.S. If the country votes out all the incumbents, the new incoming politicians will get the message. This especially applies to Michigan elected officials at the local, county, and state levels!
P.O.P. *New Political Party.* | The Citizen

Amtrak’s Waste Is Being Rewarded
More taxpayer money given to dismal failure
Labor costs alone exceed all passenger-related revenue and on-board food and beverage costs are twice as great as revenues. Amtrak’s debt now stands at nearly $4 billion. Amtrak has been getting blank checks for the past 30 years and is near bankruptcy. Amtrak’s management says it needs $1.2 billion to continue operating next year and we’re giving them this amount. Revenues are declining faster than costs, leading to operating losses exceeding $1 billion annually. These losses are projected to grow by 40 percent within 4 years.”
Amtrak’s Waste Is Being Rewarded

The Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act: Nullification with Teeth
Wyoming has cast the first stone, and has passed a nullification act with teeth. In particular a federal agent is guilty of a felony if he attempts to enforce federal gun laws that contradict state laws. The penalty for transgression is up to $2000 in fines and up to two years in jail. It will certainly be interesting to see how all of this plays out.
The Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act: Nullification with Teeth « Craig W. Wright

Are Michigan schools poised for new race to the bottom?
Michigan schoolchildren took a double kick in the gut Thursday — and so did their state’s chances to be a viable competitor for 21st Century jobs. The first blow came when the U.S. Department of Education revealed that Michigan would not be one of the 15 states selected to compete for $4 billion in school improvement funds up for grabs in the federal grant competition known as Race to the Top. Less than an hour later, state legislators added insult to injury by refusing to fund the wide-ranging school reforms they authorized late last year in an effort to improve Michigan’s chances to snare RTTT money.
Are Michigan schools poised for new race to the bottom? | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Is Health Care a Right?
A very interesting article that cuts to the chase. Healthcare may be a right but free healthcare at someone else’s expense is not! That’s not how a Republic works nor is it written in our constitution. To take from a free man and give to another without consent is just plain wrong.
Walter E. Williams : Is Health Care a Right? – Townhall.com

$20 million for Pure Michigan tourism ads OK’d by House
LANSING — The State House approved $20 million on Thursday for the popular Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign, with $13 million to come from a new tax on car rentals at airports. The Senate has already approved another $9.5 million for the campaign from the state’s budget. Tourism businesses have called on lawmakers to spend $20 million and preferably more on the Pure Michigan campaign. More taxpayer welfare for the tourism industry. If it’s such a great revenue stream why doesn’t the tourism industry businesses fund it themselves? After all they will benefit the most! Why should the taxpayers foot the bill for private business who gain the most?
$20 million for Pure Michigan tourism ads OK’d by House | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Why Are We Bankrupt? Here’s Exactly Why
You think the war in Iraq is costing us too much? Click link below!
Why Are We Bankrupt? Here’s Exactly Why

Conyers Is the Wrong Guy To Chair Judiciary Committee
Another funny thing hap­pened in what House Speak­er Nancy Pelosi promised would be “ the most ethical Congress in history.” Monica Conyers, the wife of House Judi­ciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit bribery that prompted her to resign from the Detroit City Council. Well, surely the wife of the Judiciary chairman knew what she was doing when she pleaded guilty. Just as surely, Conyers can help pay his wife’s legal bills. He makes too good a living to stick taxpayers with the tab for a bogus appeal.
Debra J. Saunders : Conyers Is the Wrong Guy To Chair Judiciary Committee – Townhall.com

Kick All The Incumbents Out
Not just at the Federal level but the State level as well! Look at Michigan for example. We have had the same State Representatives and Senators that not only brought Michigan to shambles in recent years but has raised taxes, created more regulation, and has been unable to fix the problems we face. It’s high time that we vote “ALL INCUMBENTS OUT” of office and try new creative thinkers to get the job done!
The Kick Them All Out Project – Imposing our undeniable will on the government through the power of our votes!

Fox News Poll: 68% Say Vote Out All Incumbents
If American voters only had the following two choices on the ballot — keep all current lawmakers in office, or get rid of all incumbents in office — what would they do? 68 percent of voters would oust all incumbents, while 20 percent would keep all lawmakers in office. Monroe County and the State of Michigan voters wake up it can’t get any worse! This is not just a Washington problem, it’s a State problem as well!
FOXNews.com – Fox News Poll: 68% Say Vote Out All Incumbents

Repeal European-style welfare state HealthCare
I write to reassure our supporters, the conservative movement, and the American people at large that The Heritage Foundation will do all within its power to keep this issue alive in the public square and make the intellectual case for the repeal of this act. We will bring all our resources to bear on behalf of those who believe America is and will always remain the Land of the Free.
MyHeritage.org: Email – MyHeritage.org: Repeal

Dingell: A great day for all
U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Dearborn, hailed passage of the health-care reform bill, which he was lead sponsor of in the House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday had a gavel Rep. Dingell lent her. But during a photo op before the vote, she was wielding a three-foot-long, five-pound gag gavel that Rep. Dingell had presented to her earlier in the day. He said the gavel was given to him “by my friends in Monroe County” and he told Rep. Pelosi that during the vote on health reform “if they get out of order, this will bring them back.”
Dingell: A great day for all – MonroeNews.com

Bedford Township Parks millage back on the ballot
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP — Bedford Township voters will yet again decide on a tax to maintain its parks. The voters turned this down in 2008, but I guess everybody is doing much better now and can afford it? Trustee Paul Francis said the tax money generated from the request could be used for operational and maintenance expenses. “We still have to care for the parks like mow grass,” Mr. Francis said. This Township is TAX happy! Let’s see, we have the proposed road tax, now the park tax, what tax is next?
Parks millage back on the ballot – MonroeNews.com

February Existing-Home Sales Fell for the Third Straight Month
WASHINGTON -Sales of existing homes fell for a third straight month in February, pushing sales down to the lowest level since last July. There is concern the fragile housing rebound is faltering, making it harder for the overall economy to recover. The weakness in sales depressed prices with the median home price dropping almost 2 percent from a year ago to $165,100.
January existing home sales drop 0.6 percent – DailyFinance

With Healthcare Law Finished, Democrats Turn Their Attention to Cap-and-Trade Tax
With the battle over healthcare reform won, President Barack Obama’s allies in Congress are turning their attention to climate change legislation — and drawing opposition from both sides of the issue.
Newsmax – With Obamacare Now Law, Democrats Turn Attention to Cap-and-Trade Tax

Is this the ‘change’ voters believe in?
Obama persuaded a deeply divided Congress to pass sweeping legislation remaking one-sixth of the U.S. economy. He did it in a hypermedia world in a hyperpartisan city that he barely knew, that most people detest. He did it without most Americans supporting the plan. With health care, “he’s forcing change that people don’t want against their will.” And, a backlash is possible if Obama is emboldened to push other big measures that divide the country, like immigration reform and cap n trade.
The Associated Press: Analysis: Is this the ‘change’ voters believe in?

Fed Loses Secrecy Suit, Considering Options
In a supplementary brief filed by the Fed Board of Governors, the cartel also argued that since the New York Federal Reserve Board was basically a private institution, it was not obligated to comply with FOIA requests. “The FRBNY is not an establishment of the executive branch because it is a corporation whose stock is privately held,” explained the brief, also noting that it “is overseen by a board of directors the majority of whom are privately appointed” and that “none of the stock of the FRBNY is government-owned.”
Fed Loses Secrecy Suit, Considering Options

States Launch Legal Challenge to Health Care Law
The ink from President Obama’s signature was barely dry when attorneys general from 14 states filed papers in federal court today challenging the constitutionality of the newly-signed health care bill.
States File Lawsuit Against Health Care Law

“In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm and three or more is a congress.” — John Adams

State red-faced over $9M tax break for scam artist
OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK HERE IN MICHIGAN
This is really special. Michigan can’t balance it’s budget and keeps crying poor. Yet, Michigan Economic Development Corporation is giving $9.1 Million in tax breaks to a convicted embezzler and scam artist. This is a perfect example as to abolish the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as it is a waste of taxpayer money that could be spent elsewhere. Republicans called for investigations into how a felon duped a state agency. So I guess when the Republicans voted to approve these tax breaks they didn’t do their homework! Now that’s representation for the people!
State red-faced over $9M tax break for scam artist | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Attorney General Mike Cox: Urban Legend or Urban Cover Up?
It’s one thing for an attorney general, who is supposed to be an “independent chief law enforcement” officer, to state he doesn’t believe he has enough information to continue an investigation. But it’s another thing entirely when he crafts a defense for the accused. Attorney General Mike Cox in the Manoogian Mansion party investigation went beyond getting out of the way. He threw Kwame Kilpatrick a lifeline in 2003 by starting the “Urban Legend” defense. Now, important new information may soon be coming to light regarding Cox’s handling of the investigation of the murder of Tamara “Strawberry” Greene. Greene is alleged to have attended a now-infamous party at Manoogian Mansion in 2003 thrown by then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Urban Legend or Urban Cover Up? «

Concerns Over Labels on Census Forms
GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. (WXYZ) – People living in the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods say they’re concerned that their census forms say they live in the wrong city. The forms, which arrived this week, say they live in Detroit. They say their concerns are heightened because the pre-census mailings they got last week were addressed correctly.
Concerns Over Labels on Census Forms || WXYZ.com | WXYZ-TV / Detroit | Detroit News, Weather, Sports and More

Cash for Clunkers Spent $3 Billion to Save $375 Million
The calculations that show the economic failure of the “Cash for Clunkers” government sponsored program was a waste of taxpayer money. So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $375 million. The government sponsored program, we the taxpayers spent $8.57 for every dollar saved. With that I’m pretty sure the government will do a great job with health care, though.
Cash for Clunkers, not just a Failure, but a Failure of Governmental Magnitude

How much welfare is enough?
The left plans to continue its assault on welfare reform by extending the welfare spending increases established in last year’s “stimulus” bill. Fortunately, The Heritage Foundation’s welfare expert, Robert Rector, continues to play an important role in the debate. Rector, who was chiefly responsible for the groundbreaking welfare reforms of 1996, testified that the U.S. is already expected to spend almost $1 trillion on means-tested (i.e. “welfare”) programs next year. This is roughly a 50 percent increase since fiscal year 2007.
MyHeritage.org: Email – MyHeritage.org: How much welfare is enough?

Census Bureau spends millions on pre-Census letter
This past week, you probably received a letter from the Census Bureau saying another letter would arrive next week with the Census form. But the Census, in a typical case of government math, says spending the $85 million is actually saving taxpayers money. The “pre-census” letter set’s off alarms of wasteful government spending.
‘Pre-Census’ Letter Called Wasteful By Some – News Story – WNEM Saginaw

Greece’s crisis could presage America’s
WASHINGTON — Greece is a financial basket case, begging for international help. Is America heading down that same road? Many of the same risky financial practices that now imperil the Greeks were at the center of the all-too-recent U.S. meltdown. Lying politicians, massive debt, corrupt banks…..I don’t want to be alarmist but the governmental corruption that set Argentina’s collapse in motion appears shockingly similar to what is going on here in the USA.
The Associated Press: Analysis: Greece’s crisis could presage America’s

Federal pay ahead of private industry
Federal employees earn higher average salaries than private-sector workers in more than eight out of 10 occupations, a USA TODAY analysis of federal data finds.
Federal pay ahead of private industry – USATODAY.com

Tea Party’s and 9/12 Project, What Are They Really About?
People all over the country are doing amazing things today. These are people who up to a year ago, thought that voting, paying taxes and taking care of family was enough. Today, we see people taking an interest in what their school boards are doing, attending city and county board meetings, reading the bills and instructing their legislators before they vote on them. Instead of just paying taxes, people are now looking at what the tax money is being spent on and then holding their politicians accountable.
Hello Michigan: Tea Party’s and 9/12 Project, What Are They Really About?

Gov’t May Seek More Authority on Vehicle Safety
Black boxes in vehicles? This will only increase the cost, more big government! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking 66 new employees.
FOXNews.com – Gov’t May Seek More Authority on Vehicle Safety

Credit card interest rates jump, approach record highs
Interest rates on new credit card offers rebounded to near-record highs this week after U.S. Bank raised rates on several cards.
Credit card interest rates jump, approach record highs – FOXBusiness.com

Retail gas prices spike as price of crude oil continues to rise
Across the nation, consumers watched the price of retail gasoline increase upwards of 10 cents in some markets. This reports led investors to believe demand is on an upward trend, causing crude oil prices to be influenced more by basic fundamentals than by the strength of the U.S. dollar, which has been the primary driver of prices in 2010. However, the dollar weakened towards the end of last week against the euro and helped crude prices accelerate.
Retail gas prices spike as price of crude oil continues to rise | retail, crude, oil – News – Santa Rosa Press Gazette

GOP Leader Resigns After Hot Tub Confession
Don’t think for a minute this is an isolated incident and confined to outside Michigan! There have been unsubstantiated and substantiated reports of philandering by our own leaders right here in SE Michigan including Monroe! Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox for example, In 2005, Cox held a press conference to announce that he had taken part in an extramarital affair in 2003, while serving as the state’s Attorney General. Cox only went public with the affair after trial lawyer Geoffrey Fieger allegedly threatened to expose it if Cox did not drop an investigation into Fieger’s alleged campaign finance violations.
Utah GOP Kevin Garn Leader Resigns After Hot Tub Confession – AOL News

The Costs to Local Taxpayers for Illegal or “Guest” Workers
Numerous studies have documented the fact that illegal immigrants are a significant fiscal burden on local communities. Because the burden is related to the low wages earned by this population and that is unlikely to change as long as the earnings do not rise more than inflation, any Congressional amnesty-type action that incorporates these foreign workers and allows or admits additional ones will not only perpetuate the fiscal burden, it will increase it.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR): The Costs to Local Taxpayers for Illegal or “Guest” Workers

Page after Page of Reasons to Hate Obamacare
Here are just a few very good reasons to hate Obamacare:
Page after Page of Reasons to Hate Obamacare

Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is a quasi-public agency of the state. For budgeting purposes, the MEDC is not officially recognized as a state agency. The MEDC is arguably the least necessary entity in state government. Its existence is based on several flawed premises and political considerations.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation [Mackinac Center]

Michigan’s Republican lead Legislature rated low by local officials
The people who run your cities, townships, counties and villages think Lansing is doing a pretty lousy job of running the state. The citizens think the same as well! Robert Cannon a Republican Clinton Township Supervisor said he blames the Legislature more than Granholm. The state reps and senators have let the state of Michigan down he said.
Michigan’s Republican lead Legislature rated low by local officials

Should we take partisanship out of all elections?
At least part of the problem in Lansing is that loyalty to political parties appears to trump service to constituents. Judges, school boards and some city councils are elected on non-partisan ballots. Taking the partisanship out of other elections in the state could be beneficial. It’s hard to imagine that it could be worse than what we now see — a bitter tug-of-war in which only those who buy into party dogma have a place at the table. We need elected officials who are more beholden to their constituents than to their state political party.
Should we take partisanship out of all elections? | livingstondaily.com | Livingston Daily

Deadline for election filing nears here in Michigan
The filing deadlines for the Aug. 3 primary and Nov. 2 general elections are coming up. Partisan and nonpartisan candidates for the August primary must file a petition by 4 p.m. May 11 as well as candidates for precinct delegate. Republican and Democratic candidates seeking office of state senator, state representative or county office may file a $100 filing fee in lieu of a petition. Candidates wishing to withdraw must submit a written notice by 4 p.m. May 14. Candidates without political party affiliation seeking a partisan office in the November general election must file a qualifying petition and an Affidavit of Identity by 4 p.m. July 15. Candidates wishing to withdraw must submit a written notice by 4 p.m. July 19.
Deadline for election filing nears – MonroeNews.com

Public Taxpayer’s to foot Monica Conyers’ Attorney tab
Use of appointed lawyer raises eyebrows
This much is known: Monica Conyers now has a court-appointed appellate lawyer, paid for by taxpayers’ dollars. The question remains: How could she be married to U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. — one of the longest tenured members of Congress — and unable to afford counsel? Her husband John Conyers made $174,000 salary last year as a U.S. Rep. and is one of the longest tenured members of Congress.
Public to foot Conyers’ tab | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

“That, as a republic is the best of governments, so that particular arrangements of the powers of society, or, in other words, that form of government which is best contrived to secure an impartial and exact execution of the laws, is the best of republics.”–John Adams

Richardville’s amendment “Benefit’s Unions” to the detriment of the Municipalities
This amendment offered by Senator Richardville (R) Monroe to Michigan’s Public Act 312 increases the benefit to union institutional interests and places a burden on the local Municipalities. SB 1072 does not amend the Act in a meaningful way only transfers the burden to the already cash strapped Municipalities. SB 1072 fails to address a crucial piece of PA 312 — the local unit of government’s ability to pay. Nothing in this bill requires an arbitrator to consider first and foremost whether a community can pay an award. An arbitrator can say a community does not have the money to pay and yet still hand down an unaffordable award. Passed in the Senate on February 10, 2010 Senate Bill 1072 (Senate Roll Call 45)
The Center for Michigan » Local government efficiency: 2 steps forward, 1 step back

Secretary of State office to stay open
Friday, March, 5, 2010: “The Monroe Evening News” published a front page article on the “Temperance branch of the Secretary of State’s office will remain open.” This was complete with a bright red box surrounding the headline. I couldn’t help but notice that Senator Richardville’s name was prominently mentioned 3 times before sending the readers to page nine for the rest of the story. Once continuing to page nine Senator Richardville’s name was mentioned yet again before Representative Angerer’s name was mentioned. Wasn’t Representative Angerer the one who spearheaded this effort? Didn’t she call the press conference, introduce legislation, all for the benefit of her constituents? Then why would Senator Richardville’s name be mentioned 5 times in this article compared to Representative Angerer’s one? Is the Monroe Evening News part of the reelection committee for Senator Richardville? Sure looks that way! Representative Anger does all the work while Senator Richardville gets all the credit in print.
The House recently passed legislation introduced by Representative Angerer below:
Require the Secretary of State to establish written standards to follow before closing any branch offices (House Bill 5811).
Require the Secretary of State to maintain any existing offices in townships with at least 10,000 residents (House Bill 5686).
Secretary of State office to stay open – MonroeNews.com

Study: Some Michigan tax breaks not very effective
LANSING, Mich. — Some of Michigan’s targeted business tax incentives aren’t effective when compared to possible broader tax-relief alternatives, according to a study released Thursday. Michigan’s film industry credit refunds 40 percent to 42 percent of a company’s qualified expenditures, one of the nations most generous giveaways. This study shows the program, which could cost Michigan more than $150 million in incentives this year alone, leaves little to show for the taxpayer investment. Last year, film production companies used this provision to escape tax liabilities and acquire subsidies totaling $48 million. In future years, the tax rebate for filmmakers is projected to climb to more than $200 million! Senator Richardville voted in favor of this taxpayer subsidy!
The Associated Press: Study: Some Michigan tax breaks not very effective
Passed in the Senate on March 20, 2008 (Give subsidies for Michigan film production ) (Senate Roll Call 160) http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=271640

Owners walking away from homes, values erode
With more than 500,000 households in Michigan owing more on their mortgages than the homes are worth, thousands of Michigan residents are choosing to abandon their homes and walk away, even if they can afford to continue making payments.
Owners walk from homes, values erode | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

MEA’s sabotage kept Michigan out of Race to Top finalists
Its hard to argue with the White Houses decision not to include Michigan among the 16 finalists for the first round of federal Race to the Top education grants. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said repeatedly that heavy weight was given to applications from states where all parties were committed to reform. Place the blame for the loss of the much-needed grants squarely on the Michigan Education Association. It sabotaged the states application at every step.
Editorial: MEA’s sabotage kept Michigan out of Race to Top finalists | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Why Americans are so angry
Heather Gass always felt she had to suppress her conservative views, living as she did in the liberal San Francisco Bay area. A year ago that all changed.
Why Americans are so angry – Yahoo! News

Michigan Rolling in Dough? Gives Out Raises, Plus Millions in
Tourism Subsidies
Two votes in the state Senate on Wednesday, may cause residents to question how seriously lawmakers are treating the need to restrain government spending. The first vote was on a resolution rejecting a 3 percent pay hike for unionized state government employees. The total cost of the raise is $77 million. To be fair, a majority of Senators did vote to reject the pay hike, but not enough to attain the two-thirds supermajoo-thirds supermajority required on such measures. The second measure would spend $9.5 million on tourism subsidies in the form of advertisements paid for by taxpayers. The main beneficiaries of this subsidy are lobbyists and the owners of big resort hotels.
Pure Michigan, State Employee Pay Hike [Mackinac Center]

GM CEO Whitacre Receives $9M Pay Package
General Motors Co. CEO Ed Whitacre will receive a salary of $1.7 million this year, plus stock awards that will bring his total pay package to $9 million at a later date, the automaker said Friday. GM is 60 percent owned by the federal government and has received $52 billion in federal aid. The company plans to repay as much of the money as possible by issuing stock to the public, possibly as early as this year. Our TAX dollars at work?
GM CEO Whitacre Receives $9M Pay Package – ABC News

U.S. Posts Record $220.9 Billion Budget Gap In Feb
The February deficit was in line with analysts’ consensus forecast in a Reuters poll for a $222 billion budget gap but well above the $193.86 billion for the same period a year ago.
U.S. Posts Record $220.9 Billion Budget Gap In Feb – NYTimes.com

Detroit Socialist Explains His, Unions Agenda for Soviet States of
America
In Detroit, a chap representing the Che Guevara-loving, Mumia Abu-Jamal-supporting “FIST Youth” educated a crowd of about two dozen about the virtues of socialism. He also lectured on the Soviet Union, its roots and the glory days when the “peoples council” made all of the important decisions.
» Detroit – Big Government

The ‘looting’ of $11 trillion from the U.S. economy
But Zubi Diamond, author of the powerful new book, Wizards of Wall Street, says the agenda of Soros and other short sellers is clear. Their purpose, he says, is “to loot America and any foreign country which invested in America. Greece was one of them. Iceland was ravaged and annihilated.”
Organized crime: The ‘looting’ of $11 trillion from the U.S. economy

2 top Dems say tax hike vote might be necessary
LANSING — Two leading House Democrats said Wednesday that they would consider letting Michigan voters decide on a tax increase in August if the Legislature can’t agree on other ways to avoid deep funding cuts to public schools.
2 top Dems say tax hike vote might be necessary | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Ballots must be made available, court rules
The Michigan Secretary of States Office can’t refuse to show individual voting records from the states 2008 presidential primary to an East Lansing political consultant or anyone else, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in an opinion released Wednesday. By a 2-1 vote, the court said Mark Grebner of Practical Political Consulting can see whether voters took a Democratic or Republican ballot because they’re public records under the states Freedom of Information Act. The records don’t show which candidate a voter supported.
Michigan news in brief | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

First a Soda Tax, Now a Pizza Tax: The Food Police March On
Many pizza restaurants have suffered in recent years from wildly fluctuating commodities prices; meanwhile, cash-strapped customers increasingly have chosen to dine out in cheaper fast-food restaurants. An 18% tax increase on pizza and soda would be devastating to the industry. Pizza is about a $50 billion business in the U.S.
First a Soda Tax, Now a Pizza Tax: The Food Police March On – DailyFinance

Senate Passes $149 Billion Bill to Extend Jobless Benefits
The Senate has approved a $149 billion jobless bill that extends unemployment benefits for those who have been out of work for more than a year, as well as subsidies for unemployed workers to help pay employer-sponsored health insurance. Wonder what other pork is in this Bill?
Senate Passes $149 Billion Bill to Extend Jobless Benefits – DailyFinance

Monthly U.S. Debt Hits a New Record
News for the U.S. economy Wednesday, as the nations monthly budget deficit hit a record $220.9. Billion in February, the U.S. Treasury Department announced.
Monthly U.S. Debt Hits a New Record – DailyFinance

The News About Declining Foreclosures Is Misleading
Rather, as RealtyTrac’s CEO, James Saccacio, said in a statement, “This leveling of the foreclosure trend is not necessarily evidence that fewer homeowners are in distress and at risk for foreclosure, but rather that foreclosure prevention programs, legislation and other processing delays are, in effect, capping monthly foreclosure activity.” It is going to get worse before it gets better and you can take that to the Banksters!
The Good News About Declining Foreclosures Is Misleading

GMAC won’t repay $6.3 billion of bailout
The congressional panel overseeing federal bailout recipients estimates GMAC will never repay at least $6.3 billion of $17.2 billion in taxpayer aid and called on the Treasury Department to demand GMAC take drastic steps — including a possible bankruptcy for its troubled ResCap mortgage lending business.
Panel: GMAC won’t repay $6.3 billion of bailout | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Middle class to get hammered by taxes in ObamaCare
The tax would kick in on plans exceeding $23,000 annually for family coverage and $8,500 for individuals, starting in 2013. In the first year it would affect relatively few people in the middle class. But because of the steadily rising costs of health care in the U.S., more and more plans would reach the taxation threshold each year.
Middle class to get hammered by taxes in ObamaCare | United Liberty | Free Market – Individual Liberty – Limited Government

Pelosi, Democrats Abandon Pro-Life Lawmakers to Keep Abortion in Healthcare Bill
Another issue would impose a new excise tax, starting in 2018, on employer-provided health plans worth more than $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families. The Senate had wanted a stiffer tax on such “Cadillac plans,” but the more labor-friendly House resisted.
Newsmax – Pelosi Abandons Pro-Life Democrats to Keep Abortion in Healthcare Bill

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

Richardville Voted to cut per pupil education funding
The Senate voted 20-13, to pass HB 4457 school aid budget bill for fiscal year 2010 K-12 education spending.
http://www.charterschools.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=803&Itemid=21

State leaders faced with tough budget decisions
LANSING — If you thought last year’s budget fight was bad, it may look like a love­fest compared to what’s ahead. The deficit in the budget year that starts Oct. 1 is nearly as large as the one Demo­cratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and lawmak­ers were grappling with last year — $1.7 bil­lion versus $1.8 billion. And while Michigan was able to put $1.5 billion in federal recovery dollars into the current general and school aid funds, the amount next year could be as little as $395 million. In February 2009 the state Department of Education gave a $250,000 grant for the new Middle College being launched by the Monroe County Intermediate School District. This is fiscally irresponsible. Sarah Richardville the wife of State Sen. Randy Richardville (R., Monroe) was hired by the ISD board as dean of the new Middle College at a salary of $65,800 a year! Your TAX dollars at work!
http://www.freep.com/article/20100211/NEWS06/2110543/Michigan-budget-forces-Granholm–lawmakers-to-face-tough-decisions

Michigan Lawmakers vote to end the post-retirement health care insurance coverage provided to future legislators
Passed in the Senate (28 to 10) on February 24, 2010, to end the post-retirement health care insurance coverage provided to future legislators (those first elected after Nov. 1, 2010), but not for any current legislators. Under current law, former legislators who have been in office for five years get full health coverage beginning at age 55. I guess our good Senator Randy Richardville (R) Monroe didn’t deem it was in his constituents best interest as to offer an amendment to include current lawmakers in this Bill! Never the less, he voted in favor of it!
http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=465275

Senate OKs $9.5 million for Pure Michigan ads
LANSING — The state Senate approved $9.5 million for the acclaimed Pure Michigan television ad campaign Wednesday, but supporters said it’s not enough. The Pure Michigan campaign debate now moves to the House, where robust lobbying by the tourism industry is expected to boost the amount of state money for the ads.The allocation of our taxpayer money would be used better in the form of discretionary spending rather than for private industry who stand to gain the most not the taxpayers?
http://www.freep.com/article/20100304/NEWS06/3040461/1008/Senate-OKs-9.5-million-for-Pure-Michigan-ads?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StatelineorgRss-TaxesBudget+(Stateline.org+RSS+-+Taxes+%26+Budget)

Senate Roll Call 72 Passed in the Senate on March 3, 2010
Authorize spending $9.5 million on tourism industry subsidies in the form of state ads paid for with tax dollars. The money would otherwise go into the state general fund and be available for other state spending. Previous tourism subsidies have been paid for with long term borrowing, pledging future tobacco lawsuit revenue to repay the debt.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=470164

Alice in Subsidy Land
This tumble-down the proverbial rabbit hole is the umpteenth “jobs” adventure Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Legislature have forced taxpayers to accompany them on. Not only have Lansing politicians’ stories of promised job creation grown predictable and tiresome, so has the naked reality of a tourism industry trying to boost its bottom line by feeding at the public trough.
http://www.mackinac.org/12148

Workers’ promised raise safe for now
After debate, Senate vote fails to cancel it
LANSING — The Senate failed Wednesday to get the needed two-thirds vote to block a 3% pay raise in October for unionized state workers. The raise will cost the state, which must erase a $1.5-billion deficit next year, $48 million.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100304/NEWS06/3040449/1320/Workers-promised-raise-safe-for-now

Michigan looses Billions in Federal Education Funding for “Race to the Top” program
The list of finalists will bring disappointment to dozens of other states such as Michigan, many of which spent millions of dollars on private consultants to compete for the cash under the administration’s $4.35 billion Race to the Top program.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704187204575101553383922336.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

White House policies: Homeland Security digging into all Internet communications, including the contents of emails.
The Obama administration lifted the veil Tuesday on a highly secretive set of policies Internet cyber-security. The White House’s new cyber-security chief, Howard Schmidt, announced the move to declassify the program in a speech at the RSA conference in San Francisco–his first major public address since assuming the post in January.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/03/02/%e2%80%9ceinstein%e2%80%9d-program-disclosed-as-us-cyber-shield/

U.S. Senator Predicts financial meltdown
The US is heading for a debt-driven “financial meltdown” within five to seven years, according to Judd Gregg, the outgoing Republican senator for New Hampshire.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/35a94fba-2278-11df-a93d-00144feab49a.html?nclick_check=1

Payrolls Declined in February
Feb. 28 (Bloomberg) — Companies in the U.S. probably cut more jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased, indicating the labor market in the world’s largest economy is still struggling to rebound, economists said before a government report this week.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-28/payrolls-probably-declined-in-february-u-s-economy-preview.html

Commissioners OK a pay cut for next year
Oakland County commissioners unanimously voted themselves a 5% pay cut Wednesday night, but some of them won’t be around to see it. The 5% cut won’t begin until 2011 because commissioners aren’t allowed to change their rate of pay during their term of office. Since all 25 commission seats are up for election this year, the cut will begin Jan. 1 and last until at least the end of 2012. Several of the commissioners will relinquish their seats to run for higher office this year. Quite a contrast to the Monroe County Commissioners!
http://www.freep.com/article/20100304/news01/3040434/Regional-news-in-brief

Are Americans more dependent on the government?
One of the pernicious consequences of ever-larger government is the increasing dependence of the population on the government for their well-being and livelihood. To drive this point home, experts in The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Data Analysis set out to answer the question, “are Americans more dependent on their government?” Their answer: Yes. According to this study all of the evidence points to even more rapid increases in dependency ahead, which well could threaten democratic government.” This is particularly true because America faces the pending mass retirement of the Baby Boom generation, as well as an increase in the number of people who pay no taxes whatsoever.
http://members.myheritage.org/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=18121&em_id=13801.0

Barack Obama and the Democrats did not inherit the bad economy; they caused it and made it worse

Are you fed up with out-ofcontrol government spending and taxation? Are you fed up with the
government providing bailouts, not securing the borders and not drilling for oil in our own
country, which would hold down energy prices? Many U.S. citizens who embrace the
American way have engaged in “tea parties” recently. That’s a good start, but it is not enough.
http://www.uscitizensassociation.com/pdfs/USCA_Ad.pdf

Dollar, Market Headed for Collapse
Financial author Jim Davidson says the dollar, the economy, and the stock market are headed for collapse. “Any time the government prints money, it’s a threat to the people who produce wealth in the society.” “The history of the world is that you don’t become rich by printing money. Otherwise Zimbabwe would be the richest country on earth.” Our debt burden will ultimately collapse due to hyperinflation.
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/davidson-dollar-market-headed-for-collapse/blog-269373/

Four more U.S. banks shut down
WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) — Regulators say they shut down banks in Florida, Maryland, Illinois and Utah, raising to 26 the number of U.S. bank failures this year.
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/03/06/Four-more-US-banks-shut-down/UPI-27441267895547/

Why the Fed’s Zero Interest Rate Policy May Be Dangerous
Is the Fed’s zero interest rate policy really good for the nation? Though Fed Chairman Bernanke has made it abundantly clear that he believes it is, the evidence that ZIRP is perniciously undermining the financial sector and the U.S. economy is increasingly persuasive. Perhaps rewarding savers and prudent lending is a better policy than enabling under-capitalized banks to gamble “free” ZIRP money on risky bets that end up being covered by U.S. taxpayers.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/why-the-feds-zero-interest-rate-policy-may-be-dangerous/19382480/

Another Rich Payday for Another GM Exec
GM announced on March 5 that it would pay Stephen J. Girsky, its new Vice Chairman for Corporate Strategy and Business Development, $5 million in compensation for this year. His base salary will be $500,000 and he will get $3,000,000 in stock.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/another-rich-payday-for-another-gm-exec/19386073/

House Passes $35 Billion Jobs Bill
Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, said he asked businessmen at town meetings in his Rust Belt district whether they would hire people based on the payroll tax holiday. “Nobody raised their hands,” LaTourette said. “This is not going to create one job.”
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/house-passes-35-billion-jobs-bill/19384236/

A furious health care push _ but what about jobs?
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s furious, final push to get a health care bill passed threatens to shove aside the message he promised would top his list this year: creating jobs.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jKBwpZc8qy81o-B-_MyA00PMzlQQD9E99OE00

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence. It is force, and like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. – George Washington