Michigan Taxes Too Much

July 4, 2009 Tea party activities are upon us!  Tomorrow, Saturday, Independence day, we gather once again, and not for the last time to let our leadership know we are far from happy with the way they have done their best to ruin the future of our children and enslave them to incredible debt etc..

Tea Party locations - Lansing and others

The tea party events have been at first ignored, ridiculed, and then attacked as useless, meaningless and trite, yet so far well over a Million folks have turned out to have their voices heard. Never.. has the first amendment meant so much in this country as it does today. Never.. have the citizens had to come out in the numbers we are witnessing at the Tea Parties recently. Never has it been so important to remind our government to OBEY OUR WISHES.. we are not its slaves, we are its owners.

DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO ATTEND A PARTY NEAR YOU! You wont regret it, and if you have kids, it is truly an experience which will help them understand history, and help them appreciate their part in it. Click on the image above for MICHIGAN TEA PARTY EVENTS July 4

Conservative, or Liberals (not so sure about the hard core leftists though…) in Michigan would like to see its economy improve. One of the main reasons, is that a thriving economy creates a diverse job base. Hard to find any disagreement there.  We can also agree that Michigan has been particularly hard hit and unemployment is the highest in the country.

There ARE jobs available however, and sometimes its simply a matter of making the connection between employee and employer.  A Michigan firm is trying to help match them up.  Not only that, but currently is doing so for FREE!

Worth a look see to what they are doing.. ( Click on the image) H/T to Bruce Hall.

For the record, we are not recieving any compensation for promoting this..  We can only hope it is a help to those who are sincerely in need of employment, and to those businesses willing to hire.

Of course the thought that you might be attending a “protest” (OH MY!) brings thoughts of Kent State, Iran, or.. whatever.. Never fear!  We are protected.  The 1st amendment guarantees our right to protest, to call out for redress of our grievances.  Its a guarantee folks.  Not a changeable thing, as the current administration or leftists in congress might have you believe.  It is our RIGHT.

Tea Party Attendees are not “tea baggers.”  “Tea bagging” has been a term adopted by the gay left to describe one of their own more colorful activities.  Let them have their fun [sic] but I am going to assume the general population of the Tea Party is not gay.  (Hey.. that doesn’t exclude you gays out there..  you are taxpayers and getting er um screwed too.. feel free to going the protests.)  For clarification I would assume “Tea Partiers” is an appropriate term to describe attendees..

Speaking of  “Tea Partiers..” it really cuts to the mood..  Of the Five Tea Party events I have attended, the people have been great, we don’t leave a mess, we get along, and our message is pretty clear.  These are FUN events! Very social and even an element of brotherhood.  There are folks who come from different back grounds, cultures, belief sets, yet find commonality in the belief that the United States has strayed from its mission, and that government, like a dog let loose from its cage is running out of control.

The numbers are growing, and the interest has increased. This blog is already starting to see the numbers of visitors like it did before the April 15, 2009 Tea Party day.. We received over 20,000 visits to this site in less than a weeks time just prior to Tax Day..  If you think you will be standing alone, think again. You have more friends in this state than you can possibly imagine, and no ignorance by the main stream media outlets can change that. No casual insults by the elitist rent seeker who feed off of an omnipresent governments teat can lessen our resolve.

The July 4, 2009 Tea Party Event in Michigan is going to be awesome!  What better way to educate your kids, renew your claim to independence than to attend a peaceful assembly of wonderful people, and let your voice be heard!

Below is a as complete a list of Tea Party celebrations of our renewed Independence that will be happening in Michigan on July 4, 2009. I have made an effort to be as accurate as possible, and will update as needed. Make it a point to attend at least ONE of these rallies, and rub shoulders with some GREAT people who care enough about our liberty to stand up for it!

	Traverse City Tea Party Traverse City, Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 4:00 p.m. till ?? Traverse City Civic Center/N.E. Corner Civic Center Dr. Contact Organizer
Port Huron Independence Day Tea Party Kimball Twp., Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 Regis. 3:00pm; Event 4:00pm – 7:00pm Next to Golf Country Driving Range 4730 Smiths Creek Rd. Website Contact Organizer
	Monroe Tea! Monroe, Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Loranger Square East First Street & Washington Street corner website Contact Organizer
Independence Day Tea Party Picnic Northville, Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 12:30 p.m./3:30 p.m. Northville Community Park Five Mile Road and Beck Website Contact Organizer
	Grand Rapids Tea Party Tea Party of West Michigan is sponsoring a Tea Party at Riverside Park (on Monroe across from the Veterans Home) at the Band Shell on July 4th from 1pm – 3pm. They are also collecting personal care items donations for the veterans home.
Lansing, MI Independence Day Tea Party At the State Capitol: July 4, 2009 from 1pm to 3pm 100 N. Capitol Lansing Michigan Website Contact Organizer: Organized By: apackof2
	Kalamazoo Tea Party Time: July 4, 2009 from 6pm to 8pm at Bronson Park Kalamazoo, MI Organized By: Gene Clem (Website)
St. Joe Tea PartyTime: July 4, 2009 from 12pm to 3pm at the Berrien County Courthouse steps… 701 Main St. Saint Joseph, MI Organized By: Paul D. Peterson
	Schoolcraft ParadeTime: July 4, 2009 from 10am to 12pm at Schoolcraft, Michigan Organized By: Tony Dugal
Flint July 4, 200912:00 noon County Court House Contact- Charles Cosby
	Holland, July 4, 2009 noon-??Centennial Park across from City Hall Info: Bart Spencer
Clare, July 4, 2009 1–3pm,5th Street Park Info: Adele Allen
	Owosso , July 4, 2009 noon–2pmWeekly´s Lot, 2355 E. Main St (M-21), Owosso- just West of State RD. Info: Bea Vajgart
Ludington, July 4, 2009 4–6pmMason County Courthouse Info: Rod Merrill,
	East Tawas **Monday., July 6, 2009 Harbor ParkHarbor Park, at intersection of US 23 and Newman St. at the heart of downtown East Tawas right on the Bay next to the state dock.
Farmington Hills City Hall July 04, 2009, 11amInfo: alice
	St. Clair ShoresTAXED ENOUGH ALREADY? Join another citizen TEA PARTY DAY, JULY 4, at NOON Same location as the last one… 11 Mile and Harper!
Manchester American Legion Post 117 203 Adrian Street Manchester, Michigan July 4, 2009 Gather @ 11am Program @ 12pm

Please feel free to comment and ADD your Tea Party Info if it is not here already, and correct me if I have placed wrong times, etc..

– Update —

By Email Deeann G. sends us this about the Traverse City Tea Party:

Ok everyone the time is near for our 2nd TEA Party of 2009 in Traverse City! I realize that most of you may have plans with family since it is also the Fourth of July, and I really appreciate the fact that you will be setting aside a few hours of your time on a very busy day to celebrate and exercise the freedoms that so many American Heroes fought and died for.

This is a very critical time for all Americans to make our voices heard regarding the governments wasteful spending of ours, our children’s and our grandchildren’s money. We need to unite in this cause and show our government, the President, Congress and the like that they WORK FOR US!

They need to be held accountable for passing bills that they don’t even bother reading and we need to stop allowing them to raise their own salaries and they need to re-read the Constitution and go back to actually following it. There are MANY issues that we need to bring to the “people that represent us” and hold them accountable and I believe that the TEA Party agenda is only the beginning of this cause…we are gathering in numbers across the Nation and those numbers are growing with each bill that passes, each unnecessary apology, and each dollar that is spent needlessly…we are getting frustrated and the TEA Party events are allowing all of our concerns to be heard uniformly. Please take a few hours out of your Fourth of July and unite with us! Dee

4pm at the Northeast Corner of the Traverse City Civic Center!  Wear your comfy shoes, bring your creative signs (family oriented) and join the other hundreds of people that share your concerns!

A non partisan recall site recallposse.org (can be accessed by the .com or .net as well) has been created to help facilitate the flow of information on recall efforts in Michigan and elsewhere.  RecallPosse.org is a non partisan effort to rid our country of lawmakers and executives who continue to push higher spending, are raising taxes, and raising the costs on the taxpayer.

The recent passage of the H R 2454 shows the inability of many of our representatives to:

1. Read the legislation (it is not yet finished.. they voted on a bill which isnt there.. yet)
2. Consider long term negative effects on the economy
3. Understand WHAT makes the earth hot..
4. “represent” the wishes of the constituencies.. (8 Republicans signed on.. what the hell happened in the primaries to let these RINOs loose from the zoo?)

The bottom line is that our dogs are running a little long on the leash, and its time to reign them in.  Malkin asked in the article linked to above,

“We still want to know: What were your payoffs/earmarks?”

So um.. Yeah.. whats the deal? How bout it representatives? Are you ready to face the voters in a negative light?  Even if you have won soundly in your districts, you are in trouble.  Even if the recall efforts you will face fail, your secret political aspirations to become the president someday are finished.  In fact, maybe its a good thing for you to go through this.

A humble representation is a proper representation.  Too many assume too much. And to assume that we can endure more of the higher tax, higher spending  government, is on its face a punch in the gut to business and long term wealth building  for even the poorest among us.

Recall Often, Recall now..  not just the Democrats, but ANY who continue to ignore the facts we are overtaxed already.

By Jeff McQueen

The passage of the American Clean Energy & Security Act (House Bill 2454), also known as  Cap & Trade, is the height of treachery by 219 of our representatives in the U.S. Congress. In the vote recorded at 7:17 p.m. this evening, 211 Democrats and 8 Republicans joined together to get the bill passed in the House.

Make no mistake this bill will increase the cost of your utilities, gasoline, and everything you buy, all in the name of weak Global Warming science, which is under increasing daily attack in the scientific community.

The names of those who banded together in this act of tyranny, can be found by clicking on this link: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml

Tomorrow, according to a multi-state conference call I just attended, thousands of Americans will take to the streets and to the steps of their state capitols in an act of outrage not witnessed in this country in decades.

After the dust settles, recall campaign applications must be sent for the recall of these members of Congress in their counties. Many states have written their recall procedures to make it very difficult to recall a politician.

Here in Michigan, a recall campaign can last no longer than 180 days. The signatures on the petitions must come from voters living in the district of the targeted politician. The number of signatures need is 25% of the volume of voters who voted in that district for Governor in the last Governors’ election.

Today, I discovered Gary Peters from the 9^th District voted in favor of this Bill. I called the County Clerk’s Office to confirm exactly how many signatures I would need to recall him. The answer was 70,546 verifiable signatures, not over 90 days old. Basically this means you have 90 days from filing to plan the recall and the 2^nd 90 days to collect all the signatures needed.

In Michigan, people can come from other districts to help collect signatures (this may not be true in other states).

I suggest, in the spirit of the Revolutionary “Minutemen” we be ready on short notice to be called to join a “T.A.R.P.” This will be a Saturday event, with 500 to 1,000 people volunteering to canvass a district to collect signatures each on a recall petition. I suspect in a few hours a large well-organized group can meet, get a petition and street assignment with directions and deploy to gather signatures.

I recommend the first trial of this procedure be used in my 9^th District, with Congressman Gary Peters as the target.  I suspect it will meet with great success.

Jeff McQueen

[UPDATE AT BOTTOM]

Bend over Michigan! We are about to receive the largest rectal insertion of government, and it is happening faster than most of us can keep up.

First, we have the Cap & Trade version that the Wicked Witch of the West Nancy Pelosi has promised to see through to passage.  It WILL destroy what is left of the manufacturing sector in Michigan.  Between energy cost increases, and Michigan’s recent punishment of manufacturers by our own leadership, consider it all over. Read more »

I was surprised to hear that you might vote  ____ on HB _____ .  It caught me off guard because you campaigned as a conservative.  While I understand this issue is one of many that occasionally requires a little compromise so you may get other projects accomplished, it is a core and fundamental turn around from what you have claimed to support.  There are others in our community who are also surprised at your about face.  You should know, they vote in every election, as do I.

What really bothers me _________, is that with this position you are taking, you betray our trust.  When you claim to be a true conservative, call out the ever burgeoning budgets as unnecessary, call for lower taxes and less obscene regulatory climates, we believed you.  You said less government is good government, and we got excited!  We rallied behind you, and we gave you our voice.

But now you have turned it against us.  You use the leverage we have provided, and in a hypocritical manner, threaten to vote against what you SAID you stand for.  Nuance can hardly explain the decisions to hop on board with the left on this issue.  It is a core principle which has little room for compromise.  I urge you to reconsider.  You must do what you can to regain the moral authority on this issue, and defend the trust of those who have given it to you.

Thank you for your service.

Your Constituent.

In Michigan, I would be interested in knowing which properties and interest are owned by the Simon Property Group. I certainly would like to know where I personally wont go to patronize, support, etc..  Especially not after the conveniently timed use of a reciprocal property agreement to shut down one of the most successful Tea Party event locations.  Timing which left organizers scrambling to relocate, and ultimately cancel that event.

The Atlanta Tea Party was its Independence Day celebration in Gwinnett, after losing its location due to the objection of Gwinnett Place Mall. (a Simon company) The Tea Party had been scheduled to take place in the parking lot of the old Macy’s building at Gwinnett Place since March.

Not surprising given the reported interest the simon group owners have in the success of the Obama administration.  In fact, it would be interesting to find out what the Simon group might have to gain with the ongoing “stimulus” as well.  What financial interests, rent seeking, or other endeavors do they have tied to the administrations plans?

Stop believing in coincidences.. we have a bit of tea to dump overboard.

I was going to post the video, but because of its incredible graphic nature, and statement on humanity, I have decided to leave it to you to view where I found it.

This is not the result of the supreme leader “wanting” to kill the protesters, but the result of power “unchecked,” and the ability of guns to be used on the very people whom are governed.  It is the result of a narcissistic leadership which thinks it is best to govern those people, and will enact whatever means, including the murder of its own citizens to maintain the ability to do so.

Power is a dangerous drug.

When we look at the Obama administration, examining the actions known already, and those suspected, does it not send chills down your spine to contemplate what they have already shown willingness to do?  Do these folks contemplate this type of action (shooting an innocent civilian) even now?  Likely not.  However, when push comes to shove WOULD THEY?

Jack McHugh of the Mackinac Center has often made it a point on his personal blog to note that evil should generally be dismissed as the motivation for a set of political actions.  I would tend to agree mostly, and some points he made are worth noting as we contemplate our own political posturing.  He notes:

When a group of people lose (or never learn) the habits of civility, they bring their society closer to the tragic status of Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur, Iraq, etc.

And now Iran I would say..

This is because if you claim that I am “evil” you have closed off any possibility of civil discourse based on reason. What response can I possibly make to that assertion? Resorting to such uncivil behavior may suggest that the uncivil person cares primarily about getting or keeping power, and believes that the end justifies the means. At the very least it indicates that he is disrespectful of core democratic habits.

And that is where the other shoe drops.

Consider the nature of recent dismissals of independent investigators, the removal of “right wing support systems” with the dealership closings, the takeover of entire media conglomerates through a careful payback system, and finally the creation of new crisis’ to ensure the growth of government intervention as a necessity.  It is all calculated, yet most would not call this administration evil, though we would look at the actions of another (foreign) administration decades ago which acted similarly resulting in the extermination of millions, and a well earned dark spot in the history of humanity.

Is our administration evil?  Should we consider the actions it has already taken to solidify its power and control as evil?  Or do we wait until one or more of our citizens are lying in the street bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest to make up our minds?

Below is a partial list of Tea Party celebrations of our renewed Independence that will be happening in Michigan on July 4, 2009.  I have made an effort to be as accurate as possible, and will update as needed.  Make it a point to attend at least ONE of these rallies, and rub shoulders with some GREAT people who care enough about our liberty to stand up for it!

	Traverse City Tea Party Traverse City, Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 4:00 p.m. till ?? Traverse City Civic Center/N.E. Corner Civic Center Dr. Contact Organizer
Port Huron Independence Day Tea Party Kimball Twp., Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 Regis. 3:00pm; Event 4:00pm – 7:00pm Next to Golf Country Driving Range 4730 Smiths Creek Rd. Website Contact Organizer
	Monroe Tea! Monroe, Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Loranger Square East First Street & Washington Street corner website Contact Organizer
Independence Day Tea Party Picnic Northville, Michigan Saturday, July 4, 2009 12:30 p.m./3:30 p.m. Northville Community Park Five Mile Road and Beck Website Contact Organizer
	Grand Rapids Tea Party Tea Party of West Michigan is sponsoring a Tea Party at Riverside Park (on Monroe across from the Veterans Home) at the Band Shell on July 4th from 1pm – 3pm. They are also collecting personal care items donations for the veterans home.
Lansing, MI Independence Day Tea Party At the State Capitol: July 4, 2009 from 1pm to 3pm 100 N. Capitol Lansing Michigan Website Contact Organizer: Organized By: apackof2

I will update as can, and will likely repeat this post with updates every other day. Comments can be made with information if you have a Michigan event to share as well.

A new business start up approved for a 46 Million dollar grant from the MEDC.  Obamaroos Underwear company has tentatively agreed to locate its elastic band facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where it is expected to generate at least 60 jobs. The elastic will be then shipped to a Shenzen, China facility for the final construction of the custom wear by children who will appreciate the end product best.

The New Obamaroos Ads soon to be appearing on cereal boxes

The Ypsilanti leaders have agreed to demolish 6 existing buildings to accommodate the move, and provide a suitable location for the stretchy material plant.  The occupants of the buildings have been given 30 days to move their businesses as they have been condemned already. Ypsi council members play down the complaints of the forced move with this quote from member Sally Peedooty:

The businesses that are really complaining have done so repeatedly already when we have moved them before. They are just troublemakers who don’t have a clue what it means to build a vibrant planned community!

Council member Elgee Whiterhouse is reported to have declared he is going to ask his wife to have another child, just so he can have the honor of wearing the first pair of Obamaroos to arrive back from the China factory. “I’m So excited!  I mean if she wont carry the child maybe I’ll adopt one..  maybe a Vietnamese kid.”

Governor Granholm is reported to have had to play referee between Ypsilanti officials and the Detroit city council which had hoped to locate the factory in the soon to be vacant Renaissance Center. Reportedly, a compromise was reached where there still may be a REN CEN factory that produces a version called Bidundies.

More details soon.

Remember last year? When Monica Conyers actually lost in a debate to a 13 year old? you know the one where she is publicly humiliated (if that were ONLY possible)   oh.. you forgot? here.. to refresh your memory..

You say it doesn’t get better than this?

I suppose this verbal smack down rates high for entertainment value, or how it reveals the weakness of who the left puts in power. But now there is more. Michelle Malkin brings up those other pesky details in her comparison of Senator Ensign’s current troubles to Conyer’s:

Now, let’s talk about a far more scandalous scandal that the MSM won’t spill one-tenth the ink it’s spilling on the Ensign affair: the Conyers corruption case. I noted the federal bribery case against Democrat House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers’ wife, Monica, and other dirty Detroit Dem politicians back in January.

And she hasn’t learned much from that thirteen year old..  Things matter.  And if you don’t run your life like an adult.. when you are an adult..  things happen.  From the Free Press:

As they dangled a plea deal in their bribery investigation, she promoted a project at the council’s regular meeting to help low-income people with their utilities. Later, she hosted her weekly TV show. She even had a hair appointment.

Ahh.. You got nuthin on me you shrek lovers!  …Well LA DEE DAH.

Just remember, this is all stemming from a bribery charge in which a quid pro quo arrangement has been alleged.  Not that this could ever happen in government, especially not in Michigan.. or heaven forbid for a major project in  say… DETROIT?

As an old time Bay County Democrat once said to my Father “Don’t you worry much about that one party.. those Democrats being in power.  Whenever any party is in power for a long time they eventually start stealing, and it’ll change back.”

I’m not holding my breath.

Wonderful…  a brand new commercial.  A shiny new hammer of progressive thought beating the mushy skulls of TV watchers and radio listeners into the next phase of nitwittery evoked by our current administration. “Healthy Economy Now” is the NEW NAME for the left element trying to manipulate us into signing over even more of what is left of our economy.  Remember the Carbon Cap = Job ads?  well folks.. if we are searching for more deception, we will not be disappointed, because the suggestion that a “planned health care economy” is the solution to the national economy.  Yes!  that’s correct.. it is being asserted that the very people who have promised to spend us into another 10 Trillion in debt will be the careful managers of our personal choices in health care. Read more »

Here’s the deal – I’m conservative (well, small “L” libertarian), not fan of the gay lifestyle by any means, but at the same time, I don’t think it’s my place to be interfering with whatever the hell two guys or chicks want to do.

I look at this whole situation from a point of freedom of association. Just like a state recognizes a businesses existence on behalf of its owners or allows a husband and wife to act on the behalf of the other on certain things, if two guys or two girls want to be recognized as having the same ability, I say let them.

However, there are certain things that need to be changed as well, which I’ll point out.

As I mentioned, I’m fine with “partners” having the legal ability to act on one another’s behalf, as in a traditional marriage, however, I certainly don’t want to condone the lifestyle or support it. What’s a libertarian to do?

Simple: Allow business owners to discriminate based on marital status – regardless of whether it’s two guys or a guy a girl. That way, those of us who don’t like the lifestyle can be like “hey, sorry, you don’t get the benefits that Jim and Joan do”. Of course, if someone wants to do the reverse, and only allow benefits for “John and Joe”, whatever, it’s not my business.

See what this does? It pushes the argument into the realm where it’s *really easy* to dominate on a logical scale – property rights.

“How can you say Jim and Joan can get benefits but not Joe and John?!?!?” Easy – it’s my business. I’ll hire/fire and give benefits to whoever I want.