Michigan Taxes Too Much

But I have the memories of a lifetime. And a realistic understanding of why we MUST have McCain in the oval office.

Memories of a Presidential Convention...

The Palin nomination has inspired both HOPE in the ranks of the true Conservative Republicans, and FEAR in the hearts of Socialist Democrats who wish to have their flag bearer O-Who as leader of the world.

Note, that I said “leader of the world,” and not the more appropriate “leader of the free world.”  The incredible influence the President of the united states carries can be quite impressive, and the election of such a marxist as O-Who would leverage much of the free world in such a way theat would be unacceptable to anyone who holds freedom of thought as something of value.  An “O-Who” presidency would see passage of the Fairness doctrine, and control through other regulation and taxation of business.  By picking and choosing who gets the favor of government, our elected leaders are often rewarded quite well as they leave public office, and through their investments.

Sarah Palin, who by all measures is nearly an “every man’s” leader.  Respected and feared by opponents, yet truly a loving and strong family individual.  The problems the MSM seems to think will harm her in its attempts to sabotage the McCain bid, only reinforces the belief she is actually more representative of ordinary citizens and endears her more to Americans everywhere.  The teleprompter, during her speech faltered, and sometimes sped up, (perhaps sabotage by gremlins from the O-Who camp.. Hmmmm?) but never caused an abberation in Palin’s message, and merely proves her ability to improvise, persevere, and conquer, as she did in the “home run” speech given.

Let us not forget to credit where credit is due though.  Many times I have heard, and even from my own lips that John McCain was not my original pick.  My own disagreements on some minor, and not so minor policy issues had up until the VP pick kept me a little more stoic.  But I have also found that no one individual has ALL the answers correct on any test.  And in the office of the Presidency, surrounding ones self with people of high calibur intelligence, knowledge and core principles as he has already demonstrated with this pick, I feel incredibly at ease.  Palin’s nomination, shows thinking outside the box, and his continued service to the country shows a dedication normally unseen.

His assembly of the campaign team in its present form is another example of real leadership.  To come from near oblivion in the early part of the campaign should not be a missed point.  Though outspent by Obama, his advertising has been compelling, and points out rightly the dangers of looking to “hope” without substance, and “change” without asking what change will ultimately happen.  The questionable associations by the O-Who himself are identified as no MSM outlet would dare, and McCain himself “approves these ads.”

I may have not always agreed with McCain, but I suspect earmarks, and new taxes would be harder to pass with him in office.  His fight against pork is legendary, and his most recent activities with the VP pick, and media blitz are deserving of serious respect. In 2008, he has my respect, my hopes, and my vote.

Button art for McCain Palin supporters

Sarah Palin did as she was expected to do.  Hit one out of the park, and relegating the other guys into relative obscurity for the moment.  Though it doesnt make the SOCIALIST ideas of O… uhh  or Joe..  uhh  ..THOSE GUYS any less dangerous, maybe, just maybe Palin’s bright light can steal the valuable media attention away for long enough.

I created (made) several of these buttons on Tuesday prior to going into the RNC08 convention.  Using a photo printer, and a little button maker bought 14 years ago, I was able to punch out about 12-14 unique collectable buttons which were passed out to convention workers and a few attendees. I wish I had had more time to work with, as there was material for about 40 more.  These things were a BIG hit!

Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land brings on yet another well received delegation breakfast.

I feel priviledged to be along with the delegation of Michigan Republicans for this the second day of the Republican National Convention. The camaraderie, the sense of movement forward this election cycle is evident by the positive conversations held through out the Michigan delegation, as well as the national scene.

Land invited her Minnesota counterpart Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, a Democrat, to the breakfast held for the Michigan Delegation, and after a not so brief conversation with him, it was clear he was impressed with the way in which Land has run the office she holds, and is on the way to emulate the process.  It should be pointed out, that Minnesota’s SOS currently operates elections and other functions, but not licenses etc.  Land has been assisting Ritchie with suggestions to help him enhance the efficiencies of Minnesota’s system and perhaps joining the DMV with their SOS to further enhance and improve efficiency on those operations.

There was a Pleasant surprise!  It was “hinted ” because we lost our guest speaker Haley Barbour due the storms, we would have a “special appearance.”   Before long, and to great cheering we were graced with the presence of none other than the first Lady! Although for some it was a surprise, the increased Secret Service contingent somewhat gave it away.  Laura Bush is a class act and is quite popular.  She spoke to the fact that Michigan stands to be a major player in this election, and will likely be a decider of who will win.

Michigan is truly a unique state, and what Lady Bush said is likely true.  Combined with a distrust for Democrats as the ones to destroy Michigan’s once bulletproof economy, it is no doubt a motivator for looking at the conservative choices and voting Republican this time around.

Recently, I was awarded a pass to day two of the Republican Convention. Being a once in a lifetime opportunity, I quickly accepted and made plans. A 12 hour drive, and about 8-10 coke zeros later found myself in the Hot spot of the Midwest, Minneapolis St. Paul. A drive which though not short was made a little extra special since half of it was though the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Even a decently operating radio might have a difficult time picking up a good talk show or two, however, I had not even that luxury. I DO however have one of those nifty little WiFi cards which allowed me to stream Wood 1300 from Grand Rapids for most of the trip. Man.. Gotta love technology. OK I guess you would call that a luxury, but in this day and age, I perhaps Prefer to think of it as a necessity.

The Blood? oh we’ll get to that..

Grover Norquist was a speaker at this morning’s breakfast. Solidly conservative, he wound up the Michigan delegation quite well with a very adept analysis of the difference between those who would tax us and those who don’t. Norquist built on the excitement of the Palin announcement, pointing out that she is a limited government type who truly fits the Republican view as it should be. Pointing out the consequence of giving Tax and spenders the ability to do so, is a major theme of “Leave Us Alone: Getting the Government’s Hands Off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives” Norquist’s book published earlier this year.

No Blood yet..  ok getting there..

All the speakers had nothing but good things to say about McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin.  Cheers often when her name was mentioned, and a sense of solidarity certainly permeated the room.  Jack Hoogendyk praised the McCain-Palin team, and noted the  unabashedly “Republican” make up it is.  Hoogendyk himself was warmly received, and  (caution hide the kids.. blood part coming up) while only briefly hitting on the obligitory fund raising for his own campaign he was quite successful in enlisting the help of nearly (my estimate) 40-45 people out of the room which had 60-70 republican delegates to…

Drum roll..

Give Blood. The Republicans are going to give till it hurts..  In an effort to help the potential hurricane victims, the convention is indeed responding positively (O-Positively maybe?) to what might be another tragedy at our southern borders.  While the politics of ANYTHING that can be done will be looked at from either side with a wary eye, this is a solid example of decent people wanting to help those who need help, and though it was completely unexpected, it is a popular move by the would be Senator Hoogendyk at the convention gathering.

Louisiana hurricane, and Michael Moore gloats. As incredible as it seems.. Moore: “Gustav ..is Proof there is a god in heaven.. haha”

This is a prime example of the REAL thinking process of Liberals. POWER AT ANY COST, BY ANY MEANS.

Sadly, he is from Michigan.

Everyone had their favorites, many like myself felt Mitt would be a solid choice for McCain’s pick, but the more I follow the reports and commentary from both the right and left side of the room, the more I can truly appreciate the choice made.  The RIGHT side is happy, ..no ECSTATIC about the pick of a solid family, pro hunting, outdoors, pro life candidate who doesn’t take any crap from those IN or OUT of the Republican party.  Someone who brings a level of trust to politics.  The LEFT side is caught off guard, but has already established particular talking points, including level of experience and predictably the fact she should be taking care of her baby.

Read more »

She could be as popular as Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin who McCain picked to be his vice presidential running mate.  Palin, who been enjoying statewide popularity ratings of 80%, defeated an incumbent Republican governor, and has kept to her campaign promises to root out corruption in her state, and even within the Republican ranks there.

Cheers!  Throw em under the bus!  Michigan can only solemnly sigh as Granholm protects her party’s worst nightmare Kwame Kilpatrick.

McCains VP Pick

Palin, an NRA member who hunts, fishes, has a son in the military, and is pro life.  Though young as an executive at 44, she has been cedited in saving the state Billions, and restoring trust in government.

While many pundits may claim this isn’t the pick many Republican’s were hoping for, It could be argued that many within the party who were uncomfortable with McCain originally will be more than happy with this choice.

I repeat: CHEERS to the McCain pick!

At the beginning of the video, when Brokaw brings up her “substantial” investment, Nancy Pelosi first jumps to pointing out how relatively small a part of her investments this particular one is.

Note that she is STEAMED and very uncomfortable with this type of question.  HOW DARE HE ask such a thing? Brokaw is supposed to be on her side!  But, she was prepared with the numbers, and made her attempt to brush off as a minor “investment package.”

This particular story of Nancy’s corrupt nature is only a part of a bigger feeding trough mentality she has about congress.  Our Nation’s legislature? Nancy’s personal bank account.  Many might recall last years water bill which President Bush vetoed, and was over ridden by a sound vote in the House and the Senate.  What many may not realize, is Nancy Pelosi added  an earmark of $25 million to improve San Francisco port areas, and also restrictions that would put some areas off limits to navigation so cruise ships could dock. Her investor husband gets rental income from buildings in a nearby commercial district.  Those were brushed off as minor as well as noted in the SF Chronicle.

“Minor,” “inconsequential,” investment packages…  A party which supports divisive politics, counting houses, calling for equity, and accuses the Bush administration of corruption, misleading etc., supports the house speaker Nancy Pelosi’s vision of abusing her position for self profit?  Its all out there to see.  Even Brokaw in the video clip above had the good sense to point out that she is “also in the position to influence” the price of oil, to which she immediately pointed out “that is the marketplace.”  Of course it is the marketplace. My bad..  silly Tom Brokaw for even mentioning it.

oh wait…  Doesnt the marketplace often take its cues from actions in congress?  Isn’t her position to hold off voting on drilling telling investors (the marketplace) that they might have to place their futures purchases sooner to guarantee a fixed rate?  They dont want to run out of oil, and when they look at shortages caused by congress’ inaction, they are prepared to pay a higher price to do so.

As for investing in what she believes in? Super! Let her invest in pig poop futures for all I care.  I actually agree that natural gas is a plausible fuel for vehicles and fleets.  It DOES burn cleaner, and is abundent HERE in the US, which is why it was readily made into the choice heating fuel, and also used for generating electricity.  However, she through her investment is actively advocating using TAXPAYER funds as kindling to start the great big bonfire of profits for CLNE.  CLNE has spent Millions to talk Californians out of an additional 5 billion they can hardly afford, (If anyone is paying attention California is ALREADY BROKE) and setting the bar for federal funding of natural gas fleet earmarks.

So, as we move forward towards an energy solution, I have a small recommendation.  Follow Pelosi around with a scooper, and open up the methane processing plant.

One thing to hope to face voters in a bid to GAIN office..  Surely it is another to face the voters in the face of your failures and humiliation in the form of a recall.  Andy Dillon, the guy who presided over the largest tax increase in Michigan history, put the brakes on proper house protocol, and with the smug look on his face..  Bye bye baby?  Thanks to Leon Drolet for the heads up!

Federal U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell issued an injunction that will likely result in Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon facing recall in this November’s election.

Judge Bell ruled that the MI Secretary of State MUST count the 2,053 recall petition signatures that had previously been rejected because the people who collected them were not registered voters in Speaker Dillon’s district. Judge Bell ruled that Michigan’s laws restricting circulators were unconstitutional violations of the First Amendment’s right to free speech.

From Judge Bell’s injunction:

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Terri Lynn Land, as Michigan’s Secretary of State, SHALL re-examine the petitions filed seeking a recall election against Representative Dillon of Michigan’s 17th House District WITHOUT consideration of the M.C.L. § 168.957 requirements that (1) recall petition circulators be registered to vote, and that (2) recall petition circulators be residents of the legislative district of the official to be recalled.

If upon such re-examination Defendant determines that the required 8,724 valid signatures were gathered, then Defendant SHALL place the recall against Representative Dillon on the November 4, 2008, general election ballot.”

Badang!  Just like that Free speech is protected!!!  Whoo Hoo!

Congratulations Rose!

I have written much about Pelosi, her apparent conflict of interest, CO2, and the Socialist agenda of the green Movement.  Make no mistake, I stand firmly by my previous statements, and postings. However….

I do not want people to misinterpret my opinions, and words as that of someone who cares little for environmental conditions, water quality, or clean air.  My particular slant on the way in which we reach the common goal of a high quality of life simply attempts to bypass the strict Oligarchic component which neither solves the issues intended, or brings about any goodwill toward government.  the elite left which currently holds sway in the debate over probable solutions, hardly lives up to it’s own proposed standards, and should not be seen as anything BUT hypocritical on the message and solutions offered.

Al Gore, who uses 40 times the common man’s energy quotient, Speaker Pelosi who refuses to sit with the common man on a fight, from or to her home state have both profited healthily from their pursuits in the “Green” fraud that has been building for the last few decades. News outlets, which are owned by major corporate giants (GE as an example) control in large part can control the dissemination of information and this manner half truths are used to convince the populace to support “green” initiatives, which in turn, profit those corporations.  GE as an example, stands to profit heavily on the push to reduce CO2 emissions, and would suggest “sure why wouldn’t we support with dollars that which we believe?”  Pelosi likewise says to Brokaw, when asked if her investments influence her votes in congress:

“I’m investing in something I believe in.”

Remember folks, they currently CONTROL the opinion climate, and the debate.  She successfully skirts the compelling issue of conflict, and brushes it off as merely putting her money where her mouth is, when in fact it is the other way around. When we STOP questioning where receive the information we use as our guides, we essentially relegate ourselves to the trough of the elite, consuming the scraps they deem we deserve.

To my point on environmental issues, I must insist I am PRO-Conservation. I support recycling, I compost, and try to make efficient trips when driving.  I own property which is, and shall remain as pristine as I found it.  I NEVER litter, I make my shoes last 2 years past their expiration, and only double flush when it is Absolutely necessary.  I agree we need to consider our responsibility to each other, and to the environment in which we reside.  And if we can develop methods and products which help us to those ends we should support them.

But Government is not always the answer, and is all too often controlled by those who wish to beat us over the head with it to achieve their personal power or financial goals.  When government executives with little real environmental knowledge (Michigan - Granholm, Kansas - Sebelius,  etc..) are approached by organizations such as the Center for Climate strategies with hidden agendas to construct environmental policy, its time to put on the hip waders, and plan a stink party.

CO2 a pollutant? I would argue that the air we exhale is HARDLY a pollutant, as those who wish to inject it into the ground for “safe keeping” feel.  However, maybe they consider it so because of the company they keep.

Pelosi was prepared with answers to dance around the issue of her corrupt scheme to keep Oil based FUEL COSTS high for United States Citizens, but as Media Lizzy reports Tom Brokaw has at least broached the subject with even a small follow up.  The very fact this is an issue that CANNOT be kept down, thanks to #Dontgo, and citizen reporting!

Continue to stay tuned as the pressure mounts, and Pelosi faces the reality of her actions!

Two things..  “whine” and “Obama Convention,” both designed to inspire curiosity and perhaps a little comment juice.  The following from Michigan Messenger:

As a nod to union workers, Sen. Barack Obama has chosen a Teamsters union official from Taylor, Michigan, to speak at the National Democratic Convention the night Obama accepts the party’s nomination for president.

The union worker, Roy Gross, is a truck driver who spoke at Obama’s Warren rally in May. There, Gross outlined the troubles he’s facing as a blue collar worker in Michigan.

Folks, TEAMSTERS, despite the high cost of fuel and increasing difficulty trucking companies are having, have NOT let up pressure. As recently as June 9, 2008, Teamsters called for strike action against a company which already was facing financial problems.  As reported by Teamsters release:

The nationwide strike affects 24 terminals and about 1,250 Teamster employees at the PTS companies: Leaseway Motorcar Transport Company, E. and L. Transport Company, Hadley Auto Transport and Transportation Releasing.

We are on strike to enforce our bargaining table demands, said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division.

That was the Teamsters version..  Pretty straight forward and no apologies.  Performance Transportation Services Inc. announced closing a few days later.  If you would like to see the vulture picking of the bones of a company driven out of business by it’s UNION, then click on the link above. The announcement of closing from 5 days later:

In a letter to PTS employees, company president and CEO Jeff Cornish said the bankruptcy court on June 4 authorized a 15 percent wage cut for Teamsters-represented employees for two months.

The company anticipated negotiating a new, long-term contract during that time, but the Teamsters instead went on strike Monday. Both sides met Thursday to discuss PTS’ proposal, which Cornish said included salary cuts for both hourly and salaried workers.

“Unfortunately, for reasons we do not fully understand, the Teamsters concluded that it was not in their interest to accept our offer,” Cornish wrote.

“Management and many of our Teamster members were willing to make the requested sacrifices to save the company, but the leadership of the union had a different agenda,” Cornish added.

Your Job.. Your TRUCKING Job sir.  I can only imagine you will go to the podium at the 2008 Democratic national convention, and as a good little union servant will blame it on Bush policies and the Iraq war.  You will pander to those who seek government control over business, and our personal affairs.  You will decry the high cost of health care, and how the mean corporate world has let down the “common folk.”  But for you, everything will be all right, because it will certainly earn you a spot in Teamster hierarchy.  Into the “ruling class” of trucker representatives, who by eliminating competition even from WITHIN their own ranks, carry a bigger stick in which to beat the tar out of the transportation business.   Your Teamster brethren, however face a new reality.

Fact checking a little further, the freedomist continues the investigation of Pelosi and her investments with CLNE.  “fact check” apparently trying to Debunk the real story, but with it’s own “myths.”  Follow the link above to learn more.

How best do we provide for that which we support? That is really the question which is asked when someone decides to create a “non profit” fund, or organization designed to “help” or “assist” a particular group or cause. Chetly Zarko notes that it might be legal, but then ponders the benefit of the Imagine Fund and rightly suggests it has little to do with real need, but might actually be a part of an agenda promoting “alternate lifestyles” or religion, as well as attempting to circumvent proposal 2.

Read more »

Not drilling for oil - While many of us dont use Crude for heating our homes, the current speculative nature is enhanced by a shortage for that oil, which is being perpetuated by the Speaker not ALLOWING a vote to allow drilling prior to the expiration of the ban.  GAS prices are already higher and now there are alternatives considered to power vehicles.  One company, CLNE (one that conveniently Madame Speaker has interest in) Provides a Natural Gas solution.  Because of CLNE’s interest in Natural Gas, future buys for one of the most used heating fuels will be a little costlier.  Demand = Higher prices.

I cannot stress this enough.  a CLEAR CONFLICT of Interest is in play.  No matter the amount of Pelosi’s investment in CLNE, she should not then have the ability to directly affect fuel costs so as to influence a vote for public financing which will fill her pockets.  This is starting to surface in the traditional outlets, but will it not completely break until AFTER the Proposition vote is made in California?