Friday, May 07, 2010

Can Michigan afford generous tax exemptions for retirees?

Can Michigan afford generous tax exemptions for retirees?
"As Michigan grapples with yet another budget deficit, some say it’s time to eliminate generous tax exemptions for retirees."

Watch out you democrat geezer retirees!
You may well be voting for democrats to increase your taxes to pay for state employee pay and benefit increases.
Bummer dumbocrats.

Confidence Improves, But Trust Hurts Obama

Confidence Improves, But Trust Hurts Obama - Hotline On Call
"Only 39% of voters said they would vote to re-elect Pres."

Good news but can we survive three more years?

Flying with the Dragon Lady

Op-Ed Contributor - Flying with the Dragon Lady - NYTimes.com
"I flew the U-2 during the 1990s, and I received this news as if I had learned that an old friend was dying.
It may seem odd to grieve for a machine.
But the U-2 is no ordinary vehicle.
Some in my world call flying the plane a religion, others a calling.
For me it was a gift."

Interesting farewell from a lady U2 pilot.

(HT Itazuke)

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Obama/Media vs. Arizona/America

American Thinker: Obama/Media vs. Arizona/America
"I can only conclude that Obama willfully and knowingly distorted/lied about the plight of Hispanic-Americans in Arizona and the state's immigration law when he said, '...but now suddenly if you don't have your papers, and you took your kid out to get ice cream, you're gonna be harassed, ...'

Obama's statement simply is not true."

When our president is such a blatant liar, we all suffer.

Steve Gunn: Columnist realizes his dream: his own hate club | - MLive.com

Steve Gunn: Columnist realizes his dream: his own hate club
"Wow.
This is cool.
My own hate club.
It’s every columnist’s dream."

You haven't arrived until the leftist hate rises up!

Though their hate usually doesn't take much more than any disagreement with anyone over anything.

You go Gunn!

Whitewater II

Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion: Whitewater II
"Jake reports, I repeat:

Though his agency was charged with coordinating the federal response to the major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Department of the Interior chief of staff Tom Strickland was in the Grand Canyon with his wife last week participating in activities that included white-water rafting, ABC News has learned."

Democrat Obey to leave House after 4 decades

Democrat Obey to leave House after 4 decades - Washington Times
"Mr. Obey was first elected in a special election in 1969 at age 30.
He is the third most senior member of the House, behind only Reps. John D. Dingell, who came to Congress in 1955, and John Conyers Jr., who arrived in 1965. Both are Michigan Democrats."

America is about to become a better country!

Al Sharpton: We Won’t Have True Social Justice Until Everything Is ‘Equal in Everybody’s House’

Al Sharpton: We Won’t Have True Social Justice Until Everything Is ‘Equal in Everybody’s House’

Norton Shores OKs firefighter layoffs; city officials may seek millage | - MLive.com

Norton Shores OKs firefighter layoffs; city officials may seek millage
"'We've cut enough,' said Councilman Don Martines.
'We need to raise revenue.
The citizens are getting quite a bargain.'"

Not even a mention of the union contracts and their automatic pay increases.
Not a mention of the retirement benefits and costs.

You can't fix a problem if you refuse to acknowledge the cause of the problem.

Public meeting with Scandia wind farm developers set for Thursday night in Mason County

Public meeting with Scandia wind farm developers set for Thursday night in Mason County
"Scandia wants county boards' acceptance of seeing turbines from shore before starting three years of economic and environmental studies to determine if the $4 billion offshore wind plan is viable."

Attend this meeting and demand they tell you where they will be getting the money to build these studies and the wind farm. (your tax dollars)

And demand they tell us what will happen to electricity rates when they are built. (they'll skyrocket)

And ask yourself if there will be ANY companies left in Michigan when we are the highest energy cost state in the country.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Newspaper Death Act

Newspaper Death Act [Mackinac Center]
"There is no shortage of bad ideas coming out of Lansing. Senate Bill 1285 introduced by Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton, would require customers to pay a deposit on each newspaper they purchase equal to one-half the retail price of the newspaper.
The proposed law would operate much like Michigan's bottle deposit law.
Newspapers would be required to be returned to a redemption center, with each publisher in the state required to operate at least one such center."

Another ridiculous RINO with an astoundingly idiotic bill for Michigan.

Oust this goon in August!

U.S. exempted BP rig from impact study

U.S. exempted BP rig from impact study - Washington Post
"The Interior Department exempted BP's calamitous Gulf of Mexico drilling operation from a detailed environmental impact analysis last year, according to government documents, after three reviews of the area concluded that a massive oil spill was unlikely."

How's that hopey changey thing goin' for ya now?

Muskegon County panel deciding on procedure to fill drain commissioner vacancy

Muskegon County panel deciding on procedure to fill drain commissioner vacancy
"Also by state law, the committee consists of Mullally, county Prosecutor Tony Tague and county Clerk Nancy A. Waters. All are elected officials.
Tague and Waters are Democrats; Mullally’s office is nonpartisan.

Whoever they choose will serve only until the county’s voters choose someone Nov. 2 to serve the remaining two years of Hepler’s four-year term.

That’s unless, of course, the panel’s pick runs and wins the election.

And that possibility could make the interim selection politically important. Incumbents typically have the best chance of winning local elections, so if the committee picks one of the election candidates as interim drain commissioner, it could be a valuable political gift.

The timing is interesting.

The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run for the two-year office is 4 p.m. Tuesday. The three-person committee isn’t expected to make its interim selection before then: Mullally said Monday’s meeting is only to decide on the process, such as spelling out a job-application procedure and timetable.

That means the panel will have a choice of already-declared election candidates to pick from — or, if they decide not to influence the election, they could pick someone else to hold the office for just six months or so."

Or the real choice will be that Waters/Tague will make a secret deal with a democrat who will run.
Let's hope they don't do what democrats always do and pick another unqualified union thug.

The Michigan Summit-Van Jones

INFORMATION : The Michigan Summit

People power from the ground up. Social justice. Human rights. Clean energy jobs. Urban cities.
Where do they all intersect?

In East Lansing on Saturday, June 12 when former White House advisor Van Jones takes center stage as our keynote speaker at Progress Michigan's Michigan Summit:

....As a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, Van Jones is continuing his fight to show that the economic and ecological crises facing our nation can be solved together.
We need more jobs for our families, our neighbors, our friends, and ourselves.
But they can't be just any jobs.

We need jobs that can support families without sacrificing the health and future of our environment.
Here in Michigan, where we stand on the cusp of a clean energy jobs revolution, Jones' message is vital to remaking our economy so we all share in the prosperity, not just the privileged few.

America-hater and confirmed communist, Van Jones is back!
And the guy who is too radical even for BarryO is gonna be in Michigan soon.

Where are the protesters?

click for more info on this "leader of the left:

http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2009/08/obama-green-jobs-czar-van-jones-and-his.html

(HT PaulaV)

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

SHOCKER: Source: Terrorist Faisal Shahzad Was Anti-Bush, Anti-War. “Wow!

Instapundit » Blog Archive

SHOCKER: Source: Terrorist Faisal Shahzad Was Anti-Bush, Anti-War.
“Wow!

It’s a wonder the guy wasn’t co-anchoring at MSNBC.

Maybe he didn’t have the right skin color for that gig?

They pretty much have a white only policy over there, as I recall.”
Indeed.

Times Square Bombing Suspect Formally Charged; Confesses To Receiving Explosives Training

Times Square Bombing Suspect Formally Charged; Confesses To Receiving Explosives Training - wcbstv.com
"Sources told CBS 2 on Tuesday morning that Shahzad should have been on the United States 'No Fly' terror watch list, and that because he wasn't, he was able to board the plane.
Deputy FBI director John Pistole later said, however, that he was in fact placed on the No Fly list Monday, except it was done hours before he was arrested."

Is anyone wondering, and worrying, about how our government is "profiling" the mass murderers among us?

Tea party tax protestors seem to be on the front burner.

Cash paying Pakistani visitors seem to be getting a pass.

I guess this is "change" Obama style.

Bummer for us...and the entire world.

Resident questions Muskegon County board's policy on public comment

Resident questions Muskegon County board's policy on public comment
The public’s ability to provide input before Muskegon County commissioners make their final votes on issues is being called into question by a member of a group trying to become a local government watchdog."

Government Workers Ride Into a Golden Sunset on the Backs of Taxpayers | Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Government Workers Ride Into a Golden Sunset on the Backs of Taxpayers Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
"For those who work in the private sector, the dream of enjoying a comfortable retirement has become just that -- a dream.

The impact of the recession continues to be brutal, especially on older workers.

“More than seven-in-ten (72 percent) workers over the age of 60 who said they are putting off their retirement are doing so because they can’t afford to retire,” according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.

In California, with unemployment and under employment totaling over 21 percent – only Michigan with its decaying auto industry is worse off – older people being forced to work longer may regard themselves as lucky just to have a job.

This is not a concern for those who enjoy the job security of working for California government.

The highest paid public workers in all 50 states -- some of whom are able to retire as many 15 years earlier than the private sector average with pensions nearing full time-pay -- continue to be shielded from the impact of our dismal economy by their sponsors in the state Legislature."

Charters May Be Forced Into Public School Retirement System

Charters May Be Forced Into Public School Retirement System
"About 4,000 charter school teachers could be forced into the state's public school retirement system.

That's one item Michigan lawmakers are considering as they negotiate incentives to encourage more teachers to retire."

The bogus "it's for the children" ain't gonna fly here.

This is a flat out disgusting union grab pushed by their slobbering democrat political enablers.

It's anti-child, anti-teacher and anti-taxpayer.

And it's emblematic of what Michigan is today and will be for the foreseeable future.

(HT Cal)

letter to the county commission chairman

To commissioner Mahoney.


Copy to all other commissioners, Ted Williams, County clerk Waters

Dear commissioner Mahoney,

Last week I asked you to clarify your interpretation of the rules governing public participation at county meetings.

As I have yet to hear from you, I will ask again.

The rules as posted on the county web site are clear:

"1. On an agenda item, by providing a completed “Public Participation” form to the
secretary, chair or committee member, and being recognized by the chair during
discussion of the time;"

Your recently approved rules specifically mention "agenda item", "public participation form" and "during discussion of the time" an agenda item is being discussed.

It is clear to me that your rules encourage public comment during discussion and before a vote is taken on an agenda item.

The form is less clear but explicitly states that it is the "Public Participation" form:

My questions are simple:

1. Are citizens allowed to address the full board or committees during discussion of specific agenda items before a vote is taken?

2. If the answer is "yes", what do we citizens have do to get the approval to speak from the chairman of the county board?

3. If the answer is "no", please explain.

Thank you very much,

China May ‘Crash’ in Next 9 to 12 Months, Faber Says

China May ‘Crash’ in Next 9 to 12 Months, Faber Says (Update3) - Bloomberg.co
"Investor Marc Faber said China’s economy will slow and possibly “crash” within a year as declines in stock and commodity prices signal the nation’s property bubble is set to burst."

Candidates have until May 11 to file for Muskegon County drain commissioner's post

Candidates have until May 11 to file for Muskegon County drain commissioner's post
"Candidates for the suddenly vacant post of Muskegon County drain commissioner, a countywide partisan elective office, have until 4 p.m. May 11 to file declarations of candidacy with the Muskegon County clerk’s office."

David Fisher is absolutely the most qualified to fill the job.

I hope that democrats Waters and Tague do the right thing for Muskegon and appoint Dave Fisher right now!
It might be a first.
It might be the begining of better times for Muskegon.

Republicans Sound Alarm on Administration Plan to Seize 401(k)s

Republicans Sound Alarm on Administration Plan to Seize 401(k)s
"In February, the White House released its “Annual Report on the Middle Class” containing new regulations favored by Big Labor including a bailout of critically underfunded union pension plans through “retirement security” options.
The radical solution most favored by Big Labor is the seizure of private 401(k) plans for government disbursement -- which lets them off the hook for their collapsing retirement scheme.
And, of course, the Obama administration is eager to accommodate their buddies."

This government is at war with its citizens.

When will we wake up?

CBS Features NY Mayor Bloomberg Speculating Bomber Was Mad About ObamaCare

CBS Features NY Mayor Bloomberg Speculating Bomber Was Mad About ObamaCare
"With Katie Couric drawing him out, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed the Times Square car bombing was likely “homegrown” as he proceeded, in an interview excerpt run on Monday's CBS Evening News, to speculate it could have been placed by “somebody with a political agenda who doesn't like the health care bill or something. It could be anything.”"

Monday, May 03, 2010

Drain commissioner race will get HOT!

Now that county drain commissioner Hepler has been "fired" by democrat prosecutor Tony Tague, the May 11 primary filing date is all important.

The two democrats (clerk Waters & prosecutor Tague) and the probate judge will appoint a replacement who most likely have to run in November. Or maybe a later date.

The two democrats have the majority so the appointee most likely will be another Marty Hulka style democrat hack or an Hepleresque felon-in-waiting.

The primary could change that.

And maybe the direction of Muskegon county.

We'll see!

20 most stressed, least stressed counties

20 most stressed, least stressed counties
"Here are the 20 most economically stressed counties with populations of at least 25,000 and their March 2010 Stress scores"

I'm very conflicted about this report.

On one hand, Muskegon county is not on the list.
That's good, I think.

On the other hand, there are three Michigan counties on the list.

There are at least 3 Michigan counties economically WORSE than Muskegon?!!!!!!

How really, really bad it must be out there.

And Gov. Jenny is on another list to be appointed to a lifetime position on the Supreme Court?

Muskegon County prosecutor rules Drain Commissioner Jeffrey Hepler ousted at conviction

Muskegon County prosecutor rules Drain Commissioner Jeffrey Hepler ousted at conviction
"However, according to research by the prosecutor’s office following the conviction, no resignation or removal is necessary.
For certain officeholders — basically, elected countywide department heads such as drain commissioners — the job ceases upon conviction of a felony, according to the prosecutor’s opinion."

Very interesting as the state has explicit rules governing the removal of county officials.

I wonder if the union controlled Muskegon democrats have another unqualified, felon-in-waiting to be appointed to this most important position.

Muskegon didn't get to be "muskegon" by chance.

We elected leaders who got us where we are.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Power Line - Don't leave it to Cleaver, part 12

Power Line - Don't leave it to Cleaver, part 12
"Yesterday we received an email message from McClatchy News DC investigative editor James Asher promoting a current McClatchy story.
Of all the news outlets that covered the fabricated March 20 story of Reps. Carson, Cleaver, Clyburn and Lewis regarding the racial abuse to which they (Carson and Lewis, anyway) were subjected by Tea Party/Obamacare protesters on Capitol Hill, McClatchy's 'Tea party protesters scream 'nigger' at black congressmen' may have been the worst."

Top 10 dumbest things said about the Arizona immigration law

Top 10 dumbest things said about the Arizona immigration law Washington Examiner

Memo to Deficit Commission: Spending is the Problem