Monday, October 31, 2011

Maybe Rick Snyder Can Back This Occupy Wall Street Demand Now

Republican Rick Snyder may not have much in common with the Occupy Wall Street protestors but after his fellow Republicans defeated his plan to build a new bridge across the Detroit River he might want to re-think that.

Outside the Occupy Ann Arbor encampment recently there has been a sign that reads, "Get $ Out of Politics." After the piles of cash that were spent by opponents of the proposed bridge, Snyder might agree with that sentiment.

Livingston County residents received multiple mailings asking Republican Sen. Joe Hune to vote against the bridge, and they had to endure countless television commercials, paid for by the owner of the private Ambassador Bridge, as well. Americans for Prosperity even posted fake eviction notices on homes in the vicinity of the proposed new bridge to scare people into opposing it. Backers of the bridge had nothing similar.

Construction of the bridge would have meant jobs for Michigan workers and was backed by businesses as well. Ford Motor Co. has complained that delays at Matty Moroun's privately-owned Ambassador Bridge cost it hundreds of dollars per car. But because Moroun is a billionaire, he will maintain his stranglehold on bridge traffic, at least for now. His money makes the un-elected Moroun more powerful than the governor.

Time to get money out of politics, for sure.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Honor Our Veterans on Friday, Nov. 4

Livingston County Democrats will honor our veterans and raise money for a project helping those serving now with a special program on Friday, Nov 4.

The party will show the film, Our Vietnam Generation, made by nine-time Michigan Emmy winner Keith Famie and featuring veterans from Livingston County as well as elsewhere in Michigan.

The event will be at party headquarters, 10321 Grand River Road, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place office park in Brighton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the movie starts at 7 p.m., and recognition of veterans and light refreshments will follow.

Veterans will be admitted free. Suggested donation for others is $10 for one and $15 for two, with all proceeds benefiting Mikie's Minutes, a program to buy phone calling cards for service members.

This is a great chance to show veterans that we appreciate their service. Call (810) 229-4212 or email livcodems@sbcuc.net for more information.

See you there!