It's not bad enough that Republicans in Hamburg Township are still fighting among themselves over the township clerk position.
Now our brand new, still wet-behind-the-ears state representative wants to take the fight to the Michigan Legislature.
Rep. Bill Rogers has introduced a measure that would ban someone from running as a write-in candidate after losing a primary for the same position.
That's exactly what Hamburg Township Clerk JoAnna Hardesty did in November after she lost the GOP primary to Matt Skiba. She came in third, behind Skiba and Democrat Debby Buckland, who would have been a better clerk than the two Republicans put together.
Rogers claims that running as a write-in after losing a primary subverts the will of the people.
This is a totally unnecessary law. Voters are quite capable of asserting their own will in an election, which is exactly what they did in the Hamburg case. They said no to Hardesty.
This measure is really about making the will of the Livingston County Republican Party supreme in Livingston County.
Someone might lose the GOP primary because they are more moderate than the right-wing Republicans can put up with. This measure would prevent him or her from challenging the Republican-annointed candidate. Such a candidate should have the option of offering themselves as a candidate to people who don't vote in GOP primaries. Apparently, Rogers is worried that such a scenario would split the Republican vote and allow a Democrat to win. Horrors!
This measure is anti-democratic (with a small "d") and an attempted Republican power-grab.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Remember King, Help United Way on Sunday
President-elect Barack Obama has asked his supporters to observe a day of service prior to his inauguration so local Obama supporters will be aiming to help out local United Way organizations.
The Blue Tiger Committee of the Livingston County Democratic Party will hold a potluck on Sunday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King's birthday.
The potluck will be 4 p.m. at party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place office park, east of Brighton. Attendees should bring a dish to share, their beverage, and an item from the United Way organizations' wish list (see below).
A film of King's famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech will be shown as well as a short film starring James Earl Jones called Martin Luther King, Jr. – Legacy of a Dream.
In keeping with President-elect Obama’s request for Monday (January 19) to be a community service day across the country, we will deliver the items donated at Sunday's potluck to the United Way on Monday.
For more information, please call the office at (810) 229-4212.
Wish List for United Way Organizations
Ream of 8 1/2 “ x 11” paper, white or colors
Box of pens or pencils
Card or cover stock
Notebook binders
Board games
Coloring books
Crayons
Coffee
Coffee Creamer
Sweeteners/Sugar for coffee
Pop
Juice boxes
Snacks
Laminating sheets
Paper products (cups, plates, napkins, etc.)
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Baby dolls
Small baby diapers
Colored Pipe Cleaners
Jump Ropes
Hula Hoops
Toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex
Cleaning supplies
Postage stamps
Greeting Cards
Toys
Envelopes
Address labels
Books for children and teens
Music CD’s & Movie DVD’s (PG-13 and below)
Manilla folders
Post-it Notes
Telephone message pads
Yellow letter & legal pads
Staples
Tape
Baby supplies
Baby food
Prenatal vitamins
Non-perishable food
Personal care items (shampoo, etc.)
Extension cords
Paper clips
Movie passes
Gift cards for grocery stores, gasoline, Target, Costco, Meijer, Home Depot, Lowes, local restaurants
The Blue Tiger Committee of the Livingston County Democratic Party will hold a potluck on Sunday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King's birthday.
The potluck will be 4 p.m. at party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place office park, east of Brighton. Attendees should bring a dish to share, their beverage, and an item from the United Way organizations' wish list (see below).
A film of King's famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech will be shown as well as a short film starring James Earl Jones called Martin Luther King, Jr. – Legacy of a Dream.
In keeping with President-elect Obama’s request for Monday (January 19) to be a community service day across the country, we will deliver the items donated at Sunday's potluck to the United Way on Monday.
For more information, please call the office at (810) 229-4212.
Wish List for United Way Organizations
Ream of 8 1/2 “ x 11” paper, white or colors
Box of pens or pencils
Card or cover stock
Notebook binders
Board games
Coloring books
Crayons
Coffee
Coffee Creamer
Sweeteners/Sugar for coffee
Pop
Juice boxes
Snacks
Laminating sheets
Paper products (cups, plates, napkins, etc.)
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Baby dolls
Small baby diapers
Colored Pipe Cleaners
Jump Ropes
Hula Hoops
Toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex
Cleaning supplies
Postage stamps
Greeting Cards
Toys
Envelopes
Address labels
Books for children and teens
Music CD’s & Movie DVD’s (PG-13 and below)
Manilla folders
Post-it Notes
Telephone message pads
Yellow letter & legal pads
Staples
Tape
Baby supplies
Baby food
Prenatal vitamins
Non-perishable food
Personal care items (shampoo, etc.)
Extension cords
Paper clips
Movie passes
Gift cards for grocery stores, gasoline, Target, Costco, Meijer, Home Depot, Lowes, local restaurants
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Why Don't They Make Cars People Will Buy?
One of the most grating things about the public debate over the auto industry loan has been the frequent repetition of the notion that Michigan-based automakers don't make cars that people want to buy.
Even Phil Power, who usually is quite well-informed, resorted to the notion in a column in the Livingston Press and Argus for Thursday (January 8, 2009).
So it did my heart good to see the sales figures recently released by all the automakers. Toyota and Honda had bigger monthly sales declines than did Ford and GM.
So why don't they make cars that people want to buy?
Even Phil Power, who usually is quite well-informed, resorted to the notion in a column in the Livingston Press and Argus for Thursday (January 8, 2009).
So it did my heart good to see the sales figures recently released by all the automakers. Toyota and Honda had bigger monthly sales declines than did Ford and GM.
So why don't they make cars that people want to buy?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Party, Party, Party Over Obama Inauguration
It's time to celebrate the peaceful transfer of power from one president to anot....
Out with the old, in with the ...
End of an error, er, era ...
Oh heck, It's time to party!
Come celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration on Friday, July 16, with Livingston County Democrats and all Obama supporters at the VFW/American Legion Spirit Center, 10590 Grand River Road, east of Brighton. The party will start at 7 p.m. and run until 11 p.m.
Donations of $25 per person in advance, or $30 at the door, are requested for the event. The party includes a buffet of hot and cold appetizers, desserts, a cash bar, dancing to the music of Crystal Clear DJ of Howell, and a special video of presentation of campaign highlights.
Call 810-229-4212 or email livcodems@sbcuc.net for more information. Mail checks made out to Livingston County Democrats, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton, MI 48116.
You don't have to go to Washington to celebrate. You can do it right here at home!
Out with the old, in with the ...
End of an error, er, era ...
Oh heck, It's time to party!
Come celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration on Friday, July 16, with Livingston County Democrats and all Obama supporters at the VFW/American Legion Spirit Center, 10590 Grand River Road, east of Brighton. The party will start at 7 p.m. and run until 11 p.m.
Donations of $25 per person in advance, or $30 at the door, are requested for the event. The party includes a buffet of hot and cold appetizers, desserts, a cash bar, dancing to the music of Crystal Clear DJ of Howell, and a special video of presentation of campaign highlights.
Call 810-229-4212 or email livcodems@sbcuc.net for more information. Mail checks made out to Livingston County Democrats, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton, MI 48116.
You don't have to go to Washington to celebrate. You can do it right here at home!
Republicans Finally Find Business Tax Break to Hate
Michigan Republicans, whose party never met a business tax break they didn't like, have finally found one to hate -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm's tax break for the film industry.
Never mind that film companies have been flooding the state ever since the measure became law. Even Livingston County businesses have seen the benefits, with filming going on here for the movie "High School."
But since this tax break was a Democratic idea and maybe because Hollywood has many well-known liberal stars, Michigan Republicans are doing their best to kill the tax.
Nancy Cassis is leading the charge, claiming this tax break is too generous -- a claim I've never heard from any Republican before about a business tax break.
But timing is everything.
On Monday (January 5, 2009), the Livingston Press and Argus featured a story on her complaints about the Granholm tax break.
On Wednesday (January 7, 2009), the Detroit Free Press featured a story on plans for a $100 million film studio in Allen Park that would employ 3,500 people.
Could someone please call Cassis for comment?
Never mind that film companies have been flooding the state ever since the measure became law. Even Livingston County businesses have seen the benefits, with filming going on here for the movie "High School."
But since this tax break was a Democratic idea and maybe because Hollywood has many well-known liberal stars, Michigan Republicans are doing their best to kill the tax.
Nancy Cassis is leading the charge, claiming this tax break is too generous -- a claim I've never heard from any Republican before about a business tax break.
But timing is everything.
On Monday (January 5, 2009), the Livingston Press and Argus featured a story on her complaints about the Granholm tax break.
On Wednesday (January 7, 2009), the Detroit Free Press featured a story on plans for a $100 million film studio in Allen Park that would employ 3,500 people.
Could someone please call Cassis for comment?
Wizardkitten Says It Better
Seems like the folks over at Blogging for Michigan are a little sick of all the speculating about Gov. Jennifer Granholm's future, too.
Check out wizardkitten's blog on yet another possible post for Granholm.
Well done!
Check out wizardkitten's blog on yet another possible post for Granholm.
Well done!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Commerce Opening May Revive Granholm Rumors
Some news reporters report news. Some report speculation. Some fuel speculation.
Tim Skubick falls into the later category. The Lansing news veteran has covered the Michigan Capitol since before the electric typewriter was invented. Politicians come and go. Other reporters come and go. Issues come and go. But one thing stays -- Tim Skubick's speculation machine.
A favorite Skubick ploy for creating speculation is to ask virtually every two-bit politician who comes to Lansing, "Are you running for governor?" Nearly every one says he or she is thinking about it because what politician above the level of county commissioner (and some at that level, too) hasn't thought about it.
Presto! Skubick has a "story" without having to do any real work.
An even better story machine this year has been speculation on whether Gov. Jennifer Granholm will take a job in the Obama administration, enabling Skubick to speculate, speculate, speculate about her chances.
When all the jobs in the cabinet were filled, there was still a judgeship to speculate about, as he did recently in the Lansing State Journal.
While speculating endlessly, Skubick blames Granholm for making him do it. He argues that she should just say yes she's interested in a job or no she isn't, as if that would really end his speculating. If she says she would be interested, then Skubick could speculate on why she was passed over for this or that job (whether or not she really was) or which job she might be interested in. If she says no, then Skubick can speculate whether she really was interested and was spurned by Obama.
Speculation never ends because it is based on nothing but thin air.
So now that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has bowed out of heading the Department of Commerce, expect the Skubick speculation machine to start up again.
But that's just speculation on my part.
Tim Skubick falls into the later category. The Lansing news veteran has covered the Michigan Capitol since before the electric typewriter was invented. Politicians come and go. Other reporters come and go. Issues come and go. But one thing stays -- Tim Skubick's speculation machine.
A favorite Skubick ploy for creating speculation is to ask virtually every two-bit politician who comes to Lansing, "Are you running for governor?" Nearly every one says he or she is thinking about it because what politician above the level of county commissioner (and some at that level, too) hasn't thought about it.
Presto! Skubick has a "story" without having to do any real work.
An even better story machine this year has been speculation on whether Gov. Jennifer Granholm will take a job in the Obama administration, enabling Skubick to speculate, speculate, speculate about her chances.
When all the jobs in the cabinet were filled, there was still a judgeship to speculate about, as he did recently in the Lansing State Journal.
While speculating endlessly, Skubick blames Granholm for making him do it. He argues that she should just say yes she's interested in a job or no she isn't, as if that would really end his speculating. If she says she would be interested, then Skubick could speculate on why she was passed over for this or that job (whether or not she really was) or which job she might be interested in. If she says no, then Skubick can speculate whether she really was interested and was spurned by Obama.
Speculation never ends because it is based on nothing but thin air.
So now that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has bowed out of heading the Department of Commerce, expect the Skubick speculation machine to start up again.
But that's just speculation on my part.
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