Michigan Republicans turn their noses up at everything Gov. Jennifer Granholm does to lure new industries to the state.
But people outside Michigan are taking notice.
Check out the Huffington Post article on the state's growing alternative energy sector.
In a nutshell:
"Manufacturing strongholds hardest hit by job losses years ago began laying the groundwork to land green jobs and may now be poised for the biggest gains, depending on federal economic stimulus funding."
It's the future.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
In Case You Didn't Know Whose Side They Were On...
Just in case you haven't been paying attention and weren't really sure which political party is on the side of the averaging working person, consider this.
When America's automakers needed a loan to stay out of bankruptcy, Republicans insisted that any measure loaning them money include a provision mandating pay cuts for union workers. The provision would have cut workers' pay to the same rate as the foreign auto companies pay their non-union workers.
That never happened, of course, because George Bush finally came out of his coma and decided to make the loan from the $350 billion set aside for aiding the nation's banks.
The banks, of course, did not have to agree to do anything in exchange for their federal money, not even agree to actually make loans with the money, let alone cut anybody's pay.
So of course, they took the completely logical step of giving themselves big bonuses. Demonstrating yet another way in which he is smarter than George Bush, President Obama said that's not happening on my watch and is set to impose a $500,000salary cap for workers at companies that take funds from the federal government in future bank bailouts.
So how did the Republicans react -- the same Republicans who wanted to cut autoworkers' pay to $14 an hour?
Well, they said it was un-American for government to tell business how much to pay their workers.
Yeah, I know. But here's part of the piece from Huffington Post:
"Because of their excesses, very bad things begin to happen, like the United States government telling a company what it can pay its employees. That's not a good thing in America," Kyl told the Huffington Post.
"What executives have done is troubling, but it's equally troubling to have government telling shareholders how much they can pay the executives," said Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL).
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) said that he is "one of the chief defenders of Obama on the Republican side" for the president's efforts to reach across the aisle. But, said Inhofe, "as I was listening to him make those statements I thought, is this still America? Do we really tell people how to run [a business], and who to pay and how much to pay?"
That makes it pretty clear. Republicans want one standard for working people and another for their buddies the bankers.
When America's automakers needed a loan to stay out of bankruptcy, Republicans insisted that any measure loaning them money include a provision mandating pay cuts for union workers. The provision would have cut workers' pay to the same rate as the foreign auto companies pay their non-union workers.
That never happened, of course, because George Bush finally came out of his coma and decided to make the loan from the $350 billion set aside for aiding the nation's banks.
The banks, of course, did not have to agree to do anything in exchange for their federal money, not even agree to actually make loans with the money, let alone cut anybody's pay.
So of course, they took the completely logical step of giving themselves big bonuses. Demonstrating yet another way in which he is smarter than George Bush, President Obama said that's not happening on my watch and is set to impose a $500,000salary cap for workers at companies that take funds from the federal government in future bank bailouts.
So how did the Republicans react -- the same Republicans who wanted to cut autoworkers' pay to $14 an hour?
Well, they said it was un-American for government to tell business how much to pay their workers.
Yeah, I know. But here's part of the piece from Huffington Post:
"Because of their excesses, very bad things begin to happen, like the United States government telling a company what it can pay its employees. That's not a good thing in America," Kyl told the Huffington Post.
"What executives have done is troubling, but it's equally troubling to have government telling shareholders how much they can pay the executives," said Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL).
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) said that he is "one of the chief defenders of Obama on the Republican side" for the president's efforts to reach across the aisle. But, said Inhofe, "as I was listening to him make those statements I thought, is this still America? Do we really tell people how to run [a business], and who to pay and how much to pay?"
That makes it pretty clear. Republicans want one standard for working people and another for their buddies the bankers.
Local Dems Convention This Saturday
If you are an official member of the Livingston County Democratic Party, make time on Saturday (February 7. 2009) to attend our county convention.
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with registration, with business beginning at 10 a.m.
The agenda includes electing delegates to committees for the state convention, as well as considering resolutions to be recommended for the full state convention.
The convention is at party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place Office Park, Brighton.
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with registration, with business beginning at 10 a.m.
The agenda includes electing delegates to committees for the state convention, as well as considering resolutions to be recommended for the full state convention.
The convention is at party headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600 of the Fonda Place Office Park, Brighton.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hey, He's Got Job Security!
Rep. Mike Rogers has a guaranteed job for the next two years, a great pension, gold-plated health insurance and a recent pay raise. Apparently, he thinks that everyone else only needs a tax cut.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
So Now Loving Your Children Is 'Wicked'?
In what kind of a world is showing love and compassion to your own children "playing with fire" or "inviting them into wickedness"?
In the world of Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church, that's where.
The pastor of the church, Richard Alberta, got to spew his hateful nonsense to the broader public on Wednesday (February 4, 2009), courtesy of the Livingston Press and Argus.
The newspaper ran a piece about the plans of Beth and Bob Duman of Oceola Township to start a chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The article quotes Beth Duman as saying the couple needed to take the step because "Livingston County is not a safe place for people who are different in lots of different ways."
As if to prove that point, the newspaper then let Alberta preach to the whole county.
A couple highlights:
"It is abominable, according to the word of God. They're literally playing with fire."
"They're actually inviting people into wickedness, and on Judgment Day, they will see such terrible error."
Alberta tells his flock they should try to make their kids change their "sexual orientation." Exactly how that is to be done, I'm not sure. Sort of like making their eyes un-blue, I guess.
Nothing like showing unconditional love for your children, is there?
In the world of Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church, that's where.
The pastor of the church, Richard Alberta, got to spew his hateful nonsense to the broader public on Wednesday (February 4, 2009), courtesy of the Livingston Press and Argus.
The newspaper ran a piece about the plans of Beth and Bob Duman of Oceola Township to start a chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The article quotes Beth Duman as saying the couple needed to take the step because "Livingston County is not a safe place for people who are different in lots of different ways."
As if to prove that point, the newspaper then let Alberta preach to the whole county.
A couple highlights:
"It is abominable, according to the word of God. They're literally playing with fire."
"They're actually inviting people into wickedness, and on Judgment Day, they will see such terrible error."
Alberta tells his flock they should try to make their kids change their "sexual orientation." Exactly how that is to be done, I'm not sure. Sort of like making their eyes un-blue, I guess.
Nothing like showing unconditional love for your children, is there?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Granholm's Focus Is Spot-on for These Times
It was the right speech for the times.
Rather than a "something for everybody" kind of speech, Gov. Jennifer Granholm's State of the State message on Tuesday (Feb. 3, 2009) was focused on what the state needs most -- initiatives to create more jobs, improve education and job training, and protect Michigan families.
Just meat and potatoes, no dessert.
The governor's tone was perfect, promising government will take care of essential business only, sacrifice the few non-essential services that are left, and still try to move the state forward by continuing to diversify its economy. And continuing to defend the state's core industry -- auto manufacturing.
Many of the details already had been leaked, including one of the film studio projects, ending state funding for the state fairs, a freeze on college tuition, and consolidating state departments.
Still, some things surprised me -- the total of 55,000 jobs created since August.
Why haven't I read that in the mainstream media anywhere?
Rather than a "something for everybody" kind of speech, Gov. Jennifer Granholm's State of the State message on Tuesday (Feb. 3, 2009) was focused on what the state needs most -- initiatives to create more jobs, improve education and job training, and protect Michigan families.
Just meat and potatoes, no dessert.
The governor's tone was perfect, promising government will take care of essential business only, sacrifice the few non-essential services that are left, and still try to move the state forward by continuing to diversify its economy. And continuing to defend the state's core industry -- auto manufacturing.
Many of the details already had been leaked, including one of the film studio projects, ending state funding for the state fairs, a freeze on college tuition, and consolidating state departments.
Still, some things surprised me -- the total of 55,000 jobs created since August.
Why haven't I read that in the mainstream media anywhere?
GOP and Michigan Movies -- One Industry They Love to Hate
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's movie industry initiative has got Michigan Republicans in a pickle.
They want to stomp all over the idea and its benefits, but when they do they end up looking like hypocrites.
Take the Livingston County board of commissioners.
A film company has asked for permission to use the Livingston County historic courthouse grounds for up to eight hours to film a portion of a movie. According to a piece in the Livingston Press and Argus, the movie is titled "Betty Anne Waters" and features Hilary Swank.
Commissioner Donald Parker complained that the county should have been paid for the use of the grounds, as Howell public schools were when the film "High School" was shot on their high school campus.
Gee, I thought Republicans wanted to bring business to the state, to diversify the state's economy away from automobile production. I thought Republicans wanted to keep costs down for business, not add unnecessary barriers or obstacles.
Now here's a business that wants to produce something in Michigan and all Republicans can think of is driving up their costs, yanking back the welcome mat the Granholm has put out.
Conclusion: If it's a Democratic idea, they're automatically against it.
They want to stomp all over the idea and its benefits, but when they do they end up looking like hypocrites.
Take the Livingston County board of commissioners.
A film company has asked for permission to use the Livingston County historic courthouse grounds for up to eight hours to film a portion of a movie. According to a piece in the Livingston Press and Argus, the movie is titled "Betty Anne Waters" and features Hilary Swank.
Commissioner Donald Parker complained that the county should have been paid for the use of the grounds, as Howell public schools were when the film "High School" was shot on their high school campus.
Gee, I thought Republicans wanted to bring business to the state, to diversify the state's economy away from automobile production. I thought Republicans wanted to keep costs down for business, not add unnecessary barriers or obstacles.
Now here's a business that wants to produce something in Michigan and all Republicans can think of is driving up their costs, yanking back the welcome mat the Granholm has put out.
Conclusion: If it's a Democratic idea, they're automatically against it.
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