Michigan
updated
6:28 a.m.
On Saturday afternoon inside the Panera Bread on Big Beaver, about 50 people gathered to talk about how to address the problems that face our government and our country with a commonality of purpose. Some of the ground rules of the Coffee Party are: Respect everyone. Even if we disagree, listen to understand. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Check party affiliations at the doo...
Blogging For Michigan - 4:41 a.m. - 3 clicks 
In a conference call meeting tonight, the Board of the Justice Caucus voted to endorse Richard Bernstein for Attorney General. In so doing, the Justice Caucus recognizes Mr. Bernstein's committment to the values of the Caucus, as found in our Mission Statement: Progressive democracy recognizes that all human endeavor, including the exercise of legal power, though continually changing, m...
West Michigan Rising - Sun 9:26 p.m.
Did you know that two of Carl Marlinga's interests are quantum physics and cosmology? You may find those tibits of information, and information about movies he likes and other interests that help shape the mental picture of the man at his Facebook group promoting his candidacy for the state Senate. His campaign is once again sponsoring this site for a few days (until Wednesday), and you can...
Michiganliberal - Sun 8:48 a.m.
New "enhanced" sign at the John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids ICYMI: Check your clocks. It may be later than you think . Virg Bernero lands the big fish with the AFL-CIO endorsement . President Mark Gaffney said that Andy Dillon "is not close enough to us on our issues, our concerns", and that the Speaker's views are more closely aligned with Republicans. Really? Gee, hadn't notic...
Blogging For Michigan - Sun 5:44 a.m. - 7 clicks
Sean McCann (candidate for 60th House), Robert B Jones (candidate for 20th Senate), and other Kalamazoo Democrats march in today's parade The rain held off, just long enough. We were towards the front, along a very short parade route, so I got to double back when we were done and see the rest of the parade, including the Republican contingents - Rep. Larry DeShazor, Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker,...
West Michigan Rising - Sat 3:24 p.m. - 5 clicks
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The Upper Hand - Sat 11:26 a.m.
I think that Mark Gaffney is really on to something here , and something that could really give the Bernero campaign a huge boost coming out of the primary. To wit: a message of bipartisanship is not what people want to hear; people want to hear about things done on their behalf. Bernero has that message; Dillon can't even run on a record of reform. ...
Michiganliberal - Sat 11:01 a.m.
Every Monday, while I'm driving around for work, I hear the voice of the newest addition to the Republican field for the 105th District. It's Greg MacMaster , who not only does the weather for one of the northern Michigan Tee Vee stations (7 & 4), but also for WUPS (98.5). (Personal disclaimer: MacMaster's radio forecasts regularly fill me with a murderous rage, but that&#...
Michiganliberal - Sat 9:48 a.m. - 6 clicks
Tonight on Hardball with Chuck Todd, had Chris VanHollen, and Thaddeus McCotter disucssed health care reform. McCotter admitted that he would campaign on repealing health care reform. Natalie Mosher is running against McCotter. If you'd like to help her campaign, click here . ...
Blogging For Michigan - Sat 7:05 a.m. - 8 clicks
Remember the fantasy movie TRANSFORMERS? Evil monsters, "Decepti-cons", would pretend to be useful machines before revealing their true destructive nature... ...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Sat 5:03 a.m. - 7 clicks
Here is the thing about arrogance. Arrogance as a flaw is a good deal easier to deal with if the person who suffers from it has in some way demonstrated that they are worthy. That is, a person who regularly and routinely delivers high-quality work may affect some small amount of arrogance and get away with it, because ... well, it's a perk of routinely delivering excellence. Then, ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 10:10 p.m. - 2 clicks
It's been a week of embarrassment for Detroit, thanks to two former leaders and convicted felons. But Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry thinks we may be looking at this the wrong way. Hear Audio Story I haven't talked to Detroit Mayor......
Jack Lessenberry - Fri 7:26 p.m. - 8 clicks
From the AP : LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan AFL-CIO on Friday endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero, igniting a battle for union endorsements in the race. The state AFL-CIO represents over 600,000 active and retired members in 59 unions throughout Michigan, including the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Americ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 2:42 p.m. - 10 clicks
Is the Michigan Republican Party and their mouthpiece really that stupid, or are they just hoping that Michigan voters are stupid? They are obviously worried about Democratic Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson , and Republican false smears against Benson are picking up. They put out a press release on Wednesday taking her to task for being endorsed by Democracy for America , the nation...
Blogging For Michigan - Fri 11:54 a.m. - 7 clicks
The climactic moment in the best non-Pixar children's film I've ever seen, The Iron Giant, comes when little Hogarth Hughes teaches his new pal, the Iron Giant, about what it means to be alive. "You are who you choose to be," he says. "You choose." Contrast that with the childish, oft-repeated statement made by the impish former President George W. Bush, "I'm the decider, I decide," and...
The Upper Hand - Fri 9:23 a.m.
Cross-posted at Eclectablog.com It must be tough being an MI-07 Republican these days. After organizing a "CODE RED!!!" protest against Rep. Mark Schauer , they ended up being out-numbered by Schauer supporters at least five-to-one on the day of the event. I think this sign says it all: Michigan OFA Director, Garrett Arwa (left) and friend Much more with lots of photos aft...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Fri 8:05 a.m. - 9 clicks
Republican Kent County Commissioner Art Tanis announced Thursday he will not seek another term. Tanis, from Walker, said he will not seek a fifth term. From the GR Press: WALKER -- Kent County Commissioner Art Tanis announced Thursday he will not seek another term. Tanis, R-Walker, said he will not seek a fifth term. Tanis, 65, said he wants to spend more time with his family, traveling after hi...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 6:30 a.m. - 8 clicks
Get involved: Come out to the rally on March 19th at 4:00 pm on Caulder Plaza. Get informed on facebook (already 24,000 fans!). Read yesterday's Press story . ...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 6:30 a.m.
A Press Release from Dillon: Kent County Sending $43,000 in Taxpayer Dollars to Wayne County Business Commissioner Brandon Dillon's Local Vendor Preference Policy would have kept money in Kent County (Grand Rapids)- At today's Kent County Commission meeting, Commissioner Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) spoke out against a recent decision by the Kent County Purchasing Department to award 2 ...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 5:49 a.m. - 7 clicks
As you all know, I'm working with David LaGrand, so I'd love to see you head out and march with us in Grand Rapids. But whereever you are, help support your local candidates in their first parade of the year. It's fun and shows the strength of a campaign out of the blocks: The parade season starts on Saturday, 13 March at 11:00 am. We hope that you will march with the LaGrand Team. ...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 5:49 a.m. - 7 clicks
Yesterday at Congressman Mark Schauer's office, the pro-health care troops outnumbered the teabaggers by a good 4-1. Here is some video of the event. Even Tim Walberg showed up to voice his support. Tim Walberg shows up to support health care reform. ...
Blogging For Michigan - Fri 5:21 a.m. - 8 clicks
Just adding a bit to the vids bfealk already posted. It was a fun day, for sure. It must be tough being an MI-07 Republican these days. After organizing a "CODE RED!!!" protest against Rep. Mark Schauer , they ended up being out-numbered by Schauer supporters at least five-to-one on the day of the event. I think this sign says it all: Michigan OFA Director, Garrett Arwa (left) and frie...
Blogging For Michigan - Fri 5:21 a.m. - 7 clicks
Rep. Mark Schauer (D, MI-07) Rep. Dale Kildee (D, MI-05) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D, MI-01) have all co-sponsored a bill that would repeal NAFTA . There a total of 28 sponsors of the bill originally introduced by Rep. Gene Taylor (D, MS-04). H.R. 4759 is short and to the point! The bill is introduced: “To provide for the withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement...
Far Left Field - Fri 4:21 a.m. - 9 clicks
In case you need another reason to despise Wal-Mart and/or the 'war on drugs:' In 2008, Casias was the Associate Of The Year at the WalMart store in Battle Creek, despite suffering from sinus cancer and an inoperable brain tumor. At his doctor's recommendation, Casias says he legally uses medical marijuana to ease his pain. Always good to follow a doctor's orders, right? WRO...
Michiganliberal - Fri 1:41 a.m. - 9 clicks
In a March 11 Wall Street Journal editorial, Fox News Contributor Karl Rove falsely claimed that the Senate health care bill has "abortion-funding language," adds to the deficit and contains no immediate benefits. In fact, the Senate bill prohibits federal funding of abortion, contains numerous immediate benefits, and, according to the Congr...
Motor City Liberal - Thu 7:42 p.m. - 2 clicks
By Alex Seitz-Wald Fox News host Glenn Beck has made a trademark of propagating outlandish conspiracy theories and far-right rhetoric , but his employers at Fox have long claimed that his views do not reflect the network’s . On his radio show today, however, Beck revealed that in a private meeting, a Fox vice president endorsed his apocalyptic fear-mongering, telling Beck that “ever...
Motor City Liberal - Thu 7:22 p.m.
By Lee Fang In September, ThinkProgress reported that, despite its public support for health care reform, the insurance industry was engaged in a “duplicitous” campaign to undermine the effort. Recently, the National Journal confirmed our reporting by revealing that six of the top health insurance corporations had secretly pumped up to $20 million dollars into the U.S. Chamber of Commer...
Motor City Liberal - Thu 7:22 p.m.
All West Michigan Democrats should plan to attend and vote at the Michigan Democratic Party's Endorsement Convention on April 17 at Cobo in Detroit. This is a historic convention where, for the first time, we'll endorse our candidates for Attorney General and Secretary of State. The Party and the candidates need to know that West Michigan will make its voice heard and is a force within the...
West Michigan Rising - Thu 2:07 p.m. - 9 clicks
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is proposing starting a State bank of Michigan. Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry believes the idea is at least worth thinking about. Hear Audio Story Virg Bernero, the mayor of Lansing and a leading candidate for the......
Jack Lessenberry - Thu 9:27 a.m. - 5 clicks
Connie Saltonstall's burgeoning campaign to challenge Bart Stupak in the 1st District has already raised $8,500 through Act Blue. She's now also listed to the Act Blue page called Send the Democrats a Message They can Understand . I found out about this by way of rumblings that the national progressive movement is getting behind her candidacy, not just with rhetoric but with cash. ...
Michiganliberal - Thu 8:49 a.m. - 8 clicks
First off, let me say that if I could, I would grab Bart Stupak by the lapels and shake him silly for his obscene obstruction of health insurance reform and his inflicting his religious views on the rest of the country. I find it offensive and enraging and, as a Michigander, he's a tragic embarrassment to me on this issue. Period. That said, unless the Democrats find just the right candidate...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 7:28 a.m. - 7 clicks
Note: This is a repost of yesterday's diary, which almost, but not quite, made it to the Rec list. Given all the buzz over Ministry of Truth's excellent diary going national , I figured that this is the perfect time to give Stupak's primary challenger as much of a shot in the arm as possible. Please rec if you think it worthy; hopefully it'll give Saltonstall as much exposure as possible, tha...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 7:28 a.m. - 8 clicks
At last night's meeting, the KCDP unanimously voted to endorse Jocelyn Benson to be the party's nominee for Secretary of State. The endorsement means that the County Party is encouraging all MDP members who attend the Endorsement Convention on 17 April to vote for Benson. From the Benson campaign: Breaking news out of Kent County tonight as the Kent County Democratic Party has just endorsed o...
West Michigan Rising - Thu 7:02 a.m.
This is excellent news. As you may or may not know, Comercia puts out quarterly economic briefings and predictions, and tracks business activity in the state using a balanced formula of leading economic indicators. Take it away, Mr. Johnson ... Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index rose 4 points in January, to a level of 81. January's reading is the highest Index observation si...
Blogging For Michigan - Thu 7:01 a.m. - 9 clicks
By Lee Fang America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the lobbying juggernaut for the health insurance industry, hosted its annual conference at the Ritz Carlton this week. As a vote on health legislation nears, the industry announced yesterday that it is funding a new round of national ads aimed at killing reform. The insurance industry has attacked every version of health reform thus far...
Motor City Liberal - Wed 8:09 p.m. - 3 clicks
Following the lead of an ESPNOutdoors.com opinion writer, who provided no evidence for his claim that a federal strategy "could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing," right-wing blogs have advanced the outlandish charge that Obama "wants to ban sport fishing." These media outlets cited the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force's inter...
Motor City Liberal - Wed 8:09 p.m. - 2 clicks
By Zaid Jilani One of the greatest hardships facing America’s college students is student debt; the average student in the class of 2008 graduated with $23,000 of debt, “a figure 25 percent higher than what their older brothers and sisters owed when they graduated from college in 2004 .” To tackle this student debt crisis, last year the House of Representatives passed the Student Aid and ...
Motor City Liberal - Wed 6:30 p.m. - 2 clicks
By Alex Seitz-Wald Repeating conservative lies about reconciliation, Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell today that reconciliation for health care reform “procedurally cannot be done.” Claiming it was never used for major legislation without “overwhelming bipartisan support,” Bond predicted the Senate will ultimately not be able to pass the health care bill through the re...
Motor City Liberal - Wed 6:30 p.m. - 2 clicks
By Zaid Jilani On Monday, hate radio host Rush Limbaugh pledged to leave the country and go to Costa Rica if Congress successfully passes and implements its health care legislation. Yesterday, Limbaugh claimed that he never said he’d leave the country. The host explained that what he meant was that he would go to Costa Rica to “ get major medical care ,” meaning he’d travel there exclu...
Motor City Liberal - Wed 6:30 p.m. - 2 clicks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Progressive Activists to Celebrate, Educate in Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI – March 10, 2010 – Progressive activists including United Farmworkers’ President Arturo Rodriguez, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Dean Baker and famed radical activist Bill Ayers will convene in Ann Arbor March 12-14 as part of a conference focused...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Wed 6:29 p.m. - 11 clicks
Last year the state launched Pure Michigan, a national advertising campaign to boost tourism. Now the legislature is debating what to do next. Jack Lessenberry looks at the record. Hear Audio Story One of the few bright spots in the......
Jack Lessenberry - Wed 6:01 p.m. - 11 clicks
Bored today. Road trip. Knew this would need some publicity. The only news coverage I saw offhand was WXYZ from Detroit , so here, for the rest of the state, are some shots from the "Save Our Schools Rally" today at the Capitol. These guys are organized . Led by Tom White (he is the guy at the podium), the S.O.S. group is compromised of various school associations , and today ...
Blogging For Michigan - Wed 4:46 p.m. - 9 clicks
James P. Hoffa in today's News . Tea Party protesters are average Americans who are paying the price for the unrestrained power of corporations. They pay three-quarters of their income for fixed expenses. Those higher costs include taxes -- the cause of much Tea Party anger -- but they include mortgage, health insurance and transportation. ...snip... Protesters blame "big government" ...
Michiganliberal - Wed 3:03 p.m.
Yesterday, there was some exciting news in the world of Bart "Mr. Coathanger" Stupak, as local county commissioner and former schoolteacher Connie Saltonstall announced that she's going to challenge Stupak in the Democratic primary based on his anti-choice/anti-HCR stance: WASHINGTON – Michigan’s Bart Stupak, a Democratic congressman who could help bring down health care reform...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Wed 2:46 p.m. - 10 clicks
Spoon bending , Mike Cox style : LIVONIA, MI—Mike Cox today said Democrats’ plan to get into the banking business, grow an already bloated state government with a massive new spending program and leave families on the hook for the bank’s losses is irresponsible. "It sounds like there's nothing to it, but that's like saying the Sistine Chapel is just paint on plaste...
Michiganliberal - Wed 2:03 p.m. - 8 clicks
From Ye Olde inbox: WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Carl Levin (MI), Ted Kaufman (DE), Sherrod Brown (OH), and Jeanne Shaheen (NH) put forward a new proposal today to help prevent taxpayer bailouts of financial firms by limiting high-risk speculation, also known as proprietary trading. ...snip... “With this bill, we attempt to rein in risky proprieta...
Michiganliberal - Wed 12:40 p.m. - 8 clicks
On the latest Two Joes podcast , Joe DiSano makes a prediction: Someone might challenge Bart Stupak in the primary over Stupak's abortion politics. Most of us, by now, are aware that such a thing happened earlier this week. Well, in DiSano's defense, he made his prediction before that happened. How do I know? I'm on in the first segment of the show, talking a bit about Joe Schwa...
Michiganliberal - Wed 10:45 a.m. - 10 clicks
Let's think this one through first - but if it's the only way it can be done ... A leading House Democrat said today he is pursuing plans for an August ballot proposal to increase funding for schools, which would be tied to spending reforms and cuts the Legislature would approve first. Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, who chairs the House subcommittee on school funding, said a sales tax on ser...
Blogging For Michigan - Wed 10:21 a.m. - 2 clicks
It will come as no surprise to most people that the middle class in Michigan pays the most in federal and state taxes, and the richest 1 percent pays the least. That was conformed by a recent report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy called "Who Pays? A distributional analysis of tax systems in all 50 states." The report says middle income families - those making $15,000 to $32,00...
Blogging For Michigan - Wed 9:06 a.m. - 7 clicks
A bunch of stuff has happened. It's all probably worthy of mention, but not anything I can really muster the energy necessary for individual posts. So, we'll go with this: --Ask and ye shall receive: Bart Stupak has a primary challenger over his role in the health care debate. I like Stupak for a lot of other things he does, but this isn't terribly surprising. On the other ha...
Michiganliberal - Wed 7:24 a.m. - 9 clicks
The jobs of Michigan Secretary of State and Attorney General are vitally important for the state's residents. Yes, the state's residents renew their drivers' licenses and get their license tabs from the secretary of state's office. But the office also makes sure that elections are carried out properly in the state. And that's crucial if a democracy is to live up to its name. And the attorney gen...
Livingston County Democrats - Wed 6:02 a.m. - 10 clicks
The Detroit papers are reporting that Bart Stupak will have a primary challenger. The move is both understandable, but also points to a potential fracturing in west Michigan politics. Connie Saltonstall is a former county commissioner, who ran against Kevin Elsenheimer (MI 105) in 2008. As she expressed her reasons to the Free Press "I believe that he has a right to his per...
West Michigan Rising - Tue 10:03 p.m. - 15 clicks
by Eric Boehlert When news broke last Thursday that a deranged gunman had opened fire outside a Pentagon security checkpoint, wounding two officers before being stopped by return fire (the gunman later died from his wounds), the reaction from some oddly giddy right-wing bloggers was swift . They wanted everyone to pay attention to the story. Why? Because bloggers claimed the...
Motor City Liberal - Tue 6:43 p.m. - 3 clicks
By Alex Seitz-Wald The Census is a popular topic of right-wing conspiracy theories and Fox News host Glenn Beck spent a good portion of radio show today fear-mongering about it. Going through the form, he determined that the government doesn’t have the right to ask any of the questions — except for the first one asking how many people live in your home. He took particular issue with ...
Motor City Liberal - Tue 6:29 p.m. - 3 clicks
By Igor Volsky Insurers have responded to the administration’s campaign against recent rate hikes by blaming increasing health care costs, provider cost increases and adverse selection (healthier Americans are dropping coverage) for their premium increases. To hear them tell it, the insurance industry is a low-profit industry that spends just one cent of every premium dollar on administra...
Motor City Liberal - Tue 6:29 p.m. - 4 clicks
By Victor Zapanta As the outlook on passage of health reform improves, Republicans have shifted to a new obstructionist strategy: attacking the process of reconciliation . Republicans claim that reconciliation was only intended to be used for bills dealing closely with the budget . In fact, when Republicans were in power, GOP lawmakers used reconciliation numerous times to pass major dome...
Motor City Liberal - Tue 6:29 p.m. - 3 clicks
By David Edwards and Daniel Tencer For years, promises to leave the United States in the wake of an undesirable political development have been the domain of liberals. Celebrities such as Alec Baldwin , Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon all at some point suggested they would move to Canada if a Republican won the White House. (There's even a Facebook group around to motivate them, complete w...
Motor City Liberal - Tue 6:29 p.m. - 4 clicks
After highlighting reports last week that the House ethics committee was investigating whether former Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) had sexually harassed a member of his staff, conservative media pivoted to promote Massa's subsequent claim that the Democratic leadership had orchestrated the investigation in order to force him out of office because he opposes health care reform le...
Motor City Liberal - Tue 6:29 p.m. - 3 clicks
I do believe that the Michigan recovery is really starting to take shape. After a few months of holding my breath and waiting for the next blow to land, waiting for some tragedy that would send us spiraling down again - it looks like we have hit the bottom, and the signs are starting to point up. The unemployment rate dropped in January... Michigan's unemployment rate dipped slightly t...
Blogging For Michigan - Tue 3:22 p.m. - 11 clicks
Oh man...I run hot and cold on Virg Bernero, but I really like this idea of a state owned bank in Michigan. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero says Michigan should create a 'state-owned bank' to spur investment in local businesses. North Dakota founded its own 'state-owned bank' in 1919, primarily to assist farmers unable to get loans from commercial banks. Bernero says Michigan businesses are suffe...
Blogging For Michigan - Tue 2:48 p.m. - 12 clicks
I've been forwarded this article probably half a dozen times today already, so I'm not really telling anyone anything new. Still, ought to be here just for the record, I suppose. Detroit -- Attorney General Mike Cox can't turn over his home phone records in connection with a lawsuit brought by the family of a slain exotic dancer because he doesn't remember and ca...
Michiganliberal - Tue 1:24 p.m. - 10 clicks
WASHINGTON - Michigan's Bart Stupak, a Democratic congressman who could help bring down health care reform over an abortion provision, is getting a primary challenge this year. Connie Saltonstall of Charlevoix said today she plans to run against Stupak for the Democratic nomination of Michigan's First Congressional District, citing Stupak's efforts to stop health care reform if it doesn't ban ...
Blogging For Michigan - Tue 1:24 p.m. - 10 clicks
No, but it looks like Bing does. The last thing this country needs is more Bushenomics. We're still trying to recover from the Bush Recession. You just don't solve a problem by doing the same thing twice. (Press Photo/Rex Larsen) from Grand Rapids Press story ....
West Michigan Rising - Tue 12:40 p.m. - 12 clicks
Uh oh. We have a teabag scheduling conflict here. Do you go see George ... George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, will be in Grand Rapids June 2 as the guest speaker at the 23rd annual dinner meeting of The Economic Club of Grand Rapids. Or do you go see Newt ... Former Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich will give a keynote address at the Detro...
Blogging For Michigan - Tue 12:08 p.m. - 12 clicks
A new study on the effects of term finds that they’ve been a disaster for the state. Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry explains… Hear Audio Story There’s plenty of historical evidence that the vast majority of Americans have firmly......
Jack Lessenberry - Tue 10:49 a.m. - 12 clicks
An extensive study by a team of political science faculty at Wayne State University confirmed what many people in Michigan already know: Michigan's term limits for legislators is an abject failure that has led to lobbyists having more influence in Lansing than ever before and Legislators are spending less time monitoring state agencies. The study was led by Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson , p...
Blogging For Michigan - Tue 9:47 a.m. - 13 clicks
Big thanks to the Marlinga for State Senate folks for coming through with another week's sponsorship. Many thanks to them for their continued support. He's got a fairly prominent name, but please feel encouraged to visit their site to learn a little more about his politics and what he'd like to do as a state senator (or follow this link to his candidacy's Facebook page ). It&#...
Michiganliberal - Tue 9:28 a.m. - 5 clicks
That sound you hear coming from the Midland area is everyone at the Mackinac Center letting out a collective scream at the thought of something like this happening. Heh heh. Expect some hastily prepared propaganda as to why a state bank would NEVER work for Michigan - even though many other states across the country are floating the same idea. Modeled after the very successful Bank of North Da...
Blogging For Michigan - Tue 9:28 a.m. - 12 clicks
Research Karl Rove's forthcoming memoir Courage and Consequence purports to respond to critics by "putting the record straight," but Media Matters has found that Rove's book is full of falsehoods. Below is an ongoing list of Rove's misinformation in the book, which Media Matters obtained in advance of its scheduled release. ...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 5:48 p.m. - 3 clicks
By ROBIN HINDERY | SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn said Monday he is gay, ending days of speculation that began after his arrest last week for investigation of driving under the influence. Ashburn, who consistently voted against gay rights measures during his 14 years in the state Legislature, came out in an interview with KERN radio in Bakersfield, the area he repre...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 5:29 p.m. - 4 clicks
By Lee Fang Tomorrow, conservative groups Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Americans for Tax Reform are organizing a rally at the Georgia State Capitol to protest the state’s upcoming budget. The protest, like many recent anti-tax protests, is cloaked in an ideological veneer of fiscal conservatism and limited government. The invitation presents the rally, where Grover Norquist is sp...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 5:29 p.m. - 4 clicks
By Amanda Terkel The Oklahoma legislature is currently locked in a dispute over whether to tackle the state’s divorce rate, the third-highest in the nation . Although some Republicans are pushing the legislation, other conservatives are outraged at the “government intrusion” into their private lives: Republican members proposed three pieces of legislation imposing new regulations on mar...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 4:49 p.m. - 4 clicks
By Igor Volsky In November of 2009, Sarah Palin — who is always suggesting that health care reform will lead to socialism — insisted that Canada needs to reform its health care system to “ let the private sector take over .” But this past Saturday in Calgary, Canada — at “her first Canadian appearance since stepping down as governor of Alaska last summer” — Palin seemed to deviate from...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 4:04 p.m. - 5 clicks
Let's all point and laugh at Mike Bishop. Wait, maybe not. Chances are he will run and hide in the bathroom for the rest of what looks to be his increasingly short time in public office, and people have to get in there and clean, you know. I'm not one to hang around Republican circles of course, but even someone well outside of that scene can start to see that Bishop isn't held in high regard by...
Blogging For Michigan - Mon 3:22 p.m. - 4 clicks
Casandra Ulbrich is running for Mike Bishop's seat in the 12th district, where I live. This is a traditionally Republican seat. However, there are 5 Republicans already in the race and Barack Obama carried the district in 2008, so there is a real chance we could capture this seat for a Democrat. Casandra won statewide election to the Michigan School Board in 2008 and she has a real shot at wi...
Blogging For Michigan - Mon 3:22 p.m. - 16 clicks
Last August, a health care protest rally staged in front of the offices of MI-07 Representative Mark Schauer brought out Jackson County Commissioner Phil Duckham with a swastika sign. You can read more about that in my Huffington Post article . This Thursday, another such rally is scheduled. So the question is: Will Phil Duckham stage a repeat performance? A counter protest due to begin a 3:...
Blogging For Michigan - Mon 3:22 p.m. - 13 clicks
This year's Bay County Democratic Party Chicken Dinner was a great success. The room was full of committed Democrats in Bay County ready to fight for a Democratic victory in 2010! Party members and elected officials were joined by a host of speakers including:U.S. Senator Carl LevinU.S. Senator Debbie StabenowU.S. Congressman Dale KildeeU.S. Congressman Bart StupakState [...] ...
Bay County Dems - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 10 clicks
This year, as required by the Constitution, the federal government will count every resident of the United States. Held once every 10 years, the U.S. Census is critical to determining how much federal money Michigan gets, and how strong our voice will be in the U.S. House of Representatives. For that reason, it is absolutely essential that everyone return their census forms to ensure that everyone...
Bay County Dems - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 9 clicks
Looks like the GOP in the 6th Congressional District want some of the fun that is happening in the 3rd Congressional District in Grand Rapids: From the Kalamazoo Gazette: KALAMAZOO - Jack Hoogendyk, a conservative Republican activist and former state representative from Texas Township, is testing the political waters for a potential August primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph...
West Michigan Rising - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 18 clicks
Organizing for America Strategy Session on the 2010 Elections Time: Saturday, March 13 from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Host: Jennifer Warner Contact Phone: 269.270.9466 Location: Eberhard Center, Rm 215 AB 301 West Fulton Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Join Organizing for America for our 2010 Strategy Briefing in your area. The Strategy Briefings are a chance to talk with OFA staff and other v...
West Michigan Rising - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 13 clicks
From WLNS TV 6 : One local group is speaking out against some of the state's highest paid people. It all centers on legislation over whether to increase state employee salaries. Progress Michigan, a government watchdog organization based in Lansing, says the group business leaders for Michigan is being hypocritical. ... snip .... David Joos, CEO of Consumers Energy, is a member of bus...
The Upper Hand - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 12 clicks
Alright, first, let me just say that one of my pet peeves is the misuse of the word, ironic. So let's just review quickly. It is not, as Alanis Morissette would have us believe, "like rain on your wedding day." That's just bad luck, and probably poor planning. It's also not "a free ride" when one has "already paid." It is, says that great sage, Merriam-Webster: ...
The Upper Hand - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 3 clicks
By Andrew McLemore MSNBC talk show host Rachel Maddow commented for the second time this week on Liz Cheney's already infamous television ad attacking the so-called "Al-Qaeda 7." The ad, produced by Cheney's conservative group Keep America Safe, suggests that lawyers who defend detainees accused of terrorism are lacking American values and specifically accuses seven lawyers hired by the O...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 4 clicks
M.C.L comment: Why isn't this man somebody prison wife? I wonder how many so called blue collar conservatives will agree with Tom DeLay? ...
Motor City Liberal - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 3 clicks
Repeat after me ... the House always wins . The House always wins. The House always wins. Gambling on casinos to boost economy Jobs are hard to come by in Benton Harbor, a recession-ravaged town of 10,800 on the Lake Michigan shoreline. The city has lost more than 15 percent of its population in the last two decades. The local government's budget situation is so bad the state might appoin...
Michiganliberal - Mon 3:05 p.m. - 12 clicks
Last week, Michigan’s leaders were dismayed when the state failed to win any of the federal "Race to the Top" education money. Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry looks at what happened. Hear Audio Story For years, one of my teaching colleagues......
Jack Lessenberry - Mon 3:04 p.m. - 10 clicks
The last thing Michigan's 8th District Republican Rep. Mike Rogers wants this year is a strong Democrat to run against him. After all, Rogers wants to be free to run around the country and help elect other Republicans to Congress, rather than bother having to explain to the citizens of this area why he deserves to be sent back to Congress for another term. But a vigorous Democrat with strong, app...
Livingston County Democrats - Mon 3:04 p.m. - 11 clicks
By Matt Duss Demonstrating again Fox News’ hilariously low standards, this morning Fox News’ Chris Wallace referred to Bill Kristol as an “expert in [the] area” of Iraq’s elections: WALLACE: Bill, you certainly are an expert in this area. The two leading candidates seem to be the current prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, and the original prime minister [Ayad] Allawi. From the U.S. ...
Motor City Liberal - Mar 7 - 3 clicks
By Max Bergmann Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s foreign policy mythology book tour continued on Fox News Sunday this morning. Romney started his interview saying that President Obama had engaged in an “apology tour.” This has been a standard conservative talking point in response to the massive positive shift in global attitudes toward America, as a result of President Obama...
Motor City Liberal - Mar 7 - 4 clicks
By Matt Corley With President Obama endorsing the use of the budget reconciliation process in the Senate to finish health care reform, Republicans have flown into overdrive to discredit the simple majority procedural tool. Use of reconciliation would be “ ripping a piece of the fabric of America off ,” said Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) on Saturday. On CBS News’ Face The Nation today,...
Motor City Liberal - Mar 7 - 5 clicks
Holland Lighthouse, couple of weeks ago. Melt, melt, melt! Some articles of interest for your Sunday reading pleasure. Jobs, budget and the ever-present election season all on the menu... Know what creates jobs? Funding road construction and renewable energy projects such as wind farms . And since there isn't much new construction out there, retrofitting old buildings for energy ef...
Blogging For Michigan - Mar 7 - 12 clicks
It has been just about one year since Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson visited Kalamazoo College, her first stop in Kalamazoo on her indefatigable campaign for the Democratic nomination. I was there, and wrote about it for West Michigan Rising, one of many articles lost when our files disappeared in a server migration. As I recall, we had three students, her aide, 20th Sen...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 6 - 17 clicks
Pretty big week this week. I focus a great deal on global warming this issue, but also on right wing support for domestic terrorism and some local stuff going on. The surge in support to defeat Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas, School Board elections in Texas, the downfall of Governor David Paterson in NY State and the EPA declaring the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn are among the topics I cover. More belo...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Mar 6 - 13 clicks
Scheduled for the next Kent County Democratic Party Meeting, 10 March, 7:00 pm at the Teamsters at 3315 Eastern. Secretary of State Candidate Jocelyn Benson Attorney General Candidate Richard Bernstein and our friend Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Should be an informative meeting. ...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 6 - 14 clicks
New research shows there is a link between being politically active and personal happiness. Brain food: does activism make you happy? , by Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardian , 2 March 2010. ... the study flies in the face of the popular wisdom that happiness resides in creature comforts and relative affluence. Perhaps activism gives people a sense of purpose, or of agency or just a chance to ...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 6
"We have outsourced a substantial portion of our manufacturing operations to countries in Asia…" The far right already has its Tea Party. Now, it's got a Mad Hatter. Because you'd have to be mad, right, to think that what Michigan needs is a corporate CEO. Because those CEOs have done a lot for the country, and for Michigan, right? Wrong. Now it's clear that Rick Snyder is...
The Upper Hand - Mar 5 - 14 clicks
The Gratiot County Golf Course in St. Louis, Michigan has been added to the Superfund National Priorities List. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites in the U.S. The Gratiot County site lies east of the Hidden Oaks Golf Course on Monroe Road. From 1956 to 1970, the nearby Velsicol Chemical burned their hazardous wa...
Black Bear Speaks - Mar 5 - 11 clicks
With Congressman Sander Levin’s surprise elevation to the House Ways and Means Committee chairmanship… our state suddenly has vast clout in Congress. Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry takes a look at what this means… Hear Audio Story One night......
Jack Lessenberry - Mar 5 - 12 clicks
Races are getting more and more clear as we enter March. On the Democratic side for Governor, Dan Kildee has decided not to run asserting that it would cause a split in in both labor and progressive organizations between himself and Virg Bernero. Not wanting to see that, Kildee has stepped aside. All due respect to Alma Wheeler Smith, I don't expect this field to change, we now have a...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 5 - 13 clicks
Because I live less than a half block from the hollow, burned out shell that was once the Thompson Block, I went to the Ypsilanti City Council meeting on Tuesday. I wanted to tell Council that the inaction on the Thompson Block has affected me, my family, and my neighborhood. I wanted Council to know that there are no simple solutions to the problems this fire has caused, and that there are ...
Trusty Getto - Mar 4 - 11 clicks
For the first time in many years, Ford overtook General Motors last month in total monthly sales. Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry has been thinking about how that happened. Hear Audio Story It would be a cliché to say......
Jack Lessenberry - Mar 4 - 13 clicks
Bing Goei has announced he's running for the 75th State House District (eastern Grand Rapids). I'll let my readers comment on the photo images Goei's campaign got out. And so, the Civil War within the Kent County Republican Party expands. It's a battle royal between the Establishment and Teapublicans. Interesting that no Teapublican has entered the 29th State Senate race....
West Michigan Rising - Mar 4 - 12 clicks
In another ill-kept secret, Steven Heacock entered the race for the Third Congressional Seat. In an era of petulant Republicanism (see Mike Bishop, Jim Bunning), Heacock comes across as something of an adult. Whatever else he is, Heacock is definitely a downtown man -- or perhaps we should say a Pill Hill Man. Oh, let's just say it: he's Establishment. This candidacy natu...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 3 - 2 clicks
If you want to know the meaning of hypocrisy, take a minute to observe those much-touted millionaire CEOs from Michigan aka Business Leaders for Michigan in action. With their usual flair for faulty, bended statistics and green eyeshade vision, Business Leaders for Michigan wrote state lawmakers urging them to take back a 3% raise slated for state employees who have been hammered already with b...
The Upper Hand - Mar 3 - 12 clicks
John Garcia, ACLU of Michigan communications intern Long before I knew Kerouac, Bukowski, or Nabokov, I knew Dr. Seuss. “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” were staples during my childhood. The fact that I attended a Lutheran Parochial school and Dr. Seuss just happened to be Lutheran only gave me more opportunities to get better acquainted with his s...
ACLU of Michigan - Mar 3 - 9 clicks
It looks like the Republican assault on the unemployed will temporarily stop . But Jim Bunning’s hypocrisy is stunning; from a Feb. 14, 2003 press release on his website after passing a temporary extension for unemployment benefits: “The 108th Congress is off to a solid start, this is hopeful news for our most needy families in Kentucky. By approving this legislation we will help those folks ...
Far Left Field - Mar 2
John Dingell has been working for health care reform longer than just about anybody else in America. Despite all the setbacks of the last year, he is still out there fighting. That was obvious on Saturday (February 27, 2010) at the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee meeting in Livonia. Congressman Dingell brought people to their feet with a stirring call for reforming a system that...
Livingston County Democrats - Mar 1 - 12 clicks
Dick Durbin challenges Republican myths of tort reform with gasp facts. Just the facts, plain and simple. This clip is definitely worth watching. And you know what? He's spot-on correct. ...
Trusty Getto - Feb 28
Livingston County Democrats' executive committee has become the latest county party to endorse Jocelyn Benson for the party's nomination for Secretary of State in 2010. Benson has been cross-crossing the state for a year, telling voters why she is the best person to protect their right to vote and the fairness of elections in the crucial office of Secretary of State. Benson, a full time assist...
Livingston County Democrats - Feb 28
Last week, Richard Weigel, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Quality for Ypsilanti Public Schools , was offered the Superintendent job at Niles Public Schools in Niles, MI . Although I'm happy for Richard, his departure marks a sad day for Ypsilanti. Richard was one of the most dedicated, motivated and talented school administrators I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Although h...
Trusty Getto - Feb 27 - 14 clicks
I don't drive a Toyota, but I'm still worried about the company's vehicles. No, I certainly don't feel sorry for the company, which is living off an out-dated reputation for having better vehicles than the domestic manufacturers. But I worry about what will happen to me -- and other people on the road -- if one of it's vehicles accelerates uncontrollably. Although news accounts of deaths have foc...
Livingston County Democrats - Feb 27 - 2 clicks
