Census Lies

With the 2010 census just around the corner, the federal government is ramping up its propaganda campaign to get people to fill it out.

One ad on a local radio station paints a grim scenario. A town has a couple traffic lights. A bunch of people move in. But they don't fill out the census! Pretty soon, traffic is gridlocked everywhere, but because people didn't fill out the census, the government doesn't know to put up more traffic lights. Oh, no!

How dumb do they think we are? Putting up a traffic light is a decision a local government makes based on studies of traffic volumes. (Measured by those black strips you sometimes see strung across the road.) The census has nothing to do with it. The idea that nobody would notice gridlock without the census is insulting. Do traffic lights only get put up in years divisible by ten?

If filling out the census is so important, can the government come up with a reason that isn't a lie?

After Biby

County Commissioner Grady Biby died a couple weeks ago. The county commission has the option of either holding a special election or appointing a replacement. With less than a year left in his term and the county strapped for cash, the commission has chosen to appoint a replacement.

Six file to replace Biby on Kalamazoo County Board: Commissioners expected to make appointment next week

Six candidates have applied for the position.

John Cross Sr., a retired Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s deputy.
Erin Hoogendyk, a Texas Township trustee and the wife of Jack Hoogendyk, a former state representative.
Timothy Rogowski, a banker.
Ronald Commissaris, a former Texas Township supervisor.
Thomas Batten, owner of a business called Prodesse Tutoring and a Democrat running for the 61st District state House seat.
Elrico Hurley, a former member of the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education.

Erin Hoogendyk is a strong conservative like her husband. Both are members of the local Republican party. Tim Rogowski is a moderate Republican who is involved in the local party. Commissaris was Texas Township Supervisor until he was defeated in the Republican primary in 2008 by Dave Healy. He is a moderate who endorsed tax increases and was never active in the party. Batten is a 30-year-old democrat of unclear beliefs running for the 61st district nomination. This blog is unfamiliar with Cross and Hurley.

Who will the commission appoint? It currently has a 9-7 democrat majority. At least some of the democrat commssioners have endorsed the idea of appointing a Republican since Biby was a Republican. Of course, any democrat appointed to the seat would be all but certain to lose in November since Texas Township is the most Republican part of the county. On the other hand, the democrats may appoint a moderate Republican to give him a boost in the primary and hope to keep the seat from a conservative like Erin Hoogendyk. That would suggest appointing Rogowski or Commissaris.

There will likely be a primary no matter who the bourd appoints, as Erin is likely to run either way.

POLITICAL UPDATE--Immigration

This update focuses on immigration. Elites continue to promote amnesty, though it appears unlikely to pass soon.

Allen Wall: Evangelicals, The NAE And Immigration
Edwin Rubenstien: National Data: Ron Unz Vanishes Hispanic Criminality…Not!
Steve Sailer: Without An Immigration Moratorium, How Long Can The GOP Hold Texas?
Bay Buchanan: Immigration Enforcement: A Populist Program to Create Jobs
Washington Watcher: Why The Gutierrez Amnesty Bill Is So Bad—And Why It Might Pass Anyway
James Edwards: Obama's Homeland Security Hobbles Local Immigration Enforcement

For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.

Gazette Supports the Arena

It's no surprise that the Gazette has endorsed the downtown arena proposal.

Editorial: Why we support an event center in Kalamazoo

— Second, the numbers make sense for a variety of reasons. While we dislike the notion of increased taxation of any kind right now, the idea to add a small tax on restaurant food and beverages is a good one. A $10 meal would be taxed 10 cents. Plus, it spreads minuscule cost across a larger group than just residents here; many visitors, tourists and other out-of-towners would be paying the tax, too.

What a joke. The Gazette hardly ever met a tax increase it didn't like. It supported the jail proposal, the juvenile home, the KRESA tax, the Croyden school, the Croyden school again, the transportation tax, the bus tax, the Caravan tax, and now the arena tax. When is the last time that the Gazette has opposed a countywide tax? This blog can't think of one.

Not After Ehlers

While some expected a large field of candidates to run for the 3rd congressional district seat following the retirement of Rep. Vern Ehlers, it hasn't worked out that way. So far, Terri Land, Dick Posthumus, Ken Sikkema, Mark Jansen, Brian Calley, and Jerry Zandstra have all said no.

Only Rep. Justin Amash, who announced the day before Ehlers officially retired, is currently running. The most conspicuous possibility who has not announced his intentions yet is Senator Bill Hardiman. A couple state reps are also still possibilities.

POLITICAL UPDATE--Education

This update focuses on education.

John Stossel: Education: Too Important for a Government Monopoly
Michael Smith: HOME-SCHOOLING: Socialization not a problem
Education Reporter: University of Minnesota Plans to Re-Educate Teachers
Samuel Blumenfeld: Multiculturalism: Cultural Insanity Run Amok
Samuel Blumenfeld: How Conservatives Can Use “Education Reform” as a Campaign Issue
Phyllis Schlafly: Why Kids Don't Do Well in School
William Hoar: Ballooning Education Bill
Jack Kenny: Effort Continues to Oust "Safe Schools Czar"

Learn more about education issues in Education Reporter.

Who Supports the Arena?

The Gazette today contains some useful information. It reports how the votes are lining up on the proposed arena tax.

Kalamazoo County Commissioners choosing sides on arena vote
Kalamazoo-area colleges look for ways event center could help them
Arena proposal heads to county next week: County board must act by May 25 to put taxes before voters in August

Interestingly, there is no clear partisan divide.

For the arena are democrats Alford, Barnard, Buskirk and Republicans Zull, Ansari, and Buckholz. Leaning for is democrat Urban.

Against the arena are democrats Taylor, Quinn, and John Nieuwenhuis, and Republican Ann Nieuwenhuis. Leaning against are democrat Johnson and Republican Maturen.

Undecided are democrat Thompson and Republicans Heppler and Balkema.

Zull and Ansari are generally seen as two of the most conservative members of the board. It looks like they need to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with local taxpayers.

Fired for Training with Pellet Guns

We likely haven't heard the last of Christine Boone's case.

Training center chief says pellet gun class for the blind was permitted

Local News

News around Kalamazoo.

Training center chief says pellet gun class for the blind was permitted
Kalamazoo County Commissioners choosing sides on arena vote
Kalamazoo-area colleges look for ways event center could help them
New stem cell procedure helps Hastings woman regain use of leg, beat peripheral arterial disease (adult stem cells, of course)
Search team formed to find WMU medical school dean
Larry Tolbert, of Kalamazoo, chosen to chair WMU board
Everything must go: WMU considers relocating Archives
WSA presidential election begins
County wants bus system
WMU Board of Trustees is expected to approve personnel changes
Arena proposal heads to county next week: County board must act by May 25 to put taxes before voters in August
Figures sought for running expanded jail: County officials want specifics before moving ahead

Taylor and the Arena

County Commissioner John Taylor has another ad. This one touts an endorsement from fellow commissioner and Portage democrat Michael Quinn, who also opposes the arena plan.

The county commission currently has nine democrats and seven Republicans following the death of moderate Republican Grady Biby of Texas Township. With two democrats publicly opposing the arena plan, it would need at least one Republican vote to pass. The commission is expected to vote on the plan fairly soon. If passed, the proposition would appear on the August ballot.

Dave Pawloski is a Bad Person

Democrats use spat with conservative company for fundraising

Kalamazoo County Democrat Party Chair: A Real Classy Guy!

I passed your invitation onto our leadership and they collectively agreed to tell you to take your invitation fold it five ways and stick it where the moon don’t shine! PS: Your website violates campaign finance laws. Tell that to the derilict jack hoogydick and his cronies who are funding your rinky dink operation.
David C. Pawloski, Chair
Kalamazoo County Democratic Party
dpawloski@kzoodems.com
269-744-6774

For Immediate Release 2/5/10

Clarification of comments
David Pawloski calls on Gazette to correct the record. Neither I nor anyone in our organization believes the Balkema family or Best Way disposal are fascists. I hope there is no misunderstanding on that. If there is, please let me clarify myself. What I said is that there are elements of the Tea Party, who are supported by the Best Way ads, which agree with Glen Beck that the President hates white people, believe in Gov’t run Death Panels and President Obama is not a US citizen. Those people are the ones I was talking about. I challenge anyone to attend the rally this weekend and see the hatred being spread and the businesses profiting from it.

Dave Pawloski
dpawloski@kzoodems.com

----------------

Glenn Beck has never said that Obama is not a citizen. He has repeatedly said the opposite. But maybe 'Glen Beck' is a completely different person from Glenn Beck.

There was no 'hate' at the Reagan birthday party. There was love. Love for God, freedom, and the ideals that Reagan stood for.

P. S. Pawloski obviously went to public schools.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

State of Downtown Kalamazoo address to focus on arena proposal; Follow live tweets
Plans for downtown arena move forward
Drive Safe Kalamazoo Senator announces candidacy
Property tax bills to drop across Southwest Michigan this year
Kalamazoo city officials focus on streamlining services, lowering costs
City must adjust to lower revenue, Kalamazoo City Commissioners say
Private fund could protect taxpayers if proposed arena loses money, supporters say
Van Buren County commissioner Tom Erdmann to seek 80th District state House seat
Forum explains how to appeal property tax assessments including expert presentations
Pete Hoekstra, Vern Ehlers moving on leaves West Michigan's road to Congress wide open

POLITICAL UPDATE--Sovereignty

This update focuses on sovereignty.

William Jasper: "Tobin Tax" and UN Global Taxman Making A Comeback
William Jasper: Global ObamaCare and World Population Control
Alex Newman: UN-Backed Troops Wreak Havoc in Africa
William Jasper: Socialist International in Copenhagen: "Birth of Global Governance"
Alex Newman: Lisbon Treaty Builds EU Super-state
Jerome Corsi: Insider reveals secrets of North America plot
Alex Newman: Global Police Seek More Power

United Nations: Eagle Forum: United Nations
North American Union: Eagle Forum Stop SPP
Trans-Texas Corridor: Corridor Watch

Forced to Join a Union

Whose Business Is It Anyway?

Democrats for Property Rights

Credit where credit is due.

State lawmakers work on bills to limit property seizures by police

Stockman on Money

David Stockman represented southwest Michigan in Congress (1976-81) and was current Congressman Fred Upton's boss as director of the Office of Management and Budget. In this article, he examines monetary policy.

How Politics Caused Fiscal Disaster

After Ehlers

UPDATE: Land and Zandstra have announced that they will not run.

There are many potential candidates for the 3rd Congressional district following Vern Ehlers' retirement.

Long list of candidates likely to try to replace Vern Ehlers in Congress

A few thoughts.

The only declared candidate right now is Rep. Justin Amash. He seems to be trying to position himself as the most conservative candidate in the race. With endorsements from the three most conservative members of the state house (Agema, Genetski, McMillin), he's off to a good start.

Many have speculated that term-limited Senator Bill Hardiman will run. If he does, expect that he will receive lots of support from national Republicans who know little about him.

Some have speculated that Terri Land might run. It would really stab Mike Bouchard in the back if she did.

The Yob faction of the state party will likely run a candidate. They are supporting candidates in all the other major state races (Snyder, Scheute, Scott, Riemersma). That candidate may be Jerry Zandstra, unless they think someone else is more credible.

There are plenty of other possibilities, but what will set them apart from the crowd?

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

May 2010 Candidate Filings
Newcomers file for school boards as many incumbents step aside: Tuesday was the filing deadline for the May 4 election
Two Republicans vie to replace Tonya Schuitmaker: No Democrats have filed yet for 80th District seat
More sidewalks coming to West Main Street in Oshtemo Township
City of Portage to allow appeals of property assessments via letter
Portage Public Schools may ask voters to renew millage in May
Western Michigan University forges new agreement for aviation program with Kellogg Community College
Oshtemo considers park improvements: Changes suggested to master plan up for vote Tuesday
Immigration reform sought by bilingual crowd at Kalamazoo rally
Kalamazoo County board chair favors appointment to fill vacancy
Arena district could boost west side of downtown, supporters say: KVCC president draws comparison to successful Arcadia Creek redevelopment
Democrats use spat with conservative company for fundraising
WMU to build on-campus apartments: Work to start in April on more than 800 beds planned in two phases
Kalamazoo County commissioner Grady Biby, 69, dies from cancer
From parking lot to public housing
Stop the press: Gazette printing press closure impacts local publications

Ehlers to Retire?

Via CQ Politics:

Ehlers Expected to Announce Retirement Wednesday

Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Mich.) will make an announcement about his "future plans" Wednesday morning, and he is expected to say that he will not seek re-election. Michigan TV station WWMT Newschannel 3 as well as Hotline's On Call blog, citing anonymous sources, are reporting that Ehlers will announce that he is retiring.

The 76-year-old Congressman released a statement Tuesday saying he will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. ET in Grand Rapids to address "speculation about his plans to continue serving West Michigan."

Ehlers statement was followed an announcement from first-term state Rep. Justin Amash (R) that he will run for the seat.

The district, which lies in West-Central Michigan and takes in Grand Rapids, the state's second most populous city, is likely to stay in GOP hands whether or not Ehlers runs for a ninth term. The district's residents were evenly split in the 2008 presidential election -- giving 49 percent each to President Barack Obama (D) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) -- but the district went by a double digit margin for President George W. Bush (R) in 2000 and 2004.

Ehlers has been comfortably re-elected since winning a 1993 special election.

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Safe Republican.

---------------------

See Republican Michigander's 3rd district profile here: Congressional District 3 (Updated)

The 3rd district is full of Republican elected officials, so there could be a highly contested primary. RM lists some possible candidates: "Justin Amash and Bill Hardiman are mentioned, but I'd watch for former Lt Governor Dick Posthumus, Jerry Zandstra, one of the Glenn Steils, Ken Sikkema, Mark Jansen, Brian Calley, Gary Newell, Kevin Green, and Tom Pearce to make a run, along with a possible countywide officer from Kent County."

An Ehlers retirement this year is good news, as this is expected to be a good Republican year and with the state senate district containing Grand Rapids open, some of the more credible democrat candidates may run for that instead.

Also good news is that Ehlers' replacement is almost certain to be an improvement for conservatives. Ehlers is a moderate who has a sorry 69% lifetime ACU rating, worst of Michigan Republicans.

Upton on Invasion

A local 'church' held a rally for immigration criminals on Sunday.

Immigration reform sought by bilingual crowd at Kalamazoo rally

While this sort of thing is nothing new, the following comments by an aide to Congressman Fred Upton.

Ed Sackley, a district representative for U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, attended the event and said afterward reform means different things to different people. But, he said, Upton has long been behind major proposals that are consistent with the type of reform sought by the Michigan Organizing Project and Reform Immigration for America.

Uh-oh.

Sackley said an idea such as a “guest-worker” program, where immigrants would be allowed to work for different farmers during different growing seasons is an example of the reform that Upton favors.

Because it's not like any American citizens are looking for work right now.

“Fred is in favor of securing our borders, but he does not support deportation,” Sackley said.

So Fred's policy is to lock the doors to prevent a break-in, but if someone does break in, he should never have to leave? Is that Fred's policy for his own house?

Always remember: Illegal Immigrants are Criminals

That Snyder Ad

Moderate Republican Rick Snyder ran an ad touting himself as 'one tough nerd'. He touts his 10 point plan.

This blog analyzed that 'plan' here: Rick Snyder's Ten Platitudes

Previous:
The Truth Comes Out
Mackinac Conference 2009

POLITICAL UPDATE--News from Abroad

This update focuses on news from abroad.

Roger Devlin: Why Global Democratic Revolution (And Mass Immigration) Won’t Work
Donald Collins: Democrat Prefers Another Leader's Common Sense To Obama’s SOTU Address
Nathan Blevins: The Call of Ellan Vannin
Sean Gabb: It’s Happening There: Britain’s Emerging Police State
Steve Sailer: Why Haiti Is So Hopeless; And A Very Modest Proposal
Pat Buchanan: Why Are They at War With Us?
Paul Green: Three Cheers for the Swiss
Don Devine: Getting Afghanistan Right

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Why are liberals so condescending?

An article in the Washington Post asks

Why are liberals so condescending?

The article describes several types of condescension, but never gets around to answering the question. At least part of the reason is that liberalism is a mental condition rather than political philosophy. In particular, liberals are obsessed with a vision of themselves as morally superior to everyone else due to the inherent virtue of their policy positions. This allows them to feel good condescending to others. If they were forced to seriously consider objections to their notions, it would introduce doubt about their superiority, shattering their self-worth.

Hayek v. Keynes

Democrats Attack Local Business, Try to Put People Out of Work

Incredible. Dave Pawloski, the 'Chair' of the local democrat party is attacking a local business and trying to put local citizens out of work just to pursue a petty political vendetta. Here is their announcement on their website.

President Obama under Attack!

President Obama under Attack!
Submitted by supadavephan on February 4, 2010 - 11:09am.
in
featured

Recently the Kalamazoo Gazette published a full page advertisement paid for by Best Way Disposal, denouncing a woman’s right to choose and supporting the Tea Baggers. You can help us fight back today with your donation of $50, $25 or $10. Best Way Disposal, owned by the ultra-conservative Balkema family, has published a number of these ads recently including opposing the Kalamazoo anti-discrimination ordinance last year. As the long-time progressive voice in our community the KCDP decided to act! We’ve been holding the line on issues that are important to our members and now we need your help. Best Way Disposal and the Balkema family have countless dollars to spend denouncing our principals and attacking our President. You can help us fight back today with your donation of $50, $25 or $10. Don’t let the Tea Baggers go unchallenged! Please consider donating to the KCDP today!

...

David C. Pawloski, Chair
Kalamazoo County Democratic Party

dpawloski@kzoodems.com
Paid for by the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party
PO Box 2466, Kalamazoo, MI 49003.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Let's break this down.

President Obama under Attack!

[Attack? A newspaper ad means he's under attack? Does the ad even mention Obama?]

Recently the Kalamazoo Gazette published a full page advertisement paid for by Best Way Disposal, denouncing a woman’s right to choose and supporting the Tea Baggers.

[Does Pawloski believe that using sexual slurs to describe political opponents is appropriate?]

You can help us fight back today with your donation of $50, $25 or $10. Best Way Disposal, owned by the ultra-conservative Balkema family, has published a number of these ads recently including opposing the Kalamazoo anti-discrimination ordinance last year. As the long-time progressive voice in our community the KCDP decided to act!

[We've almost exhausted our stockpile of exclamation points!]

We’ve been holding the line on issues that are important to our members and now we need your help. Best Way Disposal and the Balkema family have countless dollars to spend

[More than Jon Stryker has spent? How about you pledge to stop taking his money?]

denouncing our principals and attacking our President.

[Best Way has denounced school principals? Or did he mean principles? Dumbass.

Pawloski previously displayed his ignorance of geography.]

You can help us fight back today with your donation of $50, $25 or $10. Don’t let the Tea Baggers go unchallenged! Please consider donating to the KCDP today!

[If only there some elected democrats in Washington instead of the crushing majority of Tea Party members!]

The Gazette reports on the story.
Democrats considering boycott of waste hauler

Democrats considering boycott of waste hauler
By Kathy Jessup Kalamazoo Gazette
February 04, 2010, 8:12AM

KALAMAZOO — Earlier this week, the chairman of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party called for a boycott of a Kalamazoo business for sponsoring a pro-life advertising campaign and supporting local Tea Party activities.

On Wednesday, he backed away slightly from the position, saying such a decision would be up to the board of the local Democratic Party.

“The board is considering a boycott and they’ll take a position later this month,” David Pawloski told the Kalamazoo Gazette on Wednesday. “I guess maybe I was premature in calling for a boycott now.”

A press release that Pawloski issued Tuesday said, in part, that the “Kalamazoo County Democratic Party is calling for a boycott” of Best Way Disposal. John Balkema and Michael Balkema are the officers listed for the privately held company in a corporate filing with the state of Michigan.

Jay Woodhams, Best Way marketing director, said the waste-hauling company has experienced “an outpouring of support” since word of the boycott surfaced earlier this week.

“People are calling, e-mailing, sending letters and some are even signing up for service,” Woodhams said. “Some people are saying thank you for sticking up for conservative values. We’ve even heard from some who say they don’t agree with our positions, but they say we have a free-speech right.”

The latest in Best Way Disposal’s public pronouncements came Jan. 22 in a full-page ad in the Gazette on the 37th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Roe v. Wade abortion case. The company called for another look at the issue, based on new scientific findings on when life begins. The ad also included a promotion for an event Saturday to mark the birthday of former President Ronald Reagan.

Pawloski said Best Way Disposal should “keep its nose out of politics.” He claimed that company employees are being “pressured” to adopt the company’s “totally fascist” positions, including its support of the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots. Pawloski said he could offer no proof of the allegation, however.

Woodhams called Pawloski’s assertions “ridiculous.”

“The ownership has been very adamant about not involving employees,” Woodhams said. “Absolutely, there are employees of the company that don’t agree with these positions and I’m certain there’s been no retribution internally.”

Best Way has been in business here since 1991 and does residential, commercial and industrial disposal, recycling and provides landscaping materials and portable restrooms in Kalamazoo County and areas along the lakeshore, Woodhams said.

Let's take a closer look.

Pawloski said Best Way Disposal should “keep its nose out of politics.”

Would Pawloski demand that all the corporations that fund liberals keep their noses out of politics? Liberal groups from ACORN to feminists to racial pressure groups to environmentalists to open borders activists are funded by big corporations.

He claimed that company employees are being “pressured” to adopt the company’s “totally fascist” positions, including its support of the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots.

This is slander. Fascism has always been an ideology of the left. Mussolini was a Marxist. The Nazis were socialists. The New Deal was modeled after fascist economic policies. While Pawlowski calls himself a progressive, the early 20th century progressives were pro-fascist. See the book Liberal Fascism for more information.

Pawlowski said he could offer no proof of the allegation, however.

Of course not.

While the disastrous policies of Jennifer Granholm and Barack Obama have destroyed millions of jobs, at least they could claim that they didn't mean to. But Dave Pawloski is actually advocating hurting a local business and putting local citizens out of work. Does Pawloski want all businesses owned by conservatives to fail? Does he want all Republicans to lose their jobs? Remember this the next time democrats pretend to care about jobs and middle-class voters.

Despicable.

Democrats Lie About Margaret

The local democrat party has a statement lying about Margaret O'Brien. Let's take a closer look.
Reaction to Margaret O’Brien Announcement

Reaction to Margaret O’Brien Announcement
Submitted by webmaster on January 29, 2010 - 1:27pm.
in
61ST DISTRICT
This morning’s announcement by Portage Councilmember Margaret O’Brien that she will seek election to the 61st district of the Michigan State House comes as no surprise. The Republican Party, their Wall Street backers and Mrs. O’Brien have consistently engaged in wedge politics, capsizing real debate on important issues, and unfortunately we expect this trend to continue in 2010. The KCDP and local Democratic candidates understand that the nonsense politics of the Republican Party and Mrs. O’Brien aim only the degenerate the debate to divisive issues such as abortion and guns. The fact of the matter is the citizens of the 61st deserve honest candidates who will focus on important issues like job creation and government reform. The KCDP is committed to both economic and government reform, and we believe that our message of middle-class values will resonate with the voters in 2010.

Let's break this down line by line.

The Republican Party, their Wall Street backers

[The Kalamazoo County Republican Party has NO Wall Street backers. The Kalamazoo County democrat party is more-or-less owned by Jon Stryker, a billionaire who inherited his wealth. If we're talking about national parties, who did Wall Street give more to, Obama or McCain? Here are a couple columns shredding this nonsense.

CAN'T WE AT LEAST GET A TOASTER?
GORDON GEKKO IS A DEMOCRAT]

and Mrs. O’Brien have consistently engaged in wedge politics,

[Examples? This is a lie. O'Brien has worked well with the other Portage Council members. Her best-known issue was eliminating special road assessments in Portage, a position that was eventually endorsed by a majority of Portage voters.]

capsizing real debate on important issues,

[Capsizing? Debate is a boat?]

and unfortunately we expect this trend to continue in 2010. The KCDP and local Democratic candidates understand that the nonsense politics of the Republican Party and Mrs. O’Brien aim only the [sic] degenerate the debate to divisive issues such as abortion and guns.

[Evidence? Why exactly are opposing baby-killing and opposing stopping people from protecting their lives against murderers divisive? Because democrats support these things! Calling an issue divisive is just a way of avoiding defending an indefensible position.

I particularly like the "divisive" argument. Apparently, English is divisive. And not even the normal amount of divisive, but slightly divisive! In this argument, it doesn't matter how popular an issue is, as long as one person opposes it. Then it's "divisive, " which means that it must be opposed, regardless of merit. Somehow, I doubt that the Gazette has ever opposed anything that they otherwise supported because it might be "divisive." Was the civil rights movement divisive?

See here: English attacked again]

The fact of the matter is the citizens of the 61st deserve honest candidates who will focus on important issues like job creation and government reform.

[Margaret's announcement talked about nothing but the economy and jobs.]

The KCDP is committed to both economic and government reform, and we believe that our message of middle-class values will resonate with the voters in 2010.

[Does the KCDP consider boycotting local businesses and trying to put people out of work to be the sort of economic reform that will resonate with middle-class voters?]

Reprehensible.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

KPS board approves $62M bond issues for May ballot
Rally scheduled to push for immigration reform
Ex-city leader raises most in House bid: Sean McCann reports more than $18,000 in contributions
Democrats considering boycott of waste hauler
Western Michigan University expresses interest in downtown Kalamazoo arena
Campaign finances reported: Schuitmaker, Totten lead in fundraising in 20th District race
Kalamazoo City Commission approves budget for Downtown Development Authority
Transit officials predict $30,000 shortfall from bus half-price fares for selected groups
Western Michigan University graduate is first Kalamazoo Promise recipient to get four-year degree
Kalamazoo's eastside riverfront revival is a slow process

Attacking Michigan's Constitution

Several different politicians have come out in favor of a constitutional convention in Michigan.

Michigan constitutional convention up for vote
Granholm backs overhaul of Michigan constitution
GEORGE URGES VOTERS TO APPROVE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Happy Statehood Day!
Area lawmakers differ over need for constitutional convention for state

Governor Jennifer Granholm has endorsed a constitutional convention. Hasn't she done a enough to wreck this state without sabotaging our constitution, too?

More curious are the supporters of a con-con on the right. Moderate-conservative senator Tom George endorsed it, but didn't give a single specific change that he wants to see to the constitution.

Also supporting a con-con is renegade conservative Dennis Lennox, who is Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner and a candidate for state house. Lennox lists a number of possible constitutional changes, some addressing non-constitutional issues, others of dubious merit, all of which could be accomplished without a convention if there were support for them.

In weighing the possibility of a constitutional convention, we must consider not what is possible, but what is likely. It is likely that all the usual special interests will show up at a constitutional convention and try to rig the system in their favor. It is likely that all the 'good government' reform proposals pushed by naive do-gooders will be quickly tossed in the trash.

This blog already published a detailed refutation of the arguments for a con-con previously. Anyone in doubt should read the post below.

Constitutional Convention? No!

Michigan should vote no on a constitutional convention.

The Money Race in District 20

Campaign finance reports have been filed recently in Michigan. They provide some interesting information on the state of the 20th district state senate race.

Campaign finances reported: Schuitmaker, Totten lead in fundraising in 20th District race

On the Republican side, Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker led with $148,000, of which $100,000 is her own money. Lorence Wenke trailed with $57,000, including $50,000 of his own money. Rep. Larry DeShazor, who only recently entered the race, did not report any money raised yet.

While Schuitmaker's totals are good for her, she will still have trouble overcoming her geographic disadvantage. Wenke is wealthy enough to finance a large part of his campaign himself. It remains to be seen whether DeShazor will be able to raise enough money to run a strong campaign.

On the democrat side, Rep. Robert Jones raised only $14,400. Meanwhile, county commissioner John Taylor raised $112,000 including a $100,000 loan. And lawyer Mark Totten, who recently moved to the area, raised $134,000, mostly from out of state.

Is Robert Jones in trouble? Maybe. Jones has always been surprisingly popular (he was the top vote-getter the first time he ran for city commission). He seems to have phoned it in his last few times running for office, still winning overwhelmingly. Was he planning to coast to the democrat nomination? How will he handle a tough race in a larger jurisdiction?

This blog still expects Jones to win the nomination by a large margin, but it will be interesting to see a real primary on the democrat side.

Taylor Attack Ad

In what is apparently the first local campaign ad of the season, County Commissioner John Patrick Taylor is attacking the proposed arena in downtown Kalamazoo. His ad points out that his opponent, State Rep. Robert Jones, snuck a bill through Lansing to change the law on local tax referendums to make this plan possible.

Taylor's ad runs counter to this blog's expectations that he would not run a real campaign unless Jones had to withdraw for health reasons.

It will be interesting to see how much traction this anti-corporate welfare line of attack gets in the democrat primary. There is some evidence that many lefty commenters on Mlive are not sympathetic to this proposal, but this is just anecdotal. It is still highly unlikely that Taylor will win, but this attack could damage Jones. In any case, this race just got more interesting.

UPDATE:
Taylor has two other ads, all of which are running on WKZO radio (590).

The second ad is criticizing Jones' support for the bill to allow development of the Colony Farm Orchard. The bill recently passed the legislature overwhelmingly. Interestingly, neither ad actually mentions Jones, though both are clearly aimed at his legislative record.

The third ad is a positive ad featuring an endorsement by fellow county commissioner Brian Johnson. (Does Johnson have something against Jones?)

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John Taylor Runs for Senate
Arena of Conflict