POLITCAL UPDATE--Government

This update focuses on government.

Thomas Woods: The Ivy League Hates Nullification
Gary North: Planning To Retire?
Gary North: The City of Detroit is Dead: It Was Killed by Government
Gary North: The State Seeks To Be God
Mark Steyn: Obamacare Dystopia
Thomas Sowell: An Off-Budget Office?
Thomas Sowell: A Point of No Return?
Eric Peters: Taser Nation, by Eric Peters
Gary North: Why Should Your Children Pay for My Retirement?
Fred Reed: Nullification: The Last Hope

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Rift brewing? Some Borgess nurses say they want to drop union over contentious contract negotiations
School board election guide: Southwest Michigan candidates for the May 4 election
Cooney considers rematch with Upton: Hoogendyk inches closer to primary challenge of incumbent congressman
Mainstream media doesn't challenge power, journalist Amy Goodman tells Western Michigan University audience
Schuitmaker rolls out list of endorsements: Lawton lawmaker shows support in Kalamazoo County
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton says he supports repeal of new health care laws
Health-care overhaul hurting businesses: But congressman Fred Upton says he doesn't support repeal, wants fixes
Local, state tax issues among forum topics: Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots sponsoring session

Booth begins WSA presidential term
Health care bill includes student loan overhaul
WMU alum comes back to stump
Election upheld: Judicial Council reaffirms election results, dismisses campaign misconduct charges in closed hearings
Booth wins WSA presidential election; Allegations of campaign misconduct spur trial by WSA Judicial Council

Upton Switcheroo?

Tuesday:

Health-care overhaul hurting businesses: But congressman Fred Upton says he doesn't support repeal, wants fixes

Upton met with the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce and about a half dozen local business owners to discuss the health-care legislation.

...

But both men said they don’t support efforts to repeal the new laws. They said calls for repeal were “divisive” and “unhelpful.”

Wednesday:

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton says he supports repeal of new health care laws

KALAMAZOO — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, Republican of St. Joseph, says this morning that he is on the record as supporting repeal of health care legislation signed into law last week.

...

Upton now says he should have clarified Sandstrom's comments to make it clear that he supports a "repeal and reform process."

"I do support repeal, but I want reform as well," Upton said this morning.

America First Day

Five years ago today.

Happy America First Day
America First Day with Ted Nugent
Students for Life Speech

Entrapment

It appears that the plot of the so-called 'Christian militia' group that is alleged to have plotted to kill police officers was more-or-less created by the government. It is far from clear that anything would have ever happened if the government hadn't provoked them into (allegedly) committing a crime.

Feds infiltrated militia group

Freedom Works, Government Doesn't

Ann Coulter points out the difference between government control of health care and the telephone industry.

Prescription For Disaster Now Covered Under Obamacare

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A few weeks ago, The New York Times ran an editorial noting the amazing fact that, by the middle of this year, there will be an estimated 6.8 billion people on Earth -- and 5 billion will have cell phones! (Even more astounding, at least one of them is seated directly behind me every time I go to the movies.)

How did that happen without a Democrat president and Congress using bribes, parliamentary tricks and arcane non-voting maneuvers to pass a massive, hugely expensive National Cell Phone Reform Act?

How did that happen without Barney Frank and Henry Waxman personally designing the 3-foot-long, 26-pound, ugly green $4,000 cell phone we all have to use?

How did that happen without Obama signing the National Cell Phone Reform bill, as a poor 10-year-old black kid who couldn't afford to text-message his friends looked on?

The reason nearly everyone in the universe has a cell phone is that President Reagan did to telephones the exact opposite of what the Democrats have just done with health care.

Before Reagan came into office, we had one phone company, ridiculously expensive rates and one phone model. Reagan split up AT&T, deregulated phone service and gave America a competitive market in phones. The rest is history.

If you can grasp how inexpensive cell phones in a rainbow of colors and wonders like the iPhone could never have been created under a National Cell Phone Reform Act, you can understand what a disaster ObamaCare is going to be for health care in America.

Obama Lies

Or broken promises, at the very least.

33 Broken Promises

Population Shifts in Michigan

Interesting information from Republican Michigander on population shifts in Michigan. This will be important when redistricting occurs. Wayne County will lose at least one state house seat and possibly a state senate seat. The Kent/Ottowa area will likely gain a house seat.

Population shift in Michigan - People move away from democrat areas

As RM points out, people are largely leaving democrat areas and moving to Republican ones.

POLITICAL UPDATE--The Culture War

This update focuses on the culture war.

Steve Sailer: The Bush Administration And The Middle Parts Of History
Washington Watcher: Saving the Tea Parties from Tom Tancredo…Or From Dick Armey?
Steve Sailer: What Was Karl Rove Thinking? Some Clues From His Autobiography
Gary North: Anti-Gold Conservatives Are Through
Selwyn Duke: The Crusades: When Christendom Pushed Back
Steve Sailer: Diversity Is Strength! It’s Also…Homicide-Prone Minorities In Los Angeles
Steve Sailer: How Come Tom Edsall Can Talk About The Sailer Strategy And I Can’t?

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

The Collapse of Detroit

Detroit is in full collapse. People won't buy a house there for practically any price. City leaders are discussing tearing down large portions of the city and turning it into farmland.

Could our health care system collapse, too? Gary North investigates.

The City of Detroit is Dead: It Was Killed by Government

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Governor appoints two Western Michigan University trustees
Airport receives $8.5 million in federal funding for new terminal
Kalamazoo County's Texas Township debates special assessment for roads
State Rep. Robert Genetski to seek re-election to state House
Sturgis mayor faces recall over prayer rules: Pastor's mention of Christ during invocation ignited flap
Michigan Transportation officials to discuss plans for raising speed limits in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo city commissioner will be Stephanie Bell after Saturday
Oshtemo seeks state grant for park upgrades
Van Buren County commissioner to resign in May
Western Michigan University students favor new 'green' fee: Fee for environmental projects needs WMU board approval
Western Michigan University medical school would need endowment of up to $300 million
Granholm comes to campus
Booth wins WSA presidential election; Allegations of campaign misconduct spur trial by WSA Judicial Council

The Day That Freedom Died

Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

Obama signed the health care takeover into law today.

There will be time to review the outrageous provisions of this bill, the campaign of lies promoting it, the corrupt way it was passed, what it says about those who passed it, and where to go from here.

For now, we must acknowledge reality.

On this blog, America will no longer be called a free country.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Michigan gas-tax hike: Officials use a House Transportation Committee public hearing at Kalamazoo Valley Community College to press their case
Portage Public Schools school board takes heat over recent upheaval
Office of Sustainability a go with or without SFI
Kalamazoo County law enforcement tax renewal on the May 4 ballot
2010 census critical for WMU, Kalamazoo federal funding
City Commissioner Terry Kuseske has cancer surgery; expects to return to duties soon
Pavilion Township grower Mark Elzinga objects to tax bill increase at his solar-powered greenhouses
Conservative activist and author to speak at Tax Day Rally in Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo
Western Michigan University students may pay to go green: Balloting ends today on fee to fund environmental initiatives
Democratic candidate for governor makes first campaign visit in Kalamazoo: Bernero says mental health and corrections systems need reform

POLITICAL UPDATE--Health Care

This update focuses on health care. Obama and the democrats continue to push their health care takeover despite massive opposition from Americans. They have used every dirty trick in the book to get to this point, including massively lying about the fiscal consequences of their plan.

Michelle Malkin: The Deem-o-crats' Towering Deception
Mark Steyn: Welcome to Deemocracy
Doug Bandow: The Real Issue In Health Care: Who Decides?
Ann Coulter: My Healthcare Plan
William Jasper: Global ObamaCare & the “Good Club” Billionaires
James Edwards: TennCare Shows Folly of Government-Run Health Care

See also: Sick in America with John Stossel

Democrats Boo Mention of Tom George

What wonderful people. At the very mention of moderate Republican Tom George...

The mention of George, the Texas Township Republican who is seeking his party’s nomination for governor, elicited a chorus of boos from members of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party.

Democratic candidate for governor makes first campaign visit in Kalamazoo: Bernero says mental health and corrections systems need reform

Another Green Scam

Some ideas are so bad that you just know that Western students will vote for them.

Western Michigan University students may pay to go green: Balloting ends today on fee to fund environmental initiatives

KALAMAZOO — Some Western Michigan University students are pushing for a new $8-per-semester fee that would pay for environmental initiatives on campus.

“One of the big issues that gets in the way of making the school more sustainable and having more sustainable projects is a funding issue,” WMU senior Ryan Koziatek said.

Students this week have been voting on the fee that would create a fund to support activities such as waste reduction-projects, “green jobs” for students, and an office of sustainability.

The fee would be a maximum of $24 annually per student — $8 for the fall and spring semesters, and $4 for each of two summer sessions. It would generate an estimated $480,000 a year.

The Student Activities Fee was just increased from $12 to $21 two years ago.

If the fee is approved:
65 percent of the money would be allocated for research initiatives and events related to sustainability.
20 percent would support student positions in an office of sustainability that WMU plans to create.
15 percent would subsidize other student jobs related to environmental improvement.

These 'green jobs' don't produce anything, and in fact destroy real wealth.

The idea for the sustainability fund first surfaced after senior Kaitlyn Shields attended a “Greening of the Campus” conference in Indianapolis in September where she learned that the University of California-Berkeley had a student-supported environmental fund.

Berkeley students, faculty and staff can request grant support from The Green Fund Initiative to do projects.

Students pay a $5-per-semester fee that goes toward the fund, which was created in 2007.

Potential new WMU slogan: Western--Stupider than Berkeley!

Schlafly in Kalamazoo

Conservative hero Phyllis Schlafly is coming to Kalamazoo. She will speak at a Tea Party rally on April 15.

Conservative activist and author to speak at Tax Day Rally in Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo

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KALAMAZOO— Conservative political activist Phyllis Schlafly will be the keynote speaker here April 15 when Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots joins groups nationwide for a Tax Day Rally.

Schlafly, a constitutional attorney and author of 21 books as well as a weekly, syndicated column, is known nationally for her opposition to feminism and the Equal Rights Amendment.

Her speech will be part of a 5 p.m. rally in Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo that is scheduled to go on, rain or shine, according to Doug Till, a Tea Party Patriots spokesman.

The rally will be open to the public. There will be no admission charge.

“We expect to be one of hundreds of rallies planned on the deadline day for filing income taxes,” Till said. “All of the groups are connected by their support for lower taxes, smaller government and respect for the Constitution.”

Schlafly is president of the Eagle Forum and the Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Fund, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.

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Schlafly last visited Kalamazoo to speak at Kalamazoo College in 2007: Phyllis Schlafly Speech.

Cox Slams Hoekstra on Spending

A press release from Mike Cox's campaign.

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

Pete Hoekstra Should Stand By His Record of Out-of-Control Spending
Congressman Needs to Take Responsibility for Support of $850 Billion Wall Street Bailout; Raising the Debt Ceiling; and Supporting Earmarks

LIVONIA, MI— Mike Cox 2010 Campaign Manager Stu Sandler today called on Pete Hoekstra to take responsibility for increasing annual spending by $1 trillion, repeatedly voting to raise the national debt ceiling, voting for the $850 billion Wall Street bailout and voting for earmarks including grants to ACORN, the Bridge to Nowhere, museums and aquariums and hundreds of other pork barrel projects costing taxpayers billions during his 18 years in Congress.

“Michigan families are fed up with the outrageous spending, taxing and borrowing forced on them by Washington, D.C.,” said Sandler. “It is unbelievable that Pete Hoekstra refuses to admit his fault and continues to blame others. Michigan voters deserve to know the truth about Hoekstra’s record on spending and how he is responsible for increasing the national debt by trillions. His inability to commit to a no-tax pledge or release plans for specific spending cuts in state government further shows Pete is committed to bringing Washington’s out-of-control tax and spend practices to Lansing.

Last week, Cox lauded the earmark moratorium committed to by U.S. House Republicans but Cox lamented that the measure was long overdue.

After that moratorium, Hoekstra stated- “The American people are tired of out-of-control government spending, taxing and borrowing.” Hoekstra failed to mention that he supported 12 consecutive federal budgets that increased the budget by over $1 trillion, supported hundreds of earmarks or that he over the last 12 years he cast five votes to raise the debt ceiling, including a 2008 vote to raise the debt ceiling to over $11 trillion. Hoekstra also failed to mention the dozens of individual earmarks he has supported, including an $878,000 earmark in 2007 to support catfish genome research in Alabama, $1 million in 2006 for an aquarium in Connecticut, $200,000 in 2007 for the Lobster Institute in Maine and $250,000 in 2007 for a shellfish research institute in New Jersey.

“Pete Hoekstra is directly responsible for the out-of-control spending in Washington,” Sandler continued. “It is too late for Hoekstra to put the genie back in the bottle. Hoekstra is pretending to be the taxpayers’ best friend, but his rhetoric does not match his record as a trillion dollar spender.”

Mike Cox was the first gubernatorial candidate to take the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) no-tax pledge whereas Pete Hoekstra has refused to take the ATR pledge or commit to not raising taxes.

Cox is the only candidate for Governor to release a comprehensive 92 point plan to put Michigan back to work, including proposals to cut billions of dollars out of the state budget, cut taxes on job providers and families by $2 billion, reform education, make government more transparent and revitalize our cities. The plan is available at www.mikecox2010.com.

College Textbook Ripoff

Why are college textbooks so expensive? Because they have a captive audience.

College Tuition Is Expensive Enough, Let Alone the Textbooks

Trial Lawyers Hate Republicans

The Gazette reports on 'ratings' of local judges by local trial lawyers.

Trial lawyers rate Kalamazoo County judges

Lawyers rate judges:
Circuit Court: J. Richardson Johnson, 3.47; Gary C. Giguere, 3.32; Alexander C. Lipsey, 2.77; Pamela L. Lightvoet, 2.39.
District Court: Richard A. Santoni, 3.50; Paul J. Bridenstine, 3.35; Anne E. Blatchford, 3.11; Vincent C. Westra, 3.07; Robert C. Kropf, 2.86; Carol A. Husum, 2.02; Julie K. Phillips, 1.89.
Family Court: Stephen D. Gorsalitz, 3.50; Curtis J. Bell, 2.86; Patricia N. Conlon, 2.63.
Probate Court: Donald R. Halstead: 1.99.

The Gazette doesn't mention the partisan slant of these ratings. While judges are officially nonpartisan, they unofficially are usually supported by one party or the other. Lightvoet, Husum, Phillips, Conlon, and Halstead are Republicans. Meanwhile, Giguere is former democrat official, Lipsey is a former democrat state rep., and Bell is a former county democrat chairman. (This blog doesn't know the others' affiliations.)

What a shock that liberal trial lawyers don't like Republican judges. When will criminals come out with their ratings?

County Commission Votes for Abortion

The county commission voted to preserve funding for abortion in its insurance plan for county employees. The vote was 10-7. Democrat Michael Quinn voted the right way, while Republicans Dave Maturen and Ann Niewenhuis voted the wrong way.

Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners reject abortion resolution on Tuesday night

POLITICAL UPDATE--Liberalism

This update focuses on liberalism.

Phyllis Schlafly: Obama Panders to the Feminists
Samuel Blumenfeld: Is Humanism a Religion?
Phyllis Schlafly: Organizing Kids for Obama
Phyllis Schlafly: The Problem Is Government Unions
Don Devine: Putting Unions First
Ann Coulter: Obama's Owned -- You Can Bank On It

Much information on liberal individuals and organizations can be found at David Horowitz's Discover the Network site.

Abortion Vote Tuesday

The Kalamazoo County Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to prohibit funding abortion through the county employees' health plan. The resolution is sponsored by Republican John Zull and democrat Michael Quinn.

The board has nine democrats and eight Republicans. Sources tell this blog that three democrats are supporting the resolution, so it has a decent chance to pass.

Wrongest Statement Ever in the Herald?

"When it comes to making decisions about funding using students’ money, the Western Student Association does not take the responsibility lightly."

WSA throws support behind sustainability fee

Local news

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Turnovers reshape Portage Board of Education
No discrimination complaints filed since Kalamazoo ordinance vote
Demand without supply? Developers have been slow to build new housing options in downtown Kalamazoo
Manager of RACE exhibit to visit WMU next week
South Haven looks at regulating wind turbines
Airport terminal construction ahead of schedule: Bids coming in below budget so far
Proposed Western Michigan University medical school takes another step
Metro Transit ridership drops nearly 20 percent: Analysis needed to figure out why, official says
Resignations idle Minority Business Alliance: Nonprofit group aids minority, women-owned businesses
Residents voice opposition to potential WMU development of Colony Farm Orchard
Portage school board president says he quit because he was "not a good fit for the job"
Portage school board President Dale Posthumus resigns
Out of luck: Zoning board rules Portage preschool must remove shamrock symbol from roof
Western Michigan University faces a 'hard search' for a medical school dean
‘Green fee’ to be on WSA ballot
Concerns over Colony Farm Orchard aired at town hall meeting
WSA throws support behind sustainability fee
Candidate for governor proposes ‘Michigan 3.0’
Former WSA Presidents face off in state House campaign
‘Green fee’ on WSA ballot next week

Real Conservative Candidates

Things are looking up for Republicans in 2010. But to avoid a repeat of the policy disasters that caused voters to reject Republicans in 2006 and 2008, Republicans need to make sure that we nominate the right candidates.

We don't need ideologues who are enamored with Utopian ideas like fixing the world by invading other countries or destroying lending standards to win the Hispanic vote. We don't need hacks who call themselves conservative but vote for every big government boondoggle from the No Child Left Behind bill, to the prescription drug entitlement, to the TARP bailout.

We need conservatives who really mean it. What follows are a few candidates who do.

Constitutional Candidates for Congress
Chick Heileson vs. Mike Simpson
Constitution Candidates Expand Across States

Rand Paul [Kentucky Senate]
Dr. Paul is the son of Congressman Ron Paul, the most principled man in Congress. Rand is an ophthalmologist who shares his father's constitutionalist paleolibertarian views. This is his first time running for office. His previous political involvement has included running a Kentucky Taxpayers organization. Polls have shown him leading his Republican primary opponent and both democrats running for the seat being vacated by Republican Jim Bunning.

Peter Schiff [Connecticut Senate]
Schiff is a successful investor who has become famous for predicting our current economic crisis several years before it happened. He was an economic advisor to Ron Paul and is an adherent of the Austrian school of economics. He faces a difficult task to both win the Republican primary and defeat likely democrat nominee Richard Blumenthal, who stepped in after embattled Senator Chris Dodd exited the race.

Roy Moore [Alabama Governor]
Moore is known as the Ten Commandments Judge due to his courageous defense of the Ten Commandments monument in Alabama. He was ultimately unsuccessful and was removed from office for standing up to the federal government. Moore has proven by his actions that he will put principle above political expedience. He is a Christian constitutionalist conservative with an extensive knowledge of America's Founding Fathers. He is seeking the seat being vacated by Governor Bob Riley due to term limits; Moore waged a strong but unsuccessful primary challenge to Riley in 2006.

Pat Toomey [Pennsylvania Senate]
Toomey represented east-central Pennsylvania in Congress 1998-2004, during which time he was a champion of fiscal conservatism. He also became pro-life in office and accumulated a good record on immigration. In 2004, Toomey challenged Republican senator Arlen Specter in the primary, losing by only about 1% after Specter received endorsements from President Bush and Rick Santorum. Toomey went on to lead the Club for Growth for several years, helping to elect a number of fiscal conservative Republicans to office. Now he is again running for Senate, and is the presumptive Republican nominee now that Specter switched to become a democrat.

Marco Rubio [Florida Senate]
Rubio was the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He has taken solid conservative positions on taxes, spending, immigration, and more. Further, as a young, charismatic conservative, he would likely become a star in the Republican party if elected. He is seeking the seat formerly held by Republican Mel Martinez, and held since his resignation by Senator George LeMieux. Rubio's opponent in the primary is Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Crist supported the stimulus plan, increased spending, and appointed several liberal judges. Rubio was initially seen as a longshot, but recent polls have shown him leading Crist. Both lead likely democrat nominee Rep. Kendrick Meek.

Todd Tiahrt [Kansas Senate]
Tiahrt has been a member of Congress representing the Wichita area since 1994. He has been consistently conservative. He is known for the Tiahrt amendment to protect gun data from misuse. He was one of very few Republican congressmen to vote against the medicare prescription drug bill and its multi-trillion dollar liability. (In fairness, so did his opponent.) His opponent in the primary is Rep. Jerry Moran, who has a reputation for vacillation and has not championed conservative causes. No credible democrat is seeking the seat being vacated by Senator Sam Brownback to run for governor.

John Hostettler [Indiana Senate]
Hostettler represented southwestern Indiana in Congress 1994-2006. He was a leading opponent of illegal immigration who helped to stop President Bush's amnesty plan in 2006. He also opposed the Medicare Prescription drug program and compiled a staunchly conservative record. He faces a contested primary with former senator Dan Coats, who supported the assault weapons ban, and several other candidates. The seat is being vacated by Senator Evan Bayh, who suddenly decided to retire shortly before the filing deadline. The likely democrat nominee is now Rep. Brad Ellsworth, who replaced Hostettler in 2006.
Bye-bye Bayh And Amnesty. Hello Hostettler And Immigration Moratorium?

Randy Brogdon [Oklahoma Governor]
Brogdon has been a state senator in Oklahoma since 2002. He led the effort to pass a bill to cut off government subsidies to illegal immigrants in Oklahoma. He also led efforts to oppose the extension of the proposed Trans Texas Corridor into Oklahoma. He has sponsored several gun rights bills and has complied a staunchly conservative record. He faces congresswoman Mary Fallin in the primary. Several democrats are seeking the governorship being vacated by democrat Brad Henry due to term limits.

Chuck DeVore [California Senate]

Devore is a conservative state assemblyman who previously served in the military and worked in business. He championed many conservative causes including producing more energy through nuclear plants and offshore drilling. He has written regularly for Human Events. He faces Carly Fiorina and Tom Campbell in the primary. They are seeking to oppose ultraliberal democrat Senator Barbara Boxer in the general election.

J. D. Hayworth [Arizona Senate]
Hayworth was a congressman 1994-2006. Both before and since he was a conservative radio talk show host in Arizona. He was a staunch opponent of illegal immigration in Congress. He compiled a 97% ACU rating across the board. He is seeking to topple Senator John McCain in the primary. McCain has championed many liberal causes including amnesty for illegal aliens, cap-and-trade, campaign finance reform, banning gun shows, and John Edwards' 'patients bill of rights' to benefit trial lawyers.

Arizona Armageddon: J.D. Hayworth’s Challenge To John (“McAmnesty”) McCain

POLITICAL UPDATE--Government

This update focuses on government.

Gary North: Power to the People
Ron Paul: If Ron Paul Were President
Mark Steyn: Our Own Greek Tragedy
Gary North: The Fed Is Trapped
Charles Scaliger: Bailout Baloney - Banking
Joe Wolverton: State vs. Federal: The Nullification Movement
Gary North: Where’s All That Gold?
Terry Easton: 10 Steps to Fix the U.S. Financial Crisis
Patrick Krey: State vs. Federal: The Nullification Movement
Joe Wolverton: Signing Statements & Executive Orders: Obama's Tyrannical Tack
William Hoar: Scheme to Nationalize Student-loan Industry
William Hoar: Foreign Handouts: More Harm Than Good
Donald Lambro: Obama's Expensive Train Set
Gary North: Not Planning To Retire, Are You?

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Jack for Congress?

Former state rep. Jack Hoogendyk is considering running for Congress against Fred Upton.

Jack Hoogendyk hints at challenge to Fred Upton: Tea Party members are recruiting the conservative Republican

Many of the comments on the article sound like they were written by Upton staffers. One even uses the slogan that Upton used in 2002 when he was last challenged in the primary: "Why switch a strong horse in the middle of the race?" (What does that mean? You should always vote for any incumbent? Upton himself came to office in a primary challenge.)

Even more suspicious is how the comments go on and on about how conservative Upton is. But his biggest appeal has been to moderates because he often doesn't vote conservative.

Balkema Out, Gisler In?

Jeff Balkema is retiring from the county commission.

County commissioner Jeff Balkema won't run again; Republican John Gisler has filed to fill the seat

John Gisler, a spokesman for the local taxpayers' group, will run as a Republican.

County Abortion Funding

County commissioners John Zull and Michael Quinn want to eliminate abortion funding for county employees.

Two Kalamazoo County commissioners want abortion insurance coverage removed for 900 employees, their family members

Zull is a Republican and Quinn is a democrat. (Along with the arena tax, this is another issue for which Quinn deserves credit.)

Will all the 'pro-choice' people support the taxpayers' 'right to choose' not to have their money taken to fund abortion?

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Financial consultant Timothy Rogowski is named to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners
Two Kalamazoo County commissioners want abortion insurance coverage removed for 900 employees, their family members
Western Michigan University students advocate to end the use of the "R-word" as part of national campaign
Marijuana proponents to start gathering signatures for ballot initiative
Rematch brewing for Kalamazoo County Board: Crabtree wants to take back seat from Nieuwenhuis
Commissioners raise questions about arena
Downtown arena debate gets under way at Kalamazoo County Board
Six file to replace Biby on Kalamazoo County Board: Commissioners expected to make appointment next week

Hoekstra on the Bailout

One of the chief impediments for conservatives considering supporting Congressman Pete Hoekstra for Governor this year is his vote in 2008 for the bank bailout. Hoekstra's conduct was particularly troubling, as he voted against the bill initially.

After the bill lost in the House, it was modified (made worse) and was passed after the executive branch applied more pressure to Congress. (Several members of Congress have stated that Hank Paulsen, then-Treasuy Secretary and former Goldman Sachs CEO threatened that martial law would be declared if the bill didn't pass.)

Hoekstra voted for the bill the second time.

Since then, we have seen that the bailout was used to funnel billions to politically connected firms such as Goldman Sachs and to coerce banks that didn't even want money to accept government control.

So what does Hoekstra say in retrospect? He addressed the question in a recent debate.

Darn Good Debate

But then the sharp contrasts emerged.
The federal bail out for the banks.
Cox would have voted no.
Hoekstra voted yes saying he had no choice because "no one knew what would happen" if we did nothing. "It saved the financial system," argues.
Cox who did not have to vote said the bail out was wrong regardless of what the consequences might have been.

Hoekstra was also asked about the bailout at a recent Tea Party event.



Unfortunately, this video cuts off Hoekstra's answer about a quarter of the way through. The video was produced by Ben Padnos, who has ties to Rick Snyder's campaign.

Jack Hoogendyk summarizes Hoekstra's answer thus:

One of the questions he was asked was whether he regretted his decision to vote for the bailout. His complete answer, paraphrased, was that he could defend it based on what he knew at the time and how essential he felt it was, but that looking back from where we are today and how the money was misused, he regrets it.

Hit and Run, Below-the-Belt Politics

Hardiman Will Run

State Senator Bill Hardiman has announced that he will run for the 3rd district seat in Congress.

Republican state Sen. Bill Hardiman to run for Vern Ehlers' Congressional seat

This is bad news:

"West Michigan has a history of sending conservative, thoughtful representatives to Congress such as President Ford, Paul Henry and Vern Ehlers," Hardiman said. "They carried themselves with dignity and integrity. I'm a thoughtful conservative and am excited about running for this seat."

Hardiman seems to be using 'thoughtful' as a synonym for 'not'. None of Ford, Henry, or Ehlers were conservative. Ehlers has a sorry lifetime 70% rating from the American Conservative Union. Henry's lifetime ACU rating is an even worse 61%. Ford may be an icon in Grand Rapids, but there's a reason Ronald Reagan ran against him in 1976. For example, Ford remained proud of his appointment of John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court.

Justin Amash is looking better and better in this race.

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?)

Previous:
John Taylor Runs for Senate
Arena of Conflict