Sunday, August 05, 2012
Unemployment rises to 8.3%
I wanted to share this with everyone. I just posted this on my blog and wanted to share.
Friday's announcement by the Labor Department of unemployment rising to 8.3% from 8.2% in the prior month made me do some research on what this means for the country and President Obama's chances come November.
For starters, July was the 42nd straight month of unemployment over 8% and October is sure to be the 43rd straight month, both of these would be a record. It is true that 163,000 jobs were added but that is nearly not enough to keep pace of the growing workforce. The country on average is adding 50,000 jobs to the workforce. For unemployment to be reduced at that rate it would take 10 years, 3 years if it was doubled. In fact, no President has ever one reelection with an unemployment rate that high since the Great Depression when Franklin D. Roosevelt was President.
The Labor Department will release 3 additional jobs reports released between now and the Presidental election on November 6, 2012. The final report will be released November 2, 2012, only 4 days before election day. That could be the most anticipated jobs report for a President in history.
Lastly, it is apparent to me that President Obama cannot run on his record in office. The tactic used by President Obama, Democratic strategists, and just this week, Senator Harry Reid, is to make personal attacks on Republican Presidental candiate Mitt Romney and his financial success. Attacks will now only intensify for Mitt Romney to release additional tax return records.
http://joeldelorge.blogspot.com/
Upton Smears Jack (Part 5)
Congressman Fred Upton is not only accusing Jack Hoogendyk of voting against conservatives, but he is also accusing him being a bad person, too. That's the gist of several controversies manufactured by the Upton campaign.
1. Running for Office
Upton's radio ads state that Jack has run for office "nine times in nine years". This claim is not true. I dealt with it in this post. It seems that Upton is trying to imply that there is something wrong with running for a number of different offices, but I'm not sure what. In any case, Jack has won more races than he has lost. In contrast to to Jack running for office "nine times in nine years", Fred Upton has run for one office fourteen times, which is totally different.
2. Lobbyist
Upton is sending out mailers attacking Jack for (briefly) being a lobbyist. But a lobbyist is just someone whose job is to talk to legislators. Lobbyists have a bad reputation since many lobby for special government spending, tax policies, and regulations for their clients. But Jack worked for a free-market group lobbying for less government. That's something to be proud of.
3. Campaign finance reports
Jack's accounting software left out some of his expenditures from his campaign finance report. He corrected the report. Nobody was harmed.
4. Petition signatures
Jack accidentally signed one of the petition forms circulated by his campaign manager. The signatures were all valid. Nobody was harmed.
5. IRS disclosure
Apparently the IRS requires that if you raise over $100,000 dollars, you have to include a statement on your literature that your contributions are not tax-deductible. Why would anyone think they were? Why only over $100,000? This is a ridiculous regulation. In any case, Jack subsequently included the statement. As with the previous two items, nobody was actually harmed here. These three items were purely technicalities.
6. Mattawan robocalls
As far as I know, the Upton campaign has not made an issue of this, but some of the Upton trolls on Mlive have. Back in 2011, the Mattawan school district tried for the second time to impose a massive tax increase. Jack (who lives in the district) made a robocall in his own voice, using his own phone number, to alert voters about the tax increase. He accidentally omitted a federally-required "paid for by" statement, so he made a second robocall after voters defeated the tax increase thanking them and informing them and who paid for the calls. The Gazette tried to make a big deal out of this, but nothing came of it.
Analysis
As troubling as the specific smears Upton has pushed is the philosophy that underlies them. He seems to hold to legal positivism, which means that actions are wrong because they are illegal, rather than natural law, which holds that there is a preexisting moral order that the law is designed to uphold. Conservatives believe that massive federal regulations need to be rolled back. Upton apparently believes that anyone who violates them is some kind of fiend who needs to be punished.
But there are so many laws and regulations that it simply isn't possible to follow all of them. One prominent lawyer claims that we all commit "three felonies per day" without knowing it. "Ignorance of the law is no excuse" when it comes to moral law, which is "written upon the heart of man", but it is a great excuse regarding arbitrary and capricious regulations of an overbearing government.
In this context, we must not forget that Fred Upton voted for and championed the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill, which banned advertisements critical of members of Congress near an election (and would have banned them all the time until this provision was weakened). Major portions of the law were eventually thrown out by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Doubtless Upton would condemn anyone violating this law, rather than applaud citizens for standing up for freedom of speech against government encroachment.
The effect, and often the intent, of all these campaign finance regulations is to discourage average citizens from running for office, and to ensnare those who do. Not everyone can afford to hire the professional lawyers and accountants that incumbent members of Congress have. And the time it takes to learn all the ins and outs of the system is time not spent campaigning.
Fred Upton's philosophy would move us away from a society of limited government and the rule of law, where there are a few simple moral laws that apply equally to everyone. Instead, we are moving toward a society where everyone is guilty of something, and those with political power use the law to punish those without.
Previous:
Upton Smears Jack (Part 4)
Upton Smears Jack (Part 3)
Upton Smears Jack (Part 2)
Upton Smears Jack
Jack's Response to Upton Mailer
1. Running for Office
Upton's radio ads state that Jack has run for office "nine times in nine years". This claim is not true. I dealt with it in this post. It seems that Upton is trying to imply that there is something wrong with running for a number of different offices, but I'm not sure what. In any case, Jack has won more races than he has lost. In contrast to to Jack running for office "nine times in nine years", Fred Upton has run for one office fourteen times, which is totally different.
2. Lobbyist
Upton is sending out mailers attacking Jack for (briefly) being a lobbyist. But a lobbyist is just someone whose job is to talk to legislators. Lobbyists have a bad reputation since many lobby for special government spending, tax policies, and regulations for their clients. But Jack worked for a free-market group lobbying for less government. That's something to be proud of.
3. Campaign finance reports
Jack's accounting software left out some of his expenditures from his campaign finance report. He corrected the report. Nobody was harmed.
4. Petition signatures
Jack accidentally signed one of the petition forms circulated by his campaign manager. The signatures were all valid. Nobody was harmed.
5. IRS disclosure
Apparently the IRS requires that if you raise over $100,000 dollars, you have to include a statement on your literature that your contributions are not tax-deductible. Why would anyone think they were? Why only over $100,000? This is a ridiculous regulation. In any case, Jack subsequently included the statement. As with the previous two items, nobody was actually harmed here. These three items were purely technicalities.
6. Mattawan robocalls
As far as I know, the Upton campaign has not made an issue of this, but some of the Upton trolls on Mlive have. Back in 2011, the Mattawan school district tried for the second time to impose a massive tax increase. Jack (who lives in the district) made a robocall in his own voice, using his own phone number, to alert voters about the tax increase. He accidentally omitted a federally-required "paid for by" statement, so he made a second robocall after voters defeated the tax increase thanking them and informing them and who paid for the calls. The Gazette tried to make a big deal out of this, but nothing came of it.
Analysis
As troubling as the specific smears Upton has pushed is the philosophy that underlies them. He seems to hold to legal positivism, which means that actions are wrong because they are illegal, rather than natural law, which holds that there is a preexisting moral order that the law is designed to uphold. Conservatives believe that massive federal regulations need to be rolled back. Upton apparently believes that anyone who violates them is some kind of fiend who needs to be punished.
But there are so many laws and regulations that it simply isn't possible to follow all of them. One prominent lawyer claims that we all commit "three felonies per day" without knowing it. "Ignorance of the law is no excuse" when it comes to moral law, which is "written upon the heart of man", but it is a great excuse regarding arbitrary and capricious regulations of an overbearing government.
In this context, we must not forget that Fred Upton voted for and championed the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill, which banned advertisements critical of members of Congress near an election (and would have banned them all the time until this provision was weakened). Major portions of the law were eventually thrown out by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Doubtless Upton would condemn anyone violating this law, rather than applaud citizens for standing up for freedom of speech against government encroachment.
The effect, and often the intent, of all these campaign finance regulations is to discourage average citizens from running for office, and to ensnare those who do. Not everyone can afford to hire the professional lawyers and accountants that incumbent members of Congress have. And the time it takes to learn all the ins and outs of the system is time not spent campaigning.
Fred Upton's philosophy would move us away from a society of limited government and the rule of law, where there are a few simple moral laws that apply equally to everyone. Instead, we are moving toward a society where everyone is guilty of something, and those with political power use the law to punish those without.
Previous:
Upton Smears Jack (Part 4)
Upton Smears Jack (Part 3)
Upton Smears Jack (Part 2)
Upton Smears Jack
Jack's Response to Upton Mailer
Saturday, August 04, 2012
"Nine offices in nine years"???
I'm shocked that yet another false statement by Fred Upton slipped by me. I have already wrote about Upton's error-riddled statement on electoral history.
Upton Botches Election Data Again
Here is the beginning of Upton's statement.
But did Jack do this over nine years? No! He first ran for office in 1999. This is 2012. Jack's political career has spanned 13 years. Even if Upton wants to weasel and say he meant nine distinct, non-consecutive years, this is still wrong due to the 2006 issue described above.
In contrast to to Jack running for office "nine times in nine years", Fred Upton has run for one office fourteen times, which is totally different.
Upton Botches Election Data Again
Here is the beginning of Upton's statement.
Wait a minute! Did Jack run for nine offices in nine years? He certainly did not run for nine distinct offices. But we'll assume Upton means Jack ran for office nine times. This is true, though a bit misleading. It includes the time in 2006 when Jack briefly ran for Governor when no top-tier Republican was running, before dropping out when Dick DeVos entered the race. Jack then ran for reelection the same year.Upton: Well, I don't know if he could win or not. Voters will make that decision. I do know as I watched his career in the House and watched him run for nine offices in nine years, a career candidate on a host of fronts, governor, U.S. Senate, I watched him as a state Rep take what I considered a safe Republican district in Portage and make it awfully close, in fact, it had a recount to make sure he crossed the finish line as a Republican. When he ran for U.S. Senate, in that same district, Carl Levin beat him. What we saw with Jack in the state house was a steady decline in terms of support from the people that knew him best. Those that live in the same precinct.
But did Jack do this over nine years? No! He first ran for office in 1999. This is 2012. Jack's political career has spanned 13 years. Even if Upton wants to weasel and say he meant nine distinct, non-consecutive years, this is still wrong due to the 2006 issue described above.
In contrast to to Jack running for office "nine times in nine years", Fred Upton has run for one office fourteen times, which is totally different.
2012 Primary Election News
Campaign news before the primary.
Ready for Tuesday's election? Here's help in figuring how what's on the ballot and deciding how to vote
Southwest Michigan Politics: Campaign literature photo gallery
In Oshtemo Township 7 Republicans vying for 4 trustee seats
Charleston Township has contested races for supervisor and trustee in Aug. 7 primary
Southwest Michigan Politics: Late money coming in to 6th District Congressional race, Jack Hoogendyk endorsed by Tea Party group
Poll: Congressman Fred Upton leads Jack Hoogendyk by 30 points
Texas Township board votes to investigate Superintendent Dave Healy's actions toward employees
Proposed recall petitions for Galesburg-Augusta school trustees rejected by Election Commission
Southwest Michigan Politics: Jack Hoogendyk receives PAC endorsement, UAW gets behind Mike O'Brien in bids for Congress
Billboards for upcoming property auction feature Kalamazoo County Treasurer Mary Balkema
Aug. 7 primary election guide for Southwest Michigan
Ready for Tuesday's election? Here's help in figuring how what's on the ballot and deciding how to vote
Southwest Michigan Politics: Campaign literature photo gallery
In Oshtemo Township 7 Republicans vying for 4 trustee seats
Charleston Township has contested races for supervisor and trustee in Aug. 7 primary
Southwest Michigan Politics: Late money coming in to 6th District Congressional race, Jack Hoogendyk endorsed by Tea Party group
Poll: Congressman Fred Upton leads Jack Hoogendyk by 30 points
Texas Township board votes to investigate Superintendent Dave Healy's actions toward employees
Proposed recall petitions for Galesburg-Augusta school trustees rejected by Election Commission
Southwest Michigan Politics: Jack Hoogendyk receives PAC endorsement, UAW gets behind Mike O'Brien in bids for Congress
Billboards for upcoming property auction feature Kalamazoo County Treasurer Mary Balkema
Aug. 7 primary election guide for Southwest Michigan
Kalamazoo County
Countywide
Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners
- Kalamazoo County Commissioner - District #1 (Q&A with the candidates)
- Kalamazoo County Commissioner - District #6 ( Q&A with the candidates)
- Kalamazoo County Commissioner - District #7 (Q&A with the candidates)
- Kalamazoo County Commissioner - District #10 (Q&A with the candidates)
Alamo Township
Charleston Township
- Charleston Township Supervisor
- Charleston Township Trustee
Climax Township
- Climax Township Supervisor
- Climax Township Trustee
Comstock Township
Cooper Township
- Cooper Township Trustee
Kalamazoo Township
Oshtemo Township
Pavilion Township
- Pavilion Township Clerk
- Pavilion Township Treasurer
Prairie Ronde
Ross Township
- Ross Township Supervisor
- Ross Township Trustee
Texas Township
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Upton Blacklisted Shugars?
A letter to the editor by Peter Taylor makes some interesting allegations against Fred Upton.
Upton undermined troop surge, unfairly attacks opponents (Letter)
The blog doesn't know the specifics of what happened between Shugars and Upton. But voters would be wise to remember that endorsements often are driven by other agendas than pure unbiased evaluation of of the candidates' merit. Politicians will make endorsements to gain favor or because they fear political retaliation if they do not. Organizations may endorse a key committee chairman hoping to have their legislation moved, or because they fear it will be killed if they do not. Voters should keep this in mind when evaluating endorsements.
Upton undermined troop surge, unfairly attacks opponents (Letter)
I cannot vote for Upton again because of the way he treats other Republican candidates who challenge him in a primary. Mr. Upton does not hesitate to sink to the lowest levels when someone challenges the mediocre job that he has done over the last two decades.After Shugars lost in 2002, he moved to Texas and worked there for several years. After a while, he came back to become executive director of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo, which is very much a political position. In the 2010 and 2012 primaries, Shugars endorsed Upton. This is despite the fact that Upton's record has not changed appreciably since 2002, that Jack Hoogendyk has essentially the same beliefs as Shugars, and that Jack endorsed Shugars when he was running then.
State Sen. Dale L. Shugars challenged Upton in the [correction: 2002] primary. After Upton won, he sought to punish Mr. Shugars for challenging him and used his considerable political contacts and private resources (as a Whirlpool heir) to blackball Mr. Shugars so that he was not able to find employment in Michigan. Upton is currently treating Jack Hoogendyk in a similar manner with his repeated attack ads that are filled with falsehoods and outright lies. I have known Hoogendyk for many years and worked for him when he served as a state representative. The one quality I know Hoogendyk lives his life by is integrity; a quality that Upton wholly lacks.
The fact that Upton has finally been named a committee chair after two decades in office is little reason to continue to support him. Instead, the better question is why it has taken him so long to gain the trust of his leadership? Newt Gingrich obviously did not think Upton was qualified to chair a committee.
PETER TAYLOR/Portage
The blog doesn't know the specifics of what happened between Shugars and Upton. But voters would be wise to remember that endorsements often are driven by other agendas than pure unbiased evaluation of of the candidates' merit. Politicians will make endorsements to gain favor or because they fear political retaliation if they do not. Organizations may endorse a key committee chairman hoping to have their legislation moved, or because they fear it will be killed if they do not. Voters should keep this in mind when evaluating endorsements.
Cruz Control!
Conservative Tea Party star Ted Cruz just won the runoff for the Republican senate nomination in Texas. He won 57-43%. Moderate David Dewhurst had the advantages of a long tenure ans Lieutenant Governor, establishment endorsements, and vast personal wealth. But Ted Cruz beat him with grassroots effort and national conservatives almost unanimously endorsing him.
If the national conservative movement focuses on a Republican primary, we can win it.
Ultra-conservative former congressman Steve Stockman won a new congressional seat outside Houston as well.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Gazette Endorses Upton, Calls Him a Liar
In the least surprising endorsement ever, the Gazette endorsed Fred Upton for reelection. Let's break it down.
Congressman Fred Upton is the logical choice in the 6th District Republican primary race (Editorial)
Can it have escaped the Gazette's notice that the biggest policy disasters have been bipartisan? Enthusiasm for weakening lending standards to promote home-ownership was bipartisan. Support for the Wall Street bailout was bipartisan. Support for the Iraq War was bipartisan. Support for lax immigration standards has been bipartisan. Support for massive government spending and debt has been bipartisan. Policies that have wide bipartisan support tend to escape the close scrutiny that partisan opposition provides.
Previous:
Gazette Attacks Jack
Gazette Attacks Jack Again
Congressman Fred Upton is the logical choice in the 6th District Republican primary race (Editorial)
Fred Upton is the best choice in the Republican primary to represent the 6th District congressional district.In other words, he's lying to conservatives.
Upton deftly maneuvers between two camps — one that accuse him of being too liberal and the other that calls him too conservative, and arrives at a place that is largely balanced. Although he tends to spout more conservative-leaning rhetoric, something that is at times tiresome, Upton's actions demonstrate a willingness to work across party lines to seek consensus.
As the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for example, he instituted a policy that moved bills with bipartisan support to the top of the committee's agenda. That is a simple and effective approach that encourages Republicans and Democrats to work together.He is bragging about voting against Obama's stimulus plan.
He worked across party lines to push forward the widening of I-94 as part of President Barack Obama's stimulus package and helped find funds for improvements at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.
Congress often fails to find that note of compromise, much to the dismay of the general public. The Center on Congress at Indiana University in April released the results of a 2011 survey that found Americans understand legislators have to find consensus among widely disparate ideologies, and they would like to see Congress find that middle road quickly.Compromise is not a good thing in-and-of itself. It is only good if the compromise is actually good policy. The left and the media demand compromise to get conservatives to abandon their beliefs. The public likes 'compromise' because it is an easy way of avoiding studying the issues and deciding what position is right. Ideological battles can be unpleasant, but they are sometimes necessary to implement good policies.
The vast majority also believe Congress does a miserable job at that and is an ineffective institution, giving Congress an average grade of a "D" for dealing with major issues facing the country and a "D-" for keeping excessive partisanship in check. And, 47.9 percent of respondents to the first question and 57.6 percent of respondents to the second question gave Congress an "F."
Can it have escaped the Gazette's notice that the biggest policy disasters have been bipartisan? Enthusiasm for weakening lending standards to promote home-ownership was bipartisan. Support for the Wall Street bailout was bipartisan. Support for the Iraq War was bipartisan. Support for lax immigration standards has been bipartisan. Support for massive government spending and debt has been bipartisan. Policies that have wide bipartisan support tend to escape the close scrutiny that partisan opposition provides.
Jack Hoogendyk, the former state representative from Texas Township who is Upton's challenger in the Republican primary, actually agrees with Upton on many points, such as the need to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act and an economic policy that focuses on reducing business regulations and taxes that they say inhibit private sector growth, and thus slows job creation.Which 'ultra-conservative causes'? Official English, which had 82% support in Michigan? The Gazette labeled that 'divisive' several years back.
Hoogendyk, however is single-minded in his commitment to ultra-conservative causes and approaches and that would only exacerbate the ideological divide in Congress. His intransigence would lead to more of the gridlock that stymies Washington today, and the American public cannot afford more divisiveness as it waits for leadership to guide it out of the lingering recession.
Upton does not always succeed in his bipartisan efforts in Washington, D.C., most notably he participated in the failed "super committee," that was charged with trimming $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit last fall. But as committee chair of the aforementioned Committee on Energy and Commerce, he has used that position to advocate for measures that have direct impact on businesses in southwest Michigan, such as the streamlining of the FDA approval process and scuttling a tax on new medical devices. He has the potential to leverage that role into meaningful change for Michigan.Conservatives should take note of the Gazette's endorsement--and vote the opposite.
Fred Upton's experience and his demonstrated willingness to work with members of both parties makes him the stronger Republican candidate in the Aug. 7 primary. The winner will face Democrat Mike O'Brien in the Nov. 6 general election.
Previous:
Gazette Attacks Jack
Gazette Attacks Jack Again
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Don't Mess With Texas Township
The Gazette has a couple articles profiling the races in Texas Township. The race in the Republican primary pits the township board against Supervisor Dave Healy and his slate. The homebuilders and Chamber of Commerce are supporting Healy's state.
Supervisor race in Texas Township highlights political tensions surrounding incumbent Dave Healy
Texas Township Board election pits 4 incumbents against 4 challengers for trustee in all-Republican primary
Kalamazoo home builders contributed to campaigns of several Texas Township candidates, reports show
UPDATE:
Here are sites explaining the both sides' positions.
Board: http://www.texas2012election.com/
Healy: http://itstimetexastownship.com/
Supervisor Candidate Questionnaires:
Election Q&A: Dave Healy for Texas Township Supervisor
Election Q&A: Gregory W. Pendowski for Texas Township Supervisor
Previous: Trouble in Texas
Supervisor race in Texas Township highlights political tensions surrounding incumbent Dave Healy
Texas Township Board election pits 4 incumbents against 4 challengers for trustee in all-Republican primary
Kalamazoo home builders contributed to campaigns of several Texas Township candidates, reports show
UPDATE:
Here are sites explaining the both sides' positions.
Board: http://www.texas2012election.com/
Healy: http://itstimetexastownship.com/
Supervisor Candidate Questionnaires:
Election Q&A: Dave Healy for Texas Township Supervisor
Election Q&A: Gregory W. Pendowski for Texas Township Supervisor
Previous: Trouble in Texas
2012 Pre-primary Michigan Fundraising Reports
The deadline for pre-primary Michigan campaign finance reports was yesterday. Reports for state campaigns can be viewed at the Secretary of State site here:
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8723_8751---,00.html
For the most part, incumbents raised money well. Nobody near Kalamazoo has a competitive race. Top fundraisers include Jase Bolger and Mark Ouimet. Kurt Damrow, who has had ethics problems, raised little. Party-switching Roy Schmidt raised a lot, but it probably won't save him from public outrage.
GOP hopefuls for 3 state House seats use their own money
State Rep. Roy Schmidt repays Democrat backers after he switches to Republican Party
Locally, Republican prosecutor candidate Scott Pierangeli raised the most. Most other candidates didn't really raise that much. No word yet on the Clerk and Drain Commissioner races.
See what candidates raised, spent in Kalamazoo County and township races
Kalamazoo home builders contributed to campaigns of several Texas Township candidates, reports show
Challenger Michael Bedford has outspent Van Buren County Prosecutor Juris Kaps about 6-to-1, campaign finance reports show
The homebuilders are supporting the Healy slate. Van Buren Republicans including Schuitmaker, Nesbitt, and Middaugh donated to Bedford over Kapps.
UPDATE: State representative finance reports show incumbents with fundraising advantage in Southwest Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8723_8751---,00.html
For the most part, incumbents raised money well. Nobody near Kalamazoo has a competitive race. Top fundraisers include Jase Bolger and Mark Ouimet. Kurt Damrow, who has had ethics problems, raised little. Party-switching Roy Schmidt raised a lot, but it probably won't save him from public outrage.
GOP hopefuls for 3 state House seats use their own money
State Rep. Roy Schmidt repays Democrat backers after he switches to Republican Party
Locally, Republican prosecutor candidate Scott Pierangeli raised the most. Most other candidates didn't really raise that much. No word yet on the Clerk and Drain Commissioner races.
See what candidates raised, spent in Kalamazoo County and township races
Kalamazoo home builders contributed to campaigns of several Texas Township candidates, reports show
Challenger Michael Bedford has outspent Van Buren County Prosecutor Juris Kaps about 6-to-1, campaign finance reports show
The homebuilders are supporting the Healy slate. Van Buren Republicans including Schuitmaker, Nesbitt, and Middaugh donated to Bedford over Kapps.
UPDATE: State representative finance reports show incumbents with fundraising advantage in Southwest Michigan
Friday, July 27, 2012
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises may not be the most conservative movie ever, but it's definitely in the running.
When the initial trailer teased a class warfare theme, conservatives kinda assumed it was too good to be true.
(Spoilers!) Batman basically fights the Occupy Wall Street Movement. OK, it isn't called that, but it clearly is. In one scene, they attack the stock exchange. Near the end, the police battle the mob ON WALL STREET.
The main villian, Bane, manipulates the mob by appealing to class warfare. He villifies the rich, and the mob loots their houses and drags them into the streets. I kept imaginging Bane giving Obama's "You didn't build that" speech; it would have fit perfectly. While promising the give the city back to the people, he has an even more sinister agenda.
The movie was clearly inspired by the French Revolution. There is a scene reminiscent of the storming of the Bastile. The mob establishes show trials for the rich and police where guilt is assumed and the sentence is always death. Naturally, the mob's revolution pretty much wrecks society.
Ann Coulter should love this movie, as it illustrates many of the themes in her most recent book Demonic: How the Liberal Mob is Endangering America.
Besides this, the movie also endorses more general conservative values of duty, redemption, courage, sacrifice, and truth.
Plus, it's got Batman, flying cars, explosions, and Catwoman. Go see it.
When the initial trailer teased a class warfare theme, conservatives kinda assumed it was too good to be true.
(Spoilers!) Batman basically fights the Occupy Wall Street Movement. OK, it isn't called that, but it clearly is. In one scene, they attack the stock exchange. Near the end, the police battle the mob ON WALL STREET.
The main villian, Bane, manipulates the mob by appealing to class warfare. He villifies the rich, and the mob loots their houses and drags them into the streets. I kept imaginging Bane giving Obama's "You didn't build that" speech; it would have fit perfectly. While promising the give the city back to the people, he has an even more sinister agenda.
The movie was clearly inspired by the French Revolution. There is a scene reminiscent of the storming of the Bastile. The mob establishes show trials for the rich and police where guilt is assumed and the sentence is always death. Naturally, the mob's revolution pretty much wrecks society.
Ann Coulter should love this movie, as it illustrates many of the themes in her most recent book Demonic: How the Liberal Mob is Endangering America.
Besides this, the movie also endorses more general conservative values of duty, redemption, courage, sacrifice, and truth.
Plus, it's got Batman, flying cars, explosions, and Catwoman. Go see it.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
2012 Michigan Ballot Propositions
This post was last updated September 9, 2012.
There will be six propositions on the ballot in Michigan in November.
See MIballot2012.org for details on most of the propositions.
Special interests spend millions on Michigan ballot initiatives
1. First is a referendum on the expanded emergency manager law passed by the legislature last year. The law allows emergency managers in distressed municipalities to rewrite union contracts; opposition comes mainly from public sector unions. A yes vote is needed to retain the law. The referendum will be on the ballot following a court battle.
2. Unions are behind an effort to amend the state constitution to enshrine mandatory collective bargaining, precluding a Right to Work law. It would also repeal a number of other laws that the unions don't like, including the emergency manager law, pension reform, and more. It would cost the state billions. The proposition survived a constitutional challenge.
3. Various out-of-state alternative energy companies are behind an initiative to mandate that Michigan get at least 25% of its energy from alternative sources by 2025. Since alternative energy costs more than traditional energy (that's why it's the alternative), this would raise energy prices.
4. The SEIU is behind this proposition to enshrine the Michigan Quality Care Council, the dummy employer used to force the unionization of home health care workers, in the state constitution. This scam originated in the Granholm administration, which agreed to treat people who receive government payments to care for family members at home as government employees. They were unionized in a very dubious election. Even after the state legislature defunded the dummy employer and passed a law prohibiting the dues collection, it has continued. The SEIU is now running the dummy employer it supposedly negotiates with.
5. A proposal to require a 2/3 majority in the legislature or statewide vote to raise taxes is also being funded by Matty Moroun (see below). This proposal has support from Tea Party groups.
6. The Detroit International Bridge Company, owned by Matty Moroun, is funding a proposition to require voter approval for any new bridge to Canada. This would create a roadblock to the Canadian-government funded bridge agreement recently signed by Governor Snyder. Parties disagree whether the proposal would actually stop the bridge.
A proposal to add eight new casinos in locations that benefit specific developers obtained sufficient signatures but was disqualified by the Supreme Court for failing to follow constitutional requirements for constitutional amendments. A business group close to the Chamber of Commerce is organizing to oppose proposals 2, 3, and 4.
There will be six propositions on the ballot in Michigan in November.
See MIballot2012.org for details on most of the propositions.
Special interests spend millions on Michigan ballot initiatives
1. First is a referendum on the expanded emergency manager law passed by the legislature last year. The law allows emergency managers in distressed municipalities to rewrite union contracts; opposition comes mainly from public sector unions. A yes vote is needed to retain the law. The referendum will be on the ballot following a court battle.
2. Unions are behind an effort to amend the state constitution to enshrine mandatory collective bargaining, precluding a Right to Work law. It would also repeal a number of other laws that the unions don't like, including the emergency manager law, pension reform, and more. It would cost the state billions. The proposition survived a constitutional challenge.
3. Various out-of-state alternative energy companies are behind an initiative to mandate that Michigan get at least 25% of its energy from alternative sources by 2025. Since alternative energy costs more than traditional energy (that's why it's the alternative), this would raise energy prices.
4. The SEIU is behind this proposition to enshrine the Michigan Quality Care Council, the dummy employer used to force the unionization of home health care workers, in the state constitution. This scam originated in the Granholm administration, which agreed to treat people who receive government payments to care for family members at home as government employees. They were unionized in a very dubious election. Even after the state legislature defunded the dummy employer and passed a law prohibiting the dues collection, it has continued. The SEIU is now running the dummy employer it supposedly negotiates with.
5. A proposal to require a 2/3 majority in the legislature or statewide vote to raise taxes is also being funded by Matty Moroun (see below). This proposal has support from Tea Party groups.
6. The Detroit International Bridge Company, owned by Matty Moroun, is funding a proposition to require voter approval for any new bridge to Canada. This would create a roadblock to the Canadian-government funded bridge agreement recently signed by Governor Snyder. Parties disagree whether the proposal would actually stop the bridge.
A proposal to add eight new casinos in locations that benefit specific developers obtained sufficient signatures but was disqualified by the Supreme Court for failing to follow constitutional requirements for constitutional amendments. A business group close to the Chamber of Commerce is organizing to oppose proposals 2, 3, and 4.
Melanie Kurdys for State Board of Education
Conservative Melanie Kurdys will seek the nomination at the state Republican convention for one of two seats on the state Board of Education up in November. The article gives a summary of her background.
Melanie Kurdys, former lightning rod on Portage school board, is seeking Republican nomination for state Board of Education
Previous: Kurdys and Hollenbeck for Portage School Board
Melanie Kurdys, former lightning rod on Portage school board, is seeking Republican nomination for state Board of Education
Previous: Kurdys and Hollenbeck for Portage School Board
2012 Election News
Articles on local races in the Kalamazoo area.
Melanie Kurdys, former lightning rod on Portage school board, is seeking Republican nomination for state Board of Education
Prairie Ronde Township has former, current supervisors competing on Aug. 6 ballot
Texas Township candidate forum well attended ahead of Republican primary
Allegan Township voters to decide property-tax renewals for roads, fire protection Aug. 7
Movement to recall Parchment school board members fizzling out
Republican candidates for Kalamazoo County sheriff make their pitch for nomination during luncheon in Portage
Four competing in primary to replace retiring Allegan County drain commissioner
Register of deeds opening draws 2 in Van Buren County primary
Two Van Buren County Board of Commissioners seats contested in Aug. 7 primary
Former trustee Marvin DeVries appointed to Kalamazoo Township board
Tea party group delivers petition to Congressman Fred Upton for third debate
Congressman Fred Upton, Jack Hoogendyk rematch noisier but differences still clear
Upton receives endorsement from U.S., Michigan and Kalamazoo chambers of commerce
Questions raised about dismissal of prosecutor candidate's speeding ticket by Paw Paw village attorney and friend
Congressman Fred Upton spends $1 million in second quarter in campaign against Jack Hoogendyk, federal filings show
Melanie Kurdys, former lightning rod on Portage school board, is seeking Republican nomination for state Board of Education
Prairie Ronde Township has former, current supervisors competing on Aug. 6 ballot
Texas Township candidate forum well attended ahead of Republican primary
Allegan Township voters to decide property-tax renewals for roads, fire protection Aug. 7
Movement to recall Parchment school board members fizzling out
Republican candidates for Kalamazoo County sheriff make their pitch for nomination during luncheon in Portage
Four competing in primary to replace retiring Allegan County drain commissioner
Register of deeds opening draws 2 in Van Buren County primary
Two Van Buren County Board of Commissioners seats contested in Aug. 7 primary
Former trustee Marvin DeVries appointed to Kalamazoo Township board
Tea party group delivers petition to Congressman Fred Upton for third debate
Congressman Fred Upton, Jack Hoogendyk rematch noisier but differences still clear
Upton receives endorsement from U.S., Michigan and Kalamazoo chambers of commerce
Questions raised about dismissal of prosecutor candidate's speeding ticket by Paw Paw village attorney and friend
Congressman Fred Upton spends $1 million in second quarter in campaign against Jack Hoogendyk, federal filings show
Saturday, July 21, 2012
NRA Endorsements
The NRA finally came out with its primary endorsements. They have only state house endorsements. There is nothing too surprising, except that many Republicans didn't return their surveys. District 67 (rural Ingham) is the only one where there are endorsements in both primaries.
http://www.nrapvf.org/grades-endorsements/2012/michigan.aspx
http://www.nrapvf.org/grades-endorsements/2012/michigan.aspx
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Kalamazoo Chamber Endorsements
The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce has made its endorsements. They endorse Republicans in Republican area and some democrats in democrat areas. They also endorsed the Healy slate in Texas Township.
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber PAC announces preliminary election endorsements
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber PAC announces preliminary election endorsements
Jim Youngs, RIP
Jim Youngs, a moderate Republican who served as Kalamazoo County Clerk 1982-1996, has passed away.
Former Kalamazoo County Clerk Jim Youngs dies at age 79
Archive: Jim Youngs profile from 1997 Kalamazoo Gazette
Former Kalamazoo County Clerk Jim Youngs remembered as dedicated GOP leader
Former Kalamazoo County Clerk Jim Youngs dies at age 79
Archive: Jim Youngs profile from 1997 Kalamazoo Gazette
Former Kalamazoo County Clerk Jim Youngs remembered as dedicated GOP leader
Youngs is still a staunch Republican, but partisan politics ends at the front door of his office. He has repeatedly refused special assistance to Republicans who have tried to appeal to his political affiliation.
He said he has told his successor, Timothy Snow, also a Republican, elected in November to replace him: ``Your biggest problem is going to be dealing with your own party.''
And, although he's a Republican, he has frequently voted for Democrats.
``I'm one of the biggest ticket-splitters there was, '' he said.
Youngs said he has voted for Democrats Richard Austin and Frank Kelly for secretary of state and Michigan attorney general.
``I've voted for Howard Wolpe a number of times, '' he said.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Kevin Jennings to Lead Arcus Foundation
The Arcus Foundation has appointed Kevin Jennings as its new executive director. Who is Jennings? He is most famous as the Obama administration's "Safe Schools Czar".
Arcus Foundation names Kevin Jennings as executive director
In the midst of going on about his wonderful resume, Julie Mack does mention the following criticism.
Critics Assail Obama's 'Safe Schools' Czar, Say He's Wrong Man for the Job
OBAMA APPOINTEE KEVIN JENNINGS: FISTING AND “[F–K] ‘EM” TO THE “RELIGIOUS RIGHT”
Discover the Networks: KEVIN JENNINGS
'SAFE SCHOOLS' CHIEF PRAISED CHILD-SEX PROMOTER
The allegations against Jennings include covering up sexual abuse and praising a homosexual communist pedophile in a speech. It is not disputed that Jennings was deeply anti-Christian and used drugs earlier in his life.
Previous:
When the Apes Run the Asylum
Another Kalamazoo College Employee Lies About Van Jones
Arcus Foundation names Kevin Jennings as executive director
In the midst of going on about his wonderful resume, Julie Mack does mention the following criticism.
Prior joining Be the Change, Jennings headed the U.S. Education Department's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. His appointment to that job drew attacks from conservatives, who pointed to the fact that Jennings founded and led the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students regardless of sexual orientation.Was that really what conservative attacked?
Critics Assail Obama's 'Safe Schools' Czar, Say He's Wrong Man for the Job
OBAMA APPOINTEE KEVIN JENNINGS: FISTING AND “[F–K] ‘EM” TO THE “RELIGIOUS RIGHT”
Discover the Networks: KEVIN JENNINGS
'SAFE SCHOOLS' CHIEF PRAISED CHILD-SEX PROMOTER
The allegations against Jennings include covering up sexual abuse and praising a homosexual communist pedophile in a speech. It is not disputed that Jennings was deeply anti-Christian and used drugs earlier in his life.
Previous:
When the Apes Run the Asylum
Another Kalamazoo College Employee Lies About Van Jones
Mattawan Schools Enroll 469 Outside Students
This interesting chart via Julie Mack shows the number of students in each school district who go outside the district and come into the district to attend school.
Chart: How Kalamazoo-area school districts rank in enrolling out-of-district students
Most notable is that 469 students from outside the Mattawan school district attend school there. Mattawan voters have recently defeated two tax increases to expand school facilities. So it is now clear that the Mattawan schools administration accepted hundreds of students from outside the district and then demanded a tax increase when its facilities weren't big enough.
Previous:
Vote NO on the Mattawan Tax Hike
No Means Try Again
Mattawan Lies about Kindergarten Mandate
Chart: How Kalamazoo-area school districts rank in enrolling out-of-district students
Most notable is that 469 students from outside the Mattawan school district attend school there. Mattawan voters have recently defeated two tax increases to expand school facilities. So it is now clear that the Mattawan schools administration accepted hundreds of students from outside the district and then demanded a tax increase when its facilities weren't big enough.
Previous:
Vote NO on the Mattawan Tax Hike
No Means Try Again
Mattawan Lies about Kindergarten Mandate
Repudiate the Debt
What should we do about the national debt? Simple: repudiate it. This article by Murray Rothbard explains why government debt is fundamentally different from private debt, and why it should be repudiated.
Repudiating the National Debt
--------------------
Most people, unfortunately, apply the same analysis to public debt as they do to private. If sanctity of contracts should rule in the world of private debt, shouldn't they be equally as sacrosanct in public debt? Shouldn't public debt be governed by the same principles as private? The answer is no, even though such an answer may shock the sensibilities of most people. The reason is that the two forms of debt-transaction are totally different. If I borrow money from a mortgage bank, I have made a contract to transfer my money to a creditor at a future date; in a deep sense, he is the true owner of the money at that point, and if I don't pay I am robbing him of his just property. But when government borrows money, it does not pledge its own money; its own resources are not liable. Government commits not its own life, fortune, and sacred honor to repay the debt, but ours. This is a horse, and a transaction, of a very different color.
...
The public debt transaction, then, is very different from private debt. Instead of a low-time-preference creditor exchanging money for an IOU from a high-time-preference debtor, the government now receives money from creditors, both parties realizing that the money will be paid back not out of the pockets or the hides of the politicians and bureaucrats, but out of the looted wallets and purses of the hapless taxpayers, the subjects of the state. The government gets the money by tax-coercion; and the public creditors, far from being innocents, know full well that their proceeds will come out of that selfsame coercion. In short, public creditors are willing to hand over money to the government now in order to receive a share of tax loot in the future. This is the opposite of a free market, or a genuinely voluntary transaction. Both parties are immorally contracting to participate in the violation of the property rights of citizens in the future. Both parties, therefore, are making agreements about other people's property, and both deserve the back of our hand. The public credit transaction is not a genuine contract that need be considered sacrosanct, any more than robbers parceling out their shares of loot in advance should be treated as some sort of sanctified contract.
Repudiating the National Debt
--------------------
Most people, unfortunately, apply the same analysis to public debt as they do to private. If sanctity of contracts should rule in the world of private debt, shouldn't they be equally as sacrosanct in public debt? Shouldn't public debt be governed by the same principles as private? The answer is no, even though such an answer may shock the sensibilities of most people. The reason is that the two forms of debt-transaction are totally different. If I borrow money from a mortgage bank, I have made a contract to transfer my money to a creditor at a future date; in a deep sense, he is the true owner of the money at that point, and if I don't pay I am robbing him of his just property. But when government borrows money, it does not pledge its own money; its own resources are not liable. Government commits not its own life, fortune, and sacred honor to repay the debt, but ours. This is a horse, and a transaction, of a very different color.
...
The public debt transaction, then, is very different from private debt. Instead of a low-time-preference creditor exchanging money for an IOU from a high-time-preference debtor, the government now receives money from creditors, both parties realizing that the money will be paid back not out of the pockets or the hides of the politicians and bureaucrats, but out of the looted wallets and purses of the hapless taxpayers, the subjects of the state. The government gets the money by tax-coercion; and the public creditors, far from being innocents, know full well that their proceeds will come out of that selfsame coercion. In short, public creditors are willing to hand over money to the government now in order to receive a share of tax loot in the future. This is the opposite of a free market, or a genuinely voluntary transaction. Both parties are immorally contracting to participate in the violation of the property rights of citizens in the future. Both parties, therefore, are making agreements about other people's property, and both deserve the back of our hand. The public credit transaction is not a genuine contract that need be considered sacrosanct, any more than robbers parceling out their shares of loot in advance should be treated as some sort of sanctified contract.
Why Doesn't Pete Hoekstra Have An Issues Page?
Pete Hoekstra, unlike the other three Republican candidates for Senate, doesn't seem to have an issues page on his website. Why not?
http://www.hoekstraforsenate.com/
He doesn't have an endorsement page either, though various endorsements are scattered about his site.
http://www.hoekstraforsenate.com/
He doesn't have an endorsement page either, though various endorsements are scattered about his site.
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