Archive for December, 2011
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, January, 2, 2012
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics on December 30, 2011
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion by R Al Bain
The recent letter to the editor I sent in “Road money given to non-transportation funds” published on Tuesday, December, 20, 2011 in the Monroe Evening News has received a very positive response from both citizens and local elected officials alike here in Monroe County. I find it interesting that on the day after Christmas in the same newspaper an article under “other viewpoints” by State Senator Randy Richardville “Senate progresses toward a better Michigan” appears to be damage control related to the letter to the editor that was published where his actions were mentioned as examples!
Senate “progressives move” would have been better words in his title. While he touted all the wonderful accomplishments made by himself and his Senate colleagues, he failed to mention the negative impact of those actions on the very citizens they were elected to represent. In all fairness there have been a few changes made that may prove beneficial to the citizens but many of the changes have not and will not be in the best interest of the citizenry. The business tax reforms was a good idea except they did it on the backs of the taxpayers instead of reducing the size and scope of state government. They voted to cut the Cadillac benefit plan for lawmakers but excluded 36 out of 38 in the Senate.
A further analysis of the good Senator’s “other viewpoints” piece was the fact that it was not mentioned that pensions would now be taxed laying a extra tax burden upon those retirees including Seniors who are on fixed incomes. Had they known at the beginning of their working lives they would be taxed they could have planned for it. The new emergency manager law where the state can come in and eliminate the voters choice of representation. Cutting local revenue sharing to municipalities that will ultimately require communities to raise taxes for services they now receive including fire and police.
The practice of picking winners and losers in the business community here in Michigan is alive and well with legislation passed to boost tourism. This should be left to the tourism industry not with taxpayer monies that would be better spent on roads and infrastructure. Subsidizing the Pure Michigan Advertising Campaign, Film Producers, and least we forget Michigan International Speedway to the tune of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars just to mention a few is an affront to Michigan Taxpayers.
Michigan Political Payback Legislation Signed into Law
The Grinch could not steal Christmas, but our Legislature stole from Michigan taxpayers with Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville getting his Christmas wish early when Governor Rick Snyder signed his film subsidy Bill SB 569 into law Thursday. This is just plain bad policy for the Taxpayers of Michigan and nothing more than political payback to Richardville by the governor for introducing the “New Bridge” legislation when no other legislator would. It has been well documented here in Michigan and other states as well that this is a failed policy with several states eliminating this subsidy in it’s entirety. This is all about Richardville and paying back his film producer buddies for campaign contributions and lavish trips such as to the Emmy’s in Hollywood. And the winner is, The Film Producers with the Taxpayers of Michigan the losers! http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-detroit/michigan-think-tank-deeply-disappointed-by-continuation-of-film-incentives
Republican Senate Majority Leader Resigns Over Alleged Affair
So much for the principles, traditions, and values that the Republican Party was founded upon. Far to many Republicans in name only (RINOS) that do not adhere to family morals and values today. The moral fabric of our county is in the tank along with some within the Republican Party. While it’s not just Republicans, this is disturbing for a Party that is supposed to value the family union of marriage as a core part of the party’s platform. http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/politics/amy-koch-resignation-relationship-dec-16-2011
Next Up, Subsidies for Michigan’s Snow Sports Industry?
With our legislators in Lansing feeling compelled to picking winners and losers in the business community as to subsidize with our tax dollars such private business as Film Producers, Michigan International Speedway, Pure Michigan Advertising Campaign, and others will they come to the rescue of the Snow Sports industry as well? Ski resorts are closed. Snowshoe and snowmobile outfitters are hurting. Motels, bars and restaurants near cross-country ski trails and ski resorts are nearly empty. The economic impact of winter travel in the state is $4 billion annually, which represents 23.3% of the $17.2-billion travel and tourism spending in the state, according to Travel Michigan’s 2010 data. Some of these businesses are down anywhere from 50% to 90%. Maybe we should just subsidize mother nature while we’re at it! http://www.freep.com/article/20111229/BUSINESS06/112290508/Mich-ski-slopes-see-their-business-scraping-bottom?odyssey=nav%7Chead
Leopards Don’t Change Their Spots!
It’s no wonder our moderate left leaning Republicans here in Michigan are supporting the Massachusetts Moderate Mitt Romney. In a recent interview Romney embraced the individual health-care mandate he helped establish in Massachusetts, calling it the “conservative” option. Somebody needs to put the definition of conservative right in his face! Also, he responded to the flip-flop charge by noting that he’s become more conservative over the years. Yeah right. Sounds like a certain political leader in Lansing who said he has become more conservative because that is what his constituents wanted. I say the definition to these types of so called Republicans is which ever way the wind blows as to advance their political careers. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/22/9631652-first-thoughts-what-we-learned-from-the-romney-interview
Michigan DNR Chief Makes Communist Statement
In a recent Detroit Free Press article by Eric Sharp, Wolves Create a Stir, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife chief Russ Mason made the following statement, “People tend to see the places they hunt as their land, even if it belongs to the government.” America’s founders realized that land is the source of wealth, and drafted the Constitution to ensure that the land would remain in the hands of the people. The poorest people on the planet are landless, and most live where government owns the land, or controls it use. There is no justification for the federal government to own land beyond that authorized by the Constitution. The private sector, and locally elected officials, can provide all the protection and prosperity the people desire. This gluttonous acquisition of land by government is clear evidence of the growing influence of “socialist philosophy” in America. Without the land, the people become no more than tenants, subject to the whims of the ruling party. The vision of a pristine, pre-Columbian America is trumping the vision of our founders, of a nation where free people could be free forever, assured of the right to prosper from the use of their own property. I truly believe that this gentleman needs a refresher course on civics and his position as wildlife chief reassessed. When we as a citizenry have to contend with incompetent individuals running our governmental departments with statements such as Mr. Mason’s in this article, Houston we have a problem! Our government was instituted by the people, for the people, and our government doesn’t own anything, If not for the money by the people through taxation our government would not exist. I find his statement appalling and incompetent. The bottom line is that it’s the people’s land not the governments! http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/feb_2002/corridors_of_wilderness.htm
Sears Is Closing 120 Stores, What Retailer Will Be Next?
This may be the first retailer to say it’s closing stores post holiday season, but it certainly won’t be the last as 2012 will most certainly shake up the retail world. To be clear, Sears Holdings, Kmart and Sears’ parent company, isn’t declaring bankruptcy. It’s announcing store closures, but it certainly doesn’t bode well. http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller/2011/12/27/sears-is-closing-stores-what-retailer-will-be-next/
What Does Scott Brown and Mitt Romney Have in Common?
Both “New Deal Republicans” One thing I can agree with Newt Gingrich about Mitt Romney is he’s a Massachusetts moderate at best. Remember when Republican Scott Brown won a major upset victory in the 2010 special election for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by liberal Democrat Ted Kennedy? It was hailed as a big win by the Republican Party. Voters across Massachusetts braved winter cold and snow for an election with high stakes, and the domestic agenda of President Obama, including his priority of health care reform. On Wednesday Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) continued his re-election strategy of positioning himself as an independent thinker and voter, going as far as to align himself with President Obama! This is a perfect example of how far left the Party has gone and the many “New Deal’ Republicans of today. This guy reminds me of another politician from Massachusetts, Mitt Romney who will say and do anything to get elected and has a similar record. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/scott-brown-obama-massachusetts-senate-2012_n_1173064.html
U.S. Homes Lose $700 Billion in Value in 2011
The year-end housing news is sobering, U.S. homes are expected to lose more than $681 billion in value in 2011. What’s the real estate market outlook for 2012? What can we expect looking ahead to 2012, the unabsorbed pool of housing supply, dragging levels of consumer confidence, high unemployment and negative equity will continue to put downward pressure on the housing market. http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/23/u-s-homes-lose-700-billion-in-value-in-2011-and-that’s-the-go/
Politicians Pull Off Bigger Ponzi Scheme than Bernie Madhoff Ever Did
Who gets your social security after you`re dead? Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that’s close to $220,500. If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer’s contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you’d have $892,919.98. This is another example of what Rick Perry called “TREASON in high places” http://www.912delawarepatriots.com/forum/topic/81.html
Trump Drops Republican Party Registration in NY
Billionaire businessman Donald Trump has changed his voter registration in New York state from Republican to unaffiliated. This is a trend by Republicans that has been, and will be, playing out in larger numbers in the foreseeable future. When a Political Party sways from it’s founding principles, traditions, and values this trend becomes inevitable. This is happening around the county at all levels of government whether it be at the local, state, or federal levels. An example of this happened at the local Monroe County Republican Party Convention in 2008 when the right to a secret ballot was taken away (A Democrat Union Tactic) as to retain power and control by the status quo. The highest ranking member of this local party, Senator Randy Richardville of Monroe stood to be counted as to take away this right.There were over 50 precinct delegates at that convention that left the Republican Party and won’t be back. http://news.yahoo.com/trump-drops-republican-party-registration-ny-031537528.html
There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation, one is by the sword, the other is by debt.
John Adams
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, December, 26, 2011
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics on December 23, 2011
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion by R Al Bain
What is a Precinct Delegate and Does it Really Make a Difference? The answer to this question quite frankly is it depends. If you are fortunate enough to get involved in your local party that is being run by the Principles, Traditions, and Values that the Party was founded upon, it may or may not. In Michigan, and I’m sure the same holds true for other states as well, some local and state parties are not run accordingly.
As an voting Republican of over 35 years, Current Precinct Delegate in Monroe County, Current Executive Committee Member (non-active), Activist, and former Candidate at both the local and state levels here in Michigan, my experience tells me that being a Precinct Delegate in fact “does not” make a difference what so ever! When your local party is run like a “Gestapo Party” only to the benefit of a select few, including the highest ranking elected official member you are definitely wasting your time! On the other hand if you enjoy being a worker bee as to advance this type of agenda you deserve what you get.
The role of a Precinct Delegate is supposed to be to serve as a liaison between the citizens and voters in your community with the issues that are the most important to them. As a Precinct Delegate you carry the issues and concerns of those neighbors, friends, family, and community back to the local party where they should be addressed. However, with the above scenario those issues and concerns fall on deaf ears because it’s not within the bounds of their personal agenda.
Wonder Where are Road Tax Money Goes?
There are new bike paths sporting shiny asphalt, but the roads are crumbling. Motorists might be surprised to learn that of the 18.4 cents per gallon of federal gas tax they pay at the pump, only about 11 cents goes to maintain highways and bridges. Our elected leaders should ensure that the gas tax dollars Michigan motorists are paying are being used to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads. There is little wonder that citizens increasingly distrust government when tax dollars go to politically favored projects rather than the purpose for which they were intended. http://www.mackinac.org/16179
Republican-led Legislature Votes Overwhelmingly to Continue ‘Big Hollywood’ Film Subsidy
Sometimes it seems like Republicans only favor limited government when they are not in charge of it, said Michael LaFaive, director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. When will they accept that robbing Peter to pay Paul creates more job announcements than real jobs? That this failed ‘Big Hollywood’ program remains a creature of Michigan law is deeply disappointing. Tea Party activists were unhappy, to say the least. “I guess I’m not surprised that [bill sponsor] Sen. Richardville has continued his support of programs picking winners and losers in the economy,” said Wendy Day of Common Sense in Government. Day was a bit stunned by the support for the bill in the House. “What is their motivation for engaging in this? A lot of House Republicans campaigned against this as wasting taxpayer money, and then turned around and voted for it?” http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16182
The Michigan Film Office – Hollywood Economics’ Cost Taxpayers
HBO recently announced it was cancelling the show “Hung” after three seasons. The show was filmed in Detroit and the surrounding area. The Michigan Film Office estimates the production company spent $7 million from 2010 to 2011 and received $2.7 million back from the film subsidy, comprising about 38 percent of expenditures. The Michigan Film Office receives the film subsidy money from taxpayers. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16194
Governor Snyder Should Veto Film Incentive Bills
Michigan will continue to write million-dollar checks to Hollywood movie producers under legislation passed last week, but the state will still have little to show for its generosity except an acknowledgment as the credits roll. Gov. Rick Snyder should veto this bill not just because it’s an unfair and ineffective use of taxpayer money, but because it goes against his vision for the program to be flexible. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16181
Michigan Politicians Put Recall Rights In Crosshairs
You knew this was coming after the recent re-calls against several legislators. It’s not about what’s best for Michigan citizens and the voting public but how best to protect those feeding at the public trough! A resolution has been introduced in Lansing that would “strip voters of their rights” to recall public officials for policy decisions. In practice, this means that politicians could raise taxes, waste tax dollars and pass and enact virtually any law without having to fear being recalled. The bill, Senate Joint Resolution S, is sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, and co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe. Richardville was the target of a recent re-call in 2011 and word is another attempt will come in 2012 so no surprise he would co-sponsor this attack on the rights of Michigan voters! At the 2008 Monroe County Republican Party Convention Mr. Richardville voted in favor to “strip voters there of their rights” to a secret ballot. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16155
Tea Party Groups Work to Unseat Stabenow
Invitations are being sent to all eight GOP candidates for a Jan. 14 debate at Central Michigan University, organizers announced. Two leaders from each qualified tea party group will be invited to participate in a Feb. 25 straw poll at CMU to determine who wins the tea party endorsement. But the unprecedented effort to unify the tea party vote has drawn criticism from some who say the approach undermines the fiercely independent ideology of the movement. Others who support former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland (Pork Barrel Pete), believe the movement is designed to endorse any candidate but him as the tea party favorite and rightfully so with his liberal voting record! http://www.detnews.com/article/20111220/POLITICS02/112200359/Tea-party-groups-work-unseat-Stabenow
Metro Airport Severance-Gate Scandal Brings Political Corruption Front and Center
No surprise here about Suzanne Hall (former Southgate Mayor) being delegated to negotiate the contract with Turkia Mullin. Suzanne Hall was mentored by Ed (Fast Eddie) McNamara along with other local and state politicians, such as Kwame Kilpatrick, Bob Ficano, Mike Dungan, Jennifer Granholm, all Democrats. Former state attorney general and former Republican candidate for Michigan Governor Mike Cox was also groomed by McNamara who was the second biggest political crook in Michigan history next to Coleman Young! Electing and re-electing “corruptocrats” like those mentioned above along with Kwame’s father, Bernard Kilpatrick (former chief of staff for Ed McNamara), who all came out of the same corrupt Edward McNamara machine has proven to be a serious problem for Michigan and it’s citizens. http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/11/severancegate_round-up_turkia_1.html
Chevy Volt Could Be Costing Taxpayers Up to $250K Per Vehicle
Each Chevy Volt sold thus far may have as much as $250,000 in state and federal dollars in incentives behind it, a total of $3 billion altogether. And you thought cash for clunkers was bad! http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16192
Ex-Auto Czar: Taxpayers Will Lose $14 Billion on Auto Bailouts
American taxpayers will lose about $14 billion on the $82 billion investment to restructure General Motors Co., Chrysler Group LLC and Ally Financial Inc., former auto czar Steven Rattner said. In addition, Rattner acknowledged in a recently published epilogue to his 2010 book, “Overhaul,” that about $19.4 billion that the government put into GM before the 2009 bankruptcy is “lost money.” Asked what he would have done differently, Rattner at first said, “amazingly little,” but then after a brief reflection he added, “We put more cash into GM than we now, in hindsight, probably needed to.” This just proves that like everything else the government gets involved in where it shouldn’t be the results are dismal! http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/story/2011-12-16/auto-bailout-taxpayer-cost/52007784/1
With all the corrupted and self serving politicians I do not believe we as citizens will see a truly representative government of the people for the people in my remaining life time.
R Al Bain
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, December, 19, 2011
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics on December 16, 2011
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion By R Al Bain – Road Legislation: Lawmakers “are” the Problem
Our legislators continue taking money designated for roads and moving it to the General Fund where it gets used for a variety of non-transportation related purposes. It is difficult to justify generating new revenue for roads until they stop taking away money that should be going to roads and spending it elsewhere. Otherwise, road related taxes and fees are subsidizing other programs, and it is disingenuous to ask taxpayers for more road money when we know it will not stay there.
As an example, in Michigan the 6% sales tax on gasoline, automobiles, and automobile related accessories has recently generated $1.9 billion dollars in revenue. In other states a portion of this money goes to roads, but in Michigan none of it is earmarked for that purpose. Taxpayers rightfully expect that all the taxes they pay at the pump or their equivalent should go to transportation, especially roads.” Once again, these bills take money from roads and give it to the general fund which will necessitate a tax increase on gas down the road.”
Other examples: 2009 House Bill 5072: Transfer road tax money to other purposes (Senate Roll Call 539) Passed in the Senate on October 20, 2009, to reduce the amount of infrastructure project spending from the transportation economic development fund by $12 million in the Fiscal Year that ends Sept. 30, 2009, and another $12 million in the next fiscal year. House Bill 5073 diverts this money to other state spending.
2011 Senate Bill 411: Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville on June 7, 2011, to revise the state road tax allocation law to accommodate the authority proposed by Senate Bill 410 to build a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor. This would rob money from our road funds for this authority.
Governor Snyder has proposed more tax revenue for roads by raising the registration fee per vehicle by as much as $120.00. Snyder also wants to change the per-gallon tax on fuel and replace it with a tax of about 6.7 percent on the wholesale price. Michigan motorists still would pay the current federal fuel tax and state sales tax when they fill up at the pump. This is a bait and switch idea because the cost to the consumer would rise with the price of fuel! It’s bad enough that every Michigan vehicle owner has to pay $145 per vehicle per year for the Michigan Catastrophic Fee.
Michigan Legislature to Vote on ObamaCare Exchange
Despite all the promises from the Republicans while on the campaign trail, the Republicans are on the verge of cementing ObamaCare in Michigan. http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/hostedemail/email.htm?CID=10600415171&ch=4D34BF0B7490C6C1A952C793018EB037&h=3e1153dc45d0de2ed23b046a6535ac20&ei=WDgM5UTFN
Richardville & 21 Other Republicans Vote for ObamaCare Exchange
Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville and 21 other Republican Senators vote in favor of ObamaCare exchange! Eight Republican Senators voted no. How could Richardville a self proclaimed conservative vote in favor of this bill? I’ll tell you, he is no conservative but a Republican in name only (RINO)! It is a sad day in Michigan when supposedly conservative politicians vote for something like this that basically endorses Obamacare because of the contents of this bill. Re-call them and or vote them out they do not represent Conservative Republican Principles, Traditions, and Values! If the thinking is re-call better hurry because they are in Lansing as I write this introducing legislation to make it harder for citizens to re-call an elected official! http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=592385
Bill Banning the Use of Public Funds to Collect Union Dues Stalls in Senate
No surprise here with Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville and his Uncle Senator Roger Kahn both past proponants of this type of practice with home healthcare providers and home daycare providers through the SEIU. Proposed legislation to ban the practice of using public school resources to deduct union dues from teacher paychecks appears to be stalled in the state Senate. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16154
Michigan Senate Revives Corporate Welfare Scheme Governor Vowed to End
Just two weeks after one of the firms benefiting from a $100 million state electric car battery subsidy deal announced layoffs of 125 Michigan workers (A123 Corporation), the state Senate has authorized a $50 million deal for another electric car project (Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”). The latest combination of cash grants and tax breaks would go to a firm called Townsend Ventures, which wants to use the former Ford Motors Wixom plant to make systems related to electric cars and batteries, including the “development and installation of a cost effective, national, electric vehicle recharging system. This would be the second time the Legislature has authorized huge subsidies for an alternative energy scheme using this particular plant. In 2009, $100 million was approved for a deal that fell through earlier this year, a joint venture involving firms calling themselves “Xtreme Power” and “Clairvoyant Energy.” http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16148
Ficano Wants Taxpayers to Foot Bill for Legal Costs
All Michigan Taxpayers are effected by this not just Detroit and Wayne County. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is so swamped with FBI subpoenas he wants taxpayers to spend nearly $400,000 for a criminal defense attorney to answer them. http://detnews.com/article/20111214/METRO01/112140355/Ficano-350K-legal-costs?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Michigan Taxpayers are on the Hook again for Monica Conyers’ Legal woes
It was learned Monday that the City of Detroit has agreed to settle a lawsuit that says Conyers, wife of Detroit Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers, had someone fired for politically opposing her when she was a city councilwoman. Wasn’t she recently on furlough (vacation) from prison here in Detroit for another legal matter? Civil matters aside, the Michigan Taxpayers also paid for Conyers’ lawyer in her criminal case where she pleaded guilty to bribery and was sentenced to 37 months in prison. Can the voters be so stupid as to re-elect her husband Detroit Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers who claimed he knew nothing of the corruption his “wife” was involved in? http://www.freep.com/article/20111108/NEWS01/111080350/City-agrees-cover-lawsuit-against-Conyers
Feds’ Subpoenas Target Wayne County Business Dealings
This looks like the Fed’s are digging pretty deep into this corruption which will take many of the players down along with some Lansing politicians as well. “I think it’s significant, because it means that it’s gone up another level from an FBI investigation,” said David Griem, a Detroit defense attorney and former federal prosecutor. http://www.freep.com/article/20111117/NEWS02/111170499/Feds-subpoenas-target-Wayne-County-business-dealings
U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade Offical Evidence Request http://www.freep.com/assets/freep/pdf/C41819131116.PDF
Tea Party Groups Seek Ohio ‘Right-to-Work’ Measure
Just two days after Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected a state law curbing collective bargaining rights, a tea party coalition said it will push an amendment to the state’s constitution that would prevent workers covered by union contracts from being required to join unions or pay dues. http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2011/11/tea-party-groups-seek-ohio-right-to-work-measure/
Is the End Near for Comcast?
The maligned cable giant has had 443,000 more homes cancel than sign up this year and things are just going to get worse. Comcast was actually last year’s winner in Consumerist.com’s annual Worst Company in America contest. Comcast has seen 443,000 more homes cancel than sign up so far this year, and that’s after losing 757,000 accounts in 2010 after shedding 623,000 customers in 2009. http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/10/why-comcast-will-never-be-great-again/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-bb%7Cdl13%7Csec1_lnk3%7C111628
The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter, they are an entire banquet.
Mark Twain
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, December, 12, 2011
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics on December 9, 2011
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion by R Al Bain
Here in Monroe County we have a local Republican Party that acts, and is run like it’s a Gestapo Party. As an executive committee member (non-active) I have been observing their Democratic Union tactics for several years. This party is run by the “self proclaimed conservative” (FAT CHANCE) Senator Randy Richardville and his minions lead by his mother first vice chair Glenda Kennon. She has been first vice chair since her son was first elected as a state representative back in 1999.
Many chairman of this local party have come and gone but Mrs. Kennon has remained first vice chair since 1999. Those that have been past chairman were hand picked by the “Richardville Machine” and either left because of how the party was run or if they didn’t go along with the Richardville agenda they were “purged”. Recently a dues paying member, (isn’t that how the Democrats run their party) in good standing upset the machine by holding Republican Breakfast Club meetings and inviting candidates that wasn’t the machines choice.
Prior to a recent monthly party meeting a closed door session of the Richardville Machine Executive Committee Members (click) voted to “ban” this member from further participation and when he showed up for the meeting was turned away by three member thugs! Some questions come to mind with this revelation, is this the Principles, Traditions, and Values that the Republican Party was founded upon? I for one think not and this is the reason I as an executive committee member am inactive within this local party!
Tea Party Boiling Mad at Governor Snyder
He’s not a conservative. He is not for smaller government,” opines Scott Hagerstrom, who runs the Michigan chapter of the very right-leaning and Tea Party-dominated Americans for Progress, 65,000 strong.
J.R. Whiting Coal-Fired Power Plant in Monroe to Close in 2015
This is a blow to Monroe County and the City of Luna Pier. The plant accounts for 50 percent of Luna Pier’s tax base revenue not counting the jobs that will be lost. New state and federal regulations prohibit the plant to stay afloat because of the upgrade cost.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Nation/2011/12/03/Luna-Pier-coal-fired-power-plant-to-shut-in-15.html
Michigan Lawmakers Want to Handcuff Voters With New Recall Legislation
When it comes to legislators losing their spot feeding at the public trough they will go to any lengths to preserve it! Instead of wasting time protecting their sorry asses why not do what they were elected to do, the peoples business. Michigan citizens need jobs, road and infrastructure improvements, and a debt free state government. What we get is higher taxes, no new jobs, crumbling roads and infrastructure, bigger government, all while they propose legislation that benefits themselves.
County Pals Win Big with Contracts
For any taxpayer of Michigan willing to do the research within their own community they will find that the same “friends and family” favoritism with our own elected politicians. Again, this is not regulated to just corruption in Wayne County but throughout the whole state. Our elected officials are instrumental in getting no-bid contracts for associates, political contributors and others connected to county government.
Green Energy – More Wasted Tax Dollars
Michigan liberals in Lansing wasting taxpayer dollars on green subsidies! At the Federal level liberals can’t pretend that Solyndra was a one-time occurrence or that the “green” energy loan program that gave it $535 million of your money is otherwise a great program. Michigan has and is dolling out plenty of tax dollars to green companies that have or are staring to fail.
http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2011/11/more-wasted-tax-dollars/
Big Bets on Solar Companies Aren’t Paying Off for Taxpayers
The subsidies just a keep on flowing in Michigan! United Solar and its Auburn Hills parent, Energy Conversion Devices, are barely hanging on along with other solar related companies. Government investments, commitments and earmarks totaled more than $170 million for the company. The hope, if not the promise, was that ECD would create more than 1,000 new jobs in Michigan as green technology took hold. They didn’t happen so the taxpayers loose again!
Top GOP aide for House panel has ties to Solyndra
The top GOP aide to a House committee investigating Solyndra Inc. once worked for a lobbying firm that helped the now-bankrupt solar company apply for a half-billion-dollar federal loan. Gary Andres, staff director of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, was a vice chairman at Dutko Worldwide until last December, when he was appointed to his current post by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the energy panel. The committee is investigating Solyndra, which received a $528 million Energy Department loan in 2009. The company later went bankrupt and laid off its 1,100 workers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-us-solarinvestigatio,0,6813938.story
Is the U.S. Headed into a New Recession?
Many citizens feel that we haven’t come out of the current one! The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, which recently published a research paper estimating that the odds were “greater than 50-50” that the U.S. will experience a recession sometime in 2012? That view was backed up by Pacific Investment Management CEO Mohamed A. El-Erian, who recently told Bloomberg TV that he found the economic conditions in the U.S. “terrifying” and placed the odds of the country entering a new recession as high as 50%.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/06/why-are-economic-forecasts-so-confusing/
Food Stamps Buy Starbucks Frappuccino At Grocery Store
Could this be happening here in Michigan? A recent investigation by Oregon Fox affiliate KPTV has found that Frappuccinos can now be bought with food stamps at Starbucks stands located within grocery stores.”It’s crazy”, said Jackie Fowler, the food stamp recipient who took part in the investigation for Fox 12 News. “They’re overpriced as it is. That’s money that somebody could be eating with – a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk.”
http://www.kptv.com/story/16160615/fox-12-investigators-find-food-stamps-used-for?hpt=us_bn7
MF Global Fallout Affects Us All
If you have a 401, pension, or any other type of financial interest this fallout will have a huge effect on you! It doesn’t matter if you were directly invested with MF Global or not your investment entity will have a huge impact and not for the better. This has affected the farmers in the United States severely and this will have a impact on the already high cost of food as an example with other rippling effects yet unknown. Ann Barnhardt explains the repercussions in this interview, click here.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/06/us-mfglobal-agriculture-idUSTRE7B509620111206
Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason
Mark Twain
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, December, 5, 2011
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics on December 2, 2011
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion by R Al Bain
For the past three weeks I have conversed with several individual citizens and business owners of all political affiliation throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The overall consensus of the direction of our state, country, and the political leadership we as citizens are receiving is not good at all. While the conversations were on a broad range of the political spectrum and recent enacted policies here in Michigan, the citizenry are not happy campers
The new Pension Tax, the Smoking Ban, and the proposed New Bridge to Canada along with higher taxes in general dominated the conversations. Not one person I talked with liked any of the above or agreed with the enacted or proposed legislation. How is it that those we elect to represent us do not adhere to our wishes? This tell’s me that the rhetoric we hear from these representative’s prior to being elected is just that. Once in office, special interest, lobbyist, and party take a front seat to our wishes and concerns on how we want to be represented.
We as voters must to our due diligence with research before casting a vote. The Republican leadership in Lansing is not governing in accordance with the principles, traditions, and values that the Republican Party was founded upon! In fact, I would argue that today’s Republican’s are “New Deal Republican’s” and not Conservative Republican’s. We need a smaller government along with, less taxes and a part-time legislature here in Michigan!
15% Poverty Rate? No Evidence where Lobbyists and Legislators Meet
The Recession is Over for Lobbyists! It appears that the recession has ended, at least for Lansing lobbyists. They reported spending $19,664,879 in the first seven months of 2011. That figure is up by 11.6 percent compared to the first seven months of 2010, and it exceeds the spending pace of 2008, the record year for lobbying in Lansing, when reported spending totaled $19,599,000 in the January through July reporting period. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville was the top beneficiary of the food and beverage hospitality, enjoying $2,985 worth of food and libations. That is more than $47 per day when the Senate was in session. So much for representing your constituents over the lobbyist and special interest! http://mcfn.org/press.php?prId=133
Lobbyists Welcome Michigan Legislators with Perks
Private parties. Free meals. Even gifts. It sounds like a dream come true, and for some lawmakers, it really is. Michigan legislators just got back from a five-day conference where they were wined and dined. It’s reported that a handful of Michigan lawmakers made the trip and not at taxpayer expense but I disagree totally in that assumption. Indirectly taxpayers pay dearly in the legislative influence wielded by these lobbyist and special interest groups over what’s in the best interest of the citizens (taxpayers) here in Michigan. Lobbyist and Special Interest groups have a policy agenda, and they’re trying to drive that agenda. http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/lawmakers-lavished-with-free-meals,-parties,-gifts-at-san-antonio-conference
Michigan Senators who voted for SB 693 Obamacare Wall of Shame http://www.campaignforliberty.org/profile/7653/blog/2011/11/13/obamacare-exchange-wall-shame
Senators Admit Obamacare Is Unconstitutional
On the morning of Nov. 10, the following 13 Republican state senators all voted to implement a key component of the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” by authorizing creation of a Michigan agency to distribute the law’s insurance subsidies: Darwin Booher, Bruce Caswell, Judy Emmons, Mike Green, Geoff Hansen, David Hildenbrand, Mark Jansen, Rick Jones, Roger Kahn, Jim Marleau, Arlan Meekhof, John Pappageorge and Randy Richardville.
A few minutes later, these same Republicans (plus several others who voted against creation of the agency – the “exchange”) voted for a resolution that included the following assertion about the PPACA: “The act violates the U.S. Constitution, including the Ninth and Tenth Amendments and the constitutional principles of federalism and dual sovereignty on which this nation was founded.”
Some are saying that by their own admission these lawmakers declared that they had just violated the U.S. Constitution, which 10 months ago they all swore an oath to support. These politicians will claim that this characterization is unfair and simplistic, because Obamacare forces lawmakers to choose between two unpalatable options: Implement what they consider an unconstitutional law themselves, or let the federal government do so, possibly in ways that are even more harmful to Michigan.
In fact, the law does force that choice, although for most Michigan residents it will make little difference whether Obamacare’s mandates, cost increases, budget-busting subsidies and eventual rationing are administered by the state or the federal government. http://www.mackinac.org/error404.aspx?ID=16036#thread1
Governor Snyder may go it alone on New Bridge to Canada
Gov. Rick Snyder lost the battle his first significant defeat since taking office in January to convince the Legislature to sign off on one of his top priorities: building a public bridge between Detroit and Windsor. But expectations are growing that he will push the New International Trade Crossing outside of the Legislature, a strategy that raises serious legal questions over the extent of the governor’s executive authority. http://www.freep.com/article/20111121/NEWS06/111210438/Gov-Snyder-may-go-alone-new-public-bridge-Canada
Michigan DNR Buys Upper Peninsula Land
Our State is “broke” and in “debt” so can anyone tell me how and why we are buying land? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is buying about 2,000 acres of Upper Peninsula land to create the Menominee River State Recreation Area. The DNR announced Tuesday it will buy the acreage in Menominee and Dickinson counties for $2.5 million from Wisconsin Electric Power Co. Northern Michigan Land Brokers purchased the expanse of riverfront from We Energies, a Wisconsin utility at roughly $2,000 an acre or twice as much per acre as the company paid, according to Robert Sullivan, the firm’s principal owner. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sports/outdoors/michigan-dnr-buys-land-in-upper-peninsula
Property Values in Michigan Down but not Taxes
The median change in property tax revenues among communities statewide is a 5.7% increase between 2008 and 2010, according to the Free Press analysis. http://www.freep.com/article/20111118/NEWS05/111180394/Property-values-metro-Detroit-down-not-taxes-analysis-shows
GOP Plan Targets Deductions, Would Raise Taxes by $290 Billion
A Republican plan to raise taxes by $290 billion over the next decade would limit deductions for mortgage interest, charitable donations and state and local taxes as part of a deficit-reduction deal. Some workers could also see their employer-provided health benefits taxed for the first time, though aides cautioned that the plan is still fluid. http://news.yahoo.com/gop-tax-plan-targets-itemized-deductions-080710390.html
Statistics Proves U.S. Economy Much Worse Than Most Americans Think
Yes, most Americans realize that the economy is not doing well right now, but most of them also believe that this is just a “temporary” downturn. The mainstream media tells us over and over that a “recovery” has either already begun or that one is right around the corner. Sadly, the truth is that the U.S.economy is in much worse shape than most Americans think. http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2011/11/15-statistics-which-prove-that-the-u-s-economy-is-in-much-worse-shape-than-most-americans-think/
New Social Security Formula would Cut Benefits, Raise Taxes
Why is it that our elected officials (politicians) whether in Lansing or Washington, make decisions, it seems to effect the citizens they are supposed to represent the hardest and have little if any effect on them? The recent legislation passed in Lansing to cut lawmaker benefits sounds great on the surface but out of 38 Senators they rigged it so 36 are exempt! Just as 55 million Social Security recipients are about to get their first benefit increase in three years, Congress is looking at reducing future raises by adopting a new measure of inflation that also would increase taxes for most families. Those with low incomes would be hit hardest. http://www.freep.com/article/20111108/NEWS07/111080330/New-Social-Security-formula-would-cut-benefits-raise-taxes
“Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Thomas Jefferson
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