"That's Saul, folks!"Michigan Republican Party Blog

Granholm Plays the Blame Game...numbers don't add up???

Numbers add up to a failing Michigan

New federal report indicates state is alone in its economic misery

G ov. Jennifer Granholm is basing her re-election appeal on the slogan, "It's not my fault." She blames Michigan's sorry condition on the policies of President George W. Bush.

But the numbers tell a different story. Take a look at the latest report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on economic conditions in Michigan:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060731/OPINION01/607310311/1008

Articles of Interest 7-31-06

That was NOT a typo….ONLY 99 days left until election day!

The campaign for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate is in full swing. Both Sheriff Mike Bouchard and Reverend Keith Butler have gone up on TV with new ads.  The candidates are criss-crossing the state in the final week of the primary looking for Republican votes to determine who our nominee will be.

Some have expressed concern about going “negative against one another” rather than focusing on why each is the better candidate to beat Debbie Stabenow.  Let’s stay focused and keep our eye on the prize.

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/01/bouchard_butler.html

For more information go to their web sites at:

http://www.bouchardforussenate.com/

http://www.butlerforussenate.com/

I received a great email titled “Putting Cross Border Trespassing in Perspective”.  It is a very well done piece that makes it very easy to understand and comprehend the frustration taking place in America on this issue.  To see the complete email post go to:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/putting_crossbo.html

U.S. Senate Unity Breakfast RSVP…We invite you to join us Wednesday morning, August 9th, from 9:00 –10:30 am at the Laurel Manor at 29000 Schoolcraft Road in Livonia. Please RSVP with Anthony Lewis at  517-487-5413 or anthony@migop.org  See the link below for “MapQuest” directions.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=39000%20Schoolcraft%20Rd&city=Livonia&state=MI&zipcode=48150%2d1036&country=US&geodiff=1

Victory Centers are up and running with our updated Voter Vault list.  The Republican National Committee (RNC) made a huge investment on our behalf cleaning up the list, doing the actual “QVF” merge and phone number look up.  Michigan is a key state in this upcoming election and the RNC is working closely with the state party to insure we are as well prepared as we can be to identify supporters and implement an effective GOTV program.  This is a team effort and your time and efforts are a big part of making this a great success.

Thanks again for all you do!

Saul Anuzis

Putting Cross-Border Trespassing in Perspective

This was sent via email to me....

Putting Cross-Border Trespassing in Perspective

Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house) .

"According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest ... um, except for ... well, you know.

"And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker."

Did I miss anything? Does this sound reasonable to you? If it does, grab a sign and go picket something. If this sounds insane to you, call your senators, congressman and enlighten them because they are stumbling in the darkness right now and really need your help."

Articles of Interest 7-30-06

100 Days left until Victory!

100 reasons NOT to re-elect Governor Jennifer Granholm…OK more!

100 reasons NOT to re-elect Senator Debbie Stabenow…yes, yes,  the list grows daily!

But 100 days left to get all the work done that will ultimately help bring Michigan back, is daunting all in itself.  We have lots of work to do and every hour you can volunteer at a Victory Center, or for a candidate and/or just talk to your friends and neighbors about this election is  IMPORTANT.

We are at a point in this campaign where the Democrats are increasing their level of attacks.  Both the Granholm campaign and the Stabenow campaign have bankrolled millions of dollars to go after our Republican candidates.

Polls are showing Michigan Republicans in a unique position nationwide.  We are the only state where national pundits are putting us on a “watch” list where Republicans could knock off two Democrat incumbents.

We are in a single state recession, with leadership that can’t or just isn’t capable of leading the effort to turn things around.  Granholm and Stabenow live in a “state of denial” and keep promising things will get better.  Years of empty promises.

Two incumbents, both with records that don’t match their rhetoric.

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The campaign for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate is in full swing. Both Sheriff Mike Bouchard and Reverend Keith Butler have gone up on TV with new ads.  The candidates are criss-crossing the state in the final week of the primary looking for Republican votes to determine who our nominee will be.

Some have expressed concern about going “negative against one another” rather than focusing on why each is the better candidate to beat Debbie Stabenow.  Let’s stay focused and keep our eye on the prize.

For more information go to their web sites at:

http://www.bouchardforussenate.com/

http://www.butlerforussenate.com/

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“Man bites dog!”

Now both the Detroit Free Press and Lansing State Journal all of the sudden are complaining that their own words are being used in an ad that some how confuses the voter about the distinction between their writers and the paper…give me a break.

The Granholm campaign has gone on the offensive with a negative campaign that includes straight out lies, distortions and innuendos that are intended to have people question Dick DeVos and his motives and positions.  The DeVos campaign documents and points out that fact in a very straightforward ad.

One activist sent me his letter to the editor after the Free Press wrote their editorial.  I couldn’t of say it any better…so why try.  Here is the bulk of his text:

“What is especially comical is your editorial's suggestion that there is somehow a distinction to be found between the opinions of Free Press columnist Dickerson and the “institutional” opinions of the Free Press. In the editorial you, a majority of the editorial board, whoever, wrote:

“The original ad attributed to the Free Press the words "phony" and “magoguery," supposedly describing Granholm's rhetoric against DeVos. In fact, those words appeared in a column by Brian Dickerson of the Free Press, which makes them one person's view as opposed to the newspaper expressing an opinion on its editorial page. The revised ad attributes the words only to the generic "press" and to a "Free Press column."

WHILE THE DISTINCTION MAY BE LOST ON THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IT IS SIGNIFICANT TO A NEWSPAPER THAT MAY HOLD INSTITUTIONAL OPINIONS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF ITS COLUMNISTS…”  (emphasis added)

What utter bunkum.  “May hold institutional opinions quite different from those of its columnists”???  Please, name the local columnist at the Detroit Free Press who might even remotely be described as conservative (sports and hunting excluded).  The Free Press stable of hyper-liberal local columnists could not be more in line with the paper’s hyper-liberal, anti-Republican Party editorial board if your brains were all hard wired together by USB cable.

Moreover, that distinction is not lost on the public at all.  That may fly around the water cooler at the Free Press, but it only shows how isolated you have become.  If  Mr. Dickerson commited libel and the Knight Ridder or Gannett (or whichever conglomerate owns you at the moment) was sued and tried to separate itself from the columnist and defend itself  by harrumphing “Why, judge, we are not responsible, we do not necessarily endorse that opinion, why 'a newspaper may hold institutional opinions quite different from those of its columnists'…” the judge would laugh that “institutional opinion” right out of the courtroom.

The fact is that the “institutional opinions” of the Free Press (or any newspaper) are merely the opinions of some other writers and cartoonists; a majority of the paper’s editorial board which in some cases may mean as few as three people.  But draping the august mantle of “The Detroit Free Press” over the mere opinions of Ron, Mike and Nicole certainly vests those opinions with a lot more authority and weight than their opinions would otherwise have.

Or deserve.”

Now that’s a letter to the editor!  OK folks, back to work.  We have lots to do.

Together, let’s make every day count!!!

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 7-29-06

The DeVos campaign is making impressive inroads in fundraising despite being outspent by Governor Granholm by a large margin since she became a candidate for statewide office.  Since that time, Granholm has spent more than $18 million – much of it special interest money from political action committees (PACs) – on campaigns for statewide public office.

Dick DeVos is the only candidate for governor who does not take special interest PAC money.

An impressive 92 percent of the DeVos campaign’s donors were in-state donors.  The number of donors is higher than any other GOP candidate in the state of Michigan in only nine months of fundraising.  The campaign continued its commitment to not accept any contributions from special interests or PACs.

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Governor Granholm announce her new “road building” project to help create jobs.  An editorial cartoon said it best:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/granholms_jobs_.html

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WANTED Poster gets lots of exposure: 

Partnership for Progress Information….Governor Granholm set up a super secret slush fund and raised $MILLIONS$ of dollars into this fund.  Now they have “closed” the fund without reporting where that money has gone.

We don’t know who gave how much and what they got in return???

We don’t know where the money went…to the Michigan Democratic Party – they say no???  To Dan Mulhern or Jennifer Granholm personally – we don’t know?  To another Democratic controlled fund that will funnel money back into the Governors campaign???

This maybe go down as one of the most intriguing scandals in Michigan politics as literally millions of dollars have disappeared from the “process”….even the donors have NO idea where their funds have gone…except that they are not where they were told they were going to be.

Join us in discovering the truth.   Help us get to the bottom of this.  Michigan voters deserve to know.  In the old days, laundering money could land you in jail???

For more information and to see the WANTED poster go to:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/wanted_informat.html

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IT'S DONE!!   The Voter Vault list upgrade has been successfully completed.  The Vault is now operating off of the most up-to-date Qualified Voter File data from the Secretary of State's office.   

Please help us in spreading the word.  For those of you who've been helping at our phone banks, you'll find that voter contact attempts will be much, much easier now that the most up-to-date phone numbers are available. 

Thank you for your patience during the update process.   Please note that while we updated the data, the Voter Vault interface (appearance) has not changed.   The RNC is working on version 3.0, but is not ready to go live with the new program just yet.   We'll let you know when that will be occurring.   

We had over 1.6 million voter changes (new addresses, phone numbers, etc.).  There is still some minor clean up and corrections being made over the weekend.

Voter Vault is now the most up to date and complete voter list available for Republican candidates to use.  The Michigan Republican Party has paid for the extensive update, phone number merge and clean up…and now it’s available to Republican candidates and district/county parties free of charge.  Take advantage of this great service.

Rep. Dave Palsrok (R-Manistee) and his wife Emily, had their first child.

Kathryn Sprik Palsrok was born at 6:03 p.m. Thursday in Manistee and weighs 6 pounds, 15 ounces.

Congratulations and welcome to a “new world”.  Enjoy!!!

Saul Anuzis

Granholm's Jobs Program

For original source go to:

http://info.detnews.com/wrightoon/index.cfm?id=695

Articles of Interest 7-28-06

"This balance between the National and State governments ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people. If one encroaches on their rights they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed, they will both be prevented from overpassing their constitutional limits by a certain rivalship, which will ever subsist between them."

-- Alexander Hamilton (speech to the New York Ratifying Convention,
17 June 1788)

Reference: The Works of Alexander Hamilton, Henry Cabot Lodge, ed., vol. 2 (28)

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WANTED:  Partnership for Progress Information….Governor Granholm set up a super secret slush fund and raised $MILLIONS$ of dollars into this fund.  Now they have “closed” the fund without reporting where that money has gone.

We don’t know who gave how much and what they got in return???

We don’t know where the money went…to the Michigan Democratic Party – they say no???  To Dan Mulhern or Jennifer Granholm personally – we don’t know?  To another Democratic controlled fund that will funnel money back into the Governors campaign???

This maybe go down as one of the most intriguing scandals in Michigan politics as literally millions of dollars have disappeared from the “process”….even the donors have NO idea where their funds have gone…except that they are not where they were told they were going to be.

Join us in discovering the truth.   Help us get to the bottom of this.  Michigan voters deserve to know.  In the old days, laundering money could land you in jail???

For more information and to see the WANTED poster go to:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/wanted_informat.html

*****************************************************************

Senator Levin launches web page for his re-election two ½ years before he is even up….I think he’s getting a little worried…a little early!  Things are changing in Michigan and the Michigan Republicans are getting ready to lead the way!

The Web site can be viewed at http://www.carllevin.com .

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Poll numbers do jump up and down…two released within 48 hours basically show this race neck ‘n neck.  Expect this to be par for the course over the next few months.

Remember, Granholm Inc. has spent somewhere near $50 millions dollars selling her to the voters of Michigan and knocking Dick DeVos.  So far, the DeVos campaign has just started introducing themselves to the voters of Michigan with an estimated $10 million dollar TV advertising budget.  The power of incumbency is worth MILLIONS, and this Governor know how to use it and abuse it better than any.

Saul Anuzis

WANTED: Information...$1,000 Reward!

Articles of Interest 7-27-06

More polls…this time the numbers flip over the other way.  That’s why we are constantly warning all our activists NOT to read too much into these or any other polls this early in the race.  The only poll numbers that really matter are on election day.

History has shown us, Michigan is a swing, competitive state.  I want to remind you that John Engler won his first race by less than  ½ of a percentage point…Mike Cox won his first race by less than ½ of a percentage point…Debbie Stabenow beat Spence Abraham by less than ½ of a percentage point…we WIN and LOSE races in Michigan on the margin.

That’s why the grassroots work we do day in and day out is so important.  That margin of victory is going to come because our volunteers will NOT stop making phone calls, or knocking on doors until 8:00pm on election day.  Michigan Republicans have shown time and time again, we have some of the best “ground troops” in the business.

Governor Granholm has spent over $18 million dollars (reported) in her campaigns telling her story to the voters of Michigan.  Granholm Inc. has spent “tens of millions” of unreported funds pitching and spinning their lines.  We have an incumbent Governor who is presiding over a “single state recession” where we continue to lose ONE job for every TWENTY minutes she has been in office.

Take note, this is while 49 other states are moving forward, creating jobs…in fact nationwide we have created over 5.3 million new jobs since the summer of 2003…just not here in Michigan under Governor Granholm.

We can do better…

Governor Jennifer Granholm began another state hosted online petition Wednesday, asking Michigan citizens to ask the Legislature to ease restrictions on stem cell research. The new petition comes fresh off the controversy surrounding the governor’s online gas petition, where signors received unsolicited emails from the Granholm for Governor campaign. I issued the following statement is response:

“Jennifer Granholm’s online petitions are quickly turning into the 2006 version of the governor’s unproductive task forces of years past. Time has proven that Granholm’s leadership by task force, by press release, and now by online petition, doesn’t work for Michigan. If this issue is truly as important as the governor claims, then Granholm needs to be a leader and get something done. L. Brooks Patterson has shown that if you believe in an issue, starting a real petition can get something accomplished.”

“I wonder how long it will take for this ‘official government petition’ to find its way to the Granholm campaign offices?”

I think this is just a blatant misuse of taxpayers dollar.  It shows that this Governor is willing to do whatever it takes to get re-elected.  Since Granholm first ran for public office, she has spent over $18 million “hard” reportable dollars on her campaigns.  Additionally, she has used “tens of millions” of taxpayer funds for self serving political benefit.  I’m betting the voters will see through this and agree with a majority of the people in Michigan…it’s time for a change!  Dick DeVos is the leader we need!!!

What’s next?  A bake sale for the budget?  A yard sale for Medicaid funding?  Get real…it’s about leadership.  These are serious issues and phoney online petitions are a distraction. Frankly, this only raises the level of disappointment we all have in our state’s Governor and for the media who fails to blow the whistle on these distractions.

The Cook Political Report came out with it’s latest ratings on Governor races around the country.  Michigan: “Toss Up”.  The U.S. Senate races is rated: “Lean D”.  Just wait until the primary is over!?!

Here is a great post on LunchBucketConservative about the Granholm/Google connection.  A good read…

http://lunchbucketconservative.com/2006/07/26/google-this-granholm-campaignistration.aspx

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New Hampshire:  “NH Insider” conducted a poll to gauge support for the 2008 Presidential Primary…very interesting results:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/nh_insiders_pre.html

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Check out the latest on immigration reform.  Congressman Pence teamed up with Senator Hutchinson to offer another proposal to further the debate.  In my opinion, clearly a step in the right direction.

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/immigration_ref.html

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I wonder if we should suggest that President Bush appoint Governor Granholm as head of Homeland Security?  She clearly knows how to keep jobs and moving trucks from coming into Michigan???

Saul Anuzis

Immigration Reform...Pence-Hutchinson Proposal

I couldn't agree more with the following words from Congressman Pence:

"I always have seen the solution as a four-step process. Securing our border is the first step. The second step is to make the decision, once and for all, to deny amnesty to people whose first act in the United States was a violation of the law. The third step is to put in place a temporary worker program, without amnesty, that will efficiently provide American employers with willing temporary workers who come to America legally. The final step is tough employer sanctions that ensure a full partnership between American business and the American government in the enforcement of our laws on immigration and temporary workers."

This proposal clearly appears to be a step in the right direction.  For more information and original source material go to:

http://www.humanevents.com/rightangle/index.php?1=1&title=pence_tries_again_on_immigration_reform

NH Insiders Presidential Preference Poll

http://www.nhinsider.com/news/2006/7/14/allen-wins-nh-insider-presidential-primary-poll.html

Allen wins NH Insider Presidential Primary Poll

With over 500 unique votes Virginia Senator George Allens wins the NH Insider presidential primary poll.

If the 2008 Republican presidential primary were held today who would you vote for?
16%  US Sen. George Allen (R-VA)
7%    Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS)
2%    US Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)
4%    John Cox (R-IL)
2%    US Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN)
8%    Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
13%  Former N. Y.City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R-NY)
2%    US Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
4%    Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
10% US Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
4%    Gov. George Pataki (R-NY)
9%    US Sec. of State Condoleezza "Condi" Rice (R-CA)
12%  Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)
8%    U.S. Cong. Tom Tancredo (R-CO)

For original post go to:

http://www.nhinsider.com/news/2006/7/14/allen-wins-nh-insider-presidential-primary-poll.html

Michigan Needs a Leader, not a Webmaster

Michigan Needs a Leader, Not a Webmaster

                        

Lansing, MI – Governor Jennifer Granholm began another state hosted online petition Wednesday, asking Michigan citizens to ask the Legislature to ease restrictions on stem cell research. The new petition comes fresh off the controversy surrounding the governor’s online gas petition, where signors received unsolicited emails from the Granholm for Governor campaign. Michigan Republican Party Chairman, Saulius ‘Saul’ Anuzis issued the following statement is response:

“Jennifer Granholm’s online petitions are quickly turning into the 2006 version of the governor’s unproductive task forces of years past. Time has proven that Granholm’s leadership by task force, by press release, and now by online petition, doesn’t work for Michigan. If this issue is truly as important as the governor claims, then Granholm needs to be a leader and get something done. L. Brooks Patterson has shown that if you believe in an issue, starting a real petition can get something accomplished.”

“I wonder how long it will take for this ‘official government petition’ to find its way to the Granholm campaign offices?”

####

Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with regulated funds. 

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

520 Seymour St, Lansing, MI 48933

Articles of Interest 7-26-06

Governor Granholm and her campaign have continually been going negative, spreading half truths and flat out lies about Dick DeVos.  They continue to spin their lines and the press blames us for being negative. 

The DeVos campaign has released it’s new ad, you can also see it on their web page under the multi-media section…it’s great.

Along with this ad, 191 pages of documentation has been sent to the media demonstrating Granholm’s negative attacks. Have the facts, don’t let them get away with a double standard.  A link to that packet in .pdf form is below:

http://www.devosforgovernor.com/Media/PDF/NegativePacket0724.pdf

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An article in the Detroit News claims “Clash in GOP aides Stabenow”.  I couldn’t disagree more.

Keith Butler and Mike Bouchard have run great primary campaigns.  For the past year plus, they have criss-crossed our state, talking and motivating party activists, bringing volunteers and donors to the table early and making their case why Debbie Stabenow has to go!

Yes, a primary can be a distraction.  Yes, we are forced to spend money to define ourselves and win the nomination.  However, Mike Bouchard and Keith Butler have now been out, early in the process, letting the people of Michigan know who they are.

I think this is a huge advantage.  As I travel our state and meet with activists, people are engaged.  We have double the number of Victory Centers from the cycle before…because the grassroots activists demanded a venue to work.  We have beat every record set in voter contact, telephone calls made and door to door contacts this early in the campaign.  There are literally thousands of activists across our state engaged in the political process because we have a primary.

As long as we follow Reagan’s 11th Commandment and say NO evil about our fellow Republicans…OK, keep it as civil as possible…a primary can be a healthy thing.

Let’s not lose sight of our end goal…electing a Republican U.S. Senator.  Look at each candidate’s strengths, judge their philosophy, campaigning and electability.  Chose the candidate that you believe best represents your views and gives us the best chance of beating Debbie Stabenow…then get involved and help make a difference.

I ran across the article on the Freedom Works web page about “taxing us” to fund the United Nations.  I must admit, I was shocked.  Take a few minutes to read it…there is a simple solution that every U.S. Senator should support.

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/freedom_worksta.html

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Michael Zak is the author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, the acclaimed history of the Republican Party from the civil rights perspective. Mike was our guest at our last Mackinac Island Leadership Conference as well.  A popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, Mr. Zak recently spoke at the Texas Republican Convention and keynoted the Alaska Republican Convention.  Among his topics are The Civil Rights Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy; The Women's Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican;  and Frederick Douglass, Republican.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.

The theme of Mr. Zak's presentations and of Back to Basics for the Republican Party is that Republicans can be thrown on the defensive on nearly any issue because most do not appreciate our Party's heritage of civil rights achievement.  Our heritage is the moral high ground, and giving that up costs us the political initiative.  Republican candidates and activists would benefit tremendously from integrating this truth into political campaigns.  Michael Zak's e-mail address is Grand_Old_Partisan@hotmailcom.

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OK folks, together, let’s make every day count!

Saul Anuzis

Freedom Works...taxes us to fund the U.N.???

I ran across the article on the Freedom Works web page about “taxing us” to fund the United Nations.  I must admit, I was shocked.  Take a few minutes to read it…there is a simple solution that every U.S. Senator should support.

http://www.freedomworks.org/informed/issues_template.php?issue_id=2652

Halting Global Tax Tyranny
Should the U.N. be able to tax you?

This piece was originally published July 19, 2006 in The Washington Times.

Should the U.N. be able to tax you? Over the last several years, officials at the U.N. and other international organizations have been hatching schemes to directly tax the world's people. Traditionally, only sovereign governments have the right to tax. The U.N. and other international organizations have largely depended on their ability to extract dues or other payments from their sovereign members.

Naturally, officials at the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation nd Development and other organizations hate the present system because it limits their ability to spend other people's money on themselves and their various schemes. The U.N. crowd has proposed an international tax on aviation fuel, a tax on airline tickets, taxes on international currency transactions, carbon use taxes, including a 4.8-cent tax on each gallon of gasoline, and other taxes on an extensive range of transactions, goods and services.

Articles of Interest 7-25-06

The “power of incumbency”…what’s it worth? 

Governor Granholm calls a press conference and jumps out in front of every good story she can find?  Governor Granholm uses state resources to collect hundreds of thousands of emails for political purposes?  Governor Granholm creates a super secret Partnership for Progress fund and raises millions of dollars from PACs, lobbyists and coporate interests…then it disappears?  Governor Granholm has “independent unions” spend untold amounts of money sending out “negative attacks” to it’s “members”? 

So Granholm spends millions to run for Attorney General, then has four years as an incumbent spinning her success.  Then she out spends Republicans by more than 2:1 in her race for Governor and turns the Governors office into a “public relations firm”.  Granholm raises more money than any candidate ever in Michigan…and that’s only what was reported.

Granholm also funnels millions of dollars into her super secret Partnership for Progress and then it all “slips” away???

So what does a $50 million dollar plus political campaign operation look like…try Granholm Inc.

Jane Abraham posted an update on the “Challenger Fund” on our blog yesterday.  In her commentary, she does a great job of laying out the case for replacing Debbie Stabenow as our U.S. Senator.  If you haven’t had a chance to read it, please do.

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/notes_from_jane_1.html

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Here is something fun for all you political junkies.  The Wall Street Journal’s Online edition has an interactive chart of key races around the country and the latest Zogby numbers in those races.

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-flash06.html?project=elections06-ft&h=495&w=778&hasAd=1&mod=blogs

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U.S. Senator and failed presidential candidate, John F. Kerry was in Detroit on Sunday, campaigning with Democrat Governor Jennifer Granholm. While giving remarks Mr. Kerry said at a bar called Honest John’s that, “Gov. Granholm, in my judgment, has been doing a tremendous job of fighting against national trends…” In response, I issued the following statement:

“John Kerry’s statement that Jennifer Granholm is fighting against national trends was right on the mark. Unfortunately, the governor has been fighting a trend that has created more than 5 million jobs nationally, and a record low unemployment rate of 4.6%. Under the leadership of Governor Granholm, Michigan has lost nearly 90,000 jobs and has an unemployment rate that is 37% higher than the national rate. If Michigan wants a better economy, Michigan needs a better governor.”

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/kerry_rightgran.html

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Yesterday, Governor Granholm sneaks down to Denver for a DLC meeting.  Granholm and Hillary Clinton provide the audience with a “compliment-fest” where Granholm described Hillary as having a “spine of steel”.  Some say that Granholm’s tone and body language was a mix of “desperation and despondency”.  Clearly, she is worried.  In Michigan she pitches “universal health care” and in Denver she pitched a “No Worker Left Behind” program, or a request for some nebulous action…and who or how would something like this be paid for…again, with no details and no press release this time.

5.3 million new jobs nationwide…we need new leadership!

Saul Anuzis

Kerry right....Granholm wrong....

U.S. Senator and failed presidential candidate, John F. Kerry was in Detroit on Sunday, campaigning with Democrat Governor Jennifer Granholm. While giving remarks Mr. Kerry said at a bar called Honest John’s that, “Gov. Granholm, in my judgment, has been doing a tremendous job of fighting against national trends…” In response, I issued the following statement:

“John Kerry’s statement that Jennifer Granholm is fighting against national trends was right on the mark. Unfortunately, the governor has been fighting a trend that has created more than 5 million jobs nationally, and a record low unemployment rate of 4.6%. Under the leadership of Governor Granholm, Michigan has lost nearly 90,000 jobs and has an unemployment rate that is 37% higher than the national rate. If Michigan wants a better economy, Michigan needs a better governor.”

Notes from Jane

Why Michigan and America Need GOP Leadership:  Part Two          

These are exciting days in Michigan politics.  Thank you to everyone who is helping at our Victory Centers, making phone calls, going door-to-door and spreading our message of change.  Michigan deserves new leadership and we are all working hard to make sure Dick DeVos becomes Governor and Debbie Stabenow gets retired.

Our Chairman, Saul Anuzis, has asked me to Chair the “MICHIGAN CHALLENGER FUND”.  This is a joint account the Michigan Republican Party has established with the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the sole purpose of "banking" general election funds to defeat Debbie Stabenow this fall. The "MICHIGAN CHALLENGER FUND” will collect federal dollars and transfer 100% of those funds to our Republican nominee the day after the primary election.  It is critical that we do everything possible to make sure our nominee is able to hit the ground running immediately.  Please consider contributing to this fund within the next ten days!

            I strongly believe that we have two wonderful candidates vying to become the Republican candidate in the senatorial primary.  Both Keith Butler and Mike Bouchard are proven leaders who will represent our state in an effective manner and will bring Michigan the leadership it needs.  However, no matter who represents our party come November, we must always remember one crucial fact: Debbie Stabenow has not earned re-election. Let’s examine her record (or lack thereof) issue by issue in order to see just how inadequate she has been in representing our needs.

            When Debbie Stabenow took office in 2000, Michigan’s unemployment rate sat at 4.1%.  Currently, the unemployment rate is over 6%.  Because of our weak economy and high unemployment rate, states such as Wyoming are successfully recruiting Michiganians to move to their states.  Despite our economic woes, Debbie Stabenow has done nothing to address this dire situation.  Instead, she seems more concerned with pleasing her fellow democratic leaders than representing those who elected her.  We need leadership that will fight for our economic needs in Washington, taking a proactive stance to secure our future.

            Here are some facts:

            Debbie Stabenow’s record on immigration is totally unacceptable.  Her record of bad votes includes voting to allow illegal immigrants with no prior employment to collect social security benefits.  What was she possibly thinking?  In addition, she voted against making English the national language.  Of recent note, Debbie Stabenow voted against a bill that would require voters to present a photo ID at the voting booths, even though 81% of Americans approve of such legislation. 

            Michigan has some of the worst roads in America.  When driving across the state from event to event, I am constantly amazed at the poor quality of our expressway system and the need for improvement.  Despite continually promising to improve our roads, Debbie Stabenow has consistently voted to improve the roads of other states while doing virtually nothing to address the needs of her constituents.  Instead, she has spent money researching a light rail system for Michigan that we could not possibly support and do not need.  Let’s fix our roads before we explore unnecessary and expensive projects. 

            Another one of Debbie Stabenow’s promises in 2000 was to limit the flow of trash from Canada into Michigan.  Has she got it done?  Of course not.  She has continually balked at opportunities to address this situation while promising to mollify the problem.  The trash flow has not decreased over the last four years and illustrates her tendency to promise change without providing tangible results. 

            One final issue that speaks to Debbie’s lack of leadership is her handling of health care.  Today doctors are leaving our state due to overly liberal malpractice laws that make it easy for lawyers to gain a big day in court against doctors.  It is no surprise that Debbie Stabenow backs such laws, as she receives a large amount of money each year from Michigan trial attorneys who exploit such liberal laws.  Certainly it is important that we ensure proper ethical and performance codes of medicine, however, Debbie Stabenow’s policies are making things worse – driving doctors out of Michigan and replacing them with trial lawyers.  The result:  a decline in the quality of care.

            Debbie Stabenow went to Washington promising to put the interests of Michigan ahead of the special interests.  Instead she has done just the opposite.

            Michigan and America need new Republican leadership now.  Debbie Stabenow needs to be retired.  Keith Butler or Mike Bouchard will do better.

Articles of Interest 7-24-06

John Kerry was in Michigan campaigning for Governor Jennifer Granholm.  I assume he was sharing his advise on how to be “for something before being against it”???

For starts…does the Single Business Tax cut VETO come to mind?

The race to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate is in full swing.  Keith Butler and Mike Bouchard have started their direct mail efforts, are running TV commercials introducing themselves to Michigan voters and they have started receiving newspaper endorsement.  For more information on our candidates go to their web pages:

http://www.bouchardforussenate.com

http://www.ButlerForSenate.com

DeVos for Governor - Vote Today!!!  That’s right, the Lansing State Journal is conducting an on-line poll that closes Monday night at 7:00pm….so make sure you go to the front page, scroll down to the bottom right side of their web page…and vote:

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

The Pew Research Center has released a study about blogs, bloggers and blogshpere.  I think it’s a very interesting study and gives all of us some food for thought.  If you would like to see a NY Times analysis and the actual Pew Report, please go to:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/07/pew_survey_on_b.html

Door-to-door and telephone survey work continues statewide.  Victory Centers are in full swing…but we still need more volunteers EVERYDAY!!!  This is going to be a very close election and every hour you give is critical.  Daily, a couple of times a week, weekly…every hour counts!

Thanks again for all you do!

Saul Anuzis

Pew Survey on Blogs, Bloggers...

Survey of the Blogosphere Finds 12 Million Voices

By FELICIA R. LEE
Published: July 20, 2006

Bloggers are a mostly young, racially diverse group of people who have never been published anywhere else and who most often use cyberspace to talk about their personal lives, according to a report on blogging released yesterday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

The report also said that 8 percent of Internet users, or about 12 million American adults, keep a blog, and that 39 percent of Internet users, or about 57 million American adults, read blogs.

“This is a decent portrait of the long tail of the blogosphere,” Lee Rainie, director of the project, said in an interview yesterday. “These are the average, everyday folks who blog. They are different from the A-list bloggers who get so much media attention. This is the first attempt or one of the first attempts at a representative sample of bloggers.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/20/arts/20blog.html?ex=1153800000&en=035798998b7e3164&ei=5087%0A

Pew Internet & American Life Project Report

A Blogger Portrait
The Internet Has Empowered a New Class of Commentators Eager to Share Personal - Much More Than Political - Views

by Amanda Lenhart and Susannah Fox
Pew Internet & American Life Project Report

The ease and appeal of blogging is inspiring a new group of writers and creators to share their voices with the world.

A new, national phone survey of bloggers finds that most are focused on describing their personal experiences to a relatively small audience of readers and that only a small proportion focus their coverage on politics, media, government, or technology. Blogs, the survey finds, are as individual as the people who keep them. However, most bloggers are primarily interested in creative, personal expression - documenting individual experiences, sharing practical knowledge, or just keeping in touch with friends and family.

http://pewresearch.org/reports/?ReportID=36

Articles of Interest 7-23-06

Michigan Republicans broke all their records again this week with respect to the amount of  phone survey attempts made statewide.  Victory Centers are in full swing with more and more volunteers coming in daily to man various shifts and help with phone calling.

Next, we have to increase the amount of our door-to-door efforts.  Our DeVos id’s combined with the surveys are being added to Voter Vault daily.  The Qualified Voter File is in the process of being merged and we are doing a phone number match as well.

With increased door-to-door activity, we will get even better numbers and reach folks we are having a hard time catching by phone.  Door–to-door is critical to our overall success of this effort, so please commit some time to help us on a regular basis.

Thanks again for all you are doing…with your help, we will  be prepared for our GOTV effort in the general election.

The Democratic National Committee yesterday picked the states to hold early primaries and caucuses for the Presidential selection process coming up in 2008.

Neveda will be the Caucus state and South Carolina the primary state.

Here's the Dem '08 calendar as it stands now:

Iowa's caucus will be held on Monday, January 14th.  Nevada could hold it’s caucuses on 1/19, New Hampshire holds its primary on 1/22 and South Carolina primaries on 1/29. The window for other states to hold their primaries would open 2/5.

That means if we finalize the legislation and implement the deal we currently have with the state Democrats, we could hold our “semi open primary” on Tuesday, February 5th.

What our State Committee has passed and the Democrats have agreed to is that we hold a primary election on the same day, with no declaration or party registration, but that each voter would select a ballot in the party they wish to vote in for that day and that selection would be recorded.  The Democratic National Committee’s rules require some kind of “record” of who participated in their process.

The alternative, if this proposal is not passed, we could either have an open primary like we did in 2000, which is currently set for late March or we move to a party only primary or caucus and set the date and procedures according to rules set by the State Party.

DeVos for Governor bumper stickers are starting to “be seen”.  We are hitting that point in the campaign where there are enough stickers on folks bumpers and back windows to start having an effect.  If you don’t have one, please put one on your car.  When you see an old Bush sticker…offer a DeVos one, I have several time and so far have had 100% success ratio in adding members to the team.  My car is only missing our U.S. Senate nominees sticker…DeVos, Land and Cox…what a great combo!!!

Saul Anuzis