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

Immigration by the Numbers...an Interesting Video

Here is a very interesting and challenging video that discusses the immigration issue.  I encourage you to watch it and consider the various implications:

Articles of Interest 11-30-06

705 Days until election day.

Last night I attended a reception in honor of Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema.  Ken served our state and the Republican party for over 20 years.  He was a friend, mentor and leader to many, who exemplified the best of what public service has to offer.  It is with great pride and humility that I say thank you to a dedicated public servant who made us proud to be Republicans and set an example for many others to follow.

November 28th, Senator Chuck Shumer (D-N.Y.) declared to the New York Daily News editorial board that "Reaganomics is dead."

Here in Michigan, Governor Granholm has proposed the largest “tax shift” and “tax increases” in other areas in order to “fund” the elimination of the Single Business Tax.  The SBT, also known as the “jobs killer”, has been a weight around Michigan’s neck as we compete with surrounding states for business and jobs.

Granholm wants a “revenue neutral” approach that will make our tax burden “no worse than the average” among the other states.

Being “average” is the problem.  We need to approach this from a different perspective, how do we attract new business and encourage existing businesses to expand here…not by blackmail or bribery, but because we have one of the healthiest business climates in the country.

Revenue neutral equals jobs neutral…or worse!

We need to reduce the size of government, reform the current programs and look at the services the state provides from a competitive perspective.

If Reaganomics is dead….are we back on the road to serfdom? 

Are we back to more taxes, more government and less freedom?

Here is a provocative and insightful article written in the Wall Street Journal Opinion Journal that is worth contemplating:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/a_provacative_a.html

Saul Anuzis

Frist is Out!!!

I just talked to Bill Frist's political folks...he is out of the presidential sweepstakes.  For a variety of reasons, the Senator made the decision not to run and just "go home" and spend some time with his friends and family.

Senator Frist was one of the nicest guys you would ever meet.  He was smart, competent, insightful and pretty funny.  He cares deeply about our country and took his role as Senate Majority Leader very seriously.

Personally, I think that was his biggest obstacle.

Bill Frist didn't get to be Bill Frist.  He had a job to do, a role to play, and a President to support.

So let's let Bill Frist be Bill Frist...thanks for a job well done!  My guess is we haven't seen the last of him!!!

A Provacative and Powerful Discussion

"But our newest foes of Reason are not the enraged Athenian democrats who tried and executed Socrates. And they are not the Christian zealots of the medieval church who persecuted philosophers of heliocentricity. Nor are they Nazis who burned books and turned Western science against its own to murder millions en masse.

No, the culprits are now more often us. In the most affluent, and leisured age in the history of Western civilization--never more powerful in its military reach, never more prosperous in our material bounty--we have become complacent, and then scared of the most recent face of barbarism from the primordial extremists of the Middle East. "

Articles of Interest 11-29-06

706 Days until election day.

Republicans continue to push for the completion of legislation that would save school districts an estimated $570 million in the first three years alone. Senate Bills 895-898 would allow competitive bidding on school employee health insurance while maintaining existing excellent benefits.  Write your legislators, get a letter in to the editor…this is real reform that would save the taxpayers MILLIONS!!!

Here is a very interesting study about how Republicans “shattered” their “brand” among the general electorate.  If you compare what Republicans “stood for” and how we were identified 5 years ago to what the general public believes is our “brand” now…I think you will be shocked, but not necessarily surprised.  This is an excellent analysis and I hope you take the time to read it.

http://onmessageinc.com/OnMessage-survey3.pdf

Here is another good discussion about who “we are” and “what we stand” for.  It’s easy to point fingers, but we need to step back and find a way to forge a new frontier or ideas, proposals and policies that will win.  Join the debate.

http://www.redstate.com/blogs/martinaknight/2006/nov/28/the_way_back_to_the_majority_3_formulate_a_modern_unifying_republican_agenda_for_all_wings_of_th

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 11-28-06

707 Days until election day.

Senate Republicans renewed their call for the completion of legislation that would save school districts an estimated $570 million in the first three years alone. Senate Bills 895-898 would allow competitive bidding on school employee health insurance while maintaining existing excellent benefits. 

Here’s the difference between Republicans and Democrats!!!

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 11-27-06

708 Days until a new Republican Majority!!!

"This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.

Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Henry Lee, 8 May 1825)

Reference: Jefferson: Writings, Peterson ed., Library of America (1501)

We’re ready to go!!!  I hate to start counting, but there is so much to do.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  We as Americans, have so much to be thankful for and most of all, our families.  We had our extended family in for a weekend of good times, great food and unfortunately a few extra pounds. 

Michigan Republicans losts a good friend this last week in Bill Reilly.  Bill, the Iosco County Chair, passed away last Thursday.  The funeral is today,  Monday, at 3:00pm at the Community of Christ Church at 5th & Matthews in Tawas City.  Please keep Bill’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Saul Anuzis

Summary: Sept 11th Commission's Recommendations

By The Associated Press

Summary of the Sept. 11 Commission's Recommendations:

_Identify and prioritize actual and potential terrorist sanctuaries

_Comprehensive support for Pakistan, including military aid and support for better education

_With the international community, make a long-term commitment to a secure and stable Afghanistan.

_Commit to political and economic reform in Saudi Arabia.

_Provide moral leadership to the world, committed to treat people humanely and abide by the rule of law.

_Export a vision of opportunity and hope to Muslim governments.

_Act aggressively to define U.S. values to the Islamic world.

_Join with other nations to support a new International Youth Opportunity Fund to build and run schools in Muslim countries.

_Implement economic policies that encourage development, more open societies and opportunity

_Engage other nations in developing a comprehensive coalition strategy against Islamist terrorism.

_Engage our friends to develop a common coalition approach toward the detention and humane treatment of captured terrorists, drawing on the Geneva Conventions.

_Strengthen counterproliferation efforts, expanding the proliferation security initiative and supporting the Cooperative Threat Reduction program.

_Track terrorist financing.

_Combine terrorist travel intelligence, operations and law enforcement to intercept terrorists and make it harder for them to move around the world.

_Integrate the border security system into a larger network of screening points including nuclear reactors.

_Complete an entry-exit screening system including biometric passports linked to a database.

_Do more to exchange terrorist information with trusted allies, and raise global border security standards for travel and border crossing through international cooperation.

_Set standards for birth certificates and drivers licenses.

_Identify and evaluate transportation assets; set risk-based priorities for defending them; develop a plan, budget and funding.

_The TSA should take over task of checking airline passengers' names against "no-fly" and "automatic selectee" lists.

_Make it a priority to improve the ability of airport screening checkpoints to detect explosives on passengers; conduct a human factors study to understand problems in screener performance.

_The president should safeguard the privacy of individuals about whom information is shared.

_Place the burden of proof on the executive branch for retaining a particular governmental power, to explain (a) that the power actually materially enhances security and (b) that there is adequate supervision of the executive branch's use of the powers so that civil liberties are protected.

_Create a board within the executive branch to oversee the commitment the government makes to defend our civil liberties.

_Base Homeland Security assistance strictly on an assessment of risks and vulnerabilities.

_Emergency response agencies nationwide should adopt the Incident Command System; base federal homeland security funding on the use of ICS.

_Make more radio spectrum available for public safety purposes; high-risk urban areas should establish signal corps units to make sure civilian authorities, first responders and the National Guard can communicate.

_The Homeland Security Department should adopt the American National Standards Institute's standard for private preparedness; encourage the insurance and credit-rating industries to look closely at a company's compliance with the standard in assessing its insurability and creditworthiness.

_Establish a National Counterterrorism Center, built on the foundation of the existing Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

_Replace director of Central Intelligence with a National Intelligence Director to (a) oversee national intelligence centers on specific subjects of interest across the U.S. government (b) to manage the national intelligence program and oversee the agencies that contribute to it.

_CIA director should rebuild CIA's analytic capabilities; transform the clandestine service by building its human intelligence capabilities; developing a stronger language program; renew emphasis on recruiting diversity; ensure seamless relationship between human source collection and signals collection; stressing better balance between unilateral and liaison operations.

_Shift responsibility for directing and executing paramilitary operations to the Pentagon.

_No longer keep secret the overall amounts of money appropriated for national intelligence.

_Information procedures should provide incentives for sharing.

_The president should lead a governmentwide effort to bring major national security institutions into the information revolution.

_Consolidate congressional oversight for intelligence and counterterrorism.

_Create one committee in the House and one in the Senate to oversee Homeland Security.

_Accelerate the process for national security appointments.

_Establish a specialized national security work force at the FBI.

_The Pentagon and Congress should evaluate the Northern Command's strategies and planning to defend the U.S. against military threats.

_The Homeland Security Department and Congress should regularly assess the types of threats the country faces to determine the adequacy of the plans to protect critical infrastructure and the government's readiness to respond to the threats.

Killing the GOP Brand

Here is a great article that challenges our thinking about "Killing the GOP Brand".

What happened during the last election cycle?

What do we need to change?

What do the the American people expect?

Who are we???

To read the full article clip and read on...

Articles of Interest 11-22-06

713 Days until a new Republican Majority!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!  During this time of year, we gather with our families to honor traditions past and hope for the future, and we reflect and give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy in this great country and in this great state.

As Americans, we live in the greatest country in the world.  It is because of our democracy that we are all free to express our beliefs and participate in free elections, discussing what is best for out country, and voting for those we believe will represent our beliefs.

Most importantly, let’s remember to give thanks for our families and friends who provide us with happiness, love and support. These are the people that make our lives worthwhile.

I'll be taking a break from the Article of Interest over this holiday weekend.  God bless you all.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 11-21-06

714 Days until a new Republican Majority!!!

Tomorrow will be our last Articles of Interest clips for the Thanksgiving weekend.  I’m going to take the long weekend off and enjoy some time with family and friends.  We’ll be back next Monday.

I have received a great deal of feedback and suggestions about things that went on this election cycle.  Anyone willing to send me an email or memo about your observations, suggestions or just comments about things you worked on is very valuable.  We are collecting all of these inputs and will share them with everyone involved.

All the Victory Centers are now closed.  We are putting everything away and packing up what can be used for next cycle in our basement.  We are still collecting data, bubble sheets and any other volunteer information etc to update our files.

White House Sweepstakes are in play.  For the latest information and links to the various potential Republican candidates check our blog.  On the right hand side of the front page, I have either official or un-official links for the various possible contenders.  The links are organized in alpha order by candidate under “2008 W.H. Sweepstakes”:

www.migop.blogs.com

John Wayne recorded a great message about why he “loves America”. As we reflect on all that faces us over the years to come, this is a nice reminder of why we do what we do:

http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm

Grassroots political leaders from around the state continue to join our united effort to move this party forward.  With a united front, we can and will make a difference.

Join my campaign for party Chairman to help lead this party through 2008.  Together, we can help make Michigan a better place for all.

http://www.anuzisforchair.com/endorsements.asp

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 11-20-06

715 Days until a new Republican Majority!!!

Michigan Republicans have been having county conventions and district meeting over the last week or so.  I have had an opportunity to visit many and we discussed the results of this last election, shared ideas on how to improve our efforts and the overwhelming desire to move forward.

2007 is going to be an exciting year as we enter the presidential sweepstakes.  Already, every leading Republican candidate for president has been here at least twice, while many have been here every other month helping build our Republican party.

We have agreed on a “modified open primary” with the Democrats in order to abide by their DNC rules that will allow maximum participation in the the process.  Our state committee has passed a resolution supporting this process and the state Democrats have agreed as well.  We are hoping for legislative action in the near future.

As the holiday season approaches, we have much to do.  It’s important to spend some time with your families, reflect on the past and plan for the future.

As President Reagan would say, the best is yet to come!

Leading House Democrat, Congressman Charlie Rangel has called for reinstating the draft?!?  The Democrats have been pushing this idea for several years  Now, being in the majority, Democrats will slowly be rolling out their radical agenda.  Be prepared!!!

Dave Dishaw pulled out of the race for GOP Chairman and endorsed my candidacy for state Chairman.  See my comments and Dave’s letter here:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/dishaw_joins_ot.html

It's time we start focusing on the optimism and excitement that is before us.  We have much to do, but together, I look forward to working with you to build a better future!

A call for optimism!

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/a_call_for_opti.html

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 11-19-06

716 Days until a new Republican Majority!!!

In 1976 Ronald Reagan was defeated by Gerald Ford for the Republican presidential nomination.  While reflecting on that loss he quoted a Dryden ballad: 

"Lay me down and bleed a while. Though I am wounded, I am not slain.  I shall rise and fight again."

So our time has come, the election is over and we have many lessons to learn from.  However, we can begin our journey into a future that we want for our children and grandchildren. Together, we can start building for a new Republican majority, a conservative majority that will reflect the will of the people.

It's time we start focusing on the optimism and excitement that is before us.  We have much to do, but together, I look forward to working with you to build a better future!

A call for optimism!

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/a_call_for_opti.html

Here is an interesting analysis done by Pew Research.  In their exit polling they discuss what issues really effected these elections, how the American people feel about the parties and imply folks want to give Democrats a chance to lead.  This could be good for Republicans in 2008?  Check out their analysis at:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/public_cheer_de.html

Saul Anuzis

Public Cheer Democrat Victories

Public Cheers Democratic Victory

Expectations as High as for GOP in 1994

The Democrats' big win on Nov. 7 has gotten a highly favorable response from the public. In fact, initial reactions to the Democratic victory are as positive as they were to the GOP's electoral sweep of Congress a dozen years ago. Six-in-ten Americans say they are happy that the Democratic Party won control of Congress; in December 1994, roughly the same percentage (57%) expressed a positive opinion of the GOP's takeover.

Half of Americans approve of the Democrats' plans and policies for the future, which also is comparable to approval of the GOP's proposed agenda in 1994. However, there is one important area where the parallels to 1994 do not hold: By 51%-29%, more Americans want Democratic leaders ­ rather than President Bush ­ to take the lead in solving the nation's problems. Twelve years ago, the public was divided over whether GOP congressional leaders (43%), or President Clinton (39%), should take the lead in addressing national problems.

To see the full report and polling results go to:

http://pewresearch.org/reports/?ReportID=73

A Call for Optimism

In 1976 Ronald Reagan was defeated by Gerald Ford for the Republican presidential nomination.  While reflecting on that loss he quoted a Dryden ballad: 

"Lay me down and bleed a while. Though I am wounded, I am not slain.  I shall rise and fight again."

So our time has come, the election is over and we have many lessons to learn from.  However, we can begin our journey into a future that we want for our children and grandchildren. Together, we can start builing for a new Republican majority, a conservative majority that will reflect the will of the people.

Seize the day!

It's time we start focusing on the optimism and excitement that is before us.  We have much to do, but together, I look forward to working with you to build a better future!

Saul Anuzis

Dishaw joins other GOP Leaders

I received a phone call along with the attached letter from Dave Dishaw this morning.

I welcome the addition of Dave’s support to the overwhelming number of grassroots, Party leaders, and elected Republicans who are supporting my continued chairmanship of our Michigan Republican Party.  I am confident that we can work together toward a new Republican vision for Michigan and this great country of ours.

I am very optimistic about what the future holds for the Michigan Republican Party.  We are the party of hope, optimism and opportunity.

You, the grassroots of the Michigan Republican Party accomplished much this last cycle.  We turned out more Republican votes than any other gubernatorial year.  We made more voter contacts, added more “id’s” to our list, knocked on more doors, delivered more literature and raised more money than every before!

We did a great job in the face of a national “anti-Republican tsunami” that hit the entire country.  Michigan Republicans re-elected our two statewide office holders, we re-elected EVERY Republican member of Congress and we held onto our majority in the State Senate.

We did better than almost any state in the country, considering what happened nationwide.

Thank you for sharing in this dialogue and for being a part of this Grand Old Party.

As you celebrate with your families this week, join me in giving thanks for all that God has given us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 11-18-06

717 days until a new Republican majority!!!

Milton Friedman died this week along with the legendary coach Bo Schembechler.  Bo inspired many of us as a motivator and leader of young men.  The passion and commitment he had to the University and it’s football team truly was legendary. He’ll be greatly missed and long remembered.

Milton Friedman was a leader of “ideas”.  He inspired many young economics students, me included, that ideas have consequences. That “freedom” works! I remember the first time I read “Free to Choose” and thought to myself,  how could EVERYBODY not “get it”.  The free market works, government intervention distorts and corrupts the free flow of goods, capital and ideas.  These truths seemed so self evident!?!

Milton Friedman was a man of ideas.  A leader in his own right, who shaped the debate about the role of government and the failure of governments to manipulate the marketplace.  His writings were very influential and he had a profound effect on the world as we know it.

The Cato Institute published the following statement:

“Prominent free-market economist Milton Friedman, recipient of the 1976 Nobel Prize for Economic Science, passed away today at the age of 94. Friedman was widely regarded as the leader of the Chicago School of monetary economics, which stresses the importance of the quantity of money as an instrument of government policy and as a determinant of business cycles and inflation. In addition to his scientific work, Friedman also wrote extensively on public policy, always with primary emphasis on the preservation and extension of individual freedom. Friedman's ideas hugely influenced both the Reagan administration and the Thatcher government in the early 1980s, revolutionized establishment economic thinking across the globe, and have been employed extensively by emerging economies for decades.”

I also found this fitting tribute to truly a great man who helped shape my philosophy and change the course of history:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/a_tribute_to_mi.html

Steve Lombardo provides one of the best post election analysis I have seen to date.  To see a copy of his commentary go to:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/post_election_a.html

Congressman Thad McCotter was elected to one of the top leadership posts in Congress.  This is a great honor and I’m sure we’ll be hearing about how he helps set the agenda for the new Republican Congress as it fights back for majority status:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/mccotter_electe.html

Congratulations to Scott Greenlee who was elected the international President of the JC International.  All our best to Scott and his exciting challenge ahead!!!

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/11/scott_greenlee_.html

Saul Anuzis

Bo....A legend!

Scott Greenlee elected JCI President

Kent County Republican Executive Committee Member Becomes World President!

Scott Greenlee, nominated by JCI USA, was elected JCI (Junior Chamber International) World President at the 61st JCI World Congress held in Seoul, Korea, in November 2006.

Born on November 17, 1967, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, Greenlee works as a self-employed businessman and political consultant. He resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, with his wife Gina.

After joining JCI Grand Rapids in 1991, Greenlee became active in differente roles and was elected JCI Grand Rapids Local President in 1996, JCI Michigan State President in 2001, and JCI USA National Vice President in 2002.

At the international level, in 2003, as JCI Vice President, Greelee was assigned to Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. In 2005, he served as JCI General Legal Counsel. In 2006, as JCI Executive Vice President, Greenlee was assigned to Area B (Asia-Pacific) and chaired the Area B Conference (JCI ASPAC) in Takamatsu, Japan.

Greelee has attended eight JCI Area Conferences and five JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator (Honorary Life Member) No. 60646.

During his term of office as JCI President, Greenlee will visit many countries where JCI is established. He will meet JCI members, heads of state and community leaders worldwide, and preside over the 62th JCI World Congress, to be held in Antalya, Turkey, November 5–10, 2007.

McCotter elected to House Republican Leadership

Congratulations, Congressman McCotter!
                

Washington D.C. – Today, Michigan Congressman Thad McCotter was elected by his colleagues today to serve as Chairman of the House Policy Committee.  Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saulius “Saul” Anuzis issued the following statement:

“Having cut his teeth in Wayne county politics and working his way through the ranks, going from precinct delegate, to county GOP chair, then local elected official, state legislator and on to Congress, Thaddeus McCotter brings street smarts as well as a keen intellect to this leadership position.  The Policy Chairman will craft the “big picture” and develop issues for the GOP conference; Congressman McCotter will bring vision and intellect to this office.  He will serve our country well and Michigan Republicans are proud.”