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

Articles of Interest 2-19-07

624 Days until election day.

Michigan voters have worked hard over the years to attempt to rein in government spending and taxation.  It’s always an uphill battle in a swing state like ours.  Democrats just can’t seem to stay away from trying to raise taxes.

Now the Governor has found a “loophole” to get around our constitutional limits on taxing the people of Michigan…and worse yet, possibly without a vote of the people.

Yes, the Democrats now have the Governor’s office, the House of Representatives and ONLY needs two votes in the Senate to pass a TAX increase.  They argue they have a “mandate” to “fix” this crisis by raising taxes, because the voters rejected the Republican message of less taxes, cutting government and living within our means.

I don’t think so???

The Democrats did a great job of running to the “right” of many Republicans.  They called for a balanced budget, they rightfully talked about “pork barrel” spending and have sold the voters of Michigan and the country that they were NOT typical “tax and spend” Democrats.

Ah, but the elections are over.  Their true plans are coming to light.  Governor Granholm and the Michigan Democrats are looking to increase the state budget to $43,000,000,000 to provide “essential” services to the people of Michigan.

With 10 million residents…that’s $4,300 for EVERY man, woman and child in Michigan being redistributed for various services.

The Boston Globe ran an excellent column discussing the hypocrisy that the Democrats in Congress have expressed by the meaningless Congressional resolution they passed.  It’s worth the read:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/02/democrats_hypoc.html

Saul Anuzis

Democrat's Hypocrisy

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/02/18/irreconcilable_positions_support_troops_oppose_war/?p1=email_to_a_friend

JEFF JACOBY

Irreconcilable positions: support troops, oppose war

By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist  |  February 18, 2007

WHAT DOES IT mean to support the troops but oppose the cause they fight for?

No loyal Colts fan rooted for Indianapolis to lose the Super Bowl. No investor buys 100 shares of Google in the hope that Google's stock will tank. No one who applauds firefighters for their courage and education wants a four-alarm blaze to burn out of control.

Yet there is no end of Americans who insist they "support" US troops in Iraq but want the war those troops are fighting to end in defeat. The two positions are irreconcilable. You cannot logically or honorably curse the war as an immoral neocon disaster or a Halliburton oil grab or "a fraud . . . cooked up in Texas," yet bless the troops who are waging it.

But logic and honor haven't stopped members of Congress from trying to square that circle. The nonbinding resolution they debated last week was a flagrant attempt to have it both ways. One of its two clauses professed to "support and protect" the forces serving "bravely and honorably" in Iraq. The other declared that Congress "disapproves" the surge in troops now underway -- a surge that General David Petraeus , the new military commander in Iraq, considers essential.

It was a disgraceful and dishonest resolution, and it must have done wonders for the insurgents' morale. Democrats hardly bothered to disguise that when they say they "support and protect" the troops, what they really intend is to undermine and endanger their mission. The Politico, a new Washington news site, reported Thursday that the strategy of "top House Democrats, working in concert with anti war groups," is to "pursue a slow-bleed strategy designed to gradually limit the administration's options." If they had the courage of their convictions, they would forthrightly defund the war, bring the troops home, and brave the political consequences. Instead they plan a more agonizing and drawn-out defeat -- slowly choking off the war by denying reinforcements, eventually leaving no alternative but retreat.

That is how those who oppose the war "support" the troops -- they "slow-bleed" them dry. Or they declare that the lives laid down by those troops were "wasted," as Senator Barack Obama did last Sunday. Obama later weaseled away from that characterization , but the gaffe had been made. And like most political gaffes, it exposed the speaker's true feelings.

And why wouldn't Obama feel that way? If an American serviceman dies in the course of a war that toppled a monstrous dictatorship, opened the door to decent Arab governance, and has become the central front in the struggle against radical Islam, his death is not in vain. It is the sacrifice of an American hero, the last full measure of devotion given in the cause of freedom. But if he dies in the course of a senseless and illegitimate invasion -- which appears to be Obama's view of Iraq -- then his life was wasted. If that's what you believe, Senator, why not say so?

Obama's is merely the latest in a series of senatorial comments that offer a glimpse of the left's anti military disdain.

Smart people who work hard become successful, John Kerry "joked" last fall, but uneducated sluggards "get stuck in Iraq." Osama bin Laden is beloved by Muslims for "building schools, building roads . . . building day-care facilities," Washington Senator Patty Murray explained in 2002, while Americans only show up to "bomb in Iraq and go to Afghanistan." Obama's Illinois colleague Dick Durbin took to the Senate floor to equate US military interrogators in Guantanamo Bay with "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags," and similar mass-murderers, such as "Pol Pot or others."

It goes without saying that many Democrats and liberals take a back seat to no one in their admiration and appreciation of the US military. But there is no denying that a notable current of antimilitary hostility runs through the left as well. Examples are endless: ROTC is banned on elite college campuses. San Francisco bars a historic battleship from its port. Signs at antiwar protests urge troops to "shoot their officers." An Ivy League professor prays for "a million Mogadishus." Michael Moore compares Iraqi insurgents who kill Americans to the Minutemen of Revolutionary New England.

America is a free country, but it is not the Michael Moores or the ROTC-banners or the senatorial loudmouths who keep it free. They merely enjoy the freedom that others are prepared to defend with their lives. It is the men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform to whom we owe our liberty. Surely they deserve better than pious claims of "support" from those who are working for their defeat.

Jeff Jacoby's e-mail address is jacoby@globe.com.

Articles of Interest 2-18-07

625 Days until election day.

Senate Republicans have vowed to present the Governor with a series of budget cuts and restructuring in the way the state of Michigan does business, which would allow her to balance the budget WITHOUT having to raise TAXES.

Over the last several weeks, citizens and taxpayers across Michigan are letting their voices be heard.  There is an overwhelming consensus that state government should FIRST attempt to live within it’s means before it goes to the taxpayers for more.

There are HUNDREDS of MILLIONS in spending and programs that can be streamlined, more effectively and efficiently delivered.  Taxpayers are willing to pay their fair share…but today we have double dipping on state salaries and pensions, premiums to union bosses for health insurance, inefficient Medicare/Medicaid programs, efficiencies throughout the prison system and consolidation in many government functions…just to name a few!

The people of Michigan are NOT under taxed…and the state of Michigan’s government is NOT too small. 

The Governor’s saber rattling to threaten “essential” services and scare the taxpayer is little more than political gamesmanship.

If the Governor thinks her plan is “sooo” good, let’s see what the Governor and the Democrats can pass in the House???  I think the Governor is bluffing and doesn’t even have the support of most of the Democrats, who are not ALL tax and spend liberals.

The Democrats say the “know what we are against”….TAXES…but they want to know what “Republicans are for”….REFORM…living within your means.

The Governor and the Democrats threaten to “cut schools”.  We are NOT talking about cuts in the classroom, we are talking about bureaucracy consolidation, competitively bidding out health care costs, busing options, custodial pensions for those who have only worked in the system for 5 years, prevailing wage costs in construction, etc…again, fundamental reforms that cost the state HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of DOLLARS a year.  Pass a tax…forget those reforms.

The Republicans have provided a variety of specific options, plans and cuts that are available to balance the budget WITHOUT raising TAXES.  If the Governor and the Democrats disagree, show us a bill and put a bill out of the Democrat controlled House so that we can debate a specific proposal.  The Governor’s plan is little more than political rhetoric…no bills, no bill sponsors and no votes from her Democrat friends….and she expects Republicans to buy into her tax proposals?!?

Short-term solutions without real reform will mean little more than a long term, permanent tax increase.  If we don’t force REFORM…be prepared for a TAX increase.

Once again, give the Governor credit for her stagecraft, but what about leadership? No bills, no sponsors, no votes...that while the governor is insisting that we immediately vote on her plan, she neglects to mention that her plan has not been introduced in either the House or the Senate. We can’t vote on her bills until they’re written and introduced.  Show us your bills, your sponsors, your budget and your votes…so that we have something REAL to work with rather than politics as usual.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 2-17-07

626 Days until election day.

The Governor is playing both sides of her “tax and spend” game with little more than pure political rhetoric. I compliment her for her stagecraft, but what about leadership?

First, she calls for immediate action on a tax plan to raise $3 billion in taxes.  NO bill, NO bill sponsors, NO votes.

Second, she blast Republicans for not having “specifics”, when AGAIN, the Governor and the Democrats haven’t put forward any bills or votes on their proposal.

Now the Governor is challenging Republicans to put up a  “plan and the votes” for an alternative…when the Governor and her “tax and spend” Democrats colleagues have NOT done the same.

It’s duplicitous, it’s insincere, and it is little more than politics as usual.

The House Republicans have passed a balanced budget two years in a row without raising taxes.  The Senate Republican have said they will propose a series of cuts next week which will clearly show how we can live within our means.

If the Governor and the Democrats feel so strong about their “tax and spend” proposal, introduce a bill, pass it out of the House and I’m willing to bet the Senate Republicans will give it more than a fair hearing, if not even a vote.

When Governor Granholm and the Democrats keep crying “wolf”, let’s remember they have NOT introduced a bill to accomplish her “plan”.  We are working from little more than political grandstanding from the Governor and the Democrats who are trying to justify higher taxes…without addressing the spending patterns of the state.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 2-16-07

627 Days until election day.

Kudos to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and the rest of the Senate Republicans who rejected Governor Granholm’s new budget that STARTED the process with huge tax hikes.  Senate Republicans vowed to review the budget line by line and see how we could live within our means before we start taxing the people of Michigan anymore.

Republican legislative leaders have been very clear and consistent.  They are willing to work with the Governor to come up with various solutions to the budget situation we currently face, but first let’s start on the spending side. 

The Governor and the Democrats are arguing for a $3 BILLION dollar increase in TAXES…while our state budget today is at over $41.5 BILLION and growing EVERY year since this Governor has been in office.

We need to reform the way government delivers state services first…before we go back to the taxpayers for more.

We are in a single state recession, we are the only state in the country that has lost jobs 3 years in a row.  Things are getting worse, not better….and history shows you cannot tax your way out of a recession.

Now the Governor is claiming the Republicans have to act fast…while she’s been waiting and stalling for months, if not years, to deal with these issues.  The Governor is encouraging Republicans to get a “backbone” and act….this coming  from a Governor who has not had any bills introduced or any proposed legislation to work from.  Nothing more than rhetoric.  No tax bills, no spending bills….the Democrats are just “demanding” action, when all they have produced is rhetoric.

Follow the process, let your Republican legislators know you appreciate their vigilance.  The Senate Republicans are leading the way…your work this past election cycle is paying off.

Saul Anuzis

Notes from Jane

I’d like to thank the many delegates and alternates to the recent state convention in Grand Rapids for your support.  It is an honor to serve as Co-Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.

I had a chance at the caucuses Friday night to discuss my thoughts on the future of the Michigan Republican Party.  I’ve had several people ask for a copy of my remarks.  So, I decided to post an abbreviated version of them here.

Jane

The Future of the Michigan Republican Party
By Jane Abraham

Tonight I’d like to take a couple of minutes to focus on the future of our party here in Michigan.  And I want to start by counting up our assets.

The 2006 election was not a good one for Republicans anywhere in America.  But unlike the rest of the country, Michigan Republicans are not starting the New Year from scratch.

We held every one of our Republican seats in Congress.

We held two critical statewide offices -- Secretary of State Terri Land and Attorney General Mike Cox -- even though we were losing big at the top of the ticket.

We held control of the Michigan Senate when other states were losing both legislative chambers.

We held Maura Corrigan’s seat on the Supreme Court to maintain a strong conservative judiciary.

And our state party starts the new election cycle in the black.  So the money we raise from day one can be used to win elections in 2008.

And in 2008 we will be ready. 

First, we must regain control of the state house.  With good strong candidates, a strong Republican legislative agenda and a reminder to people in places like Oakland, Macomb, Muskegon and Kent counties that their Democrat representatives are implementing the left wing agenda of some unknown billionaire who poured millions into a last minute attack campaign this past fall, I am convinced we WILL win back the house.

Second, it is critical that we re-elect Chief Justice Cliff Taylor to the Supreme Court.  If Cliff isn’t re-elected  it will be a setback for all who believe in courts that interpret the law instead of writing it.  And it will be a huge victory for people like Geoffry Feiger who want the courts to return to being a rubber stamp for the tort lawyers and criminal defense bar.  We must hold this seat.

A third priority in 2008 must be our race for US Senate.  Carl Levin has had five terms in the Senate.  For 30 years he’s been a sure vote for the liberal position on almost every issue.  That was bad enough.

But now his role in the Senate has become a much bigger issue.  As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee he will be determining whether this country has the investment in security we need to win the war against terror. 

I’m not just talking about Iraq here.

I’m talking about the level and readiness of our military. 

I’m talking about whether our intelligence agencies will be able to track possible terrorists and stop them from building more networks of agents and attackers.

And I’m talking about whether we will stand up to Iran and North Korea’s efforts to build up nuclear weapons programs that can be provided to terrorists or used against our allies.

As a Senator in the minority, Carl Levin’s votes could always be offset by the votes of a conservative.

But, as a Senator in the majority and as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin’s decisions cannot be offset. 

We must recruit a strong candidate and win this vital Senate seat next year.

In 2008 we will also be electing a new President. 

In Washington they call Michigan a blue state and as you know we have failed to carry Michigan for our Presidential candidates since 1988. 

But that’s going to end in 2008. 

After two years of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and their team, the American people will be reminded of just what it means to have Democrats running the show in Washington, and the last thing they will do is elect a Democratic President to sign into law the crazy agenda that the Demcrats will be proposing the next 24 months.

So I say bring on Hillary Clinton.  Bring on Obama, Edwards, Gore, Richardson, Biden – bring them all on -- and here in Michigan and across this country we’ll have so many volunteers we won’t know how to keep them all busy. 

This team of Democrats is just like all the Democrats before them.  Liberal on moral issues, liberal on economic issues, liberal on welfare issues, liberal on security issues and the American people won’t stand for it.

When we change Michigan from a blue state to a red one, we will insure that our candidate is the next President of the United States.

There are other priorities too.  We must fight to win all eight of our education posts from the State Board to Wayne, Michigan and MSU.

We need to help our local candidates for county office.  And we need to build our youth and outreach programs to grow this party for the future.

In all of this our state party team is determined to succeed.  We are anxious to work with you and supporters across this state to raise the funds, rally the troops, register the voters, recruit the volunteers and return our party to leadership in Michigan.  It can be done, it needs to be done and with your help and support it will be done in 2008.

Thank you very much.

Articles of Interest 2-15-07

628 Days until election day.

Local Traverse City talk show host Norm Jones has announced a “Michigan Tea Party” and is encouraging Michigan citizens to send Govenor Granholm a tea bag in protest of her proposal to raise taxes.  Everytime there is a “new” tax, it very quickly gets caught up into “rate creeping” and guess what…it usually creeps it’s way up!

To find out more about Norm Jones show check out their web page at:

http://www.wtcmradio.com/home.html

In other news, Congress is beginning consideration this week of new legislation from Senator Ted Kennedy (D –Mass.) called the "Employee Free Choice Act." This legislation will actually reduce workplace fairness and democracy. The cornerstone of this bill is the "Card Check" provision. Under current law, employees vote by secret ballot in a government monitored election to decide if they would like to join a union. This process of debate and vote is, however, unacceptable to union bosses who often lose in a fair workplace election. They want to be able to demand that workers make a public decision in front of a union organizer-- literally, "checking a card" instead of having the right to a private vote.

Card Check is a top down system which does away with secret ballots. Employers would be forced to recognize a union without an election with just over 50 percent of workers checking "yes." Card Check removes privacy protections for employees. It opens the workplace to intimidation and corruption, and to say the least, is a violation of the American principle of a secret ballot.  Write your Congressman and ask them to vote NO.

The Michigan Republican Party has created a 2007 Calendar in memoriam of President Gerald R. Ford. Calendars are $10 a piece with proceeds supporting the creation of a permanent display to honor Michigan’s Republican President.  The memorial will be located at the new Michigan Republican Headquarters and will include an honorary plaque on the Wall of Honor in addition to a prominent flagpole outside the building. To purchase a calendar, please click here. Thank you for your support!

Saul Anuzis

U.P. Listen & Learn Tour Announcement

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GOP ACTIVISTS***
MRP 2007 Listen & Learn Tour

MRP Chairman Saulius “Saul” Anuzis and Party Assistance Director, Rob Macomber are coming to the Upper Peninsula to “Listen and Learn” from the grassroots activists involved in the 2006 campaign.

We want to know what worked well in 2006, and how we can improve in 2008. All Republican activists are encouraged to join us February 21st & 22nd in either Bruce Crossing, Escanaba or Newberry! If you are unable to attend and would still like to offer feedback, please fill out and return the questionnaire found online at http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/12/mrp_2007_listen.html

WESTERN U.P.
Wednesday, February 21st – 6pm
Tulppos Motel Restaurant & Bar
M-28
Bruce Crossing, MI 49912

CENTRAL U.P.
Thursday, February 22nd – 12pm
Michigan Republican U.P. Headquarters
1601 Ludington Street Escanaba, MI 49829

EASTERN U.P.
Thursday, February 22nd – 6pm
Comfort Inn 13954 State Highway M-28
Newberry, MI 49868

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to: Anthony Lewis: anthony@migop.org or 517-487-5413

SEE YOU SOON!

Articles of Inteterest 2-14-07

629 Days until election day.

At a packed event yesterday morning, Governor Mitt Romney announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.  With all his children and grandchildren present (an impressive accomplishment in itself), he addressed a cheering crowd of Republican activists from across the state that came our to witness this historic event.

Choosing his home state of Michigan to make his announcement, where he was born and raised, he and his wife Ann talked about being high school sweethearts right here in metro Detroit.  Surrounded by long time friends and family, it was very much a warm homecoming a native son could expect.

My favorite line was something to the effect: “Our hopes and dreams will inspire us, for Americans are an optimistic people, but hope alone is just crossing fingers, when what we need is industrious hands. It is time for hope and action. It is time to do, as well as to dream.”

The Governor graciously shook hands, took photos, signed autographs and glad handed his way through the crowd.  The Henry Ford Museum served as a perfect backdrop for America’s ingenuity and a fitting symbol that the best is yet to come.

As Governor Romney left Dearborn to catch his plane to Iowa, I started on my next trek north to another one of our “Listen & Learn” sessions in Gladwin.  Seven different counties had representatives at the dinner meeting.  We had some very interesting discussions as most focused on what to do next.  We have a lot of new and energetic county chairs who asked us to provide more “how to” information and guidelines.

I have had several requests for Attorney General Mike Cox’s speech from the convention.  I posted it on the blog and it is available at:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/02/ag_mike_cox_add.html

We are in the process of update our contact information for all the newly elected State Committee members and County Executive Committee members.  As soon as it’s ready, we’ll have an updated list post on the web.

Saul Anuzis

AG Mike Cox Addresses the Republican Convention

Many of you have asked me for a copy of the text of Attorney General Mike Cox's speech the the delegates at our last state convention.  Here it is:

For the complete text of his speech, please follow the link below:

Articles of Interest 2-13-07

630 Days until election day.

 

This morning Governor Mitt Romney is going to announce his campaign for President, right here in his home state of Michigan.  He and his wife were both born and raised here. The announcement will take place at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

The Romney campaign released the following:

Boston, MA - On Tuesday, February 13, Governor Mitt Romney will travel to Michigan, the state where he was born, to declare his intention to seek the Presidency of the United States of America. Governor Romney's announcement will be streamed live on MittRomney.com at 9:00 a.m. EST.

To watch Governor Romney's announcement, please click the following link and pre-register to receive a reminder on the morning of the event:

http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=37812

I’m heading down there myself.  Reminder, we have a “Listen & Learn” session in Gladwin this evening.  I hope to see you there.

Saul Anuzis

Patterson Funeral Arrangements

Visitation: Tuesday from 1 to 9 P.M. at Coats Funeral Home in Waterford.
                 3141 Sashabaw- just north of Dixie Highway (248-674-0461)
Funeral:    Wednesday at 11 A.M. at Bridgewood Church
                 6051 Sashabaw- corner of M15 and Rattalee Rd. (just S or Walton exit on I75)
Luncheon:   There will be a lunch after the funeral at Deer Lake Athletic Club
                 6167 White Lake Rd. - just north of Dixie Highway.

A memorial scholarship fund has been established to help Brooks Patterson Jr's children. (Ryder 6, Luke 3, and Marlee 2 months)

We would appreciate if you could send in any contribution to headquarters -30701 Woodward, Ste 310, Royal Oak, MI 48073 or to Clarkston State Bank, 15 S. Main, Clarkston, MI 48346.

All contributions sent to this office will be noted and a list of contributors sent to L.Brooks Patterson and his family.

All checks should be made out to "Patterson Scholarship Fund"

For those of you unable to attend the funeral or visitation, please keep Brooks and his family in your prayers.

Articles of Interest 2-12-07

631 Days until election day.

L. Brooks Patterson’s son, Brooks Scott Patterson, 28, was killed this weekend in a snowmobile accident.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brooks and his family.

The Teen Age Republican State Convention which was held during the same as ours, elected their new board. Brent A. Stanton – Chairman, Chris Kulesza - Vice Chairman, Allen Reichle – Secretary, Lauren Stasek – Treasurer, Terrance Williams - Chief of Staff/Advisor and Mike Hills –Spokesperson. Congratulations and thanks for all you do.

60 Minutes ran a scathing report about people starving to death in our prisons.  It was a gruesome example of mismanagement and abuse that continues under this leadership.  Corrections Director Carrusso defended her actions and those of Governor Granholm’s Administration as there continues to be gross mismanagement throughout that department.  As we discuss “early release” or any other programs that might make sense under normal circumstances, the mismanagement from the top down needs to be addressed before we put anymore of Michigan’s citizens at risk.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 2-11-07

632 Days until election day.

We had a great state convention, as thousands of Republicans gathered to prepare for the elections ahead.  Top Presidential contenders Governor Mitt Romney and Senator Sam Brownback addressed the convention and worked the delegates over the weekend.

The race for youth vice-chair didn’t fail to add some excitement to the convention.  Matt Hall pulled off a one vote victory over Trevor Pittsley  as they worked the floor for votes.  As I stood in the back watching the maneuvering, I couldn’t help think back to 1981 when I was elected youth vice chair….not much has changed!

Attorney General  Mike Cox gave a rousing speech reminding us we have to “fight for our principles”.   He was joined by Governor Pawlenty,  Congressman McCotter, Congresswoman Miller, Congressman Hoekstra, Secretary of State Land, Senate Majority Leader Bishop, Republican House Leader DeRoche, Dick DeVos, Mike Bouchard, Keith Butler and other Republican leaders who addressed our convention.

The party elected 7 new District Chairman and a number of new members to our State Committee.  We’ll get an update list of leadership and county executive committee membership asap.

The future is bright, yet we have lots to do.  But it’s clear we have a great “farm team” of  Republican leaders ready to step up and lead our country and state.

Get involved,   be part of the process, respect one another right to disagree…because when it’s all over, we need to be ready to pull together and make sure we do all we can to elect our nominees across the board.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 2-10-07

633 Days until election day.

Sorry for the delay, I got home and went straight to bed.  No commentary today, I’ll catch up tomorrow.

Saul Anuzis

Democrat Congress...the MOST open & ethical???

Articles of Interest 2-9-07

634 Days until election day.

"If the federal government should overpass the just bounds of its authority and make a tyrannical use of its powers, the people, whose creature it is, must appeal to the standard they have formed, and take such measures to redress the injury done to the Constitution as the exigency may suggest and prudence justify."

-- Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 33, 3 January 1788)

Reference: The Federalist

NOTICE: Saturday’s clips will come out after the State Convention, late tomorrow afternoon.

I typically do not get involved in our State Committee races, however, when heavy hands are played and people are threatened that if they do not support a certain presidential candidate they will pay a political price and not be elected to State Committee, I am very concerned. A healthy presidential selection process will be good for the party. Threats and attempts to control the State Committee will not. 

It is sooo early, so many things can change.  This is but one small battle in a long race to retain the White House.  Please don’t let folks get away with strong arming you into voting one way or another…let alone dictate who you should support for President.

We are stronger because of our diversity, intensity and willingness to agree to disagree and ultimately come together for the good of the party.

When we wonder what it means to stand on principle, question if there are things worth fighting for, in some ways believe the challenges are just too great…let’s remember and review Ronald Reagan’s speech with the classic line “a rendezvous with destiny”.  Reagan at his best…America at its best.

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/02/reagan_at_his_b.html

Yesterday, the Governor released her TAX increase proposal and her budget for the next fiscal year.  The direct links to her  budget are below:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/EO2007-1_186382_7.pdf

http://www.michigan.gov/budget/0,1607,7-157--134602--,00.html

http://www.michigan.gov/budget/0,1607,7-157--134433--,00.html

If you want to skip the fluff and see where the Governor plans on raising your taxes, goto:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/C1-6_115969_7.pdf

Last night, our former state Finance Chairman, Ambassador Ron Weiser and Raj Vatakutti were honored by the Woodrow Wilson Institute.  It was a huge event held at the Dearborn Ritz Carlton which hightlighted their lives, their accomplishments and contribution to our state and country.  A star studded audience honored Ron and Raj for their many contributions and successes.  Congratulations.

Please express you opinions on the Governors tax program on this blog:

http://wwj.typepad.com/michigan_future/

If you scroll down, you will see a blog post on this. People have a chance to leave comments.  Feel free to comment on any of the other posts, too.

Democrat Chair Mark Brewer and I mixed it up over China, the "naysayers''  on the Governor's budget  strategy and much more on "Michigan Matters' this weekend with host Carol Cain of the Detroit Free Press hosted us on statewide and national politics. Panelists Oakland County Executive  L. Brooks Patterson, business executive  Denise Ilitch and media strategist Cliff Russell also weigh in on the roundtable and Final Viewpoint segments.  Watch "Michigan Matters'' this Sunday on CBS Detroit at 11 a.m. and WKBD Channel 50 Sundays at 9:30 a.on Sunday.

There’s a shocking expose of constitutional violations and cronyism on the part of the Granholm administration posted on RightMichigan.com, a brand new Michigan based political news and commentary website.

Nick De Leeuw broke the story early this morning.  He writes:

“An Engler appointee, Petersen was told, according to sworn testimony to the Civil Service Commission and undisputed by the Granholm administration that without the appointment of the trial lawyer’s selection he would lose his job.  The report quotes Petersen’s supervisor as telling him: “The governor’s office, I had a long talk with them.  I can’t talk them out of it.  Your job is going to be abolished…its got to be you… one for the other.”

Petersen was fired without cause.

Petersen filed and won a grievance.  The Granholm administration filed an appeal and lost.  The conclusion of the CSC finds that his position was abolished “for reasons other than administrative efficiency, namely, in retaliation for the senate’s rejection of a proposed gubernatorial appointment.”

Thus ends the play-by-play.

What does all of that mean in English?  Jennifer Granholm attempted an end-run on the Constitution and had a man fired because the senate wouldn’t confirm one of her trial lawyer buddies for a different position.

Now I don’t know about the rest of you, but I take things like the constitution kinda seriously.  The governor takes an oath of office and swears on a Bible to uphold the constitution, not ignore it.”

I guess we’ll just wait and see how long it takes before the Lansing press corp picks up on this!  The Civil Service Commission’s findings are, frankly, shocking!  For the complete scoop and to read the CSC report yourself before it hits the papers, check out the cover-story on www.RightMichigan.com .

Saul Anuzis

Granholm's Tax Proposal

Want to see the ugly details of Governor Granholm's new tax proposal?

Visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/C1-6_115969_7.pdf

Reagan At His Best!!! A Rendevous With Destiny

Articles of Interest 2-8-07

635 Days until election day.

A penny for your thoughts…or two for Granholm’s Great Society.

During the State of the State, Governor Granholm said “some” people needed “to pay their fair share”.  Now we are finding out who those people are – EVERYONE!

Citizens across Michigan are already carrying the burden of our bad economy, they shouldn't be asked to carry any more.

An across the board sales tax on EVERY Michigan citizen…on top of a business tax, which by the way, you and I will end up paying for as well.

I doubt a $3 billion dollars in “new” revenues is not going to cover her new programs and mismanagement.  This Governor’s record speaks for itself.

The Mackinac Center had written several papers about a possible sales tax on services and what it would mean to the people of Michigan and the taxpayer.  Although these articles are several years old, the tax and spend ramifications of Granholm’s Great Society funding program are pretty well laid out.  Take a look and see what you think:

http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=6676

http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=4996

Now we hear the Governor wants to “rush” the tax increases through so it becomes effective June 1, 2007….just in time for summer vacation!  Thanks, Governor!!!

No rush to reform or put spending cuts through by June???????

They call it the “two-penny plan”…which only part of the tax plan…the Governor and the Democrats are talking about raising over $3,000,000,000 in NEW taxes…on you and me.  Call it a “two-penny tax plan” or a “business tax” or a “loop hole” filler…the bottom line is the citizens of Michigan are about to get one of the largest tax hikes in Michigan’s history.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's requested access to an Air Force transport plane to fly back to her district.  Many think this is an extravagance, though former Speaker Dennis Hastert flew in a military jet as well.

Taxpayers are taking issue with the size of the plane. Pelosi and the Defense Department are discussing letting her fly in a C-32 plane, a military version of the Boeing 757-200.  Hastert, an Illinois Republican, flew in a small commuter-sized jet.

But another “tax and spend” Democrat seems to think it’s an OK use of taxpayer dollars…she must be a friend of Governor Granholms.

Saul Anuzis