I'm Doing My Part to Reduce Energy

Here I am out on the cutting edge again. This past week my husband , my son and myself had hydrogen fuel cells installed on our cars. My nephew created this thing in the garage of his house in Ohio, where he has a machine shop. He has been working in mechanical and electrical engineering for years. Two days before he came up to install it in my 1993 Crown Victoria (definitely need better mileage there) , my odometer broke. We are running our tests now and it will take a few days for the electronics and oxygen sensors to catch up. My son, who is a chemical engineer, is already getting a 50% increase in his mpg. He can't really tell because he has spent some time time working outside this week in the heat and kept running his pickup truck to get his air conditioner to cool him off.

My husband lives so close to work that we haven't had a real test there, at least not enough to make it meaningful. So that will take some time. I will get my odometer this Wednesday. I did drive to and from Dearborn to Grand Rapids last week and filled up before I left. I had lots of gas left over when I got back. When the car was new it only got 15-18 gallons on the highway. Close as I can figure it only got about 10 mpg in the city before I put this thing on the car.

We will continue to take our mileage test until we get some meaningful data but at these prices I'll take a 40-100% increase in my mpg. I'll let you know how it all works out. He has a really neat design that will fit in any car. I'm really geaked about this.

Did I mention that it works on diesel fueled vehicles as well and that he heated his home with this hydrogen gizmo too.

I was watching TV today and some guy was talking about biofuel from algae. Looks like a plan to me. As far as I'm concerned we can do this thing if congress will get out of our way.

Rose Bogaert

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night...

My attorneys filed in United States District Court for Injunctive and Declaratory relief and damages for the Recall of Andy Dillon.What we are attempting to do is allow signatures gathered from circulators outside the district to count. While recallers are required to use residents of the district to collect signatures, the opponents can call in outsiders to block, harass and intimidate. In addition, if I sign a petition I have no way to determine if the person is a resident of the district. It is against the law for me to knowingly sign more than once, therefore, for my signature to count it must be accepted.

During the recall the opposition sent in ringers to collect signatures in spite of the fact they did not live in the district. One of them even testified to the fact. We tried desperately to do this on the up and up. The United States Supreme Court has already ruled that it is a violation of my First Amendment Rights to restrict signature gathering for referendum. We believe that it is a violation on recall petitions too.

We also want the Recall to be placed on the November ballot. What we really want is a more even playing field. To be continued..........

Same Stuff Different Day

Some people accuse me of trying to push people into doing something political and in effective they could be right. I am going to ask you to join over a million Democrats, Republicans and Independents who have signed a petition to demand that Congress take action on the oil crisis. We need to convince them this Forth Of July that it is important to attack the situation from all quarters.

We keep hearing that we need to be energy independent from foreign oil, but our representatives never seem to show they believe it by their behavior. Michigan in particular has a problem because most businesses which remain in this state, are hanging by a string.
Also, some will be unable to heat or cool their homes, food prices will rise, they will have a difficult time paying for gas to run their car.
We need to get our legislators off their duff. This problem goes beyond politics and effects our basic needs.
In the seventies we demanded congress to act. Some of their decisions were helpful while others were not. We know from experience what works and what doesn't. Conservation on our part always works for instance. Tax credits for insulation, thermal windows and energy efficient appliances works for another. Dialing down our thermostats works. Research on ways to reduce energy efficiency works.
Windfall Profits Tax does not work. Look at this video and then consider signing the petition on line.

Now go to their website and add your name to a million others. If we want them to make any effort we have to be willing to do our share.

When in Doubt Check History

What is happening in this country? Has everyone gone crazy? They say education is important and it is. What they need to be teaching is more history, American and European. There is a lot of talk about nationalizing things. Lets take the two most talked about areas one at a time.

First lets talk about medicine. I can not believe that they are still pushing this. The influx of people into this country to access medical care is impressive. While everyone may eventually get a chance to receive medical care with socialized medicine, you still have to be alive to receive it. Lines are long and care is sometimes restricted by the patient's age. The older I get the less enthusiastic I become about that prospect. I thought perhaps you might like to see this video.

As you can see, it's not all it's cut out to be. There are a bunch of other testimonials which say the same thing. Americans are not used to waiting for a hamburger let alone for care of a life threatening disease. There is care for the uninsured, if they need it or ask for it.

The next topic is the nationalization of the oil companies. I know these people are out of their minds. Name me one thing that the government has done well. There are some things that are better just because of the magnitude of the job, but that doesn't mean they do it well. If you are old enough to remember back to the 1970's, you will remember the so called "Oil shortage". Eventually, Jimmy Carter and congress slapped a "windfall profits tax" on the oil companies. That only served to drive the oil prices higher. What drove the prices down? We did. We found ways to conserve energy. We used less. Those who could afford it insulated their homes and put in thermal windows. We walked when we didn't need to ride. We bought energy efficient appliances and electronic thermostats. We lowered the heat and put on more clothes. The changes will come only if we demand them. This video shows what happens when the government takes over.

People tend to associate Fascism with people on the right. In reality it comes from the left. We can not let our country go the way of other failed governments. We have to many lives invested to allow the United States to slip into socialism. People come here for opportunity. We should facilitate that not with a "hand out" but with a "hand up". Socialism does not work.

The next five videos are here because I am reading a very interesting book by the speaker on liberal fascism. I think you might be interested in what he has to say. It will give you some insight and provide you with something to do.

Two Things Everyone Should Do or Not

Apologize when you have done something poorly. I want to apologize to all those people who counted on us to coordinate and successfully recall Speaker Andy Dillon. We tried hard but not hard enough. We could not beat the political machine in time for the August primary. We have not given up in principle and are considering other ways on the federal level to re mediate the problem. It is very important that we do not let the matter lie. The failure of the Court of Appeals and the State Supreme Court to hear our case, in light of the fact that one of the issues has been already settled by the US Supreme Court in our favor, is unconscionable.

Don't get discouraged. Politicians count on us to get discouraged and go away. We can not let that happen. What we need is for our numbers to grow and to get more eyes watching. If we keep ignoring problems and leaving them to others we will soon lose what we treasure most - our freedoms and our money. Politicians should be working for us, not themselves.

Which brings to mind another issue. You know we support the right of ballot initiative but we do not support the right to be deceptive. This message goes across party lines and should be important to all. The video below does a good job of explaining the problem.

If this was not enough to worry about, in 2010 some will be calling for a Constitutional Convention. Say no to that too.

In Pursuit of Justice

Rose Bogaert

vs.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, in her official capacity,
Andy Dillon, and Wayne County Board of Election Commissioners

On June 6, a Complaint For Writ of Mandamus was filed in the Court of Appeals to recapture signatures which are valid as found by the US Supreme Court. If found to be invalid it would would violate citizens First Amendment Rights of free speech and association. This would give us more than enough signatures to place the question on the Aug. 5th ballot.

In addition, we are also challenging the practice of throwing out both signatures when someone signs twice by accident. For years the opposition has been thought to be signing petitions more than once to throw off the count. In 1983 when we were attempting to recall Senator Patrick McCullough, we had enough signatures to recall him from office for his vote for a 38% increase in the income tax. Due to duplicate signatures, where both the original and the duplicate were thrown out, we were unable to place the recall on the ballot. We challenged it in the Court of Appeals but did not have the resources to challenge it any further. We now have the opportunity if the Court of Appeals does not drag their feet.

On the face of the petition, is this warning in bold print: "A PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY SIGNS A RECALL PETITION MORE THAN ONCE OR SIGNS A NAME OTHER THAN HIS OR HER OWN IS VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF THE MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW."

We believe that over a three month period people can honestly forget if they signed a petition. We still have the presumption of innocence in this country. We agree that one of the signatures should be discounted but only one. In any case, we should not allow the disenfranchisement of voters for political expediency. Hopefully we will prevail.

TO BE CONTINUED.

What Now?

When the Constitution of the United States was ratified, a colleague asked Benjamin Franklin, “What have we wrought?”

Benjamin Franklin replied, “A Republic, if they can keep it.”

I have not been writing lately because I am not sure what to tell you. We are still fighting to save the recall of Andy Dillon. As soon as I know what is next, I will let you know. The one thing I do know is that I am fearful for this country. I have seen things in this campaign that are unprincipled, dirty and beneath those who propose to represent the people of the 17th district. I can not believe that we are the only place in this country that have had these experiences.

We can not excuse this by brushing it off as just politics. If this is politics, it has no place in our form of government. We have lost respect for each other, our first amendment rights have been violated and breaking the law is not justified to achieve a goal. No matter what happens we will ultimately wind up in court.

One Day a Year is Not Enough

This Memorial Day weekend, many people will celebrate having a day off. Others will remember family members who served their country in the military. Some will remember all those who fought and died for this country. One day is not enough to remember. This memory should be recalled every time we vote, read a book or a newspaper, have a political disagreement and at the uncountable times we take our liberty for granted.

I try to remember every one who helped make this country what it is, because that is what my father taught me. I can remember my father raising the flag in our yard each day when I was young. He watched every war movie that was ever made (and cowboy movie too). He cried every time he heard taps. He was a sailor in WWII. He never saw action but he appreciated everyone who did. He was proud to be a sailor and prouder still to be an American.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all that have served this country and permits me to live free.

I know this country is not perfect but it is the best there is. When I go to court on May 27th to defend myself against the trumped up charges by Rep. Andy Dillon, I believe that if there is justice I will be vindicated. I believe in this system. I also know that power corrupts. It is evident in the way Dillon's thugs attempted to infiltrate and corrupt our petition drive. I received calls attempting to bribe me, petitions in the mail without circulators to temp me, calls with people attempting to get me to make incriminating statements, have been followed and harassed and been asked to do things that are anatomically impossible. Dillon has personally lied when he said I never gave him suggestions on how to cut the budget and no one in our organization ever attempted to photograph his children or his wife. They say that almost 1/2 of our signatures are invalid. I know we will prove them wrong. This could only happen if he or his supporters sabotaged our effort. It does not serve us to do anything like this. We knew the state and Dillons surragates would be going through them.

Please take time this weekend to remember those who fought for our freedom from the beginning to the present. Pray that we can keep our country free. May God bless America and keep her safe.

.

Take the Bitter With the Sweet

First I will give you the sweet.The Secretary of State has finished the first process to place vacationing Andy Dillon's name for recall on the August 5th ballot. I hope that they didn't send the news to Mexico and ruin his fun. After all, his vacation is far more important than the mess this state is in.

The bitter is that our court date has been postponed again. It seems they have come up with more trumped up charges and our side needs time to figure out what they are talking about and who these supposed witnesses are. The only regret I have is that we have come to this as a society. If Dillon is loved so much by the voters, why is he going through all this? He could just stand on his reputation and his performance in the legislature and defeat us at the polls. He would be defending his record and not trying to discredit us. I guess it must be because he can do neither and must give the appearance that he is the injured party.

In the meantime, Rep. Dick Ball (R-Owosso) introduced a resolution which criticizes the State Constitution for allowing recalls for anything but criminal misconduct. Recalls are about anything but that. Criminal misconduct is decided in the courts. Recalls are about representation and political matters. HR358 also stated that recalls are undemocratic. Huh? We had to collect a lot more signatures then he had to collect to run for office. About 8,500 more. Then the recall has to be voted on. Sounds pretty democratic to me. Thank goodness the rest of them had the good sense to not want to vote on it. It was however the fact that someone wanted to amend the resolution to include that Kwame Kilpatrick be removed from office that brought the great enlightenment. The dems removed it from the agenda.

Getting out of Dodge

So where is our hard working Speaker of the House Andy Dillon? The mess of the Michigan Business Tax and the expected shortfall for our state budget need to be addressed. Where else would he be but on a beech in Mexico? Obviously, the time off after the budget is finished, the break for hunting season, the long Christmas break or the spring break are not enough. He feels it is time to get away at a time where his leadership, for which he is payed considerably more, is needed.

Does he need to get away while the governor continues to give away our money at an unprecedented rate to businesses she thinks are worthy? Maybe he needs to get away while business is suffering under the legislatures last adjustment to the tax on business. He must not be able to tolerate the people who are losing their jobs, their homes and their children to other states. I guess that is part of his "me first" philosophy.

MIRS a Lansing Journal asked if he needed to "get out of Dodge" to regroup. The Speakers spokesperson, Greg Bird replied that it was previously planned. I think that is worse. His absence was premeditated. Shame on you Dillon. You can take a slow boat after you get recalled from office when you will have plenty of time.

The Definition of Arrogance

Yesterday before we turned in the signatures to recall Speaker Andy Dillon we were scheduled to hold a press conference in room 55 of the Capital Building. We were notified at the last minute that it was not available and no other room was available. When a reporter from MIRS asked why the press conference was changed Dillon said "They want to have a press conference in one of my rooms? Yeah right."

Who does Speaker Dillon think he is? That is the peoples house not his house. By what right does he deny anyone access to the Capitol Building during the hours it is open. It is that arrogance that I was unaware of until I started to recall him. His superior attitude keeps him from making decisions for the people but facilitates his disposition to act in his own self interest. He forgets he was sent there to do our business not his own.

It is interesting the things you find out. Dillon supporters hired an out of state coordinator for his blockers. They hired a convicted felon as a blocker. He complains because someone drove by his house a couple times to try to interview him but thinks nothing of his blockers driving by my house several times a day and following our circulators up and down the streets and to their homes. He accuses us of lying and fraud. I now know him to be a liar because he has lied about me. He has said I offered no solutions to the budget crisis. While I did say that he had to make the final decisions on what should be cut because that is what he was elected to do, I also suggested that he look at the $1.9 billion worth of cuts by the Mackinac Center and those suggested by the Citizens Research Council. He made no cuts but increased the General Fund Budget by 8%.

He says the people who are recalling him are not from this district. I had people from his district stuffing bags to hang on doors and boxes stacked from my front room to my family room full of the literature. I had petitions mailed to my house. I had obscene phone calls. I answered questions and gave instructions. People from the district brought petitions to my door. I received more in todays mail. Speaker Dillon, keep thinking that the people of your district are happy with your representation, it will make my job easier.

You and your deplorable friend Miles Handy have shown your true colors. Just like Darth Vador you have gone to the dark side.

On The Ballot

Congratulations to the voters of the 17Th District. The question to recall Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon will most certainly be placed on the August 5, primary election. Today 15,498 signatures were turned in to the Bureau of Elections in Lansing. The required amount of signatures was 8,724 signatures.

Thank you to the voters of the 17Th. A victory for you is a victory for everyone in the State of Michigan. If this does not convince the other legislators we are serious, we will have to work to take out another one of them. Their decision to increase taxes has hurt our state and it's citizens. Tax increases do not bring business into Michigan. Tax increases in this time of job loss, income reductions and inflation only serves to make things worse.

Thank you for enduring the aggravation of Dillon's hostile, rude and aggressive blockers .
Thank you for standing tall before all the unjustified criticism and lies. Your the best.

Rose Bogaert, Chair
Wayne County Taxpayers Association

Pig Passion

I could not wait to post this. I found it to be incredibly funny.
I now know why Redford's Supervisor Miles Handy "oinked" every time Mr. Perk the nine foot pig went past the park where he was holding his pro Dillon Rally. He loved pigs just like Loraine Bobbit loved her husband.

Speaking of funny, I who as a child took something from a store and had to go back and pay for it because my conscience bothered me, have been served and must go to court on May 5th. Apparently, I deceived all of the stupid voters of the 17th district, who obviously don't know their own mind and should be grateful to have our elected officials fleece them. I am supposed to have hired deviants from Detroit to twist their arms to sign a petition. It will be interesting to see them try to prove the impossible. Why? Because it is not true.

This Is America?

Take a look at this video. This was our Rally in front of the Redford Post Office on tax day April 15. The only thing the police forgot was the water cannons. I don't think we look very dangerous. You be the judge. They did everything they could to make it difficult for us. I especially like the paddy wagon.

More Dirt

I hate to keep bugging you, but you have to read our latest press release:

April 23, 2008

Contact: Leon Drolet, (586) 354-5432

Rose Bogaert, (313) 213-5871

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Convicted violent felon working for Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon

Armed robber employed to intimidate voters in Redford Township, Dearborn Heights and Livonia

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN – A felon convicted of multiple violent crimes is roaming the streets seeking to intimidate voters on behalf of Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township). “Residents of Speaker Dillon’s district are being confronted by a convicted armed robber,” said Leon Drolet, Executive Director of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. “On behalf of the law abiding citizens of Redford Township, Dearborn Heights and Livonia, we demand that Speaker Dillon remove this convicted felon from his entourage of thugs.”

Marcell L. Mitchell, a so-called “Voter Education Specialist” employed by the Michigan Democratic Party, has an extensive record of felony convictions including Armed Robbery, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Felonious Assault), and Felony Firearms according to the Michigan Department of Corrections web site. He is currently a parolee under supervision until May 2^nd, 2009.

“We are alarmed that Speaker Dillon and Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer would use felons convicted of violent crimes to intimidate voters from signing recall petitions,” said Rose Bogaert, Chairperson of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association and a Dearborn Heights resident. “Dillon’s thug tactics against recall petition circulators include a pattern of harassment, stalking, and other forms of intimidation. We understand Dillon’s personal reluctance about being recalled for raising taxes in Michigan. Must he use felons convicted of violent crimes to scare off potential recall petition signers?”

Dillon and Brewer have employed many individuals dedicated to blocking voters from signing recall petitions. These blockers call themselves “Voter Education Specialist”, using any tactics necessary to prevent voters from signing petitions.

“The real irony is that there is no record of Mitchell ever voting,” Drolet said. “Dillon and Brewer might want to call their army of thugs and bullies something else when ‘Voter Education Specialist’ aren’t even registered to vote. What is Mr. Mitchell’s 'specialty'? Intimidating seniors wanting to sign a recall petitions? Voting doesn't seem to be one of Mr. Mitchell’s areas of expertise.”

The recall effort was launched in February of 2008, after House Speaker Andy Dillon voted in favor of two House Bills that increased taxes; HB 5194 raised the state income tax from 3.9% to 4.35% and HB 5198 imposed a new 6% sales tax. Recall organizers must collect over 8,700 valid signatures by May 1st to place the measure on the ballot.

Links:

Michigan Department of Corrections information on Marcell Mitchell

Image of Marcell Mitchell blocking at Redford Township Secretary of State

Affidavit of Marcell Mitchell in Andy Dillon v Taxpayers to Recall Andy Dillon, et al.

Profile on Marcell Mitchell on BlockersRus.com

###

The Saga Continues

We had to go back to court today. The Redford Police were harassing us so bad that we went to court to get a restraining order. Circuit Court Judge William J. Giovan, who is the judge who heard the first case, listened to our request. He called the Redford Police Chief and told him that he was to inform his officers that they cannot try to intimidate and harass us no matter who gives the order. We suspect that the order came from none other than His Honor Miles Handy township supervisor. He also said that he would follow it up in writing.

Who would have thought it would get this nasty. Andy and his friends have gone over the edge. They are so desperate they will do anything. It will not do them any good. We are getting proof of their other violations, and when we do, we will prosecute. They have also disowned one of their thugs. As it turns out, he is a convicted felon (multiple times). He was involved from the very first.

We plan to file the petitions on May 1.

Here Come Da Judge

Andy Dillon brought charges against me today. I didn't go to court but our lawyer did. Dillon's lawyer asked for a temporary restraining order against us to keep us from collecting signatures. He said we are having people from outside the district collect signatures for Dillon's recall. Wrong! They wanted to have an evidentiary hearing which would then grant a permanent restraining order.

They used affidavits from four of the Democratic Party thugs that have been following, harassing, verbally abusing and stalking our persons and homes. They had signed various observations of our abuse of the law. Wrong!

Andy Dillon has also requested damages "in such amount as will compensate him for the injuries he has sustained as a result of their continuing and blatant violation of Michigan Election Law." Wrong!

What did the judge do? Judge William J. Giovan told us all to go home, obey the law and play nice. Yes!

Rose Bogaert, Chair
Wayne County Taxpayers Association

Is the Post Office a Private Or Public Monopoly?

There was a nice disabled Veitnam War Veteran standing in front of a US Post Office collecting signatures to recall Speaker Andy Dillon from his seat in the Michigan Legislature for raising taxes $1.4 Billion. He was told he could not be there. So, he called me. When I got there I went in to speak to the postmaster of the Dearborn Heights post office. He said we could not be there. I thought this case was settled. I went out and started to collect signatures by myself. With the veteran watching in his car.

Along came a Dearborn Heights police car and tried to park out of sight. He never approached me, but he did watch. He left after seeing that I was disturbing no one. The Postal Police arrived. He says "You are breaking the law!" I say "what law?" "The postal laws" he says. This is private property and a private company. I say "this is a monopoly allowed by the government with my tax dollars. Now cometh two more Postal Police. They say they can ask for my ID, arrest me, write me a ticket or haul me off to jail. If this is not a government related facility by who's authority do they get to do all that? I called my attorney who said the Supreme Court remanded the case back to the Court of Appeals and the decision to allow us access has not been finalized. They threatened the vet who was in the car with the confiscation of his camera because he was taking pictures. Another friend came with a camera and never got off a shot because they were going to take his camera. This was entirely to Stalinesque for me. So I left. Represntative Beatram Johnson was lending his car out to the blocker at the post office that day.

If you read the trespass notice you will see that I am restricted from collecting signatures on Postal Property. With that in mind, I am inviting you to attend our rally on Tuesday, April 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on the perimeter of the Redford Post Office. "Mr. Perks" the 9ft. pig will be there to greet you. Bring a sign if you can or get one from us. You had to work 189 days last year to pay federal, state and local taxes and it will be more this year. Come tell government to cut the spending, support the recall of Andy Dillon and tax us fairly.

Repeat Offender Caught Again

Once again I have been caught collecting signatures. This is getting to be a habbit of the Redford Police. They know I am not breaking the law. They know I am within my rights. They just can't get enough of me. They also think that they need at least two cars and police men to talk to me. This is the third time. I know they are just taking orders and it is not their fault. But you would think that they would know by now that I will not be intiminated. This time they told me I would get a ticket and took my ID. They went back to the car called there boss and told them I would not move because I was on the public sidewalk and not on the store owners property. I was not interfering with the exit or entrance by standing in front of the door. I was merely asking a question as customers were going in or out. No move. No ticket.

All of you need to help me "Recall Dillon". If I could I would also recall his friend Miles Handy the Redford Township supervisor. Now I just can't imagine how he got put in office. Redford residents have to rethink that guy. But I digress. You can help me and show your support by showing up at a rally on Tuesday, April 15, (you know what day that is) from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Redford Post Office, 12245 Beech Daly. Bring a sign and we can let all of the elected people we are tired of them wasting our money. As an added attraction, you and your children can meet "Mr. Perks" our 9 ft. foam pink pig. Please show up. You can probably meet the thugs in person. I want to meet some of them too. They seem to send all of the civil ones to me and call the police. Some of our other circulators have to file police reports against them because they do not play nice sometimes. Please Show up. We will be happy to see you there.

Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt.

You have probably filed or are about to file your income tax. No matter where you are in Michigan you are still working for the government and will not be done until some time in July. In 2007 we worked 189 days to pay our federal, state and local taxes in Michigan as opposed to an average of 121 days for the rest of the states. This year it will be longer.

If money could buy good government, good education or good politicians we would be in good shape in this state. Everyone knows that government must have money to operate. I don't think you could find many that would dispute the fact. We are not talking about good government in Michigan we are talking about abuse.

Our roads are a jobs program for political donors and they can't even do a good job. Our education system is producing drop outs and illiterates in spite of the fact that per pupil spending has more than doubled since 1995. Our elected officials, not all of them, hold us in contempt. Most still think that they are entitled to all the perks and the taxpayers don't care or know the difference. They think they are the ultimate arbiter of who succeeds and who fails .

It obviously is not working. Our gross domestic product and job creation has declined consistently over the years. Once again, it is the reluctance to really change the way we do things. How much more can they expect from us? How can we follow if our leaders do not lead? We must remove those who refuse to change by recall or election. One at a time if need be, until the others pay attention. Many of us have lost our jobs, our homes and our children to other states. We have sacrificed enough for them. It is time for them to do their share, change and do what is right.

Leon Drolet Explains the Problems in Lansing

I took this video because you need to hear from someone who has been there and knows what goes on in Lansing. Leon Drolet is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and is presently serving as a Macomb County Commissioner. He is now also the Chair of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. The whole point is that taxpayers need to engage themselves in politics and make their presence felt, if we ever want anything to change. We can not be too busy. We can not have other things to do. We can no longer let the other guy do it.

I am not saying that this should be your only priority, only that it should be one of the important ones. Together we can make our voices heard.

The Impossible Dream?

I have to make a confession. I suffer from a very serious disease called "the Don Quixote Syndrome". Unlike Don Quixote my windmills are the government. My objective is to dream the possible dream, to right the possible right, to try when my arms are to weary..... You get the idea. Fortunately, I am not alone. Unfortunately, there are not enough of us yet. If the American Dream is to survive, the change that needs to be made will take many more people to get involved than there are now.

Most politician says they are for change. Most voters says they want change. The problem is that very few actually mean they want change. If they do, they are not willing to put forth the effort to make it happen and then promptly convince themselves why it can't be done. Change is usually not comfortable when it first happens. After you put all the effort into making it happen, you ask if it was worth it. It usually is.

I have been reading a new book "Real Change" by Newt Gingrich. He makes points that have stuck in my mind:

"Clearly both parties are out of step with the citizens they should be representing.... Americans have clearly communicated the policies and solutions we must pursue. But to get there, we need transformational change of our current, failed bureaucratic system of government"

He makes it clear that it is not just a congressional problem or the presidential problem. It will take the involvement of all of us to transform all government, federal, state and local. I have thought this was necessary for as long as I can remember. It will be necessary if we believe that government must represent "we the people". He says:

"We will have to remind ourselves every day that we are not guaranteed success,that the entrenched bureaucracy and special interests will pull out every stop to thwart us. But they can't stop us from working, every day, to achieve our goals. To do something serious and new means overcoming frustration, confusion, opposition, an indifference. It means being a leader."

I believe that he is correct. I believe that if it is worth having it is worth fighting for. If we never have time to defend our freedoms they will slowly slip away. You only have to look around you to see how much of our lives and our money has already been usurped by government and how frequently, government works against us rather than for us. There is nothing that should take precedence over this, since it effects everyone we love and care for.

Response to Citizens

Everyone knows that most legislators are not happy about the recall effort. If they would take the hint, recalls would not be necessary. MichiganVotes.org puts out information on proposed legislation. What you see below are some legislators response to voters:

Senate Joint Resolution K (Mandate new ballot measure signature gathering requirements ) Introduced by Sen. Michelle McManus on February 12, 2008, to place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require petitions for citizen initiatives to create a law, or a referendum disapproving a just-passed law, to be signed by registered voters who are residents in at least three-fourths of 110 state House districts, and who, in each of those House districts, equal at least 7 percent of the number who voted in that district in the last gubernatorial election......... See also Senate Bills 1086 and 1087. http://www.michiganvotes.com/Legislation.aspx?ID=59356
Senate Bill 1086 (Revise ballot measure submission deadlines ) Introduced by Sen. Gilda Jacobs on February 12, 2008, to change the deadline for filing the petitions placing Constitutional amendments on the ballot ... See also Senate Joint Resolution K. http://www.michiganvotes.com/Legislation.aspx?ID=59357
Senate Bill 1087 (Impose restrictions on citizen’s initiative signature gathering ) Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen on February 12, 2008, to require circulators of petitions placing Constitutional amendments, initiated laws, or referendums on the ballot, ......State to certify and distribute a proposed Constitutional amendment initiative or other special question at least 60 days, rather than 49 days, before an election. See also Senate Joint Resolution K. http://www.michiganvotes.com/Legislation.aspx?ID=59358

How can they pretend to represent us when they work against us. This is a sovereignty issue. We should not have to wait years to hold them accountable or to overturn bad law. Just look at the Michigan Business Tax. It does not solve the problem it exacerbates it. The changes they made to stop the expansion of the service tax was nothing but a tax shift and an additional increase. We need to take back the authority when they fail to work for us. We have to pay better attention and act.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent...

Two petitioners were unagressively collecting signatures for the Recall of Speaker Andy Dillon in front of the Redford Post Office. A fancy car pulls up and out jumps three well dressed men. They go into the post office and register a complaint. An interested observer asked who made the complaint about the petitioners and was told by security that it was none other than the R. Miles Handy the Redford Twp. Supervisor. I did not see him, so this is hearsay. I suggest that you call him at 313-387-2705 and find out if it was really him or you can email him at supervisor@redfordtwp.com . The petitioners left the post office and called me, as they were told to do.

I then took up their position. I wasn't there very long before two police cars showed up and parked next to me. Being the hardened criminal that I am, I ignored them. The policeman in the first car got out of his car. I pulled out my video cam. He says he does not want to get filmed. Keep in mind he was filming me. I told him I would not film him if he left me alone. He repeated the request and I gave him the same answer. He finally said I had to leave. I told him that I was exercising my first amendment rights on government property and the only way I was leaving was if he told me what law I had broken and arrested me. I put my camera away and after some discussion, he went back to his car and called someone.

The second policeman got out of his car and repeated the same thing. Then he tried sympathy. "I'm just trying to do my job." I told him I was too. I repeated that the only way I was moving was if they arrested me.

Then the third cop car showed up. I told him I was waiting to be arrested. He asked if they said they would arrest me. I told him they only hinted that they would. At least he smiled at me before he left.

The first policeman then approached me again and said he was going inside to give me enough time to leave. When he came out, I was still there. People coming in and out of the post office looked frightened. Some people yelled from the parking lot and asked what was going on. I yelled back not to worry and that it was only about me.

Then the forth police car came this was the official postal police. The officers in the first two cars were making phone calls. They then went and talked to the postal policewoman. She went inside through a side or back door and not much later came out and told me there were complaints and I must leave. I told her the same thing I told the other police. This is public property because it is leased by the government. I was asking a question, which is my right ,and not harassment and that I was twenty feet away from the people I was talking to. She went in and was never heard from again. The whole time this was going on, one of Dillon's thugs (I got a pretty nice one) was walking in front of me with a sign that said "don't sign the petition it will cost tax$$$". What it should have said is that it would cost Dillon dollars.

While you are calling the supervisor's office, ask him why the township felt it necessary to station two police cars next to a woman almost sixty years old who just wanted to exercise both her federal and state constitutional rights for about two hours. Also ask if Redford is crime free except for the post office. Who do you think was doing the harassment? The police? Dillons thugs, which usually show up in numbers? How about a sweet old lady (me)?

Rose Bogaert, Chair

Wayne County Taxpayers Association, Inc.

Treasurer

Taxpayers to Recall Andy Dillon

Is the Governor Next?

What can I say? Just when I thought it might be over, I get more mail. This time it is a birthday card for my mother, who has passed away, from Senator Tupac Hunter. For a state with a bare bones budget, we certainly have enough money to throw around. My guess is that every absentee voter gets one of these. In any case, at least Rep. Andy Dillon had the sense to put something that pertains to government on his bithday card to mom. Sen. Tupac Hunter had no such pretense. He just sent her a birthday card at taxpayer expense. There has not been one from the governor yet but I am waiting.

Are people really so foolish to make sending them a generic birthday card worthwhile? I sure hope not. I object to my hard earned money being used in this manner. What this is a computer somewhere which spits these things out each month. How necessary is that? We have some serious problems to deal with in this state. Obviously they do not think so in Lansing. As a matter of fact, if this is not illegal it should be. If you want let me know when your birthday is and I'll sing to you. In the meantime if you get one of these, please tell them no thank you.

While your at it, join us this coming Monday, February 11, at Best Western Laurel Park Suites, 16999 S. Laurel Park in Livonia off Six mile near Neuberg Road and I 275 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.

There will be a joint "Recall Boot Camp" for Rep. Andy Dillon and Rep. Marc Corriveau. Even if you want to just learn how to recall you are welcome to come and get information. We will have petition for both recalls at the meeting. They increased our income tax by 12%. They enacted a surtax of 22% on business that will be passed down to us. They increased General Fund Spending more than 8% and call it a cut. They increased their legislative budget by over 7%. They did all this at a time when Michigan families are struggling to pay their mortgages and keep their homes. Recalls are a constitutional right citizens have as recourse when they have lost confidence that a representative is acting in their best interest.

What Another One!

I am going to have to start calling my Representative Andy Dillon "Dillon-gent Andy" instead of "Dillon the Villan". Another peice of literature was sent to my house today at taxpayer expense. One would think that they had nothing to do in Lansing. He sure is persistant when he is using other people's money. Does this look like a guy who is looking out for your best interest. If he feel the need to communicate, he should be telling us what he is doing right now to stop the bleeding in Michigan.

Not the pablum we were fed in the governors speech or the programs she has talked about since she was elected the first time. None of them will work unless she raises taxes again and even then they are severely questionable. Where are their priorities? Prove to us you are worthy to be retained. Don't prove with literature but with your actions. There is one cosulation. If we can remove him from office, he can qualify for a job with directory assistance.

Wonder what he will send me tomorrow.

More Government Waste

About a month ago I received a newsletter from my Representative Andy Dillon. I know they all do it but I believe for the most part it is more self serving than informative. Certainly the last one sent to me could be called nothing but him patting himself on the back. I do however draw the line with what I received in the mail today.

My mother passed away on December 31. In todays mail I received a birthday card for my mother whose 89th birthday would have been on February 17. It was from none other than Rep. Andy Dillon. Does anyone really think he knows my mother? It might be a nice gesture if he had been paying for it out of his own pocket but not at taxpayer expense. My mother may have been almost 89 years old but she wasn't stupid. This is pure pandering and a waste of taxpayer dollars. Does he really believe my mother doesn't know what government does after all these years. Thousand of useless bills go through the legislature each year. They are introduced to please constituents and passed on to die in committee. These bills have to be written up and printed at great expense.

My comment to Speaker Dillon is that he and his staff have bigger and better things to be concerned about like reducing spending, lowering taxes and bringing business back to this state.

Why Recall?

I am frequently asked why recall is necessary when our elected state officials are term limited and will be up for re-election or moving on. The most important thing I could say is that a lot can happen in six months. It did not take them six months to raise our income tax 12%. It did not take them six months to enact a 22% surtax on business. ( May I remind you that the tax gets passed on to the consumer.) It took them less than six months to increase General Fund spending more than 8% for 2008. They succeeded in increasing the legislative budget by over 7% for 2008 in less than six months. Now add to that the cost of borrowing money at 40 cents on the dollar for the failed 20th Century Jobs Fund in 2005, which was a flop, and will take a long time to pay back with future revenue.

The next question is always ," What about the cost of the election?" It is minor compared to the damage they can do. We need to set a few examples to deter others from making those kind of mistakes again. In my case, my legislator is the ring leader, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon. You remember him. He is the one who wanted to give every sixth grader and iPod. Rumor has it that should he be re-elected that he will be working on a gas tax hike soon after the election. Since things do not seem to be getting any better and they don't seem to be able to cut spending, then their only solution will be to use our money - thus another tax increase. Speaking of money, it will cost money for legislators to defend themselves against recall. They already use tax dollars to send out literature about how wonderful they are and how hard they work for us in their newsletters. Now they must spend more of their own to defend themselves and or to run for reelection.

If you are looking to get involved in a recall in Wayne County send me an email at bogaert@comcast.net . MichiganRecalls.com will be having a Recall Boot Camp soon. Taxpayers to Recall Andy Dillon will have petitions there or I can send you petitions if you live in Redford or Dearborn Heights. You can get other information at MichiganRecalls.com.

I Have Finally Made It

Apparently the liberal bloggers believe in free speech only for liberals. I have been banned from commenting on several liberal websites. MichiganLiberal.com at least gave me a reason. They say my opinion stinks. What are they afraid of? These sites make the same mistake as most of the media. They have no respect for any opinion but their own. I am thankful that we are not required to ask their approval to vote. The fact that I am attempting to recall my legislator, Speaker Andy Dillon, has liberals up in arms. That is why they stalled the approval of the petition language at the county level and lined the walls with thugs to intimidate us at the hearing. It took the efforts of the Circuit Court to admit that the language is clear and understandable.

Other recalls are experiencing harassment and intimidation tactics. That does not frighten me. We will be armed with cameras, video cams and cell phones to call the police. We can not allow the actions of thugs to deprive us of our right to petition for grievence and we will defend our rights. They blame Leon Drolet, from Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, for everything. Do they really think he can do this on his own?

There are large numbers of business people, economists and just average people who know what consequenses will result from the poor decision making in Lansing. It is our state, our lives and livelyhoods that will be effected. Rumor has it that they are not done raising taxes yet. It is our job to see that they are stopped. Through their newsletters, they are using taxpayer dollars to spread information about how good they are to distract from their distructive activities. If you want to help, please click on to michiganrecalls.com and give us a hand. We need to educate the legislature and remind them we are sovereign.

Disecting Michigan's Problems

I took this video at the "Michigan Defending the American Dream Conference" put on by Americans For Prosperity. Please excuse the poor quality it was my first video and my first attempt with any video camera. I think the analysis is spot on. I would appreciate your comments. We must work together for a solution to Michigan's problems and remove those who stand in the way of saving Michigan's future.

More Disappointment

For the first time in memory I am thinking of not voting for a presidential candidate in the primary election. I'll still vote because there is a school sinking fund proposal on the ballot that I do not support. With a 16% fund equity in their piggy bank, I think they are crazy to ask me to pay 1.67 mils for 10 years. While Rome burned, they misspent the last time they got money. Now they say the district is falling apart. Am I stupid enough to give them more for 10 years. I don't think so.

As a result of the legislature Democrats and Republicans are throwing a party at which they control the invitation list. Like spoiled children they are only letting you come if you tell them who you like best. In the meantime, since there is another issue on the ballot, three ballots have to be printed. One with the Republican slate and the ballot issue, One with some of the Democratic slate,since some are not participating, and one with just the ballot proposal. The worst of it is that, while it was challenged in the courts, it was upheld that the parties could get the voting information but the public could not, even though the public was forced to pay for the election. Other Parties were restricted from participating.

The whole concept is so blatantly unconstitutional, I can not believe that our State Supreme Court upheld the election. Partisan politics has consumed this country. Here in Michigan it has done the most to hurt this state. It has hurt our economy and crippled our constitution.If you can not get justice in the courts, the system has truly broken down. I believe the Justices should truly be ashamed of themselves and I wish them a thousand nights of restless sleep and a failure to return to office.

Michigan's Nightmare or America's Dream

Sometime people need support and understanding to help them believe that they are not alone. Many people in Michigan are suffering as a result of the economy and the horrible leadership and the lack of foresight of our governor and the majority of our legislature. The thing that keeps us going is that there is hope of change. It is incredible that we keep voting for change but never seem to get it.
Since the Democrats are not coming to Michigan, maybe you would like to hear some of the Republican candidates in person, speakers from the Wall Street Journal and others at the Michigan Defending The Dream conference. The conference in Washington DC was great. It was energizing to be around other Michigan activists and the conversations were always stimulating or debatable. Most of all, in Michigan it will be like a revival of spirit and hope in the future of our state. I am hopeful that I will be there to meet you.

Your Turn

Yesterday some of us went to Lansing to deliver coal to our legislators. Now it is your turn. Just click to select the coal. Then,highlight the piece of coal, select Copy, go back, find your legislator's email address from the links and Paste this piece of coal to the email to your legislators. Tell them what a bad job they are doing. Tell them this is all they deserve for the holidays.

Michigan House
Michigan Senate

They Have Been Very Bad

Members of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association (you and your family and friends) are invited to join a coal-ition of business and citizen associations who will present gifts of coal to the naughty politicians, and a "thank you" Christmas card to good politicians. The event will take place this Thursday, December 13 at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on the Capitol Building steps in Lansing.

Santa will be there with a truck-load of coal parked in front of the Capitol Building and some personal gifts of coal by coal-ition members will be delivered to the offices of naughty elected officials who raised your taxes. If you want to make signs specific to the event, then try variations of "Coal-ition for Tax Reform", "Tax Reform Coal-ition","Coal-lison of Taxes and Good Sense.

Please come and join us. Thanks in advance for your support!

Troubled Times

So, what is Governor Granholm's job? Is she a hostess? How about a world traveler at public expense? Is she a kept woman at the expense of the public. Maybe a spoiled brat that throws temper tantrums if she does not get her way? How is it that Michigan has survived this long without a Chief Operating Officer? My head swims with questions about this governor. Some of them less flattering then the questions expressed above.

It seems to me we should have a job description and make the candidates read it before they run for office, to see if they are qualified. The governor obviously does not know how to reduce a budget. She can not balance a budget without a tax increase. While we bleed jobs, she travels abroad and brings back a handful of jobs which we must subsidize dramatically. With her bare bones budget, she hires a COO who is a negotiator instead of a business expert. If you detect frustration in my writing, you hit it on the head.

If she were at least merciful, she would fall on her sword and quit to save the state from anymore of her bad ideas.

Uphill Battle All The Way

Sometimes, I feel like Sisyphus. He was an ancient king of Corinth who was condemned by the gods to push a huge bolder up a hill only to have it roll back down for him to begin again. I am sure that other taxpayers in Michigan feel the same way. Just when we think we are making some headway with tax increases, government comes along rolls another tax right by us.

There were few people in the tax movement that did not realize that the recently passed increase of sales tax on some services was a bad idea. Certainly, they recognized it before most of our legislators. When the legislators finally catch on, what is their response? According to Rep. Jack Hoogdyk , "effective immediately, any business that generates over $350,000 in business activity, will have to calculate its Michigan Business Tax liability and then add 22% to that bill. Over 60,000 businesses in this state will see their tax bill, the MBT, go up by 22%. Large corporations will get a break because the maximum liability on the surcharge will be capped at $6 million."

Now I know that I have made this point many times before, but business does not pay taxes, people pay taxes." All these taxes will get passed on to the consumer. If business can be more competitive in another state, they will go there. If there workers can pay less taxes and keep their job they will follow. The legislature, while making bookkeeping easier for some businesses, helped their cash flow and additional costs, they have just shifted the cost to other businesses. They in turn will pass it on to us. So what have they done for taxpayers? Nothing.

This is too important to let this stand. We can not let a bunch of self involved politicians drive this state into deeper despair and recession. It will be ten years before the surtax is set to expire. I am sure that they will not let that happen unless we force them. Lets keep he pressure on them to reduce our taxes and make this state a place where people want to come to do business and take a vacation.

Misplaced Priorities

While our legislators are hunting, vacationing and playing, Wayne County burns. Thousands of homes up for tax foreclosure in 2008 are listed in today's Free Press . Apparently, our legislators could care less. As we are finding it harder to find things to be thankful for, they are off relaxing from doing nothing to help. This is unforgivable. We are expected to take cut after cut to our personal budget through wage cuts, higher deductibles for our insurance, tax increases or job loss. They are content with pretending they are trying to do their job with no sacrifice on their part.

What is it going to take to get you boiling mad. They are taking our homes and wages now without our consent, what will they take next? This holiday season will be horrible for some families. While I think that we all should be as generous as possible, I think it should be our personal decision. By the time the state gets its grubby hand on the money there will be none left to distribute. Do yourself a favor. Check out MichiganRecalls.com. Let's get some of these guys out of office as a lesson to others. If enough of you contact them, maybe we will not have to take three more years of Granholm's bad policies.

Forgive Me

Yesterday was the clarity hearing at Wayne County for recall language on the petitions for Rep. Andy Dillon, Rep. Marc Corriveau and Rep. Edward Gaffney. Well, I lost it. I must have been having flashback of the McCollough Recall attempt of 1983. I managed to get out two coherent words of the many I spoke. I do not like to loose it like that and don't very often. I was not intimidated - just angry. I should not have let them get to me like that.We knew that the decision was made before we got there. We knew that was part of their strategy to delay the approval until after the November elections and into the coldest weather. The judge who sat on the board admitted he had contributed to Corriveau but did not recuse himself because he thought he could be fair.

The walls were lined with Teamsters, UAW and MEA members. There were also elected officials, lawyers and bunch of political types. You would think that the Teamsters and UAW would be on our side. The only reason for them to come there is intimidation. If I hadn't been so angry, I would have laughed. These are probably the same people who will be sent out to stalk us while we are collecting signatures. If they start pushing me or getting in my face and threatening me they will have pepper spray to think about and of course I will not hesitate to call the police. These people do not believe in free speech. They believe in their speech.

When Speaker Dillon had a town meeting in Redford, I had something else to do and did not feel the need to go because we had been communicating for months. I was told by a reliable source that he had body guards. I do not know what he is thinking about. Recall is the choice to prevent violence. It is operating within the law. It is a rational way to express your dissatisfaction after discussion fails. We have operated with integrity and it is they who wish to resort to thuggery.

How is it they feel it is necessary to thwart our efforts by these means. Could it be they have something much greater to lose then the average taxpayer? Why did I feel the need to ask the obvious? We have put another poll question on our website. It is the language that we submitted on the petition. I can only ask you to be honest and vote once . Remember that the person being recalled gets to put a 200 word rebuttal on the ballot as well. Please take the time to take the poll on the language and if you have not voted on the poll to recall, do that one too.

Rose Bogaert, Chair
Wayne County Taxpayers Association, Inc.