Et Tu Wayne County?

On Tuesday June 9, Scott Hagerstom from AFP and I testified before a Wayne County Committee which was considering a county sponsored title corp at the request of the Register of Deeds Bernard J.Youngblood. What has Wayne County got to do with title searches and insurance. Needless to say, we thought it was a bad idea and said so. The title companies, as you would suspect, had something to say on the issue as well.

Our main concerns were that government should not be in business. If they did this, what kind of transparency and oversight would there be? How would the liability be paid for? Who would pay the $10,000,000 that is anticipated for start up? What success has there been where it was tried before. Has It been tried before and succeeded?

Wayne County's track record, in my book, has not been very good. Even if it starts out costing less, taxpayers will eventually wind up picking up part of the tab. Even those people who do not have the resources to own their own property. They had to stop the meeting because of conflicts but they are going to schedule another for more discussion. Good thing.

Forbes Magazine said that title insurance is the richest insurance racket. If Youngblood believes that, why does the county not prosecute instead of go into the business?

Youngblood's attorney, Patrick J. Bruetsch, approached us after the meeting. He says the county will have nothing to do with this, Youngblood just wants to endorse the idea. We asked then why is it before the committee. Then he said Youngblood will only let credible investors be involved. We asked "how does he get to pick the investors if he is not involved?" He claims he misspoke. He then proceeded to say much the same twice more. Something stinks here. The county should stay clear of this. They have enough problems to deal with. When they can do the job with what they have, even then it should not be expanding government. Besides, who is paying for youngbloods attorney? Why does he need one if he only wants to endorse the project?

If someone can do the job cheaper let them go in the business. If the title insurance companies are price fixing as they implied, then call in the feds.

Stand Up

I am looking forward to this Saturday, June 13. The Tea Party Convention will not only be fun, but it will continue the momentum of the Lansing Tea Party. The five proposals that will be presented, voted upon and prioritized will give us goals to work towards. The speakers have a wealth of information between them and the break out sessions will give us a chance to share ideas.

I am asking you to get out of your fetal position and register. It is being held in Holt, Michigan. It"s not that far. You can get to the registration page from the homepage of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association. The cost is only $10 per person and that includes lunch. For those of you that have children, there is even childcare. What more could you want.

Put some effort behind your words and join us. All talk and no action doesn't change a thing. People call me all the time and want me to do there work. This is your opportunity to commit to do your share. Hope to see you there.

D Day Dilema

I watched with appreciation the international ceremony to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D Day. It is very easy to take for granted the sacrifices the others have made for the freedoms enjoyed by the rest of us. It is also almost impossible not to be touched by the old and failing figures who were there at the ceremony. Those aging soldiers that remain are passing at a phenomenal rate and soon will be no more. We can not afford to let their memory pass with them.

Against incredible odds they landed in Normandy, France and thus began the eventual downfall of Nazi Germany. With the playing of the most impressive rendition of taps that I have ever heard, speeches, a 21 gun salute and fly overs by planes of the countries of France, England, Canada and the United states we honor the courage, dedication and and the supreme sacrifice of those who fought and died.

You could see behind the eyes of the remaining soldiers the memories of their lost friends and the difficulties that they endured from that moment on, both in memory and physically. They gave up so much for our way of life, please do not let it be in vane.

Recently, we have been warned by our socialist friends about the dangers. We are on the precipice and ready to fall over. Of all the warnings, the most unsuspected was from Pravda, a Russian publication:

It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into
Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a
passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century,
especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted
upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not
just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much
money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.

Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and
betters. ..........

The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.

The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.

I can not believe that Americans will much longer sit by and let this happen. How can we refute our history. How can we deny that our poor have been better off then in any country? How can we refute that opportunity has not been plentiful when people try to sneak into this country across the borders and across the seas? How can we so willingly turn over to our representatives control of our lives? How can we let people run our economy who have no experience, tell us what we want, tell us what we need and ,heaven forbid, what we should think?

Thank you to those who have fought and died for our country. I for one will try not to let your efforts be in vane.

Dillon the Villan and Boss Hog Handy

Nothing to relieve the taxpayers burden has been done in this state. Some things just stay the same. When I failed to recall Andy Dillon from the 17th district and rid him of his seat as the Speaker of the House for raising taxes, I was sure that this would happen.

I allowed myself to rejoice in the fact that his association with R Miles Handy, then Supervisor of Redford Township, along with Handy's own bad reputation, caused Handy to be replaced as Supervisor. That joy was short lived. I knew in my heart that those that sleep with dogs get flees. So instead of eliminating one bad apple from Lansing, we now have two. This kind of thing is part of the reason we do not have good governance.

Handy is now Andy's right hand man. I hate to think how the two of them can conspire to think about what they can do FOR themselves and TO the rest of us. Between the two of them, they have one diabolical mind. Andy Dillon's payback to his political friend costs us all. We have another year and a half to endure. I wonder if he replaced someone or if he is paid from the increased office expense account they voted themselves.

As a reminder of who Dillon calls his friend, I have a must see video released during the recall. If you have already seen it, it is fun to watch again anyway.

Short Wait By Future Standards

I am delighted to say that I spent 6 1/2 hours in the Emergency room at Oakwood Hospital last night. Oh it was tiring and aggravating but I was happy to do it.

The day before yesterday, my husband felt a pain behind his knee. We thought he must have pulled a muscle or stretched a tendon. He could not remember anything he had done to cause the problem. The next day it started to really swell and by evening his leg started to turn blue below the knee. At that point, it was off to the emergency room with his very swollen blue leg.

Our fear was that it could be a blood clot that might travel and kill him. They took his information as soon as we walked in. Then, proceeded to take his vitals and information about the problem. We waited about 45 minutes to be taken back to a examination room. Then it was wait for a doctor. In the mean time, a nurse came in and took his vitals again. The doctor finally examined him. He said it may be a cyst that had burst or a blood clot and an ultrasound was necessary to determine the problem.

We then had to wait a couple hours for his turn with the ultrasound machine and a reading from radiology. They determined that this was one of the biggest cysts that they had ever seen in a leg and it had burst. Keep the leg elevated and see your physician the next day was the advice. He thought that it might not require surgery and would eventually be absorbed by the body.

The point of all this is not that you care about my husbands leg but that in 6 1/2 hours we went from fear to diagnosis and treatment. Only in America!

The Fraser Institute of Canada did a study about "Waiting Your Turn in Canada". The startling statistics brings home the truth about socialized medicine.

The Fraser Institute's 11th annual waiting list survey found that waiting
time for surgical and other therapeutic treatments grew significantly in
2000-01. Total waiting time between referral from a general practitioner and
treatment, averaged across all 12 specialties and 10 provinces surveyed, rose
from 13.11 weeks in 1999 to 16.2 weeks in 2000-01. This nationwide deterioration
reflects waiting-time increases in eight provinces, while concealing decreases
in waiting time in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.

In 2007 the median wait for an ultrasound was 3.9 weeks,but in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island it was 8 weeks. Prince Edward Islanders are waiting far too long for routine ultrasounds and X-ray results. The same story replays over and over in each country with socialized medicine.

We have to keep that nightmare from happening here. Call your members of congress and tell them you don't want single payer healthcare.

What A Fix I Am In

I am conflicted. As a resident of Wayne County I know that I should be doing everything I can to encourage business to stay and flourish in Wayne County. As I have just become a major stockholder in GM, I now have other considerations to take under advisement.

Right now Detroit and Warren are having a disagreement over where the Headquarters of General Motors should be located. First lets look at the taxes. Mayor Bing and Executive Ficano are proposing a tax free zone for the Renaissance Center. While, The City of Warren has offered a 30 year abatement if GM moves its headquarters to the GM Tech Center.

If lower taxes are good for GM, why are they not good for everyone else? The small businesses that will suffer or be put out of business because of automotive downsizing are sure to need propping up. There is also the average taxpayer to consider, who must pick up the burden for the hole that exists in revenue left by the break given to businesses.
I know that as consumers we are paying them anyway, but somehow if you don't pay them directly they seem less harmful and there is still the possibility that they will not pass the break on.

Then there are the employees. Would they rather go into Downtown Detroit and pay a fortune for parking?
Or, would they rather park in the huge parking lot at the Tech Center? If they wish to live near work, would they rather live in Detroit with poor services and inadequate schools ? Or, live in Warren where schools and services are not so bad and their spouses will not have to pay the 2.5% resident income tax? That is if they work.

How about property values? Would you rather invest in housing which will continue to decline under present tax rates and exiting population? Or, in property which will very likely appreciate in the future?

The Detroit News has given you an opportunity to vote on the question of whether they should stay in Detroit or move to Warren. I am torn on the question to be sure. It isn't easy being a business owner in Michigan.

I Can't Believe It's The USA

What the heck is going on. I never believed that I would see Americans standing by watching their country change the way it has. The government is taking charge of every aspect of our lives and the people are standing around looking dumb founded. Has our educational system dumb down our population so much that we can not remember why our country was founded. Have we learned so little history that we willingly repeat the mistakes to the same regretful ends. Socialism does not work and Fascism works even less well. Yet, we seem to be immobile because we have been taught that government knows better.

Nothing government does seems to function properly but we are willing to abdicate more responsibility to them. Our banking system is crumbling, our Social Security System is not secure, we are losing our homes, our jobs, and our secure future. All of this has been done at the hands of government and the governed who have not been vigilant. Now we are about to give up our very health to a system that other countries warn us is inadequate and failing the people of other countries to the degree that they must come here for proper treatment.

I always cringed when I hear someone quoting Patrick Henry. I thought there is someone going over the edge. As I look around me now, I am thinking maybe these people were not so crazy. I am not ready to pick up arms yet, but I can see based on history why it became necessary. In light of what is happening around me, I am wondering just how far government is willing to go before it tramples our constitution. Watch this video of Patric Henry's speech and tell me what you think.

It's People

It seems that national health care is as close as it has ever been to passing. It is absolutely scary to me. Not only will it mean that I may not qualify for some health care procedures because I'm getting older but it seems that those I qualify for might be beyond my reach because of the length of time I must wait. Government involvement in other countries has meant less people inclined to become doctors. Fewer doctors translates to longer waits.

As the last bastion of non socialized medicine people come here from all over the world to receive treatment. Where will we go?

I suppose we should suspect such things as we devalue life and trivialize the belief in a Supreme Being. We have people who are pro choice all the way to partial birth abortions. Why would they not think it is OK for old people to die. We could even do it real nice like in the classic movie "Soylent Green".

Unfortunately, I would still have to be like Charlton Heston at the end of the movie.

The Simplified Single Business Tax

Remember the reason for changing the Single Business Tax in Michigan? They wanted to make it more simple and it had to be revenue neutral. First they thought up the Service tax that turned out to be a disaster and then quickly changed it to a 22% surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax. That too turned out to be anything but simple or revenue neutral.

Chairman, President, and CEO of the Edward Rose and Sons Building Enterprises, Sheldon Rose is holding his tax return for Michigan. It weighs between 7 and 8 lbs. and is ten times the size of his previous return. When asked what he thought about it, his response was that it was "preposterous". I cant' think of a better word to use.

The family-owned company is a residential developer, general contractor, and property owner and manager with a large presence in the Midwest. How has our legislature encouraged him to keep his business here in Michigan? They seem to be perplexed by the fact that people and business are leaving. If we do not become more business friendly in this State there will be no one left to produce or employ. This is the thanks we give to people who create jobs, operate and invest in Michigan. That is of course unless they are hand picked by Governor Granholm to receive taxpayer money.

Fleas Spreading Everywhere

What do Big Business and Government have in common? Answer: An incredible amount of unfunded liability. The old saying,"If you sleep with dogs you get fleas" can not be better demonstrated than in the relationship between the two. As we rely more and more on government the infestation is spreading.

Those of us who planned for our future liability are now seeing our 401ks, IRAs and Social Security disappear before our eyes. I always thought that I should be self reliant. I never thought that it would be taken from me so drastically by my own governments. I use the plural for a good reason. They are always suspicious that there will be subversives from among the people. But, it seems that they are the ones conspiring to make our lives hard and to disrupt our way of life. They are delusional. They think that they can solve problems by doing anything. Just vote for a bill. Don't read it. Talk about a problem. Don't do anything that might solve it.

It is more important that they be liked than right. The State of Michigan is a perfect example of doing nothing. In spite of the trouble we have been in, their solutions have been non existent or more harmful. At the federal level they are devaluing our dollar to the point that we should be furious. We are not the danger to our country - they are.

Please get involved. The country you save may be your own.

Taxpayer Minutemen

Now that the Tea Parties were such a success, we can not just go back to the way things were. We can not be complacent and allow things to pass without comment. All those organizations who work to make them a success have agreed to work together and insure that we are not forgotten. Leon Drolet of Michigan Taxpayers Alliance came up with a great idea. As a result of the US Supreme Court decision for which I was plaintive, any resident in Michigan can collect signatures for a recall. Anyone can collect signatures for a ballot initiative. So, Leon thought up the idea of Taxpayer Minutemen. Below is an explanation of just who we are. We hope that you will join us. Just double click on the picture. Print out the form and send it in. It will show your true commitment to change and show the politicians who is in charge as we grow in number.

Politicians will think twice before voting against the people who elect them. Only those in their district can vote against them, but people of like mind can bring to the attention of the people of their district, through recall or initiative, ideas that they have thwarted in the past with rules that have worked against their constituents. The balance of power between lobbyists and their money and citizens they are supposed to represent, can be equalized with your help and commitment.

Allert: 4/26/09 The registration link for the Taxpayer Minutemen will be up within a few days. there was a mixup in communication. Sorry for the mixup. Please check back. Thanks.

Proud To Be An American

The Tea Parties should be an inspiration to all true Americans. I have to laugh at those who think that the tea parties were organized by well funded organizations. I know that groups like ours, an those that worked with us, worked for weeks in our humble way to make them a success. I think it is beyond the nonbelievers to understand that we are capable of independent thinking. They are so busy walking in lockstep with the liberal and delusional press that they forget what a great and free country we have.

The same people who showed up for the Tea Parties are the son, daughters, husbands and wives of people who have fought for this country. It would be a shame to let all their efforts be for nothing. We are the people who know and appreciate what we have and intend to keep it. We are not Democrat or Republican or anything but American when it comes to our country and freedom.

We know that socialism does not work and we believe that we can make a difference. This can not be a one time event. We understand that because we became lax, we will have to work harder now to maintain our way of life. If things continue as they are, we will enslave our children an grandchildren. They will never have the standard of living we have, old people will suffer under the inflation and productivity will diminish with our ability to compete in the global economy. We owe it to ourselves and future Americans to preserve what has been so heroically fought for by our forefathers.

I'm No Coward or Racisit - How About You?

The latest news is that the Tea Parties will be infiltrated by Acorn, the Huffington Post and others. My reaction is -so what? The only thing that bothers me is that Acorn gets our money to do these things. My suggestion is to ignore them. If they ask you to sign something, politely say no thank you. Do not let them goad you into anything. Do not get into an argument with them, no matter how much they try to get you into one.

There is nothing more aggravating than failing. That is what we want them to do. The media will make that their story rather than the one we try to get across. If you feel the need to sign something, sign up with one of the sponsoring organizations. We are now all working together on things we agree upon. We communicate with each other and are finally realizing that we need each other to reach our goals.



With the recent decisions in the Supreme Court, we can assist each other on ballot initiatives, Recalls, and other petitions. We can pool our physical and financial resources when the need arises. Our cyber connections allow us to communicate effectively and efficiently. It is not just the government who can tell the story.

Come Join us on April 15, at the State Capitol steps in Lansing at high noon. There are more of us than there are of them. Let us peacefully make our point while we can. Get involved and get mad but make sure you are in control.

Why We Need To Expose The Far Left.

The double standard of the left fascinates me. They clammier the loudest if denied free speech but when it comes to them, they frequently deny it to others. As an example, the Michigan Liberal Blog still will not allow me to comment on anything they write. I have never used obscenities or done anything but express my opinion on what they have written. Yet, they seem to be so week on their opinions that they are afraid to be challenged? Moveon.org has no problem in making a point by any means necessary but will try to block any opinion that does not agree with theirs.

That is what I like so much about the concept of the Taxpayer Tea Party scheduled across this county. There is no way to disguise the hundreds of thousands who will be attending these Tea Parties. People of all stripes will be attending and expressing their feelings of frustration and indicating they are not going to take it any more.

We may not have the money that some of these left wing organizations have but we have the American Spirit. We have the awareness and history of those who fought and died for the principles of our forefathers. We have the freedom to express ourselves and the desire to make sure we keep them. This is not a one day event. It is a way of life. We need to defend it every day. I even defend the Michigan Liberal Blog but I wish they had the courage of their convictions and the philosophy of fair play.

Please join us on the steps of the Capitol Building on April 15, at noon. Also, sign up with one of the sponsoring organizations so that we can continue to fight the fight. We are cooperating more and more. We have our eye on the prize which is a free and representative democracy.



For Printable Map of Downtown Lansing CLICK HERE:

What Does A Trillon Dollars Look Like?

It seems like everyone is overwelmed by all the numbers being thrown around by the government. Last year a million dollars seemed like a big number. A billion was huge and a trillion dollars was unimaginable. Now they are talking about deficits in multible trillions. So what does a trillion dollars look like?


What Does a Trillion Dollars Look Like

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Unbeleivable

Are You Up To A Challenge

According to the Orlando Sentinal the taxpayers "Tea Party" in Orlando, Florida drew over 4,000 taxpayers to show their discontent with Washington. Carrying Signs and chanting they showed their frustration over government spending.

I am issuing a chalenge to all of you to help us exceed that number. If you can not afford the gas, bring others and ask them to share the expense. If it is a long way, turn on the radio to entertain you. There are certainly more than 4,000 available people out there. We have more reason than the federal spending. We have state spending to complain about. They are thinking of raising taxes again. You can bet that every time they do, there are fewer people and businesses to pay them.

Our "MI Taxpayers Tea Party will be on April 15, at High noon on the steps of the Capitol Building in Lansing. You can take the time to do this. Even bring gramma and grandpa. They helped build this country and I am sure they do not want to see others destroy it. Get excited! Get angry! Tell them "your not going to take it anymore." Hold them accountable. Work against them or remove them, if they will not listen.

We can do better than Orlando. There are fewer people everyday who have anything better to do. You are responsible for preserving our freedoms. You are responsible for our children's future. Your actions determine the life, libertyand persuit of happiness for future generations.

On My Honor

Why does government seem to have it's own agenda? Why does it seem that it's agenda is frequently in opposition to the wishes of taxpayers? I think it is because the Democrats and Republican have been around long enough to know that unless they stick together with other members of their party and put aside their differences they can not win.

That is why the Taxpayers Tea Party on April 15, at the State Capitol Building at noon is so important. This is an opportunity for taxpayers to show their willingness to cast aside their differences and come together in a common cause. It is the only way to win. I have seen organizations come and go as a result of egos and frustration because people were unwilling to put forth the effort or see the big picture.

I have plagiarised the following from the girl scouts pledge and think all taxpayer advocates should heed it:

On my honor, I will do my duty, to God and my country, to help other taxpayers at all times and to uphold the Constitution.

Set the time aside to join us and taxpayers across the country - to stand together. The thing we all have in common is that we are all taxpayers and government is waisting our money and burdening our children and grandchildren. It is time to stand up and say "that is enough". We need to put the cause ahead of ourselves and let our elected officials know that "we are mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore" and mean it.

Finally Done But Not Finished

The Wayne County Taxpayers Association and the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance has just finished their statewide tour. They have been conducting workshops on "How to Appeal Your Property Assessment". We estimate that we have instructed close to 2,000 people on the procedures involved to successfully appeal your assessment.

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It is now time for them to do the work. While the presentation does not give you the benefit of the discussion, questions and answers of the workshop, it does give you the step by step procedure. Good luck to all in this difficult time. You may also get a hardship exemption if you qualify. Talk with your assessor about the requirements in your city or township.

You Are Not Alone

On the way, the wind blew. It rained. It snowed. It was freezing cold. My friend and I thought that we must be the only ones crazy enough to go to Lansing in this weather. Much to our surprise and delight, there were more than 250 others, with only three days notice, who realized the importance of showing our unity and discontent with the spending in congress. This weekend, people in 40 states spent time showing their frustration over how their money was being spent by those who are supposed to represent us. For us, you can add the elected in Michigan too.


It is time for us to take up what has always been our responsibility. We are sovereign. It is our responsibility to pay attention to what government is doing. We will lose everything our forefathers fought and died for if we are not careful. If you think I am being dramatic, all you need to do is check history. We can not allow others to take from us what is not theirs. We must be vigilant and safeguard our rights and responsibilities. If we are to live free we can not turn authority over to others.

Still Mad As Hell and Not Going To Take It

Friday February 27 at high noon, I and some friends will join with others at the Capitol Building in Lansing. CNBC's reporter Rick Santelli let it all out. His rant inspired the idea of protests all over the country. While we didn't sponsor it, we definitely want to be a part of it. We hope you will consider joining us. This is a great country and the politicians are attempting to destroy our economic system and endanger our children and grand children's future.

We can not standby and watch it happen. Let Congress know how you feel. A stimulus package of over a trillion dollars and an omnibus bill with over 9,000 earmarks from both Democrats and Republicans in these troubled times shows only contempt for the taxpayers.

Bring your teabags and your sign and join us. Lets make a little tea. If you can not join us click on the tea bag then copy it and email it to your representatives in congress.

Pity the Lady

I am writing this for your sympathy and your money. Since I have joined the nothing is my fault group, I figure I can tell you how you let me down. I am a baby boomer. While I have been retired, due to my mothers poor health and death, for some time, I am not old enough to collect Social Security. Your first error was that you did not pay me during my mother's illness. Your next mistake is that as I am 1 1/2 years from collecting Social Security at 62 and you have allowed the system to get so messed up that they are talking about reducing my benefits and adjusting the age when I can collect.

You have also failed to keep yourself informed and have continued to elect a number of people who are incompetent, unable to make a decision and who have joined the nothing is my fault group. You have allowed the fox to control the hen house and the liars and cheats of both parties to obtain control of our government. You have allowed my investments for the future to decline drastically in value. You have allowed the economy to become so artificial that it is necessary to print up more money than it is possible to borrow and pay back. You have mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren.

The most horrible crime you have committed is to allow a stimulus package, which is bound to result in unprecedented inflation in the future. This is the killer of prosperity. Inflation is the most harmful of all. It destabilizes and destroys the lifestyle of anyone on a fixed income. It makes reasonable increases in wages meaningless. It causes the basic needs of some to become unaffordable. If things become unaffordable, jobs can not increase. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Please send checks to Rose Bogaert. As for you, live with it. After all, it was all your fault.

Help Is On The Way.

I have been getting so many calls about how to appeal your property assessment that I have posted our presentation on our website. You will not get all the added comments and questions but it will at least get you started if you are unable to attend our workshop.

You can not appeal because your taxes are to high. Your appeal is your assessment. Here is the abbridged version. I hope it is helpful for those who are at a loss on where to start

WCCC to Taxpayers The Hell With You

I have to apologize to those who showed up for the workshop on how to appeal your assessment at the Wayne County Community College Eastern Campus on Friday only to be turned away. When we started setting up the schedule over a month ago, we asked former State Representative Lamar Lemmons to find a facility for us to hold our workshop in Detroit. He told us it was no problem. The day he scheduled was not available for the rest of us. We asked him to reschedule for the next day. He said it would not be a problem. The last time I talked to him, he said he was just waiting for a room number. I left several messages for him and did not receive a call back.


I decided to take matters into my own hands. So, this past Monday, I called WCCC and asked for a room number. They said there was no room scheduled. I explained the situation and they said they would check it out and get back. I called the next day and they said they were working on it. The next day they said I had to go to the Down River Campus fill out the paperwork and they will fax it to the eastern campus. I made it to the Downriver Campus on some very dangerous roads. When I got back home I called to make sure they received the fax.


Of course, they had not received it. I asked if I could scan and email my copies. No problem they said. So I did. I called to make sure they got them. They said they did. I asked if we would be ok for the next day when our workshop was scheduled. They just need to sign the paperwork she said.


The next morning, I had a message on my answering machine saying we could not hold the workshop that night. I called and asked to speak to the president of the Eastern Campus. Her name was Bonika Odbomi as best as I could figure it out. I explained that the workshop had been advertised and the problems we had. Her answer was, "we can not do these things overnight, we have our rules". I asked if they had rooms in their building. I asked if they could have let me know last Monday or before my trek in horrible weather to the Downriver Campus. The real frightening thing is that the president, who is paid very well, can not be trusted to schedule a meeting in her own building.


Now that WCCC has increased their millage for another 10 years, they can afford to tell the taxpayers to go to hell. The real pity is that the people of Detroit must first appeal to the Assessors Review in February before they can appeal to the Board of Review in March. Those who need the training will not have the opportunity to attend our seminar because an educational institution can not schedule an educational workshop in a room in less than three weeks.



One day the people of Detroit are going to get fed up. We had no problem scheduling in any other community. There is always an excuse in Detroit and it is harmful to the community.

How To Appeal Your Property Assessment

The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and the Wayne County Taxpayers Association will be sponsoring :

How To Appeal Your Property Assessment

Workshops

Wayne County:
Dearborn Heights: Saturday, January 24 at 3:00PM. Canfield Community Center, 1801 Beech Daly Road, ½ block South of Ford Road.
Detroit: Friday, January 30 at 7:00PM. Wayne Community College, Eastern Campus, The Eastern Campus is located on Conner Road adjacent to I-94.

Macomb County:
Macomb Township: Saturday, February 7 at 2:00PM. Clinton/Macomb Public Library, North Branch, 16800 24 Mile Road, 48042
Washington Township: Friday, March 6 at 7:00PM. Washington Township Hall, 57900 Van Dyke (1/2 mile north of 26 Mile Road)

Oakland County:
Troy: Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00PM. Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Rd. (room 304)

For More Information Call 313-278-8383

This is an important year to consider appealing you property assessment. This year the CPI is 4.4% . Your CV will increase. Your SEV will likely decline. Your TV will likely increase. Did I mention that we will define terms at the workshops?

We will tell you what to look for in and about your home. We will give you information which will help you decide if appealing is worth your time. We will provide you with information they can not use to increase your assessment. We will answer the question " How can my taxes go up when my property value is declining?"

You owe it to yourself to attend.

A Sign of the Times

Every day I receive 5 or 6 requests for contributions. I get them in the mail, on the phone and in my email. I get them from Democrats, Republicans, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Military Advocates, wounded veterans, churches, charities, taxpayer organizations and causes across the country. Just like you, there are a great number of these causes I would like to support but it is financially impossible because there are so many.


Many of us in Michigan have family and friends who are in financial trouble because they have lost their jobs. The only thing that keeps growing and increasing in revenue is government. Even government is pleading poverty. They, however, seem to be the only ones that are having difficulty adjusting to the fact that things can not go on as usual. The real pity is that all the responsibility has been dropped on the sholders of taxpayers. Those people who were able to keep their jobs, even though they may have had to take a pay cut, have been expected to take on the burden.


Since it is politicly incorrect for anyone to take responsibility for anything, I suggest that we all blame someone else and make an effort to correct other peoples incompetince. This way our self esteem will not be reduced and we can feel good about ourselves. This involves paying attention to who we elect. It also means not spending beyond our means. We can also help out those who are less fortunate. Help does not alway come in the form of money. It can come in the form of our effort and advice. We can help support the people and causes we feel are worthy.


There are other things we can do. We can car pool, walk,use a bike or take a bus in spite of the fact that the earth has been cooling . This reduces the amount of imported oil we must pay for and the income of terrorists. (I love the double whammies). We can take in relatives or send them to our legislators. That will get them of the dime. Now that we know it is not our responsibility, we can feel free to be creative. I hope more creative than our legislators or elected officials. It is a case of survival. Be generous to those who need it be smart and choosey to for those who do not.

Plotting After Midnight

Every time our legislature creates new legislation in the middle of the night, it is either (a) bad law or (b) involves a tax hike. Before closing this years session they passed a series of bills which allowed for the skirting of the Headlee Amendment. I was feeling rather low as a result and I just could not bring myself to finish this blog last night. Today, as luck would have it, I received a shot in the arm. Call it corny if you like. The protagonist of the movie I watched, "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" was moved by his father's memory. His father and mine taught principle, patriotism, honesty, integrity and persistence.

These days it may seem a little hokey but that movie inspires me and keeps my spirit up. When I see the way some politicians operate, that movie gives me hope that the citizens have a chance to make a difference. I know that I am not alone in this or the movie would not still be a favorite classic after all these years, and whether you believe it or not, "I am not naive nor am I crazy."

John Hertel who is paid $150,000 each year plus benefits to be the CEO of "Detroit Regional Mass Transit" was a lobbyist whose job it was to pass the 16 bills to make possible the $1.5 billion initial funding for the 3.4 mile transit which would run down Woodward from the old GM Building on W. Grand Blvd. to the GM Building on Jefferson Ave. My question is who is going to ride this thing and where will they be going? After it is built, how much will we have to subsidize this transit system that goes nowhere? The big question is this, if the courts have found DARTA to be illegal, then how is this any different? Why should the people outside Detroit assume this burden especially without the opportunity of a vote? How can the Chief Executives of Wayne, Oakland, the Chair of the Commission from Macomb and the Detroit Mayor make this decision without the permission of the voters?

The other thing that passed in the wee hours Friday, was the Cobo Hall expansion. We have not finished paying off the previous bonds and they are ready to take out more. The plan would finance $288 million in changes by extending to 2039 taxes on statewide liquor sales as well as a Metro Detroit hotel-motel tax. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she will sign the legislation into law. Oh what a Big surprise.

Government is out of control. They have no respect for us or for the constitution they swore to uphold. We have a lot of work to do. Where is Mr. Smith when you need him? We must be the Mr. Smiths if we are to preserve our way of life. We can not continue to be "too busy" or we will find that we will not be allowed to do the things we were too busy doing. If we all give a little of our time paying attention, the job will not be so hard, after all, there are still more of us than them.

We live in a time of Special Assessments, increases in fees that are not legally fees, judges that make radical law or bend it to fit the political atmosphere and legislators who make law because they think they know better or it serves their purpose. I say it is they who have no respect for the law or the people who are indeed sovereign. We need to expose them.

Distribution of Someone Elses Blog

I am going to do something I have never done before. I am going to distribute to the Wayne County State Senators and Representatives the recent blog of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. First, because I believe it to be truthful and second, it has a link to former Rep. Leon Drolet's parting speech to the legislature, which I feel the other legislators should read.

I am so tired of everyone saying that our problems would be solved if only there were no term limits. There were reasons why the voters of this state proposed and voted for term limits and the reasons are as valid today as they were then. I hope you will take the time to read the blog and the farewell speech.

I am old enough to remember the way it was before term limits. People say that they lack experience with term limits. No one else has two years to learn their job. This is not a game you learn to play, but a cooperative effort to govern. Presumably, they brought skills with them to the job. If they haven't they do not belong there.

Everyone Makes Mistakes

Why is it so hard for politicians to admit a mistake? After the Enron and WorldCom debacles, the knee jerk reaction by Congress was the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. While the intent was to eliminate fraud, there is evidence that it is hurting the venture capital industry and doing more harm that good in other areas. It now takes around 12 years to enter the capital market when it used to take 5 years. That's because, it is more difficult to raise the 4.36 million in hidden taxes in yearly compliance costs. Originally, the cost was estimated at around $91,000. Big difference.

It created personal criminal responsibilities for board members. This narrowed the number of well qualified board members willing to accept the personal responsibilities. Many smaller companies reverted back to private status or merged to lower costs. It also made it more probable companies that considered going public would do so in London rather than anywhere in the United States. Sarbanes -Oxley created massive amounts of paperwork and bureaucracy. Those companies that complied fully were the ones who lead the financial breakdown in the investment banks in 2008.

Oxley, who retired in January after 25 years in Congress said that he would have written it differently and he believes Sarbanes would as well. Everyone felt the urgency that something must be done. "Everyone felt like Rome was burning." He said it was like nothing he had seen in his 25 years in Congress.

It is time to repeal Sarbanes-Oxley. If other laws are needed, they should take the time to do them correctly. We can not afford anymore damage to our economy.

Recall Wayne Westland Style

You have to believe by now that I am not against recall after being involved in the attempt to recall Speaker Andy Dillon of Michigan for the last 1 1/2 years. I am, however, opposed to the recent attempts to recall members of the Wayne-Westland School Board. It seems that the attempt to recall them was a result of the school board's warning that they might fire teachers who failed to obey the law. They went out on strike for four days until the court ordered them back to work.

The Wayne-Westland Education Association stated that the board failed to respond to their request to reduce class size and that any reduction would have to come out of the teachers contract. The union rejected outright the proposal put out by the board that would allow a different insurance carrier.

The school board is not requesting that the teachers receive a cut in pay or a freeze. They are not suggesting a change in insurance benefits either. They are requesting that they be allowed to shop insurance instead of using MESSA. MESSA is a not-for-profit membership organization established by the MEA as a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA). Because the union gets a cut, they are reluctant to allow competitive bidding. The union wants MESSA insurance at no cost to its members. The board wants to tie the districts costs to the increase in revenue received from the state. The union flatly refused it.

Salaries for the contract year 2007-2008 for Wayne Westland range from $34,409 for the first year new hire to $94,459 to a teacher who has a PHD and has been working for the district for 14 years. Their health care benefits are among the best money can buy. The districts MEAP scores are at or below the state average.

There is no doubt that teachers have a difficult job and a great deal of responsibility. But, they do have to get a grasp on reality. They have a closed community. They use children to their advantage and even to spread their propaganda which I believe they really think is true.
They can not go on living as if there has been no change in the economy and the world. They have to remember there are people standing in line wanting their job and they are qualified to do an equally good job or better. Taking children hostage is terrorism and their parents and the community are subject to extortion.

I am glad that they are going into fact finding. Maybe an equitable solution can be reached. In a state which will soon be in worse trouble, we can not make any more promises that we can not afford. Under no circumstances should the board allow binding arbitration. People should be applauding their board not recalling them.

You can recall your board, but it will not solve the problem.

I Hope There is Not a Need for a Next Time

Speaker Andy Dillon has been reelected and not recalled. The people have spoken. Having been overspent by about $450,000 I guess we should have expected the outcome. Good things have come about as a result of this recall. We have prevailed in the courts. We have helped to partially level a very uneven playing field by defending our First Amendment rights. We have established that the important thing is the person signing not the person gathering the signatures. We now have a network of people who share our concerns.

Why is that so important? While Dillon brought in all kinds of people from outside the district in large numbers to harass us and block us, we were limited to those who lived within the 17 th district to collect signatures. The federal court had already made a decision that in the case of referendum any U.S. citizen can collect signatures. In our case, they made a decision that anyone within the state can collect signatures. This is very important for future efforts.

There is no doubt that I was displeased with the results of the recall. I hope that Rep. Dillon does not think that if he continues down the same path that the recall of him or others might not be revisited. They are destroying the state that I love. Some people think I am crazy, others have called me names, made vulgar remarks and snide comments. Other people have given me encouragement and support. I find it interesting that I have signed my name or the committee to everything I put out there but those who criticize me, call my phone, mail me x rated comments are all to cowardly to sign their names.

Let me make one thing clear. At no time did I lie, cheat, break the law, or commit fraud. If they think I did, let them press charges. We have already won three times in court, one more won't kill us. As for Andy Dillon, he will be judged by a higher being. I hope his trips to receive communion do not dam him to perdition. I am not one who believes that all is fair in politics.

Dillon did help increase income taxes- check your paycheck. Dillon did help place a 22% surtax on business after removing a 22% service tax which was so idiotic that even they recognized it after being shown. He did vote to raise the legislative budget by 7% and the state budget by 8%.

If he didn't, where did the money go?

Why We Can't Trust WCCC

On November 4, 2008 you are being asked to renew a millage for Wayne County Community College. Renew? They are asking for 1.25 mills. Right now they are levying .99 mills. Isn't that an increase? You bet it is. They are asking you to give up everything you have gained under the Headlee Amendment for the last 8 years. How can they get away with calling this a renewal? It's Wayne County that's how. This is in addition to the to, the 2001 voted operating millage which is now being levied at a rate of 1.4861 mills.

The Headlee Amendment works basically like this, revenue can increase at only the rate of inflation plus any additions and deletion of taxable value at the local level of government. If revenue increases over that, the mills levied must roll back to generate the inflationary amount or must be placed before the voters to override . WCCC thinks this slight of hand is justified because they believe it is good for us.

Keep in mind that a number of their courses are remedial. The inference is that the 12 years of education we paid for previously is not sufficient. Below is information taken from a website.

Information Summary

Ranks 292nd for total enrollment

Total Cost On-Campus Attendance		$2,369
Admission Success rate		N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)		14,764
Student Ratio Ratio of students to faculty		21 : 1

	Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas Reported area around or near Detroit, MI Total Population 6,138 (6,138 urban / N/A rural) Households 2,630 (1.45 people per house) Families 626 (2.41 people per family) Surrounding community Large city (inside urban area, pop. over 250,000) Pop. — African American 4,623 Pop. — Asian 99 Pop. — Pacific Islander 5 Pop. — American Indian / Alaskan Native 61 Pop. — White (incl. Hispanic) 1,404 Pop. — Other 80

Student Tuition Costs and Fees

What are the typical tuition costs and fees for attending Wayne County Community College District?

Ranks 3857th for total cost of attendance

	In District	In State	Out of State
FT Undergraduate Tuition	$1,332	$1,722	$2,184
FT Undergraduate Required Fees	$175	$175	$175
PT Undergraduate per Credit Hour	$56	$72	$91
FT Graduate Tuition	N/A	N/A	N/A
FT Graduate Required Fees	N/A	N/A	N/A
PT Graduate per Credit Hour	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total Cost of attendance — On-Campus	$2,369	$2,753	$3,209
Total Cost of attendance — Off-Campus w/out Family	$8,779	$9,163	$9,619
Total Cost of attendance — Off-Campus with Family	$5,519	$5,903	$6,359

This Big Piggy Comes Home

Perks the Pig stopped by my house to tell me that he has been reading the literature that Rep. Andy Dillon has been distributing. Apparently, Dillon thinks he has cut taxes and cut the budget. I am really sorry to add delusional to his faults.

Everyone in this state is suffering and all he can do is make things up. He attacks his opponent, Sandra Eggers, and disguises the truth. I guess working to get elected by going door to door meeting voters in the district every day and her willingness to debate him, while he refuses, means that she is not a serious candidate according to him. At least, thats what he says in his literature. I think she is as serious as pneumonia. She is also hardworking and honest. It's refreshing in a politician.

If recalled, Dillon will be the first Speaker of the House recalled anywhere in the country. We have been working on this more than a year - in and out of court. We are doing this for all the people of Michigan. Our legislators should not take us for granted. They should show us respect. They should learn that they work for us, not themselves. Think of the recall as a teaching tool. A ruler to smack the hands of our politicians and I don't much care if it hurts their self esteem. The people of this state need to take their government back from the lobbyist and special interest. We need someone to stand for us. I need someone to represent me. Dillon is my representative and he must go.

If anyone is free this weekend and would like to help us distribute literature in Redford Twsp, Dearborn Heights and a small portion of Livonia, please contact us at 313-278-8383.

Something vs Nothing

I congratulate the people of Redford Township for their decision to replace Miles Handy as township supervisor. Now is the time to make another good judgement about who should be your treasurer. It is time for the people of Redford to take their Township back. You will have a choice in November to elect a name under the Democratic ticket or an Independent with qualifications for the job.

Being Commissioner Phil Cavanugh's wife is not a qualification for treasurer. Apparently, even Robert F. Brag Jr., Redfords present treasurer thinks Paul Borland would do a better job. That's him in the picture along with Paul. Below are Broland's promises.

As an Independent Candidate on the November ballot you can rest assured that I will bring my business and leadership experience along with my education, to the Treasurer’s Office.

I’m not from a family of politicians and I do not represent any one party’s agenda. As Redford Township Treasurer I will represent democracy in its purest form, government for the people, by the people.

As your Treasurer I Pledge to:

• Hear the voices of the Township
  

• Continue to move Redford Twp. forward
  

• Ensure the INDEPENDANCE and INTEGRITY of the Treasurer’s office
  

• Maintain budget control
  

• Collect, Invest and Distribute township funds
  

And most importantly

To be YOUR Guardian of Public Funds

He said it, now Reford Township should hold him to it.

Back To Work

Following the route that Mapquest gave us was interesting and beautiful. It took us through the mountains which were in bright fall colors. It almost didn't look real it was so beautiful. I am grateful for the scenery but the directions to the AFP , Defending the American Dream Summit stunk. Coming home from Washington, we took the highway all the way back and the scenery was still beautiful but the directions were far more clear and direct. All in all, it was a great experience and the conference was worth while and a success.

A lot of familiar faces were missing due to this being an election year. Even I felt guilty going away because of the Recall of Speaker Andy Dillon. I have to say that it was worth it. It refreshed me after a year of fighting to get the recall on the ballot. It provided me confirmation why this recall is so important. It reminded me that other states, even in these hard times, are doing incredibly better than Michigan and that we need to take steps immediately. The first step, is to notice up our governor and legislators by removing Dillon from office.

If anyone has a little extra cash, please send your donation to Taxpayers to Recall Andy Dillon, 25613 Rouge River Dr., Dearborn Heights, MI 48127. We appreciate any amount how ever small.