Wayne County the Armpit of Michigan and It Stinks

How is it that everything in Wayne County government costs so much more? Accountability has been the missing ingredient as far back as I can remember. No one, not governors, Mayors, the commission, or anyone has challenged them effectively. Those that have challenged come out far less than successful. A temporary, partial victory with unjustified concessions has seemed to suffice in most cases. Then, it is back to business as usual.

Why is everyone afraid of Wayne County. Why are they held to a different standard? Are they afraid they will offend a person of color? That's the most insulting thing I ever heard. Do they think the taxpayers of any color in Wayne County would not be better off with good government and that the handful of loud spoken individuals actually represent the majority of the people who expect and deserve good government? Loud does not make it right.

I for one have had it. I accept everyone on the same terms. I will not tolerate excuses any longer. I will feel no guilt. Please stand with me! Make Wayne County accountable. Insist that Wayne County is transparent. Insist on prosecution for individuals who break the law. And, for goodness sake get them to fix those darn potholes.

Not Negotiable

The video above is just a sample of the disrespect some in government have for their constituents. They act like we are fools and to stupid to understand and don't understand it is their job to make sure we do.

This past week I was sent an article from the Grosse Pointe News . I was dismayed to hear the report of John Lizza, who chairs the Board of Review for Grosse Pointe Shores. He indicated that he doesn't like public watchdogs nosing around his board of review. To that I say, too bad. Brian Vick the city manager says, "In an unofficial survey, 27 municipalities were asked about it," said Brian Vick, Shores city manager. "Only two took a position that every aspect, from start to finish, had to be done in an open setting. The other ones had variations of it. So, it is one of things where there's gray area." To that I say too bad as well.

The law is the law and what they think is irrelevant. If I hear of such a thing again, they will be reported to the state and I personally will press charges. I am sending copies of the article to all cities in Wayne County. I am also attaching a copy of the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act for any community that is in doubt.

Just like the citizens who elect them and the elected officials that appoint them, those in government do not get to choose which laws they enforce or obey. Your response is appreciated.

MICHIGAN LEGISLATIVE LOBBY DAY & TAXPAYER TEA PARTY RALLY

It's almost here. Thursday April 14, is our chance to recommit to our desire for fiscal intergrity by our state and federal governments.  We need you to join us in Lansing.  Americans for Prosperity and 40 Tea Party , 9-12 and taxpayers groups are sponsoring this event.  It is difficult for many to get time off from their jobs and for some to give up income to join us, but for those who can, we appreciate your support.

You can find the agenda for the day and a list of the great speakers by clicking here. Now is not the time to leave it to someone else.  Everyone is needed and the legislators need to know they have your support when they stand up for you. Don't let them down. Help those who are on the fence to make a decision for taxpayers and not special interests.

The decision to make the event on the 14th  instead of  the 15th was made because the legislature will be in session. It will also give those who want to have a taxday rally the oportunity.  Make sure they know we will not go away.

Wasting Our Money

What is the matter with government? What part of we are all tapped out do they not understand? Their fixation with useless transportation projects that we can not afford has me stumped.

Traffic has dropped off dramatically between Canada and the United States due to the economy and the loss of population in Michigan. You now need a Passport to cross over into Canada. Only government would want to build another bridge to hold less traffic and lose money, when we already have three ways to access Canada from Michigan. They expanded the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron just a few years ago.

The proposed train down Woodward Ave.,it's use would be for what? Who would be riding it and where would they be going?

These are not little projects. We neither need them nor can we afford them. Millions and millions of dollars would be spent on these projects guaranteed to operate at a loss and be subsidized by the taxpayer year after year.   Let the governor and your representatives know this is nonsense.

Now Is The Time to Tweek

This is the first time since 1994 that the Taxable Value of property has been so near the State Equalized Value of Property. While there are laws prohibiting the increase of taxes without a vote of the people there is no law prohibiting the reductions of taxes.  It is time to restore justice and uniformity. In 1994 Proposal A passed.   It was concerned with the taxable value of individual property and the way we finance schools. It capped annual increases in your taxable value at the CPI (inflation) or 5% whichever is less. Millages are applied against the taxable value.

The red line in the graph is the State Equalized Value (SEV) and the Blue is the Taxable Value.  For years, they have been talking about tweaking Proposal A.  The problem is that suggestions were not always in the interest of the taxpayer. The suggestion that I have found to have the most value is the elimination of the "pop up". Under Proposal A, whenever property changes hands the new owner's taxes "pop up" because he now must pay on the SEV.  If you notice in the graph there was quite a difference between the SEV and Taxable Value when property was increasing in value.  As a result, two identical houses in the same subdivision could be paying dramatically different taxes because one person had been living in the house since 1994 when Proposal A Passed and another bought a house at the height of housing values. What that means is that there could have been almost a 50% difference in the amount of taxes paid for the same services.

The legislature should act now to eliminate the "pop up". and bring everyone down to 50% of their true cash value which is what the SEV should be and which is also in most cases the present Taxable Value. We need to bring some sanity back to the system.  The Constitutional limitation that prohibits increases in taxable value to inflation or 5% which ever is less would remain in effect.  Revenue for government units woulds be regulated by the Constitution (Headlee Amendment) and voted millages by the people.

American Insanity

How can the American public expect to cut the budget on any level of government if they are unwilling to give their elected officials the tools they need to do the job? Even if  you are sympathetic to the unions and collective bargaining, you have to realize that the only area where you can cut a significant amount of dollars is in a service business, and that is what government is supposed to do, union wages and benefits are where the largest costs are.  You have to understand the conflict between unions, who contribute to the election of a candidate, and the benefits that they are able to have awarded in contracts.  You should also be able to understand that they can not be allowed to strike, because, of the damage that causes to the common good of the taxpayers.

Public unions have managed to negotiate salaries and benefits that are 47% higher on average, than the private sector.   To those people who are working for far less than unionized employee's and also to the unemployed,  the suggestion of a tax increase or the refusal of unionized public employees to take a cut is overwhelming.  To the unions taking less pay and benefits does not sit well, but the lines need to be drawn that are equitable for both the unions and the taxpayers. It is not that we do not appreciate the work they do, when they do it, but rather that it is unfair for the taxpayer to be overburdened supporting such unfair advantages.
The American people have to wake up. The recent attempt by states to deal with these problems has met stiff opposition with resistance by some who profess to want budgets and deficits cut.  This "anyone except me" attitude will surely drive us over the edge into certain bankruptcy.  What can you say about a society that seemingly is willing to steal from their children and grandchildren?  This is an immoral and selfish position that shows in and of itself the manner those involved wish to engage in in order to maintain their greedy unfair conduct.

The success of the vote in Wisconsin I hope will give courage to other states to follow through.

A Special Invitation

We have been finding it difficult to find a location near Detroit.  Leon's Family Dining, where we have our membership meetings, has agreed to lend us his banquet room.  I had indicated that I would ask everyone to purchase something.  You can have dinner, desert  or just a cup of coffee. The meeting is at 7:00 pm on February 22 at 23830 Michigan Ave.  We have reduced our $2.00 donation to $1.00 on this occasion.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call 313-278-8383. If you are unable to attend look on our website for our other scheduled seminars. http://www.wctaxpayers.org/.

Don't Miss the Boat

The time is now to learn how to appeal your assessment. The Comsumer price Index has increased 1.7% (inflation) but your home value has continued to decline. Many people can not afford to hire someone to appeal for them and that is why we have designed a seminar that teaches how to do it yourself.
If nothing else, it will give you the tools to find out if it is worth your while to hire someone else to do it.

You will have to be on the defensive for several years to come, when it comes to your financial security. Take the time to secure what is the biggest investment for most people - your home.

Go to our website  for a location nearest you. We will be adding additional locations through the end of the month.  

While your at it, stock up on some food and paper products. Inflation is expected to increase. Anything you can buy and keep now will save you money in the future.

It Is Time to Prepare to Appeal Your Assessment

Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and the Wayne County Taxpayers Association are about to start scheduling our state tour on How to Appeal Your Property Assessment. The housing market across the state is tanking. Foreclosuresare up for nonpayment of mortgages.They are also up for non payment of taxes. Since the State

has changed the rules to allow foreclosure after two years of nonpayment of taxes, many people have lost
their lifetime investment due to job loss or wage cuts. This is a buyer’s market if you can find someone to finance you. Home prices are dropping so they can be sold and be affordable. Tax increases are expected to
be requested at all levels of government.

Many people chose to ignore their right to appeal their SEV (State Equalized Value), which should be half of the true cash value,because they are being taxed at the Taxable Value which was capped with the passage of Proposal A in 1994. This limited the taxable value increases to the rate of inflation or 5% which ever is less. Property Values have dropped so much that it is almost advantageous for everyone to appeal their assessment.

Remember, the assessment cap is removed when the property changes ownership. New owners are
stuck paying taxes based on the State Equalized Value.

Don’t forget, if you live in the City of Detroit, you must first appeal to the Board of Assessors before mid February to appeal to the Board of Review in March. Everyone else should call their city or township and inquire when their Board of Review will be meeting. Make sure you do the work necessary to make a successful appeal. You should be able to get sales that have occurred in your area from a local real estate office or the city assessor. You should also be able to see the SEV of other houses in your area and the worksheet they keep on your home to insure accuracy of information.

Please check our website in January for a list of the locations at which we will be presenting the seminars. For more information call 313-278-8383.  If you wish to sponsor a seminar please contact us.

Putting Things In Prospective

I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself. For a week and a half I have been coughing, wheezing, pulling every muscle in my body and feeling all around miserable. Then reality hit. Was I doing this with no roof over my head? Did I have food to build up my strength? Where the antibiotics that I took working? Did I need to worry about my family? Did I have to worry about these things next week? Did I have small children looking forward to Christmas?

It sure is easy to close off things going on around you and become self involved. There is no questions that others do not have the benefits that I have. Our soldiers give up much for us. They endure many hardships so that I can have the life that I have. They are away from their families at the time of year I am closest to mine.

Then, there are the citizens who have given up their time and money to come together as a group to show their support for our country, and way of life, through rallies, tea parties and demonstrations with patriotic fervor dedicated to preserve our history and greatness as a country.

We can  not forget those who are elected to office. Those who stick to their principles and dedication to good government. Those that defy the urge to go along to get along.

I hope you will celebrate these things with us at the 2nd Annual  MI taxpayers Alliance and WC Taxpayers Association Awards Banquet. For more information, click below.

Buy tickets online here

or mail a check to:

MI Taxpayers Alliance

46116 Lookout Drive

Macomb, MI 48044

(Please make notation “banquet” on your check)

Awarding Those Who Do a Good Job

 

It is really important to award people who do a good job.  The four people we have decided to award at the 2nd Annual Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and Wayne County Taxpayers Association Award Banquet have several thing in common.  They are intelligent, well versed and, most of all, trustworthy. We will have a Post Mortem award for Chet Zarko. Chet was known as the original Michigan conservative blogger. Zarko Research and Consulting was a Michigan-based political, marketing, and design service run by freelance investigative writer Chetly Zarko. In mid July Chet passed away at the young age of 39 and it was a huge loss to to everyone.  Those on the right and the left respected him and trusted him.
He pulled the original FOIAs that led to the discovery of the False Tea Party Group.

Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) is a standard bearer for fiscal conservatism in the state House. He is also widely recognized as the de facto minority leader opposing House Democrats’ plans to increase the cost and power of government for the past two years in Lansing. Rep. McMillin stood up to help lead battles against Obamacare, against corporate welfare, against excessive spending, and for transparency in government spending.

Joe Lehman, President of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, for the Center’s new e-newsletter, Capitol Confidential.Have you heard of Capitol Confidential? The Mackinac Center created ‘Cap Con’ to fill the void left by lazy and/or biased news media and, boy, have they! A rapidly growing number of citizens turn to this online news source every day for updates on government policy and investigative journalism that exposes government corruption. Cap Con isn’t a blog. It isn’t opinion. It is real, hard-hitting investigative journalism on behalf of taxpaying citizens.

Jason Gillman was the epitome of the ‘tea party activist’ in 2010. He blogs for Right Michigan website where he helped expose the fraudulent “Tea Party” political trick that was attempted by the MI Democratic Party. Gillman’s  was instrumental in keeping the fake Democrat Party Tea Party off the ballot this past November. In addition, Jason Gillman was a leader organizing tea party rallies and protests in Traverse City that played a key role in pushing Congressman Bart Stupak toward retirement.

Please join us. These men have done so much more for us and if you checked there work they were always right on.  If we fail to recognize people like this, they and their families will never know how much we appreciate them.

Buy tickets online here

or mail a check to:

MI Taxpayers Alliance

46116 Lookout Drive

Macomb, MI 48044

(Please make notation “banquet” on your check)

2nd Annual MTA and WCTA Awards Banquet

2nd Annual

Michigan Taxpayers Alliance

and

Wayne County Taxpayers Association
Awards Banquet

What a year! We witnessed a genuine citizen uprising that involved many new activists who stepped up to protest and volunteer for campaigns. Time to celebrate a new beginning for taxpayers and recognize some inspiring individuals for their terrific work on behalf of taxpayers. You are invited to attend the 2nd annual Michigan Taxpayers Alliance Awards Banquet and join with taxpayers from across Michigan on Friday, December 17th in Troy.

Kick off the holiday season with a celebration of hope and renewal by attending this year’s banquet. Over 200 activists attended last year’s Banquet, and this year we have more to celebrate and hope for.

Tickets are $40 per person, $75 per couple and include dinner, beer and wine, and the opportunity to meet our special guests. A private reception ($100, which includes the dinner) precedes the banquet.

Who: You!

What: The 2nd Annual MTA and WCTA Awards Banquet

Where: American-Polish Cultural Center (click for map) at 2975 E. Maple Road (15 Mile Rd. in Troy located at the N.W. corner of Maple Road and Dequindere.

When: Friday, December 17th at 6:30PM for Banquet guests. Private reception begins at 5:30.

See you at the Banquet!
Leon Drolet
MI Taxpayers Alliance

Buy tickets online here

or mail a check to:

MI Taxpayers Alliance

46116 Lookout Drive

Macomb, MI 48044

(Please make notation “banquet” on your check)

Meet this year’s award winners:

Taxpayer Hero of the Year: State Representative Tom McMillin

Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) is a standard bearer for fiscal conservatism in the state House. He is also widely recognized as the de facto minority leader opposing House Democrats’ plans to increase the cost and power of government for the past two years in Lansing. Rep. McMillin stood up to help lead battles against Obamacare, against corporate welfare, against excessive spending, and for transparency in government spending.

Voice of the Taxpayer: Joe Lehman, President of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, for the Center’s new e-newsletter, Capitol Confidential

Have you heard of Capitol Confidential? The Mackinac Center created ‘Cap Con’ to fill the void left by lazy and/or biased news media and, boy, have they! A rapidly growing number of citizens turn to this online news source every day for updates on government policy and investigative journalism that exposes government corruption. Cap Con isn’t a blog. It isn’t opinion. It is real, hard-hitting investigative journalism on behalf of taxpaying citizens.

Taxpayer Activist of the Year: Jason Gillman

Jason Gillman was the epitome of the ‘tea party activist’ in 2010. He blogs for Right Michigan website where he helped expose the fraudulent “Tea Party” political trick that was attempted by the MI Democratic Party. Gillman’s research was instrumental in keeping the fake Democrat Party Tea Party off the ballot this past November. In addition, Jason Gillman was a leader organizing tea party rallies and protests in Traverse City that played a key role in pushing Congressman Bart Stupak toward retirement.



"Liberty is to precious a thing to be burried in books"

The election is almost upon us.  No matter what the results, we can not give up. Just like in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, we need to realise how important and wonderful this American experiment has been. It is something we all should be willing to fight for and preserve.

Today, we have tools on hand to make it easier to get support and communicate with others. The Mackinac Center put together a video from a conference on new media that is very interesting to watch. It is also available on our web page. Those of us who have been around for a while defending our way of life, can testify that getting things organized now and communicating with like minded individuals is a lot easier with modern technology.

What is the same is our need to affirm the correctness of freedom, liberty, and choice.  As government has gradually become more and more intrusive in our life, we sometimes fail to recognize that we are losing our ability to exercise those inalienable rights, which were endowed by our Creator and not the government.  We need to keep reminding those we elect to represent us, that their job is to represent us and not to make laws for their convenience or personal gain.

People have poured into this country to experience the opportunities this country allows. Slowly we are letting these opportunities slip away.  The recent wake  up call of the Tea Party, I hope, has reversed our decline.  We can not forget what a blessing we have in this country and the need to defend her with everything in our power. Freedom is not free. It requires our constant vigilance. I count on you to help me keep watch.

S O S (Save Our State)

It is getting close. The first of the two most important elections of the century are coming. It is our responsibility to save our state and our country. Please join us on Saturday, October 16, from 4-6 pm at the Schoolcraft Community College gym in Livonia to show your support of candidates that will help us make a difference. Electing the right candidate may effect apportionment, control in the house and senate and the intention to go back to the principles of the founding fathers.

Controlling spending and reducing the deficit are imperative to the future of this country and the future of our children. We are happy that conservatives are now allowed to come out of the closet and into the light. Creeping socialism is destroying the opportunity of our country to compete. The uncertainty in our economy is reducing the opportunity for our children to succeed and, for the the first time, a life that is better than their parents.

There will also be to conservative candidates running for the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Young and Judge Kelly. If elected we can count on them to interpret the Constitution and not legislate from the bench.

Come and say hello at our table.

United Nations Nonsense

What an oxymoron. The United Nations is anything but united. Every time we get involved with them we get the short end of the stick. It is not bad enough that we pay most of the freight, we now have less and less influence. I don't know about you but I am getting sick and tired of getting taken advantage of and having to stand there and take it.

That is why I have placed a link to the National Association for Gun Rights petition on the Wayne County Taxpayers Association website. I know that in these hard times you may not choose to make a contribution, but please sign the petition.

I used to laugh at people who talked about one world government. No more. The crashing of the money supply around the world due to debt and greed has me convinced that at least some people are working together and not for our benefit. Control should come from the people not the other way around.

Never Give Up

November is fast approaching and while we think we might know what will happen, we can not be sure. The one thing we can be sure of is that if we do not make changes we will be in worse trouble than we are in already.

I keep hearing people ask if the Tea Parties can make it all the way to November. I have news for those people. We have to be committed to be there long after the election.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
--Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4,1777

Throughout history, you will find similar comments made by people who others have labeled great minds. It is not coinsidence that they have come to the same conclusion. Their analysis is based on common sense and observation.

The Tea Parties may seem ragtag at times but that is because they are not made up of polished politicians. They are made up of people who love their county and their way of life and are afraid they are losing it. While I am not one to trust the mainstream media for their acuracy, there was a survey done by CBS that was pretty extensive. The Tea Party members are not made up of the faint of heart. For that, I thank God.

An American Model

Emery McClendon at RightOnline 2010 from AFPhq on Vimeo.

The first time I met Emery McClendon I thought he was sort of a quiet guy. Boy was I wrong. I met him three years ago at the Americans For Prosperity, Defending the American Dream Conference. We shared ideas and at the end of the conference, because there were few from Indiana attending, he came with the Michigan delegation to a revolving restaurant on top of a hotel for dinner. We shared more thoughts and exchanged email addresses and have been communicating since.

This man has impressed me greatly. His dedication to this country through his service, his willingness to speak out, his sincerity and determination have impressed me permanently.

He does what we should all be doing in these difficult times. We need to be fighting to hold on to the thing hat have made America Great.

Americans For Properity Dreams Again

I am blogging to you from AFP's "Defending the American Dream Conference" in Washington D C. Great speakers and breakout sessions today. This morning we heard from, among others, Dick Morris, author and Fox News Contributer and Herman Cain, radio host and commentator.

Before and after the speakers were breakout sessions covering everything from soup to nuts. Six sessions with four choices to choose from in each session. Things like economics, media, repealing Obamacare, free speech, global warming, and on and on.

During the "Tribute to Ronald Reagan Dinner", we heard from, among others, George Will conservative columnist and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann

I also got to see old friends who have moved on and out of Michigan. All and all a good event with over 2500 people attending.

Tomorrow is the "Restoring Honor Rally" at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial which was called by Glen Beck of Fox News. It should be interesting.

The DROP Shell Game

Which nut has your money?



Please pass this on to those you know in Dearborn Heights.

Dear Taxpayer:

As a resident of Dearborn Heights you may be aware that in 1965 the voters adopted PA 345 of 1937, which allows for a millage in order to pay for police and fire personnel retirement benefits. Over the years, generous contracts with the promise of exceptional retirement benefits have been negotiated for Dearborn Heights police and fire personnel and the taxpayers have shouldered the costs for those benefits based on the vote of residents in 1965.

IF YOU DON’T WANT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES TO INCREASE PLEASE READ BELOW AND TAKE ACTION!

Please pass this along to your neighbors.

Scott Hagerstrom
State Director-Michigan
Americans For Prosperity
www.michiganafp.com

Background:

Three years ago during contract negotiations the City agreed to what is known as a DROP program (deferred retirement option plan). This program encourages police and fire personnel who are nearing retirement age to take an early retirement, thus moving the liability for their benefits off the regular City personnel budget and to the taxpayers through the police and fire millage provisions in PA 345. Once the burden of these employees’ benefits are moved off the City of Dearborn Heights’ books, the city frequently rehires the same personnel back as contractors.

The intent of PA 345 was to continue to support our city’s heroes once they have retired. That’s not what is happening today. Today, the City of Dearborn Heights is playing a shell game with your hard-earned tax dollars to fund EXISTING police and fire personnel benefits so they can make room on the city’s books for other expenditures.
In other words, while everyone else is figuring out ways to make the hard decisions in their personal budgets during this painful recession, the clever politicians at the City of Dearborn are simply moving liabilities off their books at the expense of the taxpayers through a loophole and NOT asking the taxpayers if they’re willing to support this.

Add to that the fact that in a down economy the investments and interest payments to the PA 345 funds are low, meaning the taxpayers must put more in to fund the liabilities. The millage this year alone increased by $2.30 for every $1000 in taxable property value, and because the recently arbitrated contract extends the DROP programming that millage rate is certain to continue to increase.

What does all of this mean in the real world? Former City of Taylor Mayor Cameron Priebe estimated that the PA 345 provision in their city meant that each retiree currently costs the taxpayers of Taylor more than $4.5 million (they currently have around 100 police and fire retirees). In Taylor, residents paid 1.2 mills in 1979 to support the PA 345 provisions; today they pay 6 mills and that number is expected to increase substantially. What does that mean in dollars and cents? A single resident in the City of Taylor with property valued at $150,000 will pay $450 this year just to support the police and fire retiree benefit provision of PA 345.

We MUST reign the liability of this fund in NOW. We can continue to support the retirements of the men and women who risk their lives to protect us within the provisions of PA 345, but the City of Dearborn Heights MUST get their house in order and stop using loopholes to shift the liability of the non-retired police and fire workforce to a millage provision.

Tell Dearborn Heights Mayor Daniel Paletko that you will support a referendum to repeal PA 345 if the DROP program is allowed to continue.

You can contact the Mayor of Dearborn Heights, Daniel Paletko, and city council in the following ways:
E-mail: dpaletko@ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us

Regular mail: City of Dearborn Heights
6045 Fenton
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127-3294
Telephone: (313) 791-3490
Facsimile: (313) 791-3491
Kenneth R. Baron
Council Chair
(313) 565-0420
FAX (313) 565-9184
(313) 791-9924
Janet Badalow
Chair Pro-Tem
(313) 791-9923 mailto:dh4badelow@comcast.net
Elizabeth Agius
(313) 791-9922
Tom Berry
(313) 563-6100
(313) 791-9925
Marge Horvath
(313) 791-9927
Margaret Van Houten
(313) 791-9928
Roy Pilot
(313) 274-4205

Vote Early and Often

It seems that every time I go to the Wayne County website they have redone it. That means I have to look all over the place to find out what they did with everything. I wonder if it is a bureaucratic plot or just a bunch of IT people with nothing else to do.

I'm getting real excited. We have a week and a half until the primary. For those of you who live in Wayne County, you should check out the Wayne County Clerks office for the ballot information.

Don't forget there is a SMART millage proposal for the tricounty area. In Wayne County it reads:

WAYNE COUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY MILLAGE RENEWAL
If approved, this proposal shall renew in 2010 the 0.59 mill levied by the Wayne County Transit Authority and allow continued support to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, serving the elderly, handicapped, and general public of Wayne County.


Shall the tax imposed on taxable property in the Wayne County Transit Authority area which expired with the 2009 tax, be levied for four (4) years, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, inclusive, at 0.59 mill (59 cents per $1,000 taxable value), for the purpose of making contributions in aid of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) and its purpose of serving the elderly, handicapped and general public in the County of Wayne? It is estimated that 0.59 mill would raise approximately $12,158,000 when levied in 2010.

Yes __
No __

As a renewal it will levied subject to the Headlee rollback. If they had wished to ask for the original millage they would have had to ask for an increase to levy the whole millage. That is the reason they do not want to let it expire.

The primary is very important. This is where we separate the fruits from the nuts. November will be successful only if we pick the right people and don't leave it to the special interests who always show up. Make it a point to inform yourself and vote armed with more information than the flier on your door. Our future as a country and as a state depends on it.

Closing the Government Gap

So often I feel just like the guy who fell off that cliff and that government is on the other side. I guess most of us want to believe that government is trying to help, only to find that some trick or incompetence is found where our trust was placed. We keep grabbing that rope only to find that they have dropped it.
When they try to give us a band aid to fix it they make it worse.

President Reagan was right when he said " Government can't fix the problem - government is the problem." As government grows, our influence is diminished. It is less a government of, by and for the people and more a government which controls the people. That is why I am looking forward to November. I am hopeful that the people of this country are finally waking up. I hope that they will replace those in congress and even those in local government who have been there too long and who have helped to grow government beyond our financial ability and practical need.

Should we fail to make a significant change in November, we can not give up. It has taken decades to get us to this position. It will not be easy to reverse the situation the first time. That is why we can not let ourselves get discouraged.

I have faith in the American people. I know that when they realise what is happening to our country they will stand up as they have in the past. Americans have never sherked their responsibilities nor have they been cowards when called upon.

This Video Says So Much

When I was thinking about what I could say about those who have given so much for our country and her people, I received this video in an email. I am grateful every day for those who have had the courage to to stand up for our freedom and have done so much. I am also reminded that we have a responsibility to remember and honor those dead and alive. We have to insure that their effort have not been in vane.

Remembering is not enough. We must do our duty as citizens to ensure that freedom rings from coast to coast. We have an obligation to preserve our way of life and defend our nation against enemies foreign and domestic as well. Maybe we will not be required to use a gun, but we have other responsibilities which must be met.

Remember and pray for them and our country today and everyday.

21st Century Education

by John Connolly

Despite much good news on the economic front, tens of thousands of teachers are being given pink slips nationwide, over 2000 in Detroit alone. Is that worth a front-page story in the New York Times? Detroit’s Emergency Financial Manager, Robert Bob has rooted out tens of millions of dollars in embezzlement, fraud and theft from the Detroit School system. You’d think the Times would find that worthy of reporting.

When I was growing up, funding for public schools was by local property taxes. School districts were able to accurately forecast how much money they’d need to support their programs and how much would be available for the next school year. At that time, the public schools were owned, operated, and controlled locally. The quality of education in the public schools of the United States was second to none.

In many of Michigan’s urban areas and in some of our more remote rural areas the increases in property values (and property taxes) did not keep pace with those in other areas. Progressives decided that it wasn’t fair that rich school districts should spend more on education than their poorer neighbors. Most Americans agreed with that view. Using the state lottery as a funding device, the State decided which schools were under-funded and gave money to districts that were not collecting enough in property taxes to support quality education. The State then demanded an important role in dictating what should be taught, when it should be taught, and how it should be taught. The State’s intrusion into the business of public education now encompasses when school should (or should not) start, when sex education should start (and what it should include), what classes in diversity should be included and how much math is two year’s worth.

Of course, more state funding also meant less certainty of when and how much state money was going to be available, and what strings were going to be attached. Public schools began the annual ritual of pink slipping a fairly large percentage of employees, knowing that many of them would probably be rehired in the fall. Some of them found another line of work. The quality of education in our schools began to drop off.

As the quality of education in our schools deteriorated, education lobbies and our enlightened administration decided that we needed to “invest” more money in education. The Federal government, under the wise counsel of President Jimmy Carter, created the Department of Education, which has now grown to an annual budget of upwards of $20 billion and more than 20,000 federal employees (not including contract personnel). Federal expenditures on education, training employment and social services increased under the previous administration from $57 billion in 2001 to $91 billion in 2008, and are estimated at $135 billion for 2010. The No Child Left Behind Act provided the largest increase ever in federal education funding, yet most of the money that it provided was swallowed up by the bureaucracy created to manage it, with little of it finding its way to failing schools or failing students. Our schools continued to deteriorate.

Despite the infusion of state and federal money into our schools, educational quality continues to fall further behind the Indian, Chinese, and many European countries in all standard educational measurements.

Instead of continuing to transfer wealth from those that produce it to favored constituencies, we need to begin to behave as though we’re truly concerned about the effect of the more than $1.3 trillion federal deficits of 2009 and 2010.

Declaring You Freedom Can Be Fun

Isn't it wonderful? You can have fun and sign the petition for Healthcare Freedom at the same time. We will be at the Dearborn Heights Spirit Festival and the Livonia Spree collecting signatures and your petitions.

Dearborn Heights Spirit Festival, 1801 Beech Daly, 1/2 block south of Ford Rd.

Wednesday, June 9, 5:00 to 10:00 pm
Thursday, June 10, 5:00 to 10:00 pm
Friday, June 11, 5:00 to 10:00 pm
Saturday, June 12, 2:00 to 10:00 pm
Sunday, June 13, 2:00 to 10:00 pm


Please come and enjoy yourself Friday or Saturday at the Livonia Spree event days held at Ford Field at the corner of Farmington Road and Lyndon.A limited amount of parking is available on the Spree grounds. Take Stark Road north off the I-96 service drive. Handicapped Take Stark Road north off the I-96 service drive. The police will provide direction to the handicapped parking area. Handicap permit is required. Ample parking is available at Livonia City Hall. The free Shuttle Service will operate during Spree hours of operation

FRIDAY JUNE 25, 2010 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
SATURDAY JUNE 26, 2010 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Please come and sign the petition and bring your registered family and friends.

History Repeats Itself

At times I identify with Sisyphus, a figure of Greek mythology who was condemned to repeat forever the same meaningless task of pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to see it roll down again.

I think it was 1983 the first time I asked the Attorney General's office to enforce the Uniform Budgeting Act in Wayne County and demand that they abide by the Constitution and balance their budget. At that time they could not because they did not find they were in violation. They were not using standard accounting practices and no one could figure out their budget.

An audit was conducted and they could still not figure out what they were doing. The State developed the five year plan for balancing the budget. This kind of plan has been used over and oveer again. They switched to standard accounting pactices but that was not the last time no one cound figure out what was going on. At what point can we expect Wayne County to be accountable to the law. Poor services, excessive salaries and contracts, corruption, and mismanagement, are not reasons to give them a pass.

I don't care if the executive branch, the commission or the unions take the responsibility. I want the law enforced. Not only is the county facing a $105 million deficit in a $558 operating budget out of control but their unfunded liabilities are unsustainable. Their $2.1 billion dollar overall budget is down 6.4% since 2000. The County has also lost population,according to the estimates.

The Ways and Means Committee Chair, Edward Bioke, says they will be taking action soon. Do not include a tax increase in your deliberations commissioners - we are not in the mood and it is beyond our ability.

BREAKING: Fake Tea Party Run by Democrats in Michigan Trying to Become official Third Party!

BREAKING: Fake Tea Party Run by Democrats in Michigan Trying to Become official Third Party!

Go get 'em

We have sent out petitions for Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom with our May newsletter. Now it is time to get the signatures and return them. You can drop off or pick up more petitions at our May 26, Wayne County Taxpayers Association meeting at 7:00PM. at Leon's Family Dining on Michigan Ave. just east of Telegraph.

Even if you just want to come in and sign a petition or just have one or two signatures on yours, every signature is important.

Now that what we suspected right along is true, that Obamacare is going to cost much more than originally indicated, we should find it even easier to collect signatures to get this constitutional amendment on the November ballot. It is too important to leave it to someone else to do. It is important to the economy, job creation, our individual access to treatment and the cost to each and every one of us.

Here is a summary of the amendment language:
• DECLARES THE RIGHT OF PERSONS TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE WITHOUT BEING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY COMPELLED BY GOVERNMENT ACTION TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
• PROHIBITS THE GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING PROHIBITIONS ON THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF HEALTH INSURANCE OR HEALTH COVERAGE IN PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS.
• PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING PENALTIES OR FINES AGAINST PERSON, EMPLOYERS, AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS FOR PARTICIPATING IN DIRECT PAY ACTIVITIES FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
• PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT FROM CREATING ANY DISADVANTAGE AGAINST A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING A PERSON OR EMPLOYER TO PAY DIRECTLY FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OR FOR PERMITTING A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO ACCEPT DIRECT PAYMENT FROM A PERSON OR EMPLOYER FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES
If you want more Information or locations where you may pick up or sign a petition, please contact me at 313-278-8383 or email me at wctaxpayers@comcast.net or, you may also contact Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom at www.MICHIGANHCF.COM .

Please don't just sit back and do nothing. If we all work toward the goal it should be easy.

Action at All Levels

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 is scheduled for the Grosse Pointe Shores Recall at thier City Municipal Building. We wish then good luck in their efforts.

SPECIAL ELECTION
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010
POLLS OPEN 7:00 AM TO 8:00 PM
GROSSE POINTE SHORES MUNICIPAL BUILDING
795 LAKE SHORE ROAD

According to the Shores Recall Website, if you are a Shores taxpayer and are not outraged by the current fiscal crisis, then you are not paying paying attention to the facts! From what we have read of the situation they have every reason to be upset.

I will be there for another reason. I will be circulating petitions for the Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom. From 1-8:00 PM you can sign, drop off or get petitions. We are attempting to get the amendment on the November ballot and the amendment will do the following if approved:

• DECLARES THE RIGHT OF PERSONS TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE WITHOUT BEING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY COMPELLED BY GOVERNMENT ACTION TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
• PROHIBITS THE GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING PROHIBITIONS ON THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF HEALTH INSURANCE OR HEALTH COVERAGE IN PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS.
• PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING PENALTIES OR FINES AGAINST PERSON, EMPLOYERS, AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS FOR PARTICIPATING IN DIRECT PAY ACTIVITIES FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
• PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT FROM CREATING ANY DISADVANTAGE AGAINST A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING A PERSON OR EMPLOYER TO PAY DIRECTLY FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OR FOR PERMITTING A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO ACCEPT DIRECT PAYMENT FROM A PERSON OR EMPLOYER FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

If you want more Information or locations where you may pick up or sign a petition, please contact me at 313-278-8383 or email me at wctaxpayers@comcast.net or, you may also contact Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom at www.MICHIGANHCF.COM .

RESA Wants Millage Increase

The Wayne County Intermendiate School District RESA wants a millage increase. Suprisingly, they are getting school districts to agree that they want more money. The Detroit School Board still believes, or at least claims to believe, lack of money is their problem. I guess more than $11,000 per student in Detroit is not enough to expect some kind of resonable education. This is insanity.

How did this come about? With the passage of Proposal A and the change in how schools were funded, the only way to increase operating millage was on a county wide millage. Exempt from this were sinking funds and bonds which were still allowed on a local district level and are used unmercifully.

The County millage could be increased up to 3 mils with the approval of the districts that together make up more than half the student population of the county district and then it would be placed on the ballot. We should be grateful they are so considerate to ask for only 1.9 of the three mills allowed. That is only $1.90 for every $1,000 of taxable value on your property. If your taxable value is $50,000 this means you will only have to pay $95 more per year. This millage will only generate $92 million. It will then be distributed back to the districts based on student population. More redistribution of wealth with no accountability and guarentee of better education.

If we let this happen we deserve it. Accountability first. If we don't get accountability, we are throwing good money after bad.

Do We Need and Want a Constitutional Convention?

The picture above was sent to me by a friend about a week ago and started me thinking. It was taken in 1990 during the Headlee Tax Cut Initiative. For those of you who do not recognize those in the picture Dick Headlee of the Headlee Amendment fame is on the left and the lady with the owl looking glasses on the right is me. It seems that a similar picture could have been taken a number of times over the years as I have worked on many Constitutional Amendments.

In November of 2010 we will be asked if we want to call a Constitutional Convention. According to the Citizens Research Council the State Constitution has been amended 31 times since it went into effect in January of 1964. The length of the document has increased from 19,203 to 36,525 words. We agree that a shorter more succinct version would be desirable, but we have to credit the courts and the legislature itself for making this necessary.

Every time the legislature tries to subvert the will of the people it becomes necessary to amend the Constitution in a way that allows little room to misinterpret the language. Because of their efforts, a common theme of the amendments has been to reduce the power of the legislature in favor of the citizens. It is not that we have abandoned the idea of representative government, it is that they have failed to take their obligation seriously. They don't even have the ability to pass a budget on time.

The legislature itself has placed issues on the ballot. As early as the mid 1890s they realized the need for ballot initiatives but it wasn't until the adoption of the 1908 Constitution that it became a reality. It was so restrictive that it was not very functional. It wasn't until the 1913 amendment to the Constitution that it took on its present form allowing constitutional, statutory and referendum amendments.

CRC Special Report on Michigan Constitutional Issues
Approval Rates by Decade
In the first three decades of the life of the 1963 Constitution, approximately one-third of the proposed
amendments were adopted, whether proposed by joint resolution (34.4 percent) or initiative petition
(33.3 percent). Since 1993, however, over three-quarters of the proposals have been adopted by the
voters, with 100 percent of the legislative proposals adopted and 42.9 percent of the initiatives passing.
All of the amendments proposed in 2004, 2006, and 2008 were adopted.

There is no need to call a Constitutional Convention. It took a lot of work and sweat to make the changes we have. We can not trust a hand full of political cronies to make decisions for all the people and legislators who had ideas accepted by the citizens of Michigan. There has been talk of limiting the referendum, expanding term limits and streamlining language that protects us from skirting the intent of the amendments. If the ideas are good they can presented one at a time for considered analysis and informed decision.

Tea Party Lansing April 15, 2010

It was a great day in Lansing and all over Michigan. We helped sponsor the Tea Party in Lansing, but there were Tea Parties everywhere. If you missed the excitement at these parties, you really missed something. You can feel the energy in the crowd. The people are upbeat and ready to do what they have to to preserve our system of government and demand accountability from our elected officials.

I gave a short speech in Lansing and I let the people know how happy I was to see them there. The one thing you can always count on is the American Spirit. They gave me hope and warmed my heart with their sincerity and willingness to do what needs to be done.

From there,it was too late to go to the Plymouth Tea Party, so I went to Sterling Heights where Michigan Taxpayers Alliance was having a rip roaring Tea Party. I serve on their board, so I guess that was another reason I wanted to make sure I got there. Mr. Perks, the giant pink pig was there as well. I ran into many familiar faces and a lot of new enthusiastic ones.

The thing that amazes me the most is, when anybody asks the question if these people have been involved in politics before, the majority of the people say they haven't.
That is what makes this so exciting.

From there, it was off to St. Clair Shores to the Metro Detroit Freedom Coalition to hear a debate between the candidates running for governor. The moderator was Frank Beckmann from WJR. He is a great guy and did an excellent job with the four candidates who where there.

Keep up the great work folks. We the people will straighten out this mess yet.

Onward and Upward

This video is as meaninful now as it was last year.

The final stop in Michigan of the Tea Party Express in Clinton Township was a great success. Now it is time to think about the next event.

On April 15, tax day the Wayne County Taxpayers Association will be cosponsoring the Lansing Tea Party at the steps of the Capitol. The legislature will be in session and it will do them good to know that the people Michigan will not give up our country or state. The Governor, legislators, and special interests want to raise taxes by billions of dollars. With the highest unemployment rate in the country and Michigan per capita income dropping from 9th to 41st in the country we need to send a message to politicians that they must put our economy first and bureaucrats second.

Noon – 1:30 PM
State Capitol lawn, Lansing

Featured Speakers include:

• Attorney General Mike Cox
• Rich Michaels, Host of WMMQ-FM 94.9 Michaels in the Morning
• Joan Fabiano, Grassroots in Michigan
• Kyle Olson, Education Action Group
• Rose Bogaert, Wayne County Taxpayers Association
• Tina DuPont, Tea Party of West Michigan
• Kathy Hoekstra, Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Please show us your support. Send them a message and let them know that we are not going away. If you can not attend in Lansing, and I hope you will, try to make it to one of the local tea parties even if just for a little while. Go to http://michiganactivists.com and find a location near you. I will be attending as many as possible.

Tomorrow, April 9, is the kick off in Wayne County of the Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom Petition Drive. The problem is that there are a bunch of other activities going on at the same time. We encourage anyone who doesn't already have plans to join us at:
Canfield Community Center
1801 N. Beech Daly
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
8:00pm to 9:00pm

At first I felt a little sad until I realized that the activities that are happening are worthwhile and that all they have to do is contact me and I would see that those who could not join us get petitions. It also meant that they are out of their chairs and doing something to defend their freedom and encouraging others to do the same. As a matter of fact I was impressed by the numbers. I hope to see you there.


Now for April 15, tax day, the Wayne County Taxpayers Association is co sponsoring:

The Michigan Tea Party Rally in Lansing.
Thursday, April 15, 11:30am – 1:30pm
100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
Capitol Steps (East)

The Michigan House and Senate will be in session. This is an opportunity to show Lansing politicians that the people of Michigan are serious about free market reforms, smaller government and lower taxes. Speakers included (subject to updates): WMMQ’s Rich Michaels and Kyle Olson of Education Action Group will be joining us and you can expect the Capitol steps and lawn to be full of activist leaders.

There are Tea Parties all over the state that day and I will try to visit as many as I can schedule. In the mean time, check out the Michigan Activist Calendar that will give you an opportunity to keep up on the things that are happening around the state.

There will be other updates on what is happening around you. Get involved, save your country, and do something important for your family.

Come Join Us

The Wayne County Taxpayers Association will be one of the county coordinators for Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom. Our kickoff will be at:

Canfield Community Center
1801 N. Beech Daly
Dearborn Heights, MI
Friday, April 9, 8:00 to 9:00 PM

COME AND GET YOUR PETITIONS!

The objective is to place on the November ballot a referendum to amend the State Constitution to fight back against the Washington health care takeover.

If you want more Information or locations where you may pick up or sign a petitions in the future, please contact me at 313-278-8383 or email me at wctaxpayers@comcast.net or, you may also contact Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom at http://www.michiganhcf.com/ .
If you wish to distribute petitions or know of a location that might allow us to distribute them, please let us know. In the future, information will be available on our website http://www.wctaxpayers.org/ .

Inaction Is Not An Option

I have volunteered to be one of the county coordinators for Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom.The objective is to place on the November ballot a referendum to amend the State Constitution to fight back against the Washington health care takeover.

Here is a summary of the amendment language:
• DECLARES THE RIGHT OF PERSONS TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE WITHOUT BEING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY COMPELLED BY GOVERNMENT ACTION TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
• PROHIBITS THE GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING PROHIBITIONS ON THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF HEALTH INSURANCE OR HEALTH COVERAGE IN PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS.
• PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING PENALTIES OR FINES AGAINST PERSON, EMPLOYERS, AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS FOR PARTICIPATING IN DIRECT PAY ACTIVITIES FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
• PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT FROM CREATING ANY DISADVANTAGE AGAINST A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING A PERSON OR EMPLOYER TO PAY DIRECTLY FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OR FOR PERMITTING A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO ACCEPT DIRECT PAYMENT FROM A PERSON OR EMPLOYER FOR LAWFUL HEALTH CARE SERVICES
If you want more Information or locations where you may pick up or sign a petition, please contact me at 313-278-8383 or email me at wctaxpayers@comcast.net or, you may also contact Michigan Citizens for Healthcare Freedom at www.MICHIGANHCF.COM .

If you wish to distribute petitions or know of a location that might allow us to distribute them, please let us know. In the future, information will be available on our website www.wctaxpayers.org . You can also access our blog from that site.

There Is No More Integrity

I can not believe that all that posturing that Stupak did was just for show. He lied like a man who had no quams about it. He spoke like a man of priciple and caved like a man without integrity. This video was made last year without his knowledge. He knew all along that he would vote for health care reform. Now it is our duty to teach him that he should not lie to the American people and pretend he is something he is not.

He must now be voted out of office along with all the others who are trying to transform our country into a socialized nation. The blatent disregard for the will of the people makes them all targets in the next election.

We should be embarassed that we have let things get this far before doing something. This great country has provided us with many advantages that others could only dream of and admire. We have the ability to correct our errors in a non violent way because others have fought and died for our system of government, which provides for that means.

Our duty to be vigilant and to do the work necessary to maintain our way of life does not allow us to lay back and do nothing while our freedom slips away. It is all of our responsibility. We must, while hoping to keep the fruits of our labor, not take them from others.

For too long we have allowed government to control our lives and surendered for perceived comforts which can only lead to lack of choice and a restiction of our freedom. It is not to late to take back what "the God of nature has placed in our power" - the right to life, liberty and the persuit of happiness.

If we are to give up our lives, it should not be because some bureaucrat makes the decision but for the sake of liberty.

I Love these Ladies

I am sure this is an oxymoron, but "Common Sense in Government" is at it again. You have to admire the imagination of Wendy Day and Melanie Hall. These two can think up more ways to make a point than any two people I know. Their latest adventure was to build snowmen at the foot of the capitol steps - more than a dozen of them. They even made Fox News.

Wendy told me that they try to make fun out the work they are doing to cut government taxes and reduce their spending. I guess she wasn't kidding. These ladies always have a smile on their face when I see them and you can see their enthusiasm in their work.

I can't do the things I used to. I guess there is envy in my heart. I would be right there with them, building their snowmen and distributing flyers, if I could. That fact does not discourage me from asking you to join them when you can. It is so very important that the fight be brought to the forefront. We need to make our elected officials aware that we are watching them and we will hold them accountable.

No matter what your ability, do what you can.

Something You Shouldn't Miss

Austin Texas then and now.





You really should subscribe to the "Michigan Capitol Confidential". Its free, well written, entertaining and factual. The only thing that might upset you is the content. They expose government waste and things that you may not find out in the press or may have missed on the tube.

The internet has given us an oportunity that was not available before and we should take advantage of it. Individuals are now able to discover things and comunicate them. If you are young and it has always been the way things are, you can not appreciate the difference.

The Tea Party movement would not be the movement it is without the internet. Grass root conventions, seminars and meetings would not be as well attended or as easily organized. It is much harder for a despot to take control of our government without being exposed because of the internet. There is always the comfort in the realization that you are not alone in your thinking.

Most of all, it gives even those who are unable to get out much, the elderly, moms with small children, those who are still employed and those who are not, an oportunity to get involved.

Click on the link it will be worth your time.

Is Life So Dear or Peace So Sweet ...

Is the MHBCCC Defunded? from Mackinac Center on Vimeo.

It seems that government at all levels has gotten completely out of control. My city is early retiring police and firemen. They then receive their hospitalization and pension from PA 345 funds which are funded by a separate millage which is regulated by disbursements. They are then subcontracted back by the city who now no longer has to pay their benefits from the city budget.

At the State level there is so many things going on that the list is prohibitive for this space. But, the video above gives you a taste of the disregard they have for taxpayers, the corruption taking place, and the lack of respect for the State Constitution.

You can not help but be aware of the indifference toward their constituents of the majority of our elected officials in Washington. Everyday on the news you can see them trying to get around the law and attempts to implement their will over the will of the people.

If we do not wake up the rest of our neighbors and friends and encourage them into action, we may soon find we have waited too long to take our country back in a peaceful manner. It is important that we keep respect for ourselves and our government and insist that those we elect do the same. The great experiment proved to be more than theory. We can not allow ourselves to slip back to a form of government that historically and repeatedly failed.

"These principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civil instruction, the touchstone by which we try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them in a moment of error or alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety."

Thomas Jefferson