Ray Byers, Wayne
County’s chief development officer should be hiding instead of promoting the
millage for the DIA. While he is
traveling all over the world on our money, the DIA continues to be mismanaged.
He must think he is still at Ford Motor Company. The County should take care of its own
business first. Have you read the
newspaper lately?
The DIA donated some of their buildings to the Ferry Street Inn."The Inn was developed
by Midtown Detroit, a non-profit planning and economic development agency. The
group partnered with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), which owned the
property and had been using some of the old homes for storage."
Notice they can afford to give their assets away. It is being run as a non profit. You can bet
those running it are making money. How
about running it for a profit and donating the profits to support the arts?
They are still touting the demise of the DIA in spite of the
$150 million endowment they have on hand. The admission fees to the general museum are:
$8 Adult
Free for Children 5 and under
$6 Seniors
Free for Detroit residents on Fridays*
$4 Youth
(6 – 17)
Free for Members
$5 for College Students (with valid school photo ID)
These fees can be raised and they have billions of dollars worth of art that can be placed on tour and others that were just donated for a tax write off that can possibly be sold.
There will be
many issues that various groups will be attempting to place on the November
2012 ballot. The Wayne County Taxpayers
Association has chosen to actively support two of them. Once again I am asking
for your help. We hope that you will help us collect signatures for these
proposals to insure that they make it to the ballot.
In 1978 the
voters amended Article 9, Section 6, of the State
Constitution, and made additions to Article 9, Sections 25 thru 34, to provide
for Tax Limitation.” This is most commonly known as the Headlee Amendment.
The
people thought by voting for this that there would be no unauthorized tax increases without a vote of the people. However, over
the years they have been proven wrong. Taxpayers, including myself, have been to
court numerous times and the outcomes have been inconsistent. Government and
the courts seem to have found a way to get around the constitution to the
disadvantage of the taxpayer.
We are hoping the proposal on the petition we are circulating in
conjunction with the “Michigan Alliance for Prosperity” will finally stop them
at the state level. The petition language reads as follows:
“A
proposal to amend the Michigan Constitution by adding a Section 26a toArticle Nine. No new or additional taxes shall be imposed by the stategovernment, nor shall it expand the base of taxation, nor shall it
increase the rateof taxation unless: (a) by the vote of two-thirds of
all the elected member of eachbranch of the Legislature or (b)
by a statewide vote of Michigan electors at aNovember
election. This section shall in no way be construed to limit or modifytax limitations otherwise created in this constitution.”
We hope that this will stop the
shell game of different taxes at the state levels while still constraining
increases within the established limits. This shell game has significant effect
and consequences for both business and individual taxpayers. Once a tax has
been reduced or eliminated it will no longer be an easy task to create a new
one to replace it by a simple majority.
We know that similar provisions in
13 other states have proven successful and that precedent has been established
in the Michigan Constitution. Two examples are:
1.A 2/3
legislative majority was required to assume new debt to pay off debt owed by
the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
2.A ¾ majority is required to raise
the education tax
The second proposal is concerning the building and maintaining of
any additional international crossings.
The proposal reads as follows:
“The People
should decide whether state government may construct or finance new
international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles. Consistent with this
policy and to shield the people from unnecessary burdens, the state shall not
undertake ownership and the development or use of state funds or resources for
new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles unless first determined
to be necessary and appropriate by majority vote of the people.”
They have indicated that the
funding for the project will be paid by the tolls generated. There is no
guarantee that the taxpayer will not have to pick up any shortfall for the
construction and operation of the bridge proposed by Governor Snyder. The objection of the legislature and the
majority of the people seemed to have little effect on his decision to proceed.
Reduction in crossings and state population, in our estimation, insures the taxpayer will be responsible for
the shortfall in revenue. If we are
going to have to pay for it, we should at least have a say in whether it should
be built. That goes for any other construction of that magnitude for those
purposes.
Placing decisions for such massive projects
on the ballot would result in a discussion of both the merits and liabilities of
the issue before we commit taxpayer resources.
Please get involved. Contact me and I will see that you are
contacted by the appropriate people and are sent the petitions you need. Please
don’t think that someone else will do it.
We need your help. Lansing has gotten out of control.
by Tim O’Brien, executive director of the Small Government Alliance
By now everyone in Michigan has heard how the city of Allen Park’s plan to go into the movie business and grab a piece of the industry Lansing was luring with generous subsidies turned into a disaster epic.
A smooth-talking Hollywood producer named Jimmy Lifton convinced local officials to borrow $28 million to purchase more than 100 acres of property along Southfield Road which he would then lease from them to create his Unity Studios. There would be sound stages for major motion pictures, studios for TV shows, audio and video editing facilities, and more. Not to mention the hotels, restaurants and all manner of supporting businesses that would serve
them.
And there would be a Lifton Institute to teach the unemployed all these movie-making skills — with tuition paid the “No worker left behind” program.
It was the stuff dreams are made of.
Unfortunately for starry-eyed Allen Park officials, Gov. Granholm’s retraining program was canceled. Gov. Snyder capped the total annual film subsidies at $25 million – well below what a single, major fea-ture might use up. And Jimmy “Hollywood,” having never made a single lease payment, packed up and “got outta Dodge.” It was only then that city officials, who had relied only on their own tax assessor’s estimate of the value of the property, got around to having an inde-pendent appraisal – which put the market value of the real estate and buildings at $18 million.
For Allen Park, already staggering from the same, one-two punch as the rest of her Wayne County sis-ters – a declining tax base and state revenue shar-ing, along with exploding labor and legacy costs – this horror movie was the back-breaking straw.
Last August officials went to residents asking for a Headlee override. It was turned down by a 3-1 margin. So they came back in November with two proposals – 3.5 mills to help with the labor/legacy costs and 2.3 mills for the shortfall resulting from their overpriced, under-producing property leasing business that was only generating enough revenue to cover half of the bond payment.
Voters approved the first but, again, rejected
the second. However, as experience has so fre-quently demonstrated, politicians simply will not take “NO!” for an answer. So it came as no surprise when the new mayor and council (also elected in Novem-ber) announced a special election for May 8 to ask voters for the money to at least get them past this year’s bond payment for the failed movie studio ven-ture.
And hedging their bets in the meantime, they are planning to borrow $1.2 million on their own author-ity via what are called “Tax Anticipation Notes.” The municipal equivalent of those “Payday Advance” loans you see hawked on late night television, the entire amount – plus interest – will be due and pay-able from summer tax receipts. In order to get over that hurdle they plan to go to the State Administra-tive Board for permission to sell Fiscal Stabilization Bonds to pay operating expenses (so obviously imprudent a course of action that it would,
otherwise, be illegal.)
But some residents have had enough.
The Small Government Alliance, an independent, non-partisan PAC based in Allen Park is organizing an effort to block the city from doing any more bor-rowing, noting the (tongue-in-cheek) 1st Rule of Holes: Upon finding yourself in one – STOP
DIGGING!
Bryan Diebolt, another Allen Parker who made news last summer for having gone to the state treasurer to request appointment of an Emergency Manager to straighten out the mess (but was turned down) has joined the effort, now called “Restore Allen Park,” as
the official spokes person.
Justin Mordarki from neighboring Taylor, both a WCTA member and an experienced Tea Party or-ganizer, has also signed on. As have a number of others.
Visit Restore Allen Park on web or Facebook.
The what ifs of the above video are not what ifs at all. They are reality. The recent attempt by government to demand that religious institutions be required to offer birth control,the morning after pill and sterilizations to their employees, even if their fundamental beliefs are morally apposed, is just one more example of governments attempt to take over our lives.
We have been permitting an erosion of our liberties for many years but this administration has the most in your face implementation that I have ever seen. I hope that it has not gone so far that we are unable to retrieve them. How can we not see the damage these activities have done to Europe. How can we not see that in surrendering our rights for false security we have become less secure?
How can we keep accepting lies because we want to believe them then ignore and make excuses as the results of those lies so obviously prove them to be wrong. The Obama administration has backed off and offered a solution to the conflict that is so outrageous it is insulting. The objecting institutions won't have to pay for the the insurance to cover this any longer but the insurance companies will have to pay. What? Who pays the premiums to the insurance companies except the very people who hold the beliefs. When was the last time the government got involved with something and it costs less as they say it will.
I have to quit writing before my head blows up. Not to worry the government will take care of me. NOT!
How can we have representative government if our Representatives refuse to show up to represent us. When they were elected they knew how the system was supposed to work. The idea was not to go home, if the majority did not agree with you, but to discuss the matter and try to convince the majority to your way of thinking. Eventually, you must table or bring the proposition to a vote.
The lack of respect for their constituents and for the system that they swore to uphold through the Constitution can only be surpassed by the narcissistic, egotistical and childish behavior of those who would bring government to a halt because they did not get their way. The American people deserve better than this.
I would defend anyone's right to protest within the law. But, protests at the expense of the rights of others is unacceptable. It is not just our elected officials that suffer from these maladies but society as a whole. The me first generation has had it the best of any generation and has passed it down. Now the tide is reversing and the frustration expresses itself in violence.
If we are to save our country, we have to undo what we have taught and reeducate ourselves and our children that others have rights as well. We must respect others and realize that what belongs to them is theirs.
Senate Joint Resolution S is about restricting your right to recall to criminal offenses and misconduct. Recall is more than that. The State Constitution provides a tool to the electorate when your representative refuses to represent you or does something illegal and that is recall. Recall requires that you collect the valid signatures of 25% of the number who voted in the last election for governor in the district. This is not an easy task. After the signatures are gathered and certified, the person to be recalled gets to put a rebuttal on the ballot.
In the early 80's two recalls occurred. Senators Mastin and Sarotkin were successfully recalled from office from Michigan's state legislature for voting for a 38% increase in income taxes. Having decided that it had to be stopped, the third senator, Patrick McCollough was prevented from being recalled.
As one of the instigators of that recall, I can accurately describe what happened. There certainly has been enough misinformation to go around. This was truly a grass roots movement. We had next to no money and we only had our anger to keep us warm in one of the coldest winters I can remember. The ability for politicians to curb their spending was not even a consideration. Why should they when the taxpayer could pick up the tab?
So how did they end it? Of course they made us look like the bad guys. We were all volunteers. They harassed us as we stood out in the cold collecting signatures. They followed us door to door. They signed false names and addresses on our petitions. They held cameras close to our faces and took pictures. They signed our petitions more than once, knowing that both signatures would be discarded based on a previous court decision disenfranchising even those who may have accidentally signed twice over the three month signature collection period. They tried to block access to the tables we set up to collect signatures. They became so disruptive that we had to call the police numerous times to stop them.
So who were these people? Well some of them were Sen. McCollough's relatives or so they said. There was also MEA union members who were also the largest contributors to his committee. His mother was head of the House Education Committee and had a great deal of influence. There were others union and non union members involved in the disruption. The Democratic Party was deeply involved because they pushed for the tax increase. Many of the rank and file union members were on our side.
Years later in 2007, the propaganda continued with aprogram sponsored by MGTV Michigan Political History Soc. with plenty of representation by those who are not supportive of recalls including McCollough himself who continued to call us names and tell lies about us.
Apparently, I'm a slow learner and a true believer. In 2007 I again attempted a recall with the help of others. Rep. Andy Dillon voted to increased our income tax by 12% and enacted a surtax of 22% on business that was passed down to us. He voted to increased General Fund Spending more than 8% and called it a cut. He voted to increased their legislative budget by over 7%. He did all this at a time when Michigan families are struggling to pay their mortgages and keep their homes.
Again the same suspects tried to disrupt the efforts with their money and influence. That effort failed as well. But in both instances, it slowed them down by causing them lots of money and personal effort that they could have used for mischief elsewhere. It also makes them think twice about their decisions and their consequences.
So why go through all the trouble? Because good government doesn't just happen. Because it is your obligation to pay attention. The less you pay attention the weaker you become and the more intrusive government becomes. I believe that the tax increases have hurt the people and the business climate of this state. So take a position, whatever it is, and get involved.
I am frequently asked why recall is necessary when our elected state officials are term limited and will be up for re-election or moving on. The most important thing I could say is that a lot can happen in six months. It did not take them six months to raise our income tax 12%. It did not take them six months to enact a 22% surtax on business. ( May I remind you that the tax gets passed on to the consumer.) It took them less than six months to increase General Fund spending more than 8% for 2008. They succeeded in increasing the legislative budget by over 7% for 2008 in less than six months. Now add to that the cost of borrowing money at 40 cents on the dollar for the failed 20th Century Jobs Fund in 2005, which was a flop, and will take a long time to pay back with future revenue.
The next question is always ," What about the cost of the election?" It is minor compared to the damage they can do.
Please contact Senators Meekoff and Richardville and tell them you do not support the proposed change. Then contact the Committee on Government Operations with the same message. Don't Forget your legislators as well.
Just click on this link to locate your legislators. You can also copy and paste this to your browser.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28ufs3fxz5g22iryuvf0icrneo%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=home
We can stop this legislation. Right now many cities and townships share services and procurements without creating authorities. That is why we elect individuals to make decisions for us. Please call, email or visit your legislators.
I have been remiss in my writing because I was almost catatonic. It seems like it is all to much. The world as I know it is crashing. I have been feeling powerless. My country, the greatest on earth, is slipping both in influence and financially. My state, county and local governments are controlled by the unions and spending is out of control. I get so many requests for donations and phone sales in a days time that I am hanging up on them an refusing to donate to anyone. What was happening to me?
Then I thought, when have you ever been a quitter? So here I am with renewed vigor. Asking your help and your strength to work with me. They want us to get worn out. They want us to give up. We can't let them win. This is a great country! We just can't let them change it to something else or convince us it is not.
When your tempted to sit back, step forward. There won't be immediate financial benefit like there is most of the time on the other side, but you are still doing it for yourself, your children, grandchildren and (almost as important) me. Make a phone call, write a letter or go to a political meeting. Unfortunately, you may not have someone to tell you what to do but you know what is right. If you need direction, join an organization that will notify you when to act. Don't leave it to someone else to do. We have to keep the pressure on. It is very important. If you think you don't care, you will.
The above flyer was distributed in Senator Randy Richardville's district. But this legislation will effect all of us. It is for this reason I felt obligated, with AFP's permission, to cut and paste its content. Make sure you contact your senator and representative as well. Tell them to tell Richardville how you feel.
Randy Richardville has sponsored Senate Bill 397 that expands binding arbitration. Binding arbitration means that unelected bureaucrats have the final say in contracts with government unions. Even the representatives we elect cannot change these contracts, no matter how costly they are or how much they will hurt our community. These types of contracts can cost our state millions. Binding arbitration can raise costs to municipalities by 3 to 5 percent. It can result in unsustainably high wages and benefits or burdensome work rules that are not in the public’s best interest.
The Facts:
SB 397 expands Public Act 312, which was passed in 1969 and requires binding arbitration for local police and fire fighters.
Even former Governor Jennifer Granholm’s own task force reported that PA 312 raises the cost to local government operations by 3 – 5%.
Besides Card Check, binding arbitration was one of the key provisions in the horribly misnamed Employee Free Choice Act. Like eliminating the secret ballot, binding arbitration is a
provision that only benefits unions.
Some politicians don’t get it. Some politicians want to increase the cost of government
and put unions in charge. Senator Richardville is one of those politicians that wants to increase the cost of government and take away our say in how government is run. As a Michigan taxpayer, we only get to pay more. It is unelected bureaucrats vs. citizens. It is taxpayers vs. government sector unions. Senator Richardville it is time to put taxpayers first!
So lets review:
Michigan workers are making less. Senator Richardville introduces legislation to increase the cost
of government.
If Senator Randy Richardville has his way taxpayers lose and government sector unions win. Call Senator Randy Richardville at (517) 373-3543 and tell him to cut government, reform government and stop sponsoring legislation that raises the cost of government and harms our democracy.
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.
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.
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 byclicking 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.
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.
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.
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.
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/.
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 ourwebsite 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.
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 theBoard 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.
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.
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.
The WCTA was organized in March of 1982 because of a deep concern over rapidly escalating and unjust property tax assessments. We are a non-profit, non-partisan volunteer taxpayer organization dedicated to obtaining fiscal integrity and responsibility from all levels of government.
In July of 1982, we incorporated with the State of Michigan and proceeded to build our membership. We have resolved that our elected officials should be more accountable to their constituents for their actions.
We believe that individuals can be effective but that together we can be even more effective. We hold regular membership meetings and also sponsor special and educational meetings on topics of interest to our members and the general community.
Only through a vigilant watch of the government can taxpayers ensure that our government is operating responsibly and efficiently.
Information is a very important ingredient of the WCTA. Our newsletter is sent to all members and we try to keep them apprised of existing and pending legislation that will directly affect their lives.
Contact us at: http://www.wctaxpayers.org
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We are truly living in interesting times. When the legacy media is doing
all that it can to shift the focus of today’s somber anniversary away from
the inn...
