From the MTA

Dear Michigan Taxpayer,

You are about to be pitted against your own local government in a battle for your remaining income.

Why? Plummeting home values are (belatedly) slamming municipal governments and school districts with lower property tax revenues. Now these local governments are starting to panic. They see just one way of protecting their budgets - by going after more of yours.

As their tax revenues fall, some local politicians will simply vote to raise property taxes. Others need to ask voters to approve higher taxes because they already tax at the maximum rate permitted without a vote of the people. These local officials will carefully select the most obscure election day possible to place the tax hike on the ballot, hoping that government employees will vote while most citizens remain unaware.

DEFEATING THE COMING PROPERTY TAX INCREASES ISN'T ENOUGH

Even if voters defeat these tax hikes, you still lose. Why? Because nearly every school district and city hall is locked into unbelievably generous contracts with government employee labor unions. These contracts guarantee expensive perks that ordinary citizens would never imagine.

For example, many government employees are allowed to retire at an early age (age 50 in some communities). Other government employee benefits include platinum-clad health care (some plans even cover massages) and paid vacation days far beyond what's affordable in the private sector.

In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, local school and government employees enjoy benefits that cost almost twice as much as the benefits of the average full-time private-sector worker. Not to mention far better job security and higher wages.

Your local government isn't alone. Across the country, politicians have been caving to the increasingly outrageous demands of government employee unions. For decades, these unions locked-in jackpot pensions and other lucrative benefits that are now coming due. States like California are already collapsing under the weight of these past promises.

Why can't elected officials just cut the cost of these government employee benefits? Because the benefits are locked into contracts that your school board and local politicians already signed.

POLITICIANS WILL FORCE CITIZENS - NOT BUREAUCRATS - TO BEAR THE COSTS OF THEIR BAD DECISIONS

Due to the folly of signing these contracts, the only thing left for school districts and local governments to do is to raise taxes or lay off employees. If voters reject tax hikes, politicians will start laying off teachers, police officers, firefighters and such (of course, upper-level bureaucrats will NEVER be laid off, no matter what). These local politicians will threaten to make the service cuts they think will hurt citizens the most in order to scare voters into approving the tax hikes.

To stop both of these tactics, you and your neighbors would have to attend every township or city meeting, school board and county commission meeting in your community and fight against tax hike efforts while trying to convince your local politicians to reduce government employee benefit costs. You can’t win.

Or can you?

THE MTA HAS A REVOLUTIONARY PLAN THAT PUTS CITIZENS FIRST - AND COULD RESCUE OUR STATE

If local politicians won't address these outrageous costs - and they've demonstrated that they won't - why not go over their heads? What if local politicians were prohibited from providing benefits to government employees that exceed the cost of benefits in the private sector? In other words, what if there was a cap on the amount that government employee benefits could cost?

According to fiscal analysts at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, if every state, local government and public school employee in Michigan were provided benefits that cost the same as private-sector benefits, Michigan taxpayers would save about $5.7 billion!

How much is $5.7 billion? The despised Michigan Business tax will send about $2.3 billion to Lansing this year. The entire state income tax will send a total of $6.5 billion to Lansing's big-spenders. That's right, just by capping benefit costs of government employees at private sector levels, we could cut the state income tax in half AND completely eliminate the state business tax.

Michigan could become one of only five states with no tax on job providers and Michigan's struggling families could see their state income taxes cut in half!

A huge tax cut with no reduction in government services? All by simply capping government employee benefit costs at private sector levels? My friend, a change like this could be enough to rescue Michigan!

AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION IS HARD WORK (AND RIGHTLY SO)

But is it possible? It would take an amendment to the state constitution.

The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance is interested in researching whether this tantalizing possibility could become a reality, but we need your help.

Amending the constitution requires loads of research and legwork - and that costs money. For example, in order for the amendment to be air-tight and "tricky-politician proof" it would have to be written by top-notch experts on constitutional law and be researched by qualified labor law attorneys. And detailed economic analysis would have to be done by highly-competent economists. Amending the constitution is difficult (as it should be), and is therefore expensive.

But imagine for a moment that the citizens of Michigan DID collect the 380,000 valid signatures to put this amendment to the state constitution on the 2010 ballot. Every radio talk show host, editorial board and media outlet would suddenly be talking about the (previously hidden) costs of government employee benefits. Citizens would suddenly have a chance to see just how unfair these jackpot benefits are to taxpayers.

"RESCUE MICHIGAN" WOULD BE A GAME-CHANGING EVENT

What if this ballot proposal (let's call it "Rescue Michigan") were adopted by voters in November of 2010? The impacts would include:
• Significantly slashing the tax burden on businesses and families,
• Protecting core services,
• Eliminating deficits, and
• Overnight making Michigan a magnet for investment and new job providers

This "Rescue Michigan" initiative would be a bold, unprecedented and sweeping reform - the game-changer our state desperately needs. Never before has such an amendment to the constitution been considered in any state. But then, no state has ever been in the fix that Michigan finds itself in today.

But every other state, in the midst of their growing economic meltdowns, would know what Michiganders did. Those states' taxpayers would have an example of a new solution for their own state's budget implosion - the "Michigan solution."

Michigan is desperate. And the benefit costs of our public servants (including politicians) have been very quietly skyrocketing for decades. We need to fix this problem if we want to fix Michigan's problems. The "Rescue Michigan" constitutional amendment is a solution that may be the most important reform measure ever adopted in this state.

Again, it won’t be cheap or easy. Collecting the signatures will cost over $1 million, and then there’s the cost of winning a "yes" vote from voters in the election. But from a return-on-investment perspective, such a constitutional amendment would be the deal of the century: nearly six billion dollars returned to taxpayers - every year!

WILL YOU STEP UP FOR THE GOOD OF OUR STATE?

To make the "Rescue Michigan" proposal viable, the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance needs your help. We need citizen-activists and ordinary taxpayers willing to help fund the legal drafting and "ballot testing" that are a critical first hurdles for any serious ballot measure.

Will you help us rescue Michigan?

If you send a donation, I promise you that every dime will go toward drafting, researching and organizing the “Rescue Michigan” solution. Someone, somewhere in Michigan has got to take the lead if we are to have any hope of climbing out of the economic dumpheap we’re in. The MTA can take that lead, but not without resources to make it possible.

We need you to take the lead with us. We need you to contribute to the solution.

Or, we can sit and wait. Maybe the politicians in Lansing will save us? Maybe President Obama will send ever larger stimulus checks every year, trying to prop up our state, local government and school budgets? Maybe our local officials and school boards will suddenly muster the courage to confront the unions and force them to make reasonable concessions?

But you know the truth: It’s in our hands. It’s up to us to stand up and make something happen ourselves.

Don’t wait. Help now.

NO FIGHT WORTH HAVING IS EVER EASY

I know you probably have questions about this proposal. Will it work? Will it hold up in court? Could it be written to prevent end-runs? Will "big money" donors contribute?

The answers depend on how carefully the rescue Michigan amendment is constructed, but yes, it CAN work.

Guarantees? None, besides my personal pledge to, as Mr. Churchill said, give my "blood, sweat, toil and tears" to make it happen. This is a big idea and gaining victory is a major challenge.

I'll be frank, the ways we could come up short are many. After all the research and legwork, it may happen that not enough resources are found to make a ballot drive possible. I don't have all the answers, but I do know that any idea meaningful enough to have a huge impact will also face huge obstacles.

I WOULD KNOW - I'VE AMENDED THE CONSTITUTION BEFORE

I understand these obstacles. Back in 2003, I became Chairman of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative constitutional amendment. MCRI would ban the government from giving preferential treatment to people based on race or ethnicity in government hiring, contracting and college admissions. It took three years of work against enormous odds to collect over 500,000 signatures and qualify the MCRI for the 2006 ballot - but the job got done and voters overwhelmingly approved the amendment.

OUR ECONOMY NEEDS "RESCUE MICHIGAN" IMMEDIATELY. THE MTA CAN LEAD - CAN YOU HELP?

Every important idea has obstacles and risks, but the biggest risk is to do nothing. Our state's economy is NOT going to magically fix itself while burdened with high taxes and exorbitantly expensive government employee benefits.

I understand that there are other ideas to help fix Michigan. Reforming labor laws, adopting the Fair Tax, making the legislature "part-time" and other ideas are all important, but no potential solution to our state's problems would provide a more immediate reduction in government spending and taxes.

I’ll do the necessary groundwork, I just need you to please help with the costs - even a little. Let me get started. I know how to build a team that can get this done, but that team needs to include you.

It's in our hands - your hands. Will you work with me to rescue Michigan?

Please make a contribution in whatever amount you can afford to the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. Rescue Michigan is the best hope we have for a fast and dramatic turnaround. Your contribution funds the best strategy to win a fight that we didn't ask for, but that we MUST win.

Sincerely,

Leon Drolet
Director, MI Taxpayers Alliance
www.mitaxpayers.org

P.S . The MI Taxpayers Alliance is a federally registered 501c4 (an activist organization) — not a 501c3 (a charitable organization). Donations are NOT tax deductible. Corporate checks ARE permissible.

P.S.S. We won’t give up, but we need your support so that Michigan’s government-class, big-government statists know they are in for a fight. Your contribution gives the MTA a real chance to win.


©2009 | Michigan Taxpayers Alliance | 46116 Lookout Drive | Macomb | MI | 48044

Plymouth Health Care Rally

On a very windy Sunday in Plymouth, Michigan people gathered. I apologize for the poor sound and video quality but I thought you should see the angry mob and the truth about those who oppose health care reform.



As you can see they are a well organized mob and their attire indicates their subversiveness. They obviously do not know how to protest properly. No fires. No broken glass. No police in riot gear. What a disgrace. Flags and signs - how unoriginal. What we need are our legislators who know how to drain the last drop of blood from people to show them how to make a real mess.

Just remember. Sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you. Personally I like walk softly and carry a big stick.

Trust Me

I have been watching every one of President Obama's meetings on health care. He has been inconsistent, his analogies have been poor and he has lied or been misinformed on what has been contained in the health care bills.

He comes off charming, friendly and down to earth, most of the time, and at others haughty and superior. The thing that troubles me the most is that he talks as if he knows what he is talking about. There are a number of bills in the House and the Senate. None have been completed and all,to the best of my understanding, have some undesirable qualities. How can you do anything but listen to concerns under those circumstances?



Those in Congress seem to know even less. They do not seem to know what is in the bill they are sponsoring. I'm not sure they have even read them.



The people of this country are right to be angry. We have turned our heads for long enough. Our attention is required to keep our great country. We can not continue to elect people without checking their credentials and values. We need to hold them accountable and demand that they keep their promises. We can not allow those we elect to call us names and denigrate us.

Get involved and, if they refuse to hear us, then we must remove them from office and replace them with someone who will. This is not a partisan problem it is a universal problem. They have awakened the giant now let's give them something to remember.

Unorganized Mob

When I arrived early it was already too late to get in. Congressman Dingell's Town Hall Meeting was packed. Large numbers of union supporters were already seated in a room that holds only 150 people. The rest in attendance I can not account for. The real story is the hundreds outside the building who could not get in.



I have to give Mrs. Dingell credit. She came outside to talk to some of those standing around. So why are people so upset? They are tired of getting form letters which don't address the subject. They are tired of the phone being taken off the hook at the legislative offices. They are really tired of being called names and being described as fronts for other organizations.

As I walked up and down the line talking to people I asked some of them why they came. Most were fed up and were tired of being thought to be stupid. Some heard about it on the radio, some on the television and some from organizations to which they belong. They do not feel misinformed because they feel that even the legislators do not know what is involved.

They can do the math and know from experience that congress and presidents make mistakes and sometimes tell bold face lies to achieve their objectives. The older people know medicare is in trouble. They are upset that their benefits and services may be cut to take care of illegal aliens. They observe the poor quality of health care delivery in one payer systems and have no desire for death counseling every 5 years as a substitution for good medical care.

This discussion is far from over. Citizens are encouraged to fight back with every non-violent measure possible. Socialism does not work, fascism does not work but capitalism does. It has provided us with the best country on earth. Take time to preserve it.

Assaulted On Every Side.

On July 15, President Obama came to Macomb County Community College to again tout one of his expensive initiatives. While he spoke of his plans for our money, outside along 12 mile, protesters gathered to express their dissatisfaction with many of his policies. Opposition to his healthcare policies, Cap and Trade, the bailouts and some wanted to audit the Federal Reserve to find out where our money went.
There was very little coverage and some say Obama didn't even know we were there. That may be true, but the people driving along 12 mile knew we were there. We can't control the media but we had the support of many who drove by.



On the State level the 2010 budget is expected to be $1.7 billion in defecit. Speaker Andy Dillon has come up with changes to public sector healthcare reform which would take care of $900 million but chances of them passing are as good as they are when others presented them before.

Chances of increasing revenue anytime soon are slim and none. The exodus from the state due to bad policy and tax increases does not bode well for those of us who remain here.





On the local level you can expect to see an increase in "truth in taxation hearings" over the next two years. Due to the decline in property values local units of government revenue can decline. They can increase millages to adjust revenue up to the rate of inflation just by holding a hearing. It can not exceed the voted millage. So while you are experiencing job loss,wage cuts and decline, the value of what may be your biggest investment. Elected officials can increase their revenue and overide the Headlee rollback just by getting together at a public meeting and agreeing on it.

It is time for you to stand up and be heard. Make your feelings known to those who are supposed to represent you.

Rational Health Care Reform

by John Connelly

America's doctors and medical institutions are the envy of the world. The level of expertise and the pace of innovation in U.S. health care are unmatched. Yet many Americans worry whether they will have access to medical care when they need it. The present health delivery system does have some serious issues. Many Americans lack health insurance, there are gaps in coverage, and costs are increasing at an alarming rate. Health insurance is usually not portable from job to job, and consumers have very little choice about what their insurance covers. Many of these deficiencies in the present system are the result of government regulation.

President Barack Obama has begun an intensive public relations campaign with the media and the American people, to promote his “public option”. He has asked Congress to draft the legislation, but called for it to encompass three basic principles:
1. The rising costs of health care have to be brought down.
2. Americans have to be able to chose their own doctor and their own plan.
3. All Americans need to have quality, affordable health care.
The President must know that these goals are impossible to achieve in a government run plan.

Unfortunately, most Americans don't pay much attention to the details. With the implied promise of something for nothing, and few alternative solutions offered, Obama has many supporters. Most of them are unaware that every where this has been tried, it has increased the cost of health care and lowered the quality of care. The innovation, high quality and advanced treatment techniques that characterize our current system would be degraded. Rationing of care, especially at the end of life, would become the norm.

To see government health care at work we don’t need to look at Canada, Cuba or Great Britain; fifty nine million Americans already have it. It’s called Medicaid. Medicaid was passed in 1965 to provide health care for poor Americans. Government, both federal and state, pay for it. A recent study cited by Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a physician and health care expert at American Enterprise Institute, showed Medicaid patients to be 50% more likely to die after heart bypass surgery than patients with private coverage or Medicare.

Obama’s proposed plan would be an insurance program designed to compete with private insurance. It would be funded by taxpayers, administered by Washington, and open to everyone. President Obama claims people would not be forced to change their doctors or their coverage. He denies trying to push people into a government-run plan, but employers and state governments with private plans will soon realize it's less expensive to move employees into the government plan than to continue private coverage. Obama Care will soon become the single dominant health plan, which is its political purpose.

The Lewin Group, a health-care policy research and consulting firm, estimates that a public option could result in employers switching up to 120 million Americans from their current coverage to government-sponsored coverage to reduce costs. Thus a public plan, especially if combined with a mandate on employers to offer government coverage or pay a tax, would mean that millions of Americans would be pushed out of the private coverage they have today.
Like Medicare, the Obama Plan will control spending by using its purchasing clout and political leverage to dictate low prices to doctors. Physician income declines will be aggravated by regulations that will make practicing medicine more costly. Doctors will be required to employ expensive electronic prescribing tools and computerized health records, and will be encumbered with rules requiring expensive staffing and documentation to show compliance.

With last fall’s bailouts, the government spent almost $1 trillion. This year’s stimulus package cost even more. Can we now afford the price tag for an “Affordable Health Choices Act”, the name given to the recent Kennedy-Dodd health care bill? Last Monday, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost of the Kennedy-Dodd health care plan at $1 trillion. Supporters of the plan complained that the estimate was based on a preliminary plan that was incomplete. Since that time the cost estimates for the plan have been upped to $1.6 trillion. The government already owns much of the banking industry and two major automakers. Do we now need to give it control of another 17% of the economy?

In a recent Wall Street Journal Opinion (June 8, 2009) the writer offered the following:
“Increasing cost-sharing would discipline the health spending curve and give it a more rational bent. As societies grow richer, it makes sense that people will invest more in their own well-being. Health is a superior good, while the utility of wealth is fairly low if you're dead. The U.S. health cost "crisis" is that we spend so much with no incentive to weigh the costs against the benefits.”

I couldn’t agree more. In 1960, the average American paid more than 60% of his health care out of pocket. Health care spending has since increased sevenfold, but the percentage that consumers pay directly is now less than 12%. It is unrealistic to believe that health care will become less expensive because the government is paying for it. When people aren't exposed to the true cost of their care they consume more care. The real solution to the health care dilemma is to give consumers more control and more responsibility for their health care choices.

Across the State and Across the County

Apparently the news media was to busy eating hot dogs to do justice to the tea parties that were taking place all across Michigan and the United States. That's OK. We know who we are, our numbers and the effect we can have on election outcomes.


I spoke at a Tea Party in Owosso, Michigan. There were about 170 patriots there concerned about the direction of our country. They had a great little country band and people who seemed to know why they were there. We were right along the road and people honked in support as they drove by. The real inspiring aspect of the tea parties is that these people are ready to put their words into action.

A real example of a Wayne County resident moved to action is Nancy Hames who is attempting to recall two members of her city council in Grosse Pointe Woods. She is only recalling two because the others who voted for the increase are up for reelection in November. Her reason is their vote for a property tax increase of 13.5% a full 1.75 mills. Grosse Pointe Woods has some very exclusive property but the owners have not been exempt from the effect of the bad economy. Small business owners, white collar workers and professionals have been hit too.

There is no reason to believe that Grosse Pointe Woods is any different than any other municipality which thinks they are justified in raising taxes instead of cutting spending. We will be meeting with her this week to see how we can help.

If you are interested in helping call me at 313 278-8383 and I will direct you to the proper person.

theblogprof: 32 of 46 States Whose Fiscal Year Begins July 1 Do Not Have A Budget

theblogprof: 32 of 46 States Whose Fiscal Year Begins July 1 Do Not Have A Budget

What A Well Dressed Protester Should Wear

At one of the breakout sessions at the Tea Party Convention last Saturday, a interesting man stood up and said that the Tea Party on April 15, was the first protest he had ever attended. He said he did not even know what to wear but decided on casual clothes. Well that was a pretty good guess.

In reality , the well dressed protester wears what ever he or she pleases. That is what it is all about, liberty, soverinity and getting those we elect to represent us instead of themselves. I think the convention was a success. It was a good second step. The speakers were interesting, the discussions were good and the people were friendly.

The feeling I got was that everyone there was ready to move on to the next step and was not willing to maintain the status quo. Some were preparing for more Tea Partys on July 4th, others were preparing for the march on Washington in the fall and still other are prepared to gather signatures to effect change in our state. What I saw was a large group of determined people.

You can get involved too. Click on the minuteman and sign up. Read how a little effort by a lot of people can make a difference. Let the events in Iran motivate you. Let it remind you how precious our freedoms are. Let it remind you what our forefathers had to endure to acheive their goals. Do not let anyone convince you that any political party,or any person has motivated the new patriot revolution. It is driven instead by the actions of our elected officials and their insesitivity to the people they represent. It is a result of thier lack of regard for the principles set down in our constitutions that they swore to uphold.

Any people who believe in freedom, when pushed, will eventually push back. Technology has made this a much more even fight. We can not let the selfserving ruin our country or our state. We can not let them decieve us into complacentcy. The thugs on the far left or the wacos on the far right should not be allowed to define the rest of us. That sould not be interpreted as the lack of will by the rest of us to do what must be done.

Et Tu Wayne County?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stand Up

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

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

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

D Day Dilema

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dillon the Villan and Boss Hog Handy

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

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

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

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

Short Wait By Future Standards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What A Fix I Am In

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Can't Believe It's The USA

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

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

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

It's People

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

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

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

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

The Simplified Single Business Tax

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

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

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

Fleas Spreading Everywhere

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

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

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

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

Taxpayer Minutemen

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

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

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

Proud To Be An American

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

Why We Need To Expose The Far Left.

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

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

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

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



For Printable Map of Downtown Lansing CLICK HERE:

What Does A Trillon Dollars Look Like?

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


What Does a Trillion Dollars Look Like

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Unbeleivable

Are You Up To A Challenge

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

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

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

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

On My Honor

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

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

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

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

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

Finally Done But Not Finished

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

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

You Are Not Alone

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


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

Still Mad As Hell and Not Going To Take It

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

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

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

Pity the Lady

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

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

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

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

Help Is On The Way.

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

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

WCCC to Taxpayers The Hell With You

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


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


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


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


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



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

How To Appeal Your Property Assessment

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

How To Appeal Your Property Assessment

Workshops

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

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

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

For More Information Call 313-278-8383

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

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

You owe it to yourself to attend.

A Sign of the Times

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


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


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


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