I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Instant icon: Joe "the plumber" Wurzelbacher made headlines last fall when Republican presidential nominee John McCain brought him to light during a debate with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. He spoke in Lansing Wednesday as part of the national Tea Bag Protest to protest taxes in the country
LANSING — Thousands of people descended on the state Capitol earlier today as part of a national movement of “tea parties” to protest high taxes and what they argue is an encroachment of socialism into American government and society.
Addressing the rally was Samuel Joesph Wurzelbacher, commonly known as “Joe the Plumber,” who became a household name during the 2008 presidential race when Republican presidential candidate John McCain referred to the Ohio resident as “Joe the Plumber,” and used him as a walking metaphor for the American middle class.
“I’m here for one reason and one reason only: It’s I love America,” Wurzelbacher told the crowd. “Mainstream media wants to paint us as a bunch of extremists, right? We’re in search of liberty and our freedoms. What’s so extreme about that?”
“I’m just regurgitating,” Wurzelbacher said. “I believe in common sense.”
Wurzelbacher went on to lambaste what he said was a rising tide of “socialism” across the country and laid the blame on the U.S. government.
“Let me give you another extremist view, ‘In God We Trust,’” he said to wild applause. “Say that too loud in some parts of America and you will be shot. It’s terrible.”
Hoisting signs with slogans like “Hitler gave good speeches too,” “I am only 4 and I am in debt,” and “Revolution or death,” the crowd filled the lawn of the Capitol and listened to other speakers like Scott Hagerstrom of Americans for Prosperity of Michigan; Leon Drolet of the Michigan Taxpayers’ Alliance; and Wendy Day of the Howell school board.
“Take out your cell phones, we’re going to make a call,” Drolet told the crowd. “I’m going to give you a phone number, then we are all going to hit send at the same time.”
Drolet had the crowd call the congressional switchboard, which he said would be flooded by the calls. Then he had the crowd chant: “Are you crazy? Wasting Money? People are suffering? Cut your spending!” Hundreds of cell phones were in the air.
“Let this be just the beginning of a movement. Today they heard us, but we need them to feel us,” Drolet said. “And they feel us when you make a difference in the field of the political arena. When some of the politicians lose their jobs. A recession is when your neighbor losses their job. A depression is when you lose your job and a recovery is when a politician loses their job.”
Former State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R-Texas Corners) listens intently to speakers on the steps of the Capitol.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton listens contemplatively to speakers while standing on the steps of the state Capitol.
Crowd participants dial the congressional switchboard to send a message to Congress about taxes.
A selection of signs from the rally:
"Let your gun be your constant companion"
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