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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

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 [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

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.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

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.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

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.

Republicans shoot themselves in foot over GM

By Ed Brayton | 06.10.09 | 12:30 am

After a terrible November election that saw President Obama cruise to a win and the loss of two seats in Congress to the Democrats, you would think that Republicans would be looking for ways to coax Michigan voters back to their side. If they manage to do so, they’re going to have to overcome the actions of prominent conservative leaders who are now calling for a boycott of GM. The Detroit News reports:

A pair of right-wing radio hosts says there’s only one choice for conservatives angry about government involvement in the auto industry: Boycott GM.

“Nobody wants to support an Obama company,” Rush Limbaugh told his audience Friday, citing a poll showing that 17 percent of Americans backed a boycott of GM.

“Every dollar spent with GM is a dollar spent against free enterprise,” conservative talker Hugh Hewitt wrote online last week.

This is the kind of thing that helps put a wide smile on the face of Michigan Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer. The last thing Michigan Republicans can afford to do is send a message to the working people of Michigan, a sizable portion of whom rely on the auto industry, that they want Americans not to buy cars from GM and Chrysler because the government now holds an equity stake in those companies as collateral for billions of dollars in loans that are keeping both companies – and the jobs of so many Michigan workers – alive.

Just ask Rep. Thad McCotter, who completely abandoned his claim that the bank bailout was an evil socialist plot when it came to the auto industry bailout. He has to face reelection in a district filled with auto workers and he knows quite well that there’s no way he’s going to win in 2010 if he is seen as being against doing what it takes to help GM and Chrysler survive.

When I appeared on Tim Skubick’s Off the Record show in April, the four panelists were asked to rate the health of the Michigan GOP on a scale of one to ten. Nick DeLeeuw of Right Michigan rated them “6 and rising.” Akindele Akinyemi rated them “5 and rising.” JulieLyn Gibbons rated them “3 and not moving.”

I said that it really depended on what happened in the 2010 elections. If the GOP captures the governor’s seat in 2010, the party is poised for a big comeback. But Michigan Republicans had better get out there and vigorously speak out against this boycott call or they’re going to end up talking themselves into permanent minority status in this state.

Comments

  • Trajan8

    I think a fair counter-balance analogy to this would be:

    If two years ago, an environmentalist group on the liberal side called for a boycott of Hummer (when it was still an American brand), how would the Michigan Democrats respond. I am a Democrat, and I guess my answer would be that I would not support the boycott, but I could sympathize with the group's intention.

    If the Michigan Republicans take that stance in this case, I even think that would be very dangerous on their part. The reason being: the environmentalist boycott would have the goal of changing the company to public pressure, this boycott has no desired change. For a boycott to be legit, it has to have a reason that the company can respond to. There is nothing that GM or Chrysler can do at this point to appease the boycotters. The boycotters want nothing other than for these two companies to go out of business, and all of their employees to lose their jobs. And because of that, I would say it is impossible for Michigan Republicans to support this boycott. They wouldn't even backing a cause if they did.

  • jpd123

    I own a Cadillac STS. It is the best car I've ever owned. Unfortunatley, I cannot get into the car now without thinking about all of the billions of our taxpayer money that has been spent to prop up GM and Chrysler. And how the real shareholders of these companies have had their rights illegally taken away. And how this has been nothing but a massive payback by Obama to the Labor Unions. I'm sorry, but enough of my money has poured in to these companies. Ask me if I'll support GM and Chrysler? I'll say I already have through the unwilling confiscation of my tax money. That's all I'll put in to these two companies. I have nothing against the UAW, but the UAW leadership has become nothing but a political action wing for the democratic party. The rank and file are good people trying to make an honest living. I will buy a Ford or Lincoln until such time as they take gov't bailouts. Now is the time for Lincoln to come out with some real luxury cars with muscle to compete wiht the Cadillacs. You will have a whole army of us former Cadillac loyalists. But GM and Chrysler, have a nice day and I wish you well. Bye!

    • viscount

      Government subsidies have long supported many industries in this country (farming, healthcare, education, churches, etc…) and it's only 50 Billion dollars. I know that sounds like a lot, but let me put it into context for you: the GDP of the US is roughly 14 Trillion dollars, so we are talking about less than 1/2 of a percent here…the US generates $50B every day, so you shouldn't let that keep you from enjoying your shiny STS. The real question now is “Do you mind working an extra day this year so that some GM employees might be able to keep their jobs?” Personally, I'm fine with that; but I understand where some may disagree. This brings me to your next point about the “unwilling confiscation of my tax money”. Unless you make over $250,000 per year, then you received a tax cut in April from Obama…and if you make over $250K then you have enjoyed a tax cut for the last eight years from Bush, and will continue to do so until 2011 which I think is more than fair to everyone involved. Organizations co-opting political parties (and vice versa) is nothing new either. The GOP has long been in bed with churches, corporations, and FOX news; and the DNC has been longtime friends with the Unions. Now the last issue where you suggested bumping up production on luxury and muscle cars. Where have you been for the past 30 years!?!? Global climate change is real…period. I'm not anti-speed or anti-fast, but I am anti-oil. So let's all just relax and be smart about it and use a sustainable energy source to make new luxury and muscle cars with zero emissions (like the Tesla) but also use that same technology to make affordable cars too (because fast luxury cars have always been kinda pricey). Lastly, this “whole army of…loyalists” is an example of exactly what the UAW is doing, so you're not really against community organizing, are you? Ford's CEO had the balls to take out a big fat loan just before the banking failures of the Bush Administration. It explains why they don't need a bailout yet, but it doesn't mean they make better (or worse) cars than any other company. If you truly disagree with Congress' decision to bail out GM, so be it. But don't boycott GM just because you're mad that you didn't get your way…that's a Limbaugh tactic and it's not very becoming. Bling is passe, the new color is green.

  • Trajan8

    JPD, here's a question for you. How would you feel about someone who is against optional wars. And because of that, they are hoping & praying for every one of our soldiers in Iraq to die in order to make us give up and prove President Bush's strategy wrong. Their tax dollars are going towards a war they don't agree with, so they want us to fail.

    I assume you would view them as so despicable that they should be shunned by the community. It is so anti-American, that they should be viewed as committing treason.

    To hope that we fail, simply because things aren't going your way, is shameful on so many regards. I think you should really take a long look in the mirror and realize the strategy you have taken, simply because you don't like our current President.

  • Irish_Wake

    This talk radio inspired GM boycott is the latest incarnation of the divide and conquer mindset. These tactics are demonstrably effective, but my country is in the midst of a deep recession; I continue to see a once-great party advertise its lack of ideas and will. Democrats will continue to be successful as long as Republicans continue to use their strategy of replacing ideas with ideology. Ayn Rand not only warned us of socialism, but its best ally: politico-legal maneuvering of those whose only agenda was power. Both parties are culpable, but the GOP is squandering an opportunity to present a plan.

  • mamas4obama

    REPUBLICANS ARE A JOKE.

    REPUBLICANS are for the MILLIONAIRES, MULTI-MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES. DEMOCRATS and OBAMA are for the PEOPLE OF AMERICA. The REPUBLICANS prey on un-educated Americans who DO NOT CHECK FACTS. Like the ridiculous TEA BAGGERS. They were against $$$$$$$$ that PRES. OBAMA was putting back in their hands. HOW STUPID IS THAT!!!!!!!

    ED SCHULTZ thank you for standing up for the MIDDLE-CLASS and POOR AMERICANS. My Husband and I WILL PURCHASE A GM or CHRYSLER THIS YEAR.

    The OBAMA ADMINISTRATION is doing all they can NOT to LIQUIDATE GM and CHRYSLER. MITT ROMNEY called for LIQUIDATION of GM AND CHRYLSER. By the way we're not stupid. We know MITT ROMNEY sold some of his houses so he can run for President in 2012.

    I'V HAD IT WITH THE REPUBLICANS, BUSH, CHENEY, LIMBAUGH, GINGRICH, PALIN and the REST.

  • http://www.carpartswholesale.com/brand/mr_gasket/mr_gasket_engine_mount_cap.html Engine Mount Cap

    I think Obama has the right thing in mind. GM should be saved from the downfall of automotive industry. Therefore the government officials under Obama should help him with this campaign. GM and some other car manufacturers such as Jeep and Ford are making their own moves just to create cheaper parts for building their cars. So therefore the Government should also have its share on solving such problems.

  • innova

    I think Obama has the right thing in mind. GM should be saved from the downfall of automotive industry. Therefore the government officials under Obama should help him with this campaign. GM and some other car manufacturers such as Jeep and Ford are making their own moves just to create cheaper parts for building their cars. So therefore the Government should also have its share on solving such problems.

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