some other viewpoint

CERT

2010-03-10T09:09:00.001-05:00

I just received news that I have been accepted into the CERT Program (Community Emergency Response Team.) Over the course of 8 weeks, I will become certified in CPR, First Aid, and learn to assist law enforcement in the case of disaster. I am SO PUMPED!

Streamlining the election process

2010-02-24T10:14:00.000-05:00

Seems like a good idea to me.

Lawmaker proposes streamlining election calendar detnews.com The Detroit News

Had to share this...

2010-02-24T09:48:00.000-05:00

This pic was given to me by my friend, Kim Chi. She took it when Ernie spent the week with her while I was in NYC. I couldn't believe she had him wearing a hat and sunglasses...too funny!

RLC LiberGraph

2010-02-19T09:03:00.000-05:00

I came across this today and thought it was worth sharing. This is taken from the Republican Liberty Caucus website. You can find it at http://www.republicanliberty.org/libdex/libergraph.htm

Understanding the RLC LiberGraph

Most political analysts use a left-to-right- wing political "spectrum", that fails to account for the wide range of attitudes toward individual liberty.

The LiberGraph is a two-dimensional array based on the amount of personal and economic liberty granted under different government philosophies. The graph puts the extreme right and left "wings" in opposite corners, but opens the "middle" range for a new "spectrum": from Authoritarian to a Libertarian ideology.

The RLC Liberty Index uses the two measures of liberty to accurately place legislator's application of their political philosophy.

The Index is based on a concept pioneered by Libertarian Party Founder David Nolan, refined and promoted by The Advocates as the World's Smallest Political Quiz.

The LiberGraph was revised in 2001 to include the new classification: "Statist" and to modify other classifications.

LiberGraph Classifications
Libertarians advocate the maximum amount of Personal and Economic Liberty, consistent with the defense of individual rights. Fiscally conservative yet socially tolerant, libertarians favor lower taxes, free trade, individual rights and limited government.

To fit within the Libertarian triangle of the LiberGraph, legislators must rank higher than 50% on both Personal and Economic Liberty, with a combined rating above 75%

Enterprisers advocate a moderate amount of Personal and Economic Liberty, with "good" government programs. Enterprises usually support free markets and usually oppose restrictions on individual civil liberties.

The Enterpriser trapezoid requires a rank higher than 50% on both Personal and Economic Liberty, with a combined rating above 62.5%.

Centrists advocate compromise on all issues of Personal and Economic Liberty, prefering to avoid any partisan or principled positions. Centrists tend to support any "middle-of-the-road" position between the "left-right" and "liberty-tyranny" political spectrums.

The Centrist square requires a combined rank between 37.5% and 62.5% on both measures of Personal and Economic Liberty.

Conservatives advocate a large amount of Economic Liberty, but favor a large government role in social issues. Conservatives usually support free markets, private enterprise, strong police powers and cultural norms in social behavior.

The Conservative trapezoid requires a rating above 50% on Economic Liberty, lower than 50% on Personal Liberty, with a compliment rating between 25 and 37.5%.

Liberals advocate a large amount of Personal Liberty, but favor a large government role in economic issues. Liberals usually support government economic regulation, income redistribution, police restraint and civil liberties.

The Liberal trapezoid requires a rating above 50% on Personal Liberty, but lower than 50% on Economic Liberty, with a compliment rating between 62.5 and 75%.

Statists advocate big government solutions to all Personal and Economic issues, short of dictatorship.
Statists tend to support any government program that increases controls over economic transactions or individual liberties.

The Statist trapezoid requires that rankings be below 50% on both measures of Personal and Economic Liberty, with a combined rating above 25%.

"Left-Wingers" advocate the maximum limits on Economic Liberties and the minimum limits on Personal Liberty. Left-Wingers support any government controls on economic markets and oppose all controls on social liberties.

The Left-Winger triangle requires a Personal Liberty rank over 50% and an Economic Liberty rank below 50%, with a compliment rating above 75%.

"Right-Wingers" advocate the maximum limits on Personal Liberties and the minimum limits on Economic Liberty. Right-Wingers support any government controls on social liberties and oppose all controls on economic liberties.
The Right-Winger triangle requires a Personal Liberty rank under 50% and an Economic Liberty rank above 50%, with a compliment rating below 25%.
Authoritarians advocate strong government restraints on both economic and social issues. The opposite of Libertarian principles. Authoritarians favor government ownership of property, restricted markets, strong police forces and social conformity.

The Authoritarian triangle requires a combined rank below 25% on both measures of Personal and Economic Liberty.
Note that all Liberty Index ratings are relative. Ratings for both chambers are balanced to produce an overall "Centrist" 50-50 rating on both axis.

Unending unemployment benefits

2010-02-10T10:36:00.000-05:00

Something I’ve heard has been bothering me. About a week ago, a coworker said that many of her friends had been laid off. Because they had not been in high-earning jobs, their unemployment benefits are roughly equal to their previous income.

In the past, their benefits would have expired, so they would have been forced to return to work. However, because their benefits are continually extended, her friends have no intention of returning to work. It got me thinking, how many people out there are adopting the same mentality? After all, why work when you can receive the same amount of money for not working?

Similarly, three years ago, my sister’s employer, Bright Horizons Daycare, was closed. At the time, unemployment benefits were limited to six months. She shared similar stories; her coworkers did not plan to look for work until their benefits were due to expire.

Obviously, this situation only applies to the lower-middle class. But it has me wondering, is this a widespread mentality or are these examples a case of a few bad apples? Either way, how could the problem be solved without punishing everyone?

Thoughts or opinions? I’m flummoxed.

Snyder's Superbowl Ad

2010-02-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

Rick Snyder ran an ad on Superbowl Sunday asking voters to elect a "nerd." Having met Mr. Snyder, I can confirm that his social awkwardness is very apparent. It's even obvious in the ad. After following his campaign for around two months, I remember when I meeting him and feeling let down. Watching him in the gubernatorial debate I felt the same way. There's so much pizazz to his campaign, yet he's such a dud in person. For a high-profile candidate, it can be the kiss of death. I suppose the Snyder campaign decided to confront the elephant in the room, which could turn out to be a very smart move.

"Washtenaw RALI" - Venturing into the maze of PACs and fundraising

2010-02-02T13:32:00.001-05:00

I recently formed my first Political Action Committee (PAC), called “Washtenaw RALI” – Washtenaw Republicans Advocating for Local Issues. I was surprised how easy it was, the paperwork took less than 10 minutes! I’m still working on the mission statement and platform, but here’s the gist of it:
Promote diversity of thought and opinion in our local government. Encourage citizens seeking positions in local government through financial and moral support. Support ballot initiatives in line with core RALI principles.
Candidates can be from any party but must adhere to the following principles:

Fiscal Responsibility
-Prioritizing “needs” v. “wants”
-Committed to doing more with less
-Transparency
Community First
-Prioritizing communities over conglomerations
-Proactively engages citizens in the government process
-Decision-making guided by individual community’s principles

Policy, not Politics
-Actively engage opposing viewpoints
-Puts policy above party politics
-Not afraid to “buck the system”

Please let me know if you have any suggestions for additions, subtractions, or revisions to any of this. Like I said, it’s a work in progress. At this time, I have filed only in Washtenaw County, meaning that all candidate districts and ballot initiatives must be within the county’s boundaries.

Examples of candidates or issues:
No - WISD Millage
Yes - Kristin Judge (D) County Commissioner

Interested in contributing?

Donate online at http://www.washtenawrali.blogspot.com/

Or

Cash, checks, and money orders can be sent to:

Washtenaw RALI
2213 Dexter Ave.
Ann Arbor MI 48103

I will have a website soon where you can learn more.

Cheers!

Changes Ahead for Workforce Development

2010-02-01T16:05:00.002-05:00

An overview the county's Workforce Development Board and Community Action Board. As you may remember, last year I applied for both and some fishy circumstances surrounded the appointments (and my lack thereof.) Below is a quote from the article.

Another highlight of the year was the opening in November of the Career Transition Center, located in downtown Ypsilanti on the second floor of the KeyBank Building at 301 W. Michigan Ave. Monday’s board meeting was held in a conference room in the basement of that building.
Since opening, thousands of people have walked through the center’s doors, Rusher told board members. She cited a head count of over 6,000 people, but then noted that those numbers include duplicative counts, with some people coming to the center multiple times.

Some of my comments:

The Career Transition Center should have an accurate headcount of those served.
Information should include how many people the center has actually helped in finding new careers.
What types of career transition assistance (courses, etc.) have the greatest success rate?
How does the center's performance compare against other programs?
The article states that many people visiting the center have never been unemployed before. Does this mean we are seeing a shift in unemployment trends?

Changes Ahead for Workforce Development

Comments on evening with the right

2010-02-01T15:03:00.000-05:00

It was interesting, to say the least. Props to Jennifer Helmer, who is a networkering guru. Her social skills always amaze me; she manages to be the "bestie" of nearly everyone in the room. And her daughter is ridiculously cute. Ok, enough social commentary.

Several times throughout the event, a presentation was given on Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts. Personally, I think the greatest thing the GOP can learn from Brown's win is: it is essential to become a Big Tent party again. And it is essential to run candidates that represent the electorate. I think these concepts are critical to the GOP's viability in Washtenaw County.

Right now, it is safe to say that the GOP is on life-support in this county. As we know, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are Democratic strongholds, but I don't believe this explains the complete lack of Republican representation in these areas. I don't have any grand delusions that there will be a GOP majority in either area, but I do believe that we can see some GOP representation.

In order for this to happen, I believe that two things need to happen: 1) Candidates must be representative of the electorate (ie moderate.) 2) The county party must re-focus on local issues and push state and national issues to the back-burner.

More thoughts on #2 at a later date.

Washtenaw GOP Rally this weekend

2010-01-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, I will be attending the Washtenaw County Republican Party's Midwinter Rally. This will be my first county GOP event, so I'm hoping to get a better feel for the county party's direction, goals, etc.

If you're planning on attending, let me know and I'll be sure to introduce myself.

Ironworkers union to move training program to Ann Arbor

2010-01-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

Hmmmm...perhaps a course fixing the Stadium Bridge could be added to the program?

annarbor.com - The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworks is moving its Annual Ironworker Instruction Training Program to Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor this summer. The event will take place July 13-23 and is expected to bring 700 people to the area.

Medical marijuana biz leads to 30 new jobs in Ypsilanti

2010-01-22T15:57:00.000-05:00

Medical marijuana biz leads to 30 new jobs in Ypsilanti

Hard to believe that this isn't in Ann Arbor...

Our county's heir apparent

2010-01-22T12:11:00.001-05:00

Last night the Board of Commissioners interviewed the only internal candidate to apply for the County Administrator position (to be vacated in May by Bob Guenzel.) After conducting the single interview, it appears that Verna McDaniel will become our new County Administrator.

Rolland Sizemore Jr., chairman of the Board, according to annarbor.com, said "She knows the players - that's the main thing, because we've got a lot of work ahead of us and there's going to be some turnover in the board. We don't need to have somebody come in that doesn't know who the players are."

Does anyone else question Comm. Sizemore’s line of thinking? His comments certainly wave a red caution flag in my mind. His comments reek of cronyism…I want someone to play ball, no shake-ups or new ideas needed here!

Furthermore, it flies in the face of the most important aspect of the position. The position requires a leader, someone to guide county officials in their decision making. Leaders do not “play ball.” Leaders coach the team.

This is not about whether Ms. McDaniel is the best candidate for the position. As a matter of fact, this is something that we will never know, as she was the only internal applicant and the position was not posted externally.

Ms. McDaniel currently serves as the Deputy Administrator, appointed to the position by 2007 by Mr. Guenzel. It is expected that she would be the top candidate for the position. However, it is not to be expected that she should not have to compete against external candidates.

By closing the process to external applicants, the BoC is closing the doors to new ideas and fresh outlooks. In times of great challenge, this is opposite the tack that should have been taken. It is clear that Comm. Sizemore and the Board are not interested in even questioning status quo. Their complacency does not impress me.

This fall, I will be voting against “status quo.” How about you?

A2's Greenbelt Program

2010-01-18T13:19:00.000-05:00

Ryan Stanton of AnnArbor.com has written an article detailing the progress of Ann Arbor's Greenbelt Program. Low land prices have allowed for more aquisitions in 2009, increasing the total land within the program by 66% in one year. A total of 1782 acres is now protected.

The purpose of the program is to prevent urban sprawl around the city of Ann Arbor by purchasing patches of undeveloped land to prevent future development.

The comment from Webster Township resident Spencer Ford resonated with me most.

"It's been a great program," Ford said. "It's really great for Webster Township, and I love what it's doing for Ann Arbor, too. It would have been a shame to have turned into another Canton and have solid development all the way around the city."

I can honestly say that cities like Canton creep me out. They represent everything wrong with suburbia, from the big box stores, to the chain restaurants, and the subdivisions where everyone's house looks the same. There's no character, no charm, no individuality. That may work for some people, but I'm not one of them.

However, there was something in Grand New Party which, I think, addresses how these types of initiatives are detrimental to communities, especially the working poor. I'll be sure to update this post when I'm home and can refresh my memory.

Initial thoughts on Grand New Party

2010-01-16T10:22:00.000-05:00

So I'm over half way through Grand New Party: How Republicans can win the working class and save the American dream, and I must admit that it is a fascinating read. I'm typically a very fast reader, but the first half of the book is devoted to a history of working class policies since the Great Depression. While it is quite dry reading, historical context is critical to establishing legitimacy to new ideas.

As I am wading my way through Douthat and Salam's blueprint for the future of the Republican party and the working class, I am finding that many of their thoughts and observations can be applied to the current political climate of Washtenaw County, especially Ann Arbor. When I finish the book I plan on writing a post about this, as their arguments frame issues (especially issues facing the working class) in ways that I have never considered before.

On vacation...sorta

2010-01-13T18:50:00.001-05:00

If you have a lot of flexibility at work, I highly recommend signing up for Spirit Airlines weekly email specials. I was able to get roundtrip tickets to Orlando for $56, taxes and fees included. Usually, these discount airfares are advertised between 2-3 weeks in advance, so you need to be able to leave on relatively short notice.

Luckily, the weather in Florida has warmed for my arrival, a balmy 68 degrees when I landed. I'll be here until Saturday enjoying the warm weather and catching up on my reading, including Grand New Party by Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam and The Revolution: A Manifesto by Ron Paul.

I'm a couple of chapters in Grand New Party, and I am finding their vision for redefining the Republican Party very thought-provoking. When I finish, I'll be sure to include a short synopsis and my thoughts overall.

Ann Arbor praised by Mackinac Center for lowering healthcare costs

2010-01-11T09:14:00.000-05:00

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has named Ann Arbor Public Schools as a leader in the state in reducing healthcare costs. This is great news for the school district, which is facing increased budget stress and criticism from local organizations such as Citzens for Responsible School Spending.

Feeling shy?

2010-01-10T00:55:00.000-05:00

You're not the only one. Want to meet me and discuss politics? Just email me! Propose a public place and I would be happy to meet you. I'll be out of town for most of next week, but aren't we all busy?!? Let's get together...

Mackinac Center releases school district healthcare plan info

2010-01-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has created a searchable database of Michigan school districts' healthcare plans. You can check it out here. With the current battles going on around the state regarding school funding, making this information available to the public will definitely stir the pot. It will be interesting to read what others derive from this information; those with more knowledge of healthcare costs, plans, etc.

Lt. Gov. Cherry won't run for governor | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2010-01-05T12:37:00.000-05:00

Lt. Gov. Cherry won't run for governor detnews.com The Detroit News

State Legislators Missed Votes Record

2010-01-04T16:34:00.000-05:00

http://www.michiganvotes.org/MissedVotes.aspx

Check it out.

Campaign finance reform- Beta phase

2009-12-23T16:43:00.000-05:00

While discussing the topic of term limits with some colleagues, I discovered that much of the support for term limits arises from issues which could be addressed by campaign finance reform. It got me thinking about campaign finance reform, especially at the local and state level. For example:

-Can individual states regulate campaign financing on the national level? More specifically, could campaigns for Congress be regulated at the state level?
-There isn't an incentive for campaign finance reform by current politicians, so meaningful reform would most likely come from citizen ballot initiatives. What would it take to make this happen?
-Can we end self-funded campaigns? How?
-What kind of changes does there need to be?
-What role should individuals, political parties, PACs, companies, organizations, etc. play in the funding of campaigns?
-And so on...

Naturally, I began some research into the topic. I need to do some more, but I'm starting to believe that campaign finance reform could be achieved through a citizen initiative.

Do you know more information that you would like to share about this?
Do you want to join me in my research?
Email me or post a comment.

Compromise or buying votes?

2009-12-23T10:04:00.000-05:00

"I don't know if there's a senator that doesn't have something in this bill that was important to them," he said. "And if they don't have something in it important to them, then it's — doesn't speak well of them. That's what this legislation's all about: It's the art of compromise."

Senator Harry Reid

As far as I'm concerned, compromise would have been finding a way to get even one Republican on-board with the legislation. Instead, this bill rewarded Democrats for toeing the party line. I've listed some of the deals that were struck below the jump. Personally, I feel that Reid's comments are a slap in the face to taxpayers. I wonder, how much we could reduce the national deficit if every piece of pork was line-item vetoed from Congressional bills?

-- Vermont and Massachusetts got $1.2 billion in Medicaid money -- a change that was described as a correction to the current system which exempts those two states because they have robust health care systems. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said that he requested and won an investment worth between $10 and $14 billion for community health centers.

-- Western states secured higher federal reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals that serve Medicare patients. The provision covers the low-population "frontier" states and applies to Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Legislative language defines frontier states as states where at least 50 percent of the counties have fewer than six people per square mile.
-- Florida, New York and Pennsylvania will have their seniors' Medicare Advantage benefits protected, even as the program sees massive cuts elsewhere.
-- Connecticut is receiving $100 million for a health care facility affiliated with an academic health center at a university.

-- Nebraska's Nelson won permanent federal aid for his state's expanded Medicaid population, a benefit worth up to $100 million over 10 years. Other states get the federal aid for three years. His state also got an exemption for nonprofit insurance companies from a health insurance company tax.

Chilly returned safely!

2009-12-23T09:24:00.000-05:00

Chilly, the deaf American Bulldog puppy that was stolen from the Huron Valley Humane Society, has been returned safely to resume her medications and be prepared for adoption. A tipster called in the location of the puppy after hearing the story through local news broadcasts. The tipster declined the reward of $600, saying the money should be used for the animals. Information on the case has been forwarded to Washtenaw County Prosecuters to determine if charges will be filed. I hope the person(s) responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A pic of Chilly is below the jump.

Michigan wants land banks to spur redevelopment | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2009-12-21T15:28:00.000-05:00

Michigan wants land banks to spur redevelopment detnews.com The Detroit News