Sen. Shelby is the epitome of working at cross purposes, having a vested interest, conflict of interest or anything else you may want to call it.
A guy who has new auto plants, non-unionized, etc. and from a state that has been tied with Mississippi and others for the bottom of the list of all things important for years is sounding a bit greedy, don't you think?
At first I thought he was actually concerned with sending good money after bad but the more vitriolic he gets the more it looks like he is trying to kill the Michigan sources in favor of those who have come to the table later than most.
Hmmm...is this another of those comspiracies I've been seeing behind all those trees?
Went to the 7th District Republican meeting last evening in Battle Creek where there was some crying over spilled milk but for the most part a genuine desire to get back on the horse and charge ahead. Especially here, where we have to replace Mr. Schauer who did not garner 50% of the vote, but yes, there was a spoiler. From this vantage point it looks like Repr. Mike Nofs from Calhoun County is the best guy to accomplish that feat. Go for it, Mike!
See ya...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Ford Question Answered, I guess
Can't figure out why Ford even accompanied the other two if they are now saying they don't need any help and that they have had a plan in place for quite some time. Wich reminds me, I promise I will put up a video next week showing a Ford plant in Brazil that boggles the mind as to robotics, modernization, suppliers under the same roof, etc., etc. Of course the message is that it could never happen here because the unions wouldn't allow it. Some things ever change.
Only one response?
See ya tomorrow...
Only one response?
See ya tomorrow...
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Union Bosses, Politicians and Kingmakers
Just heard Ron Gettelfinger expounding that GM and Chrysler are in real danger of failing but didn't mention Ford. What is he trying to do? Or is this just another example of the psychology of self-fulfilling prophecies?
We've watched the drama of the hearings and grilling of the auto makers leadership knowing full well that the Dems won't let them fail. That is one campaign promise they will keep--the open ballot so anyone who would rather operate without a union is fearful to voting in opposition to the union control.
Undoubtedly they will give them enough to carry them through until January 21 when the new administration can move without opposition. Which reminds me, heard that the bars in DC will be open longer hours during inauguration week. Isn't that just asking for trouble?
It's still cold here-hope you are toasty and cozy...
We've watched the drama of the hearings and grilling of the auto makers leadership knowing full well that the Dems won't let them fail. That is one campaign promise they will keep--the open ballot so anyone who would rather operate without a union is fearful to voting in opposition to the union control.
Undoubtedly they will give them enough to carry them through until January 21 when the new administration can move without opposition. Which reminds me, heard that the bars in DC will be open longer hours during inauguration week. Isn't that just asking for trouble?
It's still cold here-hope you are toasty and cozy...
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Michigan State Politics
Friday evening the State Party met with the County and District Chairs of Michigan looking over the past and planning strategy for the future. There is much to share with our readers as soon as it becomes public knowledge. Don't look for rumors or letting cats out of bags on this site.
This morning the State Committee met and heard a pretty complete breakdown plus the highlights (and some low points) of the last couple of election cycles from our State Party Chair, Saul Anuzis, who has thrown his hat in the ring for Chair of the Republican National Committee. We wish him well. He is not a one-note Charlie being extremely knowledgeable about the cyberspace thing plus coming from an immigrant family whose roots were in the unions. So he can see the picture from both sides and can empathize with different points of view having lived them in some measure. Many people, through no fault of their own, do not have that advantage. The approaches need to fit the demographic voting blocs which is a fine science in itself.
Our Committees and officers have worked tirelessly and should be applauded for their efforts. Even though we came out losers at the top, we are building a strong foundation and the future looks much better. And even better if our audience is motivated to join us at the grassroots.
Today at the conclusion of my remarks I likened our efforts to the time, talent and treasure contributed by us as stewardship in our religious lives. Don't let anyone fool you, this is a three-legged stool and we just can't expect to do the job if we're missing one of the legs.
See ya tomorrow..........
ps-Brrr - the calendar says it's still fall, but it sure feels like winter!
This morning the State Committee met and heard a pretty complete breakdown plus the highlights (and some low points) of the last couple of election cycles from our State Party Chair, Saul Anuzis, who has thrown his hat in the ring for Chair of the Republican National Committee. We wish him well. He is not a one-note Charlie being extremely knowledgeable about the cyberspace thing plus coming from an immigrant family whose roots were in the unions. So he can see the picture from both sides and can empathize with different points of view having lived them in some measure. Many people, through no fault of their own, do not have that advantage. The approaches need to fit the demographic voting blocs which is a fine science in itself.
Our Committees and officers have worked tirelessly and should be applauded for their efforts. Even though we came out losers at the top, we are building a strong foundation and the future looks much better. And even better if our audience is motivated to join us at the grassroots.
Today at the conclusion of my remarks I likened our efforts to the time, talent and treasure contributed by us as stewardship in our religious lives. Don't let anyone fool you, this is a three-legged stool and we just can't expect to do the job if we're missing one of the legs.
See ya tomorrow..........
ps-Brrr - the calendar says it's still fall, but it sure feels like winter!
Friday, December 5, 2008
What is Important in Your Life?
I've been away for a couple of days because even though I don't believe multi-tasking is a modern phenomenon not as much seemed as important as the fact that we had a very serious fire in our church building on Wednesday which was followed by the usual flurry of logistical discussions and phone calls, interspersed with every day chores and some attention being paid to Christmas. (Not to mention taking time out to shampoo carpeting in two rooms because the dog had "something" on his feet.)
Suffice to say that although there will be inconveniences during the next few months it was our church "building" that suffered damage and not the "church" who will gather in several different places to join hands in worship. No personal injury involved and not a complete loss. So praise God.
At this point in time (a cliche if I've every heard one) I need to make a request. Granted we started this blog during the campaign cycle and we are nothing if not political, but it is my opinion that if we don't keep it going, it will lose the three or four people who check it out daily and no one will have a reason to look for us in a year or two. Given the types of information we have put out during the last month, is this enough to hold your interest? Or, where would you like us to go? Thanks for taking your time.
Have a good weekend and we'll try to be back tomorrow.
God bless-
Suffice to say that although there will be inconveniences during the next few months it was our church "building" that suffered damage and not the "church" who will gather in several different places to join hands in worship. No personal injury involved and not a complete loss. So praise God.
At this point in time (a cliche if I've every heard one) I need to make a request. Granted we started this blog during the campaign cycle and we are nothing if not political, but it is my opinion that if we don't keep it going, it will lose the three or four people who check it out daily and no one will have a reason to look for us in a year or two. Given the types of information we have put out during the last month, is this enough to hold your interest? Or, where would you like us to go? Thanks for taking your time.
Have a good weekend and we'll try to be back tomorrow.
God bless-
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Rewarding Incompetence?
The CEO of AFLAC has it right! No pay for doing a bad job. (When hiring in to avoid injustice, maybe, but not after the period of time required to accomplish what any employee is being paid to do.) Did anyone else just hate that quacking duck the first few times we saw him? Now, he has become an American icon and AFLAC has greater assets than Prudential, Lincoln Life and a third I can't remember, all put together.
Golden parachutes have different levels. I abhor rewarding incompetence right down to changing lawn services. And guess what--the firm we had dealt with for 6 years and showing no improvement kept bugging us to take them back and give them another chance. Why would we when the new guy had it looking great in a year and a half?
Now, since retirement, the man of the house has no trouble keeping it looking good around here.
On a personal level I'd bet that everyone out there reading this has at least one example.
See ya
Golden parachutes have different levels. I abhor rewarding incompetence right down to changing lawn services. And guess what--the firm we had dealt with for 6 years and showing no improvement kept bugging us to take them back and give them another chance. Why would we when the new guy had it looking great in a year and a half?
Now, since retirement, the man of the house has no trouble keeping it looking good around here.
On a personal level I'd bet that everyone out there reading this has at least one example.
See ya
Monday, December 1, 2008
Cheating, Economy, Schadenfreude
We can go into the Cultures of Life and Death down the road, but today under the heading of Culture of Death meaning the culture encompassing the death of honesty and integrity as demonstrated by the fact that 64% of kids admit to cheating on tests in high school and over 93% think they are better than most of their peers is the scandal of the day.
When thinking about the economy it occurs to me that perhaps one of the reasons why stimulus packages or tax rebates aren't working quite as well as expected may have something to do with the fact that a few years back we moved from a product to a service economy. If we all have most of our needs and a good percentage of our wants already, all we can really do is upgrade and that makes a lot of used goods available. Also, even the most greedy of us stop someplace. How many cars can we buy? How many houses? How many appliances? How much jewelry or luxury items. Clothing? Food? Books? Electronics? But on the service sector do we need an extra visit to the doctor? An extra will? Take another credit hour if already carrying a full load? Go through the car wash? Have extra gardening? Go out to dinner more than once a day or week depending on your starting point.......I think you see where this is going. Buying stocks or bonds isn't spending, it's saving, right? (I don't have the answer, just the question and maybe the beginning of a discussion.)
Perhaps we can do a bit of our own stimulus by helping a charity do what they do best.
And last, my very favorite foreign word without exception. This always conjures up a certain amount of guilt by its very definition, but it feels good for a minute, or two or three. The definition: to take pleasure at someone else's misfortune. Today's reason for that feeling is Rosie O'Donnell whose TV special last Wednesday evening was a total bomb. That German word just fills a special niche, don't you think?
God bless--
When thinking about the economy it occurs to me that perhaps one of the reasons why stimulus packages or tax rebates aren't working quite as well as expected may have something to do with the fact that a few years back we moved from a product to a service economy. If we all have most of our needs and a good percentage of our wants already, all we can really do is upgrade and that makes a lot of used goods available. Also, even the most greedy of us stop someplace. How many cars can we buy? How many houses? How many appliances? How much jewelry or luxury items. Clothing? Food? Books? Electronics? But on the service sector do we need an extra visit to the doctor? An extra will? Take another credit hour if already carrying a full load? Go through the car wash? Have extra gardening? Go out to dinner more than once a day or week depending on your starting point.......I think you see where this is going. Buying stocks or bonds isn't spending, it's saving, right? (I don't have the answer, just the question and maybe the beginning of a discussion.)
Perhaps we can do a bit of our own stimulus by helping a charity do what they do best.
And last, my very favorite foreign word without exception. This always conjures up a certain amount of guilt by its very definition, but it feels good for a minute, or two or three. The definition: to take pleasure at someone else's misfortune. Today's reason for that feeling is Rosie O'Donnell whose TV special last Wednesday evening was a total bomb. That German word just fills a special niche, don't you think?
God bless--
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