('content:4776:4776','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:12925:\"<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">NEW POLL OVERVIEW:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Governor John Kasich of Ohio is poised to change the Ohio energy mandate.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">One of the provisions of the legislation is to nullify the&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">in-state renewable energy mandate</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;that outlaws it from being able to buy renewable energy from surrounding states.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Renewable energy in Ohio primarily refers to electricity produced by wind turbines. Ending the in-state mandate would allow the state\'s utilities to purchase cheaper wind-produced energy from states that produce more wind at a lower per kilowatt hour cost. .</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The legislation would also cap the state\'s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards for two years.&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">The freezing of Ohio</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">s renewable energy mandates sets an important precedent for Michigan legislators and Gov. Rick Snyder,</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;said Kevon Martis, director of the Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition, a non-profit organization that is concerned about the construction of wind turbines in the region. &quot;Even in the windiest states, wind typically arrives at times of lowest demand for electricity which sharply diminishes its value. The Brookings Institution\'s latest study demonstrates with certainty that wind and solar are among the most expensive and least effective means of reducing power plant emissions, bar none.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&quot;But in states like Ohio and Michigan, wind energy\'s pronounced failings are amplified by an anemic wind resource,&quot; Martis continued.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">NEW POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Should Michigan freeze its renewable energy rate at 10% and be allowed to purchase out-of-state renewable energy like Ohio?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Yes</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">No</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Undecided</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-michigan-freeze-its-renewable-energy-rate-10-and-be-allowed-purchase-out-state-renewa\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-michigan-freeze-its-renewable-energy-rate-10-and-be-allowed-purchase-out-state-renewa</a></span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">(To enter your comments click on&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;after you vote.)</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Should Michigan go to a&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Pay per miles driven</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: large; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 27px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;fee instead of a fuel tax to pay for roads and road repairs?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Yes - 22%&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">No - 72%&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Undecided - 7%&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">FOUR COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COMMENT #1</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Taxes Based on Miles Driven? Hell No!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Wake up, people. For government to charge us for number of miles driven means they get to monitor how many miles we have driven and also based on this proposal they get to monitor what kinds of roads we drove on, time of day, etc. And what will they put in our cars to allow them access to this information? And the Michigan Environmental Council says that the &quot;greatest hurdle&quot; for this proposal is &quot;privacy concerns&quot; and they think they can be &quot;overcome&quot;. Let\'s see, we have phones and computers and cars with GPS systems, smart meters where they can know if you\'re home/what equipment is operating in your home/and can turn your utility off, NSA, 0bamacare, Common Core etc and now Michigan Road Taxes Based on Where we Drove and How Much? When do we get a number on our forehead and a chip under our skin? **S**T**O**P**</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">--------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COMMENT: &nbsp;#2&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">AGENDA21 / TAX BY THE MILE / A RADICAL PLATFORM</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">IN THE1990S THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ENDORSED &quot;AGENDA 21&quot;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">WHAT IS AGENDA 21 ?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">FOLKS NEED TO GET UP TO SPEED !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">LAST YEAR WE WORKED WITH HUNDREDS OF COUNTY SHERIFFS WHO WERE BRIEFED BY DR. MICHAEL COFFMAN ON AGENDA 21; THESE SHERIFFS WERE STUNNED. BY THE DETAILS ; WHICH INCLUDES &quot;:TAXATION OF YOUR VEHICLE BY THE MILE&quot; A WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN STUDYING THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND UNELECTD BUREAUCRATS WANT TO FORWARD THIS INITIATIVE HERE IN MICHIGAN !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS [NGOs] ARE WAITING FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BECOME SEDUCED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WILL BUY INTO THIS INITIATIVE!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">MICHIGANS TRANSPORTAION INFRUSTRUCTURE ACT PA 51 ALREADY HAS SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO &quot;FIX THE ROADS&quot;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES HAS SUPPLANTED ROAD REPAIR $$$$ WHICH &quot;WAS BY STATE LAW &quot; DEDICATED FOR ROADS !!!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS AND HAVE THEM GIVE YOU THE SPECIFIC DETAILS AS TO WHERE &quot;YOUR&quot; ROAD / GAS TAX $$$ IS ACTUALLY GOING</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">IN THE COMPLEXITIES OF STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGETS ! YOU WILL BE STUNNED TOO ! IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET THE REAL DATA !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">MICHIGAN ALREADY HAS TO MANY LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT WITH CUMBERSOME DUPLICATION OF SERVICES. MICHIGAN HAS BEEN A &quot;DONOR&quot; STATE WITH REGARD TO THE FEDERAL GAS TAX FUNDING FORMULA TOO FOR DECADES AND NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">MICHIGAN DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER TAX!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">AS A PROFESSIONAL, I\'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE DETAILS BEHIND THE SCENES / MEETINGS AND WORKING GROUPS TO RAISE THE GAS TAX DURING THE 1980S, 1990S, ETC</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">PLEASE DO THE HOME WORK !!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">TELL LEGISLATORS TO &quot;FIX THE PROCESS&quot; AND QUIT SLAPPING EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AS THE PUBLIC GETS SNOOKERED AGAIN !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS ANALYIST</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">PHILIP N. BAREHAM</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">FORMER SENIOR COUNSEL / MICHIGANS 83 COUNTY UNITS OF GOVERNMENT</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">--------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COMMENT: #3&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Vehicle Fee</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">We are thinking about buying a Motorhome or Class C. This would kill the vacationing business in Michigan. Terrible idea.....</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">--------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COMMENT: #4&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">miles fee</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Charging a tax based on miles driven would unfairly punish those who are forced to commute long distances...I.E. Lansing to Grand Rapids or Lansing to Detroit.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I think there should be a fee based upon weight of vehicle. A small car does much less damage to the roads than a truck.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: large;\">------------------------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540467,'',1),('content:4766:4766','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:10189:\"<span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;<span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">----------------------------</span> </span>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">NEW POLL OVERVIEW:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span class=\"s1\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </span>Michigan could solve its road funding problems by being one of the first states in the nation to move to a system where motorists pay a fee based on the number of miles they drive, according to a University of Michigan report to be released today.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The Michigan Environmental Council by Sustainable Mobility &amp; Accessibility Research &amp; Transformation (SMART) at U-M, says fuel consumption is declining as traditional vehicles become more efficient and electric vehicles more common. Together, those trends are making road funding models based on fuel taxes obsolete, the report says.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The report says instead of continuing to raise fuel taxes to pay for transportation infrastructure, a mileage fee could more fairly allocate costs based on the number of miles driven, the time of day, the route taken, and the weight of the vehicle .</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Several states and public institutions are studying the potential for a mileage fee policy, including Texas, Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin and Nevada. There\'s also a legislative proposal in California.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Distance-based user charges are already in place for trucks in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Opponents of the plan worry about the Big Brother aspect of the state keeping tabs on drivers.&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The Michigan Environmental Council, said privacy concerns are &quot;the No. 1 big hurdle,&quot; but one that he thinks can be overcome.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Heavier vehicles would pay more, and one possible plan would charge more for driving heavily congested roads at peak times and offer a discounted per-mile rate during off-peak times.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Jeff Cranson, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the agency isn\'t advocating for such a system, but &quot;we think it\'s good to have a discussion about the possibilities as other states ... study the concept.&quot;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Michigan is grappling with what experts say is a road and bridge funding shortfall of between $1.2 billion and $2 billion a year.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">As a leader in transportation technology and innovation, Michigan has an opportunity to lead the nation in transforming the currently outdated transportation funding mechanisms to one that is more fair, sustainable and self-sufficient.</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">NEW POLL QUESTION:</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Should Michigan go to a&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">Pay per miles driven</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;fee instead of a fuel tax to pay for roads and road repairs?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Yes</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">No&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Undecided</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-michigan-go-%E2%80%9Cpay-miles-driven%E2%80%9D-fee-instead-fuel-tax-pay-roads-and-road-repairs\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-michigan-go-%E2%80%9Cpay-miles-driven%E2%80%9D-fee-instead-fuel-tax-pay-roads-and-road-repairs</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">(To enter your comments click on&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;after you vote.)</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">-----------------------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">-----------------------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The final vote totals for this poll have been changed after&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">DUPLICATE VOTES</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;were removed.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">What amphibian should be named as Michigan&rsquo;s&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">Official State Amphibian</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">Northern spring peeper</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;\">- 6%</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Blanchard\'s cricket frog</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;- 0%</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Eastern gray tree frog</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;- 37% )</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">This is why we need a part time legislature - 47%&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Undecided - 10%&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">TWO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">-----------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COMMENT #1</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">state amphibian</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Spring peeper. I love the way they keep me awake.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">-------------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COMMENT #2</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p3\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">This is important!</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">There is absolutely nothing I think is more important than making the Eastern gray tree frog the official state amphibian. Absolutely nothing! Thanks for highlighting this critical issue by running this poll.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">------------------------------------&nbsp;</span></p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540467,'',1),('content:4746:4746','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:6314:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan Legislative leaders in Lansing are proposing a new plan to raise fuel taxes as the primary way to increase state road repair funds by at least the $1.2 billion per year.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis latest approach to raise more revenue for road repairs will focus on a House-passed bill that will set the wholesale tax. The four bill package is designed to raise road revenue by an additional $450 million annually. Senator Richardville is seeking to triple that amount.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe new House plan would:<br />\r\n1.&nbsp; Include a switch to a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>percentage tax</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>.<br />\r\n2.&nbsp; Replace Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s flat fuel taxes of 19 cents a gallon on gasoline and 15 cents a gallon on diesel.<br />\r\n3. Add a 6 percent tax on gasoline and diesel, that would boost revenues a modest amount initially but rely on future price increases to increase future revenues later.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSenator Richardville told reporters he wants to raise $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion a year more for roads, but wouldn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t say how he planned to accomplish the goal. A rate that effectively doubled the 19-cents-a-gallon flat rate to 38 cents a gallon would create about $1 billion in added revenue, according to fiscal analysts.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOpposition to the plan comes from Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s petroleum industry and fuel wholesalers, who argued lawmakers instead should boost the state</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s 6 percent general sales tax. Such a hike would require a constitutional amendment approved by voters.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nRate increases of the magnitude under consideration would give Michigan the highest fuel taxes in the country, when the state</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s 6 percent sales tax on fuel also is considered.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe sales tax revenue from fuel goes mostly to schools and revenue sharing for local governments, not roads.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan currently has an effective tax rate of about 60 cents a gallon now, compared with 48 cents a gallon in Ohio. The rates under discussion, he said, would make the state</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s fuel taxes about 80 cents per gallon.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nIs it time to have the legislature raise taxes to increase the gas tax to fix the roads?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/it-time-have-legislature-raise-taxes-increase-gas-tax-fix-roads\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/it-time-have-legislature-raise-taxes-increase-gas-tax-fix-roads</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the Lansing area create a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Rapid Transit Bus line</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> between the Capitol and Okemos?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 13%<br />\r\nNo - 74%<br />\r\nUndecided - 13% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTHREE COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\n-------------------------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\nRapid Transit<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis is right out of the UN Agenda 21 playbook; i.e., talking about the environment, population growth, and confined housing. The goal is to have people in concentrated areas with stores, bike paths and services within walking distance or provided by the government. The areas further out will be left to the wildlife.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOf course, to keep us guessing, the acronyms and catch phrases are constantly being changed to such things as &quot;sustainable development&quot; &quot;ICLEI&quot;, &quot;The Grand Vision&quot;, &quot;Place Making&quot; and many more. Our Representative in the various Gov\'t agencies are all to quick to grab the &quot;free&quot; money they think they are getting from the Fed or State. It always comes with strings attached.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nUnborn generations will be the ultimate losers.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;-------------------------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #2<br />\r\nRBT Line<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf it is such a good idea the market would already be providing this service.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;-------------------------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #3<br />\r\nRTB Line<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI can think of much better ways to spend $195,000,000 that would benefit more people in the area. How about seeking these same types of funds to fix our existing infrastructure?<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540467,'',1),('content:4741:4741','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1178:\"<span style=\"font-size: large;\">The next few months will be a busy time for candidates as they seek to get their message out to the voters before the August 5 primary.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWith that said the CCRP would like to make you aware of the upcoming debate between the three 4th Congressional candidates who are seeking to replace Dave Camp as our congressman.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe debate will be in St. Johns on July 8 at the Wilson Auditorium. For details of the debate click on the following link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/4thdebate\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/4thdebate</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nThere are also a couple of fundraisers and a townhall coming up in the next few weeks in early June. For additional information on these fundraisers and townhall click on the following CCRP website link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/upcoming-events\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/upcoming-events</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nFollow us on facebook at:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/ccrpmich/\">https://www.facebook.com/groups/ccrpmich/</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540467,'',1),('content:4738:4738','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:8877:\"<span>----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Local officials elected officials in mid Michigan are discussing the need for mass transit in the Lansing area. Buses would travel both directions in dedicated lanes on one side of the median along Grand River Avenue in downtown East Lansing.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Motorists would travel both directions in four lanes on the other side. And when buses aren\'t present, bicyclists would use the lane, shifting to the side if a bus comes along.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is the vision for a new bus rapid transit line as part of a wide-ranging look at upgrading the Lansing area</span><span><span>\'</span>s bus transit system. This new vision is the direct result of a series meetings conducted recently in East Lansing. The meeting included the preliminary design plans being proposed for the Capital Area Transportation Authority line that would run from the Capitol to the Meridian Mall in Okemos.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The core components for the new line that resulted the meetings included: <br />\r\n1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dedicate the two existing lanes of eastbound traffic along Grand River Avenue in downtown East Lansing to the bus transit line. <br />\r\n2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The median would remain largely intact.<br />\r\n3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;An additional lane would be added to Grand River mostly from the south side of the avenue, allowing for four lanes of eastbound and westbound motorist traffic.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The proposal includes input from bicyclists, East Lansing business owners, residents and Michigan State University employees and students.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dover Kohl is a subcontractor of Mead &amp; Hunt, a Lansing Township architectural and engineering firm that is performing an environmental assessment of the bus rapid transit line. CATA is paying Mead &amp; Hunt $1.1 million with federal and state grants.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The estimated cost of the new line would be $195,000,000.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This new rapid transit line is an outgrowth of a larger planning effort studying the entire 20-mile Michigan Avenue corridor from the Capitol to Webberville. The goal of this project is to improve land use, the environment and access for pedestrians and bicyclists.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Population density along the corridor and increased use of public transit also are key themes in the broader study.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A proposed bus rapid transit proposal would replace it with a bus line in some ways similar to a light-rail system. Buses would operate in designated travel lanes on Michigan and Grand River avenues, and buses could have doors on both sides for easier boarding at newly built stations.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The design firm will draft complete designs after Lansing and Meridian Township meetings, then present them to the Federal Transit Administration, which must review the project</span><span><span>\'</span>s impact on the local environment.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After that, CATA officials say they plan to continue with further design and engineering work. <br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CATA hopes to receive federal and state funding for the project and to break ground in 2016.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the Lansing area create a </span><span><span>\'</span></span><span><span><span>\'</span></span>Rapid Transit Bus line</span><span><span>\'</span></span><span><span><span>\'</span></span> between the Capitol and Okemos?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-lansing-area-create-%E2%80%9Crapid-transit-bus-line%E2%80%9D-between-capitol-and-okemos\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-lansing-area-create-%E2%80%9Crapid-transit-bus-line%E2%80%9D-between-capitol-and-okemos</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span><span>\'</span></span><span><span><span>\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span><span>\'</span></span><span><span><span>\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould Michigan pass a package of bills to bailout Detroit with oversight by a committee to guarantee their solvency?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 23%<br />\r\nNo - 77%<br />\r\nUndecided - 0% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nFOUR COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\nrobbing Peter to pay Paul !!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&quot;Broke nations are bailing out other broke nations with borrowed money !<br />\r\nUnits of government are following suit !<br />\r\nHow long before the entire system collapses ? greed, gluttony, pride all with promises of a bright future from political hacks WE elect !!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf the entire US gross domestic product is 63 trillion dollars and we supposedly owe the international bankers<br />\r\nup to 211 trillion dollars in debt how does common core math reconcile this problem ??<br />\r\nhttp://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/tag/bailouts<br />\r\nFather God have mercy on our ignorance and arrogance individually and as a nation !<br />\r\nhttp://deadlysins.com/sins/gluttony.html<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn the 1990s we warned units of government as their counsel to use San Diego as a model of what NOT to invest in<br />\r\nIE &quot;derivatives&quot; all smoke and mirrors to support pension funds ....that county collapsed its system !!<br />\r\nYou can not squeeze lemon from a rubber tire !<br />\r\nPhilip &amp; Nancy Bareham<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT #2<br />\r\nDetroit<br />\r\n<br />\r\nReally, they did create their own problem and it is their responsibility to pay for it. It is not the responsibility of the rest of the state. Yes, they may have to sell some valuable artwork - - maybe just one piece. Aww. And/or sell the water system or real estate. That\'s the breaks.Yes, they need to move to defined contribution pensions as soon as possible - - but, be careful about this when new labor contracts are entered into - - recall how the unions extended existing contracts for a long time in order to avoid Right to Work. Yes, there needs to be a Commission as described to monitor much of Detroit\'s fiscal behavior in the next 20 years minimum. (There is always a huge City of Detroit scandal every 20 years, so it might be good for a Commission to run longer with the intention of trying to change that scandal culture so that those accustomed to it will die off and the younger replacements might not be trained in it. Who knows.) I don\'t recall whether the description of the Commission included appointments to the Pension Board(s) and Commission monitoring of the pension systems - - that has been a real corrupt cess pool and that needs to happen. I\'m nervous about the concept that the Commission would not be active during periods of &quot;fiscal health&quot; in Detroit This is a problem. First, accountants can make anything seem like it meets some terms and second, a new &quot;Granholm&quot; as Governor would automatically define anything as &quot;fiscal health&quot; to play games with Detroit, so I think it\'s a bad and risky idea that should be scrapped. Finally, obviously the discussion of an amount of a bail out is a buy in to get the extended Commission. Ok. Get to a number that is really low. $1 million.and no more. A million is enough to sound serious and not insulting to Detroiters and not so high that it insults the rest of us. $195 Million is still a huge insult to the rest of us.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMMENT #3<br />\r\nDetriot Bailout<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCreating a &quot;Nanny&quot; to oversea Detroit is a non winner for both the State and Detroit. Detroit needs to admit to itself that they had ample forewarning and chose to ignore the advice. There already exists a &quot;plantation&quot; mentality by both the citizens and the government official in the city and bailing them out does nothing for force them to learn from these mistakes and cultivate responsible management of their government.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT #4<br />\r\nDetroit Bailout<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI do agree with changing the pension system to a 401K and having a committee to oversee their finances does make sense. But with any bankruptcy assets need to be sold if possible. I think that some of the artwork could be sold. Why should the entire state pay for Detroit\'s mistakes?<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540467,'',1),('content:2668:2668','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:802:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Do you want to make a difference and elect responsible people to represent us in Clinton County, Lansing, and Washington?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAre you tired of the federal government telling us how we should live our lives and redistributing OUR TAX DOLLARS we send to Washington in ways we don\'t agree with?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn 2012 we MUST elect people who will represent US.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYou can help by becoming a Clinton County Precinct Delegate!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nClick on this link to get more information on how to become a precinct delegate in Clinton County.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/becoming-clinton-county-precinct-delegate\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/becoming-clinton-county-precinct-delegate</a><br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540483,'',1),('content:5136:5136','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:841:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">The outcome of the State Board of Education race on the Nov. 4 will profoundly impact Michigan&rsquo;s education policies on issues ranging from charter public schools to teacher and school district performance evaluations.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Democrats currently control the board with a 6-2 majority. If both Carl and Williams were to be elected it would change that to a 4-4 balance; any other result will leave the Democrats in charge.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For an article on why this race is so important go online at:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20618\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20618</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4455\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"board_of_ed.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:42:\"sites/default/files/images/board_of_ed.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"14754\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1414245822\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415540504,'',1),('content:2351:2351','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4556:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMI Senate Votes To Subsidize Electric Car Venture<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Michigan Senate has passed a bill to subsidize an electric vehicle component company. This practice was common under the Granholm administration and&nbsp; Governor Snyder swore it would stop in his administration.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Click on the following story link to read the details.<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/mi-senate-votes-subsidize-electric-car-venture\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/mi-senate-votes-subsidize-electric-car-venture</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nLowe\'s, Reality Shows &amp; Reality<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When we talk about reality it is often times difficult to determine what it is based on your own perspective.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The latest controversy has to do with Lowe\'s pulling their ads from a &quot;reality&quot; television series called &quot;All-American Muslim&quot; on TLC.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Click on the following story link to read about the controversy and what the Muslim community wants Lowe\'s to do to make amends for their actions.<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/lowes-reality-shows-reality\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/lowes-reality-shows-reality</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nClimate Court &amp; Mother Earth<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The United Nations has proposed a new &quot;Climate Court&quot; that will protect Mother Earth from the ravages of man and climate change.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The new &quot;climate court&quot; would be responsible for enforcing a draconian set of rules requiring developed countries to cut emissions while compensating poorer countries in order to pay off a &quot;historical climate debt.&quot;<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For an article on the results of the conference and their proposed new court and remedies to solve the &quot;climate change&quot; problem click on the following story link:<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/climate-court-mother-earth\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/climate-court-mother-earth</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n--------------------------------------<br />\r\nOTHER CCRP NEWS &amp; LINKS<br />\r\n--------------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO LIKE THE CCRP ON FACEBOOK - CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Clinton-County-MI-GOP/103375466421220?sk=wall\">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Clinton-County-MI-GOP/103375466421220?sk=wall</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO JOIN THE CCRP FACEBOOK GROUP AND GET IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATES - CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/ccrpmich/\">http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/ccrpmich/</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A PRECINCT DELEGATE! - CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/becoming-clinton-county-precinct-delegate\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/becoming-clinton-county-precinct-delegate</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nCCRP Executive Committee Monthly Meeting in St. Johns - Thursday January 19, 2012<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/ccrp-executive-committee-monthly-meeting-st-johns\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/ccrp-executive-committee-monthly-meeting-st-johns</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYOU CONTROL OUR COUNTRY\'S FUTURE WITH YOUR VOTE!<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; GET INVOLVED<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ELECT RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE IN 2012<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; SEND THIS LINK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n517-281-4458<br />\r\nsgwillis1945@gmail.com<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540535,'',1),('content:4921:4921','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1238:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">An Evening with the 4th Congressional Candidates<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOne of the Silent auction items had a listing of:<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. A patriotic Lap Quilt - Commissioner Patricia Relyea<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nIt should have read </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Commissioner Candidate</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\' </span></span>instead of </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Commissioner</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'<br />\r\n</span></span><br />\r\nPlease excuse our error.<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4916:4916','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2527:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">An Evening with the 4th Congressional Candidates<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCome to meet and greet the three candidates seeking to replace Congressman Dave Camp as our congressman.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAs part of the BBQ we will be holding a silent auction including:<br />\r\n&nbsp; 1. A Patriotic Lap Quilt - Commissioner Patricia Relyea<br />\r\n&nbsp; 2. A pink computer chair -&nbsp; Dawn &amp; Bill Sherman<br />\r\n&nbsp; 3. A decorative </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Windmill</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> - Bob Craig (not government subsidized)<br />\r\n&nbsp; 4. Tree Guards - Bruce Harte<br />\r\n&nbsp; 5. $50.00 Demmer Gift Card - Gail &amp; Charlie Wadell<br />\r\n&nbsp; 6.&nbsp; $12.00 Demmer&nbsp; Gift card - Bruce &amp; Janice Harte<br />\r\n&nbsp; 7.&nbsp; $12.00 Demmer Gift card - Bruce &amp; Janice Harte<br />\r\n&nbsp; 8.&nbsp; Internet Verizion Jet Pack - The Cellular Connection<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe will also be having a book donation table where books can be donated or $5.00 can be donated for a book of your choice to take home.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDON</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OUR NEXT CONGRESSMAN!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you will be attending please RSVP by calling or texting to 517-281-6212 or emailing ccrpmich@gmail.com with the number who will be attending.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor details on the event download this flyer:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/2014_bbq_flyer_0.pdf\">CCRP SUMMER BBQ FLYER</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nLATE REGISTRATIONS WILL ACCEPTED AT THE DOOR!<br />\r\n$20.00 PER ADULT (kids free!)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMake checks payable to </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>The Clinton County Republican Party</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4913:4913','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1347:\"<span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">An Evening with the 4th Congressional Candidates!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDon\'t miss this opportunity to meet and greet the three candidates seeking to replace Congressman Dave Camp as our congressman.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe will be finalizing our numbers this weekend so getting an accurate count of who will be attending will help us to determine the amount of food and drinks we will need.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you will be attending please RSVP by calling or texting to 517-281-4458 or emailing ccrpmich@gmail.com with the number who will be attending.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor details on the event download this flyer:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/2014_bbq_flyer_0.pdf\">CCRP SUMMER BBQ FLYER</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nLATE REGISTRATIONS WILL ACCEPTED AT THE DOOR!<br />\r\n$20.00 PER ADULT (kids free!)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMake checks payable to </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>The Clinton County Republican Party</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4885:4885','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4686:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWays and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp is proposing a $10.9 billion plan to address the lack of revenue that will be available to the Highway Trust Fund for the next eight or nine months.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe proposed plan would be funded by some fund transfers and revenue-raising measures, including $6.5 billion in new revenue from something referred to as &quot;pension smoothing&quot;. </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Pension smoothing</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> is an accounting action that allows companies to delay contributions to employee pension plans resulting in short-term corporate profits, producing more tax revenue that can be collected by the Treasury.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nHouse Speaker John Boehner is in favor of Camp</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s plan to extend the U.S. highway funding until May 31, 2015, from and hopes to see it pass the House within two weeks.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn a statement, Congressman Camp stated that, </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>This is the only package with a proven history of getting big bipartisan votes in both the House and Senate. And, while it doesn\'t provide as much funding as I would like&mdash;enough to get through the end of next year&mdash;it does give Congress and the tax-writing Committees ample time to consider a more long-term solution to the Highway Trust Fund.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould congress pass legislation to allow companies to delay pension contributions to fund the </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Highway Trust Fund</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-congress-pass-legislation-allow-companies-delay-pension-contributions-fund-%E2%80%9Chighway-t\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-congress-pass-legislation-allow-companies-delay-pension-contributions-fund-%E2%80%9Chighway-t</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the legislature come back into session to grant additional revenue to schools?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 10%<br />\r\nNo - 85%<br />\r\nUndecided - 5% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n--------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nEducation Funding<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis is a political stunt by the Democrats because the media has not grasped the facts (and the public appears to be buying their story). The facts are that Governor Snyder and legislative Republicans have budgeted more than $1 billion to K-12 education in the last 4 years. That\'s \'billion\' with a great big \'B.\' About $1,000 more dollars in state aid is attached to every pupil in our public schools over that same time period. Michigan has suffered the loss of 57,000 fewer kids in our schools in that same time period. So in summary, we have a billion dollars more to spend on educating fewer students.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4880:4880','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2086:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">CCRP SUMMER BBQ -- July 24, 2014!<br />\r\nTHURSDAY, JULY 24 FROM 5:30 to 8:30 pm<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Come and spend a summer evening in Bath Township with the 4th Congressional candidates.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As part of the BBQ question cards will be handed out when you register upon arrival. We will select some of the questions and ask the candidates to respond during the evening\'s activities.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING PLEASE RETURN THE FOLLOWING FORM BY JULY 18 OR CALL SHERI HARTE WILLIS AT 517-281-6212 SO WE CAN DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FOOD WE WILL NEED FOR THE EVENT.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/BBQREGFORM.jpg\">DOWNLOAD&nbsp;REGISTRATION&nbsp;FORM (CLICK&nbsp;HERE)</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<img width=\"933\" height=\"603\" src=\"/sites/default/files/BBQREGFORM.jpg\" alt=\"\" /><br />\r\nOR<br />\r\n<br />\r\nREGISTER ONLINE AT:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/summerbbq\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/summerbbq</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you have a silent auction item you would like to donate for the BBQ please contact Sheri Harte Willis at 517-281-6212.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe will also be having a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Book Donation</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> table where you will be able to donate any of your used hardbound books that someone else might want to donate $5.00 for to help out the CCRP</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s fundraising activities.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4879:4879','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1630:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">The 4th Congressional debate between Peter Konetchy and John Moolenaar can be viewed by selecting the URL web link&nbsp; that is listed at the end of this text.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you were not in attendance please take the time to watch it. It will give you an opportunity to see where both of the candidates stand on the issues that are important to all of us.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCandidate Paul Mitchell was scheduled to be in attendance and participate as part of the debate but because of a sudden medical emergency he was unable to attend.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe person that wins the republican primary election on August 5 will more than likely be our next congressman so it is imperative&nbsp; we send the individual who will protect our constitutional rights and reduce the size of government.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nApproximately 15 percent of the registered voters choose to vote in a primary so they are essentially determining who will be our next congressman.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you want to have a voice in who will represent you get involved and listen to what the three candidates have to say between now and August 5, 2014.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAdditionally, if you find this video useful please forward it to your friends. Remember, voting is a right we take for granted that people have died for!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/4th-congressional-debate-video-july-8-2014-st-johns\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/4th-congressional-debate-video-july-8-2014-st-johns</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4865:4865','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1550:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Just a quick reminder about upcoming opportunities for events and fundraisers that will be taking place in the next few weeks.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n4th CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE in St. Johns<br />\r\nClinton, Gratiot and Shiawassee Counties Will Host the Debate<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/4thdebate\">Tuesday, July 8, 2014 - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nShannon Schlegel For Judge Fundraiser<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/71514-shannon-schlegel-fundraiser\">Wednessday, July 16, 2014 in DeWitt - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nCCRP SUMMER BBQ in Bath Township<br />\r\nwith </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>ALL THREE</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> 4th Congressional Candidates<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/summerbbq\">Thursday, July 24, 2014 - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a><br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMING IN SEPTEMBER:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSeptember 8&nbsp; (Monday) - Attorney General Bill Schuette</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s BBQ in Midland.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415540626,'',1),('content:4454:4454','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1258:\"<div><span style=\"font-size: larger; \">According to Deputy Attorney General James Cole, President Obama &quot;has the ability to take executive action&quot; to commute the sentences of &quot;low-level&quot; drug offenders -- and that\'s just what he plans to do.</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: larger; \">The Department of Justice will be looking to find low level drug offenders who are currently in prison and recommend them to the President for clemency consideration.</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: larger; \">Even though commutation of sentence is an &ldquo;extraordinary remedy that is rarely used,&quot; that\'s about to change according to a Justice Department official.</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: larger; \">For an article on what the Justice Department and the President plan on doing to reduce the prison population click on the following link:</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/obama-will-take-executive-action-reduce-prison-population\"><span style=\"font-size: larger; \">http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/obama-will-take-executive-action-reduce-prison-population</span></a></div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3869\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"prison_bars.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:42:\"sites/default/files/images/prison_bars.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:4:\"8300\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1391177938\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415540696,'',1),('content:4861:4861','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2968:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSeveral Michigan school superintendents are calling for lawmakers to return to Lansing to fix the new state budget by boosting their funding.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe recently passed budget signed by the governor increases traditional state aid by between $50 and $175 per student. The lowest-funded districts receive $175 more while higher-funded districts get $50 more, with other districts getting somewhere in-between.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAbout 126 of Michigan\'s 800-plus districts and charter schools getting the smallest increase complain it\'s not enough to offset an increase in their payment toward school employees\' retirement.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOne of the current areas of contention is that significant amounts of the revenue that schools currently receive goes for non school related expenditures including benefit payments for teachers healthcare and retirement. Opponents of additional funding feel the educational system benefit structure needs to be addressed so that the teachers are contributing more significantly to their own benefits.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the legislature come back into session to grant additional revenue to schools?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-legislature-come-back-session-grant-additional-revenue-schools\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-legislature-come-back-session-grant-additional-revenue-schools</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the President and Congress approve $500 million in aid to the Syrian opposition for training the rebels?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 0%<br />\r\nNo - 95%<br />\r\nUndecided - 5% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n--------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIsn\'t this the same strategy<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIsn\'t this the same strategy we tried against the Russians in Afghanistan and in Iran-Contra? Don\'t we have better ideas? New ideas? I\'m not sold on this being the best way to change what is happening in Syria and the greater Middle East.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4851:4851','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2589:\"<span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">&nbsp;<span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Just a quick reminder about upcoming opportunities for events and fundraisers that will be taking place in the next few weeks.</span>  </span>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">4th Congressional Candidate John Moolenaar - Meet &amp; Greet</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/7114-senator-john-moolenaar-meet-greet\">Tuesday, July 1, 2014 in St. Johns - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">THREE COUNTY 4th CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE in St. Johns</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">Clinton, Gratiot and Shiawassee Counties Will Host the Debate</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/4thdebate\">Tuesday, July 8, 2014 - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">CCRP SUMMER BBQ in Bath Township</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">with&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.5;\">ALL THREE</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;4th Congressional Candidates</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/72414-ccrp-summer-bbq\">Thursday, July 24, 2014 - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">COMING IN SEPTEMBER:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">September 8&nbsp; (Monday) - Attorney General Bill Schuette&rsquo;s BBQ in Midland.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4844:4844','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:12980:\"<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">NEW POLL OVERVIEW:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">The President on Thursday proposed a major program to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels, in a significant expansion of the U.S. role in a civil war that officials fear is bleeding into Iraq and across the region.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">The Obama administration requested $500 million to aid the Syrian opposition who now pose threats to U.S. allies in the region.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">The expanded U.S. involvement will be on President Barack Obama\'s terms, and emphasize the use of partner forces, and not the direct use of American combat forces.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Officials stressed there are hurdles to overcome before the expanded Syrian rebel program goes into effect, including obtaining congressional approval; figuring out how to effectively vet large numbers of rebel fighters so the U.S. doesn\'t end up training extremists; and persuading countries in the region to host the effort.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Officials said the program may not actually begin until next year. They said the first batch of fighters could complete training roughly six to eight months after the proposed program is authorized and funded by Congress.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">NEW POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Should the President and Congress approve $500 million in aid to the Syrian opposition for training the rebels?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Yes</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">No</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Undecided</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK</span></div>\r\n<div><font size=\"5\"><span style=\"line-height: 36px;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-president-and-congress-approve-500-million-aid-syrian-opposition-training-rebels\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-president-and-congress-approve-500-million-aid-syrian-opposition-training-rebels</a></span></font></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(To enter your comments click on&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;after you vote.)</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Should Dave Agema throw his hat into the ring for Lieutenant Governor to be Governor Snyder</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s running mate?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Yes - 18%</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">No - 80%</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Undecided - 2%</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">SIX COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #1</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Lt. Governor Nominations and selection</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">If the republican party wants to survive in Michigan and in the country it needs to wake up and realize that the people are entitled to a vote and a voice. The state party wants a convention that is scripted according to what the leadership and the monied interests in the party want.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">If that is what they want they need to change the rules and stop the charade they currently use at the conventions. Why do we go to the trouble of having precinct delegates if they don\'t want them to have a vote or a choice.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">If they don\'t want any competition at the conventions then change the process and hand pick the candidates. Do not pretend there is a democratic process in place if you don\'t truly want one.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Changing the rules to reach a predetermined agenda is disingenuous and smacks of cronyism - but it\'s politics, what else would you expect.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">From my perspective it\'s obviously time for a third party that gives a voice to the people who would like to vote for republicans without having to hold their nose in every election.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">&nbsp;-------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #2&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">YOU CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE BUT HAVE RESPECT !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Dave A. is an honorable man ! he is a US military warrior and a highly skilled fighter pilot ! He is to be respected !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">In lieu of the escalating cancer of political correctness here in the state of Michigan; most of our elected so called &quot;PUBLIC SERVENTS&quot; DO NOT EVEN READ THE BILLS THEY ENACT INTO LAW AND THAT ...IS CRAZY !</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Agema is a man of principle! IF the general public truly understood what\'s going on behind the scenes with the political establishment which is blackballing him folks might think differently!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">We also have way to many so called state legislators that are so arrogant and so ignorant yet flood the electronic airways with worthless PR to &quot;snow job&quot; the electorate into believing they are working so hard! We need to watch and study our legislators who are governing our lives yet they themselves have never even changed a diaper!!!! Study your elected officials Michigan elections bureau campaign filing statements and look at who is funding them.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">WE THE PEOPLE ...YEAH RIGHT !!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">I experienced as a young man what its like personally to be in a country when its over run by an invading communist regime ! IT TOOK JUST 4 DAYS TO OVER THROW A SOVEREIGN NATION ! Much death, carnage and mayhem!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Dave is a &quot;bull in a China shop&quot; but he knows that there is an entrenched AGENDA to weaken our state and nation ON A MASSIVE SCALE!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">as I MENTIONED BEFORE WE WORKED WITH 500 COUNTY SHERIFFS ADDRESSING &quot;AGENDA 21&quot; ! PLEASE GO STUDY IT ! THEN COME BACK AND CRITICIZE MR. AGEMA !!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Philip and Nancy Bareham</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">&nbsp;-------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #3&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Agema - Thank you NO</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">I have stood behind Dave on every controversy and supported him. On this one I do not. Wes Nakagiri is a principled true conservative unlike Calley. Wes will work with the Governor, but, he will not haul water for him like Called did on Medicaid expansion, the Detroit bailout and the recent attempts to raise gas taxes. Wes will inject a conservative voice in this administration. He has campaigned relentlessly against the party establishment and deserves the opportunity to challenge Calley at the August Convention. Agema\'s entry will do nothing except fracture the votes of Michigan\'s conservative Republicans and guarantee Calley a place on the ballot in November. Hopefully this is not Dave\'s real intent.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #4&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Agema?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Are you kidding?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">I agree with both the comments above. We need to be unified, not fractured. Further, Lieutenant Gov. Calley has done a very good job - frankly, whether you like it or not, we need to work with the other side. It is not &quot;Our way or the Highway.&quot; That never works. Never has. Never will.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">And - Agema is certainly NOT a unifying figure.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #5&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">lt gov race</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">If the convention nominates someone other than Calley we will just be handing the election to Schauer. We will come out of the convention looking like fools.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #6&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Lt. Governor selection at convention</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Why in God\'s name would we tell the Governor who is his running mate? All we would be doing is sowing discord into the Administration and ensuring that the Lt. Governor was a kept out of the cabinet and consigned to simply running the Senate with no policy influence or inclusion whatsoever. - Adam Stacey</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">------------------------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4836:4836','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3162:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">&nbsp;<span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Just a quick reminder about upcoming opportunities for events and fundraisers that will be taking place in the next few weeks.</span>  </span>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Representative Tom Leonard Agriculture Reception &amp; Ice Cream Social</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/62914-representative-tom-leonard-ice-cream-social\">Sunday, June 29, 2014 in St. Johns -&nbsp; (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">4th Congressional Candidate John Moolenaar - Meet &amp; Greet</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/7114-senator-john-moolenaar-meet-greet\">Tuesday, July 1, 2014 in St. Johns - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">THREE COUNTY 4th CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE in St. Johns</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Clinton, Gratiot and Shiawassee Counties Will Host the Debate</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/4thdebate\">Tuesday, July 8, 2014 - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">CCRP SUMMER BBQ in Bath Township</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">with&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">ALL THREE</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;4th Congressional Candidates</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/72414-ccrp-summer-bbq\">Thursday, July 24, 2014 - (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMING IN SEPTEMBER:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">September 8&nbsp; (Monday) - Attorney General Bill Schuette</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s BBQ in Midland.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4832:4832','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:9090:\"<div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">----------------------------</span></span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">NEW POLL OVERVIEW:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Former State Representative and Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema is considering a last minute run for lieutenant governor at the Republican Convention in August to become the running mate of Governor Rick Snyder.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Agema, a Tea Party favorite, said he is considering a run due to a large number of requests from principled conservatives who see a need for principled action from the Republican majority in Lansing.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Agema has taken flack regarding his controversial comments about gays and Muslims from some top Republicans and donors that have called for his resignation as Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s Republican National Committeeman.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">The Governor and party leaders are confident Lieutenant Governor Calley will secure the nomination at the state convention as a result of the largest precinct delegate recruitment project in Michigan history by the State Republican Party.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Opponents of Calley feel the Lieutenant Governor should not be a&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">rubber stamp</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;of the Governor&rsquo;s agenda and policies but should vote their values and their conscience.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Tea party activist and retakeourgov.org founder Wes Nakagiri is already assured a position on the convention ballot as Snyder\'s running mate.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Agema could still get his name on the convention ballot by collecting signatures from 21 state committee members out of seven congressional districts by July 25. He could also try to suspend party rules at the convention with the support of a delegate supermajority.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">NEW POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Should Dave Agema throw his hat into the ring for Lieutenant Governor to be Governor Snyder</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s running mate?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Yes</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">No</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Undecided</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-dave-agema-throw-his-hat-ring-lieutenant-governor-be-governor-snyder%E2%80%99s-running-mate\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-dave-agema-throw-his-hat-ring-lieutenant-governor-be-governor-snyder%E2%80%99s-running-mate</a></span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(To enter your comments click on&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;after you vote.)</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Should congress raise the gas and diesel tax to stabilize the federal Highway Trust Fund and to fix roads?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Yes - 17%</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">No - 73%</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Undecided - 10%</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">TWO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #1</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">NOT ONE &quot;OPINION WILL MAKE A</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">NOT ONE &quot;OPINION WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE&quot; UNTIL EACH OF US AS VOTERS &quot;UNDERSTANDS&quot; MICHIGANS PUBLIC ACT 51 WHICH IS &quot;THE&quot; FUNDING MECHANISM AND HOW DURING THE LAST 30 YEARS THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE HAS &quot;SUPPLANTED&quot; MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SO CALLED DEDICATED ROAD DOLLARS FROM THE GAS TAX TO JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER BUDGET ITEM IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES! IF WE IN A PRUDENT MANNER EXAMINE THAT FORMULA AND WHERE THE $$$ IS GOING WE WOULD DISCOVER THAT WE &quot;DO NOT&quot; NEED &quot;ANY&quot; TAX INCREASES &quot;AT ALL&quot;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">IF WE JUST DO WHAT THE ORIGINAL PA 51 WAS SET IN STATUTE FOR !!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">AS FAR AS OUR FEDERAL GAS TAX GOES MICHiGAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A &quot;DONOR&quot; STATE SO FOR EVERY BUCK WE SEND TO D.C. THAT FORMULA SENDS BACK TO MICHIGAN 90 CENTS !!!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">THIS IS LUDICRIS !!!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">IF WE RAISE THE GAS TAX &quot;AGAIN&quot; IN JUST A FEW YEARS THE CRYING FOR</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">&quot;FIX THE ROADS&quot; WILL BEGIN ONCE AGAIN!! THE PROBLEM IS THAT MOST OF OUR STATE LEGISLATORS &quot;DON\'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE ~ WILL NOT SPEND THE TIME RESEARCHING AS THEY HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO ~ AND ARE TOO YOUNG AND HAVE &quot;NO LIFE EXPERIENCE&quot; THE PROOF IS IN THE FRUIT OF THE LABOR AND WHERE WE ARE AS A STATE ECONOMICALLY RIGHT NOW !!!!</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">PHILIP &amp; NANCY BAREHAM</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">--------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">COMMENT #2&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">A REAL Lock Box</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Our infrastructure is in shambles, and is now a safety issue. You know what will happen. It is George Bush\'s fault! Seriously, we need to address this issue, and it may be necessary to increase taxes to do so. However, this should NOT be done unless there is a true &quot;lock box&quot; type of mechanism in place to ensure that monies collected for this issue are used to only pay for infrastructure repairs and upgrades.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">------------------------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;</div>\r\n</div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4827:4827','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:7891:\"<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">NEW POLL OVERVIEW:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">In a bipartisan move two United States senators have unveiled a plan to raise the federal gasoline and diesel taxes for the first time in more than two decades, pitching the proposal as a solution to Congress</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">&nbsp;struggle to pay for highway and transit programs.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">The plan would raise the 18.4-cents-a-gallon federal gas tax and 24.4-cents-a- gallon diesel tax by 12 cents each over the next two years, and then index the taxes to keep pace with inflation.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">The plan also calls for offsetting the tax increases with other taxes cuts. Senators said that could be done by permanently extending six federal tax breaks that expired this year, but they indicated they would be open to other suggestions for offsets.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">The federal Highway Trust Fund that pays for highway and transit aid is forecast to go broke by late August. Revenue from gas taxes and other transportation user fees that go into the fund haven&rsquo;t kept pace with federal aid promised to states. People are driving less per capita and cars are more fuel efficient, keeping revenues fairly flat. But nation&rsquo;s infrastructure is aging, creating greater demand for new and rebuilt roads and bridges. At the same time, the cost of construction has increased.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">Since 2008, Congress has repeatedly dipped into the general treasury for money to keep the trust fund solvent, sometimes waiting until the government was the verge of slowing down payments to states. States have complained that the uncertainty over whether federal aid will be forthcoming has limited their ability to commit to larger projects that take years to plan and construct.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">The six expired tax breaks identified by the senators as possible offsets for fuel tax increases are a research and development tax credit, certain expensing by small businesses, the state and local sales tax deduction, increasing employer-provided transit benefits to the same level as parking benefits, a deduction for spending by teachers on classroom supplies, and an increased deduction for land conservation and easement donations.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">NEW POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">----------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">Should congress raise the gas and diesel tax to stabilize the federal Highway Trust Fund and to fix roads?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">Yes</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">No</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">Undecided</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-congress-raise-gas-and-diesel-tax-stabilize-federal-highway-trust-fund-and-fix-roads\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-congress-raise-gas-and-diesel-tax-stabilize-federal-highway-trust-fund-and-fix-roads</a></span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">(To enter your comments click on&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.5;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large; font-style: normal; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 48px;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.5;\">&nbsp;after you vote.)</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">-----------------------------------</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">What should the President do about our southern border and illegal immigration?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">57% - Impeach the President</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">30% - Call up the National Guard</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">5% - Play more golf</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">3% - Issue an executive order to become part of Mexico</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">3% - Go on more vacations</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">3% - Undecided&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">0% - Go on celebrity talk shows</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">0% -Go to more fundraisers</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">ONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">COMMENT #1</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">The Southern Border - Re-do the Poll</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">Sarcasm is understood but it has screwed up this poll. The poll results are now meaningless. How about redoing it in a serious manner? I suggest questions about what the Pres and Congress should really be doing now. Let us pick as many answers as we wish, not just one.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">(1) There are also other things that the President should be doing, such as having ICE enforce the law. (2) There are things that Congress be doing. CONGRESS SHOULD NOT LEAVE FOR VACATION THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 20 thru SEPTEMBER 7. CONGRESS should be filibustering AND whatever it takes to deal with the Southern Border and the dumping of illegals by the feds through the country. I\'m pleased that Candice Miller made that statement, but now what? Vacation? Nothing?</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">This is a deadly matter and requires action not just words.</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">------------------------------------&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div>&nbsp;</div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4817:4817','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5643:\"<span style=\"font-size: large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPLEASE EXCUSE MY SARCASM IN THE RESPONSES FOR THIS POLL - THIS PRESIDENT AND HIS ILK HAVE GOT TO GO!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan Republican Rep. Candice Miller is calling on President Obama to dispatch the National Guard to the border to aid the U.S. Border Patrol, currently overwhelmed with the large influx of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAccording to Miller, the Vice Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, the government needs to take immediate action.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShe noted that DHS expects more than 60,000 unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors to cross the border this year &mdash; more than 47,000 have already done so &mdash; and more than 127,000 in 2015.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Michigan congresswoman went on to point to Obama\'s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals as part of the reason for the increase in unaccompanied children crossing the border. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span>This increase of migrant children is due in large part to your decision on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This decision to give children who have been brought to this country by their parents a special status was done without the consent of Congress and is not authorized by law. Furthermore, it has caused the rise of rumors throughout Central America that if parents send their children to United States they will be allowed to stay,</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span> she wrote.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMiller also called on Obama to launch a public relations campaign to raise awareness about the fact that new arrivals are not eligible for protections under DACA and that children trying to cross alone could be victim to &ldquo;exploitation, violence and death&rdquo; along the way. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span>This is what happens when the President acts with a pen and a phone without the consent of Congress and outside the rule of law,</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span> she said in a statement Friday. </span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span>Not only are tens of thousands of children being put at risk of violence, sexual assault and death, but also our border becomes even less secure and gives the violent drug cartels free reign to operate with near impunity as our border security agents are overwhelmed with trying to protect the children flooding across our border. Our nation must now take action to stop this humanitarian crisis and defend our border.</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nWhat should the President do about our southern border and illegal immigration?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCall up the National Guard<br />\r\nPlay more golf<br />\r\nGo to fundraisers<br />\r\nGo on celebrity talk shows<br />\r\nGo on vacation<br />\r\nBe impeached<br />\r\nIssue and executive order to become part of Mexico<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/what-should-president-do-about-our-southern-border-and-illegal-immigration\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/what-should-president-do-about-our-southern-border-and-illegal-immigration</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the legislature pass a package of bills that would make abortions illegal after a fetal heartbeat is detected?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 65%<br />\r\nNo - 30%<br />\r\nUndecided - 5% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nabortion legislation pkg...<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt is the constant, non stop revisiting of issues like this that cost Eric Cantor his job and will put Hilary Clinton into the White House in 2016. Time to move on people... there are many issues just as important &amp; relevant to people born after 1980 that need to be addressed.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4805:4805','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:6023:\"<span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan physicians would be prohibited from performing an abortion on a pregnant woman if a mandatory ultrasound reveals a </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>fetal heartbeat</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> under legislation introduced in the state House.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe three-bill package would require an external ultrasound before any abortion and could effectively criminalize the procedure after a heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six to eight weeks into a pregnancy.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe legislation, introduced with 15 Republican co-sponsors and a former Democrat turned independent, would require an abortion provider to offer a pregnant woman the chance to hear a heartbeat if one is detected and advise her whether she should undergo an internal ultrasound if one is not.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn the case that a heartbeat cannot be found, a physician would have to inform a woman that removing a fetus that has died is not considered an abortion.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPhysicians who perform an abortion after a heartbeat is detected could face up to four years in prison and/or a fine up to $50,000.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nA federal judge recently struck down a fetal heartbeat law in North Dakota, calling it an </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>invalid</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> and unconstitutional ban on a woman\'s </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>choice to terminate her pregnancy at a point prior to viability.</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> Another fetal heartbeat law in Arkansas that would ban abortion 12 weeks into a pregnancy was also overturned.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nRight to Life of Michigan, which generally supports the legislation and worked on the bills with Hooker, acknowledged that at least two of the measures could conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court\'s decision in Roe v. Wade.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nEven if other bills are challenged, Hooker said his main proposal would serve an important purpose by guaranteeing a pregnant woman the opportunity to hear a fetal heartbeat before deciding whether to move forward with an abortion.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>If a mother recognizes that her baby has a heartbeat, she\'ll be able to hear that heartbeat, and the chances of her having that abortion goes down dramatically,</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> said Hooker. </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>It\'s going to limit abortion.</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'<br />\r\n</span></span><br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the legislature pass a package of bills that would make abortions illegal after a fetal heartbeat is detected?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-legislature-pass-package-bills-would-make-abortions-illegal-after-fetal-heartbeat-det\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-legislature-pass-package-bills-would-make-abortions-illegal-after-fetal-heartbeat-det</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the government change the student loan program to forgive their loan debt balances after 10 or 20 years?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 6%<br />\r\nNo - 90%<br />\r\nUndecided - 3% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe system wasn\'t broken<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe system wasn\'t broken before the President federalized it.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541273,'',1),('content:4796:4796','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4816:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe White House and Senate Democrats are proposing to make student loan borrowers a pivotal issue in the 2014 elections.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPresident Obama on Monday signed an executive order to allow 5 million more borrowers to qualify under a student loan repayment program that caps student loan payments to 10 percent of a person\'s discretionary income.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSome Republicans also have argued that government efforts to provide relief to students seeking a college education have actually contributed to the higher college costs. They argue that the more money the government makes available in aid and relief, the more colleges can get away with charging.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Senate is also set to vote on Democratic legislation that would allow student loan borrowers to refinance their existing loans at a lower rate.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nUnder the plan, borrowers in public service who make regular payments would see all outstanding debt forgiven after 10 years, while those in the private sector would see unpaid debt forgiven after 20 years.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe White House and Democrats see student loan relief as a populist issue, and would pay the $51 billion cost of the Senate bill over the next decade with higher taxes on millionaires, a poison pill for Republicans who have long opposed tax hikes.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTotal student loan debt has climbed above $1 trillion and is now the second-largest type of consumer debt in the U.S., behind mortgages, with volume tripling from 2004 to 2012. Seventy-one percent of college seniors are now carrying some amount of student loan debt, and the average debt load is $29,400, according to the Institute for College Access and Success. As debt has risen, so too has the default rate on those loans &mdash; one of the only kinds that cannot be escaped via bankruptcy.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCritics of significant government assistance for higher education acknowledge it is hard to isolate the exact impact of public help, but say it is logical that pumping more money into the system will raise prices.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>There&rsquo;s really no question that one of the things that aid does is enable colleges to raise prices at rates far in excess of almost anything else,</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> said Neal McCluskey, education analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOthers contend that research shows only a portion of government aid leads to higher tuition, with the rest benefiting students.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the government change the student loan program to forgive their loan debt balances after 10 or 20 years?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-government-change-student-loan-program-forgive-their-loan-debt-balances-after-10-or-2\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-government-change-student-loan-program-forgive-their-loan-debt-balances-after-10-or-2</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould Michigan freeze its renewable energy rate at 10% and be allowed to purchase out-of-state renewable energy?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 80%<br />\r\nNo - 12%<br />\r\nUndecided - 7% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nrenewable energy<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe should not freeze the renewable mandate, we should eliminate it.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOf course, if we have such a mandate we must allow the energy to be purchased in interstate commerce. Michigan has no right to ban imports from other states.<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541274,'',1),('content:4791:4791','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2251:\"<span>The Clinton County Republican Party Summer BBQ is just a little more than a month away!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTHURSDAY, JULY 24 FROM 5:30 to 8:30 pm<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Don\'t miss this opportunity to hear the candidates and to ask questions you might have regarding where they stand on the issues as we approach the August 5 primary election.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As part of the BBQ, question cards will be handed out when you register upon arrival that we will review and ask the candidates to respond to as part of the evening&rsquo;s activities.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As we move into the final days defore the August 5 primary I am sure each of these candidates will be looking for volunteers to help with their campaign outreach. If anyone would like to help their candidatre of choice this would be the perfect opportunity to make your decision on who you will be supporting and to volunteer to help.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Additionally, this year</span><span><span>\'</span>s 3 scholarship winners will be in attendance along with their parents. They will be reading their winning essays as part of the evening\'s activities.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON JULY 24!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor details and/or to register for the CCRP Summer BBQ click on the following link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/summerbbq\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/summerbbq</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/summerBBQ_regform_0.pdf\">TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM CLICK ON THIS LINK.</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nLATE REGISTRATIONS WILL ACCEPTED AT THE DOOR!<br />\r\n$20.00 PER ADULT (kids free!)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPlease bring a check made out to &quot;The Clinton County Republican Party&quot;.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;DON\'T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you have a silent auction item you would like to donate for the BBQ please contact Sheri Harte Willis at 517-281-6212.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541274,'',1),('content:3098:3098','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1218:\"The WARN Act requires employers to &ldquo;provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (e.g., a labor union); to the State dislocated worker unit; and to the appropriate unit of local government.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Department of Labor has issued guidelines instructing Pentagon contractors not to give the required notice to its employees that they might need to look for a new job. The Labor Department\'s guidelines are intended to stop Pentagon contractors from warning employees about possible layoffs that may come about because of &quot;sequestering.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nObviously the President doesn&rsquo;t want this type of notice to get out because of the potential impact on the voting public.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor an article on the debate click on the following story link:<br />\r\n<a href=\"http:// http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/13103-white-house-tells-defense-contractors-hold-pink-slips-until-after-election\"><br />\r\nhttp://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/13103-white-house-tells-defense-contractors-hold-pink-slips-until-after-election</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2747\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"warn_act.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:39:\"sites/default/files/images/warn_act.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:6:\"111389\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1349361385\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415541381,'',1),('content:1581:1581','a:1:{s:15:\"field_page_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3999:\"<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/club-sponsor-links\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong>The CCRP would like to express their thanks to all of our Corporate Club Sponsors:</strong></em></span></span></a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 128);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (CLICK ON AN AD TO LINK TO THEIR WEBSITE -- IF AVAILABLE)</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"> <span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><em><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1000 Club Sponsors</strong></em></span></span><br />\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.grangernet.com/\">Granger &amp; Associates, Corporate Sponsor</a></span></span></strong><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.grangernet.com/\"><img width=\"558\" height=\"504\" alt=\"\" src=\"/sites/default/files/granger_rev3_0.jpg\" /></a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 128);\"><em><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 300 Club Sponsors</strong></em></span></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Allaby &amp; Brewbaker Insurance<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.abins.com/\"><img width=\"561\" height=\"360\" alt=\"\" src=\"/sites/default/files/capture_2.jpg\" /></a><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stephen&nbsp; &amp; Anita Russell, A/C Electric</span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><br />\r\n</span></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> <span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; 200 Club Sponsors</strong></em></span></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Deward, Roni &amp; Shane Christmas, INSTANT SHADE, INC<br />\r\n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><a href=\"http://www.instantshadelandscape.com/\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><img width=\"547\" height=\"282\" src=\"/sites/default/files/instant_shade_final.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></span></span></a><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 0);\"><em><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; 150 Club Sponsors</strong></em></span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> </span></span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Andy &amp; Sunday Todosciuk, ANDYT\'s Farm Market</span></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.andyts.com/\"><img width=\"540\" height=\"175\" src=\"/sites/default/files/ansy_t_final.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415541757,'',1),('content:4673:4673','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5955:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;A bill has been introduced in the Michigan Senate to raise the minimum wage workers get in Michigan later this year. The bill would increase the state minimum wage from $7.40 an hour to $8.15 and give tipped workers earning a minimum $2.65 per hour a 10-cent raise starting Dec. 1.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe legislation is an alternative to a potential ballot initiative that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2017 and give tipped restaurant workers the same base rate as other low-paid workers.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe ballot initiative needs to gather a minimum 258,088 valid voter signatures by May 28, 2014 to put the $10.10 proposal on the November ballot. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nProponents of the of the Senate Bill say many restaurants would be forced to go out of business.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nProponents of the initiative ballot petition from the </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Raise Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> coalition, said the senate bill doesn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t go far enough to lift low-wage workers out of poverty and end their dependence on welfare programs.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the minimum wage in Michigan be raised?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - raise the minimum wage from $7.40&nbsp; to $8.15.<br />\r\nYes - raise the minimum wage gradually from $7.40&nbsp; to $10.10 by 2017.<br />\r\nNo - do not raise the minimum wage.<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-minimum-wage-michigan-be-raised\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-minimum-wage-michigan-be-raised</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAre you in favor of federal legislation to allow states to make </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Interstate Highways</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> toll roads?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 29%<br />\r\nNo - 71%<br />\r\nUndecided - 0% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\nBewarde of trojan horses in Toll Road proposal<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe already pay enough in taxes including taxes ear-marked for roads (gas taxes, license taxes, etc). Let the feds cut their outrageous waste and use such savings of existing taxes to improve highways and roads. But, also beware of several trojan horses in this proposal.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n1. Note the phrase how the toll money could be used for all transportation areas. This would include more of drivers and cars and trucks subsidizing bike and bus and boats, etc. Currently, this is happening as cars and trucks subsidize roads that are shared with buses and bikes who do not contribute their fair share of paying for the roads on which they ride, increasingly in lanes which are limited to them only even if they pay not one cent. Part of the toll collection would increase this unfair burden shift. (Locally, we\'ve eliminated a car lane and added 2 bike lanes on Michigan Ave and they\'re now working to have one side of Michigan Ave from the Capitol to Meridian Twp only able to be used by buses, eliminating on street parking and making it harder for drivers to turn and harder to access businesses on one entire side of the street for the entire stretch.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n2. Charging tolls would also be a perfect way to begin to restrict or halt highway travel within and between states. First, by beginning to stop vehicles. Then, to charge who-knows-how much. Note the comment that the charge could be different at different times of day. And, once the process of stopping and charging and treating things differently at different times begins, it\'s a small slide to restricting access at all during certain times or at all (pay attention to what is going on in the western states and not just with ranchers and recall how the feds closed access to all state parks and facilities, which included roads, when some budget matters were debated until they got what THEY wanted. Pay attention to land use planning in the west that wants to restrict human access to large areas of land because of various animals or bugs and the restrictions would also effectively close many highway areas.) It\'s also a small slide to envision an expansion of TSA to these toll roads to search and pat down and who knows what else. Watch all of this like a chess board.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541799,'',1),('content:4665:4665','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5651:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">POLL OVERVIEW<br />\r\n---------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Obama administration is proposing a major shift in how governments fund transportation projects.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe administration wants to let states charge tolls on interstate highways. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nA federal ban currently bars states from doing so in most places, but the latest White House push could change that.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe GROW AMERICA Act, a $302 billion transportation bill, has a toll provision that calls for eliminating </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>the prohibition on tolling existing free Interstate highways, subject to the approval of the Secretary, for purposes of reconstruction.</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'<br />\r\n</span></span><br />\r\nIt would also allow states more flexibility to use toll revenue for repairs &quot;on all components of their highway systems</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe proposal reflects the growing need for new sources of funding to maintain the nation</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s aging transportation infrastructure. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nImplementing the tolls would be a state-by-state decision that would require Federal DOT approval.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nStates would also be allowed to introduce </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>variable tolling</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> -- tolls that change according to the time of day or traffic conditions -- on interstates. The tolls are designed to encourage more drivers to carpool or use public transit in an effort to relieve congestion.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n&nbsp;----------------------------<br />\r\nAre you in favor of federal legislation to allow states to make </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Interstate Highways</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> toll roads?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/are-you-favor-federal-legislation-allow-states-make-%E2%80%9Cinterstate-highways%E2%80%9D-toll-roads\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/are-you-favor-federal-legislation-allow-states-make-%E2%80%9Cinterstate-highways%E2%80%9D-toll-roads</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new commen</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDo you feel it&rsquo;s time for Congressional Republicans to approve an </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>amnesty</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> or </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>legal status</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> bil?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 29%<br />\r\nNo - 67%<br />\r\nUndecided - 5% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTWO&nbsp; COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION<br />\r\n</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">------------------------------------<br />\r\n</span>COMMENT#1:<br />\r\nAmnesty<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI do not see what part of ILLEGAL nobody understands.<br />\r\n------------------------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #2<br />\r\namnesty<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe need to vote the people out who seem to care more for the illegals than the citizens that put them in office.<br />\r\n_______________<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541799,'',1),('content:4646:4646','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5564:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nPOLL OVERVIEW<br />\r\n---------------------<br />\r\nGovernor Snyder has asked the state of Michigan taxpayers to chip in $350,000,000&nbsp; over 20 years to Detroit pensions to prevent the sale of city-owned art.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nHouse Speaker Jase Bolger\'s is asking that the Detroit unions get some skin in the game by contributing money to help shore up pensions as part of the city</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s strategy for exiting bankruptcy.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe&nbsp; governor says Bolger</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s request isn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t on his list of conditions for the state to to solver the problem.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSnyder feels Bolger</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s requirement will make approving bankruptcy legislation in May more </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>challenging.</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\nSnyder and GOP legislative leaders have pledged state aid to settle the bankruptcy, partly to ensure city pensioners can&rsquo;t sue Michigan when their benefits are trimmed. But it&rsquo;s not a done deal in the Republican-led Legislature.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nBolger said unions should help mitigate the impact on pensioners, from whom they collected dues, by contributing an unspecified sum to a $816 million pension rescue fund.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSenate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said he</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s not as </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>adamant</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> as Bolger that the unions </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>put some skin in the game,</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> but that he wouldn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t hold up a vote over the issue.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n&nbsp;----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the legislature not pass legislation to bail out Detroit unless the Unions get </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Skin in the game</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-legislature-not-pass-legislation-bail-out-detroit-unless-unions-get-%E2%80%98skin-game%E2%80%99\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-legislature-not-pass-legislation-bail-out-detroit-unless-unions-get-%E2%80%98skin-game%E2%80%99</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act be amended to include </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>sexual orientation, gender identity or expression</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 30%<br />\r\nNo - 65%<br />\r\nUndecided - 4% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nNO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION<br />\r\n_______________<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541799,'',1),('content:4615:4615','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2592:\"Thursday, April 24, 2014 <br />\r\nHawk Hollow Golf Club<br />\r\nBath Township, MI 48808<br />\r\n<br />\r\nReception: 5:30 p.m <br />\r\nDinner: 6:30 p.m.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Clinton County Republican&rsquo;s 2014 Lincoln Day Dinner is just TWO WEEKS AWAY!<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We will be submitting the attendees meal choices to Hawk Hollow on April 15 so the last day to resister for this year&rsquo;s event will be April 14, 2014<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t miss a great opportunity to hear Attorney General Bill Schuette and Constitutional Attorney/Lecturer KrisAnne Hall.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe cost for this year\'s dinner and reception are:<br />\r\n------------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nCouple (Dinner &amp; Reception With Photo Opportunities)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $125.00<br />\r\nSingle (Dinner &amp; Reception With Photo Opportunities)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $ 65.00<br />\r\nCouple (Dinner Only)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $&nbsp;75.00<br />\r\nSingle (Dinner Only)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $ 40.00<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(Registrations and payments are due on or before Friday, April 14, 2014)<br />\r\n------------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/LDD_form_only.pdf\">Download &amp; Print a REGISTRATION&nbsp;FORM (CLICK&nbsp;HERE&nbsp;TO&nbsp;DOWNLOAD)</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO REGISTER ONLINE (CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK):<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/2014-lincoln-day-dinner-attorney-general-bill-schuette\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/2014-lincoln-day-dinner-attorney-general-bill-schuette</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nPlease send a check payable to the Clinton County Republican Party to:<br />\r\nSheri Harte Willis<br />\r\n4789 Drumheller Road<br />\r\nBath, MI 48808<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\n(Payments are due on or before April 14, 2014)<br />\r\nIf you have any questions regarding the 2014 Lincoln Day Dinner please feel free to call Sheri Harte Willis at 517-281-6212 or e-mail her at: shwillis1959@gmail.com.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541799,'',1),('content:4601:4601','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4388:\"<span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nA group of the Michigan\'s top CEOs says Michigan should ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe recommendation is listed as a way to make Michigan an aspirational destination by being a welcoming place to all.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan\'s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status, but not sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Michigan Department of Civil Rights last year released a study that found Michigan\'s economy would benefit from an anti-discrimination law that includes protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe study found that the </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>current state of discrimination</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> compels some professionals and college graduates to leave Michigan in favor of more welcoming states. It also impacts businesses</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span> competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce, ability to attract a diverse customer base and employee productivity and morale, according to the report.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDemocrats have proposed adding LGBT protections. Governor Snyder and House Republicans have said they&rsquo;re open to amending the law.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act&nbsp; be amended to include </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>sexual orientation, gender identity or expression</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-elliot-larsen-civil-rights-act-be-amended-include-%E2%80%9Csexual-orientation-gender-identity\">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-elliot-larsen-civil-rights-act-be-amended-include-%E2%80%9Csexual-orientation-gender-identity</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the governor sign a bill to legalize betting on </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>historic races</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> from the past between races at the tracks?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 45%<br />\r\nNo - 52%<br />\r\nUndecided - 3% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nNO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------ <br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541799,'',1),('content:4569:4569','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4989:\"<span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan Republicans may be looking to increase long-term road funding by increasing the state sales tax from 6% to 7 or 8 percent but exempt fuel purchases.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe plan would rely primarily on increased fuel taxes -- paid as a percentage at the wholesale level -- to fund ongoing road maintenance. But it also would remove the sales tax on gasoline purchases, eliminating a significant at-pump cost for motorists.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&quot;At the end of the day, it would leave the price of gasoline essentially the same as it is now,&quot; said State Senator Roger Kahn. &quot;It would not go up. While people believe the roads need to be fixed, not everyone believes an increase at the pump is the way to do it.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan is among a handful of states that charges sales tax on fuel, but that revenue is constitutionally and statutorily earmarked for other purposes, including school aid and municipal revenue sharing. The new Republican plan would make up for losses by raising the existing sales tax by one or two percent and dedicating that new revenue to education and cities. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nA constitutional amendment to raise the sales tax would require a 2/3 majority in both the House and the Senate along with voter approval at the next statewide election. Lawmakers are hoping for quick approval so that road crews can take full advantage of the upcoming construction season.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who has challenged lawmakers to find a way to increase state road funding by $1.2 billion a year, originally proposed raising the state 19-cent tax on gasoline and 15-cent tax on diesel to the wholesale equivalent of 33 cents a gallon and, after two years, allowing the rate to rise or fall depending on market conditions.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe governor also proposed raising annual vehicle registration fees by approximately 60 percent for passenger vehicles and 25 percent for large trucks. Increased registration fees may still be part of the equation, according to Kahn, but would be considerably less than originally proposed by Snyder.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhile lawmakers may act quickly on a constitutional amendment for the sales tax increase, they could continue to work out road funding details in coming months. They may still consider local funding options and other revenue generating ideas, including tire taxes or placing cameras on red lights for ticketing purposes.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSpeaking with reporters Wednesday, Snyder said he and lawmakers are &quot;in that phase of having really good dialogue&quot; about road funding, and are considering several solutions. Eliminating the sales tax on gasoline &quot;is a worthwhile discussion to have,&quot; he said,&quot; because &quot;that\'s one of the features that people say we\'re high at the pump compared to other places.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the legislature pass a constitutional amendment to raise the sales tax from 6% to 7% or 8% to fix the roads?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-legislature-pass-constitutional-amendment-raise-sales-tax-6-7-or-8-fix-roads\">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-legislature-pass-constitutional-amendment-raise-sales-tax-6-7-or-8-fix-roads</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)</span><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"><br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAre you in favor of President Obama signing an Executive Order to change the overtime rules for managers/supervisors?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 15%<br />\r\nNo - 85%<br />\r\nUndecided - 0% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOvertime pay for salaried workers<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhy would the Pres. enter a private business and tell the owners what they have to do in regards to their employees pay. This man has become a dictator and it is the FAULT OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE!!!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415541799,'',1),('content:4950:4950','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:524:\"With a decision about delaying deportations expected just weeks before the mid-term elections, the immigration debate isn\'t going so well for the democrats. &nbsp;For the most part, public opinion isn\'t on their side. &nbsp;See what the latest AP poll has to say: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2014/07/31/ap-poll-immigration-becomes-troublesome-hot-potato-for-democrats-n1872482\">townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2014/07/31/ap-poll-immigration-becomes-troublesome-hot-potato-for-democrats-n1872482</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415541983,'',1),('content:3997:3997','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:646:\"&quot;Smart guns&quot; are weapons that can be turned off and rendered useless by the manufacturer and the federal government.&nbsp; Proponents say smart guns will prevent unauthorized people from using firearms that belong to someone else.&nbsp; But opponents believe they will allow the government to disarm law-abiding citizens.&nbsp; What do you think?&nbsp; Read more:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/16357-improved-rfid-technology-in-smart-guns-threatens-second-amendment\">www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/16357-improved-rfid-technology-in-smart-guns-threatens-second-amendment</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3464\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"Smart_gun.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:40:\"sites/default/files/images/Smart_gun.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"13766\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1383139630\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415542265,'',1),('content:3426:3426','a:1:{s:15:\"field_page_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2374:\"<strong><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Chair</span></span></strong><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sam Moore</strong></span></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bobby Schostak</strong></span></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Co- Chair</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Coalitions Vice-Chair</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Outeach Vice-Chair</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Grassroots Vice-Chair</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Ethnic Vice-Chair</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Administrative Vice-Chair</span></strong></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>Youth Vice-Chair</strong></span></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://edmondsforchair.com/?utm_source=College+Republican+Leaders+Support+Blake+for+Youth+Chair&amp;utm_campaign=blakeforyouthchaircremail&amp;utm_medium=email\">Blake Edmonds</a></span></strong></span><a href=\"http://edmondsforchair.com/?utm_source=College+Republican+Leaders+Support+Blake+for+Youth+Chair&amp;utm_campaign=blakeforyouthchaircremail&amp;utm_medium=email\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> (website)</span></strong></em></span></a><br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://mattjonesyouthchair.com/\">Matt Jones</a></span></strong></span><a href=\"http://mattjonesyouthchair.com/\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><em><strong> (website)</strong></em></span></span></a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415542588,'',1),('content:2880:2880','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:548:\"Initially, conservatives were blown away by Chief Justice John Roberts\' upholding of the individual mandate in Obamacare.&nbsp; But, on second read, it may not be as big a win for the White House as it may appear.&nbsp; Will this ruling, in fact, be a net gain for the opposition?&nbsp; Get a second opinion at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.humanevents.com/2012/06/28/erick-erickson-roberts-forces-us-to-deal-with-health-care-politically/\">www.humanevents.com/2012/06/28/erick-erickson-roberts-forces-us-to-deal-with-health-care-politically/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2539\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:22:\"Supreme_Court_bldg.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:49:\"sites/default/files/images/Supreme_Court_bldg.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"21099\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1340980049\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415543592,'',1),('content:2696:2696','a:1:{s:15:\"field_page_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2270:\"<strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">_____</span></strong><br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 128, 128);\"> <span style=\"font-size: large;\"> <em><strong>May 3, 2012 - CCRP County Convention &amp; Monthly Executive Committee Meeting - 7:30 - St. Johns</strong></em></span></span><br />\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">____________</span></strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">_____</span></strong><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\"><img width=\"308\" height=\"263\" alt=\"\" src=\"/sites/default/files/courthouse.jpg\" /><br />\r\n</span></strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span>We will be holding a County Convention </span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span>on May 3, 2012 at the  Clinton County Courthouse at 100 E. State Street in St. Johns at 7:00  p.m.</span></span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span>  The convention has been called by the State Republican Party to select  delegates to attend the State Convention on May 18 &amp; May 19 at Cobo  Convention Center in Detroit.&nbsp; </span></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">THE MONTHLY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COUNTY CONVENTION.</span></strong></em></span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415543723,'',1),('content:4952:4952','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:448:\"In recent polling, Governor Snyder enjoys a 56% job approval rating, yet that same polling shows him with only a 4-point lead over Democrat challenger Mark Schauer. &nbsp;What\'s up with that? &nbsp;Detroit News columnist Nonal Finlay offer his opinion : &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/OPINION01/307310002/Gov-s-race-shouldn-t-close\">www.detroitnews.com/article/20140731/OPINION01/307310002/Gov-s-race-shouldn-t-close</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415543969,'',1),('content:1183:1183','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2504:\"<p>Just like flowers need rain and sunshine, <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100921/NEWS03/9210325/Millions-in-incentives-sought-to-transform-old-Lansing-City-Market-site\">property developers need other peoples\' money</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The vacant spot where the old City Market once stood could be a construction site next year.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Developer Pat Gillespie is seeking nearly $4.1 million in state and local tax incentives for his proposed $23.1 million mixed-use Marketplace project.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The site is eligible for financial incentives under the state\'s brownfield program because it contains environmental contamination.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Oh, that darned organic fruit! The juice leaked into the cement and caused an agricultural disaster. I\'ve always been suspicious of the &quot;organic&quot; industry, and my fears have been proved to be well-founded.</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;The project is not feasible without the incentives,&quot; Gillespie said.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>If it\'s not feasible, and you can\'t make a profit, then don\'t do it. This isn\'t rocket science. Why should I pay you for a private enterprise that will not benefit me?</p>\r\n<p>But why wait? Just because <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100921/NEWS03/9210316/0/NEWS03\">homebuilder\'s confidence is at an 18-month low</a>, and neither Michigan nor the U.S. as a whole has a competent economic recovery strategy, surely that\'s no reason the developer can\'t try to bilk the taxpayers out of more money.</p>\r\n<p>The developers at Eyde aren\'t going to rest until they\'ve gotten <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20109180318\">their share of corporate welfare</a>, either:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The East Lansing Developer in August announced the project did not receive a $2 million federal brownfield grant - a key part of a proposed financing package of roughly $21 million in tax breaks, grants and a government-backed loan.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>But don\'t worry, they\'ve still got their hand out, reaching for our pockets:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>But Eyde hopes it\'ll have better luck in a second round of grants awarded next spring in order to start construction by summer 2011, said Mark Clouse, chief financial officer and general counsel for Eyde.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Will we ever return to a time when people risked their own money in the hopes of succeeding? Of course not.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415544113,'',1),('content:4334:4334','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:372:\"Now that it\'s the law, we\'re finding out what\'s in the Obamacare legislation.&nbsp; Would anyone be surprised to hear that it\'s chock full of new taxes?&nbsp; Probably not!&nbsp; Read more:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.humanevents.com/2013/12/27/here-comes-the-obamacare-tax-avalanche/\">www.humanevents.com/2013/12/27/here-comes-the-obamacare-tax-avalanche/</a><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415544289,'',1),('content:2316:2316','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1301:\"Would the real republican candidate please step forward.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWith just 4 weeks before the Iowa caucus on January 3, 2012 Newt Gingrich is the &ldquo;current&rdquo; republican in the lead to get the nomination for president to run against Barack Obama.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nGingrich currently has a seven point lead in the polls over Ron Paul and a 9 point lead over Mitt Romney.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTo hear Gingrich talk he &ldquo;is the man&rdquo; the people have annointed to be their candidate.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe truth is 92% of Iowians say they are &ldquo;not fully committed to their first choice&rdquo; and that &ldquo;they just always keep their mind open to switching candidates&rdquo;. Twenty-five percent say they&rsquo;re concerned there may be a new revelation about their first choice. Sixteen percent say there is something they already know about their current candidate choice that makes them uneasy.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor an article on the Iowa Caucus and why their candidate choice is anything but decided click on the following story link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/04/iowa-poll-newt-gingrich-most-popular-gop-candidate/\">http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/04/iowa-poll-newt-gingrich-most-popular-gop-candidate/</a><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1974\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:8:\"IOWA.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:35:\"sites/default/files/images/IOWA.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"67683\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1323091747\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415546478,'',1),('content:1410:1410','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:898:\"THE BAD NEWS: <br />\r\nThe soon to be released 2010 census figures are likely to impact Michigan with a reduction in our representation in Congress by eliminating one congressional seat.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTHE GOOD NEWS:<br />\r\nThe redrawing of Michigan\'s congressional districts, by a newly elected Republican majority in the Michigan House and Senate, with the likely elimination of Congressman Gary Peters current Congressional District.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor an article on the possible elimination of Congressman Gary Peters district from <span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong>mLive</strong></em></span>, by Jonathan Oosting, click on this story link,<a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/12/census_2010_michigan_may_lose.html\"><em><strong> &quot;Census 2010: Michigan may lose $10k per resident, Gary Peters could lose his district&quot;</strong></em></a>.<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1117\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"peters_gary.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:42:\"sites/default/files/images/peters_gary.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"60923\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"45\";}}}',0,1415546672,'',1),('content:793:793','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1016:\"<p>Fantastic, <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100429/NEWS04/4290344/Texting-while-driving-ban-to-become-law-in-Michigan\">another law</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Michigan\'s attempts to crack down on distractions on the road will include a ban on sending, typing or reading text messages or e-mails while driving starting July 1.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nGranholm is scheduled to sign the legislation Friday on a broadcast of &quot;The Oprah Winfrey Show.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Why? One comment on the LSJ site said Oprah supports Obama and Granholm is going to need a new job soon. Cynical, but certainly possible.</p>\r\n<p>There is also the possibility that the law is ultimately pointless, but it\'s one of those fashionable laws that are very vogue right now. And our fearless leader wants to look like she is a progressive executive to all the hyper-liberals watching from Washington D.C.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJust like celebrity fundraising, it\'s about looking good, not really making a difference.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415546963,'',1),('content:1047:1047','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1277:\"First off, is anyone else frightened by the thought of a Virg Benero governorship? Besides further crippling our state with continued bad economic policy, he\'d probably put pictures of himself all over the state, and maybe even print his own money. (Those of&nbsp;us around Lansing know you can\'t help but be&nbsp;inundated with Virg pictures.)&nbsp;But at least the official Lansing site only has one picture of him on the front page right now, down from several million.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOnto my point. From the <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/13261\">Mackinac Center for Public Policy</a>:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>United Van Lines has released mid-year data on where it takes its clients to and from in the 48 contiguous states. Once again, Michigan finds itself in the number one position. That is, 61.6 percent of all Michigan-specific UVL traffic is outbound. Fortunately, this is down from 70 percent during the same the same time frame last year. Unfortunately, that drop may be a function of having nowhere to go.&nbsp;</div>\r\n</blockquote>And who says the Democrats aren\'t for private business?&nbsp;Their policies sure are helping UVL\'s bottom line.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes, Michigan! The feeling\'s forever... until you\'re driven out because you can\'t find a job.\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415547130,'',1),('content:4393:4393','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:480:\"What possible reason could the White House have for refusing to release the text of the deal made with the Iranians about their nuclear program?&nbsp; The Congress isn\'t happy about it.&nbsp; Yet the White House refuses to disclose the full text of the agreement.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Read more:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://freebeacon.com/congress-pressures-white-house-to-release-iran-nuke-deal-text/\">freebeacon.com/congress-pressures-white-house-to-release-iran-nuke-deal-text/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3815\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:17:\"Kerry_Iranian.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:44:\"sites/default/files/images/Kerry_Iranian.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"21506\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1389743469\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415547304,'',1),('content:2100:2100','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:749:\"Last year, Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles co-chaired a commission, created by the President, to make a recommendation that would deal with the country\'s growing deficit problems.&nbsp; President Obama completely ignored their findings.&nbsp; Nevertheless, the two are offering their advice to the current Super Committee in Congress, challenging them to make the hard choices necessary to solve the nation\'s fiscal dilemma.&nbsp; Read the full story at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/our-advice-to-the-debt-supercommittee-go-big-be-bold-be-smart/2011/09/30/gIQAPzjBBL_story.html\">www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/our-advice-to-the-debt-supercommittee-go-big-be-bold-be-smart/2011/09/30/gIQAPzjBBL_story.html</a><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415547583,'',1),('content:2380:2380','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:796:\"Despite what we might be hearing about the economy getting better, small business owners are not so sure.&nbsp; With ongoing gridlock in Washington, and serious concerns about there being any real leadership at the federal level, businesses are seeing inconsistent spending habits from consumers.&nbsp; And with consumer confidence being a major driver of a robust economy, uncertainty about the future isn\'t helping boost anyone\'s confidence.&nbsp; What do small business owners think about the prospects of anything changing in 2012?&nbsp; Read the full story at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/19/9563940-dc-gridlock-seen-as-big-threat-to-small-business\">bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/19/9563940-dc-gridlock-seen-as-big-threat-to-small-business</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415547825,'',1),('content:4659:4659','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:873:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Thirteen Michigan Tea Party candidates will be running in the August Primary against republican incumbents.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">These races will be a good test of where the voters stand on replacing elected officials who sided with Governor Snyder and voted &ldquo;Against&rdquo; the republican majority to pass Medicaid Expansion and other legislation.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">To read more on the upcoming elections and the Tea Party challenges to the establishment republicans go online at:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/04/tim_skubick_tea_partiers_defy.html#incart_river\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/04/tim_skubick_tea_partiers_defy.html#incart_river</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4044\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:10:\"teagop.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:37:\"sites/default/files/images/teagop.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"43093\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1398874502\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415548241,'',1),('content:2471:2471','a:1:{s:15:\"field_page_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1721:\"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img width=\"638\" height=\"274\" alt=\"\" src=\"/sites/default/files/tars_masthead.jpg\" /><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<strong><em><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PIZZA&nbsp; --&nbsp; POP&nbsp; -- FOOD&nbsp; AND&nbsp; FUN!</span></span></em></strong><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Come to the Mid-Michigan Teenage Republican kickoff!</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; February 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">In this crucual election year, young people need to get involved!</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">Let\'s get organized and make a difference!</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">All Ages 13+ WELCOME!</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">For more information contact NIC ROBERTS.</span></strong></em></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">517-886-1398</span></strong></em></span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><em><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\">nicdena@prodigy.net</span></strong></em></span><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415548497,'',1),('content:2293:2293','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2301:\"-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe House Education Committee Tuesday will discuss the bill the Senate recently passed that would remove the cap on charter schools.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSenate Democrats unanimously opposed Senate Bill 618, arguing it opens the doors to for-profit schools and jeopardize the future of public schools. School boards have also said it would have negative repercussions.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCharter school advocates say it will empower parents by expanding school choice. The cap prevents universities from authorizing more than 150 charter schools. Approximately 110,000 students are enrolled in charter schools.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the &quot;CAP&quot; on the number of charter schools that are allowed be lifted?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-%E2%80%9Ccap%E2%80%9D-number-charter-schools-are-allowed-be-lifted\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-%E2%80%9Ccap%E2%80%9D-number-charter-schools-are-allowed-be-lifted</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on &quot;Add new comment&quot; after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould the State of Michigan require and &quot;asset test&quot; for people to qualify for food stamps?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes . . . . . . . . . 88%<br />\r\nNo . . . . . . . . . .12%<br />\r\nUndecided . . . . .0% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nONE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnonymous Comment #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nHellooooooo, it is obvious too many people are gaming the system. Drug testing MUST be done to weed out those who are also drug and alcohol addicted. We should not subsidize their addiction!!!<br />\r\n---------------------------------<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415548544,'',1),('content:1823:1823','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:735:\"The Montcalm County Election Commission denied a recall petition filed against Senator Judy Emmons by a 3-to-0 vote stating that it was not clear or specific enough. Our state&rsquo;s future required structural changes in our tax system and parity, while the democrats have only pandered to the base in the past. Senator Emmons has done the job she was elected to do to fix Michigan!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis is hust the first round. The filer has already stated they will try again.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor details on the denial of the recall petition from the Greenville Daily News click on the following link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://www.thedailynews.cc/main.asp?SectionID=2&amp;SubSectionID=11&amp;ArticleID=39558&amp;TM=40989.05<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1575\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:19:\"emmons_portrait.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:46:\"sites/default/files/images/emmons_portrait.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"38005\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1307639855\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415548667,'',1),('content:2426:2426','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2529:\"OK, that\'s not what the quote attributed to Marie Antoinette goes, but this is 21st century America. From the <a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/in_blunderland_hKpNQkHfvpEWe4F51kI4dP\">New York Post</a>:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>A White House &ldquo;Alice in Wonderland&rdquo; costume ball &mdash; put on by Johnny Depp and Hollywood director Tim Burton &mdash; proved to be a Mad-as-a-Hatter idea that was never made public for fear of a political backlash during hard economic times, according to a new tell-all.</div>\r\n</blockquote>About ten years ago, I remember a scandal involving Tyco CEO <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Kozlowski\">Dennis Kozlowski</a> throwing a huge Roman-style birthday party for his wife involving scantily clad servers and elaborate theming.&nbsp; The problem with this particular $2 million party (and how can you have a party for under $2 million?) was that half of it was paid for with company money. That was one of the piece of evidence against Kozlowski, who was eventually given prison time for his other misdeeds.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe relevance of that side trip? Those Tyco stockholders paid for Dennis\' party, the American taxpayers paid for the Obama party. Had I owned Tyco stock, I may have been irritated at the thought of a company official blowing my cash on an ice sculpture of David. As a taxpayer, I\'m definitely annoyed that the man treats taxpayers like serfs on his estate.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPerhaps I\'m jealous. After all, I can\'t go to Hawaii or Europe and take an entourage of people with me. My family doesn\'t have the option of taking <a href=\"http://lonelyconservative.com/2011/08/michelle-obama-took-separate-jet-to-marthas-vineyard-to-squeeze-in-a-few-extra-hours-of-vacation-time/\">separate jets</a> when my wife wants to leave for Martha\'s Vineyard a few hours before I want to go. But at least for her trip to Spain, renting 60 rooms at a hotel, Michelle will pay at least <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1008/flotus_will_split_hotel_bill.html\">some of the money</a>. Maybe she understands what it\'s like to be a victim of her husband\'s policies. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nMaybe not.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThough I complain about paying for the expensive parties and vacations he takes (and don\'t think we aren\'t paying for the jets to get them there and the Secret Service personnel to watch over them), I would actually like him to take more vacation. When he is on the golf course, it\'s harder for him to wreck the American economy.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415549022,'',1),('content:1706:1706','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:721:\"Governor Snyder&rsquo;s &ldquo;Reinvent Michigan&rdquo; agenda has encountered strong resistance on almost every point of his plan as various groups take their turns protesting at the capitol steps daily.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor a point-by-point, review from <em><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\">mlive.com</span></strong></em> by Peter Luke, of the governor&rsquo;s various initiatives, and how the are progressing, click on the following story link titled: <a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/rick_snyder_recap_latest_devel_1.html#incart_hbx\"><strong><em>&ldquo;Rick Snyder recap: Latest developments on the pension tax, job growth, and film incentives&rdquo;</em></strong></a>.<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1469\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:24:\"snyder_capture_final.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:51:\"sites/default/files/images/snyder_capture_final.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:6:\"110848\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"128\";}}}',0,1415549342,'',1),('content:4060:4060','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5053:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nAs we approach another deadline with the potential impact of </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">SHUTTING DOWN</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> the government House Speaker Boehner and Company are scrambling to get enough votes to pass a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Continuing Resolution</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> that would fund government operations past September 30, when the current resolution expires.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nBoehner</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s dilemma is that the House republican conservatives will absolutely refuse to pass anything that funds Obamacare going forward as part of that continuing resolution. This conservative coalition is willing to have the federal government shut down if they don</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t get their way.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Republican establishment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> in the house wants to make a deal that would include the passage of the </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Continuing resolution</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> that would include a provision to defund or delay Obamacare. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTo sweeten the deal for the conservative hold outs they would lock in lower levels of discretionary spending and bump up defense spending&mdash;a position Obama and the Democrats now oppose, but probably not enough to block such a proposal. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis provision would allow the Senate to remove the Obamacare defunding provision. The result would be that the president would get a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">clean</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> continuing resolution to sign if he would agree with the other conditions the House leadership wants.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAccording to the </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Republican establishment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> their members could then tell their constituents and supporters they</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">d voted to get rid of Obamacare but the Senate stripped that provision out of the resolution. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the U.S. House pass a continuing resolution to fund the government with defunding Obamacare as part of it?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-us-house-pass-continuing-resolution-fund-government-defunding-obamacare-part-it\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-us-house-pass-continuing-resolution-fund-government-defunding-obamacare-part-it</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nShould adoption agencies be able to refuse to place children in homes based on their religious or moral beliefs?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 70%<br />\r\nNo - 22%<br />\r\nUndecided - 7% <br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nNO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415549372,'',1),('content:2803:2803','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1404:\"<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are several events and fundraisers coming up in the next month including the following that you might be interested in attending:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFOR DETAILS ON THESE EVENTS<br />\r\nCLICK ON THE ASSOCIATED LINKS<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTHIS WEEK&rsquo;S FUNDRAISERS:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJune 13 -- Michael Trebesh for State Representative Fundraiser at Motz County Park.<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/june-13-2012-trebesh-fundraiser<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJune 13 -- Ryan Cressman for Sheriff Fundraiser at Cork &amp; Bottle in DeWitt.<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/june-13-cressman-sheriff-fundraiser<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOTHER JUNE MEETINGS &amp; EVENTS:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJune 21 -- CCRP Monthly Executive Committee Meeting in DeWitt.<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/june-21-2012-ccrp-executive-committee-meeting<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJULY DATES TO REMEMBER:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJuly 19 -- 93rd House District Debate Hosted by the CCRP.<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/93rd-district-debate<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJuly 26 -- CCRP Annual Summer BBQ in BATH TOWNSHIP.<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/summer-bbq-bath-township-july-26-2012<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/upcoming-events<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415549448,'',1),('content:1426:1426','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5877:\"<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">HAPPY NEW YEAR </span></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">to all of our friends and supporters of the Clinton County Republican Party.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The 2010 elections proved to be an awakening for the electorate and the 2012 elections are possibly more important to the future of our State and Country than the election we just had. With your help our local party was able to:<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Host a first-class Lincoln Day Dinner, with four Gubernatorial Candidates, including Governor-Elect Rick Snyder.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Host our second annual summer BBQ and Fall-Fest Fundraiser.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Raise over $11,000 for our county party through our club sponsorship program and over $20,000 for the election cycle!<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Write max-out checks to our local candidates and organize walk days for them<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull; Retain our 7th County Commission seat and take back the 6th County Commission seat, making our county board 100% Republican again!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style=\"font-size: larger;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong>NONE OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; WITHOUT YOUR HELP!</strong></em></span></span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is important that we continue our efforts to elect people who will represent the interests of Clinton County&rsquo;s residents. One of our important efforts, to accomplish those ends, is to offer the opportunity to be &ldquo;Club Sponsors&rdquo; of the CCRP. Your continued support will allow us to continue our efforts by:<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. Helping us cover the initial costs for fundraising events during 2011.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. Providing financial support for Clinton County candidates (Countywide and Township) who will run in contested races in 2012. <br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. Maintainance of the Clinton County Republican Website (www.clinton-countygop.org).<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. Helping us to have an outreach to fellow conservatives and independents who believe in our goals and political philosophy.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em><strong>CLUB SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS:</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp; Recognition as a 2011 Club Sponsor in the Lincoln Day Dinner Program, all of our event flyers, and on our website. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We understand that everyone is busy and that they can&rsquo;t always attend all of our events, so we are offering the following three sponsorship options.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 128);\"><em><strong> $300 Club Sponsor </strong></em></span>-- Sponsorship includes admission for two to the 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner including the private reception, the Summer BBQ Fundraiser, and the Fall Fundraiser.&nbsp; <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"> $200 Club Sponsor </span></strong></em>-- Sponsorship includes admission for two to the 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner including the private reception. Admission for two is also included to the Summer BBQ Fundraiser, or the Fall Fundraiser. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 0);\"><em><strong>$150 Club Sponsor</strong></em></span><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 102);\"><em><strong> </strong></em></span>--Sponsorship includes admission for two to the 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner the including private reception. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n<em><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Projected CCRP 2011 Event Dates</strong></em>:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lincoln Day Dinner (late March or early April with a &ldquo;Tier-One&rdquo; or &ldquo;First Tier&rdquo;Speaker)<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Summer BBQ (June or July)<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fall Fundraiser (September or October) <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To take advanatge of the Club Sponsorships submit your payment to the address listed below. Admission to all events are transferable, with notification, if you are unable to attend any of our events. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSincerely,<br />\r\nTom Leonard, CCRP Fundraising Chair<br />\r\ntleonard28@gmail.com<br />\r\n810-730-7007<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Select the following link to register as a </span><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/2011-club-sponsor-registration-form\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong>2011 CCRP Club Sponsor</strong></em></span></span></a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Click here for a printable </span><a href=\"/sites/default/files/registration_form.pdf\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\"><em><strong>PDF Club Sponsor Registration Form</strong></em></span></a><span style=\"font-size: larger;\"> to mail in.</span><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"159\";}}}',0,1415549527,'',1),('content:4022:4022','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1874:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">As most of you know Senator Judy Emmons will be finishing up her term as Clinton County\'s State Senator at the end of 2014.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nBeginning in 2014 Clinton County will become part of the 24th Senatorial District comprising Clinton, Eaton, and Shiawassee Counties as well as the northeastern part of Ingham County.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSenator Rick Jones will be running in the 2014 election to represent his newly reapportioned&nbsp; 24th district.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt has been a pleasure to get to know Senator Jones over the last two years as he has helped to get legislation passed that has directly benefited Clinton County including the restoration of a judgeship in our county that was eliminated in the previous legislative session. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nSenator Jones will be having an </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Election Kick Off</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> fundraiser on September 23 in Delta Township from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm with Attorney General Schuette as his special guest, and hosted by Sheila McCoy &amp; Larry Brunette.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis would be a great opportunity to show your appreciation and support for Senator Jones and to contribute to his 2014 reelection campaign.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPlease see the attached event flyer for details.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/fall2013kickoff.pdf\">Rick Jones Election Kickoff Flyer (Click here to download)</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415549545,'',1),('content:3195:3195','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1574:\"Ah, the public is so gullible!&nbsp; There was a story recently about a pizza franchise owner who would have to raise the cost of his products due to additional costs for Obamacare.&nbsp; The writer wondered why the owner couldn\'t just &quot;eat&quot; (no pun intended!) the $.14 additional cost per pizza.&nbsp; He was a rich man.&nbsp; Apparently, the writer is unaware of the costs of doing business, paying employees, owning/leasing a building, utility overhead, etc.&nbsp; Did he take the time to do the simple arithmetic that would calculate how many dollars that $.14 would become?&nbsp; Or do the research to determine how much actual profit comes from the sale of a single product?&nbsp; No, he just made a simplistic, uninformed suggestion that the owner was rich enough to absorb the cost.&nbsp; This kind of thinking, my friends, is why our society is so ripe for class warfare.<br />\r\nNow, another restaurant owner is citing Obamacare as the reason for changes he will have to make to prices and employee hours in order to keep his business afloat.&nbsp; Those of you out there who believe all these &quot;evil, rich guys&quot; should just take it on the chin for the poor, struggling consumer need to educate yourselves about the cost of doing business.&nbsp; Which includes the costs of providing jobs, etc. etc.&nbsp; Read the full story at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/15/florida-restaurant-owner-adding-surcharge-on-menu-for-obamacare/\">dailycaller.com/2012/11/15/florida-restaurant-owner-adding-surcharge-on-menu-for-obamacare/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2807\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:10:\"Diners.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:37:\"sites/default/files/images/Diners.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"26798\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1352988908\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415549751,'',1),('content:1254:1254','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:474:\"We must never forget that federal dollars come with strings attached.&nbsp; Governor Granholm has vetoed a large portion of the public education spending bill because the money, as appropriated by the Legislature, is not distributed according to federal guidelines.&nbsp; Read the full story at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/legislative_error_puts_316_mil.html\">www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/legislative_error_puts_316_mil.html</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"189\";}}}',0,1415550365,'',1),('content:4636:4636','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:635:\"Congressman Paul Ryan will be the keynote speaker on May 28, 2014 in Mt. Pleasant at Buck&rsquo;s Run Golf Club. Come and join the other Republican Leaders from the 4th Congressional District and hear what he has to say about the upcoming elections and the congressional agenda for 2015.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTickets are $50.00 per person and must be prepaid. No payments accepted at the door.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nClinton County is allocated 28 of the 250 available tickets for the event. Ticket sales will end May 12.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/Paul_Ryan_Event.pdf\">TO&nbsp;DOWNLOAD FLYER CLICK&nbsp;ON THIS&nbsp;LINK</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415551725,'',1),('content:4355:4355','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:620:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Judicial Watch (JW) has released its list of Washington&rsquo;s &ldquo;Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians&rdquo; for 2013, and it&rsquo;s bipartisan in nature.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">To see why these politicians have made the worst of the worst list click on the following link:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/01/02/Judicial-Watch-s-Ten-Most-Wanted-Corrupt-Politicians-for-2013\">http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/01/02/Judicial-Watch-s-Ten-Most-Wanted-Corrupt-Politicians-for-2013</a><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3786\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:11:\"corrupt.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:38:\"sites/default/files/images/corrupt.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"63961\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1388760164\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415551774,'',1),('content:541:541','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:767:\"Michigan residents have been given the option of choosing an enhanced driver\'s license that will allow citizens to cross the border into Canada without a passport.&nbsp; Many residents are concerned that this choice could eventually open the door for more intrusion into our private lives.&nbsp; Maybe we\'ve been worrying about the wrong thing!&nbsp; It appears that the Justice Department is using cell-phone records to determine locations of cell phones and, subsequently, their owners without notification or warrants.&nbsp; Although considered to be a valuable tool for law enforcement, the potential and actual abuse of the data is cause for concern.&nbsp; Read about it at:<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.newsweek.com/id/233916\">www.newsweek.com/id/233916</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:3:\"421\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"cellphone.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:40:\"sites/default/files/images/cellphone.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"20122\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"312\";}}}',0,1415551962,'',1),('content:1357:1357','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:642:\"Governor-elect Rick Snyder is instituting a six-member super-cabinet, made up of representatives from each of six groups into which all state departments will be divided.&nbsp; The purpose of the super-cabinet is to keep initiatives on track.&nbsp; &quot;I view this as a type of synergy, a way to work better together,&quot; he told reporters at a Capitol news conference.&nbsp; Read more at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20101201/NEWS04/12020301/Snyder-unveils-plans-for-new-super-cabinet\">www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20101201/NEWS04/12020301/Snyder-unveils-plans-for-new-super-cabinet</a><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1062\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"Reinvent_MI.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:42:\"sites/default/files/images/Reinvent_MI.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:4:\"9132\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1414777275\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415552472,'',1),('content:5165:5165','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:540:\"The law states the subsidies are paid to people who enroll for health care through an exchange &quot;established by the state&quot;. &nbsp;But what if they enrolled through the federal exchange? &nbsp;The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. &nbsp;Where will Obamacare go from here? &nbsp;Read more:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2014/11/07/draft-n1915745?utm_source=thdailypm&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=nl_pm\">townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2014/11/07/draft-n1915745<br />\r\n<br type=\"_moz\" />\r\n</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415553281,'',1),('content:2084:2084','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:556:\"President Obama continues his whining campaign tour blaming everybody but the guy he sees in the mirror.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt looks like he has moved on from the &ldquo;Blame Bush&rdquo; mantra he has been spewing for the last two years. Now he is heaping his disdain on the &ldquo;Do-Nothing Congress.&rdquo;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor a great article from www.nationalreview.com&nbsp; click on the following story link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://www.nationalreview.com/articles/278069/obama-lies-about-do-nothing-congress-deroy-murdock#.ToCL2VBO8kE.gmail <br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1798\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:14:\"blame_game.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:41:\"sites/default/files/images/blame_game.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:6:\"101764\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1317061295\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415553295,'',1),('content:5166:5166','a:3:{s:18:\"field_banner_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4480\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:4:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";s:4:\"crop\";a:5:{s:1:\"x\";i:0;s:1:\"y\";i:0;s:5:\"width\";i:400;s:6:\"height\";d:285.71428571428572240620269440114498138427734375;s:7:\"changed\";b:1;}}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:20:\"US_Supreme_Court.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:50:\"sites/default/files/banners/US_Supreme_Court_1.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"29714\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1415553373\";}}s:17:\"field_banner_link\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:3:\"nid\";s:4:\"5165\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415553374,'',1),('content:5167:5167','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:245:\"What kind of a health hazard could a wind turbine possibly pose? &nbsp;You might be surprised! &nbsp;Read on:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20690\">www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20690</a><br />\r\n<br type=\"_moz\" />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4481\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:16:\"Wind_turbine.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:43:\"sites/default/files/images/Wind_turbine.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"18300\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1415553702\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415553704,'',1),('content:1430:1430','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:719:\"The 111th Congress&nbsp; has set the record as the most debt-accumulating Congress in U.S. history, totalling a whopping <br />\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;\">$10,429.64 in new debt for each and every person in the country!<span>&nbsp; Get details at:  <a href=\"http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/28/111th-congress-added-more-debt-than-first-100-congresses-combined-10429-per-person-in-u-s/#ixzz19Raee7np\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153);\">http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/28/111th-congress-added-more-debt-than-first-100-congresses-combined-10429-per-person-in-u-s/#ixzz19Raee7np</a></span></div>\r\n</div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1153\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:19:\"Taxes-Uncle_Sam.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:46:\"sites/default/files/images/Taxes-Uncle_Sam.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"78315\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"65\";}}}',0,1415553775,'',1),('content:3153:3153','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:896:\"&nbsp;According to a recent survey the two Democrat Party-backed candidates are leading the two Republican Party nominees by 3 percentage points in the race for the two eight-year positions with less than a week to go before the election.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf the two democrat candidates win the majority will swing back to the Democrats on the high court.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe survey indicated that 55 percent of those polled last weekend were not able to recognize the name of a single Supreme Court candidate.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt&rsquo;s sad to say that people are so uninformed and still vote for people they know nothing about that will impact their lives.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor the complete story click on the following story link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012211010384\">http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012211010384</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2782\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"mi_court.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:39:\"sites/default/files/images/mi_court.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"39051\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1351784960\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415554500,'',1),('content:2273:2273','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3782:\"-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe people of the state of Michigan approved the medical marijuana ballot initiative in 2008.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nKalamazoo voters recently approved making a little marijuana use a minor issue by successfully passing an amendment to the city\'s charter.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSixty-five percent of those who voted on it were in favor of amending the Kalamazoo city charter so that the use of an ounce or less of marijuana by any one 21 years or older is the lowest priority of law enforcement.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe people promoting the charter amendment drive in Kalamazoo state that their ultimate goal is for legalized marijuana use that the government can then tax and regulate.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nA Kalamazoo attorney and one of the authors of the successful charter amendment, said there is a grassroots movement to lessen the penalties for marijuana possession.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThese activists see the 2012 presidential election year as a prime opportunity to push their agenda to decriminalize pot growing and use by Michigan&rsquo;s residents.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nAre you in favor of decriminalizing the growing and use of marijuana for personal use in Michigan?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/are-you-favor-decriminalizing-growing-and-use-marijuana-personal-use-michigan\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/are-you-favor-decriminalizing-growing-and-use-marijuana-personal-use-michigan</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on &quot;Add new comment&quot; after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould Michigan public schools require the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance each day?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes . . . . . . . . . . 76%<br />\r\nNo . . . . . . . . . . .24%<br />\r\nUndecided . . . . . . 0% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTWO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnonymous Comment #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&quot;Some teachers argue that small children are unable to understand what giving their consent means or understand the Pledge they are taking.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhen did the daily saying of the Pledge of Allegiance stop occuring in our schools? Teachers that &quot;argue&quot; this nonsense should not be teachers and should be removed. They must have a huge attitude problem and are unwilling to do the job paid for by American taxpayers. The entire purpose of education at home or in schools is that children, small and big, learn the meaning of words and ideas by repetition: whether please, thank you, I love you, I\'m sorry, addition, subtraction, the times tables, etc. Teacher that may this &quot;arguement&quot; may personally disagree with the Pledge or hate the United States and wish to obstruct the student\'s education of all that the pledge says about the United States, our symbols and their meaning: flag, republic ,one nation under God, liberty and justice for all. If a teacher cannot or will not teach the Pledge of Allegiance, it is likely that they are also not properly teaching American History, World History or citizenship and key core values.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n---------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415554852,'',1),('content:4870:4870','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:413:\"Is anti-American sentiment growing... in America? &nbsp;How disheartening to hear that recent polling finds that 44% of Americans aren\'t proud of their country. &nbsp;What\'s behind this change in the attitude of our citizens? &nbsp;Read more: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.nationalreview.com/article/381960/resenting-republic-jonah-goldberg\">www.nationalreview.com/article/381960/resenting-republic-jonah-goldberg</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4238\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:19:\"i-heart-america.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:46:\"sites/default/files/images/i-heart-america.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"26250\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1404743961\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415555077,'',1),('content:4772:4772','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:809:\"<span style=\"font-size: large;\">&nbsp;<span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Congressman Paul Ryan, speaking at Bucks Run Golf Club at the 4th Congressional District Republican Spring Breakfast, paid tribute to Congressman Camp&rsquo;s years of service to the People of the State of Michigan.</span>  </span>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: large;\">To read more on the 4th Congressional Spring Breakfast at Buck&rsquo;s Run with Paul Ryan in Mt. Pleasant go online at:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><a href=\"http://www.ourmidland.com/news/u-s-rep-ryan-lauds-retiring-dave-camp-at-th/article_55e26d82-543b-5278-9945-f2d6736ae488.html\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">http://www.ourmidland.com/news/u-s-rep-ryan-lauds-retiring-dave-camp-at-th/article_55e26d82-543b-5278-9945-f2d6736ae488.html</span></a></p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4159\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:8:\"ryan.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:35:\"sites/default/files/images/ryan.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"12863\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1401454418\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415555177,'',1),('content:3178:3178','a:1:{s:16:\"field_forum_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1149:\"You hear about the “New Normal” constantly in the mainstream media and the news. \r\n\r\nIs it normal to believe that it’s OK to “murder” a child in the womb? \r\n\r\nIs it “normal” to believe that having multiple children out of wedlock with no means of support is OK? \r\n\r\nDo you believe that it’s “normal” that people of the same sex get married? \r\n\r\nDo you believe that it’s “normal” that pornography is considered acceptable? \r\n\r\nDo you believe that it’s “normal” that over 50% of marriages end in divorce?  \r\n\r\nAll of these things have one thing in common. They are indicators of a society in decay. When the moral values the our country’s founding fathers believed were integral to its success are continually eroded away by our educational and liberal judicial system based on “rights” we end up with the belief that everything is acceptable. \r\n\r\nA country without a moral base is a country doomed for destruction. \r\n\r\nAs conservatives can we be “tolerant” and agree that the practices that we might consider “unnatural acts or practices” are OK and that we shouldn’t speak out if we see it as wrong?\r\n\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415555608,'',1),('content:4329:4329','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:493:\"Federal law requires a corporation to report a security breach to customers, as we\'ve seen over the past several days with the breach that occurred at Target stores over the Thanksgiving weekend.&nbsp; So wouldn\'t you expect the same requirements for HealthCare.gov?&nbsp; Maybe not.&nbsp; Read the full story:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://m.nationalreview.com/article/366964/hiding-hacking-healthcaregov-john-fund\">m.nationalreview.com/article/366964/hiding-hacking-healthcaregov-john-fund</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3763\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:17:\"Hacker_attack.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:44:\"sites/default/files/images/Hacker_attack.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"50059\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1387821103\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415555970,'',1),('content:1526:1526','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:496:\"It sounds pretty good.&nbsp; According to proponents, high speed rail transportation would &quot;provide environmental benefits, reduce highway-traffic congestion and ease air-traffic congestion.&quot;&nbsp; But at what cost?&nbsp; And can we afford it now&hellip; or ever?&nbsp; Read more at:&nbsp; <br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/258417/high-speed-rail-budget-buster-wendell-cox\">www.nationalreview.com/articles/258417/high-speed-rail-budget-buster-wendell-cox</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"41\";}}}',0,1415556710,'',1),('content:3163:3163','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:526:\"&quot;Special Interests&quot; shouldn\'t be given special consideration in the constitution. Unions are pushing hard to carve out a sweetheart deal for their members. The people of Michigan SHOULD&nbsp;NOT&nbsp;vote for special treatment for 3% of the population. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTo see the cost of all of the proposals and what they are projected to cost you and me read the follwoing article:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/17904\">http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/17904</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2790\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"proposals.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:40:\"sites/default/files/images/proposals.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"73458\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1352037132\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415557315,'',1),('content:3919:3919','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:564:\"After two years of study, the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness released its report this week.&nbsp; The report indicates that Michigan needs a strong system for evaluating teacher performance, but that these findings should not be used as a basis for merit pay.&nbsp; How did they come to this conclusion?&nbsp; Read more:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2013/07/pay_for_performance_not_recomm.html#incart_river_default\">www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2013/07/pay_for_performance_not_recomm.html#incart_river_default</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3400\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:18:\"classroomboard.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:47:\"sites/default/files/images/classroomboard_3.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:4:\"9013\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1374664685\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415557324,'',1),('content:4647:4647','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:815:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Serving as a Michigan State Senator, Gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer, voted to &ldquo;underfund&rdquo; the employee retirement system in 2007.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Now all of a sudden he is calling for fiscal responsibility and long term solvency for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">The question is which Mark Schauer do we believe?</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Read more on his comments regarding the funding of public employee retirement systems online at:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20016\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20016</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4035\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:11:\"schauer.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:38:\"sites/default/files/images/schauer.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"61774\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1398433977\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415558000,'',1),('content:2788:2788','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:683:\"Last year, the State of Florida began a project that checked motor vehicle records against the voter registration database in an effort to remove ineligible voters from the rolls.&nbsp; Because a portion of Florida is still covered by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Justice Department has jurisdiction to halt the process.&nbsp; Why would the Justice Department want to stop an effort intended to ensure the validity of an election?&nbsp; Read more at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.humanevents.com/2012/06/01/justice-department-orders-florida-to-halt-ineligible-voter-purge/\">www.humanevents.com/2012/06/01/justice-department-orders-florida-to-halt-ineligible-voter-purge/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415558522,'',1),('content:470:470','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:282:\"While the Congress creates more and more and  spends more and more, the general public believes the government is already too big.&nbsp; Where will it all end?&nbsp; Find out more about the public\'s opinions about big government at:&nbsp; http://cnsnews.com/news/article/60104<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:3:\"401\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:14:\"US_Capitol.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:41:\"sites/default/files/images/US_Capitol.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"28009\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"272\";}}}',0,1415558824,'',1),('content:2298:2298','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:791:\"What is the goal of government?&nbsp; Is individual freedom being subverted by the concept of collectivism?&nbsp; John Hayward\'s article, published online at the Human Events site, explains that the struggle for&nbsp; liberty is on-going, but collectivism has a point of no return.&nbsp; He says, &quot;Stated in its simplest form: once 51% of the population is dependent  upon the government, its growth can never be halted, because those who  place a high value upon economic freedom will always be outvoted by the  dependency class.&quot;&nbsp; How does this idea play into Obama\'s re-election strategy?&nbsp; What does it mean to middle class America?&nbsp; Read the full story at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=47792\">www.humanevents.com/article.php</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415559424,'',1),('content:1382:1382','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1098:\"<p>This morning, while browsing a must-read site for me, <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php\">The Michigan View</a>, there it was, a <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1232\">post by Henry Payne</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Your motel tax bill - going up!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>(Mackinac Center) - <a href=\"http://michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=513371\">Senate Bill 1515</a>, Increase hotel and motel tax, passed 70 to 32 in the House.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>To increase from 2 percent to 5 percent the amount of room tax that can be imposed on hotels and motels by any local convention and tourism marketing bureau.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Sadly, many Republicans voted for the bill, trying to capitalize on our tourism industry, apparently not realizing that many Michiganders stay in their own state for their vacations.</p>\r\n<p>On the plus side, our representative, Rep. Opsommer, did not vote for the tax increase. On the minus side, this is what passes for bipartisanship - both sides voting for bad bills.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415559471,'',1),('content:4560:4560','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:481:\"After the winter we\'ve just had, the roads are really going to need some work this Spring.&nbsp; How will we pay for it?&nbsp; Republicans are working on a plan that will raise the sales tax, but eliminate sales tax on fuel purchases.&nbsp; Are there any other ideas?&nbsp; Read the full story:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/michigan_road_funding_republic.html\">www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/michigan_road_funding_republic.html</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3961\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"Potholes.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:39:\"sites/default/files/images/Potholes.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"25702\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1394978795\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415559724,'',1),('content:3064:3064','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:382:\"September 17 marks the 225 anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.&nbsp; Don\'t miss this article, giving us a brief backstory about the creation of this remarkable document, that laid the vision of the Founding Fathers:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.humanevents.com/2012/09/17/celebrating-constitution-day/\">www.humanevents.com/2012/09/17/celebrating-constitution-day/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2705\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:18:\"Constitution-2.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:45:\"sites/default/files/images/Constitution-2.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"33232\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1347881641\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415560444,'',1),('content:4330:4330','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:796:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Detroit that was once one&nbsp; of the most successful cities in the U.S. has now become a sightseeing tour of abandoned buildings, factories, schools, and churches.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Decades of progressive democrat leadership and liberal policies and programs have resulted in a city in ruin.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Read more about the people coming to see the remains of a once bustling city online at:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/26/Detroit-Demise-Spurs-Tourist-Attraction-of-Ruin-Porn\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/26/Detroit-Demise-Spurs-Tourist-Attraction-of-Ruin-Porn</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3765\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:20:\"detroint_in_ruin.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:47:\"sites/default/files/images/detroint_in_ruin.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"19793\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1388150005\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415560730,'',1),('content:1915:1915','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:584:\"U.S. Senate candidate Randy Hekman wants to get elected to the U.S. Senate to help fix the federal government. Facing an uphill battle against former Congressman Pete Hoekstra and several other potential primary candidates, Hekman knows the challenges ahead but is in the race to make a difference. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor a background article from www.rockfordindependent.com on Judge Hekman, his background, his beliefs, and his goals click on the following story link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://www.rockfordindependent.com/main.asp?SectionID=11&amp;SubSectionID=11&amp;ArticleID=3961<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1648\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"hekman_2.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:39:\"sites/default/files/images/hekman_2.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"41682\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1311213245\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415560818,'',1),('content:2516:2516','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1013:\"<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It was a great night for Rick Santorum, winning in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota. The question becomes what does it all mean. It has been a forgone conclusion that Romney is the &ldquo;anointed one&rdquo; by the republican establishment.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This year however it is very apparent that the voters don&rsquo;t agree with the establishment&rsquo;s opinion. The next month should give us a better feel for who the &ldquo;people&rdquo; wnwantat to be their nominee for president to run against Obama.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">For an article on the Santorum win click on the following link:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/209345-santorum-routs-romney-in-upset-colorado-finish\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/209345-santorum-routs-romney-in-upset-colorado-finish</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2152\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"santorum.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:39:\"sites/default/files/images/santorum.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"67040\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1328722499\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415561646,'',1),('content:4008:4008','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:6937:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nEighty congressional Republicans has signed and sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, stating that the Affordable Care Act, leads to job losses, coverage changes and other negative effects.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSigning the letter from Michigan were five of the nine GOP representatives including Congressmen Justin Amash, Dan Benishek, Kerry Bentivolio, Bill Huizenga, and Tim Walberg.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFour of Michigan&rsquo;s nine GOP representatives DID NOT sign the letter including Congressmen Dave Camp, Candice Miller, Mike Rogers,&nbsp; and Tim Fred Upton.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNot a single member of GOP leadership signed the letter, however, nor did any major committee chairmen, which could signal that the effort has yet to gain traction.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nRep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) gathered the signatures, as conservative lawmakers continue to mount a campaign for Republicans to stand their ground on the issue during the fall\'s debate on spending. He also made clear he is looking for more members to join the cause beyond the existing total, which is roughly a third of House Republicans.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>We want House leadership to know they have a large group of members ready to stand with them to stop the president</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s destructive and unaffordable health care law,</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> he said in a statement. </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Despite sending the letter today, I will continue to keep a running list of members who choose to lend their names to this crucial effort.</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould ALL of the members of Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s GOP congressional delegation in the U.S. House vote to defund Obamacare?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-all-members-michigan%E2%80%99s-gop-congressional-delegation-us-house-vote-defund-obamacare\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-all-members-michigan%E2%80%99s-gop-congressional-delegation-us-house-vote-defund-obamacare</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nShould legislation be passed in Michigan that would allow for certain roads to have their speed limits increased?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 60% (39 votes)<br />\r\nNo- 38% (25 votes)<br />\r\nUndecided - 2% (1 vote)<br />\r\nTotal votes: 65<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\nSpeed Traps<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNever let politicians set speed limits. A good example was the speed trap in East Lansing that I got shut down. Gretchen Whitmer and Mark Meadows opposed me. I won that one. When tickets are written for speed zones that are set low for revenue then citizens suffer and are abused. Their auto insurance goes up. This is all about stopping speed traps.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nRick Jones<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT #2<br />\r\nThree reasons not to increase speed limits<br />\r\n<br />\r\n1. If MSP were to enforce other laws on the highways, we would also have a better handle on those who scoff at the laws and create dangers: tail gating, driving closer than one car length for every 10 miles of speed which is necessary to bring a car safely to a stop in the assured clear distance ahead, road rage, weaving in and out, texting, phoning and other laws that are ignored and put the rest of us at risk? These dangerous and illegal behaviors exist. Why would Jones propose to reward any of these folks?.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n2. Is Jones proposing to squander existing tax dollars on changing traffic signs instead of prioritizing it to fix roads and bridges? And then change the usage of existing gas tax revenue tied to a proposed SALES TAX INCREASE?<br />\r\n<br />\r\n3. Why should we accommodate those who break the law and drive faster than the legal, posted speed limit? What\'s the next accommodation: change the law to suit drug users and dealers, illegal immigrants, tax cheats, welfare cheats, wife beaters, pedophiles, rapists, etc.? Changing laws to accommodate those who ignore laws is a poor practice and a slippery slope.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT #3<br />\r\nSpeed limits.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nUntil the police prove that they will enforce existing speed limits there should be no increase in speed limits. Speeding is anything over the posted limit and should be enforced that way. We all know that a good percentage of drivers will always drive 5-10 mph above the posted limit so people will be driving 85-90 mph without concern of getting a ticket. I pull a 8,000 pound trailer on the interstates at just above 60 mph, partly because that is what is recommended and partly for safety reasons. The last thing I need is for some traffic traveling 20-25 mph faster than me. The difference in speed of traffic is what makes for unsafe roads. NO TO HIGHER SPEED LIMITS MR. JONES.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCOMMENT #4<br />\r\nSpeed limit increase<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMost people already exceed the speed limit so there\'s no need to make these expensive changes!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n---------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3987:3987','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:5427:\"<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nConsumers Energy will be installing 1.8 million smart meters in the next few years in Michigan to replace existing analog meters or as new installs.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Michigan Public Service Commission has ruled that Consumers Energy can charge customers who do not want to participate in their <span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span>Smart Meter program</span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span> with a one-time fee of about $69 to install a traditional meter. For those who want an existing smart meter to be removed for a more traditional meter, Consumers Energy can charge a one-time fee of about $124.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAdditionally for their customers who choose the opt-out program and not have the smart meter installed they will be required to pay a monthly fee of $9.72 a month.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOpponents of the smart meters state the World Health Organization/International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the transmission of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields that are used in smart meters as </span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span>possibly carcinogenic</span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span> to humans.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOpponents also cited privacy issues and interference with medical implants and believe the smart meters will not save money and are not environmentally friendly.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThey also want to preserve the customers</span><span>\'</span><span> rights to keep and/or restore their analog meters and have the fees eliminated. They feel the opt-out fees are unfair and create a hardship for those on fixed incomes.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nConsumers Energy officials dispute those claims of health and privacy risks, saying smart meters are safe, secure and give an array of benefits to customers.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nConsumers Energy says smart meters will allow residents to see exactly how much energy they are using on a real-time basis and adjust usage to cut monthly bills.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Michigan House has introduced a bill (HB 4315) that would eliminate the opt out fees that the Michigan Public Service Commission said the electric utilities could charge customers. The bill also contains a number of other limitations in terms of individual privacy related issues regarding the data and information that the utility companies would be tracking and storing.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nA similar bill to HB 4315 was introduced in the last legislative session but never made it out of committee and it is likely that the current bill will see the same treatment by the committee with over $110,000 in political donations going to the Energy &amp; Technology Committee members in the House.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the MI legislature pass a bill that would allow a&nbsp; Smart Meter&nbsp; </span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span>no fee</span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span> opt out for customers of electric utility companies?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-legislature-pass-bill-allowing-smart-meter-%E2%80%9Cno-fee%E2%80%9D-opt-out-customers-electric-utilit\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-legislature-pass-bill-allowing-smart-meter-%E2%80%9Cno-fee%E2%80%9D-opt-out-customers-electric-utilit</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span>Add new comment</span><span>\'</span><span>\'</span><span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nShould the MI legislature raise the state sales tax to 7% and use the fuel based portion of the tax exclusively for roads?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 33% (20 votes)<br />\r\nNo - 57% (34 votes)<br />\r\nUndecided - 10% (6 votes)<br />\r\nTotal votes: 60&nbsp; <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTHREE COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n----------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1 <br />\r\nSalex tax increase for roads<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes, increase sales tax by 1%, with that increase being designated 100% to Michigan Roads would bring in the revenue. Everyone benefits and it is a fair way to gain the money. What is not right, is that Michigan taxes-a-tax, by charging sales tax on the Federal Excise tax on motor fuel. They need to stop doing that. Taxing-a-tax is wrong.<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nCOMMENT&nbsp; #2<br />\r\nstate income tax<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFair and equal the more you make the more you should be willing to contribute for the benifit of all people<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\n#3<br />\r\nSales tax<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe are taxed enough already. Maybe the Governor and the legislature could look for the waste that is already there in the Government. budget. I would be for elimination of the money being given to the corporations to promote public/private partnerships. Let the free enterprise system work. That would bring in revenue to the state.<br />\r\n---------------------------------<br />\r\n</span></span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3979:3979','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4379:\"<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">DON&rsquo;T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER SCOTT HAGERSTROM</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(Michigan Director, Americans for Prosperity)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">AT THE</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">PEACOCK ROAD TREE FARM</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">In The </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Snack Barn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">11854 Peacock Road</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Laingsburg, MI 48848<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">When: Thursday, October 1, 2013 (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">$20.00 per person&nbsp; -- $50.00 as an Event Sponsor</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(Children under 18 admitted free with their parents)</span></div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(Dress is Casual)</span></div>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Don</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t miss this opportunity to hear a great speaker and to have the kids experience all that there is to do at the farm while the adults hear about how we can help restore responsibility in government!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(Please RSVP by September 25, 2013 to Sheri Harte Willis at shwillis1959@gmail.com with the number of attendees.)</span></div>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\nABOUT SCOTT HAGERSTROM:<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott Hagerstrom was named State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan in June 2008. Hagerstrom</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s sixteen years of experience includes directing legislative, political and grassroots strategy for Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s leading free market legislators.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott learned the importance of free market policies early on when his family was forced to move from Downriver Detroit to rural Southwest Michigan to Indiana in pursuit of economic opportunity. Scott worked his way through high school and college, earning his B.A. in Political Science from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Hagerstrom and his wife Amy are the proud parents of McKenzie, Dagny, David and Amelia.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Come and join us for a great time on October 1, in 2013 at the Peacock Road Tree Farm.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Please feel free to download, print and return the following&nbsp; registration form if you would like to sign up to attend FALL FEST and you don</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t want to register online.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><a href=\"/sites/default/files/2013_fall_fundraiser.pdf\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">FALL FEST REGISTRATION FORM (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD)</span></a><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n<br />\r\nGo to to the following web address to register for the event online at the CCRP website.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/2013fall-fest\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/2013fall-fest</span></a><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">(Registrations will be accepted at the door!)</span></div>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><br />\r\nWe look forward to seeing you on October 1, 2013&nbsp; at the Peacock Road Tree Farm!<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3969:3969','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:8907:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nMichigan legislative leaders working with Governor Snyder are attempting to find revenue to repair Michigan\'s roads.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nGovernor Snyder, is asking for $1.2 billion per year in new road funding. He has been meeting this summer with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, House Speaker Jase Bolger and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAccording to MIRS the four leaders </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">are moving toward a package</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> that would:<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. Earmark all revenue collected at the gas pump (including fuel, excise and sales taxes) to roads.<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. The package would also increase the state sales tax by 1%, to make the new rate 7%. The additional 1% would be used to replace lost revenue currently earmarked for schools and cities.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMichigan is currently among a small number of states that charge sales tax on fuel and it does not devote any of that revenue to roads. Almost all of the current&nbsp; sales tax money is used for K-12 education and municipal revenue sharing.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTo make this plan work both the house and senate would have to pass legislation by a 2/3 majority vote in each chamber and then Michigan voters would have to approval it at the next statewide election as early as November of this year. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the MI legislature raise the state income tax to 7% and use the fuel based portion of the tax exclusively for roads?<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes<br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-mi-legislature-raise-state-income-tax-7-and-use-fuel-based-portion-tax-exclusively-ro\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-mi-legislature-raise-state-income-tax-7-and-use-fuel-based-portion-tax-exclusively-ro</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nShould the Michigan GOP convention delegates replace Calley as the Lt. Governor candidate at the 2014 GOP convention?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 21%<br />\r\nNo - 70%<br />\r\nUndecided - 9% <br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFOUR COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n----------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #1 <br />\r\nLt. Gov.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhat Calley brought to the table is knowledge about the legislature and the legislative process. Hard to imagine that Snyder, who has no prior government experience, would be willing to give that up.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n----------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #2<br />\r\ndo not replace Lt Gov Calley!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOur Gov &amp; Lt Gov have done a great job for MI, our state has improved so much in less than a full term from where Granholm had taken this state. I may have disagreements on a few issues with the Rep team, but this attitude of thinking any elected official is going to agree with us 100% of the time is what hurts us in elections. If the tea party or a group of republicans make an effort to tear up this team, we will likely see a democrat in both of these positions at the next election. Instead of tearing apart an effective team, why not put the energy &amp; resources into reelecting them &amp; help them in a constructive positive way to get the things we need done. This negative action also discourages other people from being involved. As a business owner, I have seen almost every business I represent begin to prosper again, which means more jobs, &amp; a healthier state. This campaign needs to be squelched by every local Rep party in our state! Our leaders of our local parties need to help our party elected officials not tear them down! I would certainly expect the Clinton County Republican Party to stand behind our elected officials including Lt Gov Calley.<br />\r\n----------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #3<br />\r\nCalley<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis is the kind of thing that is destroying our party. Deal with the few things you don</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t like about our executives and get behind them or we</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">re going to end up with another set of Dems in the capital!<br />\r\n----------------------<br />\r\nCOMMENT #4<br />\r\nIt\'s not about Calley<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe republican party has lost its identity and it is dying a slow death. When republicans can</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t see that there are significant differences between them and the liberals on the other side of the aisle it</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s time to close up shop. There seems to be a consensus that they/we will do better in the next election; that we shouldn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t rock the boat; that things are getting better; and that we should just ignore the liberal agenda of our own party.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe truth is </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">the people</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> don</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t have a voice anymore -- it</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s the lobbyists and special interests with all their money and influence that have our legislators</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> ears. The average voter can</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t compete with their power and influence and that</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s why the Tea Party was started.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe are made out to be the </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">fringe wacko</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> who are trying to ruin our state and country. The truth is we are trying to restore responsibility and accountability in government. Is it wrong to believe in the constitution, and that elected officials should be accountable to upholding their oath of office?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAs far as the poll and the question that was posed are concerned the convention rules of the republican party allow for the duly elected delegates to the convention to select the governor</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s running mate unless the state party decides to change the rules before then. In my opinion that</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">s what free speech and an open political process are all about.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhat the Tea Party is saying by potentially having a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">conservative</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"> replacement for Calley is that Governor Snyder is the real issue and there isn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t anyone who is willing to take him on in the 2014 primary.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn the end the Republican Party needs to restore its core principles!<br />\r\n---------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3945:3945','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1198:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">The Clinton County Republican Party will be holding our monthly meeting on August 15, 2013 in DeWitt at the DeWitt City Hall, 414 East Main Street, at 7:00 pm. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nPlease find attached a copy of the Agenda for the August 15, CCRP Monthly Meeting.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/2013_08_CCRP_agenda.pdf\">CCRP&nbsp;MONTHLY&nbsp;MEETING&nbsp;AGENDA&nbsp;FOR AUGUST 15, 2013.</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis months meeting will include a brief business segment and then we will hear from Pauline Holeton on the issue of SMARTMETERS. If you are interested in hearing more on your rights and the utilities plans to install or replace your analog meter with a Smartmeter at your residence please plan on attending.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOur monthly meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. If you are interested in hearing what is going on in Clinton County, Lansing, and Washington please feel free to attend. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nSincerely,<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n<br />\r\nH: 517-641-6657<br />\r\nC: 517-281-4458<br />\r\nsgwillis1945@gmail.com<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3944:3944','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:9262:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nConservative leaders are urging House Speaker Boehner to threaten a government shutdown in order to defund ObamaCare.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMany of those conservative leaders have told Boehner that this is the </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>best and last chance</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> to stop ObamaCare before its major provisions begin to take effect.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThey feel passing a government funding bill without money in it for ObamaCare will give the president and Senate Democrats the options of; 1) Continuing to fund the government; or 2) Shut down the government on behalf of an unpopular law.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nA growing list of establishment Republicans (Senators John McCain, Tom Coburn, Roy Blunt, Richard Burr, and Richard Shelby, and Rep. Tom Cole) say the strategy will prove fatal to the GOP in the 2014 elections if it ultimately stops the government from functioning.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThey also feel President Obama will never agree to kill his signature healthcare law and that the public will blame Republicans if the government shuts down.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOn the other side more than 50 conservative leaders have signed a letter in support of the proposed defunding of Obamacare.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nShould the Republicans in the U.S. House remove the money for Obamacare as part of their funding for the Federal Government?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes <br />\r\nNo<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-republicans-us-house-remove-money-obamacare-part-their-funding-federal-government\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-republicans-us-house-remove-money-obamacare-part-their-funding-federal-government</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWho do you feel is the best candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan to represent the Republican Party on the ticket 2014?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJustin Amash - 26% (23 votes)<br />\r\nDave Camp - 61% (55 votes)<br />\r\nTerri Lynn Land - 3% (3 votes)<br />\r\nSomeone else - 4% (4 votes)<br />\r\nUndecided - 6% (5 votes)<br />\r\nTotal votes: 90<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSEVEN COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTIONS:<br />\r\n--------------------------------------------- <br />\r\nCOMMENT #1<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe need Keith Butler!! Not only does Keith Butler have a clear concise vision and understanding of where this country needs to go, he has already put it in writing in his book! He doesn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t waiver on his convictions and would serve with INTEGRITY, something we have not seen at our Senate level in Michigan in a long time. As a bonus, he would have the ability to draw voters from both the independents AND the Democrats. He did NOT receive the backing of the party previously when he ran. If he had Stabenow would not still be in office. Let</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s NOT continue to make these same mistakes over and over again! Put the best person in the position to do the job that can ACTUALLY WIN THE ELECTION!!<br />\r\nThank you,<br />\r\nRespectfully submitted by:<br />\r\nRene</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>e Jeffords<br />\r\n--------------------------------------------- <br />\r\nCOMMENT #2<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNot sure who would be the best candidate, but I</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>ve lost confidence in Dave Camp.<br />\r\n-------------------------------------------- <br />\r\nCOMMENT #3<br />\r\nCandidates<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWE the people need a true conservative and we need to get rid of the rhinos!!!<br />\r\nWe vote </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>supposedly</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> conservatives to Congress, and they vote liberal or moderate!! In the Mich. senate, we have the same problem!!!<br />\r\nIda S.<br />\r\n---------------------------------------------&nbsp; <br />\r\nCOMMENT #4<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJustin Amash needs to stay in the House. We can</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t take the chance he will lose in the primary and be gone from congress entirely. My choice is Dr. Rob Steele.<br />\r\n--------------------------------------------- <br />\r\nCOMMENT #5<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTerry Lynn Land needs to get her ego in check and get out of this race, if any of the other potential cnadidates who could beat a Democrat, get into the race. The last thing we need is any infighting, or competititve fundraising going on to decrease or chances of taking the Senate seat.<br />\r\n--------------------------------------------- <br />\r\nCOMMENT #6<br />\r\n<br />\r\nLand is accusing Camp of being </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>establishment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>? Someone send her a mirror. Camp at least starts out with $3 million and Land is not a good fund raiser and the tenor of her campaign so far has been lackluster. While Amash would be good in the Senate, getting there is another story: the fact that Amash is actively running for reelection while saying that it would be difficult for a Republican to win the Senate seat does suggest to me that he is unlikely to run for the Senate as he would need to be running now.<br />\r\n---------------------------------------------&nbsp; <br />\r\nCOMMENT #7<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDave Camp</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s willingness to work across the isle just says </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>establishment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> to me. Our Country needs to head in a new direction or we are lost forever. I would rather take my chances on trying to turn things around with a more </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>back to the Constitution</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> candidate like Amash. He may not have the money behind him but is more conservative and its time we stop taking the easy way out on elections.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe might as well have a Democrat as to end up with a </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>democrat lite.</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">---------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3938:3938','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4963:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\nYOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />\r\nLET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nNEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nCongressman Dave Camp told reporters he\'s considering running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Carl Levin and that he has talked to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell about the possibility.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMany republicans believe Congressman Camp would give the GOP a chance to expand the 2014 map of competitive states.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFormer Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is already running but has failed to excite many Republicans. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nShe made it clear she wouldn</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>t stand aside for Camp, setting up a potentially divisive Republican primary if he runs.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn an email to The Hill, Land cast Camp as an </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>establishment congressman,</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> noting his votes for the Wall Street bailout and raising the debt ceiling.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOther Republicans including Rep. Justin Amash are also looking at the race. But Amash this week predicted it will be </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>very difficult</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> for a Republican to win. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nCamp would bring significant fundraising abilities to the race. He has $3 million in the bank. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nCamp has also shown a willingness to work across the aisle &mdash; most recently taking up bipartisan tax reform with Sen. Max Baucus.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThat</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s a selling point in the Democratic-leaning state, though it could cause him problems in the primary.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Congressman Camp is under a lot of pressure to bring much needed tax reform to the American people and it is unfortunate he doesn\'t seem to be having success,</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> Land said.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCamp is term-limited at the powerful Ways and Means Committee, and cannot hold on to that chairmanship after the 2014 election.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNEW POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n----------------------------<br />\r\nWho do you feel is the best candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan to represent the Republican Party on the ticket 2014?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nJustin Amash<br />\r\nDave Camp <br />\r\nTerri Lynn Land<br />\r\nSomeone else<br />\r\nUndecided<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/who-do-you-feel-best-candidate-us-senate-michigan-represent-republican-party-ticket-2014<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(To enter your comments click on </span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\nPREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />\r\n-----------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShould Federal Bankruptcy Law supercede Michigan</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span>s State Constitution by reducing retiree pensions?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes - 51%<br />\r\nNo - 45%<br />\r\nUndecided - 4% <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTHERE WERE NO COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON THIS POLL:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n---------------------------------<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415561848,'',1),('content:3948:3948','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2014:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Why does the legislature allow a &ldquo;PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (MPSC)&rdquo; to force us to have something installed; without our approval or permission; require us to pay for it; when we feel it is an invasion of our privacy; and may well be hazardous to our health?</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Because we refuse to have our lives monitored and to protect our health, we will be forced to pay a fee under the guise that it will cost the company to send someone to read a meter on usage. There are other ways to deal with the issue other than to penalize the consumer that would not require the overhead that the utility says they will have to incur. There has actually been legislation introduced in the last two legislative session to address these concerns but neither of the bills ever came out of committee or to the floor for consideration for passage.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">This is where the Michigan Legislature has been negligent in the past, and now, in that they could address the issue legislatively to assure that Michigan citizens are not unfairly treated by the utility companies.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">To know why they don&rsquo;t do anything about it all you have to do is &ldquo;follow the money&rdquo; from the energy lobbyists and the energy companies to the legislators who have the power to do something about it. This issue needs to be given consideration and a fair hearing.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Read here about the MPSC&rsquo;s decision on consumer opt outs and the cost that will be levied on the consumer because of their desire to protect their rights and health:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2013/06/those_wanting_to_opt_out_of_th.html\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2013/06/those_wanting_to_opt_out_of_th.html</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3423\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:14:\"smartmeter.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:43:\"sites/default/files/images/smartmeter_0.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"20630\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1383014100\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415561965,'',1),('content:1354:1354','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:543:\"Governor-elect Rick Snyder has tapped John Nixon, head of Utah&rsquo;s Office of Planning and Budget since 2006 and  current president of the National Association of State Budget Officers, for Michigan\'s new budget director.&nbsp; Mr. Nixon brings a variety of experience that will serve him well in addressing Michigan\'s budget issues.&nbsp; Read more at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/11/what_rick_snyders_new_budget_d.html\">www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/11/what_rick_snyders_new_budget_d.html</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1060\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"budget_calc.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:44:\"sites/default/files/images/budget_calc_1.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"25182\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"206\";}}}',0,1415562259,'',1),('content:1712:1712','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:671:\"<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The Michigan Tea Party was the protest group of the day on Thursday April 14 as they expressed their concerns regarding Gov. Rick Snyder&rsquo;s recently modified proposal to tax retirement incomes.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor an article, by Peter Luke from <span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><em><strong>mlive.com</strong></em></span>, on the Tax Day Tea Party protests click on the following story link titled: <a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/tea_party_backers_still_have_c.html\"><em><strong>&ldquo;Tea Party backers still have concerns with Gov. Rick Snyder\'s tax plan&rdquo;</strong></em></a>.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"1476\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:18:\"Morris_Dick_01.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:45:\"sites/default/files/images/Morris_Dick_01.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"81363\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"47\";}}}',0,1415562313,'',1),('content:2671:2671','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2229:\"<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium;\">&nbsp; In the last decade the Libertarian voice has gotten louder and stronger.&nbsp; It\'s commonplace on Fox News to have at least one Libertarian on a panel on any one of their various talk shows.&nbsp; People like Judge Napolitano, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) are constant warriors in the fight against liberal progressivism, lending their voices to the GOP in hopes to stop the overwhelming tide of socialism that is about to swallow the U.S.A. in one gulp. &nbsp; Even better, some Libertarians have secured their own talk shows on the major news networks; like John Stossel, who continually interjects the Libertarian philosophy in issues that range from personal liberties to national security.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp; A few months ago a fellow TEA&nbsp;party activist and Republican told me that Libertarians were a danger and a threat to Republicans and their party ideals.&nbsp; This statement completely boggled my mind, as I&nbsp;couldn\'t grasp how a conservative couldn\'t appreciate the message of liberty, individual freedom, and prosperity.&nbsp; Libertarians aren\'t deserving of the label of crazy beatniks.&nbsp; It is often these Libertarian-minded Republicans that stand up for our freedom and rights when other Republicans are prepared to send them down the river Styx.&nbsp; <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp; A great example is Rep. Justin Amash who has bravely fought against dangerous legislation and has been an outspoken advocate for the freedoms of the American people.&nbsp; When NDAA was introduced by Sen. Carl Levin and heralded by Sen. John McCain as being brilliant and necessary legislation, see&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD0GthpIgQw\">www.youtube.com/watch</a>;&nbsp; Justin Amash<a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/12/us_rep_justin_amash_gathering.html\">, www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/12/us_rep_justin_amash_gathering.html</a> was one of the loudest opposers to this bill.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp; In this time of a fractured GOP and a crucial election year, the time to unite the party is now.&nbsp; <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp; Embrace the Libertarian Invasion!<br />\r\n</span><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415562397,'',1),('content:2474:2474','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1047:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">One of the cornerstones of Governor Granholm&rsquo;s plan to revive Michigan&rsquo;s economy was to bring the movie industry to Michigan. </span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">How could they refuse such a deal? They would&nbsp; be paid to come here to create their movies by getting subsidies.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">The problem is that now we have a new governor and the corporate welfare program for the movie industry has been severely cut back at the cost of the state pension fund that invested in the ill fated Granholm venture.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">For an article on the issue click on the following story link:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120120/OPINION03/201200338/1322/auto01/Film-industry-proves-to-be-paper-tiger\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120120/OPINION03/201200338/1322/auto01/Film-industry-proves-to-be-paper-tiger</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2108\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:19:\"movie_nightmare.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:46:\"sites/default/files/images/movie_nightmare.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"96555\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1327435420\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415562580,'',1),('content:3745:3745','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:831:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Allegan County commissioners voted 4-3 April 25 to recommend that state lawmakers carefully consider legislation restricting new electricity meter installation.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&ldquo;Smart meters&rdquo; will allow for the transmission and encryption energy usage data to the company without the need for an employee to read the customers meter.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">For an article on the controversial meters and the resolution passed by the Allegan County Board of Commissioners click on the following story link:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2013/05/03/local_news/3.txt\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2013/05/03/local_news/3.txt</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3259\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"smart_meter.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:44:\"sites/default/files/images/smart_meter_1.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"40976\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1368617055\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415562627,'',1),('content:3242:3242','a:1:{s:15:\"field_page_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2152:\"<em><strong><span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">LEBANON TOWNSHIP</span></span></strong></em><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Lebanon Township Hall is located at 10990 Colony Rd., Fowler 48835</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp; There are currently 5 Republican elected officials.</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Supervisor: Gregory Armbrustmacher (R), 11152 Stone Rd., Fowler 989-593-3279</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clerk: Daniel C. Smith (R),14234 W Kinley Rd, Fowler 989-593-2193</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Treasurer: Michael C. Klein (R), 4166 Jones Rd., Pewamo 989-593-3186</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Trustee: David Piggott (R), 4661 N. Bauer Rd., Fowler 989-593-2282</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Trustee: Gene Sanborn (R), 15674 Island Rd., Hubbardston 989-981-6878<br />\r\n</span><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The next election for all township elected positions is November 2016.</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Clinton County Commissioners:</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lebanon Township has one Republican elected county commissioner</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; DISTRICT NO. 1</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kam Washburn (R), 5201 East French Road, Elsie 48831</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PH. (989) 862-5565 Term Exps: 12/31/2014</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">TOWNSHIP MEETINGS:</span><br />\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 128);\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">The Lebanon Township Board Meetings are the second Monday of every month starting at 8:00 PM at the Township Hall.</span></strong></em></span><br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415563033,'',1),('content:3215:3215','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:516:\"In the 17th century, the pilgrims gave thanks to God for their prosperity, and today we celebrate the same holiday with food, family, friends, and football. (Those are my favorite F-words.) I have much to be thankful for: Having a box of Twinkies in the pantry. Michelle O. hasn\'t forced the nation to eat tofu turkey. Michael Bloombook hasn\'t been made health dictator.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSo raise your salt shakers and salute our freedoms with all the blessing we have to enjoy.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nGod bless America.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415563052,'',1),('content:4074:4074','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1974:\"This morning, House leaders announced they would hold a vote on the continuing resolution that would fund government operations but defund Obamacare as part of it. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe vote will probably be held this Friday in the House. Please call your congressman and urge them to vote for the continuing resolution that will deny any funding of Obamacare as part of it.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf&nbsp; the House passes the continuing resolution that funds the government but defunds Obamacare, Senate Democrats and President Obama must make a decision to shut down the government to protect a destructive, unpopular law or acknowledge Obamacare has failed and cannot be salvaged.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis may be our last chance to stop this horrible law that the majority of the people in this country are not in favor of!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDan Benishek - 1st District (R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-4735 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nBill Huizenga - 2nd District (R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-4401 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nJustin Amash - 3rd District (R)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-3831 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nDave Camp - 4th District (R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-3561<br />\r\nDaniel Kildee - 5th District (D) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-3611 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nFred Upton - 6th District (R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-3761 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nTim Walberg - 7th District(R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-6276 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nMike Rogers- 8th District (R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-4872 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nSander Levin - 9th District (D) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-4961<br />\r\nCandice Miller -10th District (R) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-2106 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\r\nKerry Bentivolio - 11th &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; District (R) 202-225-8171<br />\r\nJohn Dingell - 12th Distric t(D) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-4071<br />\r\nJohn Conyers Jr., - 13th District (D)&nbsp; 202-225-5126 <br />\r\nGary Peters - 14th District (D) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 202-225-5802<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415563194,'',1),('content:4045:4045','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2772:\"<span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">DON\'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR:<br />\r\nSPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER SCOTT HAGERSTROM<br />\r\n(Michigan Director, Americans for Prosperity)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAT THE<br />\r\nPEACOCK ROAD TREE FARM<br />\r\n11854 Peacock Road<br />\r\nLaingsburg, MI 48848<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhen: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm)<br />\r\n<br />\r\n$20.00 per person&nbsp; -- $50.00 as an Event Sponsor<br />\r\n(Children under 18 admitted free with their parents)<br />\r\n(Dress is Casual)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nDon</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t miss this opportunity to hear a our guest speaker and to have the kids experience all that there is to do at the farm while the adults hear about how we can help restore responsibility in government!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(Please RSVP by September 25, 2013 to Sheri Harte Willis at shwillis1959@gmail.com with the number of attendees.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nABOUT SCOTT HAGERSTROM:<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott Hagerstrom was named State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan in June 2008. Hagerstrom&rsquo;s sixteen years of experience includes directing legislative, political and grassroots strategy for Michigan&rsquo;s leading free market legislators.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott learned the importance of free market policies early on when his family was forced to move from Downriver Detroit to rural Southwest Michigan to Indiana in pursuit of economic opportunity. Scott worked his way through high school and college, earning his B.A. in Political Science from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Hagerstrom and his wife Amy are the proud parents of McKenzie, Dagny, David and Amelia.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Come and join us for a great time on October 1, in 2013 at the Peacock Road Tree Farm.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Please feel free to download, print and return the following&nbsp; registration form if you would like to sign up to attend FALL FEST and you don</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">t want to register online.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"/sites/default/files/2013_fall_fundraiser.pdf\">FALL FEST REGISTRATION FORM (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD)</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nGo to to the following web address to register for the event online at the CCRP website.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/2013fall-fest\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/2013fall-fest</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n(Registrations will be accepted at the door!)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWe look forward to seeing you on October 1, 2013&nbsp; at the Peacock Road Tree farm!<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415563194,'',1),('content:362:362','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:445:\"If Michigan legislators vote to raise taxes again, where should families cut their own budgets to pay the taxes?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis Mackinaw Center for Public Policy article links to a Dearborn Times-Herald op-ed, by Michael LaFaive, director of the Center\'s Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative, that discusses this dilemma for Michigan families.<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/11625\">http://www.mackinac.org/11625</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:3:\"326\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:18:\"tax-burden-irs.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:45:\"sites/default/files/images/tax-burden-irs.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"57703\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"303\";}}}',0,1415563679,'',1),('content:1408:1408','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:731:\"<p>The link from <a href=\"http://anncoulter.com/\">Ann Coulter\'s site</a> intrigued me: Earn 5x more and pay 49x more in taxes. So I followed the link to <a href=\"http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2010/12/is-tax-system-fair.html\">John Lott\'s blog</a> and there it was, the punishing effects of the U.S. tax code on achievers, complete with screen shots from TurboTax.</p>\r\n<p>And appropriately, the post started with a quote from Bill Clinton about how those who benefit the most should pay the most. I\'m not sure what he\'s talking about, since those who earn the most benefit the least - they don\'t receive government largesse like the lowest earners do.</p>\r\n<p>But, it\'s Bill Clinton, and he\'s know for, uh, stretching the truth.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415563687,'',1),('content:3161:3161','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:706:\"We find out more and more every day what the impact of Obamacare will be on all of us. We hear all the talk about how Medicare will be robbed to pay for Obamacare but no one is talking about the decisions doctors will be making regarind the tretment of seniors who need it more than the rest of the population. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor an analysis of the impact of Obamacare on Michigan\'s seniors read the following article:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/11/02/in-michigan-obamacare-to-cause-25-of-doctors-to-stop-accepting-medicare-patients/\">http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/11/02/in-michigan-obamacare-to-cause-25-of-doctors-to-stop-accepting-medicare-patients/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"2788\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"obamacare.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:42:\"sites/default/files/images/obamacare_0.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"83628\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1352035768\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415563895,'',1),('content:1460:1460','a:1:{s:15:\"field_page_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:872:\"<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><em><strong>This tab gives you access to:</strong></em></span></span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><em><strong><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0);\"><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/clinton-county-republican-bylaws\">CCRP Bylaws</a><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/becoming-clinton-county-precinct-delegate\">Becoming a Precinct Delegate</a><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/ccrp-website-user-request-form\">CCRP Website User Request Form</a><br />\r\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/ccrp-volunteer-recruitment-form\">CCRP Volunteer Recruitment Form</a></span><br />\r\n</strong></em></span><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415564552,'',1),('content:3276:3276','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2992:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">The Senate and the House are expected to deal with Right-to-Work legislation TODAY in Lansing.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;The Democrats and the Unions have vowed to use every procedural tool in the book and to protest the proposed legislation by bussing in hundreds if not thousands of union workers to protest, stop and/or to slow down the effort. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Capitol Building will&nbsp; be packed wall-to-wall with unhappy union members. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nYou can play important role.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf possible come to the capitol today and let your voice be heard. There will be a heated tent on the capitol lawn on how to lobby your legislator and&nbsp; to get information and to warm up.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI personally talked to the legislative offices representing&nbsp; Clinton County yesterday regarding where each of them stood on the legislation. Each of the offices stated they hadn\'t made up their mind yet on how they would vote because they HAD NOT seen the bill itself.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt has been intimated that the Governor, Senate Majority Leader Richardville, and House Speaker Bolger were considering carve outs to exempt a few specific unions from the legislation and that is why the people representing Clinton County needed to see the content of the bill before they voted.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you can</span><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">t get to the capitol today please call or e-mail your elected official and let them know where you stand on the Right-to-work legislation.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI hope to see you there to do what is right for ALL MICHIGAN</span><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">\'</span><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">S WORKERS!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nCONTACT INFORMATION:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor people living in Clinton County you can contact your State Senator Judy Emmons at:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(517) 373-3760<br />\r\nor<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.senate.michigan.gov/ima_form.asp?name=comment33&amp;form_path=e:/webforms/rep\">http://www.senate.michigan.gov/ima_form.asp?name=comment33&amp;form_path=e:/webforms/rep</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor people living in Clinton County, except for Bath and Victor Townships, you can contact your State Representative Paul Opsommer at:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(517) 373-1778<br />\r\nor<br />\r\npaulopsommer@house.mi.gov<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor people living in Bath and Victor Townships in Clinton County you can contact your State Representative Ben Glardon at:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(517) 373-0841<br />\r\nor<br />\r\nBenGlardon@house.mi.gov<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn 2014 Senator Rick Jones will be running to represent Clinton County as our new State Senator because of redistricting. It wouldn&rsquo;t hurt if we contacted him also at:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n(517) 373-3447<br />\r\nor<br />\r\nSenRJones@senate.michigan.gov<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<br />\r\nREPRESENT YOURSELF BY LOBBYING FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis, Chairman<br />\r\nClinton County Republican Party<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415564563,'',1),('content:1478:1478','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1313:\"As republicans we had a great year in 2010. However, Michigan still faces a difficult future with a looming 2 billion deficit, high unemployment, and a lingering sluggish economy. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt is our hope that Governor Snyder and the republican legislature will make the changes that are needed to &quot;Reinvent Michigan&quot;, to roll back the draconian regulations that have been put in place over the previous 8 years, and to restructure Michigan government.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOne of the goals of the CCRP is to keep the important issues in front of the people in Clinton County by writing letters to the editor of the various newspapers within the county. The emphasis in 2011 will be to focus on issues where we can identify republicans as the party that has the solutions to the problems.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTo help us accomplish that goal we are asking for volunteers to serve on the Communications Committee as writers or as ghostwriters who will sign letters others have written.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf this is something that you feel you would like to help us with please e-mail me or give me a call and I will give you more details on the letter to the editor writing campaign for 2011-2012.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSteve Willis<br />\r\nH:517-641-6657<br />\r\nC:517-281-4458<br />\r\nsgwillis1945@gmail.com<br />\r\n<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415564575,'',1),('content:2999:2999','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:897:\"<span>&nbsp;CCRP: SMART METER PUBLIC HEARING!<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp; The Michigan Public Service Commission will be having a Public Hearing  on September 10, 2012 at 2:00 pm, before Administrative Law Judge  Dennis W. Mack, at Constitution Hall, 525 West Allegan, Lansing,  Michigan.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis is an important issue to all of us, impacting our privacy and our  health. If you would like to hear what DTE has to say and have your  voice heard please attend the meeting.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFor details on the hearing click on this link:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/smart-meters\">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/smart-meters</a></span><span><br />\r\n<br />\r\nGet CCRP updates and news on twitter at @swillis1945<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415564586,'',1),('content:3115:3115','a:1:{s:15:\"field_news_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3146:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Hello Clinton County Precinct Delegates, Citizens and Volunteers,<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nWe have 27 days left to make sure the next 4 years are where we want it to be. To the volunteers that have come in to make phone calls or knock on doors, Thank you so much for all of your hard work and effort! To everyone else time is running out and if you want to see Barack Obama out of office the time is now to volunteer! We are only down by 3 points in Michigan and with your help we can do this, if Barack Obama loses Michigan he loses the Presidency. Michigan is in play and with the help of you we will make this happen and have a bright and better future.<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nThe last two weeks of the election are especially crucial, this is our Get Out the Vote Phase. We need to call all the Republicans and Independents that we have identified through the many months and push them to the polls and knock on their doors reminding them to vote and persuade the Independents that Mitt Romney is the candidate to turn this country around. Please start thinking about this and when you can sign up to come on certain days to volunteer. The Victory Center is open from 9AM-9PM Mon-Sat and 2-9 on Sundays and If you would like to knock on doors specifically, Please let me know what area you would like to walk and I will set that up for you. Please feel free as always to give me a call or send me an email with any questions or concerns. Please sit back think about how you want the next 4 years to be and volunteer to push Mitt Romney over the edge.<br />\r\n&nbsp;<br />\r\nI have two exciting events that I would like for you to attend if so tomorrow to support our Republican Candidates. Congressmen Pete Hoekstra will be in Lansing at a talk of Health Care and we would like to show our support for Pete. Also Congressmen Mike Rogers will be at the Lansing Victory Center for the Debate Watch Party for the Paul Ryan/Joe Biden debate starting at 9. We would like to have everyone coming to show up around 7:30-8:00PM to have a good crowd for Congressmen Rogers and make some calls. Snacks and drinks will be provided as always. Please call or email me to confirm that you are coming to either of these events or both. Thank you all so much.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nPete Hoekstra Event<br />\r\nWho: U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra<br />\r\nWhere: Lansing, Radisson Hotel, 111 North Grand Avenue<br />\r\nWhen: 6:00 PM Thursday October 11th<br />\r\nWhat: Health Care Debate with Pete Hoekstra and nonpartisan Independent Choice Network<br />\r\n<br />\r\nMike Rogers Event<br />\r\nWho: Congressmen Mike Rogers<br />\r\nWhere: Lansing Victory Center 520 N. Seymour Ave Lansing Michigan Republican Party HQ<br />\r\nWhen: 7:30 Thursday October 11th<br />\r\nWhat: Phone Bank and Debate Watch Party with Congressmen Mike Rogers<br />\r\n<br />\r\nNick Sizeland<br />\r\nLansing Victory Center Director<br />\r\nMichigan Republican Party<br />\r\nSecchia-Weiser Republican Center<br />\r\n520 N. Seymour Ave<br />\r\nLansing, MI 48933<br />\r\n517-897-3451<br />\r\nnsizeland@migop.org<br />\r\nhttp://www.facebook.com/LansingVictoryCenter<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"1\";}}}',0,1415564597,'',1),('content:4669:4669','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:615:\"What is the best test to evaluate how Michigan students are doing academically? &nbsp;Michigan has been transitioning from the MEAP testing to a group of tests that were developed as companion tests to the national Common Core standards, but concerns over how the tests will be administered and if they\'ll be ready in time have some legislators asking for a pause until they can determine what path to follow. &nbsp;What\'s the best plan? &nbsp;Read the full story: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewart/20140503/NEWS01/305030020\">www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewart/20140503/NEWS01/305030020</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4052\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:14:\"test_sheet.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:41:\"sites/default/files/images/test_sheet.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"16663\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1399239082\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415565294,'',1),('content:804:804','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:247:\"How do people respond to higher taxes?&nbsp; The tax burden imposed by state and local goverments can have an impact on where people choose to live.&nbsp; Read more at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/12679\">www.mackinac.org/12679</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:3:\"607\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:18:\"tax-burden-irs.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:47:\"sites/default/files/images/tax-burden-irs_1.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"57703\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"255\";}}}',0,1415565357,'',1),('content:4443:4443','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:911:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Governor Snyder\'s proposal to aid Detroit retiree pensions with state funding is &quot;troubling&quot; according to Fitch Ratings.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Fitch Ratings, one of the country\'s top agencies, criticized Governor Snyder&rsquo;s &quot;us versus them&quot; tone and said prioritizing pensions over bondholders may &quot;establish a troubling precedent&quot; in Michigan and beyond.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">Read more about comments from Fitch Ratings about the Governor&rsquo;s plan to bailout the Detroit pension system online at:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/fitch_ratings_michigan_gov_ric.html#incart_river\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/fitch_ratings_michigan_gov_ric.html#incart_river</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3861\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:9:\"fitch.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:36:\"sites/default/files/images/fitch.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:4:\"6795\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1390943458\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415565377,'',1),('content:3352:3352','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1493:\"Glad <a href=\"http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20342042/greeks-earning-42000-euros-to-be-taxed-at-top-rate\">this would never happen here</a>:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>ATHENS, Greece (AP) &mdash; Greeks earning more than &euro;42,000 ($55,000) per year will now be taxed at a new top rate of 42 percent, under a major new tax reform bill submitted to the country\'s parliament late Thursday.</div>\r\n</blockquote>The new tax rates, part of the austerity measures demanded by the country\'s international rescue lenders, were submitted to parliament hours after the finance ministers from the 17 European Union countries that use the euro agreed in Brussels to restart rescue loan payments. Greece is in line to get &euro;49.1 billion ($64 billion) between now and March, with &euro;34.3 billion of that amount due in the coming days.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThat sounds awful, the way a company or country could tell another country how to structure its tax system. What kind of country would let itself be owned like that, with out of control spending? That\'s terribly obtuse of its leaders to do such a thing.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>&quot;Today ends a long and difficult period of anxiety for Greece,&quot; Samaras told Greek reporters in Brussels.</div>\r\n</blockquote>Well thank goodness for that. Now that government theft... sorry, tax rates... have been raised to take almost half of what a middle class earner would make, all is well in the Aegean, the birthplace of democracy.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415565580,'',1),('content:1833:1833','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:615:\"We hear the democrat spin every day about how we MUST move to alternative energy and how great it will be. What they don&rsquo;t tell you is that it will help push much of the middle class into a financial crisis. They don&rsquo;t tell you what the cost of this energy will be because of the draconian EPA regulations on power generators. 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And what a stellar issue! Let\'s discuss the five cover stories that assaulted its readers.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe big story was about the city\'s winter festival, complete with picture. Excellent, local news about a popular event, as it should be. I even went to the aforementioned festival, and it was quite lively. And cold, so I went inside and had a beer.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAlong the top banner was teaser for biking around Traverse Coty. Biking as in using a bicycle.&nbsp; In winter. This sounds like a horrible idea to me. One of the things Northern Michigan is&nbsp; known for is its snow, and biking and snow don\'t mix. But when you\'re trying to save the world one tank of gas at the time, common sense is the first victim. I mean, people do really crazy things to save gas, like buy a Chevette. I mean, a Prius. But if enough people are lionized for sacrificing their comfort to two-wheel it around town, they maybe, just maybe, you\'ll feel guilty enough to do it, too. Not the person that wrote the story, but for you, being cold, sweaty, and wet is fine.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnother front page story was about a state senator still using the title &quot;state senator&quot; in correspondences. Alright, that seems a bit odd, but is that front page news? Well, it is when it\'s a Republican! What madness could convince someone to use a title that is no longer theirs? That would be like a left-wing hack (say, Michael Mann), using the term Nobel Prize recipient. How crazy would that be? But it may turn out to be slightly embarrassing (for some reason) to a Republican, so that makes it front page material.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn the bottom corner we have an article title &quot;Tax increases affecting more&quot; about the evils of raising taxes by Governor Snyder. Remember, when Democrats raise your taxes, it\'s a good thing. Without it, puppies and children and old people will starve. When Republican do it, it\'s so that big business can pay less. I don\'t like paying more in taxes for anybody because modern taxation is a pointless exercise in income redistribution. If I could get a receipt for where my taxes are spent, like on my paycheck, when there is a line-by-line description of who just stole my money, I\'d probably be even more appalled then I already am.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnd we come to my favorite one, &quot;Living small is getting bigger&quot;. Yes, tiny homes are trendy. McMansions? Oh, those were so 90\'s. The REAL trendsetters live in teeny tiny houses and do without, both in size and taste. And you should, too. Having two bathrooms is so pass&eacute;. Cozy is the new buzzword, and if you can have a &quot;cozy&quot; house with solar panels that will never pay for themselves because you live halfway to the North Pole, well, so much the better.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTraverse City is a beautiful place. And as long as you\'re a liberal, you\'ve got a great paper. If you don\'t think Barack Obama is a right-wing fan of Rush Limbaugh, though, the Record Eagle is probably not the paper for you.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566431,'',1),('content:3473:3473','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1509:\"And <a href=\"http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/dennis-kucinich-signs-as-fox-news-contributor/?src=recg\">the eighth seal was opened</a>, and behold:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>Dennis Kucinich, the former Democratic congressman from Ohio, is the Fox News Channel&rsquo;s newest contributor.</div>\r\n</blockquote>Yes, Fox News has other liberal contributors. I don\'t watch them too often because their attempts at logic make my head hurt. But Mr. Kucinich is a different kind of crazy, and I\'m not just talking about <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,306616,00.html\">seeing a UFO</a>. I\'m talking about his &quot;Department of Peace&quot; idea. The best way to get peace is to project an image of strength, but the United States will not be doing that for the next several years, so we\'re out of luck.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI liked what commentor &quot;stubs&quot; added on the New York Times article regarding Kucinich: <br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>What an inspired choice! I can only hope the folks at Fox go for more diversity and add Maxine Waters to the mix. Allowing the two of them to talk on national television should greatly advance the conservative cause.</div>\r\n</blockquote>Exactly. I would also love to see Sheila Jackson Lee. Maybe she could finally figure out <a href=\"http://www.examiner.com/article/is-sheila-jackson-lee-really-that-stupid\">which heavenly body Neil Armstrong planted the flag on</a> and become a scientific contributor for the news network.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566434,'',1),('content:3289:3289','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1249:\"In downtown Lansing (where I&nbsp;work), there has been quite a kerfuffle. The legislature and governor are about to pass the Right to Work legislation, forbidding closed-shop workplaces. It is not surprising that the the union thug leadership isn\'t happy with this development, nor are their Democrat masters.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSo what is a union thug to do? Why, squat in the Capitol and yell, of course. Do they know what they are yelling about? Not really. They are paid to show up and yell, not think or understand the issue they deride. (Sidebar: How many union thugs know what &quot;deride&quot; means?)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIf you are a union thug and happen to be reading this (ha!), here is why you are ordered to have your tantrum. Your handlers take your union dues and give them to Democrat politicians. Your use to Democrats is your money, but you haven\'t figured this out. You think your money goes to improving the lot of the worker, the proletariat, but it actually goes to bettering the lives of the people that use you. (Sidebar: Do you think that union thugs know what &quot;proletariat&quot; means?)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSo to the union thugs whining in the Capitol whining about an issue of which they have no undestanding... C\'mon man.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566444,'',1),('content:3187:3187','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2164:\"I\'m starting a new feature on this blog called &quot;C\'mon Man Monday&quot;. This is based on my favorite feature of ESPN\'s &quot;Monday Night Countdown&quot;, where players who do stupid thing are called out by the commentators. So I am going to do it with politics.&nbsp; And my inaugural post is for the voters of Detroit.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nIt\'s usually not a good idea to overgeneralize, especially in politics, but I\'m going to do it anyways: The majority of voters in Detroit are not capable of making rational decisions regarding the future of their city, and certainly not about their state .<br />\r\n<br />\r\nStrong words, right? Well, here is the <a href=\"http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/11/07/detroiters-elect-ex-con-brian-banks-as-state-rep/\">proof behind my bold statement:<br />\r\n</a><blockquote>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/11/07/detroiters-elect-ex-con-brian-banks-as-state-rep/\"><br />\r\n</a>Among the new group of state lawmakers to emerge from Election Day on Tuesday is Brian Banks, who has been convicted eight times for felonies involving bad checks and credit card fraud.</div>\r\n</blockquote>The eight-time convict beat the Republican (he was white. Can I mention that?) by a margin of 2 to 1. I\'m actually surprised it was that close. And a white Republican in Detroit? I didn\'t even know there were any.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nShall we speculate (I\'m not supposed to do that, either) that, conservatively, 99% of these people also voted for Obama? Yes, let\'s speculate. And how many of those people that voted for Mr. Banks, the ex-con, are unable to read? After all, according to a <a href=\"http://theweek.com/article/index/215055/detroits-shocking-47-percent-illiteracy-rate\">Detroit Regional Workforce Fund study</a>, 47% of Detroit adults are illiterate. So in order to vote, I would guess that they just saw an &quot;O&quot; at the beginning of B. Hussein Obama\'s last name, or poll workers taped nickels next to his name so Detroit voters could figure out which box to check.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTo everyone in Detroit, literate and illiterate, for electing a convict to the state House of Representatives &hellip; c\'mon man.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566453,'',1),('content:3179:3179','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2601:\"Have you ever read the book &quot;I Am Legend&quot; by Richard Matheson? Not the movie with Will Smith - it\'s completely different. In the book, humanity has mutated into vampires and must sleep underground during the day, and only the main character, Neville, is a normal human. Throughout the book, the vampires are trying to capture Neville, and in the end, they do. As Neville is about to be executed at the hands of his tormentors, he realizes that, to this new race of humans, he is the bogeyman, he is the legend of which everyone hates.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI turned on Fox News on November 7th to hear news of the catastrophe. No, not Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Obama, a Category 6 storm that has blown us into perpetual debt and national mediocrity. I saw Mitt Romney give his concession speech, speaking that our (Republican) ideas will live on, etc. etc. Yet our ideas lost. Again. Why is that?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOn election night, a statement Bill O\'Reilly resonated with me. He spoke of the changing demographics in this country, not just racial, but sociological. People in this country want stuff, and will vote to keep that stuff. Rush Limbaugh made a similar statement, saying people aren\'t going to vote against Santa Clause. And to millions of people, that is what Obama is. He passed out <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/28/viral-video-touting-obama-phone-puts-spotlight-on-16-billion-federal-program/\">phones in Cleveland</a> and <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ojd13kZlCA\">opened his stash in Detroit</a>. Who can make the sun shine? Why, the <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhhkF3dqXR0\">Obamaman</a> can! He can wrap it up in hope and make the world feel good.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnd that is what got me down. I realized for the first time that I was in a shrinking group of people that believes that anyone can be successful without hard work, perseverance, and the freedom to purse dream. At the opposite end are those who think they are entitled to &quot;stuff&quot;. They have not gotten a fair chance, they think, and they want stuff, too. And if they can\'t afford it, well, then that\'s not fair, and the government should fix that. All must be fair in 21st century America, whatever their definition of fair is.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSo the candidate of the takers has won two presidential elections, so I have to ask myself, am I the legend? I have this idea of providing for myself and family through hard work, but tens of millions of people don\'t, and their growing voice will soon overwhelm those who work and provide. What\'s the solution to that?<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566455,'',1),('content:3070:3070','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2273:\"There is only one thing you really need to know to vote &quot;no&quot; on Proposition 4, &quot;CITIZENS FOR AFFORDABLE QUALITY HOME CARE&quot;: That it is backed by the SEIU. But in case you would like a little more information, <a href=\"http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Statewide_Bal_Prop_Status_145801_7.pdf\">here is the text</a> of the seemingly harmless proposition:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>Purpose: Proposed constitutional amendment to establish the Michigan quality Home Council, provide certain information to consumers, require training of providers, require training of providers, and provide limited collective bargaining rights.</div>\r\n</blockquote>Back when Michigan had double digit unemployment rates, and held the title of highest unemployment rate in the country - you know, when Granholm was governor - the SEIU successfully pushed to steal &quot;dues&quot; from home healthcare workers. After all, unions have fallen on hard times, and since the number of willing members has declined, they decided to get unwilling members. After all, their money is just as good. But that gravy train should have been stopped by an act from the Republican-controlled Michigan house, but for reasons that escape common sense, the Michigan senate (also controlled by Republicans) <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/16645\">has not yet passed it</a>. I\'m still trying to figure out how John McCain and Olympia Snow sneaked into the Michigan senate...<br />\r\n<br />\r\nBut as we know, don\'t try to get between a union thug and their money. So instead of illegally stealing money, now they are going to try to legally steal it by fooling enough people into voting for Proposition 4. After all, how dare a parent taking care of a disabled child do so without paying union protection money, er, dues.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAs are most thing proposed by the SEIU, the proposition is pointless. <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/17541\">The Mackinac Center points out</a> that there is nothing in the proposition that is not already in existence, except the part about monetary tribute from Michigan citizens to the Democrat reelection campaign, a.k.a. the SEIU.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nRemember, friends don\'t let friends vote for money laundering schemes in the form of propositions.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566468,'',1),('content:2908:2908','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:438:\"<p>Obama continues to blame George W. Bush for everything. And it was effective among his liberal base. A recent poll of likely Democrat voters, when asked &quot;Was George W. Bush responsible for the War of 1812&quot; found this&nbsp; result:</p>\r\n<p>42% said yes<br />\r\n1% said no, but claimed 9/11 was an inside job that Bush knew about<br />\r\n57% said &quot;What was the War of 1812, and will it affect my government checks?&quot;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566477,'',1),('content:2731:2731','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:793:\"So Obama admitted he was a <a href=\"http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/president-obama-affirms-his-support-for-same-sex-marriage.html\">pro-gay marriage supporter</a>. Is anyone actually surprised? I certainly was not, though this will be a battle of the bases. The Democrats are worried that support among blacks will weaken because of Obama\'s &quot;coming out of the close&quot; for this issue (I couldn\'t resist), which is valid, but I don\'t think it will matter much. The other demographics that Democrats are concered about - white women, Hispanic midgets, Eskimo fire eaters, etc - have known all along that he swung that way. (OK, sorry again.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nBut now we know that he has definitely secured the vital Haight-Asbury consituent. Congratulations, Barack - well done.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566484,'',1),('content:2478:2478','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3069:\"For the National Review print edition, I give you this quote from Travis Kavulla in his article &quot;Regulated Unto Death&quot;:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>If energy prices rise only for America or a particular state, as is the case when cost is tied to a new environmental regulation rather than anything fundamental in an energy resource\'s supply, the difference between the cost of production in our nation or a state and the cost for an economic rival elsewhere grows</div>\r\n</blockquote>And when you force reliable and cheap energy producers to pay higher costs for regulations that don\'t do anything to help health or the environment, up goes those costs. And It doesn\'t help that the federal government is shoveling cash at <a href=\"http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2012/01/cbs-news-12-clean-energy-companies.html\">industries that perhaps shouldn\'t be receiving that money:</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2012/01/cbs-news-12-clean-energy-companies.html\"><br />\r\n</a>CBS News counted 12 clean energy companies that are having trouble after collectively being approved for more than $6.5 billion in federal assistance. Five have filed for bankruptcy: The junk bond-rated Beacon, Evergreen Solar, SpectraWatt, AES\' subsidiary Eastern Energy and Solyndra.</div>\r\n</blockquote>So our &quot;brightest bulb&quot; government officials attack and demean real energy resources like coal and oil and instead embrace the &quot;rainbows and unicorns&quot; solutions of wind and solar. Don\'t get me wrong, windmills have their place... on 19th century farms, and as decorative pieces in gardens. And solar panels are great for the paranoid fellow out in the Arizona desert trying to live &quot;off the grid&quot;. But for everyone who is well-adjusted, give us the reliable and plentiful fossil fuels.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnd by now, you\'ve heard that Obama has made a <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/2012/01/18/gIQAwoVE8P_story.html\">pipeline from Canada illegal</a> until after the 2012 election:<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>However the administration will allow TransCanada to reapply after it develops an alternate route through the sensitive habitat of Nebraska&rsquo;s Sandhills. Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns will make the announcement, which comes in response to a congressionally-mandated deadline of Feb. 21 for action on the proposed Keystone pipeline.</div>\r\n</blockquote>I can\'t decide if he is delusional or autocratic. They\'re both probably correct, come to think of it.&nbsp; He dreams of a nation with citizens forced to drive hybrid Chevettes or take high-speed trains, but in the short term, he has to get reelected. And to keep his base (rabid left-wing extremists and welfare cheats) happy, he has to make rabid, left-wing extremist decisions. Thus, a no-brainer decision to increase domestic oil supply with a country that doesn\'t want to kill us or force us to live under Sharia law becomes a victim to politics.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFurther down the rabbit hole we go.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566492,'',1),('content:2363:2363','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3063:\"Recently, I railed against unions voting to not work, preferring standing around with signs over creating products and services that could help the economy. Today, my plan is to rail against people in unions <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/16124\">who didn\'t choose to be in union</a>s:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>The &ldquo;take&rdquo; so far from Michigan\'s forced unionization of supposed home health care workers for the Service Employees International Union is $28 million. That tally is going up on a monthly basis. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nYes, the SEIU, Obama\'s personal campaign funding mechanism (along with Wall Street firms - take that Occupy Wall Street) gets dollars from day care works. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy provides a little background on forced unionization issue:</div>\r\n</blockquote>The &ldquo;forced unionization&rdquo; began when Jennifer Granholm was governor. It involved the creation of the Michigan Quality Community Care Council, which was used as a sham employer for the so-called home health care workers. The term &ldquo;home health care workers&rdquo; is in many cases misplaced. Many of those who were shanghaied into the union roughly six years ago are actually parents or other relatives who take care of developmentally disabled adults.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nHmm, a scheme to funnel money to unions was done under a Democrat. How unexpected.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhat isn\'t expected, though, is how long legislation to stop future occurrences of this is taking to get through the Capitol. The bill, House Bill 4003 (introduced by Dewitt\'s Paul Opsommer, by the way, has passed in the House, but it is moving through the Senate more slowly. However, <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/16092\">MCPP reports</a> that it has moved out of committee and is now before the full Senate. (I now have the tune &quot;I\'m just a bill, yes I\'m only a bill&quot; from <a href=\"http://www.schoolhouserock.tv/\">Schoolhouse Rock</a> going through my head.) So more damage from the Granholm years is hopefully about to be undone. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nIn other union news, in the Peoples Republic of Ann Arbor, we have research assistants who apparently never want to leave school, and are thus attempting to <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2011/121311DFP-judge.pdf\">form a union of their own</a>, and they\'re getting closer:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>A group of University of Michigan graduate student research assistants now must persuade a judge to allow them to form a union.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Michigan Employment Relations Commission, on a 2-1 margin, voted this morning to send the question to an administrative law judge for a hearing. If the students win there, they will be allowed to have an election.</div>\r\n</blockquote>(It was two Granholm appointees against one Snyder appointee, by the way.)<br />\r\n<br />\r\nLook, U of M students, if you want to give money to Democrats, you can just send them money. You don\'t have to form a union to collect dues and then send them their cash. Really, just cut out the middle man.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566501,'',1),('content:2345:2345','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3154:\"I\'m going to use a soft touch on this article because goons sent by union bosses are scary people. But in the category of &quot;What were they thinking&quot; (as opposed to my original way of putting it, &quot;86% of UAW Local 602 are clueless&quot; - I\'m glad I didn\'t put it that way, that really sounded mean), the union voters, in all their wisdom, have decided that <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20111209/BUSINESS01/112090329/Local-602-overwhelmingly-approves-strike-authorization-GM-plant\">striking would be a great idea:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n</a><br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div><br />\r\nUnited Auto Workers Local 602 President Bill Reed said 86 percent of  workers voting approved a strike authorization measure. Voting wrapped  up this morning.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n...<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&quot;We\'ve sat and listened to the needs of the business, and we feel that what we\'re asking for is more than fair and equitable and we\'d like to have their respect to recognize us and come back to the table and talk,&quot; said Local 602 President Bill Reed.</div>\r\n</blockquote><br />\r\nLeft out was the implicit threat of GM executives knees being in imminent danger of being broken.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI have no idea what the sticking points are. I would assume that since GM has been profitable for the first time in years because of poor business decisions (ahem, the Volt) and the horrible weight of union contracts of years past, it is time, once again, for The Man to pay the big bucks for the highly skilled labor that could not easily be moved out of the country and done in Mexico at a fraction of the price. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nNote to liberals: That was sarcasm.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nI would like to address the union workers. I have never been part of a union, but really, it\'s not bad out here in the wilds of the non-union workforce. We don\'t scramble for scraps and huddle around fire barrels to keep warm. I happily enjoy the fact that none of my money is taken out of my paycheck for union dues, though I do admit that I pay federal taxes, and both your union dues and my federal taxes eventually end up at the same place, the pockets of Democrats.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhat happens is that if you are a valuable member of the company, each year at review time, you are given a raise if you have proven yourself to be able to increase the companies ability to profit. Sometimes, if the company has not done well in the year previously, there are no raises or they are small. It happens. There are no contractual disputes, not votes are taken. If I was really annoyed at my company, I could search for a different employer.&nbsp; On the other hand, I can be fired immediately if I performed poorly, or I could be fired without cause. Them\'s the breaks.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis decision doesn\'t appear to be well-timed. I suppose the union leadership gave a great &quot;ra ra&quot; speech, or quoted Marx, or put something in the Kool-Aid, or whatever it is they do. But voluntarily giving up work in a down economy (Obama\'s economy) doesn\'t sound like a well thought out decision. Not something those of us living in the wilds of scary capitalism would do.<br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566502,'',1),('content:1945:1945','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1828:\"<p>In an <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/perception-reality-obama-needs-now-083605736.html\">article in Time</a> by Patti Davis, President Reagan\'s daughter, meanders through the idea that the big problem with Obama is image:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>What has happened to President Obama? Obama was the guy who commanded the stage, had an instinct for seizing the moment. His image was towering, his timing impeccable. But lately, it seems more clear than ever that what he really needs is another Mike Deaver, who served as White House chief of staff under my father, Ronald Reagan.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Ah, memories of The New York Times\' David Brooks <a href=\"http://newsbusters.org/blogs/p-j-gladnick/2009/09/01/david-brooks-broken-bromance-obama-now\">expounding</a> on how Obama would make a good president because of the crease in the former community organizer\'s pants. Interesting criteria. And since that prediction has been horribly wrong, perhaps that will be the only attempt at presidential prognostication by pants. Perhaps we\'ll go old school and use Tarot cards and tea leaves.</p>\r\n<p>The point is, like the once long-haired Andre Agassi said in those 90s commercials, Patti Davis is wrong: Image isn\'t everything. Ronald Reagan wasn\'t a great president because of how he looked or what he stood in front <em>of</em>, it was what he stood <em>for</em>. His image engineers certainly played a part, but it would have been pointless if he had the confused and misguided political sense of Elmer Fudd. Or Barack Obama.</p>\r\n<p>But each member of the Presidential Image Adjustment Bureau has to work with what they\'ve got. For Obama, they have to work with fading style and no substance, and that is good news for the country. Hope has left the building, and here\'s hoping that in January of 2013, Obama does, too.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566514,'',1),('content:1909:1909','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1422:\"<p>From the <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110719/NEWS01/307190027/White-House-backs-bill-overturning-Defense-Marriage-Act\">Lansing State Journal</a>:<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p><br />\r\nThe White House is supporting legislation to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>That\'s the law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>You know, the common sense definition of marriage. That explains by the hyper-liberal Obama has come out against it, because marriage has been a human institution for thousands of years, so the hoper and changer must destroy it. After all, you can\'t be progressive if you\'re doing the same thing they were doing a few millennia ago.</p>\r\n<p>He must have seen the recent poll that a majority of Americans now favor gay marriage. I believe that the pollster asked 75 homosexuals and Lady Gaga their opinions, so that explains the results.</p>\r\n<p>A concern cited by the Obama Regime (sorry, Administration) was that the law was unconstitutional.&nbsp; When has that stopped Obama from doing anything? His masterpiece, the freedom-killing, money-sucking monstrosity of Obamacare is not even close to constitutional, but there was nary a blink of an eye at that.</p>\r\n<p>Though not reported by AP, interior decorators and fans of Rosie O\'Donnell the world over celebrated the announcement.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566516,'',1),('content:1878:1878','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1467:\"<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\"><a href=\"http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Obama-ready-to-release-oil-apf-2233806614.html?x=0&amp;.v=1\">Obama has released 30 million barrels of oil</a> from the strategic reserve. The reserve was designed in the 1970s to hold vast amounts of oil in case of national emergency. And, to Obama, we are facing a national emergency - his poll numbers are down.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&quot;We are taking this action in response to you idiots who don\'t consider the president an all-powerful, all-wise, all-loving demigod,&quot; Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Thursday. &quot;All our attacks on the American economy are for your own good.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp;OK, not really:</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&quot;We are taking this action in response to the ongoing loss of crude oil due to supply disruptions in Libya and other countries and their impact on the global economic recovery,&quot; Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Thursday.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp;But doesn\'t the first version sound much more honest?</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566520,'',1),('content:478:478','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:667:\"One more reason <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/nolanfinleyblog/index.php?blogid=1354#ixzz0fKXz98hU\">Nolan Finley </a>is on my list of must-read bloggers in this single sentence:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>With lawmakers stuck in their homes, they have not been able to adopt new spending bills for their friends and supporters, contemplate new taxes or order new regulations that intrude on our individual rights.</div>\r\n</blockquote><br />\r\nCan we give Washington a snow year? Very little of use comes out of that city anymore. Gridlock used to be a bad thing, but these days, I\'ll take gridlock over the yet another freedom-killing bill any day.\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566532,'',1),('content:463:463','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:4747:\"<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p></o:p>Do you trust foreign governments more than the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>? That is the question before us. President Obama seems to be siding with the former when deciding <a href=\"http://newsmax.com/Headline/obama-internet-iana-united/2010/01/31/id/348514?s=al&amp;promo_code=967E-1\">who should control the Internet</a>.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\">The Internet is an American invention, one which a large percentage of the world enjoys. But because the entire world uses it - even if it finds the Internet a critical part of their way of life - does not mean we should cede control of it to an unpredictable and fickle council of (sometimes) America-hating bureaucrats.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\">We know how badly Obama wants the rest of the world\'s governments to like him, what with all the bowing and consistent bad-mouthing of the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> whenever he travels abroad. Another way to achieve his goal is by sharing control of the systems that manage the Internet, currently done by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, an American entity, to foreign countries and government.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\">What could go wrong with an organization that counts <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Russia</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st=\"on\"><st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>, not known for their kindness towards dissidents and freedom of speech, having influence over - if not control of - the world\'s most powerful tool for communication?</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><a href=\"http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1670\">Cyber attacks that blocked Internet access </a>to and from <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Georgia</st1:country-region> in 2008 were coordinated with the armed takeover of a Georgian province by <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Greater control of Internet management means easier times manipulating the systems that determine who gets the information they need. Attacks like the one on <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region> would be more likely with international control, not less.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\">What happens when thuggish regimes like <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>, along with nations that it can influence or control, want to block access to certain sites, or from certain countries, or forbid certain users? <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> and their ilk already censor information from their citizens. With control of the managing systems of the Internet, that censorship would be far reaching. Any group they or another powerful nation could potentially reek havoc on information sharing. God help <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> if the radical Muslim nations have influence on Internet policy. <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Syria</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\">Iran</st1:country-region>, and others want <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> wiped off the map &ndash; they certainly wouldn&rsquo;t have a problem blocking Internet access.<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\">We all know this is part of Obama\'s dream of global governance, along with such items as climate change and the <st1:street w:st=\"on\"><st1:address w:st=\"on\">World Court</st1:address></st1:street>. But voluntarily surrendering some or all of our control over Internet management is not in our nation&rsquo;s best interest. And isn&rsquo;t a president&rsquo;s job to protect the <st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> and do what&rsquo;s best for us, its citizens?<o:p></o:p></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><o:p></o:p></p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415566535,'',1),('content:5101:5101','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:500:\"Although potholes were grabbing more attention in the spring, Michigan residents still rate it right up there with problems the state needs to solve. &nbsp;How do Michiganders rate the condition of the roads? &nbsp;And how should we pay for their repair? &nbsp;Get the details: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/05/sales-tax-hike-preferred-michigan-road-fix/16726831/\">www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/05/sales-tax-hike-preferred-michigan-road-fix/16726831/</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4429\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"Potholes.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:41:\"sites/default/files/images/Potholes_1.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"25702\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1412537023\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566603,'',1),('content:5040:5040','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:375:\"American is on track to deport the fewest number of people since 2007. &nbsp;Given the President\'s promise to act unilaterally to allow millions to stay, this shouldn\'t be a surprise. &nbsp;Read more: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-us-sharply-cutting-deportations-175849467.html\">news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-us-sharply-cutting-deportations-175849467.html</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4382\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:15:\"Immigration.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:44:\"sites/default/files/images/Immigration_0.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"26769\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1410466057\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566633,'',1),('content:5039:5039','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:683:\"Since 1992, Michigan legislators have been limited to a maximum of three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, giving any one legislator a maximum of 14 years in office. &nbsp;Has this idea served Michigan well? &nbsp;Some don\'t think so. &nbsp;After serving his 14 years in the Michigan Legislature, Sen. Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) is working on a proposal that would allow more flexibility in the process. &nbsp;How would that work? &nbsp;Get the details: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/09/should_michigan_re-think_term.html#incart_river\">www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/09/should_michigan_re-think_term.html#incart_river</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4381\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:8:\"hmmm.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:35:\"sites/default/files/images/hmmm.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"25620\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1410362592\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566635,'',1),('content:5026:5026','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:359:\"Especially in the mid-term elections, voter turnout is critical to success. &nbsp;So how do you get people to the polls? &nbsp;Some of the techniques tested in the past might surprise you. &nbsp;And what\'s going to work this year? &nbsp;Learn more: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20450\">www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/20450</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4369\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"Vote_here.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:40:\"sites/default/files/images/Vote_here.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"25383\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1409769841\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566648,'',1),('content:5018:5018','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:650:\"One aspect of equal opportunity involves getting a quality education. &nbsp;There are lots of ideas thrown around about what might level the playing field, and we\'ve been throwing money at the problem for years with little or no appreciable difference. &nbsp;Could an economist have discovered the most important factor to student performance? &nbsp;What paves the way for student success? &nbsp;Read on: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://townhall.com/columnists/monacharen/2014/08/29/build-better-teachers-n1884595?utm_source=thdailypm&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=nl_pm\">townhall.com/columnists/monacharen/2014/08/29/build-better-teachers-n1884595</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4365\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"classroom.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:42:\"sites/default/files/images/classroom_0.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"27365\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1409413058\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566655,'',1),('content:5006:5006','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:744:\"Through a combination of anti-discrimination policy and a ban on exclusion of pre-existing conditions, it looks like Obamacare coverage will pay for sex change operations. &nbsp;We had to pass this bill to find out what was in it! &nbsp;Read on: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/25/Obamacare-Now-Pays-for-Gender-Reassignment\">www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/25/Obamacare-Now-Pays-for-Gender-Reassignment</a>&nbsp;<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Daily Beast article is pretty interesting, too: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/25/obamacare-now-pays-for-gender-reassignment.html\">www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/25/obamacare-now-pays-for-gender-reassignment.html</a><br type=\"_moz\" />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4352\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:23:\"Obamacare_website-1.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:50:\"sites/default/files/images/Obamacare_website-1.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"25789\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1409058975\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566670,'',1),('content:5001:5001','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:426:\"Which states are doing better economically? &nbsp;A recent study shows more states are lowering corporate taxes in an attempt to create a more competitive, pro-growth environment. &nbsp;Which states are they? &nbsp;Read more: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2014/08/22/blue-states-join-red-states-tax-reform\">news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2014/08/22/blue-states-join-red-states-tax-reform</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566674,'',1),('content:4963:4963','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:808:\"The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has filed a petition with the Department of Interior demanding a ban on hunting and shooting on public land managed by the National Park Service with ammunition that contains lead.&nbsp; Is there a scientific basis for this concern?&nbsp; How would this ban impact those hunters and target shooters that use federal lands?&nbsp; What is the HSUS doing with the millions it receives annually through fundraising efforts?&nbsp; What is its real agenda?&nbsp; Read the full story:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://dailycaller.com/2014/08/01/humane-society-of-the-united-states-attempts-to-drive-hunters-shooters-from-public-lands/?advD=1248,146049\">dailycaller.com/2014/08/01/humane-society-of-the-united-states-attempts-to-drive-hunters-shooters-from-public-lands/</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"4325\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:11:\"hunters.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:38:\"sites/default/files/images/hunters.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"44067\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1407101095\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566700,'',1),('content:4943:4943','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:609:\"Desperate times call for desperate measures!&nbsp; Just ask the Democrats.&nbsp; They\'re advancing the idea of impeachment as a means of stirring up the base and getting campaign donations.&nbsp; Sure, impeachment has been mentioned by a few on the right, but party leaders are shutting it down.&nbsp; Yet the talk persists.&nbsp; And look who\'s doing the talking!&nbsp; <a href=\"http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2014/07/29/white-house-msnbc-cant-stop-talking-about-impeachment-n1871134\">townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2014/07/29/white-house-msnbc-cant-stop-talking-about-impeachment-n1871134</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415566713,'',1),('content:405:405','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:365:\"Michigan needs jobs.&nbsp; Yet lawmakers continue to make choices that do not create a friendly environment for business in Michigan.&nbsp; See how the concept of &quot;price theory&quot; plays into creating a positive business climate of our state.&nbsp; Read the full story at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/11667\">http://www.mackinac.org/11667</a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:3:\"354\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:2:\"21\";s:8:\"filename\";s:12:\"business.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:39:\"sites/default/files/images/business.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"89122\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1304616084\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:3:\"320\";}}}',0,1415566719,'',1),('content:4670:4670','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:409:\"The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that having a prayer at a public meeting does not violate the Constitution. &nbsp;Atheists and others who object to the practice do not have to participate. &nbsp;Read the full story: &nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/5/divided-court-oks-prayer-public-meetings/\">www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/5/divided-court-oks-prayer-public-meetings/</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;N;}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415567069,'',1),('content:4222:4222','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:600:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">The Michigan Senate has introduced Senate Bill 640 that would specify that land banks can purchase delinquent and abandoned property before free market buyers get a chance at public auction.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">For details on the bill and how it would reverse the current practice and put Land Banks ahead of private buyers click on the following link:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19328\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19328</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3661\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:13:\"land_bank.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:40:\"sites/default/files/images/land_bank.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"27537\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1384187575\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";N;}}}',0,1415567305,'',1),('content:4235:4235','a:3:{s:16:\"field_story_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1287:\"<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">I read an article last year about a pilot program the federal government had been testing and that they were using driver license photos, supplied by the State of Michigan, as part of that program.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">I talked to the Secretary of States office about it and they stated that they didn&rsquo;t know anything about it but they would check into it.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">As it turned out the Secretary of States office did not release the photo images from our drivers licenses, but the Michigan State Police did.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">I don&rsquo;t know about you but I have concerns about who has jurisdiction of those images and that they are willing to give the images to the federal government.</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<span style=\"font-size: larger;\">For details on the facial recognition program and concerns about our privacy click on the following link:</span><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2013/11/12/facial-recognition-software-iarpa-upgrade/3506157/\"><span style=\"font-size: larger;\">http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2013/11/12/facial-recognition-software-iarpa-upgrade/3506157/</span></a><br />\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}s:17:\"field_story_image\";a:1:{i:0;a:10:{s:3:\"fid\";s:4:\"3674\";s:4:\"list\";s:1:\"1\";s:4:\"data\";a:3:{s:11:\"description\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"alt\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"title\";s:0:\"\";}s:3:\"uid\";s:1:\"1\";s:8:\"filename\";s:9:\"janus.jpg\";s:8:\"filepath\";s:36:\"sites/default/files/images/janus.jpg\";s:8:\"filemime\";s:10:\"image/jpeg\";s:8:\"filesize\";s:5:\"49238\";s:6:\"status\";s:1:\"1\";s:9:\"timestamp\";s:10:\"1384443314\";}}s:12:\"field_weight\";a:1:{i:0;a:1:{s:5:\"value\";s:2:\"19\";}}}',0,1415567364,'',1),('content:1695:1695','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1041:\"<p>I had no idea the dangers my daughter&nbsp; were facing. Thank goodness for <a href=\"http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wkar/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1784298/Top.Stories/Educators..police.urge.lawmakers.to.preserve.early.childhood.education.funding\">WKAR</a>, and for <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=2012\">The Watercooler </a>for directing me to the article. According to a study:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>It found children who did not attend the early ed program were 86 percent more likely to face a jail sentence by age 40 than the kids who did attend.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Wow! My 3-year old dodged a bullet there. Because both my wife and I work, we put our daughter in daycare a few days a week, and that seems to be the only thing stopping her from leading a life of crime. It couldn\'t possibly be that she has a stable home with two parents, otherwise, I\'m sure WKAR would have mentioned that.</p>\r\n<p>Keeping that state-funded childcare, people, lest the prisons fill up.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567656,'',1),('content:1607:1607','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1192:\"Good news! From <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php#ixzz1FfO4EYSY\">The Detroit News</a>:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none\">In a victory for thousands of Michigan workers this week, Governor Snyder\'s Department of Human Services ended the forced unionization of home day care providers enacted by Democrats in 2006.</div>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none\">This was a terrible infringement on the rights of private citizens running their own businesses, and I\'m glad Governor Snyder has quickly ended it. Imagine owning a business and then having the government take union dues from you, forcefully. That what was at the heart of this issue.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nA Granholm-era bad idea that died a death it deserved.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567661,'',1),('content:1588:1588','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2429:\"<p>As I was walking near the Capitol yesterday, I had to maneuver through union&nbsp; protesters who had been bussed in <em>en masse</em> to show their unhappiness with plans to&hellip; do something. One thing most Michigan politicians know is to not touch the benefits of union employees, no matter how financially unsound those plans may be. Otherwise, you will get a Capitol lawn full of people angrily demanding their right to pay dues to union thugs who will do something with that money.</p>\r\n<p>But unions, which were vital to protecting the safety of working early last century, have long since passed a point of usefulness. The SEIU, at well over 2 million members [Dr. Evil laughter], &quot;protect&quot; health care workers, janitors, and government workers. Those professions don\'t involve the risk of being ground up by large machinery on a factory floor because of unsafe working conditions. The biggest danger most of the SEIU members is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Does this require sending a chunk of their paychecks to people who are going to embezzle their money?</p>\r\n<p>The real reason for the existence of the unions in this day is to give money to Democrats, who then use the money (besides buying vacation home in the Dominican Republic, a la Charles Rangel) to give union employees sweetheart deals with taxpayer money.</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1765\">Henry Payne</a> puts it this way:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>What every Democrat knows is that the source of Democratic power in this country comes from union dues extracted from union members &quot; increasingly employed in government &quot; and then recycled back into political campaigns and collective bargaining negotiations to make unions ever more powerful. It\'s a nice racket, except that is was unsustainable.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Thus the explosion of protests in Wisconsin, and the rumbles of protest in Michigan. You don\'t mess with union benefits because that hurts Democrats. You certainly don\'t become a &quot;right to work&quot; state because that also hurts Democrats. Why send some of your money to union thugs when you don\'t have to?</p>\r\n<p>Whatever happens in the final bill, I applaud Governors Snyder and Walker (Wisconsin) for their pushes&nbsp; against the status quo. Whenever you have unions sending in their members to complain loudly, you know you are on the right track.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567679,'',1),('content:1573:1573','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:682:\"Ann Coulter was in rare form in today\'s article. Do yourself a favor and read the <a href=\"http://anncoulter.com/cgi-local/article.cgi?article=410\">whole thing</a>, but here is one of my favorite lines:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>Liberals angrily cited the high unemployment rate in Egypt as a proof that Mubarak was a beast who must step down. Did they, by any chance, see the January employment numbers for the United States? The only employment sectors showing any growth at all are medical marijuana cashiers, Hollywood sober-living coaches and &quot;Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark&quot; understudies filling in for maimed cast members. <br />\r\n&nbsp;</div>\r\n</blockquote>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567681,'',1),('content:1572:1572','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1769:\"<p>Richard Nixon made lots of mistakes, but his worst was the creation of the EPA. In addition to regulating carbon dioxide - you know, what you exhale - they also regulate milk spill clean ups. No, I\'m not kidding.</p>\r\n<p>But Rep. Candice Miller is trying to bring some <a href=\"http://candicemiller.house.gov/2011/02/miller-eliminate-epas-designation-of-milk-as-an-oil.shtml\">common sense</a> to the madhouse that is the EPA:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>WASHINGTON &ndash; U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today reintroduced legislation directing the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to change their designation of milk as an environmental hazard. Under the EPA&rsquo;s current rule, milk is considered the same as oil, and if dairy producers do not comply with the EPA&rsquo;s rule then they will be subject to punitive damages. Last year, the EPA announced a one-year extension specifically to address requirement for milk and milk product containers within EPA&rsquo;s Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure program, which directs producers to have an oil spill prevention plan by November 10, 2011 &ndash; however, to date a finalized rule exempting milk has not been made. Miller&rsquo;s legislation will prohibit enforcement of the EPA&rsquo;s regulations on dairy and dairy product producers, processors, handlers and distributers, and it would require the EPA to implement this exemption within 30 days of the legislation&rsquo;s enactment.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Hard to say if she\'ll suceed - Obama\'s administration is filled with radical idealogues. But can we end the government hostility towards everyday items like lightbubs and milk? Really, is this the best use of their time, annoying the U.S. citizens that put them in Congress?</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567682,'',1),('content:1553:1553','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1320:\"<p>Just so you know, <a href=\"http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5455_57934---,00.html\">not all parts of the state are down and out</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The Michigan Department of Human Services is hiring more than 500 highly qualified graduates to work in children\'s protective, foster care, adoption, juvenile and home licensing services.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I am, for the moment, a consultant working in a State office, and there have been no staff reductions here. There have been a few early retirements, but those positions have been filled by new hires, plus this department is looking to hire several more employees in the near future. So the number of people working here is actually increasing while the population of Michigan decreases.</p>\r\n<p>Maybe its like the myth of classroom size - the smaller the ratio of students to teachers, the better the education. Maybe since our population is shrinking, the government to non-government ratio will mean better service! So as long as people keep leaving the state, we\'re in for some world class service.</p>\r\n<p>I can\'t say that all departments are growing, and I know of others with hiring freezes and pay cuts. I suppose some of it depends on how much political clout the department heads have. But empty cubes are few and far between here.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567684,'',1),('content:1519:1519','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1467:\"<p>Detroit is getting a little <a href=\"http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110113/FREE/110119916/-1-2-million-program-launched-to-grow-midtown-population#\">spending cash</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Midtown Detroit\'s three anchor employers, the state and a Detroit-based foundation are funding $1.2 million in incentives to encourage employees of the three anchor employers to live in the area.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Now, the State of Michigan is contributing some, but not all, of the money. The incentives should help bring in population to Detroit, a least a little bit. And the fact that it\'s not all of our money being dumped into the toilet - which is what is going happen - is better than all of it being our money.</p>\r\n<p>But why? What\'s the point? To bring in a few hundred people, maybe? Detroit is a wasteland and it will not get any better any time soon, so a few teeny tiny tax incentives are not going to get the job done. Maybe those young, up and coming residents can be edgy and say that they live in Detroit, not the suburbs. Oh, how their friends will be impressed.</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1562\">Henry Payne</a> mentioned in an unrelated blog post that 85% of Detroit\'s family have no father in the home. Yes, 85%. So those tax incentives for young, middle class workers will do nothing for Detroit\'s biggest problem, a complete breakdown of moral values. More wasted money in the D.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567687,'',1),('content:1502:1502','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1642:\"<p>From <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20110124/POLITICS02/101240363/Granholm-to-teach-at-UC-Berkeley--contribute-to-&lsquo;Meet-the-Press&rsquo;\">The Detroit News</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm and her husband are headed to the University of California-Berkley to teach in the university\'s Goldman School of Public Policy this coming spring semester, according to Politico.com.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Couldn\'t have Cal-Berkley offered a job a while ago and saved us some pain here in Michigan?</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;We want to be able to have the nation draw lessons, good and bad, about what can happen if the United States doesn\'t take a more active role&quot; in creating jobs, Granholm told the website.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>What does she know about job creation? Michigan lost hundreds of thousands of jobs while she was reigned. Unless the class is going to be a &quot;don\'t do what I did&quot; sort of class, I cannot see the point</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Granholm said she is done with politics and ready &quot;for a new thing,&quot; according to the Politico.com interview.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Thank goodness, Michigan and the country are safe. Unfortunately, another generation of college students will be inundated with job-killing liberal ideology.</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Granholm also plans on writing a book with Mulhern about her work running the state [ed: into the ground]. It is to be published in September by Public Affairs, according to the website.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Unless the book contains the phrase &quot;I\'m sorry I was so bad&quot; then it will be a waste of print.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567688,'',1),('content:1453:1453','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2496:\"<p>Obama would love to do this, as <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1386\">Henry Payne explains</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;Beijing municipal authorities have introduced stringent restrictions on new vehicle registrations on 1 January in the capital in an effort to ease congestion and air pollution. The city authorities announced they will only allow 240,000 new vehicle registrations this year - roughly one-third of last year\'s total.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&quot;A monthly average of 20,000 new vehicle registrations will be allowed this year, or some 17,600 passenger vehicles per month. Individuals can submit just one vehicle registration application and must prove they are local Beijing residents, or foreigners who have been working in Beijing for at least a year. A monthly \'lucky draw\' will be held to determine the successful applicants, the first scheduled to be held on 23 January&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>First limiting families on the numbers of children they can have, now they\'re limiting cars, too. (And we can\'t forget about that pesky free speech thing.) Those autocratic Chinese sure are making Obama jealous with all their &quot;green&quot; ideas.&nbsp; I wonder if the Chi-Coms will be implementing a &quot;Cash for Clunkers&quot; program, too. After all, authoritarian leaders should share ideas on how best to put their thumb on their populations.</p>\r\n<p>Meanwhile, back in Reality Land, trucks have and SUVs have saved the auto industry in Michigan. While sales of the pansy little hybrids continue to drop, <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1382\">the larger vehicles continue to rise</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 1.1 million vehicles in 2010, up 17 percent compared to 2009 on the strength of its popular Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUV products&hellip; Ford sales were up 19 percent from 2009 on the strength of double-digit truck and car sales. And GM\'s resurgence came on the back of 17 percent growth in its Chevy car and truck lines and a big 32 percent boost in GMC truck sales.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>That is very good news, as one of Michigan\'s major industry is gaining momentum, no thanks to the green weanies and their relentless drive to make Michigan irrelevant, regardless of their speeches about Michigan being a leader in &quot;green&quot; (i.e. overpriced, underpowered) technologies.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567693,'',1),('content:1431:1431','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1148:\"<p>Governor-elect Snyder is certainly spoiling for a fight. One of his <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1330\">plans</a> includes:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>to &quot;\'comprehensively\' tackle the cost of public employee compensation and benefits at all levels of government. School managers and others say the K-12 districts could save more than $300 million annually by requiring some 200,000 local school employees to pay 20-percent of the cost of their health benefits,&quot; reports Peter Luke of MLive.com.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>One thing you don\'t do in Michigan is tell unions to pay more for their insurance. That would be like telling Government Motors to make more cars that people want, not overpriced go-carts like the Volt. The teachers union will certainly tell the soon-to-be governor that saving money is all well and good, when it doesn\'t involve them. After all, the Michigan Education Association needs to keep <a href=\"http://www.michiganafp.com/2010/03/mea-staffers-salaries-rise-as-local-teachers-sacrifice/\">giving their staff workers pay increase</a>. Priorities, people.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567721,'',1),('content:1397:1397','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2158:\"<p>In today\'s episode of &quot;<a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20101214/METRO/12140426/Doctors-call-for-moratorium-on-fast-food-in-Detroit\">You Might Be A Socialist If</a>...&quot;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Detroit &mdash;A nonprofit medical group is calling for Mayor Dave Bing to impose a moratorium on new fast food restaurants. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&quot;I\'m writing you to declare a public health emergency,&quot; the letter from Susan Levin, the group\'s [Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine] director of nutrition reads. &quot;&hellip;It\'s time to tackle Detroit\'s heart disease problem head on. A moratorium on new fast food restaurants could be a critically important step toward fighting this epidemic.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>And since Los Angeles fell to the forces of the nanny state in 2008, halting construction of fast food restaurants in certain areas, why not Detroit? A fat tax was attempted by the cheating, lying ex-mayor Kwawe, but luckily for people who don\'t enjoy living in an autocratic place like New York City, it failed.</p>\r\n<p>We all know about Emperor Bloomberg\'s decrees about salt and trans fats. I\'m waiting for him to announce that the only food allowed in NYC is vitamin paste - why waste time and money by eating foods you don\'t need absolutely need for survival? Next on his plate is sure to be a state-issued one piece black jumpsuit so New Yorkers can all dress and eat the same. Equality, nanny state-style.</p>\r\n<p>Wasn\'t there a line is some song about the Home of the Free? San Francisco families used to be able to go to McDonald\'s and buy a normal Happy Meal. We laugh because San Francisco is a bastion of liberal idiocy, and people that live there get what they deserve.</p>\r\n<p>But now, the beginnings of that idiocy are creeping into Detroit. Detroit is one of the worst places to live in the United States - theft, illegitimacy, murder, drugs, literacy, hopelessness. And now, busybody liberals are adding fast food to the list of issues in Detroit? This is what those people spend their time doing?</p>\r\n<p>And &quot;educated&quot; liberals are supposed to be the smart ones...</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567726,'',1),('content:1353:1353','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1584:\"<p>As I was returning to work with my hard-earned lunch from Taco Bell, I heard on the radio that there an <a href=\"http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/11/29/portland-terror-suspect-faces-arraignment/\">attempt to detonate a car bomb</a> at a Christmas tree lighting in Portland, Oregon. Portland? I thought they were very progressive out there - why would someone want to hurt them when all us nasty conservatives are in the middle of the country.</p>\r\n<p>The attacker was first described at a teenager. Hmm, must be teenage angst, or anger that Bristol Palin made it so far in &quot;Dancing with the Stars&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>Then I heard it was a Somali immigrant. Oh, probably protesting atrocities in Rwanda or not enough food or general incompetence by African dictators or an American president.</p>\r\n<p>Then I heard his name was Mohamed Osman Mohamud. Hmm, Mohamed. That type of name sounds familiar. Is he Catholic? Those &quot;progressives&quot; are always pointing to Timothy McVeigh, who at one point in his life was Catholic, so we can\'t profile based on religion. Probably not, though - Catholics normally don\'t have a last name the same as their first name. Timothy McVeigh Timothy? Nope, doesn\'t sound right. Couldn\'t possibly be Muslim, right? They are the religion of peace, as they demonstrate on a daily basis.</p>\r\n<p>Finally, I understood which religion he was - he was an environmentalist. He was protesting the death of a tree for the commercialized holiday of Christmas in the United States, the Great Satan, if you will. I knew I\'d get to the bottom of it!</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567729,'',1),('content:1343:1343','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2461:\"<p>So let\'s start our holiday weekend with some entertainment and some education. First, the entertainment. <a href=\"http://detnews.com/section/miview\">The&nbsp;Michigan View</a>&nbsp;posted a YouTube video by <a href=\"http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1120\">Tim Hawkins</a> that is fantastic. It\'s a parody of &quot;The Candy&nbsp;Man Can&quot; called &quot;The Government Can.&quot; You\'ll want to sing along.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nSecond, here is a &quot;truer&quot; Thanksgiving than most people are told in school, which I posted last year as well:<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThanksgiving is tomorrow and I, like most people, am looking forward to some great food and (most likely mediocre) Lions football. And, I suppose, time with the family too. But I wanted to take a few moments to write about our great American holiday, Thanksgiving.</p>\r\n<p>There are differing versions of the story of Thanksgiving. The most common is that the Indians saved the pilgrims by teaching the clueless settlers how to properly grow food. Others tell of evil and greedy men who seized Indian land and abused the innocent natives who lived in peace until the pilgrims arrived.</p>\r\n<p>Then there is the least known version of the story of Thanksgiving, and one that doesn\'t involve speculation. William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth colony, kept a diary of the early years of the colony and this diary provides a startlingly different look at events.</p>\r\n<p>Initially, the Plymouth colony existed as the workers paradise that social utopians would have loved. The workers labored for the benefit of all, the food they produced being put into a common store and shared by everyone. From each according their means, to each according to their needs, you could say.</p>\r\n<p>This had miserable and tragic results as many in the colony refused to do their share of the work and existed as takers, not producers. Because of the lack of productivity, the colonists starved, and only after Bradford distributed land to be farmed privately, with each family keeping what they produced, was the colony saved. You can read accounts at <a href=\"http://freedomkeys.com/thanksgiving.htm\">FreedomKeys.com</a> and the <a href=\"http://mises.org/story/336\">Ludwig von Mises Institute</a>. It is a fascinating story about human nature and economics and one avoided from being taught, purposely or otherwise.</p>\r\n<p>I hope everyone has a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567731,'',1),('content:1338:1338','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2188:\"&nbsp;Kudos to <a href=\"http://www.gophouse.com/news.asp?District=93\">Rep. Opsommer </a>for <a href=\"http://www.gophouse.com/readarticle.asp?id=6692&amp;District=93\">taking a stand </a>against the horrible idea of requiring home schooled to be students<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">&nbsp; </span>to be registered with the state:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>&quot;The government\'s role is to oversee public education, not what takes place in people\'s homes,&quot; said Rep. Opsommer. &quot;A student\'s parents will always be the most important factor in how well the student learns -- not the government. The individual freedoms granted to the people of this country extend to parents and their right to teach their children in the manner they see as most productive, and it is not the government\'s role to take over these decisions that families have historically been able to make for themselves&quot;.&nbsp;</div>\r\n</blockquote><br />\r\nIf, as many propose, we need to keep government out of our bedrooms, how about out of our living rooms and dining rooms too? I question the motivation of why the State needs to register these kids. Some, I\'m sure, are concerned about the quality of education that those kids are receiving . But most probably think that parents who home school are religious fanatics that are keeping little Johnny from the wonderful experience of a public school education. After all, government does such a great job with such things as running the economy and airport security that what\'s the worst that could happen?<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAnd can we someday expect the same type of treatment for parents who do not register their children with the State?<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>Rep. Opsommer pointed to the danger of what can happen once the state has the authority to trump the decisions of parents. Last month in Detroit it was proposed that parents be jailed if they fail to attend parent-teacher conferences.&nbsp;<br />\r\n&nbsp;</div>\r\n</blockquote>Are we talking about a parent that has to work nights and can\'t make it, or a parent who is too busy watching Oprah? I doubt that legislation that would jail parent would care about the distinction.\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567733,'',1),('content:1317:1317','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:818:\"<p>Tonight on <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/index.html\">Hannity</a>, President George W. Bush will be discussing his new autobiography &quot;<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Decision-Points-George-W-Bush/dp/0307590615\">Decision Points</a>&quot;. I\'ve been hearing bits and pieces of President Bush over the past few days, and it\'s so good to hear a real leader speaking. He is so different from an under qualified, over-hyped community organizer with a messianic complex. I\'m not naming names or anything...</p>\r\n<p>But if I were, Obama is in Indonesia, where he will hopefully stay for a while. It was his home early in life, after all, and I\'m sure they would make him more than welcome. And because he left the country, his approval numbers went up. Perhaps he should take the hint.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567761,'',1),('content:1298:1298','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1036:\"<p>The Michigan Republicans now control the Capitol, the House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. For supporters like us, this is a great thing. We are exuberant that finally, we are going to get a chance to make a real difference without the Democrats constantly opposing common sense reforms.</p>\r\n<p>But what this also means is that we have no excuses for failure. We do not want to be like the awful Democrats at the federal level, who have acted in a destructive manner against our budget and against our health care system. We must be different.</p>\r\n<p>Soon-to-be Governor Snyder (that sounds much better than Governor Bernero, doesn\'t it?) has his work cut out for him, but he knows it. But we now don\'t have the luxury of blaming Democrats. It falls on the Republicans now to do what they said they were going to do - fix Michigan. The Democrats can\'t stop our reforms just like the Republicans couldn\'t stop Obamacare. Take that for what\'s is worth.</p>\r\n<p>Mr. Snyder, you do have a mandate to fix Michigan. Use it well.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567762,'',1),('content:1256:1256','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2190:\"<p>What does Detroit need most? If you guessed more businesses, more police officers, or less corruption, you would be wrong in the eyes of Marie Donigan, a State representative (Democrat) from Royal Oak, among others. <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20101014/MIVIEW/101014001/Detroit-boondoggle--$500-million-for-light-rail\">Light rail </a>is what Detroit needs most. But she understands the challenges:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>But Marie Donigan, a state rep from Royal Oak, says &ldquo;it&rsquo;s not a whacky Birkenstock idea.&rdquo; (Well, not when it&rsquo;s OUR money she wants to spend.) She admits, however, that &ldquo;it&rsquo;s going to take a huge effort to educate the the public&rdquo; to use the product.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>See, you need to get your mind right to this idea to bring people to a city that doesn\'t deserve to have people brought to it.</p>\r\n<p>&quot;We&rsquo;ve got 44 ambulances,&quot; says Detroit News award-winning reporter Charlie LeDuff about the city&rsquo;s broken EMS system. &quot;Twenty-two by law are supposed to be running. We got 17-18 on any given night because they&rsquo;re broken. . . . LIGHT RAIL?!!&quot;</p>\r\n<p>Now there is a man after my own heart. A light rail system in Detroit will NEVER make money. EVER. But that\'s not the point. The point is to reward Detroit for throwing votes to Obama, and to make Detroit seem like a thriving, recovering city, Michigan\'s jewel. At one point, it was. But that was decades ago, and it will never again regain that status.</p>\r\n<p>If you really want a light rail, put it someplace where it would be useful. That pretty much excludes anyplace in Michigan, but if our elected officials insist on spending good money after bad, at least put it in <a href=\"http://www.visitgrandrapids.org/\">Grand Rapids</a>, an honest to goodness growing city with great potential for future growth. I was in Grand Rapids over the weekend. It has grown since the last time I was there earlier in the year, with more construction started. An actual thriving city in Michigan.</p>\r\n<p>But Grand Rapids doesn\'t have the critical mass of Democrat voters or a self-caused sob story, so it is out of the running.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567767,'',1),('content:1244:1244','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1597:\"<p>Virg Bernero wants to halt home foreclosures.&nbsp; Not with common sense economic policy or telling would-be homeowners that they don\'t yet have the financial resources to own a home. No, no, Virg has <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20101007/ELECTIONS03/310070037/Bernero-shocks-Economic-Club-by-blasting-banks-over-foreclosures\">other things in mind</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Bernero said a priority as governor would be to withdraw $1 billion in state money from J.P Morgan and Chase banks for their refusal to ease up on foreclosures and invest the money in Michigan-based banks and credit unions.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Snyder talked about optimism and bringing people together, Bernero came out throwing blame,&rdquo; said David Smith, a vice president of investments for Stifel Nicolaus. &ldquo;He said the words Wall Street five times and &lsquo;big banks&rsquo; 12 times,&rdquo; Smith said.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Well, yeah. That\'s what the &quot;angry mayor&quot; shtick is all about. He puts himself up as a man of the people, willing to fight for the little guy, when all he is going to do is fight <strong>against </strong>the big guy and give the winnings to his union buddies.</p>\r\n<p>It is not sitting well with everyone, and not just those bankers that Virg is demonizing:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Mani Khavajian, 29, of West Bloomfield normally votes a straight Democratic ticket, but he\'s not so sure this year. He voted for Snyder in the Republican primary.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I think, thankfully, you\'ll see a lot of that this year.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567769,'',1),('content:1228:1228','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2497:\"<p>For a group of people that claim to hate rich people so much, they sure do a lot for them.</p>\r\n<p>As has been declared by our royal rulers, the Democrats, we shall eat cake! If &quot;we&quot; are wealthy businessmen who happen to be in the <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100930/MIVIEW/9300432/No-joke--Biden-reveals-The-Great-Stealth-Stimulus-Scheme\">&quot;green&quot; technology business</a>, that is:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Burning tax dollars like monopoly money, Governor Granholm and President Obama have &quot;invested&quot; millions in A123, a Michigan battery company even as industry experts say that electric vehicles are not the future of transportation that politicians claim.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Yes, a technology that Americans have continually rejected is what the government is forcing us to pay for through tax subsidies. We have had two such &quot;green&quot; plants announced in Michigan within the past few months, one in Holland one and in Livonia. Isn\'t it nice to know that inefficient, unwanted technology will be made right here in are own backyard? After all, if a cars and parts being built were successful, like the Jeep Cherokee or the Ford F150, then they wouldn\'t need government subsidies, would they?</p>\r\n<p>Where are they getting this money as the U.S. continues it\'s plunge into second-rate status? The &quot;stimulus&quot;, of course. And Joe Biden is really, really excited about blowing through the money of future taxpayers:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>[A]bout one-sixth of the total cost [of the stimulus] is an all-out effort to exploit the crisis to make green energy, green building and green transportation real; launch green manufacturing industries; computerize a pen-and-paper health system; promote data-driven school reforms; and ramp up the research of the future. \'This is a chance to do something big, man!\' Biden said during a 90-minute interview with TIME.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Green technology is expensive and ineffective. Only the wealthy can afford the ugly subcompact cars that Obama and his buddies love. The Volt, which isn\'t nearly as ugly as the Prius, will cost over $40,000, and it goes about 15 feet before needing to be recharged, so it\'s the adult equivalent of the Barbie Jeeps you see zooming down the suburbs at 5 MPH. The fact that any grown-up would actually drive one amazes me.</p>\r\n<p>But that\'s America. You get a choice of which vehicle you want to drive&hellip; as long as you choose the right one.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567770,'',1),('content:1195:1195','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:688:\"In Michigan, we certainly <a href=\"http://www.wlns.com/global/story.asp?s=13197990\">do some things right</a>:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div><span orgfontsize=\"14px\" style=\"font-size: 14px\">A national award goes to Michigan\'s online unemployment program. The state\'s online problem resolution system for unemployed workers was recognized for demonstrating extraordinary service to its local community. <br />\r\n</span></div>\r\n</blockquote><span orgfontsize=\"14px\" style=\"font-size: 14px\">We do get lots of practice in dealing with the unemployed, that\'s for sure. And now, we\'re putting our well-earned experience to work for us with our fancy award. Well done, Michigan!<br />\r\n</span>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567774,'',1),('content:630:630','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:907:\"<p><a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100318/NEWS01/303180009/1002/NEWS01\">Let\'s celebrate</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Some fireworks that are currently illegal in Michigan could be legalized and sold to help raise money for state government under terms of budget-related legislation advancing in the state House.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Bottle rockets are fun, but the curmudgeon in me (am I old enough to be a curmudgeon?) doesn\'t want firecrackers going off around my house all year round. The weeks before and after the Fourth are enough.</p>\r\n<p>But what would a budget debate be without threats:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Democrats say if the plan does not get enacted the budget will be cut.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>There are the Democrats we know and love! Children will starve, the &quot;disadvantaged&quot; will be evicted, the sea levels will rise... unless Billy can buy an M-80.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567798,'',1),('content:613:613','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1550:\"<p><a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20100314/NEWS06/100314027/1001/NEWS/Flint-officials-plan-to-lay-off-57-police-officers\">One more reason to avoid Flint</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Officials plan to lay off 57 police officers in Flint by the end of the month, a move that has some people concerned about public safety.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Well, not everyone is concerned about public safety. Namely, two groups: Criminals and those in the Flint mayor&rsquo;s office:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Mayor Dayne Walling announced the layoffs last month after contract negotiations with public safety unions came to a standstill. He says public safety relies on &quot;smart policing,&quot; not just the size of the payroll.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>So if his theory is correct, if you put Stephen Hawking in charge of the Flint PD, there will be no crime? I\'m not sure I follow.</p>\r\n<p>Let\'s be honest: The one type of job you don\'t cut in Flint is the police officer. Consistently ranked as one of the <a href=\"http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1646896/top_10_most_dangerous_cities_in_the.html?cat=17\">United States\' most dangerous cities</a>, if there is a city that needs a large police force, it\'s Flint.</p>\r\n<p>We have budget issues in Michigan, but I have a solution. A training program could be set up to transfer Detroit teachers to the Flint police department. The former are effectively useless in their current positions, and the latter (thanks to the mayor) desperately need bodies. It&rsquo;s as close to a win-win as we can get.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567804,'',1),('content:588:588','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3000:\"<p>Today, the topic is government jobs. I\'ll start with a few links.</p>\r\n<p>First, from <a href=\"http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/03/crowding-out-in-pictures.html\">Carpe Diem</a>, follow the link to see a few interesting graphs showing the increase in federal government jobs. Since mid-2007, the number has increased five-fold.</p>\r\n<p>As a <a href=\"http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-12-10-federal-pay-salaries_N.htm\">USA Today </a>article from last year mentions, those jobs are really paying the bills:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession\'s first 18 months &mdash; and that\'s before overtime pay and bonuses are counted.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Nice work if you voted for the party in power right now.</p>\r\n<p>From the <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/12268\">Mackinac Center for Public Policy</a>, discusses the negotiated 3% increase of union State of Michigan workers, and how the legislature has just over a month to rescind that raise. Let\'s be serious, there will be no renegotiation - such a change would require a two-thirds majority, an impossibility in a union-dominated state like ours.</p>\r\n<p>Continuing with the theme of teachers is a link from the <a href=\"http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100305/CLINTON01/3070301/1002/NEWS01\">Lansing State Journal</a>, which I found from another <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/12273\">Mackinac Center </a>article:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>At a time when local teachers\' unions are struggling to maintain salary and benefits and the union\'s overall statewide membership is declining, many MEA negotiators and executive director Luigi Battaglieri also got hefty pay increases. And average pay for all employees at the MEA has risen 19 percent in recent years.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>But it\'s all in the name of doing the best job they can do says Doug Pratt, MEA director of communications:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;Do we compensate our officers well? Do we compensate our managers well? Yes,&quot; he said. &quot;We believe in attracting and recruiting the best possible candidates.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I wonder what Mr. Pratt thinks of the bonuses received by AIG and other financial firms that caused such an uproar last year. They were just trying to attract and keep the best people they could, too.</p>\r\n<p>And just like the federal workers, it pays to work for the MEA:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Overall, MEA salary expenses are increasing. For the 2005-06 fiscal year, the average salary for each of the 346 MEA employees was $75,308. By 2008-09, 343 employees earned an average of $89,612 each - an increase of nearly 19 percent.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I\'m in the wrong business. I often pass the MEA office on Saginaw Street in East Lansing. Perhaps I need to stop by, pretend I\'m a liberal, and squeeze taxpayer dollars out of teachers like their union reps do. It obviously pays to do so.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567806,'',1),('content:586:586','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1803:\"<p>This long quote from <a href=\"http://townhall.com/columnists/WalterEWilliams/2010/03/03/who_poses_the_greater_threat\">Walter Williams </a>sums up my problem with liberals\' obsession with controlling markets:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>While American politicians and intellectuals have not reached the depths of tyrants such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Hitler, they share a common vision. Tyrants denounce free markets and voluntary exchange. They are the chief supporters of reduced private property rights, reduced rights to profits, and they are anti-competition and pro-monopoly. They are pro-control and coercion, by the state. These Americans who run Washington, and their intellectual supporters, believe they have superior wisdom and greater intelligence than the masses. They believe they have been ordained to forcibly impose that wisdom on the rest of us. Like any other tyrant, they have what they consider good reasons for restricting the freedom of others. A tyrant\'s primary agenda calls for the elimination or attenuation of the market. Why? Markets imply voluntary exchange and tyrants do not trust that people behaving voluntarily will do what the tyrant thinks they should do. Therefore, they seek to replace the market with economic planning and regulation, which is little more than the forcible superseding of other people\'s plans by the powerful elite.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>It\'s their arrogance that bothers me the most, their view that liberals know better than I how to spend my money, raise my child, or live a in lifestyle of my choosing. As <a href=\"http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/33029.html\">C.S. Lewis wrote</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567807,'',1),('content:582:582','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1041:\"<p>It seems <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/12219\">Michigan has a new export </a>- bad socialist ideas.</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Gov. Ted Strickland [OH] signed an executive order more than a year ago on Feb permitting the providers to unionize, and he signed the first contract in January with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>[Communications director Joe] Weidner said no one will be forced to join the union, however, those who do not will still have to pay a fair share fee because AFSCME will have to represent them if any issues arise.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Maybe this is our way of competing with other states, by making them as hellishly overregulated as we are. &quot;Hey, no need to move to Ohio - they\'re just as bad as us!&quot;</p>\r\n<p>Hmm, the next pro-Michigan television campaign, perhaps? We\'ve had &quot;Yes! Michigan&quot;. And we\'ve had &quot;Great Lakes, Great Times.&quot; Now we have &quot;Stay right where you are - they suck too&quot;.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567809,'',1),('content:559:559','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:799:\"<p><a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100224/ap_on_re_us/us_entire_school_fired_1\">Some good news </a>for students in Rhode Island:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. &ndash; A Rhode Island school district has voted to fire all the teachers at an underperforming school.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>The Central Falls School Committee voted Tuesday evening to fire every educator at Central Falls High School, including teachers, guidance counselors and the principal.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Of course, the teachers union is looking at their options. They\'ll sue, almost definitely - what do you want, incompetent teachers that go quietly?</p>\r\n<p>The school has a 50% graduation rate, which is about double the graduation rate of schools in Detroit. Give you any ideas?<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567810,'',1),('content:549:549','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2782:\"<p>Unions exist for one reason - to serve their members. (Well, one other thing - to give money to Democrats.) Their purpose doesn\'t include the welfare of the industry they supposedly serve, including schoolchildren.</p>\r\n<p>This is not to say that teachers don&rsquo;t care about students - that is not at all what I&rsquo;m saying. But the union representatives exist to squeeze every dime out of whomever they are negotiating with for the benefit of their members. In this case, those dimes come from you and I.</p>\r\n<p>According to the <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/12083\">Mackinac Center for Public Policy</a>, health care plans for Michigan teachers in 2008-2009 were 39 percent higher than the statewide average. The average teacher contribution to is four percent, so their union has been serving them well, at the cost of taxpayers. As Michael Van Beek notes:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Michigan taxpayers now spend $2 billion per year, or $1,250 per pupil, for school employee health insurance.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://townhall.com/columnists/JohnStossel/2010/02/17/education_too_important_for_a_government_monopoly\">John Stossel\'s column </a>last week dovetails with this idea of expensive per student cost with little benefit:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Since 1980, government spending on education, adjusted for inflation, has nearly doubled. But test scores have been flat for decades. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Today we spend a stunning $11,000 a year per student -- more than $200,000 per classroom. It\'s not working.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>House Speaker Andy Dillon, a Democrat, has proposed including public employees (teachers included) be handled by the same state commission. Estimated to save $900 million (less, of course - government projections of money saved are always wrong, cough - stimulus bill - cough). Would is save money? Yes, it probably would. Occasionally, a Democrat has a good idea. Bravo, keep them coming.</p>\r\n<p>Mr. Van Beek has a better idea:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>If all school employees were enrolled in consumer-driven health plans, such as a high-deductible health savings account, Mackinac Center analysts estimate that schools could save at least $450 million in just one year. Over the course of a decade, those savings could grow to $26 billion. States like Indiana are already reaping the benefits from moving public employees into HSAs, yet only 19 Michigan school districts have HSA plans for their teachers.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I highly doubt this idea will ever come to fruition because the Michigan Education Association, arguably the state\'s most powerful union, will oppose it. But it is important to keep these ideas coming. Eventually, we may have enough people in the legislature to make it happen.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567812,'',1),('content:1163:1163','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1427:\"<p><a href=\"http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/when-does-exaggeration-become-lie\">I\'ve said before </a>how much I enjoy hearing Debbie Stabenow speak. And you know, she is the gift that keeps on giving. Take, for example, <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100912/MIVIEW/100912001/Stabenow--Female-pols-superior-to-men\">this piece of brilliance</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;I like to think women in the Senate bring a very practical approach,&quot; Stabenow told a Grand Rapids audience at Grand Valley State University Women\'s Center\'s &quot;Women in Politics&quot; series. &quot;We tend to be the ones who work across the aisle.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>How the Republic survive until the arrival of the Great Compromisers, I\'ll never know. But I think that Senator Stabenow is a wonderful example of the magnanimity of voters. Wait, check it - I meant ignorance.</p>\r\n<p>What\'s also wonderful is the open-mindedness of liberals like Senator Stabenow. I respect the fact that she doesn\'t put people into categories, like saying women are practical and willing to work with people of opposing viewpoints. Which means, I suppose, that male legislators are completely impractical cads who are only concerned with themselves and their narrow-minded views.</p>\r\n<p>In the words of Rush Limbaugh, bipartisanship means Republicans giving in to whatever the Democrats want. And I\'m against bipartisanship. Men...</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567817,'',1),('content:1149:1149','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:429:\"Do you read Thomas Sowell\'s column?&nbsp;If not, you should. He has great insights, like <a href=\"http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2010/09/07/political_fables\">this one</a>:<br />\r\n<br />\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>President Obama says, &quot;Don\'t give in to fear. Let\'s reach for hope.&quot; The voters reached for hope when they elected Obama. The fear comes from what he has done since taking office.</div>\r\n</blockquote>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567821,'',1),('content:1144:1144','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1621:\"<p>Our esteemed president must be having mixed feeling about <a href=\"http://www.wlns.com/global/story.asp?s=13088848\">this story</a>, if he\'s even been made aware of it before golf rounds: <br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Dozens of undocumented workers, recently part of the Marshall oil spill clean up, have been arrested in the state of Texas. The report claims that two busloads of workers chartered by Hallmark Industrial, a subcontractor of Enbridge, were fired early Tuesday and sent south.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Authorities in Chambers County Texas say they pulled over the two busses and arrested 59 men, 40 of whom were illegal aliens. They say another 40 were able to escape. The arrested workers were taken to a holding facility in Houston.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>On one hand, environmental disasters are bad, but for Obama, they\'re good, because then he gets to push his &quot;I&nbsp;hate oil&quot; agenda and drive our economy completed back to the stone age by forcing the use of windmills and solar panels. And the fact that illegals were arrested means that Obama has that many fewer potential voters, and he is going to need all the help he can get.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nBut really, how many of those illegals are going to be sent back to Mexico, or wherever they\'re from?&nbsp;Not many, if any, I would guess. The federal immigration bureaucrats will&nbsp;schedule a court appearance,&nbsp;then release them from the holding facilities, and the illegals will merrily ignore their date with our justice system, as they merrily ignored our laws concerning entry into this country.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567823,'',1),('content:1140:1140','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:232:\"<p>Want to get fired up about the November election? Listen to <a href=\"http://www.therightscoop.com/mark-levin-we-cant-just-rally-we-must-be-political-activists-to-save-our-country\">this clip from Mark Levin</a>.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567825,'',1),('content:1113:1113','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2884:\"<p>Let\'s hope Virg doesn\'t get this kind of idea: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/philly-requiring-bloggers-to-pay-300-for-a-business-license-101264664.html\">Philly requiring bloggers to pay $300 for a business license</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Between her blog and infrequent contributions to ehow.com, over the last few years she says she&rsquo;s made about $50. To [Marilyn] Bess, her website is a hobby. To the city of Philadelphia, it&rsquo;s a potential moneymaker, and the city wants its cut.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In May, the city sent Bess a letter demanding that she pay $300, the price of a business privilege license.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>How dare she! How dare that woman try to make a few dollars without the government able to seize their fair share to give to people that did nothing for it. She\'s got some nerve, making that $50.</p>\r\n<p>It\'s just like that ungrateful 7-year old that tried to run a <a href=\"http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/08/portland_lemonade_stand_runs_i.html\">lemonade stand in Oregon</a>:. Luckily, a government official was there to save humanity:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>After 20 minutes, a &quot;lady with a clipboard&quot; came over and asked for their license. When Fife explained they didn\'t have one, the woman told them they would need to leave or possibly face a $500 fine.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Didn\'t she know that she needed a permit to sell lemonade? Selling lemonade without a government permit? Just a fine? Throw her in jail!</p>\r\n<p>When are people going to learn that our overbearing government and stupid regulations are for our own good? We can\'t think for ourselves. Thank goodness that bureaucrat in Oregon came to shut that girl down - she could have used a bad lemon in her lemonade, and then where would those poor, unsuspecting patrons have been?</p>\r\n<p>Speaking of overbearing regulation, here is <a href=\"http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(f5yemhmhky0ibcbekbedhv45))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&amp;objectname=2010-HB-6234\">2010 House Bill 6234 </a>(Clarify deer feeding ban detail )</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Introduced by Rep. Mark Meadows (D) on June 1, 2010, to clarify that the law restricting or banning wild deer or elk feeding does not ban the &ldquo;incidental&rdquo; feeding of these animals when feeding wild birds or other wildlife. Reportedly the bill was introduced after a Northern Michigan man who broadcasts the action at his birdfeeder on his website was served with an arrest warrant by the Department of Natural Resources because deer sometimes are seen eating the fallen seeds.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Sweet, now people that have birdfeeders will not be subject to fines just in case deer eat from them. Just what the Founders intended. Why they didn\'t include restrictions on feeding deer in the Constitution, I have no idea.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567826,'',1),('content:1107:1107','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:3071:\"<p>Obama\'s news <a href=\"http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011799,00.html\">continues to be bad</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Nearly one third of the country thinks adherents of Islam should be barred from running for President &mdash; slightly higher than the 24% who mistakenly believe that the current occupant of the Oval Office is himself a Muslim.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Well, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck&hellip; What could possibly give the impression that he\'s a Muslim? His first television interview ever as president was with a Arab news organization. He gives speeches in Muslim nation where he derides the United States. He cheers for a center of worship for the religion of the attackers who brought down the Twin Towers. Heck, even Ted Kennedy thought his name was Osama. As in, bin Laden. He claims to be a Christian, yet still doesn\'t attend a church over a year into his presidency, a surprising thing for an American president, even a Democrat. The final straw will be if he starts yelling &quot;Death to America&quot; during his radio addresses. Then even <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Kos\">Markos Moulitsas</a> will have to admit something wasn\'t quite right.</p>\r\n<p>To be fair, maybe he hasn\'t found just the right cauldron of America haters and practitioners of black liberation theology in Washington like he had in Chicago. If he really wants to hear like-minded anti-American hate mongers, he could try listening to Nancy Pelosi, as painful as that would be.</p>\r\n<p>Back to the Muslim issue. He may not consider himself a Muslim, but a lot of Muslims do, as this 2008 <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12luttwak.html?_r=3&amp;pagewanted=print\">New York Times article </a>describes:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>As the son of the Muslim father, Senator Obama was born a Muslim under Muslim law as it is universally understood. It makes no difference that, as Senator Obama has written, his father said he renounced his religion. Likewise, under Muslim law based on the Koran his mother&rsquo;s Christian background is irrelevant.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I hear Muslims don\'t like apostasy. They have interventions and groups hugs for that sort of thing. Just kidding! They actually do beheadings. But to each there own, right? Coexist, as the bumper sticker reads on the cars of the brainwashed. More polling:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>And while more Americans are open to the idea of having a mosque built in their neighborhoods than near Ground Zero, it\'s still not an overwhelming majority; 55% of respondents say they would favor the construction of an Islamic community center and mosque two blocks from their own homes, and an equal number say they believe most Muslims are &quot;Patriotic Americans.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I have to take issue with the &quot;Patriotic Americans&quot; issue statement, though. I have a Muslim a few doors down from me, and he has a Virg Bernero sign in his front yard, which means he\'s not really a patriotic American, he\'s a Democrat.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567828,'',1),('content:1096:1096','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1385:\"<p>Today, let\'s talk about Nancy Pelosi, one of America\'s most embarrassing public figures, right up there with the laughably ignorant and outrageously corrupt <a href=\"http://sweetness-light.com/archive/waters-investigate-racist-tea-parties\">Maxine Waters</a>. When she doesn\'t like someone\'s point of view, she <a href=\"http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2010/aug/17/audio-rep-pelosi-calls-investigation-wtc-mosque-op/\">wants an investigation</a>. Her latest targets are those that don\'t want a mosque building near Ground Zero in New York city:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;There is no question there is a concerted effort to make this a political issue by some. And I join those who have called for looking into how is this opposition to the mosque being funded,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Not only is she unable to fathom my there would be strong objections to building a place to glorify the religious beliefs of those who killed thousands of Americans.</p>\r\n<p>I like Rush Limbaugh\'s idea: Try to build a Wal*Mart near Ground Zero, then see what happens. The Democrats and other freedom-haters would have an absolute fit. Our try putting a Nativity scene on the White House lawn. The Internet would shut down from the liberals\' angry rhetoric.</p>\r\n<p>Why is it Democrats only believe in the First Amendment when they are the ones doing the speaking?</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567831,'',1),('content:1056:1056','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2123:\"<p>There is apparently a <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100806/METRO/8060389/Police-say-serial-killer-stalking-African-American-men-in-Flint\">serial killer targeting blacks in Flint</a>. So what should we do? First, don\'t panic. Second, let the police do their job. Three, blame racism:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Officials with the Flint branch of the NAACP said the safety of black people isn\'t taken seriously in the city. Frances Gilcreast, the local president, said it\'s alarming to learn about serial killings after 12 attacks have occurred. She knew nothing until noon Thursday when she saw a TV news report, she said.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Perhaps Frances should watch the news more often. But let\'s here what Rev. Phil Schmitter has to say:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;As the economy has worsened in this city, so has desperation and we have been making an effort to fight increased gun violence. So much anger and desperation in people, real or imagined, can result in blaming someone else. Stuff that was latent becomes overt when you are looking for someone else to blame for your miseries. I would be very surprised if race wasn\'t an element here.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I would say we need to read between the lines, but there are no lines -&nbsp; the Reverend is saying that the killer is an angry unemployed white guy, killing blacks because they are black. Except for the white guy he attacked, too. But maybe that guy was listening to rap music or was wearing a black shirt, who knows.</p>\r\n<p>But before we start a race war, let\'s look at some <a href=\"http://www.hhscenter.org/bonbstat.html\">statistics</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>While African Americans comprise 13.5% of the U.S. Population, 43% of all murder victims in 2007 were African American, 93.1% of whom were killed were African Americans.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Maybe, just maybe, the killer is killing because he is a crazy psychopathic monster and not because Obama is president (as bad as that is) or that feels &quot;oppressed&quot; because, as a white, he\'s the minority in Flint. How about we just worry about stopping him?</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567838,'',1),('content:1035:1035','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:277:\"<div class=\"rteleft\">Finally, an honest assessment of where the funds for the &quot;stimulus&quot; plans are coming from:</div>\r\n<div class=\"rtecenter\"><br />\r\n<br />\r\n<img alt=\"Stimulus Sign\" width=\"500\" height=\"475\" src=\"/sites/default/files/images/StimulusSign.JPG\" /></div>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567847,'',1),('content:1007:1007','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:690:\"<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\"><a href=\"http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/icecreamday.htm\">One more reason </a>that Ronald Reagan is one of the greatest presidents ever:</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. He also established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in the month.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt\">&nbsp;This Sunday in National Ice Cream day, so celebrate at your favorite ice cream shop.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567850,'',1),('content:964:964','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1173:\"<p>Read her lips: <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/13132\">No new taxes</a>. Not because she doesn\'t want them, but Governor Granholm realizes that the Legislature will not pass any type of tax increase this year:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The Governor still defended her proposal. &quot;I think tax restructuring... is really important for the future of our state,&quot; the governor told the Free Press. However, she added, &quot;I understand there is no desire in the Legislature to talk about anything with the word tax in it.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Too bad for her that the Democrats will most likely take a beating this November, in large part because of Dear Leader in the White House. They don\'t want to risk any more seats in the Capitol building in Lansing by doing what they really believe in, which is shafting the middle class to pass money onto welfare cheats who will vote for Democrats. But that\'s good news for us here in Michigan because, according to the <a href=\"http://www.mackinac.org/12980\">Mackinac Center</a>, her tax rate increases would have meant 30,000 fewer jobs</p>\r\n<p>It\'s temporary relief, but in Michigan, we\'ll take what we can get.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567855,'',1),('content:958:958','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2463:\"<p>Only in <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/05/nasa-chief-frontier-better-relations-muslims/\">Obama\'s America</a>:<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his &quot;foremost&quot; mission as the head of America\'s space exploration agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Yes, you read correctly. One NASA\'s head\'s primary jobs is to improve relations with Muslims.</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;When I became the NASA administrator -- or before I became the NASA administrator -- he charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering,&quot; Bolden said in the interview.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Note that none of those three items has anything to do with NASA\'s missions in space, through exploration and advancing our understanding of the universe. He wants to educate children (don\'t we have an cabinet-level position to do that already?) and reach out to foreign governments. when did the Secretary of State stop doing that? Wasn\'t there <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/06/clinton-goofs-russian-translation-tells-diplomat-wants-overcharge-ties/\">a reset button </a>around here somewhere that she could press to stop the Muslims from trying to kill us?</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The NASA administrator was in the Middle East last month marking the one-year anniversary since Obama delivered an address to Muslim nations in Cairo. Bolden spoke in June at the American University in Cairo -- in his interview with Al Jazeera, he described space travel as an international collaboration of which Muslim nations must be a part.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Why do Muslim nations have to be part of the drive into space? Middle Eastern countries haven\'t made any significant contribution to science in hundreds of years, and now they are going to stop honor-killing their daughters and help humanity reach for the stars? Unlike Bill Clinton, Obama never said he didn\'t inhale, so maybe he can use that as excuse. Common sense continues to elude this administration.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567858,'',1),('content:953:953','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2824:\"<p>What is <a href=\"http://www.nationalreview.com/planet-gore/230514/obama-spill-schmill-wheres-my-energy-tax/chris-horner\">Obama\'s real focus </a>- the oil spill or the resulting legislation from the oil spill?</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Roll Call reports (subscription required) that during today&rsquo;s White House meeting &mdash; called by the president to try and advance his global-warming agenda by using the Gulf spill as the tail to wag that otherwise dead dog &mdash; Obama accused Tennessee senator Lamar Alexander of raising a &ldquo;talking point&rdquo; by seeking to discuss response measures the government might employ in the Gulf, and went on to say that the oil spill was not the topic of the meeting.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Remember, the point of the meeting was supposed to be how to pass a spill-response bill, though the substance was revealed to be how to use the Gulf spill to pass a global-warming bill calling it a spill-response bill.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Now we connect the Obama energy policy (which is to fuel our economy on good wishes and faerie dust) and the energy policy here in Michigan. As Rahm Emmanuel said, never let a crisis go to waste, a sentiment shared by <a href=\"http://mlui.org/blogs/?p=1363\">State Representative Dan Scripps</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&ldquo;I never want to see our beaches, water or wildlife covered with oil like we&rsquo;ve seen down South,&rdquo; Representative Scripps said.&nbsp; &ldquo;We simply cannot risk oil drilling in our Great Lakes.&nbsp; An oil spill would decimate our fishing, boating, and tourism industries that so many residents rely on for their livelihood.&nbsp; Our waters are an integral part of our economy and our heritage, and we must take every precaution to protect them.&rdquo;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>No one wants to see an oil spill in the Great Lakes. I would say that no one wants double-digit unemployment here in Michigan, but that\'s not true - the environmentalists do -&nbsp; as the paragraph above&nbsp; shows.</p>\r\n<p>Drilling in the lakes would certainly bring money and jobs to Michigan. But that will never happen, so Rep. Scripps is simply grandstanding. He knows there is no chance of the Michigan legislature voting to allow drilling, but he wants the good press with his fellow leftists. Michigan is on its way to be a &quot;green jobs state&quot;, which means high unemployment because these technologies cannot survive without being heavily subsidized by government (i.e. taxpayers.)</p>\r\n<p>I was in Chicago recently and saw a bus touting a &quot;Pure Michigan&quot; ad. And I finally understand the Democrats economic policy for Michigan. Force as many people to leave as possible by making a hostile place to conduct business, thus having a pristine environment, and bring in tourists to enjoy it.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567860,'',1),('content:949:949','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1499:\"<p>Joe Biden is worried. No, not that the price of hair plugs is going up. He is afraid of truthful criticism of Democrats, of course. From the <a href=\"http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2010/06/biden-claims-a-gop-blitzkrieg.html\">New York Daily News</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Vice President Biden is out with an alarmed e-mail cash appeal warning that the GOP will mount a &ldquo;blitzkrieg&rdquo; against Democrats in the fall.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Comparing GOP tactics to the fast-striking forces of Nazi Germany, Biden warns in a message sent by the DCCC today: &ldquo;As things heat up, you can expect House Democrats will be hit with a GOP blitzkrieg of vicious Swift-Boat-style attack ads, Karl Rove-inspired knockout tactics, thinly veiled attempts at character assassination and tea party disruptions.&rdquo;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Yes, the Vice President of the United States compared Republican campaign fund raising to Nazi tactics. Boring - they do that every election cycle.</p>\r\n<p>What I find amusing is that Joe Biden, who I saw once in person but wasn\'t close enough to catch his ignorance, is criticizing the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The reason the Swifties were so effective is that they were right. John Kerry went from a war hero to an opportunistic anti-war zealot in a matter of weeks once the light of day was shined on his record. He &quot;reported for duty&quot; and was returned to sender.</p>\r\n<p>Truth to a Democrat is like sunlight to a vampire.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567862,'',1),('content:948:948','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:969:\"<p><a href=\"http://www.nationalreview.com/planet-gore/230147/bp-escrow-fund-deficit-reduction-plan/greg-pollowitz\">Is anyone surprised</a>?</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Out-of-work Gulf Coast shrimper Todd Pellegal spent his first $2,500 check from BP quickly, paying off bills and buying groceries for his family.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>He never even considered putting some of it away for taxes.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Now he&rsquo;s among the people up and down the Gulf Coast reeling from the oil spill disaster who are surprised &mdash; and frustrated &mdash; to find out the Internal Revenue Service may take a chunk of the payments BP PLC is providing to help them stay afloat.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Obama forcing oil workers to stop working in the Gulf + unconstitutional seizure of property from BP + taxing workers on money forced from private company into hands of private citizens to fill government coffers = awesome amounts of hope and change.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567863,'',1),('content:926:926','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2335:\"<p>Let\'s say you\'re a business owner, and for decades, you made several mistakes that caused you to fall from your vaunted position atop your industry and plummet into bankruptcy. But you have turned things around and your company is once again profitable and things are starting to look rosy again. Now that your out of the red, would you start to make the same mistakes you did earlier? The <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100615/AUTO01/6150374/1148/Unions--Restore-concessions\">AFL-CIO thinks this is a swell idea</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The powerful head of the AFL-CIO called on Detroit\'s recovering automakers Monday to give back concessions made by union workers to preserve the industry. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&quot;The three major U.S. companies are making profits again,&quot; AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a speech on the opening day of the United Auto Workers\' constitutional convention. &quot;We salute their success, and we demand that they do right by the workers who have done right by them. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Departing UAW President Ron Gettelfinger urged members, meanwhile, to keep the faith. &quot;Today, more than ever, we need to feel the passion of the labor movement,&quot; he told hundreds of delegates representing autoworkers across the country and, increasingly, employees in other industries.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>It\'s like a milquetoast version of Karl Marx\'s &quot;workers of the world unit&quot; battle cry.&nbsp; &quot;Feel the passion&quot; sounds more like a Sprite commercial than an urging for his lackeys to surge forward and demand concessions from the auto industry to once again plunge the U.S. auto industry into financial insolvency.</p>\r\n<p>But Ron wasn\'t done:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;The contempt for the UAW was so deep that some of them were willing to let the industry collapse in the hopes they could destroy us,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>No one wanted the auto industry to die, least of all Michiganders, except perhaps the extremist environmentalists, and they are all Democrats.&nbsp; But many right-thinking people do have contempt for the UAW. Not the workers, the union leadership that drove up prices on our cars and pressured non-union auto companies from setting up camp here and bringing more jobs to our state.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567869,'',1),('content:914:914','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1037:\"<p>A panel of business leaders met on Mackinac Island (I\'m jealous) to discuss the state of business in Michigan, the increasingly business-less state. What were the main problems with innovation and doing business here? Taxes and <a href=\"http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100604/FREE/100609923#\">complicated regulation</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&ldquo;If it\'s complex to start a business, if it\'s complex to get through the bureaucracy, it\'s an inhibitor,&rdquo; Compuware\'s COO Bob Paul said. <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;You can go to single portal, and that\'s a good first step. But once you get in the single portal it\'s pretty complex. I think there\'s more work that can be done in Lansing to make it easier for people to grow their business and to bring business to the state.&rdquo;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Good luck with that one. It would be pretty hard to distract the Democrats from raising taxes on businesses and &quot;the rich&quot; (I.E. the employed). But hope springs eternal, and November is coming.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567873,'',1),('content:912:912','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1749:\"<p>Once upon a time, weren\'t Senators supposed to work for the best interests of the states that elected them? Maybe some still do, but not our wonderful pair. <a href=\"http://www.nationalreview.com/planet-gore/204085/murkowski-vote-michigan-senators-sell-out/henry-payne\">They have just voted </a>against limiting the power of the EPA, who seeks to control greenhouse gas outputs. Our wonderful Senators&nbsp; have voted against the prosperity of Michigan and for Obama\'s desire (yes, those two are entirely opposite things.)&nbsp;(See <a href=\"http://www.nationalreview.com/planet-gore/204081/murkowski-amendment-fails/edward-john-craig\">NationalReview.com </a>for the complete list of Senators voting no.)</p>\r\n<p>Cap &amp; Tax is not some obscure little legislation that no one will notice. As Margo Thorning writes in the <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100518/OPINION01/5180321/Climate-bill-will-stall-Michigan-s-manufacturing-engine#ixzz0qZdYMcUw\">Detroit News</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>According to a study from the nonpartisan American Council for Capital Formation, overall manufacturing output would decline 5.4 percent in a low-cost case and 6 percent in a high-cost case in 2030.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>We\'re still a manufacturing state, sort of, despite Governor Granholm\'s insistence on moving us towards the fairy tale realm of green jobs. So a 5-6% hit to our manufacturing output is some serious damage, even by Democrat standards. The estimation is between 66,000 and 90,000 jobs gone.</p>\r\n<p>And that\'s <em>after </em>Jenny has left the building!</p>\r\n<p>When are enough Michiganders going to wise up and elect people who represent their best interests? I know - when enough liberal have left the state.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567874,'',1),('content:902:902','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:453:\"<blockquote>\r\n<div>We must develop a fair appreciation for the real strengths and limitations of government effort on behalf of children. Government, obviously, cannot fill a child\'s emotional needs. Nor can it fill his spiritual and moral needs. Government is not a father or mother. Government has never raised a child, and it never will.</div>\r\n</blockquote><br />\r\n<a href=\"http://www.conservativeforum.org/authquot.asp?ID=503\">William J. Bennet</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567876,'',1),('content:889:889','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1703:\"<p><a href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&amp;sid=aa0cI64Gx.4E&amp;pos=15\">How bad could it be?</a></p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>June 4 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama is poised to increase the U.S. debt to a level that exceeds the value of the nation&rsquo;s annual economic output, a step toward what Bill Gross called a &ldquo;debt super cycle.&rdquo; <br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Dan Fuss, who manages the Loomis Sayles Bond Fund, which beat 94 percent of competitors the past year, said last week that he sold all of his Treasury bonds because of prospects interest rates will rise as the U.S. borrows unprecedented amounts. Obama is borrowing record amounts to fund spending programs to help the economy recover from its longest recession since the 1930s.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>The vultures are circling. This is Obama\'s brave new world, where the U.S. economy is as strong as <a href=\"http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article7009605.ece\">Greece\'s</a>.</p>\r\n<p>On the bright side, <a href=\"http://www.salon.com/news/unemployment/index.html?story=/tech/htww/2010/06/04/may_jobs_report\">431,000 jobs were added in May</a>. On the not-so-bright side, 411,000 of those jobs were temporary census jobs. I have a plan - maybe we could all work for the census, standing around and pointing at each other. The government could pay for doing our civic duty, then provide us medical marijuana for our depression because we have pointless jobs.</p>\r\n<p>Keep hoping for change you can believe in. Or was it the change you hoped for? Or hoping to keep a little change from your tax dollars? Oh, I don\'t know - I can\'t keep all these airhead statements straight.</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567877,'',1),('content:884:884','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2892:\"<p>Rick Haglan wrote a nice piece on <a href=\"http://domemagazine.com/features/cov0110\">The Dome Magazine\'s site </a>regarding a brief history of Michigan\'s attempt at economic development. And it seems like Groundhog Day.</p>\r\n<p>The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has written many times about the ineffectiveness of targeted tax cuts. And I agree - targeted tax cuts have not been effective in retaining the businesses that were promised. Just look at our current economic situation.</p>\r\n<p>But we have to balance economic certainties with political realities. Businesses will go to where they feel they can get the best deal and that, unfortunately, is not Michigan. How do we, as a state, compete with competing states that can offer lucrative tax deals to companies attempting to maximize profits? Can targeted tax cuts along with cutting business taxes in general lead to greater prosperity than just tax cuts alone?</p>\r\n<p>Maybe, but something has to be done, since our attempts to retain jobs by targeted tax cuts haven\'t worked. Look at the Big Three. Manufacturing employs twelve percent of the nonfarm workforce, half what it was thirty years ago. I doubt we\'ll see any slowing of this rate.</p>\r\n<p>Economic diversification has been the buzz phrase the last few years around here. Which brings us back to the targeted tax cuts. Michigan has tried to appeal to all types of business - high-tech, bio-medical, &quot;green&quot; jobs. But the loss of manufacturing jobs has outpaced the gains we\'ve made in the diversification of our workforce.</p>\r\n<p>Regardless of the political push for a diverse business environment, it simply hasn\'t happened. As the Big Three go, so goes Michigan. Our per capita income is among the worst in the country, and will continue to drop. We simply don\'t have the industries to support large numbers of high paying jobs anymore.</p>\r\n<p>The diversification manta has been pushed since the Blanchard years, and it continues to this day, but we\'re still seen as a manufacturing state, though our plants continue to leave. When you have more friendly environments to the south (i.e., non-union), as one Michigan-based store would say, why pay more?</p>\r\n<p>As the Mackinac Center has repeatedly said regarding the targeted tax cuts, the government is trying to pick winners and losers in business. Now, the &quot;winners&quot; are green jobs, such as manufacturing wind turbines and biofuels.</p>\r\n<p>But these jobs have to be supported by government subsidies because the market for them isn\'t there. Several ethanol plants have gone bankrupt and, without taxpayer subsidies, it is likely they all would.</p>\r\n<p>The legislators of Michigan should be concerned with creating a business environment in which everyone can benefit. Their track records of picking winners hasn\'t been a good one, and we\'re the ones settling the debt.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567879,'',1),('content:881:881','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1409:\"<p>June 5, 1944. One day before D-Day, General Eisenhower <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower\">wrote this</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Contrast that with the current leadership of the United States and Michigan. Can you imagine Obama taking blame for such a devastating blow as a failed invasion? Or Granholm saying &quot;My bad&quot; because of any economic condition that has occurred in the last eight years?</p>\r\n<p>No, of course you can\'t, because they continue to blame their predecessors. Twenty years from now, Obama will still be blaming George Bush for the economic meltdown caused by horrible public policy that started in the 1970\'s. Granholm will be in the nursing home cursing John Engler.</p>\r\n<p>Perhaps our next governor will be able to step up and fix the problems instead of exacerbating them and pointing fingers. Perhaps our next president will have enough character to stop blaming and start pushing policies that help solve our problems, not expand them.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567880,'',1),('content:880:880','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:536:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>- <a href=\"http://www.conservativeforum.org/authquot.asp?ID=570\">Lord Acton</a><br />\r\n<br />\r\nObama and his lackeys like to pretend like they\'re the smartest kids in class, but they are really the dunces. <a href=\"http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll\">Americans are starting to realize that</a>.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567882,'',1),('content:864:864','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:660:\"<p>Nobody can say that President Obama isn\'t a tough nut, can they? Look at this <a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37309788/ns/world_news-asiapacific\">strong response </a>to the torpedoing of a South Korean ship by the North Koreans:<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Obama, in response to North Korea\'s pattern of &quot;provocation and defiance of international law,&quot; has ordered U.S. government agencies to review their policies toward Pyongyang.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Take that, commies! The United States will review our policies! Damn the torpedoes! <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Farragut\">Admiral Farragut </a>would be proud!</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567884,'',1),('content:863:863','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:609:\"<p>I have found the <a href=\"http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100523/FREE/100529940\">perfect event </a>for a nice evening out:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>The White House says some tickets will be available for the public for Michelle Obama\'s visit to Detroit that is tied to her ongoing efforts to foster mentorship opportunities for young people.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>So if you, too, are finally proud of your country because enough Americans were duped into electing the first hard-core leftist president of the 21st century, then Detroit is the place for you. For more than one reason.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567885,'',1),('content:854:854','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:2174:\"<p>Laws are such annoying things when they get in the way when trying to appeal to special interest groups and steal votes. What is the Obama administrations tactic? Let\'s let one of the top Department of Homeland Security officials tell us, thanks to <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/21/official-says-feds-process-illegals-referred-arizona/\">Fox News</a>:</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;I don\'t think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution,&quot; [John] Morton told the newspaper. The best way to reduce illegal immigration is through a comprehensive federal approach, he said, and not a patchwork of state laws.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Well, since the Arizona law effectively says they will enforce federal law, then what\'s the problem? Oh, I know - common sense.</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said ICE is not obligated to process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona authorities.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>So the feds are effectively ignoring their own law. Yes, that sounds about right for this group of hyper-liberals.</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>&quot;They\'re telegraphing to every ICE agency in America that they really don\'t intend on cooperating with Arizona,&quot; Sessions said. &quot;The federal government should step up and do it. It\'s their responsibility.&quot;<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-AL, said it appeared the Obama administration is &quot;nullifying existing law&quot; and suggested Morton may not be the right person for his post if he fails to enforce federal immigration law.<br />\r\n<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&quot;If he feels he cannot enforce the law, he shouldn\'t have the job,&quot; Sessions told Fox News. &quot;That makes him, in my view, not fulfilling the responsibilities of his office.&quot;</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>Exactly, we have a president that doesn\'t feel like enforcing laws that he doesn\'t agree with. I don\'t think it\'s exaggeration to say that he thinks that Tea Party-goers are the enemy of his United States while illegal aliens are his allies. Every day, he continues to earn his ranking as the worst president ever.<br type=\"_moz\" />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567887,'',1),('content:853:853','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1122:\"<p>What would civil strife and tragedy be without the <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100519/METRO/5190396/\">reverend</a>?</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>Detroit -- The Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy on Saturday at the funeral for Aiyana Stanley Jones, the 7-year-old who died Sunday during a police raid on her eastside home.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>I would assume that after he is finished delivering the sermon and comforting the family, he will try to squeeze money out of the police department or the City of Detroit. After all, that is his M.O.</p>\r\n<p>And it\'s not just Sharpton in on this deal. Geoffrey Fieger (wouldn\'t he have been a fun governor?) has <a href=\"http://detnews.com/article/20100518/METRO/5180388\">weighed in</a>, mainly to sue the police department, because that is what he does. As Rahm Emanuel famously said, &quot;You never want a serious crisis go to waste.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>The shooting was horrible accident - of course there needs to be an investigation. My suspicion is with the cast of characters involved. No good will come of the involvment of Sharpton and Fieger.<br />\r\n&nbsp;</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567888,'',1),('content:850:850','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:274:\"No matter how disastrously some policy has turned out, anyone who criticizes it can expect to hear: \'But what would you replace it with?\' When you put out a fire, what do you replace it with? - <a href=\"http://www.conservativeforum.org/authquot.asp?ID=158\">Thomas Sowell</a>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567890,'',1),('content:834:834','a:1:{s:15:\"field_blog_body\";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:\"value\";s:1402:\"<p><a href=\"http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7124638.ece\">A day with Bill Clinton </a>for only $5? Wow, where do I sign up?</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>In an e-mail sent to millions of people who supported Hillary Clinton&rsquo;s White House campaign, the former President asks: &ldquo;How would you like the chance to come up to New York and spend the day with me?&rdquo; For those who would like the One-Day-With-Bill prize, an online donation of as little as $5 will buy them the chance.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>On second thought, I don\'t think my wife would let me hang out with Bill for a day, knowing his reputation. And I certainly wouldn\'t let my wife hang out with him.</p>\r\n<p>Why on earth would the former President of the United States, once the most powerful man on Earth, be prostituting himself out for $5 a head? Money, of course!</p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p>By 2007, seven years after leaving the White House, the Clintons had earned a combined $109 million (&pound;73 million) through speaking engagements and bestselling memoirs. Even so, apparently they would prefer American voters to settle Mrs. Clinton&rsquo;s remaining $771,000 debt rather than paying it themselves.</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p>He is so much the liberal. The Clintons could certainly pay off their own debt, but they would rather you do it for them. He feels your pain - can\'t you feel his?</p>\";s:6:\"format\";s:1:\"2\";}}}',0,1415567892,'',1),