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CREATE TABLE `cache_views_data` (
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INSERT INTO `comments` VALUES (11,0,508,62,'Steve\'s letter re Progressives','\"Progressive\" ranks in my mind right up there with \"Hope\" and \"Change\" as words that mislead uninformed voters.\r\nThey are easy to say and fall softly on the ear.     But they have multiple definitions in the modern lexicon.\r\n\r\nNot too long ago I heard a suggestion that we need to also educate voters as to the positive meaning of the word \"Republican\".    It seems that immigrants do not always understand how a \"Republic\" is a superior protector of individual rights to a \"Democracy\", which political imagery they equate to the Democratic party.    Since then I have observed that a majority of young people born in the USA suffer from the same lack of understanding.\r\n\r\nRemember the failed Soviet Union?    Its official title was \"Union of Soviet Socialist Republics\".    Like many of the fascist-communist national structures worldwide, in which the working man is treated as a serf to the statists, it includes the misused word \"Republic\", and oppressed peoples have come to the USA to escape that, in favor of a \"Democracy\" which they perceive in its ideal to be a bastion of personal liberty and opportunity.\r\n\r\nThe reality in the US, however, is that \"Republicans\"-- understanding the true spirit of the governmental Republic, as envisioned by the Founders who wrote our Constitution-- are the party that wished to protect minority rights from majority despotism, wished to put the rule of laws superior to the personality cult of career politicians, wished to insure that economic opportunity for all would not be sapped by the voting of largesse from the public purse.\r\n\r\nIn short, we are \"Republican\" because we wish to constrain government from progressively expanding its impact on our work effort  and life choices.     \"Progressives\" by contrast have voted themselves the \"majority\" thought in the Democratic party, and their vision of  \"democracy\" is approaching the economist\'s definition of \"fascism\"-- the very economic oppression generations of immigrants risked life and property to escape  \r\n\r\nThe \"Republican\" party likewise is the original source of the courage to challenge the social injustices of slavery in the southern plantation states-- an insidious holdover from the European feudal property structures of centuries prior to the war in which American colonies fought for independence from autocratic rule of \"Royal\" families.   The Progressive tendency to make certain American families into quasi-royal political dynasties is a throwback to the anti-Republican culture of the pre-Civil War plantation societies, and depends upon the \"democratic\" tendency to vote for incumbents-- familiar names-- instead of for the clarity of vision required to sustain limited government.\r\n \r\nIn the history of the world, the first true republics were Israel, Greece and Rome.    All rose to greatness from their founding as republics-- all in the complacent comfort of their economic success made a conversion to democracy, after which at the first sign of trouble, the more timid majority voted in kings, emperors, and dictators, after which they declined economically and spiritually and eventually fell to barbaric foreign aggression.\r\n\r\nWe are now in a period where decades of touchy-feely Progressive thinking have weakened us economically, spiritually, and in our understanding of history, which then tends to repeat itself.     We keep hearing how the present conditions parallel the Great Depression, but we lack the history to understand how Progressives both got us into that mess and then prolonged its agony (in part by copying the socialist experiments in the USSR!).       \r\n\r\nA little history lesson is needed, and it currently falls to Republicans to do the teaching.     With the help of both the hard working law abiding immigrant, and those of us who descend from long ago generations of immigrants that understood the ideals of liberty and opportunity embodied in the young American Republic, the lesson can also be put back into practice, and the spirit and productivity of the USA restored. \r\n\r\nOnly a \"Progressive\" is inclined to turn \"Conservative\" into a dirty word.    The question voters have to ask is-- who is more likely to preserve \"Hope\" in the economy for everyone, not just those who fit certain criteria and adhere to one world view?    Who is more likely to bring \"Change\" to over-burdened systems that prefer multigenerational poverty locked into entitlements over offering motivations to escape into a more prosperous self-determination?     Who is more focused on offering \"Progress\" that is defined by individual liberty and a moral consciousness rather than a collectivist socialization of society?\r\n\r\nCompared to the original forms of government-- collective property under a tribal chief,  feudalism under inherited royalty, or the empires imposed under military rulers-- \"democracy\" is certainly an improvement; but for a society to benefit from and preserve its liberty of thought, action and rights of property, the \"Republican\" ideal of a limited government subject to the constraints of its people is what we need today.     To slide into a Progressive democracy as we have done and are doing, is to allow hard-won liberties to slip away, one at a time, and if we study our world history, economic opportunity and personal liberty go hand in hand.   ','69.63.237.24',1266888097,0,1,'01/','Greg Palen','',''),(13,0,2021,1,'Making comments on the website','If you are a registered user on this website you can make comments on any posted story or poll.\r\n\r\nTo become a user on the site click on the \"CCRP WEBSITE USER REQUEST FORM\" in the upper right hand portion of on the home page and follow the instructions.','50.42.153.13',1315428059,0,1,'01/','admin','',''),(14,0,2033,1,'Making comments on the','Making comments on the website\r\n\r\nIf you are a registered user on this website you can make comments on any posted story or poll.\r\n\r\nTo become a user on the site click on the \"CCRP WEBSITE USER REQUEST FORM\" in the upper right hand portion of on the home page and follow the instructions.\r\n','50.42.153.13',1315846348,0,2,'01/','admin','',''),(22,0,2058,0,'recording BMI on school age children','I suspect some misguided bureaucrat is suggesting this.\r\n\r\nBut this does not seem a high priority for State government, and if there is an issue on which I feel Gov Snyder is failing us, it is in recognizing and acting in concert with other states to derail ObamaCare.\r\n\r\nAny putative savings from coercing parents to feed children differently will be eaten alive by the federal mandates for spending in such areas, while senior care will get rationed.\r\n\r\nIt just sounds too much like the typically invasive Washington DC policy position.    It takes a lot of people to do any type of survey, and for it to be ongoing, you are just feeding bureaucratic jobs.\r\n\r\nI am in favor of minimal bureaucracy overriding the voting mandates and the legislative/representative process.\r\n\r\nGreg Palen','69.63.237.24',1316719740,0,1,'03/','','',''),(17,0,2058,0,'BMI tracking of kids ','The state has no right to get involved in keeping data on individuals (KIDS OR ANYONE ELSE).\r\n\r\nIt is a personal rights and privacy issue.\r\n\r\nWho is going to have access to this data, how it will be used, and what will be the actions the state or any other entity may make if they determine they need to be take to address the issue through potential future legislation?\r\n','50.33.194.73',1316702550,0,1,'02/','','',''),(23,0,2074,0,'$5,000.00 Bonuses','The UAW is bargaining with itself and giving themselves what they want because they are nor only the workers but the owners of the company itself. \r\n\r\nThe bailout should have never happened! \r\n\r\nThe original GM stockholders were cheated out of their money when GM went bankrupt and they should have been paid off first. Now the taxpayers are being cheated because the union is putting itself before its indebtedness to the people who loaned them the money.\r\n\r\nThe whole GM thing is a sham and is a disgrace.','50.33.194.73',1316834801,0,1,'01/','','',''),(24,0,2080,0,'There has never been any','There has never been any cooperation on the side of the dems.  They are the obstructionists and always have been.  When will the Repubs. get a spine and call these liberals out for what they are?\r\n\r\n','70.8.15.177',1316918700,0,2,'01/','','',''),(25,0,2092,1,'John Bolton','John Bolton','50.33.194.73',1317232741,0,1,'01/','admin','',''),(26,0,2092,0,'Additional Presidential Candidate','I would like to see Chris Christy in the line-up of Presidential candidates.','98.250.180.74',1317321376,0,1,'02/','','',''),(27,0,2092,0,'Sarah Palin','Sarah Palin','24.56.242.129',1317327221,0,1,'03/','','',''),(28,0,2092,0,'Mike Hucklebee','Mike Hucklebee','68.72.229.131',1317401918,0,1,'04/','','',''),(79,0,2187,0,'MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE !','WHEN WE STUDY SIMILAR STATES AND   LARGER STATES  THAN MICHIGAN  WE WILL FIND THAT   A \"PART IME\" LEGISLATURE  WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO !  IF WE LOOK CLOSELY AT  TEXAS ,  CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA,  INDIANA ETC ! \r\nWE CAN FIND WHAT MAKES MOST SENSE !\r\nPHILIP N. BAREHAM','98.250.120.98',1320079832,0,1,'01/','','',''),(80,0,2187,0,'part-time legislature','We should go to a part-time legislature and still keep term limits and CUT their pay by three quarters.  Or just go to expenses only! And, they should have to account for the expenses.  NO health care, no pensions!!!  The voters have spoken.  We do not need people like Carl Levin and Debbie Stabyounow in the legislature thinking they are they for life.  Our forefathers believed we should have a citizen legislature to serve and then go back in society and live under the laws they imposed.','68.30.176.243',1320106819,0,1,'02/','','',''),(162,0,2206,0,'It is funny that we who are','It is funny that we who are on Social Securty, which we paid for, must have our benefits cut, but, the real people with entitlements are our state congressmen and the fed. congressmen!!!  Why don\'t they give up their entitlements?????','108.100.72.151',1320706472,0,0,'01/','','',''),(163,0,2227,0,'This is just like the 10,000','This is just like the 10,000 that went down the tubes when politics got in the way of out New International Trade Crossing bridge. Promoting job creation should be job one before playing politics on behalf of special interests. ','96.42.167.210',1321110170,0,0,'01/','','',''),(164,0,2245,0,'It needs to be fair for everyone!','I don\'t know if it should be totally eliminated, but it should be adjusted so that everyone pays their fair share, keyword being fair.  46% of the people in this country don\'t pay taxes.  How is that fair? The \"rich\" get all kinds of tax breaks, and the poor pay no taxes, so the tax burden is put primarily on the working middle class.  I\'m all for a flat tax!\r\n','75.134.165.53',1321426807,0,1,'01/','','',''),(165,0,2245,0,'social security','Every analysis of all the proposed flat taxes show it is the middle class that gets hit the hardest. The super rich have had their taxes cut by far the most in the last ten years.','173.241.123.69',1321451676,0,1,'02/','','',''),(30,0,2115,0,'I use to work on the details','I use to work on the details of Michigans \"complex\" road funding for all 83 counties and when you study these complexities in detail you\'ll find that we CAN  \"better\" manage our road funding dollars. We have way to much \"overhead\" expenditures and we must stop Michigan from being a   \"donor state\"   which means we send more tax dollars to Washington DC  than what we actually receive back from the federal government funding formulas !!!. ???\r\nWe also will be faced with consolidtion of state and local government ! Mark my words ....we WILL be making those decisions because we\'ve supplanted tax dollars for too many decades!!  \r\nWe also need to utilize the same \"road surface mixtures\" as other states do, which are located in our climate. Do other states have roads surfaces whcih are more durable even with our severs wheather !\r\n','98.250.120.98',1318083702,0,0,'01/','','',''),(31,0,2126,0,'Governor Snyder\'s job performance','You have to give the guy credit for his \"relentless positive action\". Unlike the previous Governor he is a chief executive that has a plan and leads by recommending changes rather than letting the legislature drive their own agenda. \r\n\r\nThe question is whether his policies will produce any positive and significant changes? If they do I am sure Jenny G will try to take credit for any improvement in Michigan\'s economic climate. ','50.33.194.73',1318338851,0,1,'01/','','',''),(32,0,2130,0,'Evidently he believes that','Evidently he believes that people have no accountability for their actions.  This man is a gift that keeps on giving.  Remember, we\'re in charge!!!  Oh how well we know!!\r\n','173.109.69.238',1318518575,0,0,'01/','','',''),(33,0,2142,0,'As the comment stated in the','As the comment stated in the State Journal one said -They are a bunch of  \"aimless, mindless anarchists, fueled by the Democrats\'class warfare.\" These people are dstroying businesses in NY.  Mom and Pop businesses.  They are paid protesters much the same as the 60\'s hippies who should be written off for what they are, marxists.\r\n','173.146.97.240',1318873814,0,0,'01/','','',''),(34,0,2146,0,'Indeed can anyone say \"Cash','Indeed can anyone say \"Cash for clunkers, Solynda, Sun Power, Tarp, Son of Stimulous. Where does it end, that is the real question?','108.100.143.181',1318964285,0,0,'01/','','',''),(35,0,2149,0,'Electoral college','And this is being proposed by a Rep. operative?  We are in more trouble than we knew. I am glad Saul is the former head of the Rep. party.  Let us hope the new one has more constitutional knowledge than this dunce!!!','108.123.14.248',1319140262,0,1,'01/','','',''),(36,0,2151,0,'We should tell the feds. Keep','We should tell the feds. Keep the money and put it back in the treasury.','108.123.14.248',1319140400,0,0,'01/','','',''),(37,0,2151,0,'We should tell the feds. to','We should tell the feds. to keep the money and put it back in the treasury.  It is not our money.  Send it back to China.','108.123.14.248',1319140471,0,0,'02/','','',''),(38,0,2154,0,'Governor Snyder and Lt.','Governor Snyder and Lt. Governor Calley were elected to look after the best interests of the state. They know that the New International Trade Crossing will provide the world class trade crossing that Michigan needs. This bridge project will create 10,000 construction jobs in the short-term and help support the more than 250,000 Michigan jobs that count on trade with Canada in the long run. And the best part is they have crafted a deal that would build the bridge at no cost to Michigan taxpayers. \r\n\r\nGovernor Snyder, Lt. Governor Calley and Sen. Judy Emmons should be commended for supporting this important project and putting the interests of Michigan over a billionaire trying to protect his monopoly. Michigan\'s\' business community, including the auto industry, agri-business, manufacturing community and 18 state-wide and local chambers of commerce support their efforts. They should be commended for standing up to the owner of the Ambassador Bridge and the millions of dollars they have spent to misinform the public and buy legislative support. I hope they look at all the options available to move this project forward. \r\n\r\nTom Shields\r\nDeWitt pct 1','98.250.237.107',1319313103,0,0,'01/','','',''),(39,0,2149,0,'Electoral College','I agree with the original comment. Through our Constitution, the Founders formed a republic form of government, not a democracy where all elections except President/VP, votes are determined strictly on popularity (votes cast). In the top national election, the use of the Electoral College is to balance the national needs of maintaining a republic (now, of 50 states) so that we elect a national leader. The matter of balancing the republic, makes sure that no one issue/place/group/etc dominates to the exclusion of other aspects necessary to maintain a nation of \'out of many, one\' (people and states).  The result of the Civil War and our entire history as one nation would have very different if it weren\'t for these bedrock principles. Democrats will want to switch so that an alliance of the mega cities can overwhelm and dominate every other need and interest in the rest of the United States.','98.250.180.74',1319379510,0,1,'02/','','',''),(40,0,2147,0,'Impossible to understand','Impossible to understand where Anuzis is coming from on this challenge to bedrock Constitutional principles. The article linked to is foolish and the author of it is either a Democrat or not very knowledgable. His comments on the Founders wanting to veto popular votes or not trust the masses is wrong and offensive. Through our Constitution, the Founders formed a republic form of government, not a democracy where all elections except President/VP, votes are determined strictly on popularity (votes cast). In the top national election, the use of the Electoral College is to balance the national needs of maintaining a republic (now, of 50 states) so that we elect a national leader. The matter of balancing the republic, makes sure that no one issue/place/group/etc dominates to the exclusion of other aspects necessary to maintain a nation of \'out of many, one\' (people and states). The result of the Civil War and our entire history as one nation would have very different if it weren\'t for these bedrock principles. . \r\n\r\nIt is Democrats who will want to switch so that an alliance of the mega cities can overwhelm and dominate every other need and interest in the rest of the United States.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','98.250.180.74',1319379945,0,0,'01/','','',''),(41,0,2154,0,'Judy Emmons slogan is \"Milk','Judy Emmons slogan is \"Milk cows not taxpayers\".  Does she really believe that this DRIC bridge won\'t cost taxpayers money?!  Sure, we\'ve heard the excuses from Snyder and his lapdogs, \"It won\'t cost taxpayers a thing!  It\'s free money from Canada and the federal government!\"  or \"It\'ll pay for itself in tolls!\".  Come on people, there is no such thing as a free lunch.  Federal money is clearly taxpayer money.  And eventually Canada will want to be paid, what then?  We all know how will industry is thriving up here!  Apparently Judy Emmons is like all the rest establishment GOP Republicans who are more than happy to increase the size of government and destroy private enterprise along the way.  Despite telling many people at the CCRP BBQ that she was pro liberty and for the interests of prosperity and business, she obviously is not.  She is backing BIG government legislation that is propelled by a GOP establishment force.\r\n\r\nWe all know that she is of a farming family who is supposedly friendly to small business.  HAH!  How would Senator Emmons and her family feel if the government decided to have a government operated milking farm right next to her family\'s?  I doubt she\'d care for it.  Or would she?  I am really disappointed with Emmons and her ability to be swayed by the machine that is being driven by Snyder and his cronies.','24.231.176.79',1319467929,0,0,'02/','','',''),(42,0,2154,0,'Judy Emmons slogan is \"Milk','Judy Emmons slogan is \"Milk cows not taxpayers\". Does she really believe that this DRIC bridge won\'t cost taxpayers money?! Sure, we\'ve heard the excuses from Snyder and his lapdogs, \"It won\'t cost taxpayers a thing! It\'s free money from Canada and the federal government!\" or \"It\'ll pay for itself in tolls!\". Come on people, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Federal money is clearly taxpayer money. And eventually Canada will want to be paid, what then? We all know how will industry is thriving up here! Apparently Judy Emmons is like all the rest establishment GOP Republicans who are more than happy to increase the size of government and destroy private enterprise along the way. Despite telling many people at the CCRP BBQ that she was pro liberty and for the interests of prosperity and business, she obviously is not. She is backing BIG government legislation that is propelled by a GOP establishment force.\r\n\r\nWe all know that she is of a farming family who is supposedly friendly to small business. HAH! How would Senator Emmons and her family feel if the government decided to have a government operated milking farm right next to her family\'s? I doubt she\'d care for it. Or would she? I am really disappointed with Emmons and her ability to be swayed by the machine that is being driven by Snyder and his cronies.','24.231.176.79',1319467998,0,0,'03/','','',''),(43,0,2156,0,'Many of these people at','Many of these people at Occupy Wall Street are being duped. The teachers have so dumbed down are education that the protesters no nothing of our founding or how the economy works. What they think they want will put us all in poverty.  Waht a shame, they are so ignorant.','173.109.45.186',1319469923,0,0,'01/','','',''),(44,0,2152,0,'The Nanny State is alive and','The Nanny State is alive and well. We provide their milk (WICK), food stamps  What is next?  Shall we provide their clothes, too.','173.109.45.186',1319470367,0,0,'01/','','',''),(47,0,2164,0,'Federal Taxation','I would never have guessed that I would favor a sales tax on goods over various income tax schemes. But, it finally occurred to me that everybody spends (proportionate to what they have) but not everybody earns a taxable income and even more people are in this country (legally and illegally as temporary workers, students, tourists or illegals, criminals or others engaged in an underground economy) but do not owe/pay taxes to the US.  Consequently, a sales tax may be theh ONLY way to make sure that EVERYONE contributes, and everyone has a stake, which is not currently the case. A much smaller percentage of tax, on a much larger slice of pie with many more participants.','98.250.180.74',1319709862,0,1,'01/','','',''),(48,0,1787,0,'You mean I don\'t have to pay','You mean I don\'t have to pay for expert adivce like this anymore?!','109.230.216.225',1319713275,0,0,'01/','','',''),(52,0,1870,0,'This could not possibly have','This could not possibly have been more hplfeul!','109.230.216.225',1319730970,0,0,'01/','','',''),(54,0,1776,0,'Kudos! What a neat way of','Kudos! What a neat way of thikning about it.','109.230.216.225',1319755074,0,0,'01/','','',''),(198,0,2262,0,'NO TO PUBLIC WASTE OF MONEY','NO TO PUBLIC WASTE OF MONEY ON THE BRIDGE.\r\n\r\nI also have written a couple of letters to the editor in opposition to the waste of taxpayer money for a  bridge. \r\n\r\n As I stated in one of my letters::  \"  If Canada benefits from the crossing, why doesn’t Canada pay for it?  We have been told that tolls will pay for the Bridge.  Let’s face the facts.  That statement was made about the Mackinaw Bridge.  Michigan taxpayers have paid millions of dollars for Mackinaw Bridge maintenance.\r\nWhy does Governor Snyder want to keep the public bridge option open when a private party will build it?    Taxpayers will not benefit. The people’s voice has spoken a loud “no.”  \r\n\r\nAs far as all of those jobs, let me remind people about the new bridge that is going to open in 2013 connecting San Francisco and Oakland. California    That bridge is being built in China of Chinese steel because our American Steel is too expensive.  The Chinese work for $12 a day.  The modules, made in China will be shipped here and put together like an erector set!  \r\n\r\nWhen is our Michigan Governor going to wake up and realize that we do not need more spending.  If a private party will build the bridge and its truly needed--let the private party do so.  What is the benefit of taxpayers funding the bridge forever.   As far as  the comment about the Governor acting in our best interest  \"When the legislature fails to act in the best interest of citizens of the state,\" has someone now decided that the Governor   knows better than our Legislature what is in our interrest..    If he goes around the Legislature on this issue, I will not hesitate to sign  and recruit people to sign a  new recall petition that is going to be circulated this spring.\r\n\r\nRuss Lapham\r\n\r\nI','216.93.94.183',1322251793,0,0,'04/','','',''),(196,0,2262,0,'I find it very amusing that','I find it very amusing that those who support the bridge claim that business owners want this bridge that Snyder is pushing.  There just isn\'t the traffic or the business growth to necessitate a new crossing.  Additionally, why does the crossing have to be government owned and operated, when the current bridge owner is willing to work with the government to make a new crossing?  The Snyder administration is adamant that the bridge must be government owned and operated, cutting out the private sector completely.  For someone who is so supportive of business, why aren\'t Snyder and his cronies willing to work with the current bridge owners?\r\n\r\nThe answer to this question is simple.  Snyder has no wish to further the interests of private industry.  Instead, he wishes to increase the size and scope of government, burdening taxpayers with more debt and saddling Michigan with a more uncertain future.\r\n\r\nAs Paul Opsommer and other legislators have pointed out, the argument that the bridge will pay for itself in tolls is laughable and ridiculous.  The Canadians are going to want some sort of return for their money and so will the federal government, if Michigan borrows money from either source.  As we all know, thanks to unions and an unfriendly business atmosphere, jobs, especially manufacturing jobs have left the state and are not looking to return.\r\n\r\nIf Snyder ignores the overwhelming public sentiments against the bridge than he surely has secured himself a seat as one of the most ignorant and out of touch governors we\'ve had in a very long time.  The bridge was bad legislation when Granholm wanted to do it and it remains bad legislation with Snyder backing the boondoggle.','166.249.99.183',1322147110,0,0,'02/','','',''),(171,0,2258,0,'Pledge','\"Some teachers argue that small children are unable to understand what giving their consent means or understand the Pledge they are taking.\"  \r\n\r\nWhen did the daily saying of the Pledge of Allegiance stop occuring in our schools? Teachers that \"argue\" 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 \"arguement\" 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. ','97.92.57.12',1321815759,0,1,'01/','','',''),(172,0,2225,0,'This bill as passed is a','This bill as passed is a travesity.  I would expect a bill such as this from the dems., but not from the republicans.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield have to take everybody and anybody with a pre-existing condition.  This is just another govt. bureaucracy to take more of our money and increase the size of govt.','184.227.224.244',1321836259,0,0,'01/','','',''),(192,0,2272,0,'Marijuana Legalization','As a former Lansing Law Enforcement Officer, I can testify from first hand experience the devestation that Medical Marijuana has reaped upon the Greater Lansing Community.  The legislation was poorly constructed, and resulted in numerous homicides in the City of Lansing, and a significant increase in armed home invasions and thefts.\r\n\r\nIf Marijuana is going to be used in the State, the drug should be grown and inspected at State maintained facilities, taxed, and distributed like every other drug through pharmacies.  Do you know of any other drug that can be manufactured and distributed by private individuals with no quality control, or testing for safety?  I know of NONE.\r\n\r\n','141.209.90.177',1322078512,0,1,'01/','','',''),(197,0,2262,0,'I am against the government','I am against the government sponsoring this bridge. I wrote a letter to the editor pointing out the folly of this bridge. A poll this week reports a majorityi of Michigsn citizens are apposed to the government sponsoring this bridge. When are our elected officials/servants going to start listening to the people who pay the bills?\r\n\r\nMichael Trebesh, CPA','184.244.182.44',1322148931,0,0,'03/','','',''),(180,0,2262,0,'This isn\'t just Snyder\'s','This isn\'t just Snyder\'s bridge, it\'s the bridge Michigan\'s business community is asking for. Delays at the current bridge are costing Michigan businesses millions of dollars every year. That\'s why Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda and the automotive supplier community is asking for a second bridge with a freeway to freeway connection. Michigan\'s manufacturing community including Steelcase, Amway, Wolverine Worldwide and Dow are supporting the NITC bridge project. The Michigan agricultural community says we need a new bridge to get their products to market. And there are sixteen local chambers of commerce from around the state that have joined together with the Michigan Chamber to call for a new bridge. \r\n\r\nThe NITC bridge will be paid for by tolls from the users. The Canadians will front the money needed for construction to hook the new bridge to I-75 and private investors will provide the funds to build the bridge itself. If toll revenues fall short – the Canadian government has agreed to cover any shortfall. The new bridge will support 10,000 Michigan construction jobs and the more than 250,000 Michigan jobs that depend on trade with Canada. \r\n\r\nWhen does the Governor more forward without the legislature? When the legislature fails to act in the best interest of citizens of the state. ','70.88.92.6',1321896748,0,0,'01/','','',''),(249,0,2278,0,'Asset test','Hellooooooo, 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!!!','184.227.152.248',1322364814,0,1,'01/','','',''),(250,0,2266,0,'That is because he is not a','That is because he is not a conservative.  We needed a true conservative.  ','184.227.152.248',1322365915,0,0,'01/','','',''),(306,0,2285,0,'He also describes himself as','He also describes himself as a thinker,  If the 1994 quote is correct, I would not think of voting for him.  Our system of govt. is the best and has produced the most prosperous nation in the world.  I sure don\'t want it replaced.  I want it put back to what our forefathers gave us!\r\n','184.210.142.76',1322531534,0,0,'01/','','',''),(359,0,2290,0,'We have the best government','We have the best government which transnational corporate money can buy.\r\n\r\nAttacks on our civil liberties are at an all time high.\r\n\r\nCitizens deserve due process, period.  After due process and if convicted of treason they should be stripped of their citizenship and expelled or executed.\r\n\r\nThis is not the only attack on civil liberties by Levin and Stabenow.  Both of them voted to allow transnational corporations to take American ingenuity, to take our patented inventions to low wage countries for their and only their profit.  They called it the America Invents Act (AIA) and have conducted a massive media campaign claiming that giving our inventions away will create jobs.  \r\n\r\nSmall business creates jobs, big business exports jobs and with AIA now will be exporting our future jobs.\r\n\r\nThe only thing which can preserve our standard of living in the face of globalization is patent property rights.  Exclusivity of patent rights translates into higher profits and prosperity.  Unenforceable patent property rights translates into razor thin profits and a long decline.\r\n\r\nBoth Levin and Stabenow deserve to have their tails tossed out of office.\r\n\r\nRonald J Riley, Job Creating Inventor-Entrepreneur \r\n\r\n','75.147.250.94',1322851388,0,0,'01/','','',''),(360,0,2301,0,'funding for roads','Where is all the money we have already given the state?  Has to be in somebody\'s pocket?\r\n','173.102.95.85',1322860591,0,1,'01/','','',''),(369,0,2333,0,'Someone should sue to obtain','Someone should sue to obtain a ruling that says  it is illegal for public Employers to pay their employees for time spent in performance of union activities even if the activity is a steward representing an employee disciplined by the Employer as all of the time spent is in performance of matters that benefit the union or union concerns. The individual should have their pay docked for time not spent performing their regular job AND THEN THE EMPLOYEE SHOULD ASK THEIR UNION TO MAKE THEM WHOLE FOR THEIR LOST WAGES, BENEFITS AND ACCUMULATION OF SENIORITY.  Negotiated contract language that permits such payment in public employee contracts should be struck down as an illegal expenditure of public funds as the beneficiary of the money is the union and not the mission of the Employer. Union dues should pay for contract negotiation and administration (including stewards representing employees on grievances) regardless of whether the union official is a full time employee of the union or whether they are a full time employee of the Employer who takes time off of their real job and continues to get paid to perform union tasks and responsibilities. This should be the case for all public employees including teacher.','98.250.180.74',1323452090,0,1,'01/','','',''),(589,0,2382,0,'Voter Registration','More Totalitarism. First ObamaCare to use federal authority to require everyone to buy insurance and make sure that the feds agree that the particular insurance purchased meets the feds requirements. Now, the same thing with voter registration which is  very Soviet of him. Of course, Dems also have a very Soviet approach to Presidential caucauses: while they do not yet require party members to show up to caucuses, one\'s ballot is not secret in their caucauses. I would also point out that some people have a religious exception to registering to vote and voting and Holder, of course, would breach that constitutional protection.\r\n\r\nI\'m getting really tired of Dems.','98.250.180.74',1325252617,0,1,'01/','','',''),(590,0,2395,0,'homosexual bullying','This teacher was the bully. This teacher is engaging in indoctrination, not education.  Is this America, or Russia, or China?\r\nOur liberty and freedom are in grave danger!!\r\nIda Salisbury','108.107.70.253',1325302533,0,1,'01/','','',''),(395,0,2348,0,'I\'ve said it before and I','I\'ve said it before and I will say it again.  We have elected another rhino!!  When we learn?\r\nIda Salisbury','184.210.220.61',1324263705,0,0,'01/','','',''),(386,0,2350,0,'Climate Court? Arrrrrgh.','\r\nClimate Court? Arrrrrgh. Unfund the United Nations.\r\n\r\n','98.250.180.74',1323954878,0,0,'01/','','',''),(387,0,2346,0,'Lowe\'s and Reality Show.     ','Lowe\'s and Reality Show.      In the words of a famous America hero, \"trust but verify\". Well, verify, anyway.\r\n','98.250.180.74',1323955368,0,0,'01/','','',''),(550,0,2229,0,'allow state employees to double dip.','Who is going to work for nothing, but, why are hiring these people back?  I thought the point of having people retire early was to save the state money. If not, why did they retire in the first place???\r\nIda Salisbury','70.10.17.230',1325103889,0,1,'01/','','',''),(404,0,2373,0,'What part of co-equal branches of government Newt doesn\'t get','That would be proper conduct for a king or a dictator, not an American President. ','98.250.180.74',1324455394,0,1,'01/','','',''),(377,0,2336,0,'We as a state should never','We as a state should never support perversion!!  End of story.  How did we elect this Rhino?','184.210.150.50',1323709739,0,0,'01/','','',''),(406,0,2285,0,'Newt has a high regard for','Newt has a high regard for Alvin Toffler, a renowned Utopian Communist and Futurist.   Eeesh.  \r\n\r\nSo while Newt might be conservative regarding social issues like marriage and homosexuality, I have to presume that his political stance is akin to oppression and tyranny in order to achieve Utopian objectives - using economic power to force submission to a global government.','98.222.75.94',1324486968,0,0,'02/','','',''),(592,0,2395,0,'Honosexual Bullying, Part 1','I agree with Ida Salisbury but I go farther and question why the CC GOP poll question did not go the next step and ask whether the teacher should have been suspended.It would have been particularly interesting to see how we all voted on both of these questions. (May I also point out that the teacher\'s behavior was MORE than bullying in that the teacher holds a position of authority over the student.)\r\n\r\nConcerning the teacher who I believe should have been disciplined, the discipline should be for wearing a political tee-shirt in class was divisive in that it endorsed homosexuality and for the teacher who then spent an entire class day promoting homosexuality and division among students and using his authority as a teacher to causing a student (who held religious beliefs that the practice of homosexuality is wrong) to respond in opposition to the teacher\'s comments. The student was set up by the teacher. The teacher was wrong. The teacher is the one who should have been suspended. The school is wrong. The school district should pay.','98.250.180.74',1325343528,0,1,'02/','','',''),(706,0,2395,0,'Homosexual \"Bullying\"','I totally agree with comments #1 and #2. There are so many things WRONG, WRONG, WRONG in this situation that I cannot even begin to address them all. The MEA is so out of control, and the teachers feel emboldened because they are protected by this powerful entity. Unions had their place to begin with, and still do in some aspects, but they have platforms now that are leading our society into the gutter. It is not okay to have double standards, that everything that the teacher does isacceptable, no matter how immoral, unethical, and damaging to our our kids educational and personal status, and their actions are always backed by their union. There are many good teachers, but there are also many that are just putting in their time, displaying shameful behavior. This kid was definitely put into a no-win situation. I cringe at the thought of the damage that has been done to him and his peers that had to witness this despicable display. For the record, I am a Christian who does not condone homosexuality, but I also am not The Judge -- only God is --, therefore I do not scorn my friends and relatives who are homosexual. I defend your right to say your opinion without repercussion, and I expect the same from everyone else. The teacher and the administration need to admit they were wrong, and pay the price, but the damage has already been done to those kids. The only good that can come from it is if the teacher and admins step up and show those kids that they take responsibility for their actions and then, in the future, display the actions that our children should emulate.','50.42.162.218',1325604108,0,1,'03/','','',''),(843,0,2415,0,'I am astounded that so many','I am astounded that so many people supposedly support Mitt Romney.  When it comes to obamacare, which imo is the final nail in the U.S. coffin, how will Romney contrast himself with obama?  Obama will use a Romney nomination as confirmation that \"all Americans\" must want nationalized healthcare.  Romney cannot argue it away.','76.247.153.157',1326127535,0,1,'01/','','',''),(844,0,2417,0,'I thought this is the United','I thought this is the United States of America! Who made DTE or Consumers Energy the Boss of ME! They don\'t get to know which appliances I\'m using or when I\'m using them. I DEMAND TO HAVE PRIVACY IN MY OWN HOME!!! We will be working to get off their grid!!!\r\nSheri Harte Willis','50.42.131.154',1326142359,0,0,'01/','','',''),(890,0,2423,0,'smart meters','These are so dangerous!  The health ramifications of these have never been studied and the ability for them to control your electricity if they decide you are consuming too much by monitoring your usage and where the usage is coming from in your home is frightening.  What happened to the land of the free?','198.109.173.40',1326291532,0,1,'01/','','',''),(943,0,2425,0,'Nothing the dems. do should','Nothing the dems. do should surprise us. They are all a bunch of crooks. You have to have ID to buy Sudafed!!\r\nIda Salisbury','184.210.195.32',1326478271,0,0,'01/','','',''),(944,0,2440,0,'Steamed','So, after saving the state of Michigan over $300,000 by home-educating my 5 kids,\r\npaying my property taxes to public schools I didn\'t use, my kids\r\nwouldn\'t get any money for college under this plan.\r\n\r\nAnd by giving students -who went to public school - this large sum, the colleges wouldn\'t have to \r\nlower tuition...and my kids could pay top dollar for that.\r\n\r\n','75.198.42.42',1326506654,0,1,'01/','','',''),(945,0,2440,0,'College Tuition','I saved and worked to pay my own way to college, and I got my 4 year degree in 3 1/2 years! And I didn\'t owe anything when I got done, either! The degree requirements need to be changed in 4 year programs. The first 2 years of a 4 year degree are all the same; English, Social Studies, Natural Science; Humanities and other classes that don\'t have anything at all to do with your degree. The universities are making all kinds of money off from these bogus requirements. Four year degree programs could be cut down to 3 year programs if all of required classes actually had something to do with your degree program. And how many vice presidents of the university does each university need? Look into how many MSU has. It is ridiculous! Universities have way too much overhead (administrators) that is not generating anything but high tuition costs for students. College education could be affordable if the universities were made to reform degree requirements, and cut high salary administrative positions.','50.42.131.154',1326563955,0,1,'02/','','',''),(899,0,2423,0,'Smart meters','The vote should be 100%.  I don\'t understand why 21% willing to give up your freedom.  The govt. owns much of you already, are you willing to let Consumers Energy own what the govt. does no?t!  Do you not think, what are they going to do in the future with the power they will have?\r\nIda Salisbury','99.206.53.243',1326308537,0,1,'02/','','',''),(900,0,2423,0,'Smart Meters','(I apologize for the length of this comment but this is an important subject in which few know anything.)\r\n\r\nTo the 3 (so far) who have voted in this poll, \"no\", Consumer\'s shouldn\'t allow people to \"opt out\" in having their regular electric meter changed to a smart meter, I would like to understand why you voted \"no\". I would like to know the extent to which you know about smart meters and why you think that a company who sells you a utility is entitled to detailed information in your home.  And, I mean much more than how much electricy you used and how much they need to bill you. With a smart meter installed, you have lost all privacy about what is in your home and what goes on in your home, minute by minute. It\'s very scary Big Brother stuff. Google it and and or check out this link  for a video:\r\n \r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/v/8JNFr_j6kdI\r\n\r\nAlso, someone I know sent the following letter to Consumers as a notice of no consent for the installation of any smart meters on their properties as Consumers indicates that property owners give \"implied consent\". I don\'t know to what extent this letter has any meaningful legal basis BUT read it as it does summarize the problems with smart meters which, among other things transmit detailed wireless signals about activities in your home that can be intersepted by criminals. I don\'t know what role the Michigan Public Service Commission has played/could play in this matter nor what role they might serve if a property owner discovers that Consumers or some other provider wishes to or has installed a smart meter. BE ALERT as Consumers is changing out meters in Michigan.\r\n\r\n\"Consumers Energy\r\nLansing,  MI  \r\nRE:  NOTICE OF NO CONSENT TO TRESPASS AND SURVEILLANCE, NOTICE OF LIABILITY\r\n\r\nDear Consumers Energy and all agents, officers, employees, contractors and interested parties,\r\nAlthough you  not have intention of installing such devices or smart meters at this time, other states have adopted such devices.  This notice will cover any future negotiations for such monitoring devices at the addresses shown below.\r\n\r\nIf you intend to install a \"Smart Meter\" or any activity monitoring device at the below addresses, you and all other parties are hereby denied consent for installation and use of all such devices on the below properties. Installation and use of any activity monitoring device is hereby refused and prohibited. Informed consent is legally required for installation of any surveillance device and any device that will collect and transmit private and personal data to undisclosed and unauthorized parties for undisclosed and unauthorized purposes. Authorization for sharing of personal and private information may only be given by the originator and subject of that information. That authorization is hereby denied and refused with regard to the below properties and all its occupants. \"Smart Meters\" violate the law and cause endangerment to residents by the following factors:\r\n\r\n1. They individually identify electrical devices inside the home and record when they are operated causing invasion of privacy.\r\n2. They monitor household activity and occupancy in violation of rights and domestic security.\r\n3. They transmit wireless signals which may be intercepted by unauthorized and unknown parties. Those signals can be used to monitor behavior and occupancy and they can be used by criminals to aid criminal activity against the occupants.\r\n4. Data about occupant\'s daily habits and activities are collected, recorded and stored in permanent databases which are accessed by parties not authorized or invited to know and share that private data by those who\'s activities were recorded.\r\n5. Those with access to the smart meter databases can review a permanent history of household activities complete with calendar and time-of-day metrics to gain a highly invasive and detailed view of the lives of the occupants.\r\n6. Those databases may be shared with, or fall into the hands of criminals, blackmailers, corrupt law enforcement, private hackers of wireless transmissions, power company employees, and other unidentified parties who may act against the interests of the occupants under metered surveillance.\r\n7. \"Smart Meters\" are, by definition, surveillance devices which violate Federal and State wiretapping laws by recording and storing databases of private and personal activities and behaviors without the consent or knowledge of those people who are monitored. \r\n8. It is possible for example, with analysis of certain \"Smart Meter\" data, for unauthorized and distant parties to determine medical conditions, sexual activities, physical locations of persons within the home, vacancy patterns and personal information and habits of the occupants.\r\n9. Your company has not adequately disclosed the particular recording and transmission capabilities of the smart meter, or the extent of the data that will be recorded, stored and shared, or the purposes to which the data will and will not be put.\r\n10. Electromagnetic and Radio Frequency energy contamination from smart meters exceeds allowable safe and healthful limits for domestic environments as determined by the EPA and other scientific programs.\r\n\r\nI forbid, refuse and deny consent of any installation and use of any monitoring, eavesdropping, and surveillance devices on my property, my place of residence and my place of occupancy. That applies to and includes \"Smart Meters\" and activity monitoring devices of any and all kinds. Any attempt to install any such device directed at me, other occupants, my property or residence will constitute trespass, stalking, wiretapping and unlawful surveillance and endangerment of health and safety, all prohibited and punishable by law through criminal and civil complaints. All persons, government agencies and private organizations responsible for installing or operating monitoring devices directed at or recording my activities, which I have not specifically authorized in writing, will be fully liable for any violations, intrusions, harm or negative consequences caused or made possible by those devices whether those negative consequences are justified by \"law\" or not.. \r\n\r\nThis is legal notice. After this delivery the liabilities listed above may not be denied or avoided by parties named and implied in this notice. Civil Servant immunities and protections do not apply to the installation of smart meters due to the criminal violations they represent.\r\n\r\nNotice to principal is notice to agent and notice to agent is notice to principal. All rights reserved. \r\n\r\nThis applies for the following  properties: - - - - -\r\n\r\nSigned By -- - - - \"  \r\n','98.250.180.74',1326309100,0,1,'03/','','',''),(903,0,2423,0,'Smart Meters','I don\'t need Consumers Energy checking up on my energy consumption. As long as I pay my bill, it is none of their business what I am using the energy for. BUTT OUT!!!','50.42.131.154',1326312231,0,1,'04/','','',''),(946,0,2440,0,'College grants','When will the voted representatives stop giving away our tax dollars.  There is no proven return on investment studies for these dollars in fact believe there is the opposite.  I worked three jobs, saved money, paid 100% of my college costs, took 7 years to get my undergrad but had no debts when I graduated.\r\n\r\nWe helped pay for both of our sons education and they also worked during college.  Both graduated with useful degrees, are fully employed with no debt.\r\n\r\nSorry, this is another wrong headed, weakminded give away by bureaucrats. Why do we who are paying taxes need to be so  vigilant, haven\'t they learned that spending taxpayers money on such giveaways will ensure they will not remain in office?\r\n\r\n','98.189.73.187',1326566841,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1016,0,2453,0,'NULLIFICATION NOW!','The State Legislature should start working on this right now. We don\'t need to wait until the Supreme Court decides. We have the right to nullify this, the Federal Government is NOT in charge of the STATES!','50.42.131.154',1326840255,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1026,0,2462,0,'Michigan presently is in the','Michigan presently is in the top five nationally in it\'s gas tax.  The nineteen cent per gallon state highway tax is just part of it.  Michigan also collects sales tax on the price of every gallon, including charging sales tax on the 18.4 cents per gallon federal highway tax.  If Governor Snyder succeeds in his plan for a tax at the wholesale level, Michigan will be the HIGHEST taxed state in the union for gasoline.\r\nBorder states with lower rates ( Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin ) get a windfall because of this, and Michigan loses the sales tax revenue on the other goods people buy to justify going out of state for their gas.\r\nAs always, I worry that once in office, Republicans drift towards the Dems.  Don\'t goive up your momentu!  Thanks Rep. Opsommer for standing against making gas more expensive for Michigan motorists.','173.241.114.82',1327165994,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1027,0,2464,0,'gas tax','What is Paul thinking or hes not........this will hurt everyone even if you dont drive....','69.41.10.10',1327167284,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1028,0,2464,0,'better roads','One thing that prospective businesses look at is the quality of roads in a State. Any business wants good roads, safe streets and good schools. ','173.241.123.69',1327332489,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1031,0,2472,0,'Casino Competition','Many non-profit organizations in Clinton County benefit from Texas Hold\'em events at Trippers. A Lansing casino wouild dry up this source of income for our non-profits.','24.247.30.221',1327464096,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1033,0,2472,0,'Casinos','My daughter works for the casino in Mount Pleasant.  The casino does not give students any breaks. It is a mandatory 32 hours and they do not work with class schedule changes.  Knowing she is a student, they schedule her third shift hours and then she has a full day of classes, then the next night is second shift forcing her to work and go to school arround the clock for 36 hours at least once per week. There are no benefits for 32 hours and because jobs are limited and because she is building a resume, she stays. How many times do we have to pay for America? What is happening is just plain greed. Spendable income needs to be spent on other types of entertainment. Casinos put other businesses at risk. Please don\'t let this be rammed down our throats. We have more than our share of casinos in Michigan. \r\n','173.241.122.32',1327506605,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1034,0,2446,0,'Are you Kidding?\nWe need our','Are you Kidding?\r\nWe need our people to wake up and manufacture our own equipment.\r\n','173.225.198.69',1327606945,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1049,0,2481,0,'citizenship for voting','Why does the description of this bill keep using \"was\" a citizen rather than \"is\" a citizen? It makes a big difference. What does the bill say?','98.250.180.74',1327764563,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1067,0,2510,0,'license plate chips','It is my recollection that Cameron Brown and Mike Bishop did a lot to keep us from having this. Has term limits, again, resulted in a loss of institutional memory? ','98.250.180.74',1328672955,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1070,0,2510,0,'Michigan  / Radio Frequency ID','Here is the bottom line on national security and   YOUR   families  future !\r\nfrom CSPAN / Congressional hearing with then US Senator Biden asking US Supreme court justice\r\nRoberts specifically .... ? \r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQw68jl7KXc\r\n\r\nThis is radical and outrageous, like the futuristic culture depicted in the book  \"Brave New World\"  this is our future   \"ID system !\"\r\nOur team of   IT  professionals have testified in states throughout the US and this so called national security measure NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION ! \r\nRep. Opsommer has been fighting to correct this radical federal mandate in Michigan!\r\n\r\nHere is our presentation before the Michigan legislature!\r\nhttp://stoprealidcoalition.com/index2.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=28\r\n\r\nThis is our Harvard University colleague who also testified before the Michigan legislature and US Congress!\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_PImimbxI&feature=related\r\n\r\nMore interesting information regarding the ID system.\r\nNBC NEWS !   //  Michgan must reconsider this !\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YJsxMcAJoA&feature=related\r\nABC NEWS Good Morning America\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_PImimbxI&feature=related\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','98.250.120.98',1328972031,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1071,0,2510,0,'License plate ID for the record','Cameron Brown did not stop this ID system, he helped write the language to implement and didn\'t do his due diligence to study the issue.  It was only after backlash that he changed his tune while running for Secretary of State.  Only Paul Opsommer had the integrity to fight this battle, look at the record in the Michigan legislature for the evidence.','98.250.120.98',1328972418,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1073,0,2540,0,'My daughter graduated from','My daughter graduated from Hope two years ago and they have had this policy for years. I never thought Hope College was a bastion of liberalism.','173.241.123.69',1329234748,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1356,0,2609,0,'I present pictured ID when I','I present pictured ID when I vote.  I have also had my identity stolen once.  ID is a good thing.  Shame on the NAACP for presenting a picture of America that is not true.  We all should prove citizenship and have identification.  Repeal of these laws protect criminals and illegal aliens.  What have we become?','173.241.122.32',1331571096,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1357,0,2609,0,'Voting and the UN ','1. I hope that they are laughed out of the U.N.\r\n\r\n2. I\'m curious whether anyone has done a survey of voting requirements in other countries, especially the major countries at the U.N.\r\n\r\n3. Does anyone know whether they have standing to approach the U.N.? \r\n\r\n4.  It\'s interesting that they are going to the U.N. It was just last week that a video showed Congressman Sessions asking questions of Secretary Panetta concerning the procedure that the Department of Defense follows in going to war. This is a must see video. Panetta indicaged that they seek permission from international bodies (such as the U.N. or NATO). Congressman Sessions was appalled and continued to question Panetta about the Constitution and the need to ask permission from Congress (not simply come to inform Congress after obtaining \"permission from some international. We have a real problem on our hands in that the 0bbama administration continues to operate in some ad hoc fashion rather than according to our Constitution and laws.','98.250.180.74',1331587440,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1495,0,2635,0,'Opponent for Rick Snyder','Why would anyone want to step in the way of progress? For the first time in forever we have 2 people at the top that really care and are genuine. Anyone that is not happy has not taken the time to review the accomplishments or the future agenda.  ','173.241.122.32',1333054436,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1496,0,2635,0,'Snyder Primary','If he does not stand up to put down the unions, I would hope someone would run against him.','173.225.198.69',1333064265,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1497,0,2635,0,'Risking the Governor\'s Office','All things considered, a PRIMARY opponent against Snyder grossly ignores enormous success at cleaning up the Granholm mess in many areas and surely seems like an unnecessary risk. A primary race would also be a signal to the Dems that THEY have a better chance at taking on the race and they might be willing to really fundraise and put up a candidate who can bring back the Granholm days to Michigan.\r\n\r\nAlso, good luck fund raising for it as there is NOT anything approaching a consensus among the various groups of Republicans and among the various geographic areas (such as Oakland County) that pull the contribution freight in statewide races!  What will it be? Five dollar fund raisers? \r\n','98.250.180.74',1333113386,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1575,0,2656,0,'When we have an abundance of','When we have an abundance of God given fossil fuels and green energy can not support it\'s self, we need to drop it and go back to the cheap energy highly available to us. We can not come back to our former greatness without cheap energy. Drill here,drill there, drill everywhere!!! Drill and refine and we will have jobs and a recovery!!!!!!!!\r\nI. Salisbury','174.150.165.64',1334286049,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1578,0,2666,0,'helmets','It\'s crazy to say we have to wear seatbelts in cars, but no helmets on motorcycles. And it\'s against the law to jump off a pier into lake Michigan.','173.241.123.69',1334579274,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1579,0,2666,0,'motorcycle helmet law','I agree cyclist should have the freedom to choose to wear a helmet or not, but by that argument,  why do we not have the same freedom to wear a seatbelt or not? The biggest problem with this one sided law was that motorcyclist only have to buy $20k in medical insurance & it is optional. Every other vehicle on our highways has to have unlimited medical coverage (PIP) to be able to purchase their license plates. Why would someone on an open vehicle with no helmet not have to purchase the same?  If a cyclist hits you in your car, YOUR insurance will pay the cyclists medical bills, no matter who is at fault.   Also, it is not enforceable because a proof  of insurance doesn\'t show whether there is medical insurance or not, so an officer will have no way of knowing they are not in compliance.  Sadly, like too many laws that our legislators pass on both sides of the isle, it was politically motivated, and not all sides of the issue were addressed.  ','75.134.173.136',1335015388,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1387,0,2617,0,'Facebook:  Private or Public?','There is no \"private\" information which a potential employer is able to \"see\". If a potential employer or some other stranger is able to see information on a Facebook, the information viewed is public, not \"private\".  \r\n\r\nThe owners of Facebook pages choose whether their information is public or private. This is true in the \"Information\" about us (such as employment, education, marital status, birthday, etc , our  \"photos\",  our \"friends\" , phone number, email address, our \"likes\", etc. and we choose, point by point, who can see it: whether only the person whose FB page it is, friends, friends or friends or the public. Similarly, every single time we post a status update, a link, a photo, we have the opportunity to indicate who can see it, again, only the person whose page it is, friends, friends of friends, public or we can customize it to specific lists or we can only let specific person(s) see it and we can exclude its visibility to specific person(s). \r\n\r\n','98.250.180.74',1331839244,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1580,0,2689,0,'We already have term','We already have term limits....it\'s called VOTING!  ','76.251.213.195',1335543554,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1581,0,2689,0,'Term limits. ','I agree. We have term limits called the voting booth. Why loose quallity leaders based on limits. We need the best people in office this would insure that we keep the best and vote out the worst. ','50.33.207.45',1335718201,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1582,0,2689,0,'Term Limit Repeal','The problem is that the majority of voters don\'t have a clue about their legislator unless it affects the pocketbook. They don\'t know what their record is on issues is and they vote on name recognition when they get in the voting booth. \r\n\r\nThe election laws should be modified to require that the voter at least knows who the candidates are when they go to the polls. I know, there is a law against that. However the result is that we have people electing their legislators that don\'t know anything about them. Voting is a RIGHT it should have a corresponding RESPONSIBILITY!\r\n\r\nTERM LIMITS SHOULD BE REPEALED!','50.36.125.231',1335721440,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1583,0,2691,0,'Big brother is completely','Big brother is completely taking over our lives.  This govt. will not be satisfied until it controls every moment of every day of our lives.   I feel like we are living in Russia and China rather than America.  Land of free? really!!!!!!!???\r\nIda Salisbury','173.111.39.54',1335813449,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1599,0,2714,0,'privatization in state prisons','I worked on this issue extensively nationwide during the 1990s and  IF  the bias of entrenched unions AND  entrenched  state officials who  are \"preservationists\" for the status quo can be addressed AS well as   privatized corrections  company/ integrity  THEN   privatization WILL work! \r\n\r\nJust like the DRIC bridge subject. GOVERNMENT ALWAYS WANTS MORE CONTROL ! \r\nMichigan had an $800,000,000 budget for corrections when I first began working on that budget; corrections spending has grown 538% in the last 34 years !  In 2008 it was  $2 billion +   bucks annually !  2012 ..yikes !\r\n\r\nThe definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting new results !!!! We must be inovative !!!\r\nAlternative sentencing and community corrections has NOT reached its potential in Michigan !! PA 511 is under utilized !','98.250.120.98',1336245846,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1600,0,2679,0,'Steve and Sheri Willis,  are','Steve and Sheri Willis,  are to be commended for their involvement and  \"raising the standard\"   to make the 2012 Clinton County Lincoln Day event a success; in this political climate and in this dire economic \"recession\"  \r\nThese two people of integrity have worked tirelessly and define the term \"statesman\" !\r\nPNB ','98.250.120.98',1336246713,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1601,0,2714,0,'Privatizing the Prisons','My husband is a prison guard, and yes I want him to keep his job.   If you want to pay them $10./hr, that\'s exactly the kind of people you will get.   There are some jobs  best left to professionals and corrections is one of them.','75.241.121.30',1336248603,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1632,0,2089,0,'All people deserve good life','All people deserve good life time and <a href=\"http://goodfinance-blog.com\">loans</a> or short term loan will make it better. Just because freedom bases on money. ','31.184.238.21',1336759496,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1646,0,2732,0,'24th Senate Seat','Paul Opsommer would be a great choice.','98.250.180.74',1336910069,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1671,0,2458,0,'before, Obama is no clinton. ','before, Obama is no clinton.  What stucrk me during the speech, is how he said he was going to take away corporate loopholes and lower their taxes, but he completely ignored the most important reccomendation the Commission he established to balance the budget made . to take away the tax exemption for second + houses worth over $500,000.  He also said absolutely nothing about addressing predatory loans.   You would think 20% of the houses in the country being in foreclosure would be important to him.','220.244.173.237',1337129448,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1663,0,2732,0,'Jones is doing a good job. ','Jones is doing a good job.  He just supported an end to the Business Personal Property Tax.  When that is gone we will have more jobs.  He also is endorsed by Michigan Right To Life and is \"A plus\" on the NRA scale.','170.170.59.138',1337022824,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1693,0,2763,0,'\"Protect Our Jobs\" Ballot Proposal','I have never figured out how to vote in these questionnaires.\r\n\r\nBut on this one, my vote would be \"not just no, but hell no!\"\r\n\r\nWhat the real problem is how this stuff is presented to voters.    There\r\nwill be a huge need to educate people sussinctly on the real problems\r\npassage would create.\r\n','50.33.220.142',1337638652,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1708,0,2800,0,'RE plastic bags AND REALITY','THE INTENTION OF THE PROPOSAL   [IMAY]   BE OF MERIT !\r\n\r\nHOWEVER THE THE ROAD TO TYRANNY IS PAVED WITH   \"GOOD INTENTIONS\" !\r\nTHE UNDERLYING QUESTION IS \"WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT MICHIGANS DEFICIT AND \"UNFUNDED LIABILITIES\" ?  \r\nWE ARE ATTEMPTING TO CONFIRM IF THAT FISCAL BUDGET NUMBER IS CLOSE TO 125 BILLION DOLLARS !\r\nON THE BACKS OF MICHIGAN TAXPAYERS !!!   STUNNING !\r\n\r\nPHILIP BAREHAM','98.250.120.98',1339255839,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1709,0,2800,0,'Plastic bag tax','I suppose the next tax will be based on the number of toilet paper squares we use in public restrooms....','76.251.211.27',1339263341,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1711,0,2800,0,'new taxes','I think the legislators must lay awake nights just coming up with new ways to take more of our money.(what they haven\'t already taken, that is.)  Pretty soon it will be how much did you make, send it in!!!!!!!!\r\nWe need to get rid of these tax and spend liberals in both parties!!!!!!!!!\r\nIda Salisbury','108.101.142.150',1339286490,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1712,0,2800,0,'plastic bag tax','what an incredible burden of record keeping for retailers!  politicians need to quit abusing the business owners who actiually creat jobs!  They need to clean up the abuses in thier own house! ','75.134.173.136',1339374529,0,1,'04/','','',''),(1664,0,2732,0,'Opsommer, we NEED YOU in the MI Senate!','Rep. Opsommer,\r\n\r\nI hope you read this!  We the people of Michigan need YOU in the Senate!  Please run against Sen. Jones in 2014, I, and many others would be dedicated to helping YOU get elected!\r\n\r\nSo, yes!  Other candidates NEED to run against Sen. Jones!  That\'s the glory of our political process.  WE the people make the decisions.  Not the Establishment Fat Cats.','24.231.176.79',1337039299,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1597,0,2530,0,'Should anybody get something for doing nothing? NOOOO','If you get my money, I had to work for, should welfare recipients get money for doing nothing.  That is legalizing theft! I think there are some welfare recipients that believe they are owed my money.\r\nIda Salisbury','173.149.93.136',1336143060,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1689,0,2749,0,'Teachers benefits after 10 years work','I can\'t believe that any reasonable person would think that we should have this tremendous liablity for our schools and children after someone works only ten years and wants to retire before they are 60 or better yet 62 years old!  Check out what is happening in GREECE!','35.10.203.224',1337187512,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1716,0,2836,0,'The Market should determine wages','Each businesss knows what wage is appropriate in it\'s locale, for what the job entails, and what other similar businesses are paying etc.  The government doesn\'t have experitise in this area, and should stay out of it.','75.219.114.88',1339953794,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1717,0,2835,0,'Dear Republicans\nWHATS THE','Dear Republicans\r\n\r\nWHATS THE DEAL !    SINCE WHEN DO WE CIRCUMVENT THE ENTIRE MICHIGAN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ?\r\nFOR A   MERE ONE ...TWO...  OR THREE... BILLION BRIDGE ?  AND DEPENDING ON WHOS \"RESEARCH\"  YOU BELIEVE IS IT NEEDED ? OR LIKE PAUL HARVEY IS THERE.... \"MORE TO THE STORY\" ?\r\n\r\nA colleague wrote about this in his NY times best seller. We all need to become familiar with these details. \r\nEspecially in relation to this DRIC bridge !!!!\r\n\r\nhttp://www.amazon.com/The-Late-Great-U-S-A-Coming/dp/0979045142#reader_0979045142\r\n\r\n\r\nHAS \"LEGISLATVE CHARACTER AND PROTOCOL AS WELL AS LEGITIMATE REASONING\r\n\"JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE\"   IN RELATION TO OUR GOVERNING PROCESS ?\r\n\r\nESPECIALLY,  SINCE THE CURRENT PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS OF THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE SAID THEY WOULD BUILD ANOTHER ONE AT   \"PRIVATE SECTOR\"   EXPENSE ? THAT SHOULD HAVE ENDED THE DEBATE!\r\n\r\nIN ACTUALITY,  MICHIGAN HAS A MUCH MORE MASSIVE DEBT THAN MOST UNDERSTAND AND HERE WE ARE SIGNING OFF ON A BRIDGE IN DETROIT WHICH IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE..... \"NAFTA SUPERHIGHWAY\" ! \r\n\r\nARE YOU EVEN AWARE OF THE   \"NAFTA SUPERHIGHWAY\"    DETAILS ? \r\n\r\nIT WAS REVEALED TO ME WHILE WORKING AT THE  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IN WASHINGTON DC. in the 1990s !! \r\n\r\nARE WE SO CONSUMED WITH  \"SPORTS\"  AND   \"DANCING WITH THE STARS\"   AND THE   \"POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT\"   IN DOWNTOWN LANSING THAT WE HAVE THROWN OUT PRUDENT WISDOM  AND REASON IN ADDRESSING THIS DRIC BRIDGE ? \r\n\r\nAS REPUBLICANS ARE WE TO APPEASE A SMALL GROUP OF GLOBALISTS WHO ARE USERING IN A LITTLE KNOWN OR UNDERSTOOD UN TREATY WHICH THE CONGRESS SIGNED OFF ON QUIETLY SEVERAL YEARS AGO? \r\n\r\nIF YOU THINK THE EUPROPEAN UNION IS WORKING WELL WAIT UNTIL YOU FINALLY DISCOVER WHAT THE DRIC BRIDGE IS ACTUALLY PART IN TERMS OF US POLITICAL TACTICS  ! \r\n\r\nLOU DOBBS CLEARLY AND ACCURATLEY REPORTED ABOUT THIS ON  [THE LIBERAL] CNN YEARS AGO !\r\n\r\n THIS NATIONALLY TELEVISED REPORT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS DOBBS  WAS TOSSED OFF OF CNN !  WE NEED TO BECOME SOPHISTICATED AND INTELLIGENT ON THE   \"NORTH AMERICAN UNION TREATY\"     AND THE    \"SECURITY AND PROSPERITY AGREEMENT\"  AS WELL AS THE \"NAFTA SUPERHIGHWAY\" ! \r\nDEAR FRIENDS AND TAX PAYERS, ONE STATE REPRESENTITIVE HAS THE CHARACTER TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE INITIATIVES... OUR VERY OWN STATE REP. HOUSE TRANSPRTATION CHAIR  PAUL OPSOMMER !\r\n\r\nOPSOMMER HAS LEAD THE CHARGE TO HAVE    \'TRASPARENCY\"    AND     \"OPEN DIALOG\"    ON THIS DRIC BRIDGE. \r\n\r\nHE HAS TRUELY BEEN OUTSTANDING IN EDUCATING LEGISLATORS ON THIS MASSIVE FINANCIAL DEBACALE! WHICH IS WHY A   SO CALLED   LEGAL TACTIC CALLED AN   \"INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT\"   WAS INITIATED \r\nAN    [ I L A ]   OF COURSE WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THAT LEGAL PROCESS ?   RIGHT  ? \" VOTERS NEED TO GET UP TO SPEED ON THIS STUFF !\r\n\r\nARE OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND THEIR IMPACT ON MID-MICHIGAN?  RESEARCH THESE CANDIDATES CAREFULLY AND VOTE VERY CAREFULLY!\r\n\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3E4s4JTzsY&feature=related\r\n\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgGEv-cdoms\r\n\r\nPhilip Bareham','98.250.120.98',1339980924,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1718,0,2836,0,'Minimum Wage','During my career I have worked for less than \"minimum wage\" at times in the past but I was accumulating skills that I believe benefited myself and my future employers. I now earn considerably more than minimum wage but I \"earned\" it, it was not given to me. \r\nNow, every time the \"minimum wage\" is artificially increased, it is a direct dilution of the wage that I have earned. This country cannot afford more people with no jobs because their skills do not equal the cost to hire them. They do not have the opportunity to learn the job skills needed to be productive workers. \r\nMinimum wage laws just compound and increase the cost of living problem for every one, but especially those people who do have the lower paying jobs. It is just a vicious cycle that hurts the people the most that it is supposed to be helping.','75.105.64.53',1339985736,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1719,0,2836,0,'Minimum wage increase','Let\'s wait and see what the economy for small businesses is in 2015...anticipation of better times to come can put small businesses out of business in the meantime.','50.42.153.83',1340026930,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1720,0,2847,0,'It was a clever move for the','It was a clever move for the press bus to move in front of the MoveOn protesters. It kept us from having to look at their uglyu signs.','75.134.164.55',1340152285,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1721,0,2847,0,'Great event!! I got to shake','Great event!! I got to shake the hand of the next Pres. of the United States of America!!! He has answers to get this country moving again in the right direction.\r\n','173.122.32.80',1340158815,0,0,'02/','','',''),(1722,0,2847,0,'Yes, he too shook my hand and','Yes, he too shook my hand and spoke with me.  We need to get \"Our America\" back and Mitt can do that.  If Obama stays in, we won\'t recognize America after four more years and neither will all the other countries who count on us to be strong!\r\nI\'m a teacher, in a union, but can\'t stand to watch my America, the country I love, be dismantled.  Go Mitt!!!','108.123.49.169',1340218917,0,0,'03/','','',''),(1724,0,2854,0,'The Congress in Wash. had','The Congress in Wash. had nothing else to do, but pass legislation that looks more like Russia and China?  How is this constitutional? We have 16 trillion in debt, a real unemployment rate of 15 to 16% and they do this.  No wonder their approval rating is in the toilet!!  We need jobs, not detention, we need lower taxes, not fascism, we need answers and accountability from our legislators. While they fiddle, Rome burns!!!!!!!!','173.122.150.108',1340298059,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1729,0,2876,0,'....seriously???!!!?  So,','....seriously???!!!?  So, what about if it\'s my kid or spouse that gets attacked?  Do I get more money for that?  And I guess everyone needs to pay more taxes so the state can pay me if my house becomes infested with termites, or cockroaches, or even ants because that would damage my personal property, and I DESERVE money if bad things occasionally happen to me.  I\'m just about done with this mentality....','76.251.211.27',1340901188,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1735,0,2889,0,'Veto of Voter Bills ','Today\'s (Wednesday, July 4th) New York Times, includes on page A13 the story \"Republican Governor of Michigan Rejects Voter ID Bills\". They described Snyder as \"a political novice in his first term\".\r\n\r\nIf there is any chance that the legislature can get a 2/3 vote in each chamber to overturn the veto(s), they should proceed. Otherwise, they should work on the governor and quickly pass either or both of them again and make more noise about it. The Governor ought to figure out that if we are required to present picture ID to vote at the polls then the state ought to be able to require presenting picture ID to vote absentee. The Governor shares an affirmative duty with the legislatue and Secretary of State to make sure that people cannot abuse the voting system any more than people who win the lottery should not be able to receive welfare benefits. \r\n\r\n\"Snyder said he vetoed the absentee ballot bill, House Bill 5061, because it\r\nwould not let an absentee ballot count if the person did not affirm their\r\ncitizenship by the close of the polls on an Election Day.\" In the NY Times article, they quote Sara Wurfel, a spokesman for Snyder as saying that Snyder \"suggested that veritifcation of a person\'s citizenship should be done only once, when a voter is first registered.\"  Perhaps the legislature can let the Governor understand that the problem is somewhat like some of the problems of the welfare voting rolls which needed to be cleaned up. The voter registration problem is the lack of proof of citizenship when people first registered and that Snyder shares responsibility with the legislature and Secretary of State to give Clerks the tools to make sure that those who are on the voting rolls are qualified.','97.84.2.0',1341441535,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1733,0,2889,0,'Snyder\'s Veto of Voter ID requirement','I have to show my ID when I fly, when I use my credit cards, when I go to a bank or credit union, and in countless other places. Why shouldn’t it be required when I vote? It is imperative that we have accuracy and integrity in our voting processes.\r\n\r\nWhen we voted for Governor two years ago no one knew who Snyder was or what he really stood for ideologically. The longer he is in office the more we find out that King Rick the first is probably nothing more than  a “Granholm light” in many ways!\r\n\r\nWe all know that voter fraud is real! You see it in every election and the number absentee voters  is significant and a perfect target for fraudulent activity.\r\n\r\nWhy Snyder thinks that you don’t need to affirm your U.S. citizenship or show a picture ID when getting an absentee ballot is beyond me.\r\n\r\nIn some ways he has done good things that have positively impacted Michigan’s economy but in other ways he has been a huge disappointment (such as):\r\n    1. A veto of a transparency bill regarding “memorandums of agreement” between state officials with governments outside Michigan. \r\n     2. Bypassing the legislature and making an “interlocal” agreement with Canada to build a bridge.\r\n     3. Initiating health insurance exchanges (Obamacare) without legislative approval.\r\n     4. Pushing a high speed rail project that will be used by few and be a burden on taxpayers.\r\n     5. Failing to take a stand on making Michigan a Right-to-work state.\r\n     6. Elimination of the personal property tax on businesses that will hurt counties.\r\n\r\nPersonally I will be working hard to have someone run against him in the primary in 2014 to get a governor that represents “conservative” interests not the liberal agenda. I might even vote for the Democrat if they are more conservative than King Rick.','166.137.88.26',1341410772,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1780,0,2904,0,'I’m working with Forest Hill','I’m working with Forest Hill Energy on the Fowler Farms project, and would like to respectfully offer a few comments:\r\n \r\nFirst, there is no “breakneck speed” involved in the rollout of wind power as a source of energy. For instance, Clinton County’s planning officials have been working for more than two years to develop an appropriate ordinance to regulate wind turbines. The planning commission has worked diligently and developed one of the more stringent ordinances in the state, one that protects the health and safety of the community while allowing wind projects to move forward.\r\n \r\nSecond, the fact is that new wind power is costing less for utilities to bring online than new coal plants, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Power from a new coal plant would cost $133/megawatt. The utilities today are purchasing power from wind projects for under $70/megawatt.  \r\n \r\nOther nations are not abandoning wind power. In fact, they continue to add to it, recognizing that it is part of a responsible mix of power sources for their economies. The World Wind Energy Association, in its report for 2011, notes that:\r\n•	The worldwide wind capacity reached 237,016 Megawatt, out of which 40,053 Megawatt were added in 2011, more than ever before.\r\n•	Altogether, 96 countries and regions have been identified worldwide to use wind power for electricity generation.\r\n•	Wind power showed a growth rate of 20.3 %.\r\nHere is a web site with more detailed information: http://www.wwindea.org/home/index.php\r\n\r\nThis project is an important investment in the county, putting into the hands of county residents millions of dollars, creating construction jobs and adding about $8.9 million in property taxes over the next 20 years. This will allow local schools, townships and the county to either invest in projects desired by county residents, or to lower property taxes on residents.\r\n \r\nThe Republican Party supports property rights, free markets and less regulation. Forest Hill Energy supports those same principles: The right of property owners to determine what to do with their land to maximize its value, the ability of power purchasers to choose the power they wish to buy – particularly when one is less expensive and creates less pollution – and fair regulation that does not prohibit economic development. I hope you would support this wind energy project in Clinton County, so the county can benefit, as are other communities around the state.\r\n \r\n \r\nDavid Waymire\r\nMartin Waymire Advocacy Communications\r\n \r\n','67.208.244.21',1342043080,0,0,'02/','','',''),(1777,0,2904,0,'I wonder how loud this will','I wonder how loud this will be.  We only live  a couple of miles from there.  What energy source are they going to replace?  Is this for their farm, only!!!?? What if they put it in and it is really loud, what recource do we asd neighbors have?','50.33.196.103',1342026047,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1788,0,2904,0,'Try living with a dozen in','Try living with a dozen in your back yard Dave, take this *#^@ somewhere else.... The greedy decisions of few will affect many','70.9.243.65',1342142640,0,2,'03/','','',''),(1827,0,2917,0,'AGENDA 21 IS  \"THE\" ','AGENDA 21 IS  \"THE\"  INTERNATIONAL  \"AGREEMENT\" MADE BACK IN1992 WHERE AS OVER  150 NATIONS FORMALLY SIGNED DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT, WHAT IS ENTITLED   \r\n\r\n \"SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT\"    \r\n\r\nSTARTING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND WORKING UP THE CHAIN AS OPPOSED TO  \"TOP DOWN\"  GOVERNMENT POLICY.\r\n\r\nIT IS ALL HAPPENING WITHIN THE LOCAL PLANNING AND ZONING BOARDS OF COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNSHIPS ! \r\nOUR PARENT ORGANIZATION AT THE TIME   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES    ENDORSED THIS BACK IN 1990S. IT IS ABSOLUTLEY   \"ORWELLIEN\"   IN ITS PROVISIONS !\r\n\r\nOF COURSE NO ONE READ THE BILLS BACK THEN LET ALONE AN .... \"INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT\" GO FIGURE !\r\n\r\nNATIONAL COMMITTEE WOMAN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST .... AGENDA 21 !\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvDWhOUZro\r\n\r\nTHE BOTTEM LINE   LOSS OF    LOCAL CONTROL !\r\nPHILIP N, BARHEAM\r\n','98.250.120.98',1342579655,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1828,0,2919,1,'Health Care exchange ','Tell the house to pass the health exchange legislation. Even if, and that\'s a big if, the GOP capture both the Pres. and the Sen it doesn\'t mean that they will be able to repeal any aspect of the healthcare law. If they don\'t act Mich families will lose.\r\n\r\nMike Wall','50.42.143.123',1342615765,0,1,'01/','admin','',''),(1829,0,2919,0,'Health Exchanges','Continue to say \"no\" to health exchanges. It will NOT be a benefit to Michigan residents. Listen to Rick Perry who understands the false promise of 0bama-proposed health exchanges (0bama has never proposed ANYTHING that is a benefit to Americans - - not one thing - - and the health exchanges are just one more bad, misdescribed thing to say defeat.) \r\n\r\nContinue to say no even if in the worst possible scenarios, we wind up stuck with 0bamatax. Health exchanges are unfunded mandates from the feds to the states. All that it will do is expand Medicaid to people who are or who claim to be poor, including illegal alliens. The feds will only pay more for this expansion of service for a short time and then Michigan taxpayers will be stuck with an inflated bill that we cannot afford.\r\n\r\nMedicaid is the worst possible \"health care\". The reimbursements are so low that medical providers refuse to serve Medicaid patients or only allow a few patients. Expanded Medicaid will reduce the number of doctors and expand the line to be able to see a doctor. Medicaid that is expanded in a state that votes to accepts health exchanges steals money from Medicare health care, steals an extraordinary amoun t of money from Michigan taxpayers, adds to government bureaucracy and provides very, very little in return.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n ','97.84.2.0',1342624504,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1823,0,2904,0,'If the wind farms truly','If the wind farms truly reflected the property owners\' rights, each turbine would be placed in the backyard of the property owner who supports this.  From the map, most of the turbines are placed in neighbors\' backyards.  That just does not seem fair, period.\r\n','50.33.175.133',1342525924,0,0,'04/','','',''),(1845,0,2904,0,'Perhaps the \"property owners\"','Perhaps the \"property owners\" should invest their OWN money in these costly ventures.  Stop using your neighbors and friends tax dollars.  Cronyism - who is REALLY benefitting?   Greed, pure and simple.','136.181.195.4',1342793981,0,0,'05/','','',''),(1860,0,2947,0,'mandated sick leave payment','We have put enough taxes and  regulations on business already. Do we want to drive business out of the state or bring more business in?  Mandates of any kind drive up the cost of doing business. We want a business friendly state, don\'t we?\r\nIda Salisbury','70.9.168.249',1343507121,0,1,'01/','','',''),(1861,0,2947,0,'All to often we have','All to often we have forgotten that we are all in this together. Employers and employees both contribute to a business, employees should not have the worry that if they become sick that they will lose their jobs, or not be able to pay their bills. If and employer can not/does not have the ability to do this then maybe they need to rethink how they are doing business.what is a shame is that this sort of thing would need to be legislated.','50.42.149.160',1343582529,0,1,'02/','','',''),(1890,0,1665,0,'There are other ways the','There are other ways the state can cut its budget.  One place, stop the idnsutry of incarceration in this state which eats more from the state budget than anything.  Michigan incarcerates more people than any surrounding state with no change in the crime rates per capita.  We need to use technology to provide alternatives to prison.','216.27.61.230',1343696666,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1895,0,2947,0,'paid sick leave','most businesses do offer something, but  a business owner  should be able to make their own decisions on how they run their business & what benefits best meet the needs of their staffs, within their means. It is their business, the government didnt build it, they arent there to bail them out if they overspend or do a bad job, & cant pay the bills.  So many government entities  have overspent & are in financial trouble, providing benefits they cannot afford & do not fund,  i dont think business needs to take thier lead!   Most legislators have never had to meet a payroll or find the money to pay the bills, they just raise more taxes or fees, taking more from business & individuals.   Lansing needs to stay out of our lives & fix your own problems!','75.134.173.136',1343794471,0,1,'03/','','',''),(1908,0,2961,0,'Raising taxes','We need to elect responsible individuals to our government.  Members of our Legislature need to do what is right and correct for our Business Environment in Michigan.  Requiring a 2/3 majority vote by both houses would be a great step in preventing taxation abuses.     \r\n \r\nTo mandate that employers grant paid sick leave to their emploees will only lead to the destruction of our Michigan based companies. \r\n \r\nIn other words, STOP the Entitlement Freebees to help those who create the businesses and provide the business environment.\r\n \r\nRespectfully,\r\nLoren Dean Mohney','166.137.88.18',1344023973,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2216,0,2552,0,'I thought there were','I thought there were Obamacare taxes too (Medical Device tax, etc)','63.249.42.240',1349449079,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1870,0,2459,0,'Not to worry kids, America is','Not to worry kids, America is about to pony up an additional 95 bioliln to the I.M.F. along with the 10 bioliln they had ALREADY promised. Looks like WE get to bail out GREECE too!  I guess since the presses are already running hot and heavy, they figured we could bail out the REST of the world too! I wonder, can you train the future slaves of America while still in the womb? ANOTHER 105 BILLION NOT EVEN GOING TO AMERICANS!  CAN SOMEBODY MAKE IT STOP?!!!!!','107.0.8.254',1343653959,0,0,'01/','','',''),(1942,0,2971,0,'Truck','California may not be the best example to follow.\r\n\r\n','174.124.246.139',1344206241,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2004,0,3003,0,'trailer hitch legislation','1. obviously whoever is suggesting this, and would vote for it doesnt tow things, this is very impratical! \r\n2. I suspect the purpose of passing this law is actually to generate revenues from tickets\r\n3. our police should spend their time on real problems like drugs, rape & breakins\r\n4. legislators need to solve some real problems,  like jobs & energy! ','75.134.173.136',1345513718,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2050,0,3024,0,'Local government','ALL government should be focused on high citizen service at the very least taxpayer cost, but a mandate\r\n is not needed, leadership in cost reduction is needed. L. Meyer. ','23.28.5.245',1346404880,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2033,0,3012,0,'Jugdes age','We will end up with a bunch of 90 year old judges like in the Federal system who can\'t keep up with the case load.','173.241.123.69',1346070949,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2010,0,3003,0,'trailer hitch legislation','Today it is banning bare trailer hitches, tomorrow it will be banning Denard Robinson running without tied shoelaces.\r\nI am grateful a democrat sponsored this, given this is an election year.\r\n\r\nNot all tow hitches are the \"Reese\" style with removable connectors.    Thus on a basic level this is impractical and should be considered unenforceable.    A previous post mentioned that our police should be allowed to focus on a more serious level of crime (those with victims) and not be diverted into what becomes citizen harassment.\r\n\r\nGreg Palen','69.63.237.24',1345646867,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2036,0,3012,0,'Age Discrimination','We are republicans!  Why would we discriminate against someone over 70!?  Ronald Reagan was a great president.  We have a great Sheriff.  Best in the state!','69.87.140.234',1346083458,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2018,0,3003,0,'removing hitch and/or ball from towing vehicle','Seriously, our Legislators cannot think of something better to write a law about!  This is why Michigan citizens think we should have a part-time legislature. \r\n','24.247.134.14',1345748830,0,1,'03/','','',''),(2195,0,2423,0,'Smart Meter cautions ','I want to thank \"anonymous\"  for posting the \"Notice of No Consent\".  I will print this and place it next to my electric meter which is now padlocked.  I will be opting out as I have one of those neurological conditions which is greatly aggravated by electromagnetic energy and RF waves, so I will not allow this device which will once again make me sick,  on my house, or even sicker.  \r\n   I placed the padlock on the meter because I have read in several articles, that even if you opt out, they will come and install the Smart Meter anyways, usually in the middle of the night when you\'re asleep.  \r\n   If you are an person who wants to opt out, the electric company has already placed a Smart Meter on your house, and you want it removed and replaced with an analog again, they will tell you that the analog meters are no longer made, so you have to accept the digital version. They claim they will turn the radio transmitter off.    This is not true.  Analog electrical meters are still manufactured in Mexico and can be found at electrical supply houses.  You will likely have to buy one and have a qualified electrician install it for you so that it is done properly. \r\n   Note:   In California,  instead of using qualified electricians to switch these meters out, the just gave people a couple of weeks training  in how to install the meters, and the result was that many meters arched, melted down, burned down houses, etc.  Even if you go along with the Smart Meter being placed on your house, do you want rank amateur installing the meter?   JMHO.  \r\n   ','72.251.53.22',1349124600,0,1,'05/','','',''),(2126,0,3052,0,'Egypt and Libya','I remember Reagan\'s response to Libya:  One well placed bomb shut them up. Quadafi lost a young child and stability was restored to the world. But Hillary thought that over throwing Quadafi was a good idea. Does she recognize that she was wrong? And 0bama thought that his soaring rhetoric and misunderstanding of the world and human beings was appropriate in Egypt. Yikes. Dumb and Dangerous.\r\n\r\n','98.250.180.74',1347611988,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2075,0,3036,0,'Crop Ins.','The private sector can always do everything cheaper than the govt.  There is less fraud, abuse, and outright criminal activity in the private sector.  Plus, they are employing people and and paying taxes into the govt. Yes, corporations are people, contrary to the morons in the democrate party.\r\nIda S.','173.109.208.96',1347042474,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2389,0,3137,0,'No box for citizenship','I do not believe the State should require a box for citizenship at the election polls for four reasons. First, a voter is required to declare whether he is a citizen at the time he registers to vote. Requiring a person to declare whether he or she is a citizen at the ballot box is superfluous, a waste of resources, and may confuse voters. Second, it is intellectually dishonest for Republicans (and I am a life-long Republican) to bristle at any attempt to interfere with or limit our Constitutional right to bear arms but support limitations or interferences with any citizens\' right to vote. A voter has proved his or her citizenship prior to the election; the State should not interfere or ask again. Third, it is a waste of government resources to pursue a measure that purports to lessen voter fraud. The Secretary of State\'s own investigation found almost no voter fraud in Michigan with respect to fraudulent identification (2 cases). Moreover, there is no statical or verifiable evidence that asking an individual if they are a citizen at the ballot box reduces the almost non-existent cases of voter identity fraud. Additionally, the real voter fraud is that committed by the likes of Rep. Thad McCotter and his cronies who falsified nomination petitions. We, as defenders of the Constitution, should have outrage at McCotter (one of our own) trying to game the system. Finally, Republicans should take the moral high ground and defend every citizens\' right to vote free of government interference and castigate those that would interfere, abuse, or game this sacred right. \r\n\r\nMichael King, Dewitt','174.232.70.209',1351018452,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2390,0,3137,0,'citizenship check box>>>>>','in no way can this confirm that a person is a US citizen simply by checking a box, please!','24.11.160.156',1351023068,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2391,0,3137,0,'Citizenship scheck off box','Should be a no brainer!! If you are not a citizen, you are not qualified to vote in ANY American election. What in the world, would be wrong with knowing before you vote, that you qualify.\r\nIda S.','107.45.13.203',1351023179,0,1,'03/','','',''),(2492,0,3169,0,'Republician Party Needs......','Take a look at the results of the last poll on this site.  88% actually believed that Mitt would win this State.  Michigan was actually one of the earlier calls for O bama.   You cannot keep doing things the same way and expect different results!    If nothing changes, then nothing changes.  Look at the wording of the above question... abandon ideologies, never.  Adjust YES!  That is if you want to see a Republican in the White House any time soon.  ','24.11.160.156',1352337507,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2493,0,3169,0,'Conservative and moderate','We\'ve had several moderates run for the party, how many of won? zero, zilch, nada!!! We need to run a true conservative. I think if we could not win in this environment, they need to close up shop and let the tea party take over and run against the liberals.\r\nIda','107.41.229.58',1352338926,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2514,0,3169,0,'Changing our views, no no no!!','What would we do that for, to become more like the Demacrates that we so patiently apposed.  They have taken an un Godly stand on all these issues.  We don\'t need to become more progressive we need to stand for what is right and good and not evil and wrong.  How quickly the winds of the nobles are changing, don\'t expect  me or any one with a true faith in God to go along with this.  Respected submitted,  Jean A. Shank\r\n','67.162.221.103',1352653104,0,1,'04/','','',''),(2504,0,3169,0,'No, I don\'t believe that','No, I don\'t believe that Republican should abandon their conservative ideologies but there needs to be the ability to compromise.  Our country was build with checks and balances so that one ideology is not able to take complete control.  With the attitude that there is no compromise, nothing gets done.  That is what I have seen recently with the Republican Party as well as the Democrat Party.  Sometimes you have to give a little on something so that you can move forward on something else.  If you really care about this country, both sides need to bend a little bit to move things forward and not resort to the blame game.','173.241.125.147',1352421547,0,1,'03/','','',''),(2517,0,3169,0,'What does it mean to be a Conservative?','We need to articulate what it means to be a conservative in a more effective and meaningful matter - instead of letting the Democrats define what it means to be a conservative - we need to define what it means and then speak about and advocate for those positions.','98.250.178.245',1352662008,0,1,'05/','','',''),(2524,0,3169,0,'Compromise core beliefs - NEVER!','Just because you lose an election doesn\'t mean you change your beliefs. That\'s what is wrong with our country. Our politicians pander to the groups that get them elected and throw out the foundational truths that our country was created upon. Fiscal irresponsibility is wrong, homosexuality is wrong, abortion is wrong and to change a political party\'s stands for votes is unconscionable.','50.33.217.23',1352727462,0,1,'07/','','',''),(2531,0,3184,0,'Incumbents should be','Incumbents should be challenged if they are not voting correctly.  It has nothing to with moral failings.    Way to go GOP abandon your pro-life candidates and  throw them under the bus.  Mitt Romney and his ilk got what they deserve.\r\n','50.33.205.88',1352757725,0,1,'03/','','',''),(2532,0,3169,0,'Moving to the Center','When the Dems got shellacked in the 2010 election, did they move to the center.  Absolutely not!  They doubled down and supported openly gay marriage, immigration amnesty, more government giveaways, and more control.  \"The other side\" moves to wherever they can maximize the most political gain be it the center or far left.  We do not move because our principles are based on truth and not political gain.','76.20.140.40',1352769164,0,1,'08/','','',''),(2528,0,3184,0,'Incumbents should be unchallenged unless....','Only if there is a significant moral failing that makes them unsuitable to hold office or they make a significant defection from a prevoiusly established position on a major issue.','23.28.29.157',1352738068,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2522,0,3169,0,'Center-Right','Most Americans are center-right.  As long as we have extreme candidates that say extreme things we will lose elections.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       We actually had one candidate that said if a woman is raped and a baby is the result of that rape then God intended for it to happen.  We need more common sense conservatives.  NO more extreme candidates.         ','23.28.49.114',1352726720,0,1,'06/','','',''),(2535,0,3184,0,'Extreme','Of course our republican candidates should be right to life.  RTL is NOT extreme.  But the extreme candidates lose.  We replaced good US Senators with poor candidates.','50.127.250.183',1352806694,0,1,'04/','','',''),(2530,0,3184,0,'Giving Up Seats Helps the Dems','Senator Lugar was replaced by Richard Mourdock.  The idiot that coined the phrase \"legitimate rape\".  How did that work out?  Now a long time republican seat is held by the Demoncrats.  We Republicans need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.  Extreme fools cannot win.    ','99.0.76.22',1352748396,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2550,0,3193,0,'Right to Work','The freedom of association also implies the freedom to not associate.','50.33.167.241',1352945774,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2553,0,3193,0,'Are you completely nuts?','Passing RtW would create a new Wisconsin style battleground that would end Republican control of state govt.  Michigan is the birthplace of organized labor.  RtW would be interpreted as a mortal blow and groups all across America would descend to fight it.  This would inevitably create a voter turnout model in 2014 on par with Presidential elections that would sink gubernatorial and legislative candidates across the state.  We need continued Republican con trol of state govt to defend our current reforms from being reversed and keep Michigan on the path to reverse a decade of debt and unemployment and usher in a new era of surplus and job growth.','23.28.29.157',1352978717,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2606,0,3212,1,'Senate Bill 973: Join multi-state Health Care Compact','The Federal Government has way too much control over our healthcare.    Michigan should enter the \"Interstate Health Care Compact\" exempting Michigan from Federal regulations and mandates.\r\n \r\nDean Mohney','50.33.193.45',1353677567,0,1,'01/','admin','',''),(2607,0,3216,0,'No reason absentee voting','If Provisional Ballots are set aside until verification of the voter\'s signature, I think we need to look at changing our voting methods.  I have been told that the Democrats are already using AVs by simply having their voters say that they will be out-of-town on Election Day so they automatically qualify to vote early.\r\n\r\nI also think, as part of any election changes,  that we need to set aside provisional ballots that are cast on election day until they can be verified as qualifying voters as well.','24.247.65.207',1353694894,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2609,0,3216,0,'expansion of absentee voting','1. The described proposal does not have adequate controls on verifying who exactly is voting. The described problem of Grand Rapids voters waiting for 4 hours can be remedied by more poll workers in polls in which there are a lot of registered voters.\r\n\r\n2. I am very disappointed in Ruth Johnson not coming up with a remedy to guarantee that military ballots will be processed and received in a way that GUARANTEES that those votes will be counted no later than election day.\r\n\r\n3. Here is something that Ruth Johnson needs to deal with. It is not true that the problem of Clerks sending out unrequested absentee ballots has been remedied. Using me as an example in the 2012 Presidential. We requested absentee ballots in the August primary as we were out of town. Then, much to my surprise, we received unrequested November General Election BALLOTS in the mail (yes, ballots; not requests for ballots). I called the SOS Election Division about this and the staffer said that the Clerk had likely  used a form in the primary election in which we were requesting absentee ballots for both the primary and general. I don\'t think that this occurred and why would it and I would have noticed it. Just because someone will be out of town in August does not mean that they would be out of town in November and there was nothing on the form I signed that indicated multiple dates. This is not the first time that this has occurred with the City of Lansing Clerk\'s office. Furthermore, primary elections and general elections are separate elections under Michigan election law, including campaing finance law. As absentee ballots are the easiest way  for voter fraud to occur, there needs to be great care that ballots do not go out willy nilly. \r\n\r\n4.. Having a great percentage of voters voting 45 days prior to the election is a bad idea. This really means that  a general election (where there was a contested primary) really only lasts 30 to 45 days - - and it would be non-existent for voters who actually vote at the beginning of the time period. While some voters know very early on exactly who they wish to vote for, most voters wait until close to the actual election to decide and it is a bad idea for people to vote without access to sufficient information to choose and prior to candidates to be able to campaign - - especially when their is a protracted primary, followed by summer when voters won\'t listen so candidates lay fairly low. The general election doesn\'t start up until after Labor Day - - so, this would result in a 30 to 45 day general and for those voting absentee at the earliest possible time, they are allowing no time to receive any information that would be revealed during the general election. ','67.167.180.253',1353701994,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2340,0,3107,0,'Unemployment is not  all ','Unemployment is not  all  Obama\'s fault. This has been a progressive thing. It kind of got sttread with George W. Bush and snowballed after Obama took office. The biggest issue I have with Obama and unemployment is the fact that he promised if the first stimulus package was passed unemployment wouldn\'t go above 8% and now we\'re over 10%. I have a whole lot of other problems with what he has done and not done.People are mistaken if they think he doesn\'t know what he\'s doing. He knows exactly what he\'s doing. Everything he does is very precise and calculated. He has ambitious thoughts of being King. He\'s intentionally crashing the dollar, forcing dependence on government programs and reducing our security. He\'s trying for that one emergency to order martial law and go from there. Mark my words.','207.70.191.74',1350594254,0,0,'03/','','',''),(2620,0,3230,0,'Personhood','Yes to personhood.  No to tax credits.  We\'ll have to get social security numbers for the unborn.   Rand Paul has a good idea.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgCy4jyIs_s.\r\n','50.33.187.2',1354139345,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2621,0,3221,0,'Nullification Now!','Nullification Now!','50.33.187.2',1354139403,0,0,'01/','','',''),(2622,0,3230,0,'tax fairness: a tax deduction for parents of fetuses','What a great idea. It\'s time for tax fairness:  one group of women will get all of us to pay for their contraception and abortions and another group of women will get a tax break from all of us to have a child. And that child will grow up to fill the seats in schools and universities and eventually become teachers and professors, doctors and nurses to keep us healthy, inventors to make new products to improve our lives, soldiers, policy and fire personnel to make us safe, workers to make things that we need and farmers to grow our food, lawyers and judges to help us straighten out our disagreements, and politicians to find more ways to take our money.  Why didn\'t someone think of this sooner. The rest of us can actually enjoy an eventual  benefit for the tax deduction.  Get the bills passed. ','67.167.180.253',1354151537,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2645,0,3271,0,'Faith Based Adoptions','Yes. Faith - based organizations should absolutely be able to retain that right and discretion, which I believe to serves the best long-term interest of the child as well. \r\n','50.33.220.57',1354802739,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2646,0,3271,0,'Faith based Adoption','In the legislation there should be provision that such adoptions are intended to sustain the values held by person from whom the child came  should  such be the case. F. Nose','184.0.76.185',1354809808,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2663,0,3293,0,'Thanks for posting Steve.','Thanks for posting Steve. It\'s hard to believe that with all the law enforcement and cameras there that something can\'t be done to bring many of these people to justice.\r\n','75.134.166.202',1355282289,0,0,'01/','','',''),(2668,0,3293,0,'I went down there, got to','I went down there, got to hear Jesse Jackson it was quite a site to see. Andy T','24.236.181.85',1355324235,0,0,'02/','','',''),(2674,0,3297,0,'This is the right thing to do.','We are in the United States of America. We are joined together by a common bond of separte states that agreed to unite. We didn\'t join together for a central govt to dictate to us. The Federal Govt went too far with healthcare, That is why the founders wrote the 10th Amendment, and if the federal govt doesn\'t understand it\'s role that is why we have the 2nd Amendment.','70.194.7.141',1355427593,0,1,'03/','','',''),(2675,0,3297,0,'Nullification of Obamacare','In the last 100 years we have slowly seen our constitutional rights being eroded by progressive politicians from both political parties. The last 4 years have been at a new breakneck speed. To think that we would ever say that we don’t have a choice in this country is unconscionable. If we let the federal government continually chip away at every right that is defined in the constitution we have no one to blame but ourselves. They say we can be arrested without cause because of the NDAA! They say we are forced to purchase a product, Obamacare, that we don’t want! They say that we can have our property taken away for the good of the country. They are trying to take away our guns. Where will it stop?\r\n\r\nSTATES HAVE RIGHTS AND SO DO WE! It’s about time that the states do whatever they can to restore those rights by any means.\r\n\r\nAs Thomas Jefferson stated so eloquently,\r\n\r\n\"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.\"\r\n','50.33.217.42',1355432254,0,1,'04/','','',''),(2676,0,3297,0,'Why stop with ObamaCare. ','Why stop with ObamaCare.  What about the Department Education, social security, medicare, food stamps, etc.  States have the right and the duty to it\'s citizens to nullify these laws.  Just because the supreme court says its the law doesn\'t make it so.  They are the Fedgov who do you think they\'ll side with..\r\nWhat are you going to do when the Supreme Court interprets the 2nd amendment incorrectly?  Nullification and the threat of secession is the states only way to protect itself and citizens against the Fedgov.  \r\nI\'ve read the wise words of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.  The South had every right to secede, I don\'t care what any liberal law school lawyer has to say.  ','50.127.247.151',1355434137,0,1,'05/','','',''),(2670,0,3297,0,'Nullification is lunacy and the path to secession ','Really?  We\'re going to follow South Carolina to nullify federal law?  As I recall that did not end well for South Carolina and several other southern states in the past.  A state cannot decide what federal laws are constitutional.  We cannot exist as 50 separate countries with no common laws to bind them.  Anyone who suggests nullification is taking a big step down the path to the Dark Side and the prospect of division and secession.','23.28.29.157',1355368891,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2677,0,2700,0,'This country will be a third','This country will be a third world country when Obama is done and he is the WORST EPIC FAILURE of a President that we ever had. He is a liar. Fraud. Fake and makes my skin crawl. I will never acknowledge him as President. To me he is a effing idiot','98.216.174.26',1355439361,0,0,'01/','','',''),(2679,0,3293,0,'Inside the \"big tent\" ...are',' Inside the \"big tent\" ...are we as Michigan citizens \"inclusive\" or \"exclusive\" ?\r\n\r\nMyself and several other local citizens from Clinton county participated and observed this most compelling example of \r\n \"democracy in action\"   [ie a republic]   directly from inside that tent. I saw the orchestrated and deliberate actions of people assulting other citizens who were minding their own business and peacefully exercizing their Constitutional rights ! \r\n~While I was in that tent during this \"civil break down\" I tried to focus on  the safety of several women who were praying and terrified ! What is happening to our   \"UNITED\"    STATES   and what ever happened to  \"equal risks equal benefits !! \"\r\nI also have vivid memories of witnessing first hand the over throw of an entire government by communists back in 1987,  I can see quiet clearly how  a nation can   \"collapse lke a tent\"   when neighbors turn against \r\neach other over....\" political entitlements ! \"   WE as Michiganders must do better than this !\r\n\r\nAll that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing    \r\nSir Edmund Burke\r\n\r\nP.N. Bareham','67.162.220.22',1355464755,0,0,'03/','','',''),(2673,0,3297,0,'Anybody who thinks the State','Anybody who thinks the State Legislature can nullify the Supreme Court ruling and Congressional passage of Obamacare is crazy. Maybe they should re-read the Constitution and talk to a knowledgeable attorney about the 10th Amendment. \r\nI don\'t like Obamacare either and didn\'t support it, but the U.S. Congress passed it in 2010, the President signed it into law and the Supreme Court in 2012 upheld its key provisions. I don\'t like to pay federal taxes either, but the Congress passed it, President signed it into law and the Supreme Court has upheld the IRS code. ','66.227.203.204',1355400958,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2695,0,3324,0,'Fiscal Cliff....','Why not go over it?  It would force mandatory cuts, no one would be responsible for and then we can get our house in order.  Is there a possibility of a recession... maybe.  But as most economists point out, a recession actually begins about six months before we recognize we are in one, and is usually over six months before we know it.  If the fiscal cliff will cause a recession, it won\'t be before Aug 2013, plenty of time to shore things up! Chop Chop!','24.11.160.156',1356035195,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2851,0,3348,0,'Fiscal Cliff',' Not only does the speaker of the House need to be replaced, the five Michigan Republicans that voted for it do also. It is time that EVERYONE realizes what is going on! To fix this problem, and they didn\'t by the way, there needs to be SPENDING CUTS that will amount to something. All these people are doing is looking out for their own special interests! If they tell you otherwise they are lying.\r\n THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THIS MESS IS TO EMBRACE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! AS IT IS WRITTEN NOT INTERPETED BY SOME IDEALISTIC JUDGE WITH A GLOBALISTIC AGENDA. The Democrats / Liberals / Globalists, whatever you want to call them, are scared of the Constitution! That is why they try to change it, why Obama tries to Excutive order over it. \r\n Only the pure of heart armed with this document and the devices that the Founding Fathers have given us can stop the Tyranny going on in OUR government. Sadly, there is not anyone left like this in Washington D.C..\r\nFriends, Countrymen it is yet to get worse. Please prepare, plan and organize with those of like mind. It will be the only source to survival in what is to come.      God Bless','50.33.220.82',1357158351,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2852,0,3348,0,'Fiscal Cliff','Obviously the annomyous individual has little or no understanding of how the constitution was written and the basics behind its objective of compromise.  Do we need to cut spendig?  Yes but we do not control the Senate or the Presidency.  Actually we don\'t even control the House because the entire party is didvided and the Speaker could not even bring his own deal to a vote in the House.If we want to cut spending we will have to compromise or there will be no deal and we will continue to slide down into an economic recession.  Its time for the GOP to reasert its base which is in the middle and not the far right.  You have failed to convince the  American public that you have a plan that could pass.  The only way to pass a deficit reduction that includes actual budget reductions is for moderates from both parties to show leadership. \r\n\r\nMike Wall','23.28.52.25',1357165779,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2870,0,3403,0,'debt ceiling','I can\'t believe the coward Republicans cannot find the courage to stand against Obama and to take their only trump card that they have and cash it in.  They should just say, NO DEAL UNTIL THE SENATE SUBMITS A BUDGET.  nOTHING WILL PASS, NOTHING GETS DONE UNTIL THE BUDGET IS PASSED IN THE SENATE!!!!!\r\nIda Salisbury','173.103.194.241',1357527958,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2884,0,3418,0,'gas tax on miles driven','Wait, (the federal govt) the tax payers and citizens have a penny left in their wallets, let us figure out a way to take it!!!!\r\n','184.233.39.152',1357932492,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2643,0,3267,0,'The Establishment Republican','The Establishment Republican Party in Washington is determined to self-destruct. They learned nothing from November 6th.\r\n\r\nDavid Smith\r\n','70.194.6.38',1354750920,0,2,'01/','','',''),(2957,0,3438,0,'Stop trying for a magic','Stop trying for a magic bullet, learn to use the income that you have wisely. Every time the government improves something it just cost us more money','50.42.156.246',1358725013,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2973,0,3454,0,'Senators with too much time on their hands.............','Let\'s not stop there! Let\'s encourage Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood to introduce legislation to require any motor vehicle occupant to wear a sweater on those days that the outdoor temperature registers less than 40 degrees. First offense would be a verbal warning.','70.194.8.94',1359068164,0,1,'01/','','',''),(2978,0,3454,0,'Diesel Idling','The ignorance of some of these legislators is sad!! Please give us a part-time legislature, so these people could go out and get an education!!!\r\n','173.104.4.243',1359149102,0,1,'04/','','',''),(2975,0,3454,0,'Diesels Idling','This is a perfect example of why we need part time legislatures. This guy has way too much time on his hands. He also knows nothing about diesel engines. Since i pay for the repairs on my diesel engines, he should not be able to make me do something that will cause damage to the vehicle! Also it is the only way for my workers to be able to get warm while working on a job site! \r\nThis guy is pathetic!','75.128.154.147',1359120836,0,1,'02/','','',''),(2988,0,3458,1,'COMMENT RECEIVED FROM VICTOR','COMMENT RECEIVED FROM VICTOR TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE MIKE WALL (R):\r\n\r\nThis is one of the dumbest emails you have sent out.  Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal correctly said the GOP has to stop being stupid. You might want to listen to him. I won\'t bother opening smartmeter nazis or Obama socialist or fascist. Neither will the majority who voted for Obama. Keep trying to be a second rate party your succeeding!. Mike Wall','50.42.155.16',1359217453,0,2,'02/','admin','',''),(2977,0,3454,0,'NO MORE TAXES OR FEES!','\"NO\"  I am sick of new taxes','50.42.155.16',1359130805,0,1,'03/','','',''),(2991,0,3454,0,'idling diesel trucks','lets pass a law that makes it illegal for our elected officials to be a dumb a**! ','75.134.173.136',1359298554,0,1,'05/','','',''),(2986,0,3458,0,'WHY was the Michigan','WHY was the Michigan legislature unable to pass the smart meter legislation last year? And what are they doing about it now? (it being either legislation or rules or anything else)','98.250.180.46',1359204531,0,0,'01/','','',''),(2999,0,3468,0,'F-16','This is lunacy to have the Obama Administration to not stop this sale.  They let Quaddafi  fall and all those arms are still in North Africa with the Muslim Terrorists-Algeria-Mali, etc.  This will just speed up Egypt\'s leaders’ quest to annihilate the Jews.  ','35.10.203.224',1359470096,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3002,0,3468,0,'Fighters to Egypt','Is this Pres. nuts?  This leader in Egypt hates Israel and the US!!! \r\nIda S.','173.105.7.71',1359517904,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3003,0,3466,0,'The Michigan Association of','The Michigan Association of Counties AND National Association of Counties should have opposed this when this policy first appeard on the scene back in the mid   1990s  !!    Where were these association executives who are supposedly watching out for Michigans county commissioners and \"local control !\"   Absolutlely stunning ! \r\nSMART metrer technology, which is also part of AGENDA 21 is another aspect which citizens must study and strongly oppose !\r\nYou do not want this techhology attached to your home !\r\nWho exactly finances AGRNDA 21 ?  Please study this international policy and how it will impact your future !\r\n\r\nhttp://www.postsustainabilityinstitute.org/who-funds-un-agenda-21.html\r\n\r\nPhilip N. Bareham  ','67.162.220.22',1359525736,0,0,'01/','','',''),(3017,0,3479,0,'Scouting','The Boy Scouts are what the Boy scouts are. They are a private organization, not government. Even the Boy Scouts have a Constitutional liberty right of association and Constitutional liberty right of religious principles. If someone wishes to start up a special scouting-like group for gay boys (or for LGBT youth) - - that\'s fine and within their Constitutional liberty right of association and I would applaud them for doing so. \r\n\r\nThis is what is great about America. There\'s room for all and we don\'t have to act like bullies saying that the Boy Scouts or Christian groupsor Republican groups have to change but other groups don\'t have to change - including any Muslim group, the NAACP, the various ethnic or gender \'clubs\' or \'caucuses\' within the national and each State\'s Democrat Party, the Log Cabin Republicans or the Stonewall Democrats, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, Queer Youth Alliance, Scouting for All, LBGT Youth Scotland or the myriad of LGBT groups easily found in the this listing on wikipedia      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LGBT-related_organizations    Lighten up, folks.\r\n','98.250.180.46',1360010462,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3012,0,3437,0,'We can not tax our selves','We can not tax our selves into prosperity !!\r\nWe must stop monitizing our debt ! Great resolution! \r\nPhilip & Nancy Bareham','67.162.220.22',1359838016,0,0,'01/','','',''),(3014,0,3479,0,'Keep in mind that the market','Keep in mind that the market will determine what happens with the Boy Scouts. It looks like they are doomed, first sports now gays.\r\n','50.33.184.161',1359926145,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3005,0,2904,0,'really!!! i\'ve seen these','really!!! i\'ve seen these turbines and they are monsters. Let alone they are noisy as hell. And really , how much are these people\r\ngetting paid to have these wind turbines put on their land. i\'ve been doing alot of reading, and yet have i seen how much they are paying these people to have these turbines on their land. For the peole that want them, use their own money to have one put in their own back yard, let aloone , what about the wildlife ? You really think their going to stick around to listen to those noisey things ? And from what i\'ve read , Clinton County is not putting no restrictions on the noise levels.\r\nGREAT JOB CLINTON COUNTY SCREW YOUR PEOPLE SOME MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!','12.150.45.18',1359555320,0,0,'07/','','',''),(3018,0,3479,0,'gay scout leaders','This is a totally bad idea. We will be reading and hearing soon about abuse of boys if this is allowed.  Please Boy Scouts do not be bullied(yes, I said it,bullied) into making this very bad decision.','184.233.65.118',1360015437,0,1,'03/','','',''),(3101,0,3535,0,'DOMA','Marriage is a state or church function keep the Feds out of it.','50.33.163.36',1362191426,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3068,0,3479,0,'Gays in the Boy Scouts','How does a pre-pubescent or other minor boy have an established sexual orientation exactly, and who determines that it is real or affected. I personally feel openly gay men should not be scout leaders, not that I feel that there might be any greater risk of potential sexual predation than any other adult youth leaders- whatever sexual orientation.  Seems like the Boy Scouts should be more concerned with keeping their financial operations in proper order, from what I understand of some of their fairly recent problems. \r\n\r\nThat all being said, do we also ask the question regarding lesbians in the Girl Scouts, or is that already accepted practice or even policy? ','98.250.239.0',1361443708,0,1,'05/','','',''),(3138,0,3549,0,'National Service Requirement?','Another great idea? Probably Not!\r\n\r\n          \"require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 25 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or as civilian service in a Federal, State, or local government program or with a community-based agency or community-based entity to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to provide for the registration of women under the Military Selective Service Act, and for other purposes.\r\n\r\n1. The first question I have is how will you pay for it and the benefits that the participants will have? \r\n2. Will that state and local government have to put these people on their payroll?\r\n3. Will these be full time obligations?\r\n4. What does community-based agency or community-based entity mean?\r\n5. Do we create a new department to handle all of this infrastructure at the federal level?\r\n6. Do we really want to register all women for Military Service?\r\n\r\nAND THE LAST LINE:\r\n\"AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES\" -- WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?\r\n\r\nONLY A DEMOCRAT OF CHARLES RANGEL\'S INTELLECT COULD ENVISION ANOTHER BOONDOGGLE OF THIS MAGNITUDE THAT WOULD ADD TO THE EVENTUAL BANKRUPTCY OF OUR COUNTRY:\r\n\r\nLET\'S DEAL WITH REALTY AND CUT PROGRAMS NOT ADD MORE TO OUR DEBT! MAYBE WE SHOULD EDUCATION OUR CHILDREN AND HAVE THEM BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY NOT PUT MORE PEOPLE ON THE PUBLIC PAYROLL!\r\n','50.33.214.152',1362755625,0,1,'05/','','',''),(3128,0,3549,0,'National Service','How about having universal tax-paying?  Now that\'s a novel idea.  People don\'t value what they don\'t invest in.  For the 48% of Americans who don\'t pay taxes, how about paying at least $5.00 per month?  That should not be onerous for anyone.  I think it would make a huge difference in attitude.  And, if everyone is paying taxes, they might be more curious about how the money is being spent.  They might even become better informed and more engaged citizens.','207.179.98.34',1362598339,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3129,0,3549,0,'National Service ','Could have its benefits, but should remain a matter of personal choice. Also,\r\nproposed length of service proposed not specified.','98.250.239.0',1362602990,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3130,0,3549,0,'Law - HR 748 ','Only if we start we with Charles Rangel\'s kid, grandkids, neices, nephews, & family members FIRST.\r\nAnd, of ever agrees with this bill.\r\nFred Schroeder\r\nEaton Rapids, Mi.','70.34.140.50',1362606938,0,1,'03/','','',''),(3131,0,3549,0,'Mandatory national service','Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely.  This should have been a law a long time ago.  Freedom is not free, and it really is a privilege to live in this country.  It is too easy to take for granted things which we don\'t have to build ourselves, pay for ourselves, or take care of ourselves.  Serving our country might help each of us not to take for granted most --- if not all--what we have.\r\n','50.33.171.231',1362611516,0,1,'04/','','',''),(3493,0,3708,0,'COMMON CORE STANDARDS','The State Board of Education, primarily democrats, agreed to this in 2010 but the legislature has never approved it. The federal government needs to stay out of what clearly is a states rights issue. The federal government has never proved it can effective manage anything. Urge your State Senator to vote for the passage of the House Appropriation Bill that removes the funding for this boondoggle and to do what you can to get Hose Bill 4276 reported out of committee and to the floor for a vote by the full House.','50.33.197.216',1367333037,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3203,0,3583,0,'Amnesty','Mass deportation seems unlikely. If they are going to be here anyway, let\'s get them signed up as citizens and paying taxes as soon as possible.No one that isn\'t a fully naturalized citizen should have the right to vote. I\'m more concerned with the additional expansion of social welfare and education subsidization for this population. Any amnesty must be balanced by enhanced restriction of unlawful entry and residence in the US . We cannot have an \" all-in-free\" policy with no controls or individual responsibility.\r\n','98.250.239.0',1364068066,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3114,0,3535,0,'DOMA','When America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.  The Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination.  God does not change. Marriage can only be defined as between one man and one woman.  Woe to this nation, should we change that!!!\r\nIda S.','107.41.253.255',1362282662,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3545,0,3730,0,'nullification','If anybody remembers, the civil war decided the question. It\'s time for the Repuplican party to stop being the Stupid Party. ','173.241.123.69',1368121698,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3546,0,3730,0,'Nullification NOW!','Maybe the person who commented about \"Repuplican party\" should learn to spell. When the federal government is continually usurping the POWERS DELEGATED TO THE STATES in the U.S. Constitution its time to take more drastic measures to take the power back to where it rightfully belongs.\r\n\r\nWe are no longer a republic of the people we are a socialist state moving toward tyranny! If nullification doesn\'t work out maybe we need to revisit the last time it was tried.\r\n\r\nThe \"Stupid Party\" is the only party that has a chance to save our republic. If you consider yourself a republican you need to rethink that. You probably voted for King Barack I and belong in the party that believes in Marxism. ','50.33.197.216',1368148498,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3603,0,3738,0,'Is the Pres. a Muslim? Are','Is the Pres. a Muslim? Are there six Christians advising him?\r\nIda Salisbury','107.47.39.230',1368543863,0,0,'01/','','',''),(3666,0,3767,0,'Snyder election','We need to have an honest election. Many of his detractors would stop at nothing to defeat him.\r\n','23.28.66.123',1369264362,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3667,0,3747,0,'They tried it 50+ years ago','They tried it 50+ years ago to give the people on welfare the rent money and they we supposed to pay their rent with it.\r\nIt did not work, they spent the money on other things.  They did not pay their rent and the land lards refused to rent to them, unless they got to the rent directly from the state or local unit.\r\nYou can not give deadbeats extra money and expect them to manage it. \r\n\r\nchuckles','24.236.196.67',1369279599,0,0,'02/','','',''),(3635,0,3747,0,'Another liberal blockhead','Another liberal blockhead idea.  When will these liberal progressives stop trying to come up with ways to spend the taxpayer\'s money?  This bill goes along with the other bill a few years ago trying to get military escort when lawmakers die, or the bill that the state should own our water on OUR  property!!!  I am sick of these lawmakers.  One more reason to have a part-time legislature and keep term limits in place!!!\r\nIda Salisbury','107.45.171.29',1368753575,0,0,'01/','','',''),(3873,0,3767,0,'Snyder election','Better make sure that all who vote are registered and only vote once in one precinct.\r\nWe are under assault by those who have no scruples at all.\r\nIda Salisbury','107.47.52.168',1369886147,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3970,0,3802,0,'Medicaid Expansion','It seems our legislators do not listen to us at all.  I am so sick of voting for these folks who promise to vote conservative and get in there and vote liberal.  Why do we need a democrat lite party.  The only hope for MI. and America is a third party.  A conservative tea party that believes in our CONSTITUTION.  NEITHER OF THE PARTIES IN CHARGE BELIEVE IN IT ANYMORE!\r\n\r\nIda Salisbury\r\n','173.111.102.67',1371045644,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3972,0,3802,0,'Tom Leonard voted *no* in cmte','Tom Leonard did *not* vote for Medicaid expansion.  He voted yes in committee on Tuesday to adopt a substitute to the bill in order for debate to commence.  A completely reasonable procedural vote that other Republicans opposed to Medicaid expansion joined with him.  On Wednesday, Representative Leonard voted against the bill moving out of committee.  This \'no\' vote is the best indication of a member\'s intentions.','23.28.29.157',1371079498,0,1,'02/','','',''),(3963,0,3798,0,'Cameras','All of the cameras, public, private, etc can be made to be able to be operated by one operator (for example, the police, the feds, etc.) so that they can see it all and this is already true in some large cities. And of course there are the drones - - did you see the video on what a drone can see (a bird) from 17,500 feet?  Perhaps we have enough cameras and that is only one reason why we don\'t need the red light cameras. It is a mistake to think of all the various cameras as separate and unrelated to each other.','98.250.180.46',1370714561,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3980,0,3813,0,'Preregistration of people not qualified to vote ','What purpose would preregistration of 16 and 17 year olds to vote serve? Is this to set a precedent for the pre-registration of others not qualified to be added to the voter rolls? Is this to create a basis for a lawsuit to attempt to gain an ability to vote by categories of individuals not qualified to vote based upon age, citizenship or incarceration in prison?  Is this to make it easier for non qualified people to vote if their names are somehow placed on the voting rolls as \"preregistered\"? What knuckle heads sponsored this bill?\r\n\r\nShall we next consider preregistration to drive, preregistration to marry, preregistration to divorce, and most important: the preregistration of non-citizens to vote? ','98.250.180.46',1371554956,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3984,0,3834,0,'Farm Bill','How about getting rid of the all the subsidies.  Sugar and corn are destroying the health of the nation.  Remember the more you subsidize something the more you get of it.  ','162.108.24.110',1371744472,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3999,0,3841,0,'Medicaid Expansion','The fed. govt. cannot be trusted.  The amt. said to be given by the Fed. govt. will never be given.  They do not have it.  We are 17.6 Trillion in debt.  No part of Obama care is good or good for Michigan. Just don\'t vote on any of it. We don\'t want to spend any of our money on this idiot plan. For a senator to say, no tax money will be spent is deplorable. It is Fed. money; that proves that person is a dolt. ALL govt. money is TAKEN from we the people thru. our taxes!!! No govt. has any money--that it does not take from the taxpayers.\r\nIda S.','173.123.160.125',1372217189,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4000,0,3841,0,'Senator Emmons Fundraiser at F C Mason','It was good to talk with Sen. Emmons again last night at her Fundraiser at F C Mason Company HQ in St. Johns. She is a solid NO vote on Medicaid Expansion. She appreciated me talking with her about this and other issues and I urged her to be steadfast in her opposision. She reminded me that she talked in opposition to Medicaid back last winter when she attended and spoke at a CCRP County Convention.\r\n\r\nThere were some Republicans at the Fundraiser who are part of the health care industry who lobbied her to vote YES. Its too bad that only 3 members of CCRP Executive Committee came out to support her at this Fundraiser. Rep. Tom Leonard was also in attendance . She is our sitting State Senator and will continue to be through 2014, representing Clinton County. She looks forward to attending the CCRP Summer BBQ next month.\r\nRegards,\r\nBob Craig','66.227.203.204',1372242379,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4013,0,3852,0,'School lunch menus','What\'s next?  The feds. come into your home and tell you what you can and cannot cook or eat!! This is ridiculous and just like the rest of the liberal, progressive, and communist ideas, it will not work.  What should happen is to have all the kids take gym and swim. However, on second thought, do the boys have to shower with the girls anf vice versa? This world has gone completely mad.\r\nIda S.','107.47.117.57',1372538506,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4081,0,3883,0,'School Consolidation','I was Board Chair of the ??? District for 10 of my 12 years on the Board. In that time, we consolidated almost all of our administrative services. We have enjoyed significant savings and improved services. We have built a wonderful \"mouse trap\" and I shared much of what we have done with a State Senate Committee. I KNOW we can achieve the same savings by the State simply incenting schools to do so by their choice.... not by mandate.\r\n\r\nI\'m not totally sold on our ISD\'s and their ability to lead either.\r\n','71.13.232.78',1373990254,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4180,0,3943,0,'Leave Money Out of ACA Funding','Absolutely should defund ObamaCare any way possible.  GOP has to stand firm against this horrible program any way possible.  Fear of offending voters has caused the GOP to become a party that stands for nothing.  Conservatives will applaud their standing firm on \"something\".  Now for some conservative candidates for the mid-term elections.!!','70.194.6.113',1375739775,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4087,0,3883,0,'Countywide School Systems','\"I believe that Clinton County RESA does a good job in providing special\r\neducation and vocational/technical educational services to Clinton County\r\nresidents and their students. However, to expand CCRESA\'s duties and\r\nresponsibilities to include providing county-wide food services, busing and\r\ntransportation, etc. is unnecessary and possibly more expensive for\r\ntaxpayers.  \r\n\r\nI\'m also concerned that CCRESA or Clinton County Intermediate School\r\nDistrict Board Members are not popularly elected by local voters. Rather\r\nthey are elected by a special ballot cast only by members of constituent\r\nlocal school boards and then mailed to CCRESA. The CCRESA Board should be\r\nnon-partisan and they should be democratically elected by registered voters\r\nin annual elections. Let democracy rule here in Clinton County, under our\r\nState and National Constitutions!\"','50.33.201.3',1374073413,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4102,0,3913,0,'ORGAN DONATION ANSWERS','We should ABSOLUTELY NOT require our citizens to answer a question about organ donations.  That question has no bearing on qualifications to drive or even on qualification to apply for a license to drive.  What next, a question about religious affiliations?','70.210.65.99',1374593138,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4103,0,3913,0,'mandatory organ donation question','the ghouls are rubbing their hands together.... on step away from \"presumed consent\"  which means... your guts are ours.\r\n','24.180.158.169',1374627520,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4227,0,3968,0,'Salex tax increase for roads','Yes, 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.','24.180.254.210',1376580976,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4225,0,3968,0,'state income tax','Fair and equal the more you make the more you should be willing to contribute for the benifit of all people ','24.11.161.12',1376531882,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4221,0,3968,0,'Sales tax','We 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. ','70.194.2.12',1376504081,0,1,'01/','','',''),(3843,0,3777,0,'Sell DIA Valuable Art Collection','In my opinion, the City of Detroit should sell its valuable DIA collection ONLY if it was actually in Bankruptcy Court and declared bankrupt, not before. Don\'t let the corrupt politicians, greedy Unions and Democrats who got them into this mess, off the hook!\r\n\r\n','66.227.203.204',1369823704,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4177,0,3937,0,'We 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\'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\'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!!\r\nThank you,\r\nRespectfully submitted by:\r\nRene\'e Jeffords','174.239.37.63',1375640396,0,1,'07/','','',''),(4174,0,3937,0,'Undecided','Not sure who would be the best candidate, but I\'ve lost confidence in Dave Camp.','50.33.220.232',1375612246,0,1,'06/','','',''),(4233,0,3962,0,'We need Calley, its people like these that we don\'t need.','We need Calley. He has done a great job and I agree with the last three comments. Hard to believe when he has the most knowledge about the government process. If we had anyone different we would still be in the same rut we were in 3 or 4 years ago. Its people like these tea party people and certain republican groups that we don\'t need. They have to find fault with everything and everyone. If we continue to fight amongst ourselves like this instead of getting behind our officials then the liberals will steal these places right out from under us and it will be all our own fault. This is what is wrong with our whole side of politics. And it doesn\'t have anything to do with \"saving our parties\" from horrible officials and what we don\'t know they do...I think we all truly know what they do and can tell who is genuine and who is not. That is how we decipher between people we hire, right? If we didn\'t like them we didn\'t vote for them its done all we can do is either fight which will cause strife and probability of losing the seat or we can get behind as much as we can personally. I am not talking about liberal officials or officials who have done something wrong or illegal but Calley hasn\'t done anything wrong and I bet you anyone else couldn\'t be doing a better job considering the pressure, false accusations, strife, ect. The problem isn\'t with Calley, its not just the liberals, its here in the little parties where we just continue to fight amongst ourselves instead of accomplishing things and fighting the liberals. If we would fight the liberals as much as we do in our own parties I think we would see a huge difference. So sad!','50.42.148.111',1376886784,0,1,'06/','','',''),(4205,0,3962,0,'Lt. Gov.','What 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. ','97.84.0.102',1376272435,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4214,0,3962,0,'It\'s not about Calley','The republican party has lost its identity and it is dying a slow death. When republicans can\'t see that there are significant differences between them and the liberals on the other side of the aisle it\'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\'t rock the boat; that things are getting better; and that we should just ignore the liberal agenda of our own party.\r\n\r\nThe truth is \"the people\" don\'t have a voice anymore  -- its the lobbyists and special interests with all their money and influence that have our legislators\' ears. The average voter can\'t compete with their power and influence and that\'s why the Tea Party was started.\r\n\r\nWe are made out to be the fringe wackos 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? \r\n\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\'s running mate unless the state party decides to change the rules before then. In my opinion that\'s what free speech and an open political process are all about. \r\n\r\nWhat the Tea Party is saying by potentially having a \"conservative\" replacement for Calley is that Governor Snyder is the real issue and there isn\'t anyone who is willing to take him on in the 2014 primary. \r\n\r\nIn the end the Republican Party needs to restore its core principles!','50.42.150.125',1376367496,0,1,'05/','','',''),(4213,0,3962,0,'Calley','This is the kind of thing that is destroying our party. Deal with the few things you don\'t like about our executives and get behind them or we\'re going to end up with another set of Dems in the capital!\r\n','50.105.91.210',1376354336,0,1,'04/','','',''),(4207,0,3962,0,'do not replace Lt Gov Calley! ','Our Gov & 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 & resources into reelecting them & 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, & 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. ','173.241.123.137',1376274425,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4152,0,3937,0,'Dave Camp for Levin\'s Seat','Dave Camp\'s willingness to work across the isle just says \"establishment\" 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 \"back to the Constitution\" 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.\r\n\r\nWe might as well have a Democrat as to end up with a \"democrate lite.\"','70.194.6.113',1375464405,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4153,0,3937,0,'Senate','Land is accusing Camp of being \"establishment\"? 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.  ','97.84.0.102',1375466323,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4154,0,3937,0,'Senate Race','Terry 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.','108.201.182.247',1375470733,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4042,0,3873,0,'Sign The Petition','I hope that people will sign the petition! Is it possible to have these available at the CCRP Summer BBQ?\r\n\r\nBob C.','66.227.203.204',1373318355,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4165,0,3937,0,'Someone else','Justin Amash needs to stay in the House.  We can\'t take the chance he will lose in the primary and be gone from congress entirely.  My choice is Dr. Rob Steele.','69.14.154.88',1375474193,0,1,'04/','','',''),(4166,0,3937,0,'Candidates','WE the people need a true conservative and we need to get rid of the rhinos!!!\r\nWe vote \"supposedly\" conservatives to Congress, and they vote liberal or moderate!! In the Mich. senate, we have the same problem!!!\r\nIda S.','107.46.95.97',1375476206,0,1,'05/','','',''),(4251,0,3998,0,'Three reasons not to increase speed limits','1. 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?. \r\n\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? \r\n\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. \r\n\r\n\r\n','97.84.0.102',1377270493,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4252,0,3998,0,'Speed Traps','Never 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.\r\n\r\nRick Jones ','198.109.173.45',1377281085,0,1,'04/','','',''),(4364,0,4059,0,'Defunding Obamacare','If the Republicrats vote to fund it, they own it.  They have the blood of dead babies, delayed care, rising costs, and the debt increase on their heads. A pox on them and I am done with them as a party. They are no different than the democrats. We gave them the House so they could defund, delay, and get rid of this monstrosity and if they have no guts to do what is right, I for one, am done.\r\nIda S.','173.146.246.0',1379271603,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4414,0,4114,0,'Term limits','They can get 14 years now. 2+2+2+6, 4+4+8== 14\r\n20 years total would be much better.\r\nChuck','24.236.196.67',1380833165,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4443,0,4141,0,'14th Amendment','The government will not default unless the government chooses to ignore the 14th amendment.  That said the Republicans need to hold strong.','162.108.25.101',1381771904,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4445,0,4141,0,'Default: Hold the Line or Cave, a False Premise','Personally, I think that the premise is faulty. It\'s the usual language of the left:  do what they want or the world falls apart. How about this: hold the line on raising the debt ceiling and cut and pay any debts from existing appropriations even if this means cutting expenses. And then hold expenses to what is already available.','98.250.180.46',1381821057,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4248,0,3998,0,'Speed limit increase','Most people already exceed the speed limit so there\'s no need to make these expensive changes!','50.33.204.167',1377190173,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4265,0,4007,0,'Obamacare Funding Vote','I am not at all a fan of Pres. Obama or his \"care\" , but the  premise of \" all\" is ignorant and disrespectful to the wishes of the constituents in each legislator\'s district. Each elected official must listen to and act on beheld of the greatest public good for all the people in their district. So/any legislator is first responsible .\r\n\r\nSadly, I can tell you first hand that this does not seem to occur in the case of ours.','198.228.228.155',1377434434,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4266,0,4007,0,'Obamacare','It seems odd that the people who didn’t vote for the defunding are in leadership positions. What\'s in it for them? Are they protecting their self interests and their positions? We the People elected them to vote what is best for their constituents and they ARE NOT doing that in many ways.\r\n\r\nI am extremely disappointed in Camp, Rogers, Upton and Miller. If they want to stop the destruction of our republic they need to get on board and do everything they can to stop the single most damaging federal program that was ever devised.\r\n\r\nIt’s time to elect people who will stand up for the constitution and what this country was founded upon. That\'s why we hold primaries. If people would only wake up and see what our elected officials are doing to us!\r\n','198.228.228.167',1377435313,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4301,0,4014,0,'My Response To: “This Is Not','My Response To: “This Is Not Even True and I”\r\n\r\nI don’t know where to start. If you don’t think that the lobbyists didn’t come out ahead and the Governor didn’t play a part in that happening in this whole debacle you don’t have any understanding of politics and all the back door dealing that takes place.\r\n\r\nWhy have essentially ALL of the republican organizations and elected officials been against Medicaid Expansion  and the effects it will have on Michigan and the people who will go on Medicaid because of it. \r\n\r\nIt’s because Obamacare and anything associated with it is unsustainable. Michigan in the end will pay the price by having to carry the burden of the costs for the program after the federal dollars stop coming in. Additionally, how do we know that the federal government will continue to subsidize the program after initial 100% funding ceases. We don’t know that they will and the President has already stated himself that the program is unsustainable. The impact on Michigan will be devastating economically!\r\n\r\nAs far as the Governor is concerned I seriously question his republican credentials. He is not a conservative in many ways and has shown that in many of the positions he has taken on issues and legislation that go against what the majority of the republican base believe. \r\n\r\nI think if the truth be known he was considering what party banner to run under in 2010 before he chose the republican party. I would guess that he ran as a republican because he knew that in the primary he could win because there were 4 conservatives that had name recognition in the party and and then him, a relative unknown, on the ballot. The conservatives split the vote among the “real republican” voters and Snyder got the vote of the democrats, independents, and liberals that crossed over to disrupt the republican primary.\r\n\r\nI ask, don’t you think it’s odd that, Senator Emmons and Represenative Leonard were both against it and the majority of republicans in both the house and senate caucuses were against passage of the Medicaid expansion and the only way to get it passed was to pick off republicans who could be “bought” or “influenced”.\r\n\r\nIf you are so naive to think these types of things don’t happen you live in a fantasy world. Politics is a tough business and all to often principles are compromised. A direct quote I heard Lt. Governor Calley make was that, “Sometimes you have to compromise your principles” to get things done.\r\n\r\nThat should tell you how deals are made. We will never know what happened and what kind of deals were made but I promise you deals were made, as they always are -- and in this case it wasn’t in the best interest of Michigan’s residents.\r\n\r\nI worked for the legislature for over 30 years! I know what happens behind closed doors, do you? I research the issues, take my positions, and make my comments based upon facts -- do you?\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that our state and country need to elect constitutional conservatives to office that will be “men and women of principle” and I will say and do all I can to accomplish that goal. \r\n\r\nSteve Willis\r\n','198.228.228.158',1377700202,0,0,'02/','','',''),(4296,0,4014,0,'This is not even true and I','This is not even true and I would like to know where you get your information, Stephen Willis. The governor has not padded the lobbyists pockets. we know you like to think that and get everyone to believe you but it\'s not true cause is illegal and the governor is not that kind of man. My personal belief is different than the way the vote went but I can see both sides. The governor is trying to keep the interest of the people in mind as this passing is the cheapest way and will help our Michigan businesses. we all do what we think is the best for the groups we are in charge of abs he truly feels this will be the best for us. we don\'t know for sure every detail so we really can\'t make judgements until we have read and understood the bill and why so many wanted it.i suggest maybe you all the governor why he wanted it before treating him apart. You really don\'t know the whole story. Hope your will go ask him and heat the whole reasoning.','50.33.200.107',1377684670,0,0,'01/','','',''),(4420,0,4114,0,'term limits','I am sorry, but I would limit them even more. There are plenty of good people to form a citizen legislature if those currently serving are not happy with their terms. We voted. Leave the term limits alone!! These legislators need to SERVE US and then go out and live under the regulations and laws and taxes they have imposed on us!!!\r\nIda Salisbury','107.35.214.228',1380913732,0,1,'04/','','',''),(4343,0,4036,0,'Consequences for biased teaching AND BEHAVIOR IN ANY COURSE','I have a problem with the question as currently stated. Universities should hold all professors/instructors accountable for their biased teaching AND BEHAVIOR in ANY college course including a course that IS related to political content and/or when the bias involves political matters, beliefs, political parties, associations, religion, ethnicity, any demographic characteristic, bullying, intimidation, etc in ANY course. Political content is precisely one of the most likely areas in which wacko profs/instructors go off with their bias, bullying and false information and it may or may not be related to the course. \r\n\r\nThe Prof who recently went on a rant at MSU to bully and intimidate students to his way way of thinking about  Republicans and Conservatives, etc and political  issues that he falsely claimed about them did so in a Creative Writing class. He not only intimidated conservative students to realize they were not academically free to state their conservative views orally or in writing in this Creative Writing class, but he also spewed false information about Republicans which could cause those students to question or change their beliefs. Similarly, the rant, false information and hate speech about Republicans and Conservatives impacts how the liberal students and non-political students think and act about Republicans and Conservatives including their fellow students. ','97.84.0.102',1378672329,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4365,0,4059,0,'Obama Care','You may not agree with all the Republican policies but those who say that the Democrats are no better than the Republicans are foolish. I understand the frustration but Obama vs Romney or McCain gives you two different countries and outcomes.  Grandholm vs Snyder, two different states.\r\n\r\nEven if Republicans get in charge, they cannot do all that we want.  Get the most conservative person and policy than can get elected and then keep working.  All the in fighting is counter productive unless you want to live in a cave and watch the country dissolve. ','35.10.203.224',1379352335,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4383,0,4085,0,'Sen. Green\'s bill','While I support the premise of this legislation, I hesitate to say that this bill in its current form should be supported.  I am not fully comfortable transferring the licensing authority to the state police.  I would need a very good explanation of why this is a good idea to change my mind - my initial reaction is that we don\'t want the state police telling us who can and cannot have a concealed weapon. They are too unaccountable to the people.','72.44.110.241',1379979270,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4382,0,4085,0,'Senator Green\'s Bill','Having teachers and other school administrators trained to carry guns would make schools safer in my opinion.   However I could not support this bill because it will transfer responsibility for the gun boards to the Michigan State Police.  I would rather have that handled locally with the \"constitutionally elected sheriff\".  Little by little, the local jurisdictions are being stripped of their powers and it is being ransferred to larger \"districts\".  In time, the local citizens, when they have a concern or problem, will have to deal with someone they do not know and who has not been elected by them..  ','70.194.1.120',1379962465,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4398,0,4102,0,'Hold for a year on Obamacare','If not now, when? This is the last chance. Those 25 traitors in the senate need to be sent off to retirement!!\r\nIda S.','107.45.74.114',1380494185,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4412,0,4114,0,'12 year combined','I have voted NO to a combined service because I believe any limits should be even higher.','68.42.88.45',1380823062,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4413,0,4036,0,'Biased Teaching','A teacher should be able to use any resources that they wish to teach a course. If it is a poly. Sci. course, an instructor should be able to share \"In my opinion\" about an event in the government, as long as it is not the only thing the students here. To be a well rounded and educated person, people must hear all the stories and news about both sides of the coin.','66.219.126.132',1380826585,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4250,0,3998,0,'Speed limits.','Until 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.','173.241.114.206',1377213918,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4483,0,4153,0,'2 answers','Term limit increase = no\r\nRestriction on lobbying = yes','24.231.202.234',1382027931,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4372,0,4068,0,'Water Bottles, etc having deposits.','Makes sense to me!!  Might help a bit with the litter.','70.194.0.31',1379530217,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4419,0,4114,0,'Term limits','The people have spoken on this. Bills such as this where our elected officials think that they are smarter then the rest of us peons is why term limits were put into place. \r\n','50.42.146.238',1380904120,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4644,0,4170,0,'Smoking in car. ','At face value, this seems to make good sense. But what\'s next? Police able to enter your home and make arrests for smoking?. And  only tobacco but its OK to smoke pot in the car with your kids? This is a personal liberty issue,  good choice or not. It certainly shouldn\'t be $500 fine. How about stronger enforcement t of more hazardous habits, like repeat drunk drivers and texting while driving.This is nanny state overreach, and you would think Rep. Singh would devote his energy and experience toward higher priorities. ','98.250.239.0',1382659402,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4687,0,1437,0,'It\'s not a \"political agenda\"','It\'s not a \"political agenda\" he\'s supporting, he\'s supporting a program that Congress voted into law and one they even went out of the way to actually fund, unlike Obama\'s predecessors. It\'s not political agenda, it\'s government agenda - get the programs that are law in front of the people.\r\n\r\nAND if it\'s to counteract the lies and hatred and disinformation the Right has thrown across the board like so much manure, then all the more reason to need to campaign and counter the disinformation juggernaut the wealthy right has created.','72.208.215.20',1382918041,0,0,'01/','','',''),(4688,0,1437,0,'Oh, moderated. My comment','Oh, moderated. My comment will never see the light of day.','72.208.215.20',1382918067,0,0,'02/','','',''),(4711,0,4190,0,'Consequences for not not passing 3rd grade reading Meap, or not?','No? We shouldn\'t hold back 3rd graders who don\'t pass the 3rd grade reading MEAP? What, pray tell are grades and exams for if you think not? Just keep moving them forward until very quickly they are in deep water and can\'t swim and will never swim? Reading IS fundamental. There should also be consequences for teachers whose students can\'t read and schools whose teachers can\'t teach students to read. Flunk them. Fire them. Close them down.   ','98.250.180.46',1383266516,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4675,0,4178,0,'Should Congress be exempt from mandates? ','The Constitution says \"equal protection of the laws\". Equal NOT Exempt from the laws, not special laws, it says \"equal\". This is the hallmark of the United States and it applies to EVERYONE: Congress, President, Vice President, Supreme Court, Cabinet Members, Everyone. ','98.250.180.46',1382796923,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4677,0,4178,0,'Absolutely!','Absolutely! ','198.228.228.175',1382809188,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4678,0,4178,0,'Amendment','I thought we already had that amendment!!\r\nIda S.','173.159.52.6',1382826046,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4679,0,4178,0,'Rand Paul Bill to Deny special Exemptions for Congress','I think his bill is great.  Our  President is not a Monarch.  Reality is that the bill will not get passed.  Money and power matter most to the people in Washington--with a few exceptions.  ','70.210.68.3',1382827442,0,1,'04/','','',''),(4649,0,4170,0,'smoking in a vehicle with children','Please state of MI. JUST LEAVE US ALONE.  Federal Govt. PLEASE JUST LEAVE US ALONE. Why can\'t you just leave us alone.\r\nIda S.','173.159.66.172',1382665859,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4714,0,4190,0,'3rd grade students!','If we can get them to read better, it will cost us less in the long run.\r\nThe SCHOOLS will say, we must give them more money, so we can do a better job of teaching.  What did they do with the money we already gave them?\r\nWe could just pass them to the next grade and so on until they graduate the 12 grade.  We would just have a larger bunch of dummies. \r\nMy grandson goat a F in algebra and his father made him take the class over again. My grandson said he would still get credit for the Algebra class with  and F grade.   \r\nAl.','24.236.196.67',1383338569,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4772,0,4213,0,'Chris Christie','Although he is pro-life and stands up to the unions I\'m a little wary of any candidate that the mainstream media is pushing so hard.','70.210.66.52',1383830929,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4773,0,4205,0,'If the question was:  -how','If the question was:  -how many different perversions are there?\r\n\r\nAnswer: probably an infinite number given the depravity of man. and his/her\r\n tendency to justify anything.','70.210.66.52',1383831216,0,0,'01/','','',''),(4770,0,4213,0,'Chris Christie','Chris Christie is \"democrat lite\".    If Christie managed to get elected (unlikely against Hillary), he would not govern as a true Reagan conservative.  What we would end up with is the same progressive agenda but at a slower pace.  I would prefer a  constitutionally conservative candidate for the Republican nominee.','70.210.64.170',1383783183,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4771,0,4211,0,'The Dems who supported','The Dems who supported Christie in New Jersey will surely support the Dem candidate in a national election.  The only way the Republicans have any chance of getting their candidate in the White House is if all conservatives close ranks and VOTE for the Republican candidate.  If conservatives stay away from the polls because the Republican candidate isn\'t conservative enough, there is NO CHANCE Republicans will ever win the White House.  ','184.63.239.30',1383784294,0,0,'02/','','',''),(4797,0,4223,0,'What is his purpose?  Leave','What is his purpose?  Leave us with a wossie military? Leave us no leadership in the military?  Put these Generals in his own national military?  Don\'t know what he is doing!!\r\nIda S.','108.116.202.241',1384197001,0,0,'01/','','',''),(4798,0,4220,0,'Freedom of Information Act amendments','There is a cost of government as well as providing services for searching for, reviewing, copying, and providing records to requestors.  Public bodies are not libraries, and house many confidential records and information about a host of subjects.  If the public expects a public body to act as a library, with research assistance as well as still keeping certain information protected, i.e., social security numbers, home addresses and phone numbers, medical, etc., expect for taxpayers to foot the bill for separating the material so some and fewer individuals can request access to records and \"browse\" indiscriminately at the cost of the taxpayers as a whole.  The Bill\'s contents provide no meaningful cost recovery  for fishing expeditions at YOUR cost.  If everyone were to place requests for a sundry of records or information, and the FOIA provisions on timeliness (5-day response) remain unchanged, you also will be looking at increased personnel needs or forego critical and primary service functions while chasing the \"fish.\"\r\n\r\n','74.82.68.145',1384207670,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4824,0,4234,0,'Tax credits for college students...','I believe student tax credits should be equal to the subsidies that Farmers in the State of Michigan receive for set asides,  taking their land off the tax rolls so it will not be \"developed\" or getting paid by the State & Feds to plant or not plant specific crops amongst the many, many other programs that John Q. Public do not even know about.  Add to that all of the local governments that refuse to consolidate services to protect their \"fiefdoms\" and continue to give themselves raises using appointed compensation commissions while other people are losing their jobs or getting their hours cut.  There was an advertisement on TV in the early 70\'s, \"To get a good job, you need a good education\",  promoting people going to college.  Due to our agricultural & industrial job base in this State at that time, and really to this date,  statistics & studies show that Michigan falls in the lower end of the \"educated workforce\" scale.  Give the students the tax credit or give them a job... then go after the real people that are \"fleecing\" the taxpayers of this State.','71.206.110.185',1384619871,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4826,0,4243,0,'EPA Regulating Wood Burners','What next?  Gov\'t already tells us what kind of bulbs to use; what car gas consumption per mile must be; amount of water showers and flush toilets can consume;  maximum temperature of water our clothes washers will be capable of having available at the point it enters the washer. On and on and on!!! United States Gov\'t is treating citizens like children who do not know how to make decisions for themselves. With Common Core \"training\" our children, it will probably come to a time when citizens do not even notice that we are becoming more socialist all the time.','70.210.71.62',1384638655,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4811,0,4234,0,'Student Loan Tax Credits','At the Federal, State\' City, & County level there are too many taxes, tax credits (a.k. a. loopholes) and other policies that marry citizens to government programs. Let\'s develop comprehensive policies that facilitate/enable citizens to pay their own way in every arena & get more of us off of one public dole or the other so that we become more self-supporting and self-governing. The mentality that propels government to be  \"rescue ranger\" to  many citizens so that we don\'t shoulder our own responsibilities for ourselves, our extended families & our neighbors!! It is the government entity that creates governmental dependence in its citizenry! Fred Nose','98.243.215.53',1384448043,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4814,0,4234,0,'Credit for College Loans','I am not in favor of tax credits to get students to stay in Michigan.  What our legislature needs to do is get out of the way of the free enterprise system so that its easier for businesses to make a dollar.  Government rules and regulations hamper business growth.  If the businesses grow, they will hire more employees and not hold back on salaries.\r\n\r\nIn addition, I believe giving this tax break will encourage more student  loans.    The students are getting fleeced.  As loans get easier to attain, the colleges raise tuition.   Debt increases beyond what would ever have been viewed as reasonable even a few years ago. There has been no increase in outcome of higher education.  \r\n\r\nBut, the main reason I would oppose this move to give tax credits is that its just one more thing that causes taxpayer dollars to be given to others who the Gov\'t have decided need it or \"deserve\" it.   That is not government\'s role.','70.210.71.62',1384466054,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4828,0,4243,0,'Wood burning ban','No. Or I should say, \" Hell No!\" ','24.11.160.212',1384647687,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4955,0,4293,0,'Smoking Outside Restaurants & Bars','I do not smoke and in fact detest the odor it creates.\r\n\r\nHowever, it is NOT government\'s role to mandate to private business what the owner can or cannot allow in his establishment.  As long as smoking is not illegal, gov\'t should not interfere with management. Too many rules and regulations     Consumers will decide whether or not they wish to frequent an establishment where smoking is allowed by management. If one does not like the smoking, he will vote with his feet.','70.210.70.83',1386598227,0,1,'01/','','',''),(4958,0,4293,0,'Smoking is outdoor areas ','I do not smoke either, but believe a business owner should be able to decide how they want to run their own establishment!  The public can then decide whether they want to go there.  ','24.180.77.194',1386622558,0,1,'02/','','',''),(4959,0,4293,0,'I\'m a non-smoker and I think','I\'m a non-smoker and I think a restaurant is private property and the owner should be able to decide if they want to allow smoking outside and/or inside.  I will decide if I want to patronize a restaurant.','24.231.202.234',1386639246,0,1,'03/','','',''),(4989,0,4311,0,'Discontined Use of Landlines','And replace them with what, cell phones? Currently there remains several parts of the state where cell phone reception is abhorid. I would hate to have to rely on emergency services using a cell phone in these areas. I don\'t see why landline service needs to be replaced as some internet services, frontier being one, still use the phone lines for there service. I can see why AARP is against this bill. I am 55 years old, am computer savey, yet am relunctant to use, nor do I own, a cell phone. What is the service/cost difference between landlines and its replacement? ','50.33.207.63',1386965072,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5134,0,4170,0,'Please ban smoking in the car and homes with children','people need to realize that smoking is killing our kids and when I leave this earth I want my kids to breathe and healthy. You not losing your rights! We losing our kids and second smoking is effecting a lot people so I agree to pass the law but $500 is too much for fine. It make sick how people think about their self and not think about our children health :(','75.128.114.102',1388639646,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5138,0,4350,0,'Infant Safe Sleep Law','It seems to me that all such a law woulld accomplish is for some grieving parent to be arrested and charged because he/she  had a baby that died while sleeping in an \"unauthorized\" position.  It does not take a village( as Hillary Clinton said it does) to raise a child.\r\n\r\nWhen will the bureaucrats stop with the idea that they have power over every aspect of our lives!!  ','70.210.66.238',1388779894,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5136,0,4350,0,'Infant safe sleep law','This is ridiculous proposing such a law.  Why not educate people in grammar school or high school on how to read and how to learn.  We have the whole internet at people\'s disposal plus parenting classes options if they want to know this.  ','35.10.203.224',1388692021,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5151,0,4350,0,'Infant sleep act','This is another good reason we need a part-time legislature.  PLEASE  get out of our lives and leave us alone!!! \r\nIda S.','108.116.135.25',1388883499,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5155,0,4359,0,'tax rate','Lower the rate if you are lowering the tax.  Keeping it simple keeps it equitable.','23.28.66.123',1389034031,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5156,0,4359,0,'Not smart, and not Republican','The \"pension tax\" is actually an exemption for public sector pensions that, you guessed it, the rest of us do not receive. Now that the public sector has a large gap in its favor in benefits, including pensions, it is inconceivable that we would allow the much-higher pension income for the public sector to the income-tax-free, while making small business persons and other pay taxes on theirs.\r\n\r\nPlease take note, legislators.','69.129.149.186',1389036839,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5154,0,4350,0,'Safe Sleep','The ideas behind this law are great. However, they need to be spread through family, church, community and educational organizations.  This is an example of the expansion of the literal \"nanny state\".  It also is an eroding of the responsibility and privilege of family and is not part of any giant legal arena.  If this were followed the next would an open door to every detail of life.  Ormand Hook, Mecosta County','24.236.206.114',1389015048,0,1,'04/','','',''),(5160,0,4359,0,'Pension Tax was on ALL','The last comment is NOT correct.  Ask any money manager.  Your 401K could be annuitized and then was treated just like a \"pension\" in Michigan Law.  The pension tax was a tax increase on ALL seniors.  \r\n\r\nEven John Nixon stated we could change the Michigan Business Tax and balance the budget without placing more taxes on the seniors.\r\n\r\nThis bill IS very Republican.\r\n\r\nIt was a mistake by the Governor and will cost republican seats.','198.109.173.45',1389105292,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5161,0,4359,0,'Senior Tax','The so called pension tax was also available on other types of retirement funds.  The Michigan Tax system allowed an annuity to be treated as pension tax.  This was a tax increase for all retired people.  The Homestead exemption was cut on the middle class.  It need to be restored and the pension tax stopped. ','64.134.174.161',1389137045,0,1,'04/','','',''),(5164,0,4371,0,'Budget Surplus','This poll/survey does not provide sufficient information nor would an average voter be in position to gather enough data in order to make a well-informed decision. The best that it does is reflect how extensive and complex State government has become. A responder would at least need criteria for prioritizing the possibilities herein listed. And, we do not know  what  the most pressing needs are in order to prioritize those needs. I would expect the appropriate House and Senate committees and their staffs along with the relevant department heads to spend a whole lot of time researching and reviewing all of the data necessary to draw the necessary conclusions to form such a spending plan. Fred Nose','98.243.215.53',1389208832,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5165,0,4371,0,'What to do with a $Billion Tax Surplus: REFUND IT.  ','What do you do when you pay someone too much? You get a refund and you shouldn\'t have to ask for it. You don\'t suggest other ways for them to spend what they weren\'t entitled to receive/keep.  Billion Dollar excess and the possible answers only include various spending schemes and other? Where was the option of : \" Refund the excess taxes to the people who paid more in taxes than was need.\"\r\n\r\nMy vote for \"other\" is intended to mean \"refund it\". Republicans refund excess taxes. Democrats just keep it and spend it on something not budgeted. Well, actually Democrats don\'t have excess taxes.','98.250.180.46',1389214218,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5251,0,4170,0,'Does anybody know anybody','Does anybody know anybody that has died of second hand smoke? Poor choice of using resources that can be better spent elsewhere.','141.214.17.224',1389447017,0,1,'04/','','',''),(5253,0,4382,0,'This is not a good idea','Term limits have been good for Michigan. Since they passed in 1992, we have had two good governors (Engler, Snyder), one bad one (you guess), and a series of R-dominated legislatures. Only during the Granholm days did we fall back, and man did we ever. \r\n\r\nFormer legislators are not, repeat not, starving in the streets or unable to find jobs. Most are doing more useful things now than before. And, we are getting good candidates for higher office.\r\n\r\n','69.129.149.186',1389638897,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5254,0,4382,0,'Term Limit Change','While I might like a constitutional conservative having the option to get his or her term extended, past practice has proven that for 90 percent of the legislature more time spent in Lansing means more time to forget why the citizens of their district elected them.  Are they so undereducated that it takes them 6 or 8 years to learn the job?  Private business would not tolerate just a long break-in time.\r\n\r\nAnything that prolongs their stay just gives them more time to get cozy with the lobbyists.  I don\'t mean to indict all politicians but as they say \"if the shoe fits, wear it.\"','70.210.64.136',1389639083,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5255,0,4382,0,'term limits','I do not believe we should change term limits.  We the people voted put them in place for a reason, to be able to get rid of the free loaders of our tax money. Without term limits, it was very hard to get these people out and term limits has worked well.  There are always good new people in Mich. to run for office.\r\nIda S.','108.116.154.245',1389666209,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5250,0,4377,0,'Additional Child Tax Credit','I\'m not clear on something. Does this mean that the \"worker\"  \"tax-payer\" needs to show a social security card in order to claim the tax credit or does it mean that a social security number for each child also needs to be listed? I\'m in favor of the requirement that both need to be recorded to claim the tax credit.','98.250.180.46',1389437555,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5260,0,4395,0,'everything','To hell with the federal government and their foolishness','75.107.155.48',1389828056,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5268,0,4406,0,'$350M Detroit Bailout','There is little doubt that the State will be finding ways to help Detroit, whether they will all be in plain sight remains to be seen.  I think there are some things that we will probably have to do.  However, the time is not now.  This week, I learned from a creditable source that the DIA assets have been valued in excess of $4B!!  Thats a \"B\" for \"Billion\".  The reports of $500M in assets are only the ones they have appraised to date.  I think they would still have a nice collection if it was sold down to $500M in total.','64.25.199.1',1390169356,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5269,0,4406,0,'Detroit','Let them solve their own problems.  It\'s not the responsibility of the rest of Michigan.  They can sell their art collections-they obviously do not deserve to own them.','75.107.155.48',1390171018,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5270,0,4406,0,'350 Million Bailout for Detroit','Absolutely no bailout.  Furthermore, the art should not be a protected asset.\r\n\r\nUntil the culture changes in that town, even 100% bailout will not save them.  The \"give me\" mentality is most of what has caused this situation to develop.   Large cities in the United States who are facing possible bankruptcy have had Democrats in  control for years. Its not moral to take from the productive population and give to the unproductive. ','70.210.71.8',1390173714,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5274,0,4417,0,'Dave Agema Should Not Resign','Political correctness has brought us to the point where no one is able to make statements of their stance on issues or ideas without risking being taken out of office or made out to be a villain.  I may not totally agree with Dave Agema on everything but at least he is honest and does not try to determine which way the wind is blowing before he states a position.  I am tired of our elected officials hiding behind the mantle of \"political correctness\".  We have elections for a reason.  Since no crime has been committed , I would favor letting the man we elected stay.  \r\n\r\n','70.210.69.165',1390407061,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5275,0,4417,0,'Dave Aegma','The issue before the Repubican Party should be not money, but truth.  While these comments might appear insensitve or not civil, our country was founded upon the right to speak one\'s mind.  The first of the Sons of Liberty to say, \"Let\'s stand up to England\" was saying something that politically incorrect, that was not civil, and that was insensitive.  \r\n\r\nWhenever anyone --- be it an individual or a group ---chooses to either fund or to defund a cause based upon one person\'s statement, it is a reaction based upon narrw mindedness.  Our nation was founded by ideals; out Constitution was framed by people of many, many differing views.  They all worked through these differences to frame a Constitution.  \r\n\r\nIt is appalling that the Republican Party should bow to the whims of a few people whose only apparently concern is how the Republicans appear.  Mr. Aegma should be allowed to express his views on whatever, wherever.  And then he, in all divility, should openly state that his personal opinion does not affect his job, that he will lead the Republican Party based upon the party\'s platform.  \r\n\r\nWhat we are creating here is like the Communist state that the Soviet Union once was:  a place where one was unable to speak one\'s mind, where one was unable to take a picture of anything one wanted, and where one was unable to express an opinion.  God help us all.  Each one of us is different; each one of us holds differing opinions.  Let\'s be wise enough to see the difference between an individual\'s beliefs and an indivdiual\'s work quality and ethics.  \r\n  ','50.33.177.21',1390411757,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5276,0,4417,0,'Dave Agema','The Bible said it, they will have itching ears and no longer be able to stand the truth. Sad, that is where we are. Republicans, before you lose all the conservatives, wake up!!! Pursue the truth and speak the truth, before you are no longer able!!\r\nIda S.','108.116.178.236',1390417576,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5278,0,4417,0,'Agema was ELECTED. His positions agree with the GOP Platform. ','What\'s the fuss? What\'s the nasty hysteria about Agema?  He was Elected as Committeeman. His positions are consistent with the GOP Platform. He IS conservative. He IS NOT rude. He IS NOT hateful. Whoever doesn\'t like him, should just run someone against him next time and whoever wins, wins. Substantially more damage is being done to the Republican party, brand, image, morale and the ability to beat the Dems in 2014 and 2016 by party leaders who are acting as rude as Democrats to those who are in the conservative wing of the Republican party - - and this includes Tea Party, Libertarian, Christian, and Pro-Life. Party leaders need to figure out how to expand the party based on the principles of the GOP without losing the conservative wing and without sounding like MSNBC. - - Stephanie Whitbeck ','98.250.180.46',1390421712,0,1,'04/','','',''),(5279,0,4417,0,'Agema','I am informed that there is an orchestrated CAMPAIGN to ask officials to come out opposed to Dave Agema and to force him to resign. You can expect more. Money and the need for it to get elected/re-elected unfortunately can change people. I generally do not greatly appreciate the acts of some when they buy or rent other people or politicians, or hold much respect for people who are for sale. Dave, regroup, reflect, tweak your message but please do not step down!  \r\nSeeing the RNC agenda this week some of the \"establishment\" are trying to push through stiffer rules stifling grass roots expression, similar to what the RSC has been doing earlier this month and before the last few state conventions. I can understand those who would want to stifle or defeat those who champion the grass roots from being a bump in their road. \r\n++Having talked to Dave a few times in the last several days I know he has no bigotry but has a genuine concern for those being affected by a promiscuous lifestyle he thinks is endangering them. He needs to express that out of love and concern in a way that those who might shoot the messenger have no ammunition. \r\nLikewise the concern for a growing Sharia foothold in Michigan, and elsewhere. The Arab people, as I recall it, are of the same base roots as those of the Jewish and Judeo/Christian traditions. Some are Jewish, some Muslim, some Christian, some of other or no religion. I pray the issue is not one of heritage.  Dastardly deeds have been committed over history by people espousing all of these religious and non-religious principles. In all but a few exceptions the problems are not the tenets of faith, but those who practice extreme measures in enforcing it. One exception is the faith that orders adherents to mutilate or kill those they cannot convert or subjugate. See Quran 2.191, 2.193, 2.216, 2.244, 5.33. Even here, most of the violence is called for in defense or retribution.    \r\n++I have had friends, acquaintances, employees and clients of that faith whom I liked and appreciated, one inspiring me to read the Quran from cover to cover. The nations controlled by fundamentalists of that faith do not allow freedom of religion. The brutality against people of other faiths in those lands, are well noted. We allow a mosque at the base of the previous World Trade Center but taking a Bible to the Saudi Kingdom can be a death sentence. It is shameful when America and some in our establishment overlook this dichotomy or stifle those who will speak about it. It is brave that one of us will. \r\n++We believe in America that religious freedom is a fundamental premise of our Nation, its founding principles and documents. It is embodied in our Constitution. The problem is not those of Arab heritage. Many are great people and have contributed greatly to this Country. The problem is zealots who would destroy those who will not accept barbaric rule under a caliphate that imposes Sharia law. Again, it is important that the message be honed, not snuffed. Sharia law subjugates the female to an uneducated servile sub-human fate. The GOP errs if it turns a deaf ear to that reality. There are many responsible members of that faith who are great contributors to the GOP and our Nation. To do so they have had to ignore or suppress certain passages in the scriptures of their faith. We can work with that.\r\nThe GOP lost 60% of the female and youth vote last election, 94% of the black vote, 71% of the Hispanic vote. We do not have to adhere to every same precise measure or tactic to value what we agree with and work together on that. We do not have to change fundamental principles to gain support. A mushy fuzzy pastel message will certainly confuse, lose support and encourage people to stay home. \r\n++Ronald Reagan carried 49 states with clear, crisp, bold primary colors as he held out in a conservative message, hope for that great American opportunity and principles that made our Nation great. This is the winning formula. Reagan carried most of the constituencies that have left the GOP because is has not governed to its stated principles. Let’s get back to that winning message. Dave must stay, or the MRP and RNC loses a great voice for We The People and IMHO, will lose thousands of volunteer hours for its candidates this year.\r\n','50.124.24.32',1390429996,0,1,'05/','','',''),(5291,0,4432,0,'Online registration & NO REASON absentee voting','It is no surprise that Byrum would come out in favor of these changes  to the election law now that she is being considered as Schauers running mate. Democrats need all the votes they can get from people who don\'t have a clue of who they are voting for -- they just want to continue to be on the government dole.\r\n\r\nIt is disgraceful that MOST VOTERS don\'t know who they are voting for once you get beyond the top of the ticket which is a travesty. Now we want to make voter fraud easier? The next show to drop will be online voting. When we get to that point the game is truly over.\r\n\r\nThe democrats are all about fairness - but what about accountability? They don\'t want anyone to have to show a picture ID and want same day registration and voting.\r\n\r\nAs the protections against voter fraud are chipped away year after year we can rest assured that elections will be dominated by those who know best how to manipulate the the process - and the democrats are the professionals in that area.\r\n\r\nThe sad things is that Michigan\'s Secretary of State  Ruth Johnson is in agreement with Byrum.\r\n\r\nAs democrats say \"vote early and vote often\"!\r\n\r\n','50.33.206.145',1390834774,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5292,0,4432,0,'on-line voting','Absolutely not . . . .  \r\n\r\nIf the Democrats believe that there are people who cannot get out to vote, I would prefer to see moneyspent to shuttle people to the polls.  ','50.33.180.71',1390835836,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5293,0,4434,0,'With all the Michigan','With all the Michigan unemployed youth I\'d like him to explain his logic.-Lamonte\r\n','23.28.66.123',1390838679,0,0,'01/','','',''),(5294,0,4432,0,'No reason absentee voting','In a society of completely honorable people this would be a wonderful convenience and should be adopted. However, we are not so far removed from dishonest operation of the election process that we should ignore history. How easy would it be for political bosses to collect the absentee ballots, fill them out and then have the \"voter\" send them in?\r\n\r\nJohnson stole the primary for senator in Texas with graveyard votes. Chicago stole the election for Kennedy. Let\'s not make it easier for the thugs.','75.129.119.238',1390851721,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5295,0,4432,0,'Online Registration & No Reason','Sure, let\'s devalue voting more by allowing proxy voting, or maybe letting your dog do it for you, or better yet, let\'s allow dogs to vote.  No wonder there are growing groups of people who do not appreciate the right to vote and how precious it really is.  ','68.42.88.45',1390852897,0,1,'04/','','',''),(5299,0,4447,0,'it\'s a slippery slide to','it\'s a slippery slide to communism ! keep WATCHING AS TO WHAT \"US\" REPUBLICANS DO RE \"ILLEGAL \"\r\nIMMIGRATION !! ie Medicaid  Expansion, \r\nALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR EVIL TO PREVAIL IS THAT GODD MEN AND WOMEN ....DO NOTHING !\r\nSir Edmond Burk','107.5.71.80',1391143128,0,0,'01/','','',''),(5311,0,4488,0,'ID to purchase food stamps and voting','This is a no brainer.  The NAACP, just had a protest rally about ID\'s required for voting and they required all in attendance to produce a valid picture ID.   The government can pay to have the picture (taken when applicant applies), and provide this on the Food Stamp Card.  Many require photo ID with your credit card, this is no different during check out. \r\n\r\nThis then provides another photo ID for voting.  Reduction in fraud would pay for the whole thing.  Well worth it.  Don\'t know how anyone who is sane can argue against it!!!!!  \r\n\r\n','35.8.80.66',1392056318,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5317,0,4488,0,'Require Photo ID','One on the other comments stated we don\'t need excessive laws and regulations that limit our \"Liberty\", and I totally agree with that sentiment. The problem is that he/she misses the point when he/she ignores the fact that the misuse and abuse of \"Food Stamp\" benefits is a wasteful use of fiscal resources.\r\n\r\nPassing a law that stops fraud and abuse is a good law and would be a responsible move on the part of congress.','50.33.209.176',1392214678,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5315,0,4488,0,'Photo ID','My problem with all of these new laws is that every time you pass a new law you take a freedom away somewhere down the road and the end result is a stronger, stronger and more overpowering centralized government.  America did not become the the greatest nation in history by legislating everything under the sun, to the contrary it is the lack of regulation and the taxation that tends to accompany regulation, that truly promotes freedom and or Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness! \r\n\r\n\"WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE NEW LAWS\"!','97.83.15.40',1392211890,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5174,0,4371,0,'surplus','I am in complete agreement with the previous posting:  the money should be refunded to the hard working citzens of Michigan who basically paid more than the government needed.  Liken the governmental budget to a personal budget:  when the times are tough, the people who pay the bills have to cut back; when the times are good, the people who pay the bills have a splurge, or a windfall.  The people who pay the bills, let\'s be clear, are not the legislators who allocate money:  it is the citizens of Michigan who earned this money.  They suffer from cutbacks; they ough to be the direct people who profit from this \"windfall.\"  ','50.33.177.21',1389272264,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5219,0,4371,0,'Possible Surplus','IF the surplus materializes, we need to put it in several spots. Of course, put some in the rainy-day fund. But also, fund those areas that we have cut and are in need. We cut on the basis of not having it to spend with a promise that once things turn around, we can adequately fund emergency services, etc. So, let\'s keep our word and do it. There must be some benefit felt or people will begrudge it and we will lose credibility and elections. Use some common sense!\r\n\r\nRod C.\r\n','71.13.232.176',1389280415,0,1,'04/','','',''),(5436,0,4544,0,'Part time legislature','With a part time legislature and fewer staff, what will be the impact of lobbyists and lobbyist/lawyers who are already leading them by the nose?','98.250.180.46',1394135769,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5558,0,4568,0,'Sales tax','Didn\'t Governor Engler raise the sales tax from 4% to 6% when he was in office for the road repairs?  Where\'s that 2% going now?  It never ends!!  ','69.36.59.141',1395799413,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5494,0,4568,0,'Raise the sales tax from 6 to 7%','WE the people do not want any of our taxes raised. Why doesn\'t the Rhino Gov. go to visit Scott Walker in Wisconsin and follow his model.  They have a surplus and are cutting taxes to their citizens.  DO ANY OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES EVER THINK ABOUT CUTTING SPENDING ELSEWHERE TO PAY FOR ROAD REPAIR??? How about the Representatives pay, vacations, health care, and pensions. Sick of the fact that we have a bunch of rhinos in the house and senate and we need tea party conservatives to fix the mess!!! Stop Spending our MONEY!!\r\nI. Salisbury','108.116.176.74',1395276352,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5443,0,4544,0,'PART TIME LEGISLATURE ? REGULATORY REFORM ?','THE GREATER QUESTION IS \"WHERE ARE THE CHECKS AND BALANCES ? \r\n\r\nMICHIGAN HAS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OVER LAP OF LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT !!\r\nWE NEED TO ADDRESS \" REGULATORY REFORM\"\" TOO. \r\n\r\nPEOPLE NEED TO READ THE INITIATIVES THAT ARE SET INTO \"PUBLIC POLICY\" SUCH AS THE \"INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTAINANCE CODE\", AGENDA 21 / SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (1994) SMART METER TECHNOLOGY!, THE DETAILS OF THE NDAA !\r\n\r\nWHY DO WE NEED AN \"INTERNATIONAL CODE\" FOR ANY MICHIGAN UNIT OF GOVERNMENT ?????????\r\n\r\nANSWER: BECAUSE WE HAVE RESTRUCTURED GOVERNMENT TO BE \"TOP DOWN\" HEAVY !\r\nALL LOCAL UNITS NOW APPLY FOR \"GRANT FUNDING\" IF YOU COMPLY YOU GET FUNDED $$$$$\r\n\r\nPEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT MUST READ THE DETAILS OF HOW THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANIPULATE LOCAL UNITS IF THEY WANT  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$\r\n\r\nTHERE IS TO MUCH \"GO ALONG TO GET ALONG\" MENTALITY WITH OUT PEOPLE ACTUALLY READING THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND DETAILS OF LEGISLATION !\r\n\r\n\"LETS PASS THE BILL FIRST SO WE CAN SEE WHAT IT DOES \" ? \r\n\r\nWE MUST RETURN TO PRUDENTB REASONING AND SOUND JUDGEMENT ! THE GOOD OLD BOY POLITICS MUST STOP !\r\nEVERYONE KNOWS THAT VERY FEW PROPLE READ THE BILLS !\r\n\r\nPHILIP & NANCY BAREHAM','24.11.165.79',1394293587,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5382,0,4519,0,'Tax on unemployment','Quit making exceptions for people.  If you are a citizen of this country and state then you should pay the tax that everyone else pays.','75.107.155.48',1393259254,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5408,0,4529,0,'Sales tax on internet sales','YES; If the internet stores have to collect sales tax, maybe they will put a store in Michigan.\r\n\r\nBass Pro Stores did that.  I am sure they are selling many more $$ here now.\r\n\r\nChuck \r\n\r\n','24.236.196.67',1393608731,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5412,0,4529,0,'sales tax','If we can\'t do simple filing through a federal clearing house, let it stand as it is.  A small retailer in Michigan doesn\'t need to file 50(plus city returns in some states) returns and be subject to audit by everyone. It\'s difficult enough to figure out sales tax(what foods,what drugs) in one jurisdiction.','23.28.70.236',1393618415,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5414,0,4529,0,'Taxes: Internet and Out of State Businesses','It would have been helpful to have an additional answer possible that grouped both of the \"No\" answers:  State should not tax out of state businesses and state should repeal requirement that purchases made out of state should be voluntarily reported and paid on income tax.  - - Otherwise, how do you reconcile the two separate answers for no that people are answering. Did they just mean one of those answers or did they mean both? ','98.250.180.46',1393675122,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5484,0,4555,0,'Overtime pay for salaried workers','Why 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!!!','108.116.224.66',1395017437,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5674,0,4650,0,'The average waitress makes','The average waitress makes $16 an hour with tips.  For example the Red Robin in Delta reports waitresses report making $15 to $20 an hour for tax purposes.  The owner pays them $2.65 and they get the rest in tips.  But if that goes to the $10.10 it will cost him $250,000.  Waitress jobs will be cut and some restaurants will close.\r\n\r\nI talked to a McDonald\'s that hires high school kids at the minimum wage.  If that goes to $10.10 then a lot of those jobs are gone.  One owner said they would consider going to drive through sales only.\r\n\r\nThe ballot proposal is dangerous for both business and jobs.\r\n\r\nRick Jones','23.28.4.240',1398680403,0,0,'01/','','',''),(5677,0,4653,0,'amnesty','We need to vote the people out who seem to care more for the illegals than the citizens that put them in office.','70.210.76.131',1398708723,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5681,0,4653,0,'Amnesty','I do not see what part of ILLEGAL nobody understands.','50.124.48.184',1398732211,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5696,0,4664,0,'Beward of trojan horses in Toll Road proposal','We 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. \r\n\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.)\r\n\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.','98.250.180.46',1399029404,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5796,0,4672,0,'Minimum Wage','From a free market  economic point of view a minimum wage makes no sense at all.  The problem is that Conservatives have never been able to make a case for opposing it without being painted as cruel and heartless.  Republican candidates and office holders loose votes, including Republican votes, if they oppose it.','75.133.132.138',1399384945,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5797,0,4672,0,' minimum wage','Minimum wage issue should be one for the states. There are vast differences in cost of living and one federal one is not reasonable.  Also, any increase in minimum wage has to have an option to have a \"training\" wage and/or one for students (under 21 years old).  This is the only way not to penalize people who need to learn and be trained. Businesses will NOT hire people that take their time and cost them money during training, probation.  The government already provides Income tax \"income\" from low wage earners, so it is not necessary for those who are dependents and/or have not in the past had the education or training or skills to work in a specific field or area to have a higher wage from the start. ','35.8.80.66',1399391539,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5815,0,4686,0,'Detroit Bailout','I 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?','70.194.0.29',1399664337,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5816,0,4686,0,'Detriot Bailout','Creating a \"Nanny\" 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 \"plantation\" 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.','75.133.132.138',1399671816,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5817,0,4686,0,'Detroit','Really, 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 \"fiscal health\" in Detroit This is a problem. First, accountants can make anything seem like it meets some terms and second, a new \"Granholm\" as Governor would automatically define anything as \"fiscal health\" 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.','98.250.180.46',1399728224,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6028,0,4737,0,'RTB Line','I 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?','98.250.181.146',1400327807,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6029,0,4737,0,'RBT Line','If it is such a good idea the market would already be providing this service.','70.194.0.160',1400349114,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6030,0,4737,0,'Rapid Transit','This 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.  \r\n\r\nOf course, to keep us guessing, the acronyms and catch phrases are constantly being changed to such things as \"sustainable development\" \"ICLEI\", \"The Grand Vision\", \"Place Making\" and many more.  Our Representative in the various Gov\'t agencies are all to quick to grab the \"free\" money they think they are getting from the Fed or State.  It always comes with strings attached.\r\n\r\nUnborn generations will be the ultimate losers.','70.210.65.22',1400350915,0,1,'03/','','',''),(5665,0,4645,0,'Detroit bailout','Let Detroit save itself.  There is no reason the rest of us should pay for their poor judgement.','75.107.155.48',1398360516,0,1,'01/','','',''),(5666,0,4645,0,'detroit bail out','Why does the rest of the state have to keep putting money into Detroit?  They over-padded their pensions with money they didn\'t have, to be paid by future taxes, & now that the tax base is gone, i have to give up the money i work hard for to fund their shortfall?  Nobody in Detroit is going to bail out my business if i fail, nobody is going to put money into my 401k if i don\'t put enough in.  They need to go back to all those leaders they elected who failed them, go after their assets, not mine!!!','173.241.123.137',1398365264,0,1,'02/','','',''),(5876,0,4686,0,'robbing Peter to pay Paul !!','\"Broke nations are bailing out other broke nations with borrowed money ! \r\nUnits of government are following suit !\r\nHow long before the entire system collapses ? greed, gluttony, pride all with promises of a bright future from political hacks WE elect  !!\r\n\r\nIf the entire US gross domestic product is 63 trillion dollars and we supposedly owe the international bankers \r\nup to 211 trillion dollars in debt how does common core math reconcile this problem ??\r\nhttp://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/tag/bailouts\r\nFather God have mercy on our ignorance and arrogance individually and as a nation !   \r\nhttp://deadlysins.com/sins/gluttony.html\r\n\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 \r\nIE \"derivatives\" all smoke and mirrors to support pension funds ....that county collapsed its system !!\r\nYou can not squeeze lemon from a rubber tire !\r\nPhilip & Nancy Bareham\r\n\r\n','24.11.165.79',1400071428,0,1,'04/','','',''),(6042,0,4745,0,'Support More User Taxes to Fix State Highways and Local Roads','Yes, its high time for the State Legislature to support more user taxes (wholesale gasoline and diesel taxes) to fix our state highways and local roads here in Michigan. Our rough and bumpy highways and roads are in terrible shape and an embarrassment for Michigan. There\'s no magical tooth fairy that\'s going to provide the money to fix our highways and roads, we need to pay more for road and highway infrastructure system. All one has to do is travel to Ohio, Indiana or Wisconsin to find better highways and roads and bridges because they invest more in their infrastructure there than we do here. \r\n\r\nAlso, please obtain facts from the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau which is a non-partisan body which properly researchs issues and reports truthfully rather than those special interest petroleum lobbyists which shade the truth and frankly don\'t much care for our roads and highways as long as we keep buying their gasoline and diesel fuel!\r\nRegards,\r\nBob Craig\r\nSt. Johns, MI ','66.227.203.204',1400686200,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6043,0,4745,0,'Increase in gas tax','I am sick and tired of the government taking more from the people when what we already pay is regularly wasted.  ','24.11.160.252',1400686696,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6044,0,4745,0,'Raise Taxes for Roads','We need our roads to be repaired but I am not in favor of increasing taxes,.\r\n\r\nI would favor eliminating Michigan\'s Prevailing Wage law.  Under the Prevailing Wage Act projects financed with state funding require that union wages and benefits be paid by non-union contractors.  It has been estimated that the cost of a project is increased from five to fifteen percent under this law.  Repeal would give small contractors a chance to bid on projects at a lower cost to the citizens--not just on road projects by school building projects, etc.  I believe its time to have our state behave like a mom and pop business--not like the bureaucracy it has become.\r\n\r\n\r\n','70.210.73.163',1400687249,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6045,0,4745,0,'HeXX NO!!!!  We are spending','HeXX NO!!!!  We are spending about $850 million a year on crony capitalism - subsidizing far-left film makers and connected special interest corporate welfare. Cut that first. Prevailing wage costs Michigan taxpayers about $400 million a year, $224 million more on just public school construction. Eliminate defined benefits for bureaucrats paid more than twice what their counters in the private sector. The AVERAGE state employee compensation is about $105,000 a year while the average private sector employee gets about $43,000. Georgia has more population, far better roads, and a state budget about $10 BILLION less. In the private sector we get waranties, and more competetive bidding, and the State road prevailing wage is about $10/hr. more than the private sector prevailing wage. the few union companies that can bid on Michigan roads are really stiffing the taxpayers. Indiana pays about the same per mile for roads and their rural roads are rated #1 in the nation while we are #43. It is really disappointing that Republicans in the legislature and Administration have not pursued a zero-based review of all programs and expenditures. We offered to set up a task force to do that, abut the Speaker and Governor never responded. Until we cut the fat, we cannot have more tax increases. ','50.124.46.73',1400691557,0,1,'04/','','',''),(6046,0,4745,0,'new taxes for roads','Only if the taxes put on anything else for roads is all being used only for roads. ','50.33.206.190',1400697040,0,1,'05/','','',''),(6047,0,4745,0,'Cut Out The Waste!','All of the taxes paid for gas and diesel need to go to pay for roads, NOT SCHOOLS AND REVENUE SHARING! Whose stupid idea was that??!!! All this talk about light rail and rapid transit bus lines needs to stop! NO MORE GRANTS FOR STUPID PROJECTS THOUGHT UP BY MDOT. Those bureaucrats sit in their offices dreaming of ways to spend money, money we don\'t have. They need to be FIRED!!! NO MORE MONEY until the taxes we give them are spent with COMMON SENSE. I am sick of everyone in power thinking of stupid ways to spend my money, including the LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR, DEPARTMENT HEADS. \r\n\r\nSheri Harte Willis','50.36.163.85',1400704702,0,1,'06/','','',''),(6048,0,4754,0,'Detroit','Detroit failed on it\'s own.  It should recover by it\'s own efforts.  If Detroit cannot recover it will be obvious that that is what the residents wish.  So, let them profit or fail by their own effort.','75.107.155.48',1400955139,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6051,0,4754,0,'Detroit Bailout','The bailout of Detroit will set  precedence and other cities will look to the taxpayers to bail them out.  I am tired of the taxpayers in the central and northern parts of Michigan subsidizing those in the southeast part of the state.  Its time to let them sink or swim.  We can\'t always be the life raft.  The well will run dry.','70.210.66.74',1400977559,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6055,0,4759,0,'This is important!','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. ','97.78.112.218',1401128635,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6058,0,4759,0,'state amphibian','Spring peeper. I love the way they keep me awake.','75.129.119.238',1401197873,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6067,0,4759,0,'More useless legislation paid','More useless legislation paid for by our tax dollars','184.61.201.4',1401246707,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6068,0,4765,0,'miles fee','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.\r\nI think there should be a fee based upon weight of vehicle.  A small car does much less damage to the roads than a truck.\r\n','69.89.102.100',1401283212,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6070,0,4765,0,'Vehicle Fee','We are thinking about buying a Motorhome or Class C. This would kill the vacationing business in Michigan. Terrible idea.....\r\n','50.33.240.97',1401297595,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6071,0,4765,0,'AGENDA21  / TAX BY THE MILE / A RADICAL PLATFORM  ','IN THE1990S THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ENDORSED  \"AGENDA 21\" \r\nWHAT IS AGENDA 21 ? \r\nFOLKS NEED TO GET UP TO SPEED !\r\nLAST 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   \":TAXATION OF YOUR VEHICLE BY THE MILE\"   A WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN STUDYING THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND UNELECTD BUREAUCRATS WANT TO FORWARD THIS INITIATIVE HERE IN MICHIGAN ! \r\nNON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS  [NGOs]  ARE WAITING FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BECOME SEDUCED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WILL BUY INTO THIS INITIATIVE!\r\nMICHIGANS TRANSPORTAION INFRUSTRUCTURE ACT   PA 51   ALREADY HAS SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO \"FIX THE ROADS\" \r\nTHE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES HAS SUPPLANTED ROAD REPAIR $$$$ WHICH    \"WAS BY STATE LAW \"   DEDICATED FOR ROADS !!!\r\n\r\nCALL YOUR LEGISLATORS AND HAVE THEM GIVE YOU THE SPECIFIC DETAILS AS TO WHERE \"YOUR\" ROAD / GAS TAX $$$ IS ACTUALLY GOING\r\nIN THE COMPLEXITIES OF STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGETS ! YOU WILL BE STUNNED TOO ! IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET THE REAL DATA !\r\nMICHIGAN ALREADY HAS TO MANY LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT WITH CUMBERSOME DUPLICATION OF SERVICES. MICHIGAN HAS BEEN A \"DONOR\" STATE WITH REGARD TO THE FEDERAL GAS TAX FUNDING FORMULA TOO FOR DECADES AND NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT !\r\nMICHIGAN DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER TAX!\r\nAS 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\r\nPLEASE DO THE HOME WORK !!!!!!!!!!!\r\nTELL LEGISLATORS TO \"FIX THE PROCESS\" AND QUIT SLAPPING EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AS THE PUBLIC GETS SNOOKERED AGAIN !\r\n\r\nGOVERNMENT OPERATIONS ANALYIST\r\nPHILIP N. BAREHAM\r\nFORMER SENIOR COUNSEL / MICHIGANS 83 COUNTY UNITS OF GOVERNMENT  \r\n','24.11.165.79',1401300159,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6074,0,4765,0,'Taxes Based on Miles Driven?  Hell No!','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 \"greatest hurdle\" for this proposal is \"privacy concerns\" and they think they can be \"overcome\".   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**','98.250.180.46',1401378552,0,1,'04/','','',''),(6084,0,4775,0,'renewable energy','We should not freeze the renewable mandate, we should eliminate it.\r\n\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.\r\n\r\n','75.129.119.238',1401574008,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6132,0,4795,0,'The system wasn\'t broken','The system wasn\'t broken before the President federalized it.','69.89.100.141',1402414452,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6232,0,4856,0,'HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY? OR IS IT \"DEPENDENCE ? \" !!!!!!!!!!','THIS YEAR WE WILL BE HOSTING ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON DC  RELATED TO THE INFO BELOW !\r\nALL OF THIS BELOW IS MATTER OF \"PUBLIC RECORD !\" \r\nWHERE ARE THE STATESMAN OF 2014 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\r\nWHEN WILL OUR POLITICANS PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND ?\r\nWHEN WILL OUR POLITICANS WHO PROCLAIM THEIR ETHICAL / MORAL CHRISTIAN VALUES STEP TO THE PLATE ????????\r\nWE MUST HAVE \"LOCAL CONTROL\" \"STATES RIGHTS\" [WHAT A CONCEPT]\r\nYOU MUST REVIEW THESE HIGH PROFILE POLITICANS, INDUSTRIALISTS  ETC ; IN THEIR OWN WORDS !! STUNNING !!\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8uzxEHFDkw#t=548\r\nFROM CSPAN\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1CacgMWIs\r\n\r\nNATIONAL NEWS !! MUST WATCH !!\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbppsdaoO4\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2fexv5LDE\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G89FzWTE9cE\r\n\r\n“In the next century, nations as we know it will be obsolete; all states will recognize a single, global authority. National sovereignty wasn’t such a great idea after all.” Strobe Talbot, \r\nPresident Clinton’s Deputy Secretary of State, as quoted in Time, July 20th, l992. - \r\n\r\n\r\n“We are grateful to the Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries.” David Rockefeller, Baden-Baden, Germany 1991 - \r\n\r\n“The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the larger centers has owned the Government ever since the days of Andrew Jackson.” A letter written by FDR to Colonel House, November 21st, l933 - \r\n\r\n“The New Deal is plainly an attempt to achieve a working socialism and avert a social collapse in America; it is extraordinarily parallel to the successive ‘policies’ and ‘Plans’ of the Russian experiment. Americans shirk the word ‘socialism’, but what else can one call it?” H.G. Wells The New World Order 1939 -\r\n\r\n“Ultimately, our objective is to welcome the Soviet Union back into the world order. Perhaps the world order of the future will truly be a family of nations.” President George Bush Texas A&M University 1989 - \r\n\r\n“We are moving toward a new world order, the world of communism. We shall never turn off that road.” Mikhail Gorbachev 1987 - \r\n\r\nIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.” - Henry Ford - \r\n\r\n“I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the civilized world. No longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.\r\n” President Woodrow Wilson 1916 - \r\n\r\n“The drive of the Rockefellers and their allies is to create a one-world government combining super capitalism and Communism under the same tent, all under their control…. Do I mean conspiracy? Yes I do. I am convinced there is such a plot, international in scope, generations old in planning, and incredibly evil in intent.” - Congressman Larry P. McDonald, 1976, killed in the Korean Airlines 747 that was shot down by the Soviets - \r\n\r\n“Some even believe we (the Rockefeller family) are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as ‘internationalists’ and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure – one world, if you will. If that’s the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it.” \r\n- David Rockefeller, Memoirs, page 405 - \r\n\r\n\r\n“We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order.” \r\n- David Rockefeller - \r\n\r\n“Today, America would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order. Tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told that there were an outside threat from beyond, whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will plead to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well-being granted to them by the World Government.” \r\nDr. Henry Kissinger, Bilderberger Conference, Evians, France, 1991 \r\n\r\nWILL YOU STAND UP FOR YOUR CHILDRENS / GRAND CHILDRENS FUTURE ?\r\nAPATHY IS NOT AN OPTION ! ARE YOU LUKE WARM ?\r\n\r\nPHILIP & NANCY BAREHAM FAMILY\r\nHAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !\r\nhttp://cspoa.org/cspoa-convention-sept-2014/\r\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3eER_zO1tQ','24.11.165.79',1404173306,0,0,'01/','','',''),(6135,0,4795,0,'I would say yes, if we will','I would say yes, if we will also allow the same for mortgages and car loans.\r\n','70.194.4.135',1402680958,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6136,0,4804,0,'abortion legislation pkg...','It 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 & relevant to people born after 1980 that need to be addressed.','98.250.181.146',1402682531,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6193,0,4826,0,'A REAL Lock Box','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 \"lock box\" type of mechanism in place to ensure that monies collected for this issue are used to only pay for infrastructure repairs and upgrades.','98.243.212.31',1403378891,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6195,0,4826,0,'NOT ONE \"OPINION WILL MAKE A','NOT ONE \"OPINION WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE\" UNTIL EACH OF US AS VOTERS \"UNDERSTANDS\" MICHIGANS PUBLIC ACT 51 WHICH IS \"THE\" FUNDING MECHANISM AND HOW DURING THE LAST 30 YEARS THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE HAS \"SUPPLANTED\" 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 \"DO NOT\" NEED \"ANY\" TAX INCREASES \"AT ALL\"\r\nIF WE JUST DO WHAT THE ORIGINAL PA 51 WAS SET IN STATUTE FOR !!\r\nAS FAR AS OUR FEDERAL GAS TAX GOES MICHGAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A \"DONOR\" STATE SO FOR EVERY BUCK WE SEND TO D.C. THAT FORMULA SENDS BACK TO MICHIGAN 90 CENTS !!! \r\nTHIS IS LUDICRIS !!!  \r\nIF WE RAISE THE GAS TAX \"AGAIN\" IN JUST A FEW YEARS THE CRYING FOR \r\n\"FIX THE ROADS\" WILL BEGIN ONCE AGAIN!! THE PROBLEM IS THAT MOST OF OUR STATE LEGISLATORS \"DON\'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE~~ WILL NOT  SPEND THE TIME RESEARCHING AS THEY HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO~~ AND ARE TOO YOUNG AND HAVE \"NO LIFE EXPERIENCE\" THE PROOF IS IN THE FRUIT OF THE LABOR AND WHERE WE ARE AS A STATE ECONOMICALLY RIGHT NOW !!!!\r\nPHILIP & NANCY BAREHAM\r\nWATERTOWN TOWNSHIP ','24.11.165.79',1403451485,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6172,0,4816,0,'The Southern Border - Re-do the Poll','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.\r\n\r\n(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?\r\n\r\nThis is a deadly matter and requires action not just words.','97.84.0.102',1403055751,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6197,0,4831,0,'Lt. Governor selection at convention','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','198.109.173.199',1403545609,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6198,0,4831,0,'lt gov race','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. ','173.241.123.69',1403546894,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6216,0,4843,0,'Isn\'t this the same strategy','Isn\'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.','24.11.144.18',1403980865,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6214,0,4831,0,'Lt. Governor Nominations and selection','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.\r\n\r\nIf 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.\r\n\r\nIf 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.\r\n\r\nChanging the rules to reach a predetermined agenda is disingenuous and smacks of cronyism - but it\'s politics, what else would you expect.\r\n\r\nFrom 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.','166.137.101.146',1403891898,0,1,'06/','','',''),(6212,0,4831,0,'YOU CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE BUT HAVE RESPECT !','Dave A. is an honorable man ! he is a  US military warrior and a highly skilled fighter pilot ! He is to be respected ! \r\n\r\nIn lieu of the escalating cancer of political correctness here in the state of Michigan; most of our elected so called \"PUBLIC SERVENTS\" DO NOT EVEN READ THE BILLS THEY ENACT INTO LAW AND THAT ...IS CRAZY !  \r\nAgema  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!\r\n\r\nWe 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 \"snow job\" 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. \r\nWE THE PEOPLE ...YEAH  RIGHT !!  \r\n\r\nI 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!  \r\nDave is a   \"bull in a China shop\"  but he knows that there is an entrenched AGENDA to weaken our state and nation ON A MASSIVE SCALE! \r\nas I MENTIONED BEFORE WE WORKED WITH 500 COUNTY SHERIFFS ADDRESSING   \"AGENDA 21\" ! PLEASE GO STUDY IT ! THEN COME BACK AND CRITICIZE MR. AGEMA !! \r\n \r\nPhilip and Nancy Bareham','24.11.165.79',1403754507,0,1,'05/','','',''),(6200,0,4831,0,'Agema?','Are you kidding?  \r\nI 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 \"Our way or the Highway.\"  That never works.  Never has.  Never will.  \r\nAnd - Agema is certainly NOT a unifying figure.  ','98.243.212.31',1403569834,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6202,0,4831,0,'Agema - Thank you NO','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.','75.133.132.138',1403612009,0,1,'04/','','',''),(6249,0,4860,0,'Education Funding','This 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.','198.109.173.45',1404419789,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6310,0,4884,0,'Highway Trust Fund','It\'s because of BS like this that makes me want to vote for Pete Konetchy!','70.210.71.26',1405192428,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6309,0,4884,0,'Highway Trust Fund','With all due respect to our retiring Congressman, it sounds like the same old methods that he and his generation of legislators have practiced for decades that finds us where we are today. It is time for some tough love!  ','64.25.199.1',1405172651,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6312,0,4884,0,'Highway Trust Fund','This must be practice for a second career as a slight of hand trickster with a traveling carnival.  Whoops - he is already amply qualified with years of experience.\r\n\r\n','75.133.132.138',1405194872,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6326,0,4895,0,'Illegal Immigrants','In my mind it comes down to the fact that our own children are being burdened with the debt, loss of jobs, and will become a minority at the voting booth in the future.  When will our generation finally say enough is enough!  We should be ashamed to look in the mirror because of the world we are leaving the next generation.  I would ask the President why he does not care about our children.','70.210.70.3',1405382235,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6371,0,4928,0,'HAS YOUR CONSCIENCE BEEN SEARED ?','I use to work with some of these silly fools who have been hanging around the capitol since the 1980s. Some of those fossils have been around since the 1970s and are just relentless in their pursuit for domination!\r\nWe here in Clinton county know who you are and just choose to not expose you publically, we choose to take the high road. \r\nOur agenda is to benefit future generations!\r\n\r\nThe so called \"real CONservatives\" as described in these FAKE political mailings here in Watertown Township are not even involved here locally, that is, ...unless they are getting paid for it, and even then their motives are self serving;  they will do what ever it takes to control the political machine and its local political minions \r\nkinda like Saul Alinskyi. { ie Rules for Radicals ! } Do ya really think the nation is going to recover when this crap continually goes on !! ....really? \r\nPRIDE cometh B4 a fall ?\r\n\r\nAlways remember the first rule of power tactics: Power is not only what you have but what the opposition thinks you have. \r\n\r\nHowever, for those brave shadowy and dark souls who hide in the shadows who fear the loss of power, who scowl at those of us trying to better our Clinton county community, I double dare you to read such a radically liberal historical and outdated document !!! \r\nplease read carefully PSALMS 59 & 71 ! \r\nEspecially you political hacks here in Clinton county who hide behind your religion ! The Bible calls you out as hypocrites and vipers !  \"Hypocrite\" comes from the Greek \"hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace\'),\r\n      meaning an actor under an assumed character; e.g., stage-player\r\n      (Strong\'s)\r\n\r\nWE all will be held accountable and responsible for our actions including our \r\n\"political action...committees !!!\" \r\nPerhaps your conscience has been seared  I Timothy 4:2 ?','24.11.165.79',1406347805,0,0,'01/','','',''),(6382,0,4938,0,'Snyder\'s stands on issues','IMO, Governor Snyder is trying to remain an \"executive\" rather than meddling with \"legislative\" issues\r\n\r\nI am guessing the controversial things he wishes to avoid are divisive issues like Gay marriage, Obamacare, abortion (now integrally linked to Obamacare), all other issues involving intrusions between church and state.\r\n\r\nMost of us as conservative Repubs would rather not have the entitlement systems enlarging as a result of Gay marriage (the side of the issue no one talks about, but the side of the issue that impacts government budgets) but may be failing to grasp that the US history of \"legislating morality\" (currently with marijuana, as with prohibition, earlier with outlawing slavery) has generally caused a great deal of social division and has even led to civil wars.\r\n\r\nRecent Presidents have tried to weigh in on issues, but we have a pattern of the national executive infringing on legislative responsibility (which we have recently seen spun in favor of Obama\'s overreaching executive orders) -- and this may be leading us to expect the same from state governors.\r\n\r\nI like the way Snyder sticks to \"executing\" the laws that the legislature \"legislates\"-- this is the way it should be.    Snyder seems more conscious of the dark sides of using the executive \"bully pulpit\" to push agendas, and has avoided it more than he has embraced it.\r\n\r\nAs a citizen, Snyder is entitled to his personal opinions (and everyone interested in politics and government has them) but I see it as restraint rather than subterfuge for him to keep opinions on controversial issues to himself.     The more divisive subjects resolve themselves over the time it takes for the citizenry to make up their collective mind.    Whenever we have tried to force them (abolish slavery=civil war, which led to a loss of states\' rights in contradiction of the federal structure of the constitution) (agitate for prohibition=the rise of gangsters and a period of flagrant violation of law) the result has been disruptive.\r\n\r\nI think a \"conservative\" should be a free market, pro-employment, smaller government conservative on economic issues and ultimately it would be more consistent to be libertarian on social issues.     In our county as is true of so many areas we maintain Christian religious principles that speak to moral issues being challenged in the secular society.   We have to recognize that the uncomfortable part of democracy is that people rarely agree on any issue that appears to pit the moral view against the individual freedom views the constitution protects.     Thus we must have the personal integrity to demonstrate morality in our own lives, and have the strength to resist meddling in the perceived lapse of morality in the lives of others who share the right of \"citizen\".     Thus minority rights are preserved where a voter consensus cannot at that moment in time be achieved.\r\n\r\nMaybe we should quit beating Snyder up on these issues and give him credit for directing a near miraculous turnaround of the state\'s economy and economic direction. Guv Jenny\'s socialist progressive economic priorities were creating a structural deficit government (her radio programs to encourage refusal of any cuts were a classic demagoguery in favor of constantly raising taxes as the only option) while her liberal embrace of alternative lifestyles was destroying the social fabric.      By comparison, Snyder orchestrated support for legislative redirection and has lived an examplary personal life agitating for nothing but \"normalcy\" and tolerance.\r\n\r\nGreg Palen\r\nOvid Township','198.228.228.167',1406735568,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6400,0,4958,0,'New Building','I oppose a new Senate Building.  Just like I opposed the new State Police Headquarters that Granholm built.\r\n\r\nSenator Rick Jones','23.28.4.240',1407001830,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6401,0,4959,0,'Farnum Bldg & City Hall.','Farnum Bldg & City Hall. Lansing City Hall has been in the works to sell to the State (either directly or as a lease through a private buyer) for years back into the Hollister as Mayor era. (You remember Hollister\'s quote in the Lansing State Journal back then about Lansing City Hall:  \"Clunky old, junky old, City Hall.\" Based on Richardville\'s quote, it sounds like a tear down and new building for the Senate, something like the building of the new House Office Building and State Police building downtown. \r\n\r\nI recall back in the \'90s when fiber optic or something similar was being installed at/around City Hall under Hollister\'s administration, the City included an actual easement through City Hall basement of wire going to the State - - an easement that runs with the land rather than a revocable license - - which certainly was a signal of their certainty that the State would ultimately be the next owner of Lansing City Hall. In addition to the easement, other hocus-pocus sales features will include the better view of the Capitol for individual offices, and proximity to the House Office building (in the former Board of Water Light building that is connected to City Hall).   \r\n\r\nI would expect Ferguson and Granger to be intermediaries (in their usual approach of appealing to both sides of the aisle) in some financial fashion for transfer of City Hall to the State that is foolish for the taxpayers on both sides. No idea about plans in store for the Farnum building but I wouldn\'t be surprised if this, too, winds up in the hands of Ferguson and Granger, now or delayed until after a decent period after the State moves into new digs. \r\n\r\nNo idea on where it is that the City wants to buy/remodel/build - - they will surely want something more modern and with more on-site parking (one possibility hanging over from the Hollister era has been the city\'s square block bounded by Capitol, Ionia, Seymour and Shiawassee and across from a City ramp). \r\n\r\nWouldn\'t it be something if Ferguson and Granger wind up being intermediaries in both buildings, too? In both instances, the taxpayers will take it in the ear to buy and sell buildings and to \"fix\"them up as palaces for both State and city governments. \r\n\r\nInteresting, isn\'t it how elected officials responsible for buildings owned by their governmental jurisdiction act like lousy slumlords who fail to take care of their buildings and then whine about their condition, mumbling about condemnation and then, like welfare tenants, want to leave their building and expect the taxpayers to provide them with a new and different palace. Really tiresome.   \r\n\r\nStephanie Whitbeck\r\n\r\n ','97.84.0.102',1407005189,0,0,'01/','','',''),(6402,0,4958,0,'FARNUM BLDG','Why on earth should the Senators need new offices;  they are  only in session approximately 90 days a year!  Probably some contractor/contractors stand to make a fortune from the taxpayers!.   I bet some of the Senators spend more time than that at their cottages.  Do they get them updated with the \':People\'s\" money.\r\n\r\nIt may be time they started behaving like the rest of the citizens theyn are supposed to represent.','70.210.69.195',1407007844,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6404,0,4959,0,'Great insight into what goes','Great insight into what goes on potentially behind the scenes.','198.228.228.175',1407031137,0,0,'02/','','',''),(6466,0,4973,0,'MY FAMILY HAS WORKED IN THIS','MY FAMILY HAS WORKED IN THIS REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR GENERATIONS AT THE GRASS ROOTS LEVEL RIGHT ON UP TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND AS ELECTED \"PUBLIC SERVANTS.\" \r\nYA WONDER WHY WE ARE CALLED \"REPUBLICRATS\" THIS REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOTHING MORE THAN TWO SIDES OF THE SAME \r\n\"TAX AND SPEND\" COIN !\r\nWHEN ARE PEOPLE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF THE PUBLIC TREASURE !!!! \r\nESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE APPOINTED TO TOP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS !!!','24.11.165.79',1408113951,0,0,'01/','','',''),(6492,0,4990,0,'WHERE MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS','WHERE MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED ! LUKE 12:48\r\n\r\nWE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH CAREFULLY OUR LEGISLATORS AND SENATORS AND   \"WHAT THEY DO\"   TO JUSTIFY THEIR JOBS AS OUR HIRED \"PUBLIC SERVANTS.\" \r\nWE ARE ALL TIRED OF THE HYPOCRISY AND PATRONIZING OF VOTERS, KISSING BABIES AND PASSING OUT  DUMB DUMB SUCKERS AT PARADES !\r\n\r\nTHE MASSES ARE NOT AWAKE \"YET\" BUT SLOWLY VOTERS ARE BEGINNING TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE POLITICAL CA CA RHETORIC ! \r\nCLINTON COUNTY VOTERS DESERVE BETTER !!!\r\nC.Y.A. ','24.11.165.79',1408402774,0,0,'01/','','',''),(6503,0,4992,0,'\"DOMINATION\" of the process','\"DOMINATION\" of the process while hiding in the shadows !  by minor league youngsters who parade around their \"SO CALLED\" CHRISTIAN VALUES passing out dumb dumb suckers at parades; who possess very little life experience\" and have only worked as political hacks in the local or state legislative process DOES NOT \r\nQUALIFY THESE YOUNGSTERS  (ie snots. spoiled rotten brats) \r\nto make major decisions impacting the very lives of citizens, seniors, military veterans and struggling families in this state ! \r\nIt \"was\" normal at one time for folks who have endured the \"CHALLENGES OF LIFE, FAILURES AND SUCCESSES\" having raised a family, changed diapers, endured financial hardship, ran a business, taking care of aging parents etc.  \"THEN\"   \r\nthey would be qualified to run for office to benefit Michiganders, and future generations\r\nNOT THEIR OWN SELF CENTERED POLITICAL LUSTS;   that is a formula as to how you become a \"servant\" and \"give back\" ! \r\n\r\nThe good book makes is clear ! \"WHERE MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED\"\r\n\"THEY SHALL KNOW YOU BY THE FRUIT OF YOUR LABOR\"\r\n\"THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS\"\r\nTO BAD IF YOU DON\'T AGREE ! THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE!\"\r\nNOT YOUR SELISH OPINION FROM WORKING DOWNTOWN! playing barney big shot !\r\nNelson','24.11.165.79',1408594331,0,0,'01/','','',''),(6647,0,5022,0,'Brownfield Funds for Auto Dealer','I voted no but not because it has anything to do with this being an auto dealer or whether there might be any \"fairness\" issue with other auto dealers. My question or problem with this is that I haven\'t heard anything that says that the problem to be redressed have anything to do with a BROWNFIELD (contamination) problem with the property. The little bit of description that was included with the question sounded more like a development or redevelopment issue. This is the sort of thing we sometimes hear in Lansing - - projects that don\'t talk about environmental problems on a site that need to be remedied, but rather development or redevelopment projects. It just strikes me that funds or other benefits under this legislation that can be available under BROWNFIELD projects should be exclusively for addressing environmental contamination and funds should be limited to paying for those expenses only, regardless of what was there before and regardless of what someone wants to see there in the future.  In the little bit of info about this dealership, mention was made about possible allowable expenses such as asbestos removal and curbs. I can agree that asbestos removal might be appropriate regardless of whether the property houses a car dealership or anything else. I do not think that should ever be the ability to include funds for curbs for any project - - there is no possibility that environmentally contaminated curbs were being removed and needing to be replaced with BROWNFIELD money. I think there has been noticeable misuse of the BROWNFIELD legislation. ','97.84.0.102',1409682931,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6695,0,5029,0,'Debating','It is often wise to \"pass\" rather than play a weak hand which you have been dealt.\r\n\r\n','75.133.132.138',1409943919,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6821,0,5044,0,'Fed Audit','I\'m worried that nut, Ron Paul, might be on to something and I don\'t want to know just how much of a House of Cards is our financial system. I have a retirement portfolio to protect!','70.210.67.233',1410712586,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6823,0,5044,0,'audit the FED RES.','1. Audit the Fed Reserve.\r\n\r\n2.  Deconstruct the Fed Reserve.  It is just a private bank with special privileges allowing it to go to the head of the line.\r\n\r\n3.  A great example of Crony Capitalism.   \r\n\r\n4.  The worst things happened in the year 1913; Federal Reserve and the so called Income Tax for the \"very wealthy!\"  Turns out the very wealthy become all of  us ....... Joe the Plumbers.\r\n\r\nPhil S.','152.160.184.146',1410725570,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6838,0,5044,0,'Audit Federal Reserve','Of course it would depend on who is doing the auditing, wouldn\'t it?\r\n','70.210.76.234',1410876635,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6886,0,5060,0,'EPA','This EPA is out of control. IT should be banned, defunded and done away with!!!\r\nIda S.','184.195.76.21',1411236595,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6697,0,5029,0,'Snyder election','No, because the press will just take comments out of context and crucify them.\r\nUnless Land and Snyder can set the perimeters and they should be very limited.\r\nWe pretty much know where they stand on all the issues already!\r\nIda S.','184.195.38.113',1409947210,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6536,0,4999,0,'Romney 2016','Yes, yes and yes.  I\'m ready for Hillary!','162.108.24.110',1408975667,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6537,0,4999,0,'Think Dole, McCain, Romney.','Think Dole, McCain, Romney. Moderates are more electable?  No, REAGAN WON 49 STATES with clear Conservative Principles. When the GOP acts like Democrats and puts up fuzzy candidates voters get turned off. They do not want tweedle dee/tweedle dum. They do not want two parties doing the same thing. The want a choice! ','50.108.67.170',1408979101,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6538,0,4999,0,'Romney for President','Gov. Romney is a nice fellow but has no backbone to stand up against the opposition in a debate and I believe he is too liberal for my tastes.  ','70.210.66.93',1408979439,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6324,0,4895,0,'Illegals','I doubt that Bill Schuette, Tom Leonard and Rick Jones would allow this to happen.','162.108.24.110',1405355648,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6325,0,4895,0,'Protect the borders!','The first obligation of national security is to protect the borders. Do not let them in. NO means NO! Job posting for un-attached illegal boys/young men for Grand Rapids area youth home - coming to a community near you? Why do we let them in the Country? Just say NO! http://www.jobs.net/jobs/bethany-christian-services/en-us/job/United-States/Casework-Support-Specialist-Bilingual/JHS1WC6STXYS5WH9MBB/','50.108.78.49',1405358117,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6932,0,5067,0,'septic regulations','This is a clear over reach on the part of the Health Department as there are already regulations in place.  In the 24 page document, #5 of page 3 reads \"Current regulations appear to be adequate regarding the siting, installation, sizing, etc. of well and on site disposal systems.\"  This is the very first sentence.  Why do you need to try and fix a system that appears to be adequate already?  Is it really about greed, wanting more money, more control over homeowners?  We pay for our own properties.....that means they do not belong to you!','24.180.227.8',1411483865,0,1,'05/','','',''),(6922,0,5067,0,'Well and Sewer Inspections','Strange that there has been no chatter or mention of this committee in the various gatherings of  political or social groups.  When you look at the names of the members on the committee, I am sure you might recognize a name or two. Was it intentional to keep the plan close to the vest?  \r\n\r\nWill the bureaucrats  never tire of looking for ways to take our money and property rights?. We might soon all  be living in a kingdom with the \"king\" telling us all what to do. ','70.210.72.133',1411463776,0,1,'04/','','',''),(6911,0,5067,0,'Proposed Septic and Well Regulations','Hell, wouldn\'t it be better if they did it annually and check to see if we have guns, playing cards, vegetables in our refrigerators, the most current government approved light bulbs, no pet eagles, etc.?','64.25.199.1',1411407160,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6912,0,5067,0,'Septic systems','The proposal is a big government intrusion and over-reach on peronal and private property. A big septic field might be a quarter of an acre. So a Clinton County 50 acre farm or its neighbors are at risk?  It is self serving for these quazi-government bureaucrats to ask for more services they will be paid to perform. The best government is that which governs least. ','50.127.253.40',1411407294,0,1,'02/','','',''),(6913,0,5067,0,'Mandated septic inspections','It won\'t happen. The MMHD has been harping on this issue for at least 10 years. It didn\'t go anywhere before, it won\'t go anywhere this time.','207.179.107.138',1411412334,0,1,'03/','','',''),(7160,0,5096,0,'Speed Cameras','Thank you Rick Jones for this piece of BS. Legislation like this is why I will never vote for you.  You are just like a tax and spend liberal.   How much money did the vendor have to donate for you to sponsor this?','70.210.67.103',1412437526,0,1,'01/','','',''),(6642,0,4999,0,'Romney','We need a proven conservative that has a conservative record, like Scott Walker. We conservatives can win and do win, if we nominate a true conservative. Wake up Republicans!!!\r\nIda S.','184.195.206.254',1409608766,0,1,'04/','','',''),(7021,0,5078,0,'SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE \"GLOBAL WARMING\" IS A HOAX','I WORKED WITH THIS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST / PROFESSOR ORIGINALLY FROM MICHIGAN TECHNILOGICAL UNIVERSITY ! HIS SCIENTIFIC ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP ON GLOBAL WARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE OR WHAT EVER POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ENGINEERS CALL IT NEXT IS IRREFUTABLE !   \r\nHE IS THE \"GO TO GUY\" ON CAPITOL HILL ON THIS ESCALATING HOAX !!\r\nEVERYBODY HERE IN CLINTON COUNTY MUST UNDERSTAND HIS DECADES OF SCIENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP WHICH HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO CONGRESS, ALAS POLITICS HAS SUPPRESSED THIS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC !\r\nSTUDY THE BIO DIVERSITY MAP SPECIFICALLY MICHIGAN !\r\nhttp://newswithviews.com/Coffman/mike10.htm\r\nhttp://www.proliberty.com/observer/20091223.htm\r\n','24.11.165.79',1411778501,0,1,'01/','','',''),(7175,0,5096,0,'Speed cameras','I cannot believe what has happened to the Republican Party. I guess it is time for us to start a new conservative party because the republicans have become too much like the demorats.\r\nIda S.','184.195.6.220',1412560625,0,1,'02/','','',''),(7238,0,5096,0,'SENATOR JONES IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE SPEED CAMERAS!','THE FOLLOWING IS FROM MICHIGAN CAPITOL CONFIDENTIAL AND CLARIFIES SENATOR JONES POSITION  ON THE BILLS THAT WERE INTRODUCED:\r\n\r\nSen. Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, introduced Senate Bill 1063 on Sept. 16 and managed to get just one co-sponsor, Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge. Sen. Jones, who strongly opposed the red light camera legislation, told Capitol Confidential that he signed on as co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1063 based on how it was verbally described to him by Senator Smith.\r\n\r\n“This bill was described to me as being limited to allowing the cameras at school crossings,” he said. “You know — the kind that have the yellow caution lights, and only during school hours. Also, I was told it would include a three-county pilot program to test it out.”\r\n\r\n“I signed on to this bill because it was presented to me as something to protect the safety of children,” Sen. Jones continued. “But if there is anything in this bill that expands on what was described to me, and the bill was brought up on the Senate floor, I would stand-up and have my name removed as a co-sponsor and oppose the bill. I can say, however, that that will never happen. I know that won’t happen because I have checked and this bill is not going to come up – it is not going to move.”\r\n\r\nIn point of fact, the legislation is very different from what Sen. Jones said Sen. Smith described to him.\r\n','50.107.123.151',1412961470,0,1,'03/','','',''),(6957,0,5067,0,'proposed septic inspections','Hi folks,\r\n\r\nI\'ve been a planning commissioner for over 20 years in Watertown and have been following this action in other parts of the state.  Sure, it costs the property owners to have it done.  However, what they have found is it actually INCREASES the property values of the houses.  You want to make it part of every sale and wrap the costs into the price of the house.  Check with officials AND realtors in Kent County.   \r\n\r\nThat said, what you want to verify and insure is that the proposed new regulations are modeled after those in west Michigan - those that work.\r\n\r\nRon Overton\r\nTrustee, Watertown','23.28.87.180',1411562211,0,1,'06/','','',''),(7075,0,5078,0,'global warming hoax','There is no man made global warming.  There has been no global warming for 19 years. It is a hoax invented by our govt. to make us pay more in taxes. If people knew God is in charge, this nonsense  would go away today. People, wake up, you are being bamboozled, if you believe the people telling us this fabricated, so called science.\r\nIda S.','184.195.152.43',1412019767,0,1,'02/','','',''),(7077,0,5067,0,'septics','NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Just leave us alone. Stick to health issues. That is your mandate. We don\'t need anymore govt. intervention into our lives. Just leave us alone.\r\nIda S.','184.195.152.43',1412020411,0,1,'07/','','',''),(7548,0,5128,0,'Hastert Rule','ny politicians do not want a strong Party as a strong and concientous Party can exact a certain amouint of discipline including some defference to Party principles and Platforms. Governing contrary to campaign promoses and Party principles muddies the message and turns off voters. ','50.127.247.49',1413776148,0,1,'03/','','',''),(7545,0,5128,0,'Hastert Rule','I think that the Hastert Rule would be a good idea. I\'d be more impressed with the three non-incumbents if they would be working with existing legislators about this and not just talking this up on FB. Now, THAT would show not only that they know what should happen but what it takes to make something happen.','98.250.180.46',1413765555,0,1,'02/','','',''),(7554,0,5128,0,'The Hastert Rule','We have a governor that isn\'t a conservative and picks off weak republicans who he can make a deal with for who knows what future promise. For not being a politician it hasn\'t taken him long to learn how to play the game.\r\n\r\nUntil the republican party has a true \"CLOSED PRIMARY\" to pick their candidates for their statewide offices we will continue to see moderate progressive RINOS representing the party. \r\n\r\nPeople will call it bipartisan when the governor gets the votes he needs with both republicans and democrats voting for the same legislation. The problem is that its ALL THE DEMOCRATS that he has voting for his progressive agenda and the republicans he has bribed.\r\n\r\nI applaud the three new potential republican TRUE CONSERVATIVES that are pressing the issue of the Hastert Rule and making it part of the caucus rules for the passage of legislation. Only when conservative republicans unite and demand that republicans actually act like  republicans will we be able to stop Snyder\'s progressive agenda.\r\n\r\nI pose the question, wouldn’t it be better to vote for Mark Schauer for Governor than Rick Snyder because Schauer won\'t be able to pick off the Benedict Arnolds\'s that are willing to sell their votes for their personal gain because of the pressure they would get from their own caucus?\r\n\r\nIt’s time for republicans to stand together and actually vote for the ideals they profess to believe in!\r\n\r\n\"United we stand decided we fall\" -- YES FOR THE HASTERT RULE!','50.36.235.138',1413810052,0,1,'04/','','',''),(7612,0,5134,0,'Wind Farms...','Why not... farmers are already allowed to pollute our waterways through runoff, are entitled to millions of taxpayer dollars in subsidies, overuse antibiotics to the point of endangering the health of the nation... what\'s the problem of building a turbine without a permit??','98.250.181.146',1414249677,0,1,'01/','','',''),(7590,0,5128,0,'ACCOUNTABLE /RESPONSIBLE !!HOW I WAS RAIDED AS A REPUBLI','WITHOUT CLOSE EXAMINATION OF HOW THE MASSES OF BILLS MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS\r\nAND SCRUTINIZING THOSE BILLS WE END UP WITH LANGUAGE, AS ONE EXAMPLE, THE \"PONTIAC SILVER DOME FUNDING\" WHICH WAS QUIETLY SNUCK THROUGH IN AN AG BUDGET YEARS AGO !!! NO MORE POKER AND BACK ROOM DEALS WITH PUBLIC FUNDS ! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ! WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE DIFFERENT THEN THE LIBERAL DEMS AND REPUBLICANS WHO ARE ALWAYS WANTING TO                                \"REDISTRIBUTE CITIZENS WEALTH\"  \r\nTHE ENTIRE POLITICAL PROCESS HAS SHIFTED TO THE LEFT. BY TODAY\'S STANDARDS EVEN JOHN KENNEDY COULD NOT BE ELECTED IN THIS SPOILED BRAT CULTURE BECAUSE HE WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO CONSERVATIVE !!!\r\nWAKE UP MICHIGAN! TO MANY YOUNGSTERS IN OFFICE WHO HAVE NO CLUE,  NO LIFE EXPERIENCE BUT HAVE LOTS OF PR !\r\n ','24.11.165.79',1414117531,0,1,'05/','','',''),(7799,0,5144,0,'Film Sudsidy','Most film makers and \"stars\" support far left politics, thus, we taxpayers are assisting them in undermining America and donating to the Obama team. I have a daughter who has had one of those periodic part time jobs the film makers bring to Michigan, a extra part of the crowd, typically for only a couple days at a time for about $8.00 an hour. It is all a joke - an expensive one. And the bill they just past lifts the $2 Million compensation limit an individual actor or film worker can make with our subsidy. End it along with all other forms of crony capitalism that rewards one business over another. ','50.127.245.146',1414442010,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8253,0,5096,0,'Tell the truth','This is not about safety, it is about raising revenue. More back door taxation. ','75.134.169.48',1416329256,0,1,'04/','','',''),(8254,0,5181,0,'Tax on gas','The same old story. Every time the price of gas goes down they want to increase the tax on it. When gas goes up will they lower the tax, hell no. Start using the tax dollars for what it was intended for. Stop moving money around for your pet projects.','75.134.169.48',1416329500,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8259,0,5181,0,'GAS TAX INCREASE','I cannot understand why we subsidize the movie industry and then ask taxpayers to ante up more money for road repairs.  There is money to be spent on roads without raising taxes on us all. Its apparent that when Michigan can pay Professor Gruber almost 1/2 million to set up a health care exchange that we did not use in the end, we are not choosing wisely with funding. Maybe the representatives in Lansing should pick up the phone and talk with a few of the retired appropriations committee members.  They know where there is fat to cut.  How about asking Dave Agema for some suggestions.  \r\n\r\nUnfortunately a lot of our representatives don\'t feel the need to spend time digging for the answers.  Much easier to follow the leader and parrot their talking points once the bill is passed.  I hope that enough of the representatives say \"NO\".  Time to cut the fat and eliminate the pet projects.  Those of us on fixed incomes don\'t want to choose between gas and buying food.','70.210.67.208',1416344730,0,1,'04/','','',''),(8257,0,5181,0,'gas tax','No new taxes, no increased taxes.  The only republican governor who lost in 2014 was the one who raised the gas tax (Tom Corbet of Penn).  Tax payers want less taxes not more or new creative ones.','50.33.220.229',1416335383,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8258,0,5181,0,'Tax increase','Michigan still reels from a spotty economy. Too many are unemployed or under-employed. Increasing road taxes will increase the cost of everything shipped - food, clothing, getting to jobs, heating the house, visiting grandma. There is no quicker or more certain way to kill the fledgling recovery. We pay $400 million too much each year for government construction, until we repeal the prevailing wage laws. Republicans raised the budget $7 Billion a year in just four years. Subsidies for movies and crony capitalism and to bail out Detroit would have paved roads. We do not collect too little tax money - we just do not use it wisely. Cut the fat first! ','50.108.73.109',1416340880,0,1,'03/','','',''),(8270,0,5181,0,'Dump proposed Gas Tax Now','The wholesale price of gasoline and diesel can change twice in one day. The administration and accounting of the proposed tax would be a nightmare for the fuel distributors, almost all of who are independently owned family businesses.  ( They are NOT \'big oil\'.)  Treasury would need new software to administrate this new tax. The list goes on.  Michigan already has one of the highest fuel tax rates in the nation, and has sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, along with the federal excise tax and state excise tax.  Michigan sales tax is placed on the federal excise tax; we tax the tax. The proposed tax will raise the price of fuel and put gas station owners out of business.  Legislators need to quit stealing from the road tax fund, and there will be enough money to fix our roads.  How many more abandoned gas stations do we need on our corners?  ','24.180.254.210',1416407238,0,1,'05/','','',''),(8271,0,5144,0,'Film Subsidies','This is one I absolutely must respond to because the information you have been given is entirely inaccurate. A friend has worked on many movies as an extra and has researched what the film industry has brought to Michigan.\r\n\r\nFirst, when my friend was in Red Dawn, filmed in Mt. Clemens and Grand Ledge, the film company paid $10,000 a day for the Mt. Clemens fire department to have a fire truck on set. They paid $2500 a day to the businesses who were in the background to remain open for business so that t people coming and going would look normal. When they filmed at the Ledges in Grand Ledge they paid $5000 a week to \"rent\" the park. When was the last time you think either of these two public entities ever raised this much money in taxes?! Let\'s look at the business that was done by the film crews. Over 400 people were employed during this time. At both Mt. Clemens and The Ledges. These DO NOT include the extras that were hired. Just the film crews, make-up, seamstresses, costumers, etc. Where do you think these 400 people stayed? This is typical of what happens in a community where filming takes place.\r\n\r\nWhen she was in Real Steel, the production company bought every stick of lumber a lumber yard had to build the set at the beginning of the movie. When do you think that has ever happened before.\r\n\r\nLet\'s talk about the extras that are hired. My friend found that many of them were otherwise unemployed. Imagine, people actually working for their pay instead of staying home and getting paid. By the way, my friend usually earns around $15 an hour as an extra. This is time she is on set, she maybe on set for 12-15 hours and only have to actually be in a scene for 5-10 minutes.\r\n\r\nI can give you countless examples of how this is good for local communities and the state as a whole. In other states that subsidize film making tourism has gone up, sometimes as much as 15%.\r\n\r\nWhen the first incentives were in place, MGM was planning to build a studio just north of the Lugnuts Stadium because of the access to students at LCC and MSU. What an opportunity to develop industry in our own backyard!!!\r\n\r\nThink about this when you groan about the extra ten dollars in taxes you will be paying. Is it worth it? $10.00, maybe $20.00 out of your pocket a year?\r\n\r\n','98.250.181.146',1416413701,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8276,0,5181,0,'Raise gas taxes ?','Our road tax use is the highest  among the neighboring states, and yet our roads are worse!  Why is that??  Because the money is not being appropriated for road repair!  Let\'s get that fixed before we raise taxes! ','50.108.113.193',1416450840,0,1,'06/','','',''),(8277,0,5181,0,'Raise gas tax? ','It\'s my understanding that our road use taxes are higher I. This state than neighboring states and yet our roads are worse!  Why is that?  It\'s because the money is not being appropriated for road repair!  Let\'s fix that before we talk about raising taxes! ','50.108.113.193',1416451152,0,1,'07/','','',''),(8296,0,5201,0,'This is an improvement but','This is an improvement but the best way would be to allocate Electors based on the vote for President in each congressional district, with the two at large proportional. That would most closely represent the will of the people. ','50.108.73.109',1416946074,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8302,0,5205,0,'Mixed emotions on this issue.','Mixed emotions on this issue. You should be able to support whom you please. The problem is the obscene advantage LARGE money has - the health care lobbies who bought $2 BILLION a year for themselves through Medicaid expansion. Influence peddling destroys fairness and equal opportunity. ','50.108.73.109',1417200937,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8310,0,5201,0,'This would be fine if passed','This would be fine if passed in all the states.  It is ONLY being pursued in predominantly blue states and swing states, proving it is a BLATANT attempt to further siphon electoral votes toward the Republican party, in order to skew the electoral votes away FURTHER away from the popular vote.','76.112.40.243',1417497578,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8322,0,5224,0,'Ignore Federal Gun Laws','In my opinion and in the opinion of many legal minds...these laws are unconstitutional.  Time for the states to exert some energy and push back against all unconstitutional laws. ','70.210.72.21',1418079278,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8323,0,5224,0,'2nd Amendment','We have the God given right to keep and bear arms. That is end of the discussion. NO govt. entity has the right to restrict our rights to keep and bear arms or the right to purchase the ammo. that is required for that firearm. States should exert their rights, also. The Feds. have very limited powers according to our Constitution.\r\nIda S.','108.116.147.18',1418089821,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8320,0,5205,0,'secret michigan political groups / secret societies','Nothing done in government in todays culture is above board. I\'ve worked with most of the folks who \"hide in the shadows\" IE Michigan Advocacy Trust. its all about control by the establishment; and to BS the locals and voters. When I first started monitoring government budgets at the state level it was $2.8 billion dollars annually its now        53 Billion annually ?   The state population has declined and there use to be one secretary for every 2 state legislators !! So whats happened we have as much narcissistic republicans many with no life experience just like the democratic party!\r\nHow come this republican gov has spent 5 billion tax dollars more than when Granholm was in the govs office ? it should have been part time long ago !! I worked in the Clerks office in the State House so I know what Im talking about and worked on every budget moving through the legislature. All that is necessary for evil to prevail is that good people do nothing ! Hosea 4:6\r\n','24.11.165.79',1418010367,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8327,0,5216,0,'YOUR FAMILY IS AT RISK ! SO','YOUR FAMILY IS AT RISK ! SO WITH ALL OF THE INTELLIGENT AND CAREING ELECTED \"PUBLIC SERVANTS\" IN OFFICE AT THE COUNTY AND STATE LEVELS WHY HAS IT TAKEN OVER A DECADE TO HAVE ONE MERE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROS AND CONS !! YOU NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO STUDY THIS OUT ! AND THEN BECOME ACTIVE !!  ITS SCHEDULED TO ATTACHED TO YOUR HOME TOO !!\r\n https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4JDEspdx58','24.11.165.79',1418441025,0,0,'01/','','',''),(8347,0,5245,0,'Presidential Primary','We ran \"moderates\"  McCain and Romney and lost.  When will the republicans learn that there are a lot of independents and conservatives that could get behind a more conservative candidate.  My choice would be Scott Walker or Rick Perry.  Perhaps Rick Perry would have a better chance of raising the money needed.  I would have no problem with any of the conservatives...just will not vote for another Republican in Name Only.  ','70.210.76.126',1418842032,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8335,0,5216,0,'EVERYONE MUST DO THE HOMEWORK','EVERYONE MUST DO THE HOMEWORK ! NO ONE IS EXEMPT ! WHERE ARE THE STATESMEN ?\r\n\r\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4JDEspdx58','24.11.165.79',1418590782,0,0,'02/','','',''),(8352,0,5253,0,'New department','Typical government, add new departments.  Never really seems to fix the problems but does expand government and increase taxes over  time.','75.105.66.40',1419098305,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8355,0,5253,0,'TALENT VS SUBSTANCE AS A \"PUBLIC SERVANT\"','WE NEED TALENT IN ELECTED NOT \"SELECTED\" OFFICE WE NEED THOSE IN OFFICE WHO ARE GOING TO \"MAN UP\" (WOMAN UP) TO LANSING POLITICANS ! \r\nWHEN ARE WE GOING TO WAKE UP AND QUIT PLAYING POLICICS ! I JUST  HAD A CLIENT ANNOUNCE THE CLOSING OF THEIR US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OPERATION HERE LOCALLY. WHY ? BECAUSE THE US GOVERNMENT HAS MOVED ALL OF THOSE OPERATIONS TO OFF SHORE CONTRACTORS ! THE SILENCE IS DEFEANING !! \r\nOFFICE OF TALENT AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT ??? PLEASE ! HOW MUCH MORE OVERLAP DO WE NEED !!\r\nhttp://www.stateintegrity.org/michigan','24.11.165.79',1419180859,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8356,0,5253,0,'New State Department','We would be in favor ONLY if it didn\'t involve raising taxes; not now, not in the future!  ','50.108.101.37',1419196342,0,1,'03/','','',''),(8371,0,5260,0,'Sales Tax Increase','Definitely will vote No, No, No!  Will be lobbying against the increase to everyone we see.  Time to cut something from the budget.  \r\n\r\nOnce  the roads ever do get fixed, do you think the sales tax will be rolled back to 2014 levels.  Never.  Taxes never get rolled back just go to another pork fat project.','70.210.64.168',1419636990,0,1,'01/','','',''),(8374,0,5260,0,'Priorities not more $','The DOT needs to prioritize the $ they spend they have a lot of waste in their budget, and there spending on road projects. They need a \"do it right the first time\" policy. We should not be paying to fix the roads or stretches of road over and over. If they don\'t do it right they don\'t work on a road project again, at least not for more money until the first project is made right.','97.92.53.69',1419692597,0,1,'02/','','',''),(8375,0,5260,0,'THE MONEY CHANGERS!','I WORKED SPECIFICALLY ON THE MICHGAN GAS TAX SPANNING TWO DECADES. THE PROBLEM IS \"SUPLANTATION\" OF FUNDS BY STATE LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNORS WHO HAVE SIGNED OFF AND SOLD THEIR SOLES FOR A TEMPORARY ROAD FIX OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES!\r\n\r\nLEGISLATORS WHO REFUSE TO STUDY THE SPECIFICS SHOULD BE REPLACED IF THEY DON\'T TAKE PRUDENT ACTION; THEREFORE MUST BE THROWN OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE!!! THAT IS WHY THEY TOOK THE \"OATH OF OFFICE\" IN THE FIRST PLACE, TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC TREASURE ! NOT MANIPULATE IT !\r\n\r\nONE FORMER STATE REP TRIED TO REVERSE THE MANIPULATED GAS TAX FORMULA AND REFORM IT IN ORDER TO REINSTATE A PROGRAM BASED ON \"INTEGERITY !\" AND GOOD GOVERNMENT !                                                    HE WAS RIDICLED AND MARGINALIZED BY THE MONEY CHANGERS DOWNTOWN!\r\n\r\nTHE GENERAL PUBLIC HAD BETTER WAKE UP AND VOTE \"NO\" ON THIS NEXT SCAM WHICH IS COMING FOURTH UNDER THE HOAX OF BEING A NOBLE ANSWER TO MICHIGAN ROAD FUNDING ON THE BALLOT ! LOOK FOR THE COMING SLICK  PR CAMPAGIN TO SUPPORT THIS BALLOT HOAX !\r\n\r\nTHE LEGISLATIVE PLAYERS DOWNTOWN KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT LOOK AT THE COMPLEX DETAILS AND IS NAIVE; IN ORDER TO FORWARD YET ANOTHER \"GIANT SUCKING NOISE\" COMING FROM THE PUBLICS WALLET!\r\n\r\nCORRUPT LEGISLATIVE PLAYERS AND BUREAUCRATS WANT TO MOVE THIS INITIATIVE QUICKLY SO AS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT GAS WARS IN PROCESS !!  YOU WILL BE SORRY IF YOU DON\'T VOTE \"NO\" ON THE MAY 2015 GAS TAX BALLOT !! \r\nCOWARDS AND PLAYERS DOWNTOWN WANT THIS ON YOUR BACK INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING IT WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD  BE \"IN THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE !!!!\"   ITS TIME TO MAN UP !                                      SOME OF US ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE GAMES BEING PLAYED BY THE SO CALLED \"REAL CONSERVATIVES\" FROM THE LIKES OF THE MICHIGAN ADVOCACY TRUST MANTALITY ! SHAME ON YA\'LL ! ','24.11.165.79',1419699305,0,1,'03/','','',''),(8376,0,5260,0,'Polling','I am very sorry to hear that the polling and the information that comes with it is coming to an end. It has been a great source of information and in a concise format. I join all in applauding  Steve Willis and thank him for his generosity. I suggest a new poll:  should Steve Willis actually retire or just take a well deserved (short) vacation and give this another chance?  - - Stephanie Whitbeck','98.250.180.46',1419706538,0,1,'04/','','',''),(8377,0,5260,0,'The Grand Bipartisan Road Deal?','VOTE NO ON THE GAS TAX PROPOSAL!\r\n\r\nSnyder and all of his cronies will be using their \"relentless, positive, deception\" over the next few months to get this proposal across the finish line with the needed votes for passage by the people who will be duped by duplicitous politicians and special interests.\r\n\r\nThe whole process was a sham as we saw two purported distinct proposals to solve the road repair issues facing Michigan. In the end they to pass both, and throw a bone to the Detroit democrat legislative delegation to get their support at a cost to Michigan taxpayers of $1,900,000,000.00 in additional tax burden.\r\n\r\nIt was interesting that in an article from Mlive stated that, \r\n   “Democratic challenger Mark Schauer lost to Snyder in November, but a few of his top policy proposals could still be enacted in May, when voters decide the fate of a long-term road funding package.”  \r\n     The bipartisan roads deal would also generate some extra money for schools, guarantee that the School Aid Fund can’t be used for higher education and require a statewide study to determine true funding needs for the education system.”\r\n       “I think a lot of these items were talking points for (Schauer),” said House Minority Leader Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills. “All of these things were core Democratic values and we were happy to secure their inclusion in the overall package.”\r\nMy question is, when will we send people to Lansing to represent us and not the special interest? There is money that could be found simply by reforming how roads are funded and eliminating some of the special interest projects the state is involved in every year (MDEC, Strategic Fund, 21st Century Job Fund, Film Subsidies, New Senate Office Building, and who knows what else?)\r\n','50.37.38.24',1419717285,0,1,'05/','','',''),(8382,0,5253,0,'New dept.','But,  only if this replaces a number of depts. and deletes several other depts. NO new staff or offices. Ida S.','108.116.228.131',1419995923,0,1,'04/','','','');

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