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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">NEW POLL OVERVIEW:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">A Presidential Commission on Election Administration recently found that voting remains more difficult and time consuming than necessary. The bipartisan panel also found that Americans from all backgrounds including Republicans, Democrats and independents want election reforms and a&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">modern, efficient and responsive</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">&nbsp;voting experience.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Potential Democrat running mate to Mark Schauer as Lieutenant Governor, Barb Byrum, says the legislature should make changes to the election laws to allow for online registration and no-reason absentee voting.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">She say that 17 states already have online voter registration and that its implementation would increase voter participation and the accuracy of the voter rolls.&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Byrum also feels that getting to the polls on Election Day is difficult, if not impossible for many people. Currently in Michigan a voter can only vote absentee for certain specific reasons, such as being a senior citizen, being out of town on Election Day or being in jail.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">She says allowing any voter who prefers to vote absentee to do so &ndash; without requiring an explanation &ndash; would give millions of voters access to the polls without having to physically appear at a polling place on Election Day. Additionally, no-reason absentee voting will reduce congestion and long lines for those who prefer voting in person.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Nearly 30 states currently offer no-reason absentee voting.&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Michigan</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span style="font-size: x-large; ">s Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, concurs with Byrum. In July, she&nbsp; had stated that her office was drafting legislation to allow online voter registration as well as no-reason absentee voting.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">NEW POLL QUESTION:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Should the legislature pass a law to allow for online voter registration and no-reason absentee voting?</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Yes</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">No</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Undecided</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; "><a href="http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-legislature-pass-law-allow-online-voter-registration-and-no-reason-absentee-voting">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-legislature-pass-law-allow-online-voter-registration-and-no-reason-absentee-voting</a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">(To enter your comments click on&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">Add new comment</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 36px; font-size: x-large; ">&nbsp;after you vote.)</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Should Michigan&rsquo;s Republican National Committeeman resign from that position?</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Yes - 50%</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">No - 45%</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Undecided - 5%</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">THERE WERE 5 COMMENTS MADE ON THIS POLL:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #1&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Agema</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">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!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Seeing the RNC agenda this week some of the &quot;establishment&quot; 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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">++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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Likewise 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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">++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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">++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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">The 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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">++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&rsquo;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.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #2</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Agema was ELECTED. His positions agree with the GOP Platform.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">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</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #3&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Dave Agema</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">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!!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Ida S.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #4&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Dave Aegma</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">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, &quot;Let's stand up to England&quot; was saying something that politically incorrect, that was not civil, and that was insensitive.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Whenever 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.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">It 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.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">What 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.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #5&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">Dave Agema Should Not Resign</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: x-large; ">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 &quot;political correctness&quot;. We have elections for a reason. Since no crime has been committed , I would favor letting the man we elected stay.</span></p>
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