Saginaw GOP Voices...

Granholm's Minions Insist On Killing Michigan Economy

Bureaucrats within the Michigan Occupational and Safety Administration (MIOSHA) have for some time been working on new ergonomic mandates to reduce muscular-skeletal disorders, like carpal tunnel, back pain, etc., associated with the workplace.   Should these new rules go into effect, it could cost Michigan businesses an additional $500 million.

The proposed regulations not only pose a threat to business retention, expansion and attraction, but may be wholly unnecessary.  National and state statistics show a sharp decline in workplace injuries and illness.  Workplace safety has improved so much in Michigan, that last year the state reduced worker compensation premiums. 

So why would a state that's hemorrhaging jobs and has one the the highest unemployment rates in the country make rules that are more stringent then anyone else's?  Because big labor controls the Granholm administration and the Democrat party.

Although they won't, the Michigan House should concur with legislation already passed by the Republican-led Senate that forbids the adoption of  workplace safety standards that go further than federal requirements.

Observations

A recent article in the Saginaw News reported on state Democrats' efforts to repeal Michigan's drug maker immunity law.  The article was especially critical of Sen. Roger Kahn and Senate Republicans who feel that our state's immunity law is necessary in an effort to thwart frivolous lawsuits against drug manufactures.  For a state that's hemorrhaging jobs and trying to diversify its economy, the last thing we need is to make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to overlook Michigan.  In Sen. Kahn's defense, the United States Supreme Court just issued a ruling saying in effect that medical device manufactures cannot be sued because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the approval of such devices (and drugs) used on the public.  Sen. Kahn, and his fellow Republicans in the Senate, have used this same reasoning in their defense of pharmaceutical companies. 

I attended Saginaw's State of the County and City speeches last Friday, delivered respectively by Cheryl Hadsall, Democrat chairwoman for the Saginaw County Commissioners, and Mayor Joyce Seals.  While  Ms. Seals remarks were upbeat about the future of the City of Saginaw, Commissioner Hadsall's remarks were just plain weird.   She actually questioned whether our latitude is to blame for our economic struggles.  Using 10 other Michigan counties as comparables,  she noted that the other counties' economies were doing better, because "they are closer to the rest of the United States."  "Is our location an issue, being the farthest north?" she asked.  Perhaps she's on to something.  Was Russia's collapse due to the weight of communism  or the snow?

Strange Times

The following two scenarios are a very real possibility for America.

If some soothsayer a thousand years ago had predicted that a country would elect as its president, a father and son, and a husband and wife, within a 20 year span, you'd think that the country in question was a small and insignificant outpost.  Not a world superpower.

We could go from a president who has very nearly hung his whole presidency on the demonetization, removal, and execution of a man named Hussein, to electing a man with the middle name of Hussein.  That's almost like electing a man named Hitler after WWII.   

Let's End the Confusion

Admittedly, many Republicans are less than enthusiastic about any one of the Republican candidates running for president.  We are confused about this candidate's position on immigration, or that candidate's past position on abortion.  We are concerned that neither of these candidates represents our vision or memories of Ronald Reagan.  Even trusted talk radio hosts disparage these guys.  Let's stop chasing ghosts and get behind our candidates.  The reality is this; if we were to awaken the day after the Inauguration in 2008 and any one of our Republican candidates (except for Ron Paul) was President, we would be absolutely thrilled!  The  alternative is  unconscionable.

As a reminder to those who feel their particular Republican polemic is not being served by our current candidates, I offer Michigan as a perfect example of the consequences of Democratic "leadership."  Just yesterday, state Republican party chair Saul Anuzis was in town with the Michigan Taxpayer's Check.  The Michigan Taxpayer's Check is a visual example of what the Granholm/Democrat tax increases will cost.  For every second, the check registers an additional $39 to Michigan taxpayers.  You can imagine what this check would look like if Hillary or Obama gets into the White House.   

Michigan Backs Romney

Congratulations to Mitt Romney!  He won yesterday's Michigan primary convincingly over rivals John McCain and Mike Huckabee.  Despite this victory, the race for the Republican nomination is still very much up in the air.  I don't think we'll get a clearer picture until and after Super Tuesday on February 5th.  My thanks to all the volunteers on the various campaigns for their hard work and dedicated spirit.   

Saginaw County GOP Annual Report

Despite a somewhat tumultuous conclusion, 2007 was a pretty good year for the Saginaw County GOP. My thanks go to my fellow officers, Vice Chair Helene Wiltse, Treasurer Joel Wilson and Secretary Donald Milne. Without their hard work, encouragement and advice, the past year would have seemed much longer. I also wish to thank our Executive Committee members for their enthusiasm, friendship and patience. As Chair, I will try and live up to your collective aspirations. 

Although we begin the New Year with less money in the bank than when we started, we had our best year since 2000. We raised more money and had bigger donors in comparison to anytime within the last seven years; not bad for a non-election year. I regret that we didn’t raise more money from the second membership mailing in August, despite having budgeted for it, but we underestimated its cost and subsequent revenue. Nevertheless, it was still the right thing to do and future mailings will benefit from having updated records. 

There will be much to do in 2008. We will do what we can to refill our coffers, and help to retain our Republican seats in Saginaw County, the Michigan Legislature, the U.S. Congress and the White House. Any additional gains we may derive from the work that lay ahead will be additional blessings to those we already share. Thanks again for all of your hard work and I look forward to working for you in 2008. 

Tim Kelly, Chairman

Michigan's Own John Kerry

Just like John Kerry, Democrat State Rep. Andy Coulouris can now say "I voted for it, before I voted against it."  Republicans Sen. Roger Kahn and Rep. Ken Horn have introduced a bill to save small businesses from any money they may have spent in preparation for the short lived and recently repealed service tax.  In a story in this evenings Saginaw News, regarding Kahn and Horn's bill, Coulouris is credited with helping to repeal the ill-conceived tax.  Funny.  Wasn't he one of the majority Democrats who voted to pass the tax in the first place? 

Horn Deserves Credit

Kudos to State Representative Ken Horn (R) Frankenmuth, for his efforts to reduce his own pay as well as his colleagues in the Michigan legislature.  Although both the house and the senate have already passed bills to that affect, Horn's bill puts the feet to the fire of the State Officers Compensation Committee who sets pay policy.   Although the Compensation Committee is not scheduled to meet until 2009, Horn's bill would require them to meet sooner to decide on a 5% reduction.  More symbolic then substance, it would still save the state $600,000.  It is important to note that all Saginaw area legislators, including Sen. Kahn and Rep.  Moolenaar support the bill. 

Welcome to Saginaw County Republicans' new blog!

This is a great day in cyberspace!  The dynamic voices of the conservative community in Saginaw County can now speak their minds on the topics of most concern to them.  Please join us as we vent, laugh, educate, motivate, and accomplish great things in the months ahead!

We ask only two things:  CIVILITY and RESPECT!

Don't worry about offending others; we rejoice in the right we have as American citizens to freely offend with what we say! 

After all, if we can't freely offend, then we can't freely speak!  Take advantage of this right and USE it, for it is only in offensive speech that we are challenged to think!

It is through 'offensive' speech that we are forced to grow in our capacity to respond with intelligence and humor (perhaps that's why the Dems are so lousy at this...?!)

HOWEVER...offending others should only be in the category of challenging their beliefs (and maybe their actions!).  We are not interested in OFFENDING on the basis of physical characteristics which no one can control.  So please use common sense and write your offensive thoughts with CIVILITY and RESPECT! (yes, it can be done!)

To start things off, give us your opinions on the latest fiasco by the legislature in repealing the service tax and placing a 21.9 'surcharge' on the MBT.  What say you to this?