Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen - Reason #6

George W. Bush.
Ethics.
Michigan Voters.
Not really three terms that really make sense when you put them all together.
Bush - Otherwise known as The President Who Forgot the Michigan Auto Industry
If you're Dick DeVos, you might call him one of your best friends.
That is, if you determine your friends by how much money you give to them.
But you got to ask yourself, why raise all that money if you don't want something in return....


6. Dick DeVos loves him some George W. Bush (as long as he gets a little something in return...)
Nothing wrong with having money, that is unless you use that money unethically. The DeVos record is clear.

DeVos Money and Ethics - not in Michigan's best interest.

Dick DeVos and his family were the largest contributors in the nation to the Bush-Cheney presidential campaign in 2000, giving $602,000. (The Wall Street Journal, 12/8/00)

In the 2004 Bush Campaign, Betsy DeVos was named a “Pioneer” for raising more than $100,000. (Detroit Free Press, 6/18/06)

Dick and Betsy DeVos were the nation's fifth largest donors to state Republican organizations and caucuses in 2003-04, giving $981,486. (Detroit Free Press, 6/18/06)

In total, Dick DeVos and family members contributed more than $4.7 million in the 2004 election cycle alone. (Detroit Free Press, June 18, 2006)
Here's the real problem -

Betsy DeVos admitted she expected something in return for her contributions. “I know a little something about soft money, as my family is the largest single contributor of soft money to the national Republican party. Occasionally a wayward reporter will try to make the charge that we are giving this money to get something in return, or that we must be purchasing influence in some way. ..I have decided, however, to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence. Now I simply concede the point. They are right. We do expect some things in return.” (Roll Call, 9/6/97)

And Amway Guy's Dad agrees.

DeVos’ father Rich explained that Amway’s massive lobbying efforts and record political contributions allowed them to “buy access.” (Business Week 2/16/98)

And Dick won't disclose his tax returns, so who knows what else he's hiding from Michigan voters.

“I will be disclosing to the people of Michigan that which I think is appropriate to understand as they look to make a decision about their next Governor.” (WILX-TV, 1/11/06)



6. Governor Jennifer Granholm's personal and professional ethics are unassailable.

Speaking about her ethics proposal, Granholm said “Accountability and openness are at the heart of any democracy. This comprehensive package will ensure that Michigan voters have accurate, honest information on which to judge candidates and elected officials,” said Granholm. Michigan has recently been shown to be among the weakest states in the Union for public servant’s financial disclosure, and Granholm has asked the Legislature to approve the changes she is proposing in early 2006. (PAA Online 12/16/05)

Even the traditionally Pro-DeVos Detroit News agrees, saying "Granholm's ethics proposal deserves action by lawmakers. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposed ethics legislation serves a useful purpose. It should put pressure on GOP state lawmakers to finish up some ethics business of their own. The governor announced that she and Democratic lawmakers have introduced a package of bills to require state appointed and elected officials to disclose their financial interests. Part of the legislation requires candidates for governor to reveal their federal income tax returns going back for three years." (Detroit News 4/22/06)

Who's got your best interest at heart?