Seen and heard from the most progressive part of the country...

I kid you not. This shirt was for sale in one of the stores in Bar Harbor, ME. I saw it and just had to take a picture! The interesting part? While they had lots of t-shirts and magnets and the usual anti-Bush paraphenelia mixed with the usual tourist-y goodies, there wasn't an anti-Democrat, non-progressive item to be found. Ah, it seems as if this liberal has found a perfect vacation spot!! :-)

Diggin the 'Toons...

Not only is Mike Ramsey a good friend and fellow blogger, as most of you have figured out, I think he's a brilliant cartoonist. With my interest in UK politics, I particularly enjoyed his cartoon today.

Cartoon: Lapdog by Mike Ramsey

Ain't that the truth!

Take Action Today in Lansing

There's lots of things in Michigan and Lansing that we all need to fight for, but as a country, we need to stand up to those who aren't looking out for our troops best interests.

I hope you'll consider taking a half-hour out of your lunch break today to do something to protect our troops from their own worst enemy, our President.

Consider joining me at noon at Mike Rogers' office to personally deliver letters from tens of thousands of Michigan's residents calling for a stop to the troop escalation in Iraq. From MoveOn -

On Thursday, MoveOn members are gathering outside hundreds of congressional offices to keep the pressure on Congress to block the escalation. We'll be holding signs and listening to compelling speakers, and we've invited the media.

We want to make sure we have a good-sized group from your district.

Can you join us at a "Congress Decides" letter delivery on Thursday around lunchtime in Lansing?

Where:Mike Rogers office on Michigan (between Holmes and Ferguson) Lansing
When: Thursday, Feb 22 2007, 12:00 PM
RSVP: MoveOn

A majority of those in Congress oppose the president's plan to escalate the war. Now we have to make sure they stop him. In a few weeks Congress will have to decide how far they're willing to go to block the escalation.

They're home for recess and this is our best opportunity to influence what they do when they return to Washington. They need to know that we're not going to rest until they start bringing our troops home.

The more of us who participate on Thursday, the louder our message will be. If we keep the pressure on now, we can make sure Congress does the right thing by blocking the escalation and taking steps to bring our troops home.

Can you join us on Thursday to tell Congress, You're the decider, you must stop the escalation?

Rep. Jack Murtha—who's been leading the fight to stop the escalation—recently told MoveOn members, "The time to act is now...We can get this done. We can bring our troops home."

Here in the 8th District we have an even bigger motivating factor, Mike Rogers' refusal to do what's right for the troops. As we've seen time and time again over at Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Mike's not in the game of representing anyone else's interests besides his own extreme views.

We might not be able to bring them home tomorrow, but as our closest allies start to pull out there's no reason we should be putting any more troops at risk.

Our troops are the people that voluntarily risk everything to ensure our country stays great. Don't they deserve us fighting for them?

Take a lesson from a Real President, Mr. Bush

Michigan's own son, Gerald R. Ford. A man of integrity, humility, servitude.

Not words I'd associate with our current Commander in Chief. But I certainly appreciate his words today about the late President.

Now only if he'd take a lesson of his own and follow in Ford's example.

There were several points throughout the speech that I found surprising, particularly considering the speaker.

He (Ford) belonged to a generation that measured men by their honesty and their courage.

Has that generation left us? Is it a generation that we willingly walked away from or did it simply disappear? Who took us away from that generation and why aren't we walking back to it instead of just referencing it as a historical event?

In President Ford, the world saw the best of America -- and America found a man whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation's history.

Today the world seems to see the worst of America. From Jakarta to Mexico to Iraq and Afghanistan, we're known as the big schoolyard bully, that one that everyone allies with out of sheer fear and desperation.

And why is that?

Because of our leader. Where is that man/woman who can lead us back to a time of calm and healing? Think about our country today and you think of war, economic slumps, living in a constant state of panic and anxiety.

Gerald Ford showed his character in public office. As a young congressman, he earned a reputation for an ability to get along with others without compromising his principles. He was greatly admired by his colleagues and they trusted him a lot. And so when President Nixon needed to replace a vice president who had resigned in scandal, he naturally turned to a man whose name was a synonym for integrity: Gerald R. Ford. And eight months later, when he was elevated to the presidency, it was because America needed him, not because he needed the office.

Integrity?

Dick Cheney, Tom DeLay, Haliburton, Karl Rove, Bush v. Gore, Mark Foley - what integrity is left in today's politics? America longs for it back at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Do we really have to wait till 2008 to see it again?

Gerald Ford assumed the presidency when the nation needed a leader of character and humility -- and we found it in the man from Grand Rapids. President Ford's time in office was brief, but history will long remember the courage and common sense that helped restore trust in the workings of our democracy.

What will Bush be remembered for? (Hint - see above.)

Typically in times of reflection and grief, one is able to find pride and admiration. That seems to be the reoccurring theme for our country (for the most part) up until 2000. Now all that comes to mind is strife and scandal, fear and death.

Where is the courage and the common sense?
Where is the integrity and stewardship?
Where have all the Gerald Ford's gone?

Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen - Reason #2

Campaigns - want to know who's really involved?
Follow the money
The mighty dollar speaks much louder than any sound bite or slogan.
Based on these money trails, which candidate would you rather have working for you?

Dick DeVos = ultra-conservative, out-of-touch, criminally-affliated, laden with special interests.

Jennifer Granholm = progressive, supported by working classes, enriched with hard work and old fashioned elblow grease.


2. Dick DeVos is not working for the people of Michigan, and we can't trust him.

The DeVos campaign has already spent over $39 million on the race, easily the most in Michigan history. In this reporting cycle alone the campaign spent over $18 million. On thirteen different occasions, DeVos wrote seven-figure checks to his own campaign, including one for $9 million on September 8. DeVos has personally given almost $35 million to his campaign, which represents well over 80 percent of the total campaign contributions. (DeVos for Governor Campaign Finance Report 10/06)

Dick DeVos had personal meetings with Tom DeLay on DeVos’ yacht. DeLay, a former Amway distributor, was indicted on a state law charge of conspiracy to illegally use soft money. (Washington Post, 5/15/00; Fox News Special Report with Brit Hume 5/20/99)

According to campaign finance reports, DeVos and his Political Action Committee (PAC), Restoring the American Dream exchanged thousands of dollars with DeLay, his campaign committee and his PAC, Americans for a Republican Majority. DeVos gave the Tom DeLay Congressional Committee $1,000 in 2000, DeLay’s PAC $5,000 in 1999 and DeLay’s legal defense fund $5,000.

DeLay’s PAC in turn gave DeVos’ PAC $5,000 over the course of two weeks in the fall of 2000. (Federal Election Commission Disclosure Database and Citizen.org)

Dick DeVos held a yacht party for convicted felon and lobbyist Jack Abramoff. It was hosted on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., “to launch a new fund-raising drive for GOP House conservatives. Many of the guests were heavy hitters from the Religious Right. But when pledge time came, the first to sign up was no churchgoer. It was Jack Abramoff, an Orthodox Jewish lobbyist who is among the right wing's most aggressive fund-raisers.” (Business Week, July 5, 1999)

"Three months after the DeVos' $ 1 million GOP donation, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and House Speaker Newt Gingrich put a last-minute provision onto the compromise tax bill that gave Amway a $19 million tax break on its Asian branches, the magazine reported." (Associated Press, 10/28/98)

The DeVos family is one of a handful of super-wealthy families lobbying for the repeal of the federal estate tax. The tax affects only 8,200 families in the entire country, and the repeal would save the Amway heirs approximately $1.3 billion. The report revealed Amway first lobbied on the estate tax under Dick DeVos’ presidency in 1998 and has lobbied every year since. (Public Citizen Report, April 2006)

"Amway, its parent company, Alticor and their family owners have given at least $7.5 million to federal campaigns since 1990. [The Alticor PAC is called “ALTIPAC."] All of it went to Republicans and most was soft money -- cash or assets given to political action committees or parties and not directly to candidates or their committees."(Detroit Free Press, 6/18/06)

"Restoring the American Dream, a PAC created by gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, has given $1 million to scores of Republican candidates around the country, mostly those running for the U.S. House and Senate. The PAC received $180,000 from DeVos family members." (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, 6/18/06)

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, 12/28/00)


2. Jennifer Granholm, candidate for the people, by the people, always putting Michigan first.

Governor Granholm has raised $13.8 million from 30,323 donors. 16,444 donors have given $100 or less. Governor Granholm has received contributions from every county in Michigan. (Granholm Campaign Finance Report 10/27/06)

Jennifer Granholm believes in a strong campaign finance reform package, something that Dick DeVos stands against.

Comparison of Proposed Ethics Reforms

Reform	Governor Granholm	Dick DeVos
Financial Disclosure	Comprehensive disclosure for all state elected officials and candidates of financial and business interests and holdings as required for federal officials and candidates.	None.
	All candidates for Governor must release tax returns for 3 prior years. Pres. Bush & Cheney release their tax returns.	No disclosure of tax returns.
Political-Contribution- Free Zones in Government Buildings	Prohibit candidates or agents from accepting or soliciting political contributions in government buildings. Prohibit lobbyists or agents from delivering political contributions in government buildings.	No new prohibitions on campaign contribution / solicitation.
Ban Paid Speaking Fees	Extend ban on paid speaking fees (honoraria)	No new restrictions on paid speaking fees.
Ethics in State Contracting	Eliminate no-bid contracts. Prohibit state contract managers from soliciting or accepting political contributions from state vendors. Require contract managers to disclose conflicts of interest in writing and abstain when a conflict of interest exists. Prohibit state contract managers from seeking/negotiating job offers from state vendors.	“A DeVos administration will prohibit state contractors from giving to gubernatorial campaigns.”
New Legislative Ethics Act	Create clear standards on ethics and conflicts of interests for legislators. Require legislators with conflict of interest to disclose conflict in writing and abstain from voting or chairing committee hearing relating to conflict. Create new bipartisan legislative ethics committee to enforce compliance and include penalties for violations.	No new ethics / conflicts of interest standards for legislators.
New Ethics Act for Executive Branch Officials and Employees	Create clear standards on ethics and conflicts of interest for elected executive branch officials and employees. Require written disclosure of conflicts of interest. Enhance powers of State Board of Ethics and require referral of criminal matters to prosecutors.	No new ethics / conflicts of interest standards for executive branch officials or candidates.
Lobbying Ban	Prohibit elected officials or state department directors from lobbying for 1 year after leaving government. (HB 4226 – Ward, Passed House 98-9 in Feb. 2005)	“A DeVos administration will require a three-year wait before government officials can become lobbyists.”
Robo-Call Disclosure	Require full disclosure of recorded telephone communications in elections, including who paid for and authorized the calls.	No robo-call disclosure.
Lobbyist Funded Activities	Require full financial disclosure.	“A DeVos administration will ban all tickets and trips for government officials from lobbyists.”

Sources: Detroit News 4/22/06, Granholm for Governor 10/06,

Who's looking out for your best interests?

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?