Some interesting Tidbits from the MDP

For those of us who voted in the 2004 Michigan Democratic Party Presidential Caucus, it was an exciting time. For the first time we could vote on the internet for our favored candidate and for me, it made the election process all the more interesting and interactive.

As much as the net-roots community likes to complain about the pre-historic nature of the MDP, you just might be surprised to learn that Michigan was the very first state to do this internet voting. Even more impressive, we're the only state (at this point) that's going to do it again in 2008.

Here's a question - how many of you had dial-up service in 2004 versus your broadband connection today? Probably a lot of you. Despite that, a whopping 28% of the 160,000 Caucus voters in voted online. When you consider how Internet has been growing in leaps and bounds, imagine how that number will skyrocket.

As it stands now, the MDP already proposed several changes to the Delegate Selection Plan, all designed to make it a little easier for all of us to better participate. After looking it over, here's some of the changes I noticed:

• Internet voting will be open for 7 days, as opposed to 30 days in '04
• Voters will be able to vote in any voting location within their county. Go where it's closest.
• You can take your utility bill, drivers license, or your MI Identification card as proof of identification. I think this is a great idea, it makes it more accessible to everyone, since we don't all have a Drivers License.
• Choice of voting by mail, internet or in person.
  

Of course, if this is something we want to be available again next year, we need to let the MDP know. Right now, they are taking public comment on the Caucus Draft Selection Plan. Between now and April 28th, you can view the Plan online and then email the MDP with your comments.

While you're checking out the plan, you can also learn a little more about being a delegate, how delegates are selected, how the Convention process works, and the burning question - what's the date of the Caucus (Feb. 9th, 2008 as it stands now, but of course, that could change...)

Either way, it's your state, and your voice - make it heard!

Duh

If you're sitting here reading this and you still haven't voted, shame on you.

GO VOTE

Keep Michigan Great with Granholm.

Why Carmella Sabaugh Deserves Your Support on Tuesday

There's not a whole lot that we hear about when it comes to the Secretary State. What do they do, how do they do it, and more importantly why is the SOS a partisan position?
All very good and very real questions that many of us have wondered for most of our lives.
Straight from the state's website...

The Department of State is the oldest department of Michigan state government and is administered by the secretary of state. Elected to a 4-year term, the secretary of state is a member of the executive branch of government and has constitutional as well as statutory duties.

The department collects nearly $2 billion in revenue each year. Those monies are distributed between the Michigan Transportation Fund and the General Fund and are used for a variety of other purposes as required by law.

The Department of State has contact with more Michigan residents than any other state agency.

The mission of the Department of State is to provide the most efficient and effective services to the people of Michigan through the licensing of drivers and the registration and titling of vehicles; the regulation of automobile dealers and repair facilities; the registration of voters and administration of elections; and the streamlined collection of revenue.

Terry Lynn Land (R) is the current Secretary of State, hailing from Kent County (Tricky Dick's territory). Problem is, she's not doing a proper job, and risking Michigan elections in the process.

Even Dick DeVos' running mate, Ruth Johnson (herself the Oakland County Clerk) has publically criticized Land for her failure of election equipment to protect against voter fraud.

"With no alternative, I would like to make a formal complaint against ES&S and ask that you investigate these problems... Secretary Land, Oakland County would not accept this behavior or these product failings from any other vendor." Republican Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson, currently the Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate, in a May 5, 2006 letter to Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land

(Be sure to check out the video and see Johnson's letter to Land here.) Ouch!


Land was also responsible for sending out this postcard to voters at the whopping cost of $1.9 Million dollars. Read how terrible it was here.
Credit to Matt at MichiganLiberal for getting to the bottom of it.

So why Carmella Saubaugh?

Well for starters, Carmella's another great Michigan woman, born, raised, educated, and dedicated her life to serving the people of our great state.

• Born Carmella Visconti August 3, 1938 in Detroit
• Baptized at San Francisco Catholic Church in Detroit
• Orphaned at age 8
  
• Raised by aunt and uncle in Detroit
  
• Graduated from Denby High School in Detroit, January 1956
  
• Awarded a scholarship from the Detroit Board of Education
  
• Attended Wayne State University
  
• Warren resident, Michigan's third largest city
  
• Mother of five children, all graduates of Warren Woods Public Schools and
  
• Michigan colleges and universities
  
• Honored as Italian American Woman of the Year in 2005 by the Italian Cultural Center

And then there's her long history of serving all of Michigan's people.

• Elected to Warren City Council , 1975-1979
• Elected Warren City Clerk in 1979
• Served as Warren City Clerk for 11 years
• Elected Macomb County Clerk in 1992
  
• Re-elected as Macomb County Clerk 1996, 2000, 2004
• Second highest vote-getter countywide in 2004
• Past president of Macomb County Clerks' Association

Since being elected to serve, Carmella's achievements are long and vast and she clearly has a proven record of working for the people of Michigan. Here are just a few, but the entire list is here.

• Sabaugh was the first county clerk to partner with the Social Security Administration to create a system allowing quick electronic verification of birth certificates to prevent fraud.

• First Michigan clerk to post online the names of candidate committees failing to pay campaign finance fees.
• First Michigan clerk to create an online concealed weapons permit system letting CCW permit applicants securely check their own application status.
• Let students “learn and earn” by hiring more student election inspectors than has ever been hired in an official capacity in Macomb County.
• Was the first county clerk in Michigan to offer evening hours, making it easier for working people to get their vital records and get personal service.
• Placed Macomb County among the most accountable in Michigan by putting county and local candidates’ campaign finance reports on the Internet free of charge.

Carmella Saubaugh - the only candidate for Secretary of State that's looking out for your best interests.

Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen - Reason #1

(When I started this list, I did it in the hopes of reaching the average, non-politically involved citizen. I wanted to bring the facts, as they already existed, together and show voters exactly where the candidates stood on the issues. Michiganians have a right to know exactly who they are voting for.
I never imagined how many hours of research, moments of stress ("@$!*^ How am I ever going to come up with 25!"), this would take from me. I still had to go on with my life, job, responsibilities, even with losing my grandfather (my inspiration for #15) in the middle of it all. But as I toiled, my resolve strengthened, my dedication deepened, and this list became a true labor of love. I know I've educated myself, and I hope that I've educated and opened even a few people's minds along the way.
A thanks goes out to all of my friends, mentors, supporters, and those of you who take the time to read my simple little list. An even bigger thanks goes out to everyone who loves our great state just as much as I do, and works hard to keep it great by voting tomorrow. Without you, this list would be pointless and completely in vain. Without further adieu...)

************************************************************************************

Tomorrow we decide.
Who will lead us into the next 4 years?
Who will help us get jobs, healthcare coverage, keep our rights, and protect our children?
Who will fight for us?

Let's see where they stand, on all of the issues.


1. Dick DeVos - fighting for special interests and the uber-wealthy. (click on the link for proof!)

Jobs - Amway Guy cuts thousands here, and sends even more to China. #25, #24, #3

Healthcare - Dick says either get a job or fend for yourself. #21

Education - Tricky Dick has donated millions to undermine our public education system through a voucher system, and has failed our kids. #23, #22, #4

Leadership - Dick lost more jobs and more money as President of Amway. #20

Our Cities - Dick's tax plan will crush our local cities and towns. #19

Job Creation - There's no proof Dick ever created a single job as President of Amway. #18

Great Lakes - Dick supports destroying our Great Lakes through drilling. #17

Campaign Finance - Dick is hiding his tax returns from us, why? #16

Stem Cell Research - Dick says "No Way" - but won't explain himself. #15

Middle Class and the Minimum Wage - Dick's out of touch, and Betsy thinks workers 'make too much'. #14

Public Health - Dick's going to cut it, period. #13

Job Outsourcing - Dick supports outsourcing through NAFTA. #12

Environmental Funding - Dick's going to cut necessary funding to keep our beautiful state pristine. #11

Women's Rights - Tricky Dick wants to outlaw a women's right to choose. #10

Michigan's Problems - Dick thinks it's our taxes, too bad research says different. #9

Affirmative Action - Dick doesn't really support it. Just look at his words, his staff, his record, his running mate, and what his friends are saying. #8

Honesty - Dick and Amway lied about their products and importing goods made in China to the US. #7

Lobbying and Ethics - Dick's donated millions to President Bush and the GOP. #6

The Single Business Tax (SBT) - Dick says he's going to fix it, but his solution will cost us $4 Billion extra. #5

Political Affiliations/Donations - Dick's a good friend (and donor) to Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff, has donated 80% of his campaign money himself, is lobbying for tax breaks that will leave us with a $1.3 Billion tab. #2




1. Jennifer Granholm - fighting for all of us, always putting Michigan First!

Jobs - Governor Granholm has helped thousands find new jobs, created over 7,000 jobs and brought over $200 Million in investment from overseas. #25, #24, #3

Healthcare - Jen's making sure no citizen goes without healthcare coverage. #21

Education - The Governor has invested record amounts of money into education, created the toughest school curriculum, made our schools safer, and is creating early education opportunities. #23, #22, #4

Leadership - Jen has brought more businesses to Michigan, and helped existing ones stay and grow here. #20

Our Cities - She's brought millions of dollars to strengthen our cities and towns. #19

Job Creation - Employment in Michigan is up 24,000 jobs since the Governor took over. #18

Great Lakes - Jen's created necessary legislation to protect our Great Lakes. #17

Campaign Finance - The Lady Gov has nothing to hide, and has fully disclosed her report to voters. #16

Stem Cell Research - The Governor has been fighting like hell to allow research here in Michigan. #15

Middle Class and the Minimum Wage - Lady Jen has signed into law a historic minimum wage law, helping Michigan's poor. #14

Public Health - The Governor has created innovative programs that are working for all of Michigan. #13

Job Outsourcing - She's signed 59 Business tax cuts into law and promoted job insourcing. #12

Environmental Funding - Jen has successfully signed multiple vital funding for environmental projects into law. #11

Women's Rights - Not only does the Governor protect a woman's right to choose, she's also hard at work preventing unwanted pregnancies and saving the taxpayers millions of dollars. #10

Michigan's Problems - Jen's made sure Michigan has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country. #9

Affirmative Action - The Governor has a life-long history of protecting everyone's rights. #8

Honesty - Michigan's largest media outlets agree - Jen's always been working hard for us., and not special interests. #7

Lobbying and Ethics - The Governor has outstanding professional ethics. #6

The Single Business Tax (SBT) - Jennifer Granholm is the only candidate with a detailed plan to get rid of the SBT without hurting us in the process. #5

Political Affiliations/Donations - Donations to the Governor are from us, the citizens, not checks written to herself. Jennifer Granholm supports strong ethics and lobbying reforms, to keep candidates honest. #2

As you remind your friends and loved ones to vote tomorrow, pass this list along. Even if you affect one person's vote, you've still helped democracy, and made sure that Michigan stays GREAT!

The Countdown is on!!!

Well here we are - entering the Top Ten!! Fifteen days ago when I started the series, I prayed I could make it to #20 (I'm a bit guilty of being the eternal optimist!).

I've never fought so hard in my life for a candidate, but Jennifer Granholm is an incredible woman, and an equally incredible leader. So much to respect in the hard work she's put in these past four years, I could only wish that our country had more leaders like her. There's no doubt in my mind that Michigan will become a very dangerous place to live should Dick DeVos be put into office come January.

If you believe in our great state, the incredible human capital and the potential for our state, then do yourself, your family and friends a favor - encourage everyone to vote for Gov. Granholm on November 7th. And to put in a shameless plug, perhaps you should print off/email the entire 25 Reasons Why to Just Say NO to DICK and YES to JEN to everyone. :-)

As you head to the polls on the 7th, remember my mantra - "It's about what's best for MI, not just me."

~LL

Politics + Cooking = Democracy Cookies!!!

Overall, I'm a pretty light-hearted person. I'm a wise bird for my age, but only because of life's tribulations and trials that I've had my fair share of. One thing is for sure - life is too short and too precious to be taken too seriously.
Exception to that rule is two things - 1) my personal civic duty and 2) my cooking.
Sounds like an odd combination, but I love my politics and I love my cooking. So far, most of my friends and family would agree on both of those, but they are especially big fans of the latter.
What could be more perfect than finding a combination of the two? Or, even better - find a way to promote Democracy right here at home?

Well, I think I have.Introducing Liberal Lucy's Democracy Cookies!!! Tested and approved for Democracy Goodness by MichLib's very own Matt and lpackard.

That's right, homemade sugar cookies, made with tender loving care and fueled by a passion for promoting civic duty among all of Michigan's citizens and sprinkled with a little patriotic pride!

Here's how they work. My friends and co-workers have been alerted that if they show up with an "I Voted" Sticker on November 7th (or promise they filled out an absentee ballot) they get some Democracy Cookies. This is not a bribe, and I'm not asking people to vote for any particular candidate or any particular way on a ballot/millage proposal. This is just a way of saying how much I appreciate people participating in the democracy process by voting, period.

So, the kitchen is stocked, the oven's piping hot, and I'm ready to bake. Who's ready to vote?