Message from Mike Bouchard Republican Candidate for Michigan Governor

This comes via e-mail:

For Immediate Release: November 18, 2009?

Contact: Kathryn Martin, 586.872.3144

Bouchard: Don’t take bus safety money from crime labs

Making crime victims wait even longer is not answer to state budget woes

Oakland County- Republican candidate for governor Mike Bouchard today called on the Granholm/Cherry administration to stop playing games with the budget and focus on long-term structural reforms.

“Instead of raiding one pot of money to replenish another, it’s time we start rethinking how we deliver services. The Granholm/Cherry team clearly lacks the capacity to find creative solutions,” Bouchard said. “It’s unbelievable that the administration is taking $900,000 from the forensic lab budget instead of finding long-term cost-effective alternatives for the school bus inspections.”

Bouchard added, “School bus inspections account for $1.43 million of the MSP budget which equates to an average cost of $130,000 (salary, benefits etc.) for each of the 11 state police officers conducting bus inspections. The administration should explore using private-sector certified mechanics or auto dealerships to conduct these annual inspections, thus freeing up resources for other clear priorities such as crime lab support.” He added “Certified mechanics make on average $60,000 a year. At that rate, bidding out the inspections could cost half as much. Car dealerships in this state are hurting for business, this could also be an opportunity to help them by inviting them to bid on the business. We must look for innovative ways to stretch every dollar farther.”

On Oct. 30th, Granholm boasted in her recent signing of the Michigan State Police (MSP) budget: “I am pleased this bill includes funding for the additional forensic laboratory casework resulting from the closure of the Detroit Crime Laboratory.” Then on Nov. 4, the governor’s budget director fired off a letter to Legislature slashing the forensic lab budget by roughly $915,000, claiming that the cuts could be offset with federal recovery act funds. However, the federal funds identified are only limited-term monies.

“The plan proposed by the Granholm/Cherry team is not sustainable. Unfortunately, this game of ‘hot potato’ and lack of leadership has become the signature of the Granholm/Cherry administration,” remarked Bouchard.

“Further cuts to forensics labs could mean that victims of crime, including rape, have to wait longer to get test results back,” said Bouchard. “The situation in the State Labs is already beyond critical with backlogs of DNA testing approaching a one-year wait. We had a tragic situation in Oakland County where a rape victim was raped two additional times while awaiting DNA results from the already overburdened MSP lab system. This is unacceptable.”

Bouchard further commented, “The MSP backlog has worsened with the shutdown of the Detroit Police Department Crime Lab.” The current MSP backlog has been exacerbated due to the shutdown of Detroit Police Department’s Crime Lab as evidenced by the following shocking statistics:

·     10,000 rape kits backlogged. It will take MSP years to process these cases.

·     5,700 firearms cases backlogged with a 12-month wait list

·     4,200 narcotic cases backlogged with a 4-5 month wait list

·     2,700 DNA cases backlogged with an 8 month wait list

·     370 polygraph tests backlogged with an 8-10 week wait list

As Oakland County Sheriff, Bouchard has made a practice of making sure taxpayers get the most bang for their buck. He competitively bid the jail food service, saving county taxpayers $1.6 million a year. He also is part of the county leadership team that anticipates potential budget shortfalls by operating on a three-year rolling budget. This forward thinking has resulted in Oakland County being only one out of 40 counties in the United States to have a AAA bond rating, which allows the county to borrow money at a low rate.

“As governor, my team and I will review programs to cut and find innovative alternatives where it makes sense, just as I have done in Oakland County,” Bouchard said. “Taxpayers need to know that each tax dollar is being spent effectively.”

Bouchard called on the House Appropriations Committee to stop the transfer before them on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 11:30AM.

For more information about Bouchard’s campaign for governor, visit www.Bouchardforgovernor.com and please, donate.

Jennifer Granholm and the Democrats have been a utter disaster for Michigan and its economy. It is time for new ideas, leadership and for some real change. Remember this come 2010; it is time to stop the disaster that Obama and the Democrats have created in America and here in Michigan. We need real jobs, a real economy and a true recovery — not socialism, wasted money and smoke and mirrors —- and that is about what the Democrats have given us for the past eight years here in Michigan.

It is time for change. Elect Mike Bouchard and Terri Lynn Land as Governor and Lt. Governor in Michigan in 2010.

—–

Please note: This is a blatant attempt to promote the Governor campaign of Mike Bouchard. I was NOT compensated for this posting at all. It is truly a personal choice of mine; as I live here and I have been out of work since 2005 and I feel the Democrats have to totally screwed this State into the ground.

Memo to General Motors: Good Going Douche Nozzles!

Ed Morrissey and I have not agreed much on G.M. and the status of the bail outs that they received from the Government. But it appears, that for a change, I agree with Ed; mark your calendars, because this does not happen often. Ed reports over on HotAir, that General Motors has taken the money, that was funded by taxpayers; like Ed, Me, and yes, you and has spent it —- overseas. Needless to say, there some lawmakers that are not very happy about it either.

ABC NEWS Reports:

Specifically, at a time when the nation’s unemployment rate has soared to levels not seen in decades and GM is cutting thousands of U.S. jobs, the company’s CEO is considering spending millions from its U.S. coffers — fattened by $50 billion in taxpayer aid — on its overseas operations, a possibility that has outraged critics and lawmakers.

“I don’t think most Americans believe that when the taxpayer bailouts were happening it was intended for that purpose,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y. “It was intended to protect the American economy — not take the money overseas.”

GM’s Chief Executive Fritz Henderson recently announced that the bailed-out automaker might use its U.S. funds to help restructure its European unit Opel, noting that the financing agreements with the Treasury for the $34 billion of bailout funds already spent allow GM to spend any subsequently earned funds as its executives see fit. Some $16 billion remaining after its bankruptcy has strings attached.

[…]

GM has other plans to expand its business abroad. In August, GM China announced a $293 million venture, while last month GM South Korea announced a new infusion of more than $400 million. The automaker also recently inaugurated a $300 million transmission plant in Mexico.

So, is General Motors making money here in America? Uh, No.

General Motors Co. says it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around.

….and how’s that account going?:

Chief Financial Officer Ray Young cautioned that the second- and third-quarter figures don’t comply with U.S. accounting standards and shouldn’t be compared with previous earnings.

GM says it is re-valuing its assets and liabilities and should comply with accounting standards next year.

Ouch.

While I was at the doctors with my Dad earlier today; I happened to mention this to him and another gentleman that worked at the same plant as my Father. Needless to say, their reaction to this was less than, um, shall we say, happy? My Dad replied in terms that I cannot write on this blog. To say that both of those guys were a bit ticked, would be an understatement.

Ed Morrissey cracks:

Let’s get this straight. GM gets tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer money and gets an Obama-managed bankruptcy — and stops complying with accounting standards? My goodness, they really are Government Motors!

In the past, I have given Ed Morrissey a bit of a hassle when he would criticize the auto workers and to an extent the Auto Companies. However, I feel this criticism is much warranted. Call it a hunch, but I tend to believe that the U.A.W. and the workers at the various G.M. plants, especially the one’s here in Michigan; are not going to be too thrilled that the company is taking it’s money and investing overseas; instead of investing it here, where the jobs are actually needed. No matter how you slice it; this was an extremely boneheaded move on the part of General Motors and it deserves the criticism it receives from ALL quarters.

Hey America, Welcome to my World!

Just wanted to be nice about it.

Welcome to my World!

Via The Old Grey Lady:

The United States economy shed 190,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate reached a 26-year high of 10.2 percent, up from 9.8 percent in September, the Department of Labor said Friday in its monthly economic appraisal.

While the pace of job losses has slowed significantly since the peak of the recession last winter, the unemployment rate, which measures the number of people actively seeking work, continues to climb, and economists do not foresee relief until well into next year.

“There’s no doubt that the slashing and burning of jobs has abated quite a lot,” said Allen L. Sinai, the founder of Decision Economics, a research firm. “The economy is recovering, but it is a very soft recovery.”

The biggest losses came in the construction, manufacturing and retailing sectors. Health care companies added 29,000 jobs to their payrolls, and the number of temporary workers increased by 34,000 — a significant gain that could indicate employers are beginning to expand their businesses again.

The Labor Department also revised September’s losses to 219,000 from 263,000.

Dean Baker, a director for the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said he did not expect declining unemployment rates until next spring. “We may be looking at very high levels,” Mr. Baker said, “barring a policy response, for several years into the future.”

Um, Why should there be any policy response? I believe that we are already tapping our resources to the limit now.

On Thursday, in anticipation of the unemployment report, Congress overwhelmingly voted to extend benefits for jobless workers for up to 20 weeks. That will soothe the short-term financial pain of many families, but demands for a new wave of government relief may intensify if companies continue to cut back.

Yes, let’s encourage people NOT to look for a job and continue to spend ourselves into a hole; by being a nanny state.

So far, the federal stimulus package has injected billions into local economies, giving states money, for instance, to finance construction projects or retain teachers. The housing and auto sectors have been propped up with government credits meant to encourage spending. But weak consumer demand and hefty labor costs are still forcing many employers to cut positions and reduce hours to survive.

So much for Hope and change!

The article goes on trying to defend President Obama, which is so typical for the New York Times, but it is quite obvious, this President has failed on all fronts, the stimulus, the bailouts —- everything. He is, in fact, a black Jimmy Carter.

Ed Morrissey says:

This is now Obama’s economy. He owns the double-digit unemployment level, having bought it with the $787 billion stimulus plan that he promised would keep unemployment no higher than 8%.

I agree with that. Obama simply continued the bailouts that President Bush started, which was a huge mistake.

The AP Reports:

But the loss of jobs last month exceeded economists’ estimates. It’s the 22nd straight month the U.S. economy has shed jobs, the longest on records dating back 70 years.

Counting those who have settled for part-time jobs or stopped looking for work, the unemployment rate would be 17.5 percent, the highest on records dating from 1994.

Now, if I were a partisan Blogger, I would simply sit here and blame Obama for it all. However, I am a bit more smarter than this. This all goes to Carter and then to Clinton. This video from the Wayne County Republicans will explain:

These unemployment numbers are just a ripple effect of all of this. Bush had a hand in it, as well as Obama. This is what happens when you elect faux Conservatives as Republicans and it is what happens when you elect Socialists.

WND: 'Muslim Mafia' linked to Detroit FBI shootout

Normally I take what I read over at WorldNetDaily with a grain of salt; but once and a while, they stumble over something big.

I believe they have done it again:

Already under increased scrutiny after revelations in a new book, the Council on American-Islamic Relations now is defending itself against documented links to a federal case that drew national attention this week when an indicted Detroit imam was killed in an FBI raid.

Internal documents from an undercover investigation by the authors of “Muslim Mafia” show CAIR helped finance the legal appeal of Muslim cop-killer Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, who is named in the Detroit criminal complaint as the spiritual leader of a radical group that calls for violent action to establish a sovereign Islamic state within the U.S.

The federal complaint also states one of the 11 indicted followers of the imam who was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the FBI Wednesday, Luqman Ameen Abdullah, attended a mosque “affiliated with CAIR” in Windsor, Ontario, just across the Canadian border from Detroit.

via ‘Muslim Mafia’ linked to Detroit FBI shootout.- WND.com

I highly suggest that you go read the rest of this as it is quite interesting. Looks like CAIR is involved as well. This is big and could have lasting impact.

Like I wrote before; the idea of “Fight them there, so we don’t have to fight them here” is a bit lame now; because quite frankly, they are already here and this proves that!

End of the line for G.M. Saturn

Truly a sad story:

General Motors Co. will shut down Saturn now that a deal with former race car driver and auto dealer magnate Roger Penske has collapsed, marking the end of a brand that was supposed to revolutionize the way small cars were built and sold in America.

The deal with Penske was supposed to be finalized Wednesday. But the unexpected end came when his company, Penske Automotive Group Inc., was unable to find a manufacturer to supply vehicles for the brand’s dealerships. GM had agreed to keep building Saturn models like the Aura, Outlook and Vue through at least 2011, but after that, Saturn would have to come up with its own products.

Penske’s tentative deal buy Saturn was announced in early June.

“This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality,” GM CEO Fritz Henderson said. He said Saturn and its dealership network will be phased out.

via GM to Shut Down Saturn as Penske Walks WXYZ-TV / Detroit

I remember when G.M. introduced this line of vehicles back in 1990. My parents almost bought one of those ugly cars; I personally could not stand them. I thought they were just plain ugly. I see that they have improved the look of them; quite a bit. But, more importantly, I remember thinking if G.M. ever hit hard times that these cars would be the first to go. Tragically, it turns out that I was correct. My father also had the chance to go to Spring Hill, TN to the plant down there. Luckily instead, my Dad chose to go to the Detroit/Hamtramck assembly plant instead. I feel for all of those people who went down there; to make a better life for themselves and now they find themselves out of work. Some Conservatives may want to mock this; I am not one of them. I do not believe in mocking anyone’s misfortune.

Some Conservative bloggers would use this opportunity to bash the unions and the Democrats and Obama for their politics and policies; I am just not going to do it. There is a time and a place for that; and quite frankly, this just is not one of them. As a Son of an autoworker; I know the feeling of Dad being laid off, not knowing if he was going to be working again or not. I have been there. So, I am just not going to politicize this at all. I will leave that the other heartless bloggers, who get their kicks on trashing those who actually work for a living; unlike some of the bloggers who trash them. I could name names, but I think you know who I mean.

My Prayers are with the people of Spring Hill, Tennessee and the people working for Saturn. May God be with them, during this extremely difficult time.

Gore-backed firm takes money from Government to build car that nobody can afford.

This is an outrage!:

A tiny car company backed by former Vice President Al Gore has just gotten a $529 million U.S. government loan to help build a hybrid sports car in Finland that will sell for about $89,000.

The award this week to California startup Fisker Automotive Inc. follows a $465 million government loan to Tesla Motors Inc., purveyors of a $109,000 British-built electric Roadster. Tesla, like Fisker, is a California startup focusing on high-end hybrids, with a number of celebrity endorsements that is backed by investors that have contributed to Democratic campaigns.

Fisker’s Karma hybrid sports car, above, will initially cost about $89,000.

The awards to Fisker and Tesla have prompted concern from companies that have had their bids for loans rejected, and criticism from groups that question why vehicles aimed at the wealthiest customers are getting loans subsidized by taxpayers.

“This is not for average Americans,” said Leslie Paige, a spokeswoman for Citizens Against Government Waste, an anti-tax group in Washington. “This is for people to put something in their driveway that is a conversation piece. It’s status symbol thing.”

via Gore-Backed Car Firm Gets Large U.S. Loan – WSJ.com.

Ten years ago, my reaction would have been, “So what?” But now that I am a bit older and much wiser; when it comes to politics, this just sends me through the roof. Why the hell are my tax dollars being used to build a car, that no one that I know of, including me; could even afford? I hate to break to you all, but I just do not have $89,000 laying around to buy a car. Much less an electric car! 🙄

The just totally reinforces the idea, that the Democratic Party does not give a flying flip about the average common man anymore. They are simply out to fulfill their own warped agenda and if they happen to step on anyone in the process, so be it. I mean, look at Al Gore; the dude has gotten filthy rich on peddling paranoia about Global Warming. This another one of those investments for himself. The sick part is, he is using tax dollars to further that warped agenda of his.

Here is my question to Al Gore and his countless number of supporters; Mr. Gore are you planning on using Union Labor to build these cars with? After all, the Democratic Party has used the big labor vote as its resident useful idiot for many years, have they not? It is kind of like the African-American community, because seeing the Democrats cannot keep the Negros in slavery anymore, they have to use them for something; so, why not votes?

Yeah, I know, what I wrote up there was potentially offensive; it is no more offensive than the millions of babies that are slaughtered at the hands of the Socialist Liberal Democrats, who enacted such legislation. It is no more offensive that the millions of Children, that are molested at the hands of homosexuals; of whom that party enables.

Mr. Gore, I await your answer. Of course, I will not hold my breath, least I turn blue and die.

Prayers Needed

Over at Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler:

My friend LC Azygos’ cousin could use some divine intervention.

She got laid off in January as so many other people, she’s got three kids, and she’s still unable to find a job. Apparently Porkulus didn’t “create or save” her job. Sorry, I just can’t help it sometimes.

Obviously, LC Azygos and the rest of the family have done all they could and continue to do so, but what the lady really needs is a job. So some prayers for her, and all the others who have been put out of a job due to the wonders of Obamanomics, would be very much appreciated.

I know, we’re all hurting right now, but in our hurt we still have that line to G-d. We’ll never lose it. Time to pick up the phone. I know I will.

I can relate, say a prayer for me too. 🙁

Dear Heavenly Father, please help our friend’s cousin find work so she can support her family on her own the way she wants, nay needs to. I do not ask for free presents, nor does she, I only ask that she and so many others like her have the opportunity to earn a living, because in so doing, we learn the joys of sacrificing for something bigger than us.

We do not ask for handouts, but every once in a while we could use a hand up. And, once we have that hand up and are once again able to take care of ourselves and ours, we will, with Your blessings, be able to extend that hand of help to others, sharing Your love, paying it forward, being living testimony to the unconditional, eternal love that is You.

I ask that, humbly, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Amen.

Karma? – Registered Sex Offender killed by Intruder

Oh this is too rich….

A registered sex offender was stabbed to death in his Holly Township home early Sunday morning by an intruder, Michigan State Police said.

Dennis McCarthy, 65, rushed to the back door of his home on Riviera Shores after his wife spotted someone breaking in around 4 a.m. and screamed for his help, according to investigators.

McCarthy was stabbed as he was fighting with the intruder.

McCarthy’s wife, who wasn’t harmed, performed first aid on him and called 911. He was rushed to Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, where he died, police said.

An autopsy by the Oakland County medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide.

via Home intruder kills registered sex offender | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com.

Am I advocating murder? No.

Am I saying that you reap what you sow? You betcha!

Couldn’t have happened to a better guy!

Tea Party Protest in Birmingham, Michigan

Seems that there was a Tea Party Protest in Birmingham, Michigan.

MoonBattery has the pictures and the story.

Of Course, the liberals are already dismissing it as “Rich White Racists.” However anyone with a half of a brain knows that these protests are not about skin color at all. It is about the Government wanting to run Healthcare and ruin our Country.

Anyone that says anything other than this; is distorting the facts.

Update: The BlogProf has this video:

InstaPundit also has coverage as well, as does Gateway Pundit.

Update:Gateway AnaBaptist Church Fire Update

A while back I wrote about this Church and about the fact that they had a fire.

Here is an update on their situation:

Gateway Anabaptist Church
6146 E Dunbar Rd
Monroe, Michigan 48161
Pastor Dan Hardin 734-777-6676

Isaiah 64:11 “Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste”

The evening of June 30, 2009, the Gateway Anabaptist Church building sustained an electrical fire rendering the complete loss of the contents and use of the current building, but no loss of any lives. Praise the Lord! Firefighters were able to contain the flames to the second floor, but water damaged all other contents – including, tracts, Bibles, books, printers, furniture….

We have been inquiring into renting a closed elementary school building in our school district, while we attempt to rebuild. Please pray for the Lord’s leading in finding a place to meet as autumn is just around the corner.

Saturday, August 8, some of our members attempted to have a bake sale and raised $400. Neighbors of the church building came just to donate, even in the pouring rain! Some of the church members are hoping to have a car wash in the near future just to help work and raise money for the building fund. We now have $11,200.00 in the building fund.

We expect that it will take about $125,000 to rebuild our facility. We are presently trying to work with the authorities to get our electricity back on.

God is leading in so many of our friends lives from so many other churches, who have been blessed by our church ministry throughout the years, to help us and share in the blessings. It has truly been a humbling , yet wonderful experience to see how God will use “the widow’s mite.” To all that have contributed already we must say, “Thank you, we will never forget your kindness!” God is able!

As the pastor having lost so many of my “in reach, and ready resources” of literature for evangelism, discipleship, and counseling, it has become most difficult. However, when that day returns in the future when we will have those things again, we look forward to the more greater things that will be accomplished for the ministry of the Gospel. We have recently seen six baptized with about eight more awaiting baptism with several that have been recently saved. God is adding to His church, in spite of all the adversity.

The enemy meant it for evil, …but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20

We will not “quit or compromise” as God leads us through the “fire and the flood”.

“…Some through the water, Some through the flood, Some through the fire, But all through the blood…!”

Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

We very much covet your prayers!

Pastor Dan Hardin
August 13, 2009

Again, if you can help this people out. Feel free to send them a check via the address below:

Gateway Anabaptist Church
6146 E Dunbar Rd
Monroe, Michigan 48161
Pastor Dan Hardin 734-777-6676

Please, do not send the money to me, because right at the moment, I do not have a car that will travel to the Church to get the money to them. Send it direct.