A perfect example of loosing the forest through the trees is the sudden loss of interest in what plagued our state at the beginning of the primary season. Disenfranchisement of voters through a system that allows that a few select states will always be allowed to kill candidacies before other states may have a say. I think this antiquated system must go, and I have to chuckle at those Republicans that mocked the Democrats during this years primary for what can only be described as inter party turmoil. The GOP base must realize that McCain held advantages through this system that led to his nomination. Only now after the General Election are conservatives beginning to say that they were forced to back a candidate they would not allow to speak for them previously, and since.
Primary post-mortem
"While the country and the Republican candidates talked about the state's issues (which was the intent of those in the state who forced the change), the Democratic candidates were nowhere to be found. What followed was an absurd one-sided discussion which mostly focused on the same George Bush voodoo economics that hasn't worked and never will- and certainly not the cure for what ails us."
As for the Democrats, I fear that Pol's comment may very well explain how the recent conversation dealing with bridge loans to automakers was easily hijacked by GOP talking points meant to blame the workers in the UAW for the folly of executives in the auto industry. Without the firm footing of knowledge brought on by a vigorous primary campaign in Michigan, the Democrats gave conservatives the upper hand when trying to explain the difficulties we are having here, and what caused them.
The subject comes up again, while discussing the popularity numbers for our Governor.
Not as unpopular as they would have you believe
"I'd say that all in all this isn't bad news for Granholm who has taken the brunt of round after round of budget battles with belligerent opponents who can't accept defeat at the ballot box as a sign that the public is not with them in their quest to restrict investments in state infrastructure and education, as well as getting the blame for the economic downturn which was caused by the failure of the Big 3 to nurse itself away from production lines raking in vast profits making gas-guzzling SUVs before the price of oil rose and dried up their profits, leading to massive job layoffs in a state already hit with the effects of trade deals without sufficient worker and environmental protections to level the playing field."A prediction could have been made at this moment that Republicans were not going to fare well in the coming general. Consistently being shown as the party of obstruction will have an effect on it's popularity.
Lights Out
A chance to discuss the Obama plan to rebuild infrastructure. Something the Granholm administration has pushed for the state for some time. It is clear to me that this will be something that will not be on the back burner in months to come. It is a great chance to help ourselves build our way to a better tomorrow. I am hoping that while much of this infrastructure re-building is done through works projects, that there will also be something in it for the companies that they may help grow and adapt to what will likely be one based on green technology. Let's face it, if I am to ever get my electric car I hope to be able to utilize the power grid in such a way as not to overtax it, and wouldn't want Pol to have to endure another three day weekend without power:"I'm taking my chances with this post since many of you regular readers might be among those without power, but for those with some juice feel free to share your story about how you made it through the weekend. Enjoy your weather-related 3 day weekend... and give some sort of thanks to the crews working 'round the clock to get everything back up and running even as you wish they could do it even faster."
Another on the list of things to do is a suggestion by Pol that I hardly believe would bother either party, or the electorate as a whole in Barry County:
That's Debatable- Sheriff's edition
"While it makes sense for the Republican Party to host their own primary debates, I still would prefer to see the debates sponsored by the local media and/or a consortium of local civic organizations especially when it comes to the general election- at least when we manage to get a slate on candidates running on both sides of the political fence. "Such a move would likely save some party money needed in the battle for election, but also free up the possibility of third parties to be more of a factor in coming local elections. Cries of bias will always be around, but they will not have as much weight if outside forces were to gain control of the agenda during debates.
This brings to close the first part of our feast, but stay tuned as the meat, and potatoes are yet to come.
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5 comments:
Good list. I sure agree that overpaying UAW workers is far down on the list of "Big 3" company problems. And the bailout is a bailout. "Bridge loan" seems like an attempt to obfuscate things.
Disenfranchisement? I did some checking, and the Michigan Democratic primary debacle was primarily the work of the famous screaming maniac, Howard Dean. Obama showed he was some sort of coward by stiffing the state and basically saying he did not care about Michigan. At least Hillary did not count it out. Anyone could tell that in the end, Dean would lose and all of the delegates would be counted. I hope Obama's poor choice does not reflect on his choices for the next 4-8 years.
We have to realize that the debates are not anything official: they are little other than a joint press interview. They are not subject to regulation as such.
So, in order to have "local media and/or a consortium of local civic organizations" all they have to do is step forward.
I made it through the weekend by lounging in the sun out on my balcony, and watching the flowers bloom.
Michiganders need to be reminded that Henry Ford did not invent the automobile, nor did he ever claim that title. He invented the assembly line, which was the closest thing he could come up with to a "sweatshop", consisting of unskilled cheap labor. That lead to an influx of immigrants from the Deep South who still insist that the lines will re-start and conquer the competition.
I rode in a Suzuki Samarai 4WD taxi yesterday that also delivered 5 sacks of cement to the top of my hill. Try that with your gutless F-150.
It is silliness to discuss a third party in Barry County where only one can field a full slate of volunteer candidates for an election that is considered important for the entire world.
The big world news in the USA is that Laura bought some new dishes.
Ford didn't even invent the assembly line. He refined it.
toyota outsold GM, again, without a loan from the US taxpayers.
the capital t on this keyboard in Coopabuena hasn´t worked for at least two years.
Assuming that we are outsold and outproduced by another country because of regulations and environmental irresponsibility is to display ignorance of the rest of the world.
the USA exports much of the pollution that the rest of the world is suffering from. It is a very profitable business.
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