This should frighten EVERY Michigander [Caricature by DonkeyHotey from photos by Anne C. Savage for Eclectablog] As we watch the drama related to the bankruptcy of Detroit play out on the national stage, it’s worth recalling something I have mentioned in the past: Governor Rick Snyder is guided by the “101 Recommendations to Revitalize Michigan” (pdf) of the corporatist front […]

It’s hostage season There is a growing movement coming of the Tea Partiers in the Senate and the House to shut down the government unless the president agrees to defund or, at least, delay Obamacare — something the president will never, ever, never do. As the begin this silly charade, here are a few things to keep in mind: 1. […]

Grassroots organizing at its finest Every year, the Michigan Democratic Party Justice Caucus holds a two-day training workshop known as Camp Millie. It is a well-known and highly respected event aimed directly at progressive activists, candidates, and future staffers for elected officials. This year’s Camp Millie is titled “Diversity: The Challenge of Minority Candidates running in Majority Districts” and is […]

We’re not losing this one Photo by Anne C. Savage, special to Eclectablog As I wrote yesterday, the Washtenaw County Democratic Party’s Precinct Organizing Committee (led by me and organizer Tad Wysor of Ypsilanti) has been holding a series of Grassroots Empowerment Orientation sessions across the county over the past month. These meetings are the first steps toward building a […]

The GOPocrisy, it burns Back in 2011 when subsidies for the filmmaking industry in Michigan were being debated, state Senator Rick Jones said, “The government is not qualified to pick winners and losers. That’s a case of the government being short-sighted.” Pretty standard, boilerplate rhetoric from so-call small-government Republicans. They hate subsidizing industries with tax payer money. Until they don’t. […]

He’s reinforcing his vision for our country — the reason he was elected twice — and calling on Republicans to get to work. It’s unusual for the White House to start promoting a series of speeches days before they begin. But there’s a good reason they’re doing it now. They want to make sure people are paying attention. I feel […]

This is going to be a race to watch nationally Yesterday EMILY’s List put Pam Byrnes “On the List”. As the largest resource for women in politics in the United States of America and with more than two million members, EMILY’s List carries an immense amount of clout. This endorsement shows just how important this race is and just how […]

Stuff’s about to get real… Photo by Anne C. Savage, special to Eclectablog A federal judge will determine on Wednesday morning if Detroit’s bankruptcy filing is a violation of the state constitution which protects public employee pensions. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes has declared that his court has the authority to rule on a dispute between the city’s pension funds […]

Don’t stop believin’… Back in February, I penned an essay titled Why I, as a dedicated and stalwart supporter of OFA, am asking you NOT to work with OFA in Michigan. In it, I implored Michigan Democratic activists to focus their attention solely on the task at hand: defeating Michigan Republicans at every juncture. It’s not going to be easy. […]

Over the past six months, the pervasive power of corporatists in our society has really hit home for me. Corporate interests have so much money, so many resources, and have created such an effective network to put their personal, self-serving, profit-maximizing stamp on our policies and laws that the rest of us seem, at times, to have little if any […]

If you saw Chris Savage announce that Detroit would be the sight of the next Netroots Nation, you know that he’s what we used to call a “rock star.” He doesn’t just perform well under pressure but he lives the life. Since he’s a grassroots political rock star, that generally doesn’t involve all-nighters on his tour bus that don’t end […]