Politicians always talk about “trimming waste” in government. The Obama administration shows ’em how it’s done. Almost $18 billion-with-a-“B” in savings this year alone (and 2011 ain’t over yet.) Over $20 billion since 2010. And more to come, thanks to a new Executive Order, part of the President’s ongoing “We Can’t Wait” initiative where he’s taking action Congress just can’t […]

After spending scads of money to defeat the recall of Paul Scott, a recall backed financially by the Michigan Education Association (MEA), Michigan’s teachers union, suddenly Michelle Rhee’s anti-teachers union group StudentsFirst wants to play kissy-face with them. From their recent press release: StudentsFirst Vice President of Communications Hari Sevugan sent a letter to Michigan Education Association President Steven Cook […]

I received this very thoughtful response from Jocelyn Benson on my post criticizing the Engage Michigan conference. I thought it should be seen by a wider audience. Thank you for your feedback on the Engage Michigan Convention. I’m sorry that your experience was not what you had hoped. Allow me to offer my own reflections on your post. The question […]

Yesterday afternoon, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new facility at the Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Medical Center. The VA Ann Arbor Medical Center will hold an open house for its Hematology-Oncology Infusion Center on Monday. […] Infusion therapy is a type of treatment in which medications or other treatment agents are delivered directly into the body via a […]

Because it can’t be all politics ALL the time. This bus was parked around the corner from my friend Doug’s place in Minneapolis this weekend. All aboard! UPDATE: Turns out, the bus is a rolling art project/experiment/journey/adventure: 7cees.org We’re traveling around the country for a year in our bus studio exploring creativity with people and organizations. We’d love to have […]

Hoo boy, talk about putting lipstick on a pig. This is from Ben Smith at Politico, via a memo from Michelle Rhee’s anti-teacher organization StudentsFirst that spent an enormous amount of money on trying to keep Paul Scott from getting recalled last week: In Michigan, Rep. Paul Scott was targeted for recall by the Michigan Education Association because of his […]

I like this: We Can’t Wait: Health Care Innovation Challenge will improve care, save money, focus on health care jobsNew funding available for next generation of health care innovations WASHINGTON, DC — Up to $1 billion dollars will be awarded to innovative projects across the country that test creative ways to deliver high quality medical care and save money. Launched […]

I have a piece up at A2Politico this week that talks about how Democrats in the Michigan legislature are finding ways to have a voice in our state despite their minority status. Using the example of the “anti”-bullying bill passed by Senate Republicans earler this month, I show how they managed to impact a similar bill that was passed by […]

Here’s how the GOP rallies “the 99%”: In regards to the Occupy Wall Street movement, [GOP Senate candidate Clark] Durant said the protesters should “go find a job.” In regards to the wealth gap the movement decries, Durant said, “I think it should be wider.” Get a job, hippy! Too bad there aren’t jobs available. As I recently pointed out, […]

This past Saturday, the Michigan Democratic Party held their “Engage Michigan” conference. It was billed as a “chance to have your say as we discuss everyone’s ideas for forging a stronger, more prosperous future for Michigan.” It was anything but. Let me start this off by saying I did not want to write this entry. I wanted to write an […]

Two events this week for folks interested in the We Are the 99%/Occupy movement. The Washtenaw Community Action Team (WCAT) (part of the We Are the People Michigan coalition), Occupy Ann Arbor and Occupy UM will jointly hold a pair of events this week that address the Occupy movements and how local labor, students and community members can get involved […]