As you know, if you read my blog, this past spring, Michigan Republicans passed legislation that Governor Rick Snyder signed into law as Public Act 4 of 2011, otherwise known as “The Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) Law”. Although Michigan governors already had the ability to put EFMs in place in struggling cities and schools, this new law gives EFMs wide-sweeping […]

On Saturday, June 18th, there will be a rally in Benton Harbor to kick off the recall of State Rep. Al Pscholka and to make sure Benton Harbor and what is happening there stays on the state and national radar screen. Click the image to download the flyer From the Facebook page for the event: Come join us as we […]

I’m not exactly sure why this is news. I and many others have been saying this since about spring of 2009. But, for some reason, some people, like prominent financial pundits/commentators, are just now figuring it out. Intentionally driving the economy further into the ditch to harm the reelection chances of Barack Obama is immoral, unethical, anti-American, hypocritical and evil. […]

I have a new piece up today at A2Politico that shows just how far Michigan’s CPA-style Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs) will go to cut costs. Michael Stampfler is Pontiac, Michigan’s EFM. He has the dubious distinction of being the first Michigan EFM to use new powers granted by Michigan Republicans to cancel a union contract. What went nearly unnoticed was […]

You have to hand it to the Republicans. Only they could take a Good Thing like encouraging more women candidates, even in the top races (like for president), and turn it into an argument about which beauty queen is the brainiest. Rep. Michele Bachmann’s prospective 2012 campaign appears increasingly set on a collision course with former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. […]

Here’s what we have so far: Pat Somerville (23rd House District)Anthony Forlini (24th House District)Jeff Farrington (30th House District)Andrea LaFontaine (32nd House District)Mark Ouimet (52nd House District)Rick Olson (55th House District)Dale Zorn (56th House District)House Speaker Jase Bolger (63rd House District)Al Pscholka (79th House District) – Donate to his recall effort HERE.Kurt Damrow (84th House District)Joel Johnson (97th House District) […]

State Senate Republican Shawn Hamerlinck made it clear yesterday that he has no use for the political opinions of students. After students representing each of Iowa’s state Universities testified before the Senate Education Appropriation Committee today to oppose severe budget cuts for higher education, Senator Shawn Hamerlinck of Dixon, ranking Republican on the committee, responded to the students’ testimony by […]

There are only a very small handful of Democratic politicians who have really disappointed me to the point of anger in my life. The first was Bill Clinton. This was a man who had the potential to do so very much to help promote Democratic ideals and policies. Yet, at the pinnacle of his power, he engaged in sexual dalliances, […]

Note: to find all of my coverage of the Benton Harbor situation, click HERE. The most recent posts are at the top. Benton Harbor Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) Joseph L. Harris took further steps to reconfigure the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the group responsible for directing how brownfields, former industrial sites, are developed. Note that there is a great deal of […]

Okay, I haz a sad. Look at my poor Netroots for the Troops fundraising thermometer: Only 42% of my goal and the conference is in less than two weeks. Not sure if this is a worthy effort to drop a few dollars on? Read more about it HERE or watch this video: Are YOU going to Netroots Nation in a […]

The effort to recall Rick Snyder is underway and they are in need of volunteers. Fortunately, they are being given a huge shot in the arm by the most powerful liberal blogging site on the internet, Daily Kos. At Daily Kos, we are joining this recall effort. Our first step will be running Facebook and Google ads across the entire […]