Hopefully driverless cars can navigate around potholes Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation last week that will allow driverless cars to be tested on Michigan roads. Snyder released a statement saying that, “By allowing the testing of automated, driverless cars today, [Michigan] will stay at the forefront in automotive technological advances that will make driving safer and more efficient in […]

How the right justifies cutting 1.3 million Americans — including 20,000 veterans — off emergency unemployment insurance The economic case for emergency unemployment insurance is pretty simple. When the long-term unemployment rate is high, offering unemployment benefits to those who have been out of work for six month puts money immediately back into the economy, as there is little-to-no chance […]

More like “Didn’t say it, did it anyway” or “Said it, did the opposite” Eclectameme by Anne C. Savage for Eclectablog Discussing possible campaign slogans during his non-announcement of his candidacy last fall, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said, “One that I really do appreciate, that I’ve used in my life is, ‘Said it. Did it.’”. In other words, according to […]

Every Friday I’m posting the latest enrollment figures for the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) here at Eclectablog. Full details can be viewed daily at ACASignups.net. OK, after the insanity of the past few days in terms of both the ever-shifting January enrollment deadline (changing from 12/15 to 12/23 and then 12/24 Federally; ranging from 12/23 to 12/24 to 12/27 […]

Gary Abud, Jr., and I joined Tony for new episodes of his podcast series, to educate the public on issues of importance to each of us. Earlier this week, Tony Trupiano was kind enough to invite two members of Team Eclectablog to speak with him on his new podcast series. In our podcast, Tony and I discussed the new abortion […]

Educators provide insight on teacher evaluation to members of the Michigan House Education Committee Gary Abud, Jr. is the 2013-14 Michigan Teacher of the Year Teacher evaluation is a topic that has received a lot of attention in 2013. Earlier this year, the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness (MCEE) offered their recommendations and findings in a commissioned project on teacher […]

Visions of good government danced in their heads… Congressman John Dingell with some bald blogger. Photo by Anne C. Savage Every year, Congressman John Dingell, the Dean of the House of Representatives and someone I’m proud to call a personal friend, pens a holiday jingle. This year’s is a perfect summary of the year past and the Republican-fueled gridlock that […]

“So it appears that, by the end of the month,” New York‘s Jonathan Chait wrote about Healthcare.gov on November 11, “the administration will be facing a new political fiasco or will have delivered a Hanukkah-time miracle.” On December 25th we can say that a miracle has more or less occurred. Healthcare.gov’s performance wasn’t flawless by any metric. But it did […]

When the numbers don’t support you, myth-making is your only other option Last week House Speaker Jase Bolger told the Detroit Free Press that Governor Snyder’s biggest challenge as a campaigner is his biggest asset as he governs. “The governor insists on no credit and no blame,” said Bolger. This was only one day after the Michigan Republican Party sent […]

Obamacare provides more than affordable coverage. It protects patients and their rights, too. December 23 is the last day you can buy health insurance at HealthCare.gov that kicks in on January 1, 2014. You can continue to buy coverage for 2014 through March 15. As people enroll for coverage, there’s been an emphasis on the “affordable” aspects of the Patient […]

We’ll cover all your ‘vizzles’, your ‘dizzles,’ AND your ‘tizzles’ Some Obamacare parody goodness from Alphacat: Seriously, though, the deadline to be covered on January 1st, 2014 is TOMORROW, DECEMBER 23rd! Don’t delay! Learn more at TellAFriendGetCovered.com.