Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Granholm: “You’ll be blown away”

September 24, 2009 – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) this week awarded $4.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds to the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) and Thunder Bay Transportation Authority (TBTA) in Alpena to purchase energy efficient mass transit vehicles. The funds are part of the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) discretionary grant program.

Two Michigan-based “green” technology companies also will benefit from the DOT grant awards: Fisher Coachworks in Troy will manufacture the all-electric buses to be purchased by the Flint MTA and Azure Dynamics in Oak Park will produce the hybrid system used in 31 paratransit buses purchased with Recovery Act funds by transit agencies in Illinois.

June 20, 2011

State Taxpayers May Eat $1.6 Million Loan

for Defunct Green Bus Company

Click any of the embedded links within this post for the frustrating truth, of how Government intervention will “Blow you away”.  Or watch the calming music video below.

Either way, it’s “Dust in the Wind”.

“Too Big To Fail”

(now playing on HBO) is a difficult movie to watch.

Oh the movie is chock-full of great actors, credible acting and a fairly accurate depiction of the historic events (of but a few weeks). The only problem with the movie is “How difficult it is for the typical viewer to grasp the importance of each decision and activity presented in this short movie?”  The devil is in the details of every moment depicted, while those very details need to be digested thoroughly to understand the importance of the historical events.

Though I’m not directly in banking, I deal quite regularly with banks, to the extent that I first noticed the troubles with banks in general when the FDIC took over IndyMac in July of 2008.  Also, quite literally I participated in the closing of a business loan the very week that Congress passed the Troubled Assets Relief Program (“TARP”). That loan was closed with a bank who ultimately accepted TARP funds.  The whole “troubled banking issue” was at the forefront of my attention, while the events were unfolding.

After which, as a student of history, I painstakingly read all 550 pages of the book “Too Big To Fail” that the movie is based on. The book’s author conducted hundreds of interviews, in an effort to present detailed accounts of how men (with power) are mere mortals, often guided though their daily lives by fear, inflated egos and many other common faults found in humanity.

I suffered the long read of that book to try and grasp how Adam Smith’s revelation of the “Invisible Hand” that he described in his writings (The Wealth of Nations) could have allowed so big a collapse in a Capitalist Economic System.  In the end, as I finished the book I had realized the Invisible Hand was no where to be found, in these historical events.  “Far too many real hands” had guided this country to the brink of collapse.  Capitalism didn’t fail the people.  People failed capitalism.

I implore all conservatives to read this book and/or watch the movie.  I suggest you use the pause button frequently and digest every simple action taken by men of power… then try to guess the response (or opposite reaction), as you hit the play button and return to the movie.  In doing so, you will realize how Paulson, Bernanke and (most of all) Geithner wielded powers far greater, than those that should be placed in the hands of a few men.

I only wished that HBO had made the prequel movie, detailing how men like Barney Frank and Chris Dodd had laid the foundation for Too Big To Fail.  Without a true account, history is destined to repeat itself.  But a conservative approach taken to today’s financial problems, will delay the inevitable.

For those of you who are not yet conservatives, nor believers in the Capitalist economic system, I caution you.  This story may convert you, when you realize how the “Hand of man, is never Invisible”.

By Rock Kuchenmeister

Easter is the most recognized day to signify Rebirth and Renewal,

much as our own Declaration of Independence is recognized

as signifying the birth of a New Nation.

From the earliest settlers’ Colony at Roanoke (1586) Easter played an important role in the colonists’ lives. Even Ben Franklin marks time in Poor Richard’s Almanac with his quotable “He that would have a short Lent, let him borrow Money to be repaid at Easter.” Ben (as Poor Richard) would go on to stress the power of Debt to enslave men to their creditors. Along with other great thinking, Ben would ponder the origins of the Egg as a symbol of Easter and rebirth.

And try as some might to paint George Washington as a Deist,

his very Tomb refers to the promise of Easter listing the phrase

“I Am The Resurrection And The Life…”.

Likewise, the Jefferson Memorial

is a favored location for Easter Sunrise Services.

This Easter Sunday will provide many

opportunities to celebrate locally.

Here is a list of just a few:

Calvary Christian Fellowship Center, 11097 27 Mile Road, Washington, MI

Cross of Glory Lutheran Church and School, 61095 Campground Road, Washington, MI

First Baptist Church, 58774 Van Dyke Rd, Washington, MI

First Congregational Church, 102 Church St, Romeo, MI 48065

Harvest Fellowship of Romeo, 228 N Main St, Romeo, MI 48065

Mt Vernon United Methodist Church, 3000 28 Mile Road, Washington Twp

Orchards Community Church, 74093 McKay Road, Romeo, MI 48065

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 8600 27 Mile Road, Washington MI 48094

River of God Community Church, 230 E Saint Clair St, Romeo, MI 48065

Romeo Church of Christ, 239 West Gates Street Romeo, MI 48065

Romeo First Church of God, 228 Mussey St, Romeo, MI 48065

Second Baptist Church, 250 Dorsey St, Romeo, MI 48065

SS. John and Paul, 7777 28 Mile Road, Washington MI – 48094

St Clement Catholic Church, 343 S Main St, Romeo, MI 48065

St John Lutheran Church, 246 Benjamin St, Romeo, MI 48065

Stone Ridge Church, 7800 West 32 Mile Road, Romeo, MI 48095

Stoney Creek Community Church, 11711 26 Mile Road

United Methodist Church, 280 N Main St, Romeo, MI 48065

Zion Temple, 259 Mussey St, Romeo, MI 48065

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan citizens by promoting sound solutions to state and local policy questions. The Mackinac Center assists policy makers, scholars, business people, the media and the public by providing objective analysis of Michigan issues. The goal of all Center reports, commentaries and educational programs is to equip Michigan citizens and other decision makers to better evaluate policy options.  Read more about the Center by clicking below to visit their website.

 Mackinac Center

Jack McHugh is the featured speaker at our Monday, February 28  meeting.

Jack is the senior legislative analyst from the Makinac Center.  His many writings for the Center, including What the Tea Party Is, Is Not, and its ‘Core Competence’  can be found here.

He will be speaking on “Politician Puppy Training - What The Tea Parties Can Learn From The Dogs”(Read article here).  We will learn how to train our legislators, with care and common sense.  How can we be more effective at influencing the lawmakers we have elected?  Join us Monday, Feb. 28th at the Capital Banquet Center @ 7 PM to find out.

 Mackinac

Jack is also the Editor of MichiganVotes.org, a unique Web site that puts the activities of the MI Legislature at citizens’ fingertips.  Michigan Votes gives users instant access to concise, plain language and objective descriptions of every single bill, amendment, and vote that takes place in the Michigan legislature. Unlike any other bill tracking utility, Michigan Votes, is unique because all legislative actions are described – not just those selected by a particular interest group. It is searchable by legislator, keyword, and 50 subject categories, so users can create their own custom “voting record guide.”

 Users of this site can also automatically e-mail legislators or others about a bill, and sign up for e-mail notifications of action on any bill or subject area of interest, including new bill introductions.  Click here, or on the screenshot to start tracking your representative in Lansing now.

There are plenty of changes in store for Macomb County residents this New Year’s Day.  For starters: Captain Anthony Wickersham, a 24-year veteran of the department, will replace Sheriff Mark Hackel, who is leaving to become Macomb’s first county executive.   For more information on his appointment

Click incoming Sheriff Wickersham’s photo.

Former Macomb County Sheriff, Mark Hackel was elected Macomb’s first County Executive.  Explore Mark’s plans for the county by clicking his image below.

Unfortunately, Mark Hackel’s start as County Executive hit a bump in the road, right out of the gate.  Read more here.

New Governor Rick Snyder

to put Michigan’s focus on smaller firms. Click Governor Snyder’s image for more about his plans.

Nationally, the Republican leadership

is poised to control the legislative agenda.

U.S. Senate Schedule

Official U.S. House Schedule

Here are some great research opportunities on God, Christmas, Hanukkah and U.S. History.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

The History of Christmas History of Christmas in USA Christmas History

The History of Hanukkah Hanukkah History

Click the Images below for more God in U.S. History

Note: The US Treasury link available here is has a “Certificate” that is “Out of Date, or Untrusted” as determined by the Internet community at large.  No, this is not a joke.  To view the site, merely add a “certificate exception” in your browser, when prompted.

RATP sponsored a Meet the Candidates Open house to give you an opportunity to get to know the people running for office,  so that you can make an informed choice.  If you missed the event or simply want to refresh your memory of what they said, you can watch these You-Tube videos below.

They are divided by Candidate and each of them has a 3 minute segment.

Meet The Candidates (All videos)

Jim Carabelli (County Commissioner District 6)

Theresa Toia (County Commissioner District 6)

Don Brown (County Commissioner District 7)

Joseph Fortuna (County Commissioner District 7)

Kathy Vosburg (County Commissioner District 08 )

David Novak (State Representative District 32)

Michael Schmina (State Representative District 32)

Joe Biondo (State Representative District 33)

Frank Cusumano (State Representative District 33)

Ken Goike (State Representative District 33)

Pete Vitale (State Representative District 33)

Pete Lund (State Representative District 36)

Robert Murphy (State Representative District 36)

James Winne (State Representative District 36)

Jack Brandenburg (State Senator District 11)

Leon Drolet (State Senator District 11)

Kim Meltzer (State Senator District 11)

Romeo Area Tea Party General Meeting

Monday, June 28th 7-8:30 pm

Please Join us on June 28th for this free community event.  We will have an engaging agenda and an excellent speaker scheduled to help you the people stay informed, educated and empowered.

Justice Robert  Young will be discussing “The Rule of Law in a Constitutional Republic”

Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. has been a member of the Michigan Supreme Court since 1999; he was elected in 2002 to a term that will expire January 1, 2011. Before joining the Supreme Court, Justice Young served as a judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals, to which he was appointed in 1995 and elected in 1996.Justice Young graduated in 1974 from Harvard College with honors and from Harvard Law School in 1977. In 1978, he joined the law firm of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman, becoming a partner in the firm in 1982. From 1992, until he joined the Court of Appeals, Justice Young was the vice president, corporate secretary, and general counsel of AAA Michigan.

Capital Banquet Center, 12350 31 Mile Road, Washington, Michigan 48095 (map)

Everyone’s Invited!

Haddad and Shafer

debate openly for Macomb County Executive job

at a Special RATP meeting held June 7, 2010

Hackel chooses to skip the debate

in Northern Macomb County.

Click the links below to watch our video of the debate.

County Executive Candidate Q&A Part 1
County Executive Candidate Q&A Part 2
County Executive Candidate Q&A Part 3
County Executive Candidate Q&A Part 4

Please Vote in the Primary Election, August 3rd

On February 1, 2010, the RATP held its first meeting in Jean Obrecht’s basement.  Jean, Linda Kelly and I had made the decision to search for like-minded people who desired to get together and discuss the troubling state of affairs in America.  At that time, we felt alone. Our Constitution had been under assault, our economy was tanking, federal spending was out of control, our loan system had been compromised, jobs were being lost and the list went on and on. For that first meeting our projection was 20 people. It is fortunate that Jean has a large basement, as 50 folks showed up.

We set our second meeting for March 1, 2010, and made arrangements to meet at the Romeo Community Center. We were expecting about 100 people.  On Friday, February 26, panic set in as we began to realize that we would have many more people than that, and that we would likely have to turn them away, to abide by fire codes. Once the panic subsided, I made a call to John Bendzinski at the Capital Banquet Center, and he offered to accommodate us at no charge, which was welcome news as we had no money. Over 400 patriots found us that night!

Click here to read the rest of the story, in A Letter from Jan (RATP History)