GOV GRANHOLM AND AG MIKE COX FEUD OVER HEALTH CARE LAWSUIT

UPDATE FROM ROBERT PALMER, GRASSROOTS CANDIDATE FOR MI 31ST SENATE SEAT

'Get it Right'

Robert Palmer for State Senate

Michigan 31st District

Why We Can't Vote as We Have in the Past

To my friends,

Here in the 31st District, Arenac-Bay-Huron-Sanilac-Tuscola counties, many cites, towns and villages have become ghost towns. Finding work is all but impossible; people are in the position of having to decide whether to pay bills or buy food for their families. This is not what was expected when Jennifer Granholm promised she would 'blow you away' if re-elected. In fact, many Democrats in the State went right along with all of her programs and, today, wehave the highest unemployment and one of the bottom three economies in the Nation. In the new budget proposal, the Democratic solution is more taxes! However, the Democrats have not stopped with just raising taxes.

Currently, they are trying to pass a bill that will cripple the pensions of many Union Workers. It took the vote of Republican Senators to stop this from passing so far. Once again, the proworker Republicans stepped up to stop the pro-union Democrats from eliminating jobs, raising taxes and reducing benefits. However, with a Democratic Majority House and a Democratic Governor how long can the Senate hold out? The answer is, Not long! And, of course, the unions will then blame the Republicans for the loss of jobs and benefits.

We should have learned by now that Democrats are pro-union, but anti-worker and antibusiness,a mix that has never worked for the average person. But, have we learned? It hasn't happened yet. Maybe it will now. Remember, it is always the Democratic Party that cuts police, firefighters, teachers and other public service employees first to scare the people and get everyone on board with their programs. Don't you think it is time to vote Republican? We need to let our friends and neighbors, especially our union friends, know that we can no longer trust a Democratic party that will continue to send jobs, families and tax dollars out of the State. Please forward this message to all of your friends and neighbors to let them know the truth. Send them to votesmart.com to see how their Representatives in the House voted on all tax bills and spending bills.

Here in Michigan's 96th Congressional District, Representative Jeff Mayes has never seen a tax bill he won't vote YES on. He has also added his YES vote to every step of the Granholm plan to redistribute the wealth of the middle class. Now he wants to be your State Senator. Will you let him win? I can't win without the support of the people, and they need to know who I am and what I stand for so LET THEM KNOW!! We can change the flow here in Michigan in a short time with the right people in our State Government.

Send your friends and neighbors, and go yourself, to the Mackinac Center, or to any other site that shows how much money politicians raise and WHO gives it to them. View the special interest groups that support Representative Jeff Mayes under Michigan Votes - Jeff Mayes. Then you will see why he votes like a far left Progressive and talks like a center-right Conservative. Democratic Party bloggers even say that the end of the Jim Barcia era will usher in the era of the 'Progressive Mayes' - and they say it with glee!! Do we want any more Progressive plans here in the 31st District? I say No! We need to cut taxes on businesses, stop using scare tactics to vote in new progressive bills, cut taxes on the elderly and create a workplace whereworkers have choices. It is time to do something right and Fix Michigan!

Send this to Teachers, UAW workers and other Union workers in the 31st District. The truth is that the Union Leadership is selling them and their future down the tube into the dumpster! The proof is SB1227! Votes don't lie. The Union is in lockstep with this bill; the Republicans are trying to stop it. To quote a memo from 3/25/2010 to teachers here in Bay County,'Senate Leadership and REPRESENTATIVES of the GOVERNOR spent several hours today trying to convince a majority of senators to vote in favor of this bill." The Senate Leadership spoken of here is the DEMOCRATIC Minority Leadership!

You can help the campaign by forwarding this email to your family and friends.

Sincerely,

Robert Palmer

Candidate for the State Senate, 31st District, Michigan

http://www.palmer4senate.com/

IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT ENDORSED CANDIDATES: Robert received the endorsement from Independence Caucus http://www.icaucus.ning.com/

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A NATIONWIDE COALITION OF VETERANS VOWING TO SHAKE UP CAPITOL HILL

Iraq's Veterans for Congress endorsed Rocky Raczkowski and other Veterans that are running for Congress in 2010. Over 4000 Americans across the Country have helped raise the money to support this mission.  We are proud and thankful to Rocky Raczkowski and all our dedicated soldiers that continue to serve this country.
 http://tinyurl.com/yhrhs63
Show Rocky you want to support him at http://www.rockyworksforus.com/ or follow on twitter at www.twitter.com/rockyworksforus

POOR GARY PETERS IS BEING TARGETED

Today's article in the Oakland Press almost made me choke.  Poor Gary Peters, the "centrist" congressman from the 9th district is being attacked by three opponents all at once.  This whining kind of attitude almost made me cringe.  Who do they think they are kidding.  Read the Oakland Press article here http://tinyurl.com/y9u4vzu and now read my comment which I added to the comment section:

 Poor Gary Peters is being attacked? So typical liberal whining when they don't get their way or are critized. Dan Farough thinks that our candidates positions are extreme and have no solutions? The truth is every one of them has positions and solutions that would work. The party of NO has an excellent solution to health care that would cover the uninsured and still keep the cost down, but nobody bothered to look at it, they got shut out. Mr. Farough, wake up and stop drinking the kool-aid. These are the facts about your dear Mr. Peters:


He voted with his party 95%, that's more than the average. He voted YES on Cap and Trade and all health care bills, both of which are economy and job killers, besides the fact that they would lead us to socialism and economic collapse. He scored 1% among all Michigan congressman to remove pork earmarks with 0% being the worst and 100% the best. The highest ranking Michigan congressman was Pete Hoekstra.

Furthermore, Peters refused the political courage test, was unresponsive to his constituents, does not return calls, is unavailable when called or visiting and sends back canned letters. His top political contributions came from organizations like ACT Blue, all different unions, lawyers, lobbyists, the DNC, out of state unions and the least from individuals. This tells me that all along he was beholden not only to Madame Pelosi but also to all these unions and special interest groups. Mr. Farough, don't go telling us about special interest groups, it's you people that take from them. Gary Peters has done nothing good for his district and I am blessed to have the time and energy to do all I can to help a candidate and his team to unseat Peters in November. Nothing would give me more pleasure.

The candidate that can beat Peters is Rocky Raczkowski http://www.rockyworksforus.com/.  Check it out for yourself and join the team. 

PATRIOTS BLEW THE WHISTLE ON PETERS-PELOSI HEALTH CARE TAKEOVER

After a devastating day of disappointment and disgust at Bart Stupak's traiterous act, the people in Michigan's 9th district pulled themselves up and joined Rocky Raczkowski after only a short 4 hours notice at Peters' office in Troy. It was a cold and windy day, but that did not deter the 200 + protesters.

In Rocky's short speech we learned that this bill has a terrible effect on the veterans and their tri-care coverage. In short, the people that gave the most to their country and the seniors who paid  the most in will get the biggest cuts. 

Rocky then used his cell to call Peters' office in DC and told Peters' aide (of course Peters was not available) to give him a message that the people in the 9th think they were sold out and misrepresented and are out there protesting.  At that point Rocky waved his arm and we all used the whistles provided to us and blew loud and clear.  The message couldn't have been any louder or clearer.

I believe in Rocky when he says that "Together, we can fix this! The 219-212 vote tonight for government-run health care is not the end. There is hope, and the first step is beating Gary Peters and winning a conservative majority in the U.S. House of Representatives."

Join Rocky at http://www.rockyworksforus.com/ and let's all fight this together.  There is power in numbers.

Rocky Publicly Denounces Administration for Lack of Support for Our Stalwart Ally, Israel

Today at 9:37pm

Rocky Raczkowski, Republican candidate for Michigan’s 9th Congressional District and a Major in the U.S. Army was recently taken aback by the Obama administration’s “unwarranted and unjust condemnation of our stalwart friend and ally, Israel.”

Raczkowski took great exception with the administration’s unusually strident rebuke of Israel and is mystified at the silence from the Hill. “I am perplexed as to why the administration seems to be driving a wedge between the United States and its strongest and most dependable ally and only democracy in the Middle East.” Raczkowski added, “and the silence on Capitol Hill to this Administration’s heavy-handed actions is deafening.”

Raczkowski, who in January conducted a briefing for the Jewish community at the Holocaust Memorial Center, said, “it is incomprehensible to me why the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State are applying undue pressure on Israel while ignoring the continued incitement to terrorism of the Palestinians. Even in the face of Iran’s brutal repression and public executions of dissidents just this past year during the Green Revolution, the Obama administration publicly stated it would not meddle in the internal affairs of another nation."

"Why then the double standard,” Raczkowksi asks, “and this administration’s insistence on dictating policy to the sovereign nation of Israel? What this administration fails to appreciate is that Israel has the right and the obligation to defend its citizens, and that Israel is our frontline defense in the war against Islamist terrorism.”

Raczkowski has twice visited Israel, once when he was Michigan’s State House Majority Leader.

THE TRUTH ABOUT NATIONALIZED HEALTH CARE

I just wrote an article on nationalized health care and made comparisons between Germany and the US.  My conclusion is, that this will not work in this country, whereas in Germany is working well.  We have to keep our system in place, better it through tort reform, cross state lines and other measures to bring the cost down.  But this country is just too big to undertake such an enormous government takeover.
http://www.mymichtaxparty.blogspot.com/

ROCKY WINS THE INDEPENDENCE CAUCUS ENDORSEMENT

"Congratulations to Rocky Raczkowski on winning the vote 2 to 1 over Welday and becoming our 3rd Endorsed candidate in Michigan and our 1st Endorsed U.S. Congressional candidate in this state. I have been holding back on making any comments besides the interview committee recommendation to avoid showing my bias. Now I can state that Rocky is going to be a fantastic Representative for the 9th District, Michigan and the USA. He has convinced me that he will listen to us and defend the Constitution as he has demonstrated for the past 24 years of Military Service and in State office. He will also oppose statism and promote free enterprise and individual liberty.


This race will get national attention because it is considered a toss-up by the so-called experts. It flipped to a liberal in 2008. It will be up to all of us to help our membership grow to make sure it flips back to a conservative in 2010."

To get involved with the Independence Caucus and help Rocky with his campaign, go to www.icaucus.ning.com/group/michigan or http://www.rockyworksforus/.

RESPONSE FROM CONGRESSMAN PETERS

The following is a response to my request to Gary Peters to vote NO on the health care bill.  Apparently, he is still not listening to his constituents in Oakland County.  Needless to say.  we need to work even harder now to replace him this November with a conservative person that is willing to listen and work for us.  

Dear Mrs..........


Thank you for contacting me regarding the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962). I greatly appreciate you taking the time to express your views on this very important matter. Your input is, and always will be, welcomed and appreciated.

After reviewing our current situation closely and speaking with thousands of Oakland Country residents, I believe that serious reforms are needed in the health care system. In Michigan health care premiums have risen 17 times faster than wages, and families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford coverage. In Michigan's 9th district alone, there were 1,880 health care related bankruptcies in 2008. Moreover, annual U.S. health care spending is expected to reach $4.3 trillion in 2017, an astonishing 20 percent of our nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Clearly, this is an unsustainable course and action is needed now to reduce health care costs for businesses and families before out of control health care spending further damages the economy.

H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, passed the House on November 7, 2009. Before this vote occurred, I outlined several core principles that any health proposal must meet to secure my vote. In the months leading up to the vote I met with hundreds of doctors, hospitals, and health care stakeholders from Oakland County. After carefully reviewing and reading the legislation, and after receiving the feedback of thousands of Oakland county residents through town halls, tele-town halls, letters, phone calls, and other public events, I concluded that H.R. 3962 met my principles and would reduce insurance costs for families, businesses and seniors. Furthermore, I found that many improvements and changes were addressed in H.R. 3962 that were raised by constituents in the course of the above meetings. While I agree that this bill is not perfect, it is nevertheless a clear improvement from the status quo for Oakland County residents.

 believe that health care reform should bring down health care costs for businesses and middle class families by creating real market competition, expanding choice and making our system more efficient. Under H.R. 3962, small businesses and individuals could shop on an affordable insurance exchange, an online marketplace where insurance companies would compete for the business of a multi-million person pool of Americans. The exchange would include one public option, which would have to survive on its own premiums as private plans do, that would also compete for business on the exchange. Health care reform must not increase the deficit. I was pleased to see the final House bill is not only fully paid for, but that it actually reduces the deficit by $30 billion.

Medicare is a sacred trust with America's seniors, and I have always said it is essential that Medicare is preserved, protected, and strengthened in health care reform. The health bill reduces prescription drug prices in the "donut hole" by 50% in 2010 and closes the gap in coverage completely by 2019. The bill eliminates co-pays on preventative care for Medicare recipients so that preventative services like diabetes and cancer screenings are available to seniors free of charge. The bill reduces waste and fraud and cuts inefficient overpayments to private insurance companies. These measures not only improve the quality of the program, they will also protect the long-term solvency of Medicare and ensure it is available for years to come and lower the deficit. The health care reform bill also includes a provision that allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate a better deal on prescription drug prices for seniors. This is a request I repeatedly heard from Oakland County seniors and was something that I fought for and urged Democratic leadership to include in the bill.

The health care reform bill included even more competition than previous proposals and includes the Republican idea of allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines through interstate compacts. Competition is further enhanced through a provision that stipulates health insurance companies would no longer be exempt from anti-trust laws. In addition to a more competitive insurance market, the bill reduces insurance costs through innovative delivery systems and focuses on coordinated care models, and creates a Center for Medicare Innovation to pursue further delivery system reforms

Health care reform is especially important for small businesses, which are essential to Michigan's economic recovery. They employ half of all private sector employees, and are responsible for creating 60-80% of all new jobs over the last decade, are currently at a significant disadvantage when it comes to providing healthcare to their employees. Small businesses currently pay 18% higher premiums and double the deductibles as larger corporations for the same coverage. Under the reform bill, they will be able to take advantage of low group rates and reduced administrative costs in the exchange. Small businesses would also receive a tax credit to help them purchase health insurance for their employees. Current projections show that if no action is taken one in five small businesses will drop their employees' health coverage in the coming years. The cost saving to small businesses included in the bill are essential to ensuring that they can continue to cover their employees and offer compensation that is competitive with larger firms.

I believe health care reform should make the health system more stable so that one job loss, serious illness or other unforeseen event does not lead to bankruptcy or loss of access to health care. The health bill achieves greater stability for families because if an employee loses his or her job, he or she can purchase affordable coverage through the exchange. A provision was added that lets children stay on their parents coverage until they are 27 if the parents choose, so they're not uninsured if they do not get a job that provides health care immediately after college. Those with financial hardship will receive discounts to ensure they can afford health care.

Health care reform must end discriminatory practices by insurance companies, and the health bill does exactly that. The bill prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions, ends annual and lifetime benefit limits, and caps out of pocket expenses at $10,000 per family per year. The bill prohibits egregious gender and age discrimination, which is commonplace in the individual market. For example, women are charged up to 48% higher premiums than men for the same coverage. This practice will end under the health care reform bill. The bill also requires critical services be covered. For example, 79% of individual policies nationwide don't cover maternity care, and in Michigan this number can be as high as 98% in the individual market. Maternity care will be covered by insurance plans after reform, and pre-existing conditions will not be used to deny anybody coverage.

Finally, I thought the process for debating and passing the health care bill must be fair and transparent. I fought alongside a group of my colleagues to ensure the original deadline for passing health care reform at the end of July was abandoned, allowing for more time to listen to local residents and think through all of the bill's provisions. Ultimately the bill was improved during this time thanks to the input of Oakland County residents like yourself. I also pressured leadership to agree to post final legislation for at least 72 hours prior to the vote. The House bill was online for eight days before it was voted on, with the manager's amendment online for four days before the vote. These documents were all made available on my website, and I will continue to provide residents with the most up to date information my website as it becomes available.

The health care reform bill must now be approved by the Senate, and will likely undergo further changes before a final package is voted on by both houses and signed into law. The current healthcare system is badly in need of reform. As the process continues, I will continue to support measures that will lower costs for families, businesses and seniors. I will take these principles along with your views into consideration while evaluating the legislation as it moves forward in the Senate and towards a final House vote.

I would like to thank you again for contacting me. I always appreciate hearing from constituents, and hope that you take the time to contact me again soon. For more information, please feel free to visit my website, http://www.peters.house.gov

ROBERT PALMER, CANDIDATE FOR 31ST DISTRICT SENATE SEAT

PRESS RELEASE

Official Announcement


Join Robert Palmer as he formally announces his campaign for Michigan's 31st Senate District. The 31st District combines the five counties, Arenac, Bay, Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola. Palmer has the private sector, life and educational experience needed in Lansing to make the changes to “Fix Michigan”.

The duo announcement will take place on March 13th, 2010, at the Tuscola County Courthouse in Caro at 9am and then at the Bay County Courthouse at 2pm the same day.

“Once I am elected to the Senate I will serve as a Citizen Representative rather than as a lobbyist for special interests.” With your help we will represent the needs of the people of Michigan, especially the 31st District. We need to end the era of big spending and even bigger taxation that has placed us at or near the bottom of the economy of all the States in the United States the last EIGHT years.

We can “Fix Michigan” with new and fiscally responsible leadership. We can set and achieve the high standards expected by those we serve, the people of Michigan.

No incumbent, of any office, is entitled to another two or four year term of office after causing Michigan to suffer without jobs and benefits. It is truly time to “Get it Right”.

I am asking you to join me in re-setting the agenda in Lansing so that every person can live the American Dream. I am asking for your help and your vote. Take the time to view the issues
 
http://www.palmer4senate.com/

ODDS AND ENDS FROM AROUND MICHIGAN- updated 3/4/10

Michigan Activist Calendar Update: http://www.michiganactivists.com/

Visit this great new site:  http://www.fedupusa.org/

We finally got our first two endorsements from Icaucus www.icaucus.ning.com/group/michigan this week.  Steven Mobley, running for house 62nd district http://www.stevenlmobley.com/ and Robert Palmer, running for state senate, 31st district, http://www.palmer4senate.com/ received the endorsements.

I've been spending my time in S. Florida the last 10 days and will stay another 2 weeks. The best I've seen since I got here was a bumper sticker on my pool guy's truck that said "Impeach Obama".  I laughed and asked him about it and he told me that he gets 99% thumbs up.  Needless to say, that made my day.

I just heard that Rocky Raczkowski was the first congressional candidate that turned his petition in to be placed on the ballot.

Gene Taliercio says:    Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems, then campaign against them! Lets vote emm out!
Gene is running for Michigan State Senate, 12th district.

My humerous son-in-law posted this funny sentence: I spoke w/ a neighbor (very liberal) tonight. She said that if Atlanta gets this anticipated snow storm tomorow she'll break out an aerosol can and aim for the ozone.

So sad: more Michigan residents are leaving our beautiful state for greener pastures.  We need to fix Michigan: http://tinyurl.com/ygx9kkb

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GARY PETERS COMES OUT OF HIDING TO RALLY ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA AND ROCHESTER AREA FOR CHANGE

Tea party activists to protest Peters outside his event where he will toast Obama and Pelosi's healthcare takeover effort and reckless spending:

Friday, March 5th
5 - 7 PM

LOCATION INFORMATION:

We will meet at our staging area in Rochester Hill on the northeast corner of Rochester Road and Hampton Blvd (between Auburn and Hamlin Roads on the east side of Rochester Road). Parking is available at the strip mall on the southeast corner of Rochester and Hamlin Roads and the section of the parking lot that is in front of the Bed Bath & Beyond is the closest section to our staging area:

Bed Bath & Beyond , 2155 Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI

Peters will be speaking at the Hampton Community Center located inside the apartment complexes which surround our staging area. Tea Party goers ARE NOT ALLOWED to park in the Community Center's parking lot because this lot is restricted. Therefore, please park in the Bed Bath & Beyond strip mall and walk south along Rochester Road to our Rochester Road and Hampton Blvd staging area.

TEA PARTY INSTRUCTIONS:
Bring family / friends / neighbors. This is a family-friendly event. Please make sure that your signs / placards have appropriate language suitable for children.


Upset about your Property Taxes?  join Rocky Raczkowski here and  learn here how to fight them:  http://tinyurl.com/yfup55c