Progressive values. Smart policy. Stronger America.
I recently received a flyer via email for a candidate for the 103rd House office. I have particular interest in the 103rd district because I live in it, because I am not very happy with my current representative Bruce Rendon, and because it is a district that flipped from Democrat to Republican in the last [...]
While you are waiting for the collective bargaining and recall Governor Rick Snyder petitions to reach your door, why not sign these petitions today? First, be sure to sign the online petition to reinstate Brooke Harris. Brooke was fired for TRYING to organize a fundraiser for Trayvon Martin’s family at the Michigan charter school for [...]
There are over 100 references in the bible about caring for the poor. One that seems to fit Michigan’s current political climate comes from Proverbs 22:16. “He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich — both come to poverty.” Here is how Governor Snyder’s agenda affects [...]
I recently provided proof that Public Act 53, which prevents school employees from having their union dues deducted by their employer, is nothing more than a political attack on teachers’ unions. While Governor Snyder said the purpose of the bill is to make sure public education money is devoted to students, what it may do [...]
The signing of House Bill 4929 is proof positive that our Governor is just another politician. The bill prohibits school districts from automatically deducting teacher’s union dues. Since the process is automated, the bill does not save money. Republicans defeated an amendment to the bill that would have allowed the process to continue if the [...]
Pensions are going the way of the dodo bird. Soon they might be a fond memory like Thanksgiving at grandma’s house. Ford, which has new employees on a defined contribution plan (401K), wants to get rid of pensions so much it is about to offer a lump sum to new retires in lieu of their [...]
Today the House and the Senate passed House Bill 4929 which will prohibit the “use of public school resources to assist a labor organization in collecting dues.” They passed the bill even though the House Fiscal Agency (H.F.A.) said the bill will “have no significant impact on school districts” because the process of collecting dues [...]
1. The Republican Supermajority- Our government was set up to have checks and balances. When one party, especially if it is lead by an extreme element in that party, takes power of all the branches of Government, there are no checks or balances. The majority party is like a kid in a candy shop. The minority party can [...]
When teachers push back against Republican school “reforms,” Republicans like to say ”this isn’t about the adults.” Yet all the Republican “reforms” seem to be targeted at teachers (the adults) rather than at the students (the kids). Taking away a teacher’s job security, by essentially eliminating seniority and weakening tenure, isn’t about the kids. Trying to take away a teacher’s pension isn’t about the kids. Making teachers [...]
Before watching Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story, I could not have imagined it would be legal for a company to take out a life insurance policy on their employees. Even though you and I can not take out insurance on each other, companies, who the Supreme Court has decided are people, can do just that. [...]
My very first blog post was an analysis of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 15th and 16th Report Card on American Education. I was inspired to begin blogging after Governor Snyder used ALEC’s faulty metrics to belittle our education system during his campaign. So it gives me great pleasure to expose this year’s Report Card on American Education as the [...]
