[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Some people around here say the GOP is useless, it’s dead, it should go away. But the RTW law in Michigan and other such laws in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin would not have been possible without GOP governors and state legislatures. I think we should work on rebuilding the GOP, not destroying it and tearing it down.

[jersey117]

Makes you wonder why congress isn’t taking note of what the successful governors are doing. They truly are stupid up there on capital hill.

[patriotspride]

GOP governors and state legislatures

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Operative words..... People see, know to a better degree, what they do.

Washington is smoke and mirrors, and not well understood by the voters..

[cripplecreek]

I wouldn't get too excited about the Michigan republicans just yet. Many of them who voted for RTW also voted to force home care workers into a union they didn't want. (Which BTW was a republican sponsored bill) Guys like Roger Kahn and Randy Richardville are term limited and on their way out the door and can afford to anger the unions now.

Look back a couple of years and you'll find Roger Kahn hanging with some of his friends on the day they gave him $5000.



On Aug. 5, 2009, Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, introduced Senate Bill 731, which would give statutory cover to a scheme transferring approximately $6.6 million in taxpayer money annually to the SEIU government employee union, one of the parents of ACORN. This is accomplished by creating a shell government "employer" for some 42,000 individuals who are actually hired by elderly or disabled Medicaid recipients to provide personal care services in their homes. A Mackinac Center lawsuit is pending regarding a similar arrangement imposed on home day care providers.

GOP Senators, SEIU Taxpayer Giveaways, Campaign Cash and More, OH MY!

Wendy Day of Common Sense in Government has reported on Facebook that Allen was the recipient of a $2,000 campaign contribution from the SEIU on June 22, six weeks before SB 731 was introduced. In another post she hints that introducing and passing the bill was part of a quid-pro-quo between Senate Republicans and the SEIU for union support of former state representative Mike Nofs in a November 2009 special election, which state Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser had characterized as among the party's top priorities. Day observes that the SEIU endorsed Nofs on August 22nd, two weeks after SB 731 was introduced, and sent four full-time workers to help on his campaign.

The predecessor organization of Common Sense in Government had organized volunteers for a door-to-door "lit drop" focused on Nofs in July, when he faced a challenger in the Republican primary election. They distributed flyers describing his voting record on fiscal issues, in particular his votes against measures opposed by the MEA teachers union.

Senate Bill 731 was co-sponsored by these Republican Senators:

Roger Kahn, Bruce Patterson, Valde Garcia, Tony Stamas, Judson Gilbert, Mark Jansen, Randy Richardville, and Patricia Birkholz.

Yes RTW is the best thing to happen to Michigan in a long time but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that these guys are politicians who spend a lot of time checking to see which way the wind is blowing and dreaming of aspirations of higher office.

[John Galt's cousin]

Behind Enemy Lines wrote:
“Some people around here say the GOP is useless, it’s dead, it should go away. But the RTW law in Michigan and other such laws in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin would not have been possible without GOP governors and state legislatures. I think we should work on rebuilding the GOP, not destroying it and tearing it down.”

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It must occur at the “grass roots” level. Constitutional Conservatives must get involved in local party politics,support conservative candidates and VOTE IN THE PRIMARIES

[JustaCowgirl]

Some people around here say the GOP is useless, it’s dead, it should go away. But the RTW law in Michigan and other such laws in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin would not have been possible without GOP governors and state legislatures. I think we should work on rebuilding the GOP, not destroying it and tearing it down.

Amen. Conservatives need to focus on influencing public policy at the local level, including the state level. They are already having major successes there. As soon as Obama and his cohorts completely take away all power from state and local government, that's when we're really in a world of hurt.

[vette6387]

“I think we should work on rebuilding the GOP, not destroying it and tearing it down.”

So tell us, how do you do that at the national level? What’s your plan for getting rid of the entrenched “leadership?” How do you propose that we go about getting rid of Boner and McConnell? I think you are right, but I don’t see any near-term way of changing the GOP.