Politics Blog

Category: Voter Disconnect

Pre-Game C-Span coverage

Interesting advice from a former Reagan adviser who notes the selective rhetoric of a party who has no more credibility than the other, before an 8pm vote on a massive, massive health care bill, the same size as 2005's Medicare Part D debacle. The problem here is if we're making the same mistake twice. Watch it here, or just leave it on to listen to between football. Mako out.

Category: Voter Disconnect

Hoffman's Quest More Than Just a Win...But Don't Celebrate Just Yet.

When Doug Hoffman voted, I'm sure he already knew he had won the election. Perhaps not the seat in Congress until 2010, but the will of Americans in his district.

Yes, Democrat Bill Owens did actually win, but let's take a look at the numbers.

The actual returns, still as of yet published by the state of New York, is awfully close, and many pundits are correct in noting that Doug Hoffman's popularity curve was simply cut short by time.

For the GOP, desperate for an answer to Train Obama, may have found the outlet that ironically, brought the President to the White House.

Change, in fact, is arbitrary. While entrenched Democrats continue to spin a victory as a victory, they ignore the real treasure at hand here: The Independents.

Doug Hoffman is an example of value rather candidate. And not to take anything from his brief yet awe-inspiring campaign. What the GOP must learn, however, is that their "star power" didn't win the day. Independent reason won. Forget the visits of staunch social conservatives to support Hoffman, and the infighting of outbound Dede Scozzafava's position in the greater party.

The advancement of Hoffman was directly from insiders in the GOP structure itself, a "greater good" choice of local color, and not the "values" presented through Hoffman's run. The result was that the GOP corporates, Mike Steele included, have a serious problem on their hands.

They have two parties in one banner, and only one can win for the GOP to remain the opposition party. Will this signal a greater emphasis on independents, those who appeal to the logical voter, or will this signal a gamble to bet it all on social conservative values?

It worked in 2000 (just barely), but in the subsequent elections, curved out to infinty at around 45-47% of the vote.

The GOP did lose in this race, but also won, if they can navigate the commitment of their conservative base.

The pool of interested voters is large and awaiting the pickings of 2010, where President Obama finds himself actually at a disadvantage. We wanted change, we wanted to believe in hope for a better tomorrow.

But was the Democrat's "change" what we wanted? After all, even the most level-headed Independent is really wondering what they voted for. It's not buyer's remorse, but it's a real question of change. Was the decision to vote for change just because of Democrat ideals? Or was it the collective combination of disgust we all share in-between both parties?

And 2009's special elections a symbol of the real "change" of what we wanted? We wanted change, real change, not the semblance of both "change" candidates in the past decade--Bush in 2000, and Obama in 2008.

If you look back to President Bush's message in 1999, change was the message. And going to Washington as an outsider, were we duped twice? To pull from Ian Fleming, "One is happenstance, twice is coincidence...The third time is enemy action."

Is 2010/2012 that third time? Or is social conservativism our true base?

Our system of government should be our decision, but as of late, seems out of our control. And for almost ten years, people seem to have decided that enough was enough. Virginia and New Jersey are prime examples of it.

As local politics are still local, state politics are something completely different. But then, once Christie won, McDonnell swept, will Virginia and New Jersey suddenly become rife with employment and GDP?

I doubt it. Unlike Michigan, who really has no hope, two states who leaned heavily on federal support have no "small government" argument to make.

Our desperation shows here, and for the GOP leadership, a crux upon a crux. NY-23, while a loss, emboldens the independent to challenge not the Democrats, but the GOP as well. And for Democrats (who won because Bill Owens wasn't Dede Scozzafava), a boon of opportunity if they so embrace it.

Imagine national races in this fashion, where the bold hopeful independent loses en masse 49-46.

It would actually increase Democrat influence, rather the GOP rebellion.

Like Ross Perot, Independents must make their beds knowing a candidate of their own will never win. What they will do, is derive a greater good for their lesser-preferred candidate.

And in that, we see the power of a two-party system that must be challenged. Independents must break this system back to a three-party system, without being hijacked by charisma. The tea parties were the confluence of like-minded values, but the true Libertarian shares little with a Bachmann or Palin.

The third party, the true fourth estate (the media hijacked that continuation long long ago), is the swing vote.

Fred Thompson voiced this opinion yesterday, noting the Independent is the real power of the electorate.

So what the heck are the Independents doing giving money to the other two parties that they BOTH don't belong to?

Why support a GOP that gives you Dede Scozzafava?

And in the transition of a party like the GOP, where do you place your bets? Do you choose unreliable and emotional candidates who might self-implode a year in (read: Sarah Palin vs. 4 years), or decent centrists (read: Charlie Crist) who are being challenged by the very beast they unleashed?

For any reasonable GOP supporter, Charlie Crist isn't the enemy. But for the demented mob, is.

Take the GOP version of Obama into consideration here. President Obama rode the wave of discontent to victory, because he campaigned specifically on change. Our current problem is defining what the heck he meant by it.

But for the GOP upstart, like Marco Rubio, is it any different? If Florida votes out Crist, and receives Rubio with open arms, does the equation or the solution change? Does the end result mirror the same problems a "change candidate" inherits? Whether Rubio or Crist, the immense problem of a consumer-driven, service-based economy remains. If the stimulus improves the economy, will the party last? And more importantly, if the economy improves because of the President's continuation of Bush's GOP fiscal policy, will the Independent's sell-out to the GOP end up marginalizing them again for another decade?

Ross Perot might weigh in to this, fully knowing now that his entry then guaranteed Clinton the win. Mako out.

Category: Voter Disconnect

For the Politicos.

Politico.com will be holding direct returns from Virginia, New York, etc. in easy-to-read formats. Mako out.

UPDATE: And like a minute in, Mr. Deeds is Toast. By an overwhelming 2:1 margin, Virginia is red again. Wowza.

Category: Voter Disconnect

Being Played Once Again

Once again the legislatures in Lansing has played the Michigan electorate like a cheap fiddle. To avert a state shutdown that should have never come close to a reality, a one month reprieve is granted. Hmmm, not much different from two years ago.

There is no way that the Michigan legislatures should be playing russian roulette with the taxpayers of this state. When we woke up on January 1, 2009, I am sure, though it was not a constant on our mind, that we all knew when September 30th was. That is, everyone but the bums up in Lansing. The game being played of negotiating up to the budget deadline should never become an issue.

It is reprehensible that this has happened once again, but even worse, the average citizen in this state does not have a clue as to what is going on in Lansing.

How sad is that?

However, these people in Lansing are the same ones that will come clamoring for your vote, unless they are term-limited, and many of you will graciously give it to them; no questions asked. The elected knows just how closely related to sheep the electorate is and they will continue to laugh at many of you.

Wise up people before it is too late. The budget mess in Lansing has once again played itself out, only two years after the last fiasco, because too many of you are asleep at the wheel. It is said that the best gig one could get is to become a politician or a preacher. The people of this state validate the saying because many of you do not care enough to care about holding the elected accountable.

Until that happens, politicians in Michigan will continue to take advantage of the weak and feeble.

What continues to happen in Lansing will stay the norm until we quit allowing ourselves to be played. Stand up people and start taking a stance with regard to your status as a taxpayer and voter in this state.

Category: Voter Disconnect

Being A Recipient of What You Criticize

Dave Bing is new to the political game, but he is a direct recipient of the very process that he is criticizing. His statement, "time for pseudo leadership has passed", is rather laughable and disingenuous at best. Does he fail to realize that he is a victim of his own words. It is that same perception that he himself is a leader, that merely got him elected. It is also his name recognition that got him into the office on the 13th floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building. So how can he be so critical of name recognition?

I have been on record as saying time and time again that an elected official being put in the position to lead, does not make them a leader. That voters think that to be the case is the very reason why voter disconnect exists. It is because the voters have a lack of understanding with differentiating electing one to a leadership role and them being a leader is why the many problems exist in Detroit.

The problem is not just a Detroit issue, because an expose being run on WXYZ tonight by Steve Wilson proves that. However, Mayor Dave Bing cannot be critical of a problem that exists in Detroit when he is a direct beneficiary of that problem for which he is speaking of with negative overtones.

Ironically, this man shows that he lacks the leadership that he is being critical of. Just take a look at who he has surrounded himself with, as well as the appointees that are leftover from the administration of the disgraced ex-mayor.

A true and real leader would have done the right thing by gutting the administration that took the City of Detroit through one of its darkest moments. That same leader should have exhibited some leadership by stepping up to the plate by putting his own people in place instead of sticking with holdovers that were enablers for the former disgraced mayor.

So, for Mayor Dave Bing to be so critical of the leaders by way of the elction process is hypocritical. Please sir, take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are a recipient of the leadership anointment system that you now are critical of.

On August 12, 2009, I penned an entry on this site titled, "Same #%!@, Different Faces". Thank you Mayor Bing for bringing some validity to my point.

Category: Voter Disconnect

Love Him Or Hate Him...

Massachusetts' Barney Frank stands for his beliefs. Of course, whatever spin others may put on those who showed up to protest the approach to public option, the real story here is the debate that has flourished, and without it, an absence of American participation long lost.

We need to debate, to disagree, and find our way out of the mess created by special interests on BOTH sides. As Neil Cavuto rightly put, is there a silent majority that hasn't spoken up yet? I would wonder as well, where are you?

Participation has finally become relevant in our political system, and I recommend we utilize it to the best of our ability. Mako out.

Category: Voter Disconnect

Ask Your Representative About Medical Job Losses.

If they say there are none, they likely don't have a clue about your "general welfare". GOP Chair Michael Steele offers up a study by the Lewin Group, which I think is a must read for everyone, not to use to bash people over the head with, but to sensibly see that there will be consequences of any reformation of health care that drives prices down from a volume buy. Of course, to caveat, The Levin Group is part of Ingenix, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidary of the UnitedHealth Group. But that doesn't change the very culpable consideration that private insurers should be scared, as well as a multitude of employees and folks that work for hospitals who stand to lose a lot of revenue in cost-savings.

Ironic, that cost-savings in this sense is to prevent government growth by the elimination of medical business growth. The Levin Group study is on the effect of the private insurer in overall loss of revenue, as well as the detrimental effects of revenue for hospitals, for doctors, and pharmaco's. There are many other attached industries, much like our car companies, who will feel the fallout of a static decline in revenue.

There's no doubt the savings is passed onto consumers at the behest of others, but we should be wary of any plan that touts no consequence to the action.

The study puts together an analysis that is actually beneficial as information for both sides, and the economic benefit and detriment we should be debating, rather than death panels (though they are more fun to protest, as they say). By the numbers the new reforms do not affect much in any way those who are below the poverty level (state welfare). The real costs of reform include an initial increase in revenue to hospitals, doctors, drug companies, and insurance companies, but soon, the same influx of customers will increase discount, which will uncover some consequence.

The already generous market of doctors and nurses who independently give 150% of their time in associated free clinics, etc., will be necessarily overburdened in many areas already overburdened. The inclusion of this plan without a workforce will overburden those fine medical professionals and force them into a cattle drive of health. No time for individual charity or free clinic volunteering, you're an official SSA meat inspector. Forget how to pay for it, who's going to run the program?

And yes, UnitedHealth is a big bad evil insurance corporation, but regardless of their evil, they are very concerned with an actual government effort to deprive them of any option, even though on the whole, the current system does work well as a preventative system.

Consequence is the main point of this analysis. We could argue semantics of how much or little, and how panicky or fearful, but bottom line, there will be effects that we must discuss and plan for. We already need nurses and doctors now, but in three years, less time to get a BA or a BS (lol), let alone an army of medical teams.

Small Businesses are touted as the key components of the new plan, but what kind of small business? On Figure 7 on page 8, look at the difference between number of people employed by firms numbering less than 100 and the number of people employed by firms numbering more than 1,000.

By Company Size (workers and dependents in thousands):
>10: 14,624
10-24: 9,650
25-99: 12,165
...
1000-4999: 6,136
>5000: 28,693

You can also see that the larger the company, the greater fraction moves to the exchange.

Notice it yet? The number of individuals covered by companies under 100 workers is actually more than the number of individuals covered by companies over 1,000 workers (36,439,000 to 34,829,000).

This means already, there are significantly more companies with less than 100 workers. Perhaps the real undercurrent here is the avoidance of any detriment or consequence of the plan, and many of the disenchanted have different reasons why they don't choose health care (if at all) or health insurance beyond a high-deductible emergency plan

Let's even give benefit of the doubt that Ingenix is just hedging numbers for UnitedHealth. After keeping up with the strange altercation in St. Louis, I've discovered that the SEIU has the most to lose by 2014 as the consequence of lower-cost health care hits a hospital who hires them.

The projected revenue effects by the CBO (recreated in Figure 3, page 4) is dramatic. 2/3rds of the total lost revenue will come from hospitals. Proponents of the public option say that's savings. I'd like to hear from our resident proponents about the consequences of savings, sorta like when people save up their money instead of eating nice delicious sushi every day? Of course! Mako out.

Category: Voter Disconnect

You Wouldn't Want Idiots To Be Organized, Do You?

It's not a question of protest. It's intelligent protest.

For the past week or so, the ramp-up of so-called "grassroots" organizations, heady from their recent debut, are going on tour. True grassroots (those that our esteemed Oregon Duck covered) involves roughly $50 and a dozen ill-procured sharpies. When corporate interest, however, applies their finances to such issues, the result is never grassroots. As townhalls commence over health care issues, you always have the right to protest the stupidity of Congress who attempted at ramrodding a bill through without real debate.

But dissident voices should pause with the same alacrity they attribute our government for rash action. The element of protest, especially for any grassroots organizer, is the process of promoting the idea into a physical gesture. It is inherently an example of civil disobedience, many times the grassroots cause "bends" rules to provide direct access, gain media attention, or interrupt normal life. Code Pink, for example, do not wear white shirts at their various interloping sessions (hot pink doth not well in white), and subterfuge is the best avenue of access to a forum where they're not invited.

Many activists choose to act aloof of their true intent, and gain access to private functions. They only do so to disrupt them. There really isn't any argument that protest do not intend to do so. To think that is idiotic.

In all, protests are designed for public awareness without the responsibility. It hijacks the media purposely. It works for progressives, but hurts them as well. For the GOP, Mike Steele is playing with fire.

Already, folks are rambling on in townhalls about things they have no clue about. Latest bit was at Rep. Inglis' townhall where a man complains about government hands on his Medicare. I'm sure the guy likely misspoke, but trust me, there's going to be more where that came from.

As more protests get underway in local communities, more of these incidents will occur. And honestly, that's the price for protesting. The GOP's attempts at grassroots by corporate structure ring hollow, perhaps from inexperience. And for the sake of the opposition, please heed the advice. It's the same disconnect many have with George Soros' Moveon.org, and no different to be honest. Corporate grassroots is not grassroots, it's Lobbying.

Democrats pay dearly and often for their fringe's actions, and if the GOP takes part as well, their normally sane values will be (or are already) hijacked by the wingnuts.

From the perspective of a former activist, the real facts on covering protests is that protest organizers already know who the reporters are before they get out of their car. In fact, identifying them is the key element for shaping the "liberal media". Good protests are nothing but a show. I'll let that sink in for a minute for the Ducks out there. Mako out.

Category: Voter Disconnect

Iran: Self-determination In The Face of Oppression.

From the British Ministry:

"People ask whether or not we are doing enough to back Mousavi supporters. Fair question - Senator John Kerry also addressed this issue in a typically eloquent piece today. The fact is that those on the streets have not asked for us to be their spokesmen. We need to stand for our deeply held commitment that it is for the Iranian people to decide on their government, and we will continue to call for peaceful respect for media and protestors. ... These are fine lines but we know the cost of crossing them. The memory of foreign intervention throughout their history is deep within all Iranians. A proud people wants to decide its own future. We should defend that."

One thing to hand to the Brits, they retained their common sense. Mako out.

Category: Voter Disconnect

When do the guys who paid their mortgage, bills, etc get THEIR stimulus?

Now that Leftards & Associates, a.k.a. "our Legislative branch" have put the kabash on The American Dream...let's reflect.

What will the mortgage "giveaway" tucked into the "stimulus package" do for the folks who didn't lavish themselves with extra bedrooms and flat screens?

[Ya think there are any UAW folk flipp'n off Honda Accord drivers and yelling "buy American," then trekking home and watching basketball on their Sony/Samsung/Vizio plasmas?]

What does the Franks & Reid mortgage plan do for the college-educated folks who paid on time on their mortgage, have good credit, but can't find a job?

Do you think they can refinance?

Do the people who "do the right thing" get to put their next 24 mortgage payments applied DIRECTLY TOWARDS PRINCIPAL? How many Econ advisors does Obama and his cabal need to know that that above sentence would "stimulate the economy?" I want all the banks that are gulping billions of dollars from taxpayers' nipples to "give back."

When do the people who didn't buck the system get the break?

You think folks like Pete Karmanos can find a job for somebody who didn't steal millions of dollars from taxpayers? (In between laying off hundreds of Compuware employees, of course.)

Okay, so the foreclosed house down the street in suburbia Michigan gets a deal from a bank. What now? Does the guy or gal in the house miraculously "get a job?"

Obama wants to "tax the rich," exactly who is that? Is it the Penskes, Bings, and Illitches?

If they're taxed to the hilt, you think they're going to hire more employees?

Botox-weary, box-a-rocks Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the leftards and Rhinos in Congress have to realize that it's tax-PAYERS that give them their lifetime pensions and medical benefits and stimulus bills.

What will they do with less taxpayers and their financial umbilical cords?

Where will they go?

Ya think George Soros will come to the rescue? That guy's made his billions by manipulating foreign currencies. He only cares about George Soros and his twisted brand of Socialism.

Until there is a revolt in this country, like the bond trader in Chicago, speaking what's on ALL our minds, there will continue to be a "let them eat cake" mentality from our "representatives."