Thank you and "Farewell"

Today marks my last day as a State Representative. It is a bittersweet day. Not so much because I am leaving office, but for other reasons. Today I attended a funeral service for a young man I did not know. He was the son of a friend who died at the age of 31. His death was sad, tragic and unexpected. As the father of a son who is the same age, it gave me pause.

This event gave me the opportunity to reconsider what are the most important "core principles" in life. First, is my relationship with God, and second are my relationships with family and friends. It reminded me that what I do is not as important as who I am and to whom I belong. I am, before anything else a sinner saved by grace. After that, I am a husband, father, and grandfather. The title "Representative" is far down the list of those things that define me.

As I leave this job and look ahead to a New Year, I am inclined to look back at the mistakes I made. But I do so with the resolve to do better, to make positive changes. Here is my New Year's resolution:

I will try to take more time to say thank you to so many who have helped me along the way, I will try to be a better husband and father.

If you are one of those who voted for me, contributed to a campaign, gave some of your time to help me get elected, sent a note of encouragement, or said a prayer on my behalf, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have not said thank you enough, but I really do appreciate all you have done.

Today, I say "farewell" as your state representative and I look forward to the challenges, opprtunities and most of all, the relationships 2009 will bring. I want to wish you a very happy and rich new year. May you, too, have the opportunity to grow in your relationship with family, friends and your Creator.

God bless,
Jack Hoogendyk

Thank you and "Farewell"

Today marks my last day as a State Representative. It is a bittersweet day. Not so much because I am leaving office, but for other reasons. Today I attended a funeral service for a young man I did not know. He was the son of a friend who died at the age of 31. His death was sad, tragic and unexpected. As the father of a son who is the same age, it gave me pause.

This event gave me the opportunity to reconsider what are the most important "core principles" in life. First, is my relationship with God, and second are my relationships with family and friends. It reminded me that what I do is not as important as who I am and to whom I belong. I am, before anything else a sinner saved by grace. After that, I am a husband, father, and grandfather. The title "Representative" is far down the list of those things that define me.

As I leave this job and look ahead to a New Year, I am inclined to look back at the mistakes I made. But I do so with the resolve to do better, to make positive changes. Here is my New Year's resolution:

I will try to take more time to say thank you to so many who have helped me along the way, I will try to be a better husband and father.

If you are one of those who voted for me, contributed to a campaign, gave some of your time to help me get elected, sent a note of encouragement, or said a prayer on my behalf, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have not said thank you enough, but I really do appreciate all you have done.

Today, I say "farewell" as your state representative and I look forward to the challenges, opprtunities and most of all, the relationships 2009 will bring. I want to wish you a very happy and rich new year. May you, too, have the opportunity to grow in your relationship with family, friends and your Creator.

God bless,
Jack Hoogendyk

MRP: Party of Yob or Anuzis?

Greetings!

In this letter, I discuss the ongoing spat within the Michigan Republican Party and some of my plans for winning in 2010.

Much has been made lately about the apparent feud between Chuck Yob and Saul Anuzis. It has deteriorated over the last couple of years to the point where there seems to be open disdain, one for the other, not so visibly between Saul and Chuck themselves, but between their supporters.

The open warfare has been destructive to the party. It has caused us to take our eye off the ball and forget whom the real opponent is. It reminds me of professional sports teams who keep losing games. After awhile the players start blaming each other for the miscues and losses and forget about playing as a team in a unified effort to win.

What is ironic about all this is that, as far as I can tell, Saul Anuzis and Chuck Yob are conservatives. Both have espoused limited government, low taxes, a staunch support for the right to life and protection of the second amendment. Both have been dedicated to victory. So, why the problem? Why has the relationship soured to the point where, when the state committee wanted to unanimously endorse Saul for RNC Chairman, some members of the "Yob Team" insisted on having their names listed as those who refused to endorse Saul? What is the point of that?

I believe what happened was a departure based on personality, not philosophy. I'm not sure when it started, but in the recent election cycle, it was a fight between those who supported Romney for President (Saul) and those who supported McCain, (Yob). Charges and counter-charges were leveled, accusations were made, sides were taken and many players chose sides.

Today we are in a situation where the team is dispirited and divided. Fingers are being pointed, blame is being laid...and the Democrats are having us for lunch. What has been especially damaging is the damage that has occurred to the youth of the party. We need College Republicans and Young Republicans pulling together to grow the party, but too many of them have become distracted and dissipated by the ongoing feud.

It is time for real, meaningful change. We need to once again become united as a party, and start planning for victory in 2010. Victory cannot be achieved on money and will alone. We must have a strategy. It must include recruiting 110 candidates for the House and 38 for the Senate. Every candidate needs to be united on core issues that move votes. There will be differences on local issues, but the first principles should never change. I submit three concrete issues every candidate in Michigan can and should run on.

1. Never vote for a tax increase


2. Vote for a budget freeze for the next two years.


3. Support downsizing government, by voting for a part-time legislature.

I served in the legislature for six years. Over the last four years I traveled 100,000 miles throughout Michigan. I've sent e-newsletters to over 9,000 solid Republicans for nearly two years. The message I heard everywhere I went, and in e-mail after e-mail it is this: "Government is too big, spends too much, wastes too much time, and it is the responsibility of the Republicans in Lansing to do something about it!"

As your party chairman, I pledge to do what I can to end the feud, lay aside the petty differences, unify this party under the banner of the core principles and build a strong team that is prepared for victory.

WHERE I STAND ON THE ISSUES

Many of you will be attending the state party convention February 20-21, 2009, where you will have an opportunity to vote for your next party chair. But how can you make an intelligent decision if you do not know the candidates? In this letter, I will tell you where I stand and how I have voted on various issues key to the future of Michigan. Look them over and challenge the other candidates in this race to tell you their position on the issues and reveal their record.

• Spending - I routinely opposed irresponsible increases in state spending when it has been demonstrated that the state wastes your money regularly. I only voted for budgets that stayed within the rate of inflation. In 2007, I was one of four legislators who voted NO on a $1.4 billion increase in spending in a year when almost no one saw their income go up.

• Taxes - In six years as a state legislator, I never voted for a tax increase.

• Regulations - I opposed additional regulations that greatly hampered economic expansion. Businesses have reduced their investments in Michigan because of too many taxes and over-regulation.

• 2nd Amendment - I faithfully supported the second amendment and am rated "A" with the National Rifle Association.

• Property rights - I am a staunch supporter of private property rights and supported legislation to fight eminent domain for economic development and regulatory takings.

• Education - I believe in accountability, transparency, and efficiency in public education. I introduced legislation to make public schools more accountable to the taxpayers. I supported parental choice and the expansion of public school academies.

• Life and marriage - I have a 100% pro-life voting record and I supported the Marriage Amendment to the state constitution.

• Equal rights - I openly supported the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.

• Embryonic stem cell research - I opposed the destruction of human embryos for any purpose.

• Right to Work - I introduced legislation to give workers the right to join or NOT join a union at their place of employment.

• Transparency - I introduced legislation to put the state checkbook online for easy review.

These issues represent the foundation of the Republican Party. Every one of them is in line with the majority of voters in Michigan and an overwhelming majority of Republicans. These are the positions that conservative voters and donors expect from their elected officials.

We will not win elections without the work and support of the grassroots party members and the finances of our Republican friends. Neither will come if they don't believe their candidates will fight for these issues. And why wouldn't we if the majority of voters support them?

Now that you know my record, you can compare it to my good opponents, Ron Weiser and Norm Shinkle. I invite you to ask them where they stand.

Get campaign updates at: www.JackForMichigan.org

If you would like to add your name to the long list of endorsements for state party chairman, you may do so here. If you have any questions, please call me at 269-806-4626 or email me at JackForChair@gmail.com.

Read my latest blogs and archived newsletters here.

Grassroots Activist, Ready to Serve

For the last six years I have done my best to represent you in Lansing on the issues of limited government, low taxes, personal responsibility and individual liberty. My goal was to stand on my principles and leave with my integrity intact. I went to Lansing to be a public servant and an activist, not a politician. The word politician has taken on the connotation of someone who has compromised his values and sold his good name for personal gain.

An "activist" on the other hand is someone who advocates or opposes a cause or issue vigorously, especially a political cause. I have worked actively to keep taxes low and government small. I actively pursued better quality education, protection of private property rights, the second amendment and the right to life. I actively supported the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.

I would hope that when you talk to the people in Lansing or those who supported me financially, they would tell you I couldn't be bought. Contributors gave because they respected and supported me for my principles.

I am a candidate for chairman of the Republican Party, running as a grassroots public servant and an activist. I intend to be accountable to the principles that guide me and the good Republicans who elect me.

It has been said that money is the mother's milk of politics, but without strong principles, the recipient will only be corrupted by it. Just ask Rod Blagejovich.

Before serving in the legislature, I was a salesman, manager, and director of a non-profit organization. I have never been a "professional politician." As your party chairman, I will work tirelessly for the good of the entire Republican Party. Coercion, backbiting, and divisiveness will not be tolerated. If we are to once again become leaders in this state we must be unified and willing to work together as one team.

I look forward to serving this great party. I am committed to unifying the grassroots under the banner of conservative principles. If we all pull together, utilizing the financial and human resources at our disposal, we will start winning again.

There is a Rat Head in My Coke!

Imagine your reaction if you were to pull a 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola off the shelf in the grocery store and see that floating inside! Certainly you would not buy that bottle of Coke, but you might just decide to become a Pepsi drinker. Hey, if Coke's quality control is that poor, maybe it's time to switch.

I am happy to say Coca-Cola has never had such a quality problem. If fact, quality and consistency is the hallmark of the company. You can purchase a Coke anywhere in the world and know exactly what you are going to get, that sweet and refreshing flavor and fizz.

My 15 years of professional sales experience taught me that I could be a great salesman with low prices and fast delivery, but if my product quality was suspect, I lost the sale. Customers are not going to buy a product if it isn't what they paid for. It's known in the trade as brand ID. You must always protect and uphold the brand.

We have experienced this with the Republican Party lately. In this case the customers are the voters and donors. They have been buying a particular product from the GOP. But they have not always been getting what they paid for. Not every elected official in the party has let them down. In fact, the majority of Republican candidates have held to their principles. The problem is, when one Republican fails in his commitment to the principles of limited government, individual liberty and personal responsibility, he spoils the brand for the entire party.

Simply stated, a Republican who votes for a tax increase is regarded by many as a rat head in a Coke bottle. I have talked to many faithful Republicans all around the state and have heard it over and over again. They are losing faith in the product, they don't believe in the brand anymore.

As your Party Chairman, it will be my responsibility to lead us to victory in 2010 and raise the funds necessary to make that happen. The first step is repairing our brand ID. We must be sure we know what we stand for and restore voter confidence. The candidates we put on the ballot must follow through when elected to office. Fund raising will become much easier when the contributors have confidence in the brand.

We want to be sure that when the customer purchases the Republican brand, he gets the same quality every time, not a "rat head in a Coke bottle."

---------

Get campaign updates at: JackForMichigan.org

---------

The campaign for Party Chair is going well. I have been honored to receive hundreds of endorsements. I will be publishing a new list soon. Meanwhile, I would love to have your endorsement as well. If you would like to add your name to the long list of endorsements, you may do so here. If you have any questions, please call me at 269-806-4626 or email me at JackForChair@gmail.com.

---------

Read my latest blogs here and archived newsletters here.

---------

*Thanks to Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform for his brilliant word picture. It has helped illustrate what needs to be done to bring the GOP back to prominence. You can read more from Grover and ATR here.

Sir, We've gone plaid.

 

Can you believe we have survived these many years in Michigan without a "state tartan"? No longer! I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives has passed HB 5904, establishing an Official State Tartan for Michigan. I thought the rationale presented for why we needed this was compelling. In the caucus document explaining the bill, under the heading of "Arguments in Support", this was the reason given: "Michigan shouldn't be left out when almost half the country has adopted an official state tartan."

Sir, We've gone plaid.

Can you believe we have survived these many years in Michigan without a "state tartan"? No longer! I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives has passed HB 5904, establishing an Official State Tartan for Michigan. I thought the rationale presented for why we needed this was compelling. In the caucus document explaining the bill, under the heading of "Arguments in Support", this was the reason given: "Michigan shouldn't be left out when almost half the country has adopted an official state tartan."

Practicing Architecture Without a License to become a Felony

Thank goodness the House is here to protect you! We just passed HB 4937. 

HB 4937 creates a new felony for the third offense of practicing the profession of architect, professional land surveyor or professional engineer without a license. Sentencing guidelines need amending to allow judges to create sentences for this crime. Well, we have lots of room in the prisons...don't we?

Practicing Architecture Without a License to become a Felony

Thank goodness the House is here to protect you! We just passed HB 4937. 

HB 4937 creates a new felony for the third offense of practicing the profession of architect, professional land surveyor or professional engineer without a license. Sentencing guidelines need amending to allow judges to create sentences for this crime. Well, we have lots of room in the prisons...don't we?

How Do We Keep America Strong?

Much has been made of the recent "bailouts" and loan guarantees offered to private banks and corporations in the United States. It brings up the question of what the proper role of government should be and what would be best for all of us in the long run.

Individual (and Corporate) Responsibility vs. Government Assistance
Among the concepts that have made America a great and strong nation is one of personal responsibility. We are not a nation of wimps. We were founded on the principles of self-reliance and responsibility for our actions. If we were successful in our endeavors, we reaped the rewards; if we failed, we took our "lumps", retrenched and tried again.

Over time, we have begun to lose sight of this concept. Today, we have a Congress that appears to no longer believe in risk and reward, success and failure, individual liberty and personal responsibility. The action by Congress in regard to the Wall Street and banking failures, and now with the automotive manufacturers has been characterized as "capitalism on the way up and socialism on the way down." The message is it is OK to take risks while you are succeeding, but if failure looms, the government will swoop in to save you.

The problem in the long run is the loss of the sense of responsibility. Risk has been largely removed. Corporations may get the message that they can take all the chances they want, be lazy, complacent, inefficient, even corrupt. No problem. The government will rescue you with the taxpayers' dollars. When there is no risk of failure, individuals and corporations lose their sense of fear and responsibility; greed begins to take over. What are the lessons we are teaching our children, who will one day run the small businesses, farms and corporations in this land?

It takes courage to be a Republican, to stand tall and say it is not the government's responsibility to step in when businesses fail. But it is the best thing for everyone concerned in the long run. Businesses will learn to be better, smarter, and wiser.

We understand that when a business fails, people lose jobs and livelihoods. We need to be cognizant of that and provide every opportunity for those individuals affected to find new employment and business opportunities as quickly as possible. In a truly unencumbered free market, opportunities will be available for people to start over and build wealth. If we hold to these core principles, we will all be better off as individuals and as a nation.

How Do We Keep America Strong?

Much has been made of the recent "bailouts" and loan guarantees offered to private banks and corporations in the United States. It brings up the question of what the proper role of government should be and what would be best for all of us in the long run.

Individual (and Corporate) Responsibility vs. Government Assistance
Among the concepts that have made America a great and strong nation is one of personal responsibility. We are not a nation of wimps. We were founded on the principles of self-reliance and responsibility for our actions. If we were successful in our endeavors, we reaped the rewards; if we failed, we took our "lumps", retrenched and tried again.

Over time, we have begun to lose sight of this concept. Today, we have a Congress that appears to no longer believe in risk and reward, success and failure, individual liberty and personal responsibility. The action by Congress in regard to the Wall Street and banking failures, and now with the automotive manufacturers has been characterized as "capitalism on the way up and socialism on the way down." The message is it is OK to take risks while you are succeeding, but if failure looms, the government will swoop in to save you.

The problem in the long run is the loss of the sense of responsibility. Risk has been largely removed. Corporations may get the message that they can take all the chances they want, be lazy, complacent, inefficient, even corrupt. No problem. The government will rescue you with the taxpayers' dollars. When there is no risk of failure, individuals and corporations lose their sense of fear and responsibility; greed begins to take over. What are the lessons we are teaching our children, who will one day run the small businesses, farms and corporations in this land?

It takes courage to be a Republican, to stand tall and say it is not the government's responsibility to step in when businesses fail. But it is the best thing for everyone concerned in the long run. Businesses will learn to be better, smarter, and wiser.

We understand that when a business fails, people lose jobs and livelihoods. We need to be cognizant of that and provide every opportunity for those individuals affected to find new employment and business opportunities as quickly as possible. In a truly unencumbered free market, opportunities will be available for people to start over and build wealth. If we hold to these core principles, we will all be better off as individuals and as a nation.

Restoring the Republican Brand

As we move through the process of selecting a new Chairman, it is important that you have as much information as you can get to make an informed decision. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you some of the specific plans I have to turn the Republican Party in Michigan around.

Rebuilding a Strong Republican Party, Step One

The first thing we must do is "restore the brand." Republicans have been known for years as the party of less government, strong defense and social conservatism. More recently, who we are and what we stand for has become fuzzy in the minds of many voters. At the federal level, huge budget increases and the recent bailouts of private companies have tarnished our image as fiscal conservatives. Early missteps in the prosecution of the Iraq war and the constant drubbing by the press since have obscured the real successes we have achieved and have further hurt our image. Additionally, we have become splintered on some social issues.

In Michigan we were all damaged when a few members of the Republican caucus voted for parts of the biggest tax hike in state history. Over the last six years, since gaining a huge 63-47 majority in the House, we often went along with targeted tax and fee increases and too much growth of government. As our economy sputtered, we were unable to distinguish ourselves as the fiscal conservatives ready to offer solutions to turn things around economically.

Where do we go from here? This party has exactly what the voters and taxpayers are looking for. The problem is, we have not communicated nor carried it out effectively. How do we turn this around?

First, I am ready to work with the leadership in the Senate and the House to craft policy and a message that clearly communicates to the voting public that we stand for the things that matter to them, and we are willing to work hard to carry them out. As a six-year veteran of the House, I have experience with the workings of policy and politics in the legislature.

Second, I am ready to work with the district and county leadership of the party statewide to articulate our message as a party and begin to identify community leaders who can win House and Senate races. I traveled the state extensively in 2005 and all of the past year as a candidate for US Senate. I learned that while our key principles do not vary from one region of the state to another, they do have to be tailored and crafted for each district and county. One size does not fit all.

This will be challenging, but I believe it is the only way we will win back our donor and voter base and start winning elections again.

I look forward to your input and questions. I would be honored to have your endorsement. You may sign up here.