True Story from Tom Selkis' Latham Ford Dealership

This is taken verbatim from a Face Book posting that appeared on Free Republic. I cannot verify it, but, it sounds about right.

 

"I'll try to make this as short and to the point as I can. One of my salesmen here had a woman in his office yesterday wanting to lease a brand new Focus.

 

As he was reviewing her credit app with her he noticed she was on social security disability. He said to her you don't look like you're disabled. She said "well I'm really not, I could work if I wanted to but I make more now then I did when I was working and got hurt" (non-disabling injury).

 

She said the gov't sends her $1500.00 a month in 1 check; she gets $700.00 a month on an EBTcard (food stamps), and $800.00 a month for rent. Oh yeah and 250 mins free on her phone. That is just south of $3500.00 a month.When she was working she was taking home about $330.00 per week. Do the math and then ask yourself: "why...should she go back to work?"

 

If you multiply that by millions of people you start to realize the scope of the problem we face as a country.

 

Once the socialists have 51% of the population in that same scenario we are finished........ *and we are real, real close*. The question is: when do we cross that threshold if we haven't already?

 

She didn't lease the Focus here because the dealer down the road beat our deal by $10.00 month. *Glad to know she is so frugal with her hard earned money!*

Ask Snyder to Sign SB59, It Will Provide More Protection for Children in School

Friday, December 14th was a most tragic day in Newtown, Connecticut. A crazed young man allegedly shot and killed 20 young children and 6 employees at the Sandy Hook elementary school there. As a father of five and grandfather of 11, some of whom are 6 and seven years old, I can only imagine the pain and grief parents and grandparents are enduring in Newtown.

 

Gun control advocates wasted no time crying out for more control.  One of the tactics of the gun control crowds is the creation of gun-free zones. Second amendment supporters have long been concerned about that strategy, claiming that putting a sign in front of a school, for instance, that says, "This school is a gun-free zone" is merely an invitation for something unthinkable, like what happened at Sandy Hook, to happen. 

 

Meanwhile, back in Michigan, literally hours before the tragic occurrences in Newtown, the state legislature passed SB59, which had been originally introduced in January, 2011. This bill, which passed the Senate with a veto-proof majority and the House by a 68-41 count, would, as described at michiganvotes.org: "exempt concealed pistol license holders who have completed at least eight hours of additional training from the "gun free zone" limitations in the CPL law, which bans licensees from carrying in a certain areas (schools, day care facilities, sports stadiums or arenas, bars, bar/restaurants, places of worship, college dorms and classrooms, hospitals, casinos, large entertainment facilities and courts), except that a school or private building owner could still ban guns."

 

The legislature endorsed this bill probably because it offers the potential for more protection and because it still allows private building owners and public university administrators the right to ban firearms in their respective facilities. 

 

In the wake of the shootings in Newtown, the governor is surely being lobbied heavily from both sides of the argument. Gun control advocates see last week's event as further evidence that we need to "ban guns." With over 200 million handguns registered in America, the elimination of firearms in this country seems unlikely. Second amendment supporters will argue that this bill would offer just the kind of protection kids in school need. Read this post that just appeared today on the michiganvotes.org web site: if a law abiding citizen doesn't [carry] then a crazy criminal who DOESN'T follow the law will. We prepare for fires, tornadoes, power outages, our children prepare for gunmen and practice lock downs in schools. If we have even one good guy with a gun in a school when a bad guy is there shooting it up then the odds of our children surviving has increased dramatically! It's not if it is going to happen it's when. We advertise "Gun free School Zones" so these nuts know where to go to not get shot back at. Our state is already an Open carry state. All this is doing is allowing someone to put a jacket on and cover their pistol. You are around guns a lot in your shopping experience and you never new it. Funny how no one was killed.

 

In some districts in the great state of Texas, school district employees are allowed to carry concealed weapons. David Thweatt, superintendent of the tiny Harrold school district in northwest Texas, said he wanted to minimize casualties that could quickly increase while waiting for deputies. He didn't want a plan where you "lock yourself in your closet and hope that an intruder won't hurt you. So what we came up with was a policy that would protect."

I support this legislation and encourage the governor to sign it. I co-sponsored a similar bill in 2007. I ask you to contact Governor Snyder and ask him to sign SB59. Contact him here. But do so quickly. The bill is on his desk.

UPDATE: Here is the text of a letter one reader just sent:

I know you are facing tremendous pressure from both sides regarding the approval of SB 59. As a survivor of a violent assault and robbery I urge you to support and sign this bill even in view of the recent tragedy in Connecticut. Here are my reasons why. First the record among lawfully licensed CPL holders in Michigan and other states is impeccable.  With the requirement of additional training I can only believe that record will get even better. Second we have the right to protect ourselves wherever we go. It is safer for us to be able to lawfully carry unrestricted than it is to have to leave our firearms in a vehicle if we suddenly find it necessary to visit a facility where we cannot presently carry.  Third there have been occasions where concealed carry license holders have stopped a crime in progress. While my focus would be on self defense it is not inconceivable that I might find myself in a situation where my assistance might be required.

Governor, you showed amazing courage in the battle over right-to-work legislation. That same courage would be much appreciated in this present debate as well.

Charles Krauthammer Gives Us the Cold, Hard Truth

Charles Krauthammer, in a mere 90 seconds boiled the right-to-work debate down to some simple, painful realities. Here is part of what he said:

"The fact is that in the right-to-work states, unemployment is 6.9%. And in the other states the non-right-to-work, it's 8.7. So you can choose to have fewer workers who enjoy higher, inflated, unnatural, if you like, wages, uncompetitive wages. Or you can have competitive wages and more people employed, more people with the dignity of a job and less unemployment, more taxation and more activity. I think it's it the right choice but I understand how it's a wrenching choice."
For the full video, click here.

We, in Michigan are in a competitive market with the rest of the United States, and the United States is competing with the rest of the world, something we did not have to do in the 1950's. Business and industry are not moral or immoral, they are amoral. They will go where they need to go to create profit and wealth. Some care more about employees than others, (although the smart ones know that happy, safe, well-paid employees mean a more successful business in the long run).

Smart businesses adapt, that's what keeps them competitive. Smart people (workers) adapt as well. That's what keeps them competitive as employees. Whether you are discussing businesses or people, the ones who adapt stand a better chance of success. Is it easy for business? Just ask the thousands of business owners who went bankrupt. Is it easy for workers? Just ask the millions who have lost a job.

The hard reality is we live in a free market where workers and business owners still have the freedom to adapt however they need to in an attempt at being successful.

How Right-to-Work in Michigan Really Happened: a 20 Year Battle

Nick Carey from Reuters did an in-depth story into how Labor Freedom came to Michigan. It was not an overnight success but rather a long, careful process.

"From outside Michigan Republican circles, it appeared that the Republican drive to weaken unions came out of the blue - proposed, passed and signed in a mere six days.

But the transformation had been in the making since March 2011 when Colbeck and a fellow freshman, state Representative Mike Shirkey, first seriously considered legislation to ban mandatory collection of union dues as a condition of employment in Michigan. Such was their zeal, they even went to union halls to make their pitch and were treated "respectfully," Colbeck said...

...Together with Jack Hoogendyk, a former Republican member of the Michigan House who supported right-to-work, and a small group of other activists, they founded the "Michigan Freedom to Work" coalition, which sought to capitalize on Republican control of the state legislature and the governorship." Read the full article here.

Lawrence Reed, former President of Mackinac Center for Public Policy has written his own retrospective on the twenty year battle to make Michigan a right to work state. It is very insightful...
"I remember well the first time I wrote about RTW in the Detroit Free Press almost 20 years ago. Better yet, I remember the reaction to it: A scattering of lukewarm encouragement on the order of 'good luck on that one' and 'someday maybe, but not in my lifetime' and a whole lot of 'no way, never' with some unrepeatable epithets tossed in to underscore the point.

It wasn’t the first time I or the organization I headed, the Mackinac Center, had called for RTW, but getting such prominence for the idea in the state’s largest daily newspaper was an early victory on a long road. While we knew from the start that it would be mostly uphill, our attitude was 'so let’s get to work on it.'" Read full story here.

The Amazing Story of Clint Tarver and His Hot Dog Cart

Clint Tarver is a hot dog vendor. He sells them from his cart on the corner of Michigan and Capitol, across from the State Capitol Building. Watch this heartwarming four-minute video about Clint and his All-American success story.

Yesterday was a tragic day for Clint. But the day turned into an example of how God can turn tragedy into blessing through the love and compassion of hundreds of individuals who wanted to make something bad into something good.

Yesterday, Clint moved his hot dog cart into the Americans for Prosperity "Worker Freedom" tent on the capitol lawn. AFP was there to encourage and educate supporters of the historic Freedom to Work legislation that passed the House and the Senate. Unfortunately, some of thousands of union members who came to protest decided to tear down and trample over that tent, and in the process destroyed Clint's Hot Dog cart, and essentially put him out of business.

Here is where the story turns. A young lady named Lorilea Susanne created a website, telling of Clint's misfortune and providing a place for people to make donations to help Clint buy a new hot dog cart. Hopes were that $5,000 could be raised to cover the costs of replacing what was lost.

As of 5:00 p.m. today, nearly $17,000 has been contributed. Is America a land of self-absorbed takers? Or are there still people of generosity and goodwill in our land? I guess the story of Clint Tarver and his hot dog stand answers that question. If you would like to contribute to Clint's fund click here. I am sure he and his precious wife, Linda Lee will find a good use for any excess dollars that come in.

God bless you Clint. Thank you for spreading all that mustard and joy around Lansing!

School Teacher Protests Gov. "Synder"

While the teacher in this picture probably did not make the sign behind her, I wonder if she noticed the misspelling of Governor Snyder's name. Is it any wonder though? According to a recent report, only 7% of Detroit 8th graders are proficient at reading.

I wonder if the "union guy" who made the sign attended Detroit Public Schools.

"This is What Democracy Looks Like!"

The title above is one of the chants we heard today at the Capitol as Right-to-Work legislation was passed in the House of representatives. Below are some examples of how our union brothers apparently view the democratic process. Watch and decide for yourself:

Breitbart: Lansing Mayor Tells Mob 'I am proud of you' as City Erupts in Violence

Breitbart: Right-to-Work Supporter Assaulted by Angry Mob

Breitbart: Union Mob Destroys Tent With People Inside

Lefler: First Person Account of Tent Destruction

Detroit News: Three Arrested...Pepper Spray Used at the Capitol
Michigan State Police donned riot gear this afternoon to control an increasingly angry crowd at the state Capitol, with police estimating that about 12,500 people were gathered at the site.

Capitol Confidential: Union Right to Work Protest Goes Violent

Los Angeles Times

Without Delay, Governor Snyder Signs Freedom to Work Bills

Here is how Huffington Post reported it:
WASHINGTON -- Gov. Rick Snyder (R) officially made Michigan a "right-to-work" state on Tuesday, signing into law two bills that significantly diminish the power of unions.

"I have signed these bills into law. ... We are moving forward on the topic of workplace fairness and equality," he said at a press conference on Tuesday evening, just hours after the state House passed the bills.

And the Detroit News:
Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation making Michigan the nation's 24th right-to-work state. "I'm confident this is in the best interest of Michiganders," Snyder said Tuesday evening.

In dramatic fashion, the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon sent Snyder two controversial right-to-work bills as thousands of rowdy protesters demonstrated outside the Capitol.

Board is Open. This is the Final Vote

Yes: 58
No: 52

Mike Shirkey is Speaking

He is probably the last speaker to the bill. He was the original author of the legislation. Because they used an existing bill, his name is not listed as the sponsor, but he and Senator Pat Colbeck are the drivers of this legislation.

Mr. Shirkey is debunking, once again, the lie that this bill somehow gets rid of collective bargaining.

This is Labor Freedom...it gives the worker the right to influence the union balance. Union elections are unfair because once you vote a union in, you never get to vote them in again. They are in forever, (barring a rare decertification.)

Unions are the ones free to ride, not the workers who do not join.

He just quoted John F. Kennedy, every one has the freedom to join or to refrain from joining.