Why MI U.S.Senator Stabenow must go! (Do nothing Congress, or just a DO NOTHING SENATE?)

reproduced from: Rattle With Us – Michigan Tea Party (JLenardDetroit)

Stabenow must go! As part of the DO NOTHING (Democrat controlled) SENATE, she/they failed to do their Constitutional duty and pass a Budget for 900+ days. When, in December, they finally passed Omnibus spending Bills for FY2012, they ignored “supposed cuts” agreed upon (Debt Ceiling agreement) and “automatic cuts” (Defense/Medicare) if the “Super Committee” failed; which the Democrats sabotaged from the start; spending (yet again) a new largest Budget deficit (though they tried to hide it by passing several separate Bills) in US history. And those “Occupy Wall Street” folks, where are they? since she voted for the (Bank Bailouts) TARP?!?! We would be better represented in the Senate by a random pick from the Phone book, so I will support any/all that oppose her.

That is the Letter To the Editor (LTE) I sent to several S.E. Michigan Publications:

TARP: (She was against it, before she was for it – duplicity)
Stabenow, while supporting Senate Democrat amendments, actually (Final vote (H. R. 1424 As Amended)) voted AGAINST:
Source: U.S.Senate http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00213
HOWEVER, it is not that simple. While she was against Bush getting TARP passed, she was more than happy to allow Obama to have that 2nd half of the TARP funds for disbursement (it was setup to be used in 2 chunks, if the 2nd 1/2 was “necessary” and with Democrats in charge ANY spending is considered “necessary”)…
S.J.Res. 5; A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of unobligations under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008…. (This was one of those backwards votes, a YEA would “DISALLOW” the expenditures, a NO vote was to SUPPORT TARP fund spending by Obama)
Source: Political Guide http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Votes/senate/2009/5/

GM/Chrysler Bailout:
Again, not so simple. There were 2 potential slush funds that could be used, including TARP, discussed…
Long boring details about that here: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40003.pdf
There was ultimately no vote to hold her to, but she can be seen on the Senate floor IN SUPPORT of the Bailouts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arjlxOQKBaY&feature=player_embedded

FRANK/DODD:
She did vote for the Bank over-regulation bill.
Source: U.S.Senate http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00162

There was the STIMULUS, of course:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1)
source: Political Guide http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Votes/senate/2009/64/
source: U.S.Senate http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00061

some other StabYAnow votes:
http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/Michigan/Debbie_Stabenow/Views/The_Economy/

related (how Debbie and the Senate Democrats have been playing games):
–payroll tax cut update (12/11) – http://rattlewithus.ning.com/forum/topics/payroll-tax-update/ DO NOTHING DEMOCRAT SENATE: Payroll Tax cut deal update
–the original “Jobs Bill” fiasco – Where’s the Beef (9/11) blog – http://rattlewithus.ning.com/profiles/blogs/wheres-the-beef/ Where’s the BEEF? um… er… BILL?
–CR-time (12/11), No Senate Budget in over 900+ days, and even though they passed Omnibus bills for FY2012 (finally, in Dec), it still was NOT an official Budget – http://rattlewithus.ning.com/profiles/blogs/cr-time/ Do nothing Senate still fails to pass Budget, so it’s Continuing Resolution (CR) time again! – it only landed up being for 72 hours (enough time for House/Senate to finish up Omnibus votes and for the POTUS to sign), but it was the EIGHTH straight CR because the DO NOTHING SENATE DEMOCRATS refusing to take the (their Constitutional duty) Budget process seriously! All, of course, completely ignoring the “supposed” “CUTS” (reality: next to no reductions) that came out of the Debt Ceiling talks and “agreement!” (Base-line (8/11) – http://rattlewithus.ning.com/forum/topics/base-line-budgeting-for-dummies/ Base-line Budgeting For Dummies) [There are NO VOTES in regard to (source to regarding) their burying Bills in Committees and/or NOT introducing Budgets - only the facts they've been doing so - and people understanding it]

(uncluttered list) related:
SEE MORE “RATTLE WITH US” TEA Party items here at (BIN) Before Its News
Hoekstra LOSSES ground following SuperBowl Ad – Debbie Spend-It-Now Ad controversy
payroll tax cut update (12/11) – Payroll Tax cut deal update
payroll tax cut (12/11) – Payroll Tax cut deal (with Keystone XL pipeline) set
cr-time (12/11) – Do nothing Senate still fails to pass Budget, so it’s Continuing Resolution time again!
Where’s the Beef (9/11) blog – Where’s the BEEF? um… er… BILL?

(@MI4CS) What State could/should be next? Next Election cycle perhaps your TEA Party group could help start (or join) such an effort. The notion of banding TEA Party groups (loosely, in a co-operative) together (the point/purpose of a TEA Party – educate, communicate, like minded folk joining forces to effect change, etc) started in Indiana. Michigan is now trying the process to help insure a real Conservative is the nominee to oppose ultra-liberal Debbie Stabenow. More info at: Michigan4ConservativeSenate.

If you know anyone in a Michigan TEA Party, have them consider the following:

Dear friend.

With respect, in advance, to any potential difference(s) of opinion. Remember we seek the same basic goals and because we may not agree on one thing or another, it does NOT mean we cannot/should-not continue to work together in other regards. Please be sure to read this in the tone of care, concern, and respect it is intended rather than something other (harshness) some others might wish to interject.

Please share with other TEA Party groups (especially any NOT currently involved with #MI4CS) in regard to the upcoming US Senate race and the rumors, bad mouthing (one group to another), divisive campaigning strategies, fomenting “suspicions” and conspiracy theory, in regard to the MI4CS “concept” and/or the TEA Party movements in general.

Let me start by stating the obvious. Like minded people may still disagree by some degrees on varying issues. We will all have our own set of prioritized criteria by which we use to decide upon our favorite/preferred Candidate! Regardless, we still need to focus on the key beliefs, principles, and values which unite us!

Some Candidates, while trying to tell you we need to “unite” as “Conservatives” they sow the seeds of discontent and engage in a “divide and conquer” strategy; rather than focus on the issues that bind us as Conservatives and TEA Party activists.

Many of the Candidates seeking the nomination to oppose Stabenow are wonderful, but just aren’t making the traction they thought they’d garner (this is a shame, but just because they may not be our next US Senator doesn’t mean they wouldn’t make great Candidates and potential Representatives for our values in some other capacity) and while previously seeking our/your favor now disrespect us/you, try to pit us/you against fellow activists, and the like. Having made the calculation they cannot earn/win our/your support in large numbers, they hope to pick off your members around the edges. They seek to operate “one on one” with your group, they’ll tell you, because they cannot stand up to direct comparisons in a debate or forum setting – ask them why? Encourage them to participate in the process. Are they afraid to compete in the market of ideas?!?! Each Candidate deserves our consideration, but why (really) are they avoiding our debate?

Some Candidates, rather than wanting to earn your support, expected you to just “anoint” them as the presumptive nominee and just “assume” you should be flattered they bothered to reach out to you in the first place. As I said, they speak of “like values” (issues that bind, values we share, etc) but (play the Liberal game of) “divide and conquer” hoping to drive a wedge between TEA Party activists, splitting the vote (the antithesis of why you considered the MI4CS notion in the first place), thinking they can sneak out a victory, yet will demand your support after the fact despite disrespecting you now.

Some Candidates now turn their back on you, disrespect you, refuse to take part in the CMU TEA Party debate (they don’t want to appear that close to the TEA Party movement on such a visible scale. Telling?), while previously speaking in such “glowing” terms about how we as TEA Party’s “educate,” offer such a great “opportunity,” and how they are “one of us!” One Candidate’s representative told me, his Candidate “no longer” will partake in forums/events, or participate with groups (read: MI4CS for one), that hold Straw Polls (since when, I asked). Could that be because he refuses to RESPECT you enough to want to EARN your trust and support and therefore has shown incapable of winning any such poll? Amazing how they seek to win an election (votes) yet do not respect the VOICE/VOTE of the (your groups) people! From a Political strategy, I can understand that, they do not wish to show they cannot garner your support but yet wish to tout their candidacy as the “TEA Party” candidacy. Seems to me they may NOT really share your concerns or values but see us/you as “useful idiots” on their way to securing a Washington paycheck. Ask yourself, do they want your support or just want to use you for your mailing list?

Again, we will all disagree from time to time and have our own “favorite” Candidate, but we must remember that which brought us to the TEA Party movement to begin with – remove Liberals (whether Progressive Democrats or Liberal RINOs) – from Elected offices everywhere; and Stabenow, in this case in particular. I certainly hope my “preferred” first choice in Candidates gets the nomination, but I am keeping my eye on the prize of removing Debbie and hope you will continue to join with me, and so many others, in that effort.

There are some that criticize the MI4CS concept and now refuse to “be nice.” It is they who have the “my way or the highway” and “my ‘one’ or no-one” attitudes. This is a COOPERATIVE, no-one is forced to join! Don’t let anyone LIE about the movement or process!!! They (critics, manipulators, those who found they cannot CONTROL YOU, etc) ask – who are YOU to claim to represent all TEA Party people? Simply stated, YOU DON’T CLAIM TO!

Those “co-operating” in the MI4CS process POLL their active membership in order to determine who is their “preferred consensus” Candidate, there is NO DICTATING (people/groups CHOOSE to join and “co-operate” because the see the merit in the shared values and efforts, the same reasons one becomes a Precinct Delegate)! They then come forth to a Convention, as any other Primary or brokered Convention does/would, to ELECT (vote, select) the Candidate with the greater “consensus” to back to insure we have a “Conservative values” Candidate to help bring to victory, for a change, rather than divide/split the vote allowing ESTABLISHMENT PARTY POWER BROKERS to try and force a Candidate upon us. A Candidate (elected MI US Senator) that will PUSH the GOP (especially the Establishment Senate Leadership) to do the Right things as much as they will oppose/push the Democrats – while anyone will be better than Debbie (and will be backed past the Primary) – we need one that will FIGHT rather than just go to D.C. to coast or cash in!!!

It is that simple, it is the very definition of the TEA Party thought of providing a place for “like minded Conservative individuals to come/band together” to inform, educate, and be involved! You and your TEA Party has a GREATER VOICE, not less of one! You as TEA Party people make your presence known and are a real force to be reckoned with, rather than be marginalized (as you are in smaller groups or as lone individuals).

The very structure of the MI4CS is an educational endeavor; a teachable moment opportunity to those just becoming Politically aware and learning what they forgot or were never taught in our Nations Indoctrination factories posing as Schools (issues of a Federal Education Department); as it portrays perfectly the US Senate composition. MI4CS demonstrates perfectly our REPRESENTATIVE REBUBLIC (NOT, outright Democracy that the OWS morons don’t understand and can’t grasp why it is that/this way). It provides the “teachable moments” launching pad to further educate about the “States’ Rights” balance the US Senate is SUPPOSED to provide (and issues of the 17th Amendment). MI4CS is quintessential TEA Party and Founding Father values in scope and actions, where many come together as one to have their grievances addressed regarding an oppressive Government!

My opinion, with due respect,
Joseph (JLenardDetroit) Lenard

related: Meet the Michigan US Senate Candidates forum report

[UPDATE FEB. 26, 2012 - Gary Glenn wins "TEA Party Candidate" moniker at MI4CS TEA Party Convention. see: http://www.michigan4conservativesenate.com for more details or Gary Glenn related sites:

Gary's Web-site: http://www.GaryGlenn.US
Twitter: @GaryGlennUS
Gary's Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gary-Glenn/180022795395113
Decline is a Choice (let's not continue it): http://youtu.be/9S36cE7ZJ5Y]

(source: YouGov)

More Than Half The Country Thinks Congress Accomplished Less Than Usual This Year

by YouGov Staff in Economist/YouGov Poll and Politics

Mon December 26 2011, 10 a.m. PST

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