Obama raises $52M in June

Obama campaign released June numbers today and they are indeed impressive.  From an e-mail (and on the website) sent out to supporters today:

Because of your generosity and commitment, we’re reporting to the press today that this campaign is in a very strong financial position.

In the month of June, supporters like you helped raise $52 million.

But more impressive than the number is how you did it. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary people contributed to building our campaign for change. Many were first-time donors, giving only what they could afford — and the average donation was just $68.

…

They go on to say that between McCain and the RNC, Obama is actually at a disadvantage, but I am not sure how much of a disadvantge he is really at.  After all, McCain only raised 22M in June.  But I suppose a $400M campaign between McCain’s campaign and the RNC (see previous post) would worry me a bit, even if I did raise $52M in 30 days.  Theres not much else to say on this except: Good job Obama!

Dow chooses Michigan for new Headquarters

This is a day old, but being from Midland, the global headquarters of Dow Chemical (and NO, I don’t glow at night… not yet), anytime Dow does anything it is big news here.  So, in the backdrop of GM’s disappointing announcement, Dow made its own announcement which really made quite a few people very happy.

From the Midland Daily News:

The Dow Chemical Co.’s $11 billion joint venture with Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Co. will be headquartered in Michigan.

…

The exact city also hasn’t been determined, with the decision to be partially based on approval of incentives offered to the company.

Dow President and CEO Andrew Liveris said the choice of Michigan for the headquarters was consistent with the positive business environment in Michigan, where Dow has more than 110 years of history. Dow’s corporate center is in Midland.

Stabenow manages high-profile meeting in DC

Michigan’s very own Senator Debbie Stabenow managed a recent meeting in Washington DC between Democratic leadership and 17 CEOs of large trade groups. Below are some highlights from the Politico article:

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who managed the meeting for the leadership, called in the CEOs of the city’s most powerful trade associations to circumvent what Democrats consider their more partisan lobbyists — many of whom are Republicans with long-standing ties to the power structure that got toppled in 2006.

…

One of the business leaders said that Reid and Stabenow were explicit in expressing the importance of dialogue with the business community. He said the Democrats then let their guests do most of the talking.

“People left the meeting with a very positive sense that the Democrats are interested in engaging with the business community in a more broad-minded way than has been in the past,” he said.

The Democrats delivered their message through compliments rather than direct threats. A Democratic aide who attended the meeting said the senators “were thanking people for having broken [from Republicans] on certain things.”

The biotech lobby was thanked for its help with tax extenders and stem cells. PhRMA, which didn’t make the meeting because its leader was ill, was called out for its help with the Medicare push.

I would strongly suggest reading the entire article as it is certainly worth the read.  It is nice to know that my Senator is working to bring everyone into the fold and is doing her part to stop partisan gridlock.  Especially when you consider how much Republicans and big-business like to brand Senator Stabenow as a ‘protectionist’ and ‘anti-growth’, etc, it is nice to see her taking such a pro-business step!

Reform Michigan: No-Reason Absentee Voting

I just stumbled across an editorial from the Lansing State (July 10, 2008 edition) which brings out a very simple point about no-reason absentee voting.  It notes that in the Reform Michigan NOW ballot proposal, on section creates no reason absentee voting.  Well, why can’t the legislature just do it?  They have tried in the past and yet nothing has ever been able to make it to law.  Below is an excert:

In Michigan, unless you are a senior citizen, you are required to provide a proper reason for requesting a ballot before Election Day.

This is an impediment to voting – and unfair. Why should senior citizens be given a voting option denied to younger voters?

Year after year, legislation is filed at the State Capitol to alter the law. Quite a few of these bills, some backed by Democrats, some by Republicans, would authorize “no-reason” balloting. If any registered voter wants an absentee ballot, they can get it – without giving a reason.

Yet the bills have invariably gone nowhere.

… (read the entire editorial)

I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone who knows me that I tend to like the Lansing State Journal – and it’s these kinds of editorials that make me like them!

GM announces cuts, changes

Here we go again: round infinity-billion of US auto makers crying about tough times and how it is sooo hard for them to have to let people go to return to profitabilty, but it must be done.  To be quite honest, I believe a lot of people in Michigan have had it with all the talk and the whining.  Yes, it’s true the Bush Administration doesn’t care about the auto industry and the entire state is suffering because of this, but the auto manufacturers based in Michigan have to start at least partially blaming themselves for being so wrapped up in big profit, low fuel efficient vehicles.  Now their employees are paying the price.

From CNN.com:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will suspend its dividend, sell off $4 billion to $7 billion worth of assets and cut 20% worth of salaried cash costs in an overall plan to save billions of dollars.

“We need to take some very tough actions to ensure our survival and success,” said Chief Executive Rick Wagoner, in a press conference, referring to the current market conditions as an “unprecedentedly difficult time.”

…

Trash washes up on Lake Michigan Beaches

Check out this disturbing article from the AP:

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of pounds of garbage have washed onto a 10-mile stretch of Lake Michigan beaches in Manistee and Mason counties.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the source of the garbage, which includes medical waste such as prescription drug bottles and even needles.

…

In Manistee, officials closed a beach where some junk piles were up to eight inches high before crews began hauling it away by the truckload. Authorities have warned people not to touch or swim near the trash.

Especially considering that we just approved the Great Lakes Compact, people should be outraged that someone would just throw this disgusting stuff into our beautiful lakes.  The article mentioned that some of the medical supplies had indicators and names of people living in Wisconsin.  If thats true, let’s invade Wisconsin!!  (I’m just joking of course, we’ve got better things to do)

Reform Michigan NOW Proposal hits snag

A controversial ballot proposal which would reform much of the state government (see this previous post for more information) appeared to hit a legal snag today when it cited a portion of the Michigan Constitution which does not exist and is not established under the proposal. 

From the Detroit News:

The mistake in the ballot proposal petition is contained in a section that prescribes how a new director of state elections would be selected. It calls for procedures “as provided for in Article II, Section 11″ of the Michigan Constitution.

The problem is there is no Section 11 in either the current constitution or the proposed ballot amendment.

According to the article this type of legality stopped a previous proposal in 2002 and I am sure Republicans will jump at the chance to challenge this small error; the MI GOP has already said they will challenge the proposal.  The mistake is most likely a result of writing the proposal too quickly and not having the wording reviewed prior to circulating the petition.  The backers of the proposal have led the campaign in secrecy (one of the top reasons I am voting AGAINST the measure) and that may eventually be the downfall of the proposal.

I’ll do my best to keep you all updated on its fate.

DCCC puts aside money for MI-7 and MI-9

The AP reports:

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have reserved millions of dollars worth of television advertising in 31 congressional races in all corners of the country, according to documentation that provides an early roadmap of the party’s drive to strengthen its majority in the fall elections.

The list includes 19 seats currently in Republican hands, from Connecticut to Alaska, with two each in Ohio and New Mexico. It also reflects a determination on the part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to protect its own first-term incumbents in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and elsewhere.

In all, the documentation obtained by The Associated Press shows the DCCC has reserved nearly $35 million in advertising to begin in September and October.

It is exciting to note that two of these races are in MIchigan, both attemtping to oust Bush-Republicans.  In Michigan’s 7th district Mark Schauer, the current state senate minority leader, will challenge Tim Wahlberg, a first term ultra-conservative congressman who ousted a moderate republican in the 2006 primaries. 

In Michigan’s ninth district, Gary Peters is attempting to oust Joe Knollenberg.

It sure is nice to see the DCCC really pushing the limits this year and targeting resources in competitive races in Michigan.  I sure would be nice to see a Democratic-led Michigan delegation.

Race for MI-1: The ‘Lumberjack’

I used to live in Marquette, which is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michgan and is in the first congressional district.  The area is currently represented by Bart Stupak (D) and I think he does a nice jb of balancing democratic values with a rather conservative political climate in the district – although I strongly disagree with his stance pro-life stance.

On the Republican side, he has three potential challengers:  Tom Casperson (current state legislator), Linda Goldthorpe (lawyer) and Don Hooper (crazyman).  I can confidently say that I expect Casperson to be the nominee after the August 5th primary because he has the name recognition, ‘experience’ and the establishment support; he already seems to be running his campaign as though he is in the general election.

And I sure do have some insight and thoughts to share on Mr. Casperson.

Bigger Paycheck?

For many people in the state of Michigan, July 2nd passed without a second thought.  But for over 300,000 people, July 2nd meant a bigger paycheck.  The Michigan Minimum wage increased from $7.15 to $7.40 because of a bill passed in 2006 which phased in a three-tiered wage hike.  It is also believed that over 450,000 workers recieved some sort of pay boost even though they were already above the minimum wage.

In short, this means that a person working a full-time job at minimum wage, has gone from making $10,712 a year to $15,392 per year.  They did this within a two year time span.  While we should certainly be applauding this movement towards a more fair wage (but not necessarily good enough yet), it still hurts to know that it is not even enough to break the 2008 federal poverty definition for 2008:

         2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines

Persons in Family or Household	48 Contiguous States and D.C.	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$10,400	$13,000	$11,960
2	14,000	17,500	16,100
3	17,600	22,000	20,240
4	21,200	26,500	24,380
5	24,800	31,000	28,520
6	28,400	35,500	32,660
7	32,000	40,000	36,800
8	35,600	44,500	40,940
For each additional person, add	3,600	4,500	4,140

SOURCE:  Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 15, January 23, 2008, pp. 3971–3972

So thank you very much for the pay increase, but we seriously need to look at adjusting it for inflation (like the state of Washington) or requiring a vote every year on it or something of the sort.  I’m open for ideas here people.