Secretive DeVos: Hiding from Public Scrutiny

And I'll post it here, too (4.00 / 2)

The Muskegon Chronicle, in this morning's endorsement of Granholm-

Granholm has the heart of a fighter. She readily appeared before our editorial board to take on the tough questions any candidate must face in a close election.

DeVos, on the other hand, refused to meet with us. Among the questions we would have put to him is why he didn't make his full tax returns public, like Granholm has. This is standard operating procedure for gubernatorial candidates to put to rest concerns of any possible conflicts of interest.

I really would like to know his excuse for not meeting with them.

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by: wizardkitten @ Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 16:20:09 PM UTC

It's time for the Dems to step up attacks on Amway (4.00 / 1)

I'm getting damn sick and tired of Lee Iacocca and Rudy Giuliani (two vastly overrated public figures, by the way) singing Dick DeVos's praises as a "Michigan manufacturer." He's not. DeVos and Amway are peddlers of motivational tapes and seminars, and a business model in which the huge majority of participants don't make money.

Bottom line: Dick DeVos isn't in the same class as a Mike Ilitch, a Peter Karmanos, or a Bill Davidson. And it's time for the Democratic Party to call him out on it.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

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by: Hy Dudgeon @ Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 18:20:22 PM UTC

What are your dreams? (4.00 / 2)

Amway's chief product is a perversion of the American Dream.  They convince low-level suckers all they need to do to get rich is work harder and listen to motivational speeches by Rich and Jay.

Truth be told, it reminds me of the "winners" videos from flicks like "The Running Man" and "Island."  They go something like this:  "See these guys?  They're winners.  You can be just like them."

What they don't tell you, and what the audience learns by the end of the movie, is that the entire thing is a lie.  No one wins.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 19:01:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

+1 (4.00 / 1)

Another thorough and well-researched diary, DemWave!

Check out my mediocre blog.

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by: nirmal @ Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 18:37:13 PM UTC

DeVos's Biggest Secret? (4.00 / 4)

Dick has a new commercial where he is advertising his expertise in the closet, but truly the biggest secret the Dick has tried to keep in this campaign--the thing that he has never mentioned once in the $50 million he has already spent on trying to buy Michigan--is that the Dick is a REPUBLICAN. And not just some stupid Michigan Chamber of Commerce lackey Republican, but a George W. Bush butt kissing and financing far right extremist REPUBLICAN.

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by: williamsman @ Sun Oct 29, 2006 at 22:16:30 PM UTC

DeVos expertise of the closet (0.00 / 0)

I think Dick has a lot of expertise about the closet -- and not the industry.

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by: ImpeachBush @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 05:03:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, there is this piece on the Republican thing (0.00 / 0)

Dick Devos is a republican, just don't tell anyone.

The Disembodied Head of Dick Devos devos.wordpress.com

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by: devoshead @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 10:41:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

FOIA (0.00 / 0)

I am a staunch advocate of FOIA, having used the act myself successfully 4 times against U-Michigan in court.

First, DeVos' failure to respond to the MPA questionnairre deeply concerns me. It certainly would have ranked in my own "to do" list simply because of the who they are factor, ... But knowing what candidates and campaigns go through to answer these questionnairres, and the flood (and I can't imagine how it is multiplied in volumen for a Gov's race) of them that come in at the most inopportune time, I can't say the only reason he didn't answer was conscious.  It simply isn't possible - nor practical - for a candidate to answer them all.  And before you say gubernatorial campaigns have huge staffs, questionnairre responses are something that the candidate must have at least some involvement in.

Granholm is not as staunch on FOIA as you portray.  She'll cite privacy where it isn't relevant and allow universities and other allies to evade the spirit and letter of the law when it suits her.  Sure, she's helped a few little guys on FOIA when she was AG and made them big publicity, but to make her out as the hero of FOIA I think is a bit ridiculous. She oversaw the most recent amendments to narrow FOIA access and increase public body flexibility in using outrageous (and unreal) cost-estimates to evade FOIA. Once those in power get power, they resist opening up their own and their allies documents.  FOIA is still only the bluntest of tools.

As a believer in smaller and efficient government however, I believe every conservative (and liberal, for their own different reasons) should get behind FOIA as a powerful tool to keep government in check.  When Democrats oppose greater openness, it is because they recognize that the FOIA can be used by either side, and they'd prefer to be the only one's using it or it's edges to only cut one way.

One of the best ways to build credibility in yourself or your party is to take the leadership in shining the light of scrutiny on yourself, and applying your principles to yourself.  And perhaps that is the larger philosophical reason Republicans will lose ground overall this year - too many individual Republicans failed to live up to their own principles, hurting us all.

"You can't handle the truth."

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by: chetly @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 01:10:14 AM UTC

4 Questions (0.00 / 0)

Chetly:

I was told that the Michigan Press Association questionnaire included only 4 questions.  Dick DeVos can afford as many staffers as he needs.  Are you saying he doesn't have time to review responses to 4 questions?  He did have time to attend some Detroit Tigers games.  Or that the responses can't be reviewed by an experienced handler like Betsy DeVos, Greg McNeilly, or John Truscott.  It's not like someone with J.T.'s background doesn't have experience dealing with the Michigan Press Association.

Just fits the pattern of secrecy and aversion to public scrutiny.  The way he ran his company and conducts his campaign reveals a lot.

Must be difficult for you this year with the Republican candidate for governor being a tax cut and spend big government "conservative" who opposes Proposal 2 and who doesn't support public access to government information.

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by: DemWave @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 09:06:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm still stuck trying to figure out... (0.00 / 0)

... what Republican "principles" are, although I have a good idea based on what I've seen from both DeVos and Washington.

Must... not... take... bait...

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by: wizardkitten @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 14:03:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's a fun tidbit on VKW Hardwoods... (4.00 / 2)

...in case it hasn't already been documented.  Just to add a bit of fuel to the fire.

Somehow, VKW Hardwoods was *thriving* just a few years ago. 

They were respected in their industry.

They were the recipients of a generous $3 million tax-exempt bond from the Engler administration.

Now they're a "for sale" sign along US-131?  What happened?

I happen to know a thing or two about the lumber business.  They've had their share of slow business, the market's been competitive, and some big corporate players have kept the pressure on.  But really, from thriving, respected, and expanding in 2000 to tanking in 2004?  Does anybody have any more detail or background on this?  And is there any info out there detailing *when* Club DeVos acquired their ownership interest?

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by: SteveInMI @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 03:02:41 AM UTC

Owned by RDV Corporation in 2005 (0.00 / 0)

Can only tell you what was reported in the Grand Rapids Press on February 24, 2005 (not available online):

Bouwer, the majority owner who served and president and chief executive officer, owned the company with RDV Corp. RDV Corp. is owned by Amway co-founder Richard DeVos.

Detailed in this earlier post.

By the time Dick DeVos selectively released his financial holdings on March 31, 2006, he disclosed the following:

Hardwoods Unlimited Investors, LLC – Grand Rapids, Michigan based former processor of hardwood lumber.

Now, according to the State of Michigan, Hardwoods Unlimited Investors, LLC, which was formed in 1999, and VKW have the same resident agent, Bentheim, Inc.  John D. Bouwer is the President of Bentheim, Inc. which uses the assumed name VKW Hardwoods.  VKW also used Hardwoods Unlimited as an assumed name.

Apparently, Dick DeVos, and the family holding company, RDV Corporation, invested in VKW in 1998 or 1999, and proceeded to run the company into the ground.

DeVos also disclosed an interest in a Hawaiian lumber company:

Honsador Group LLC – Kapolei, Hawaii based wholesale building products
distributor

So much for investing in Michigan and created jobs.  Dick DeVos invested in a Michigan company that went out of business and then also invested in Hawaii, creating jobs there, but not here.

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by: DemWave @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 08:54:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good info! To me, a key question is... (0.00 / 0)

...whether DeVosCo was in an ownership position when the parent company pocketed $3 Mil in state funds designed to "support their expansion" and "protect Michigan jobs".  If so, it's an even better narrative... DeVos owns a successful company, takes a seven-figure state-sponsored cash infusion, and somehow the place withers on the vine in just four years. 

Hm.  Four years.  The "successful" business prowess of the Prince of Pyramids only takes Four Years to drive an enterprise in to the ground.

If only we could find a way to turn that in to a campaign slogan.  Think, think, think...  :-)

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by: SteveInMI @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 11:58:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

"DeVos: Trickle-Up Economics" (n/t) (0.00 / 0)

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

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by: Hy Dudgeon @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 12:18:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Answer Appears to be Yes (4.00 / 2)

The DeVos investment vehicle for VKW Hardwoods, Hardwoods Unlimited Investors, LLC, was formed on December 27, 1999.

Apparently RDV Corporation was a member of Hardwoods Unlimited Investors, LLC, which in turn was a member of VK&W Investors, LLC, and doing busines as VKW Hardwoods, among other names.  DeVos reported a continuing interest in Hardwoods Unlimted Investors, LLC, as of December 31, 2005, a date after which the enterprise ceased operations and elminated all Michigan employees.

So yes, it appears that Dick DeVos and his family's RDV Corporation was involved in VKW Hardwoods at the time the company received a $3 million low-interest loan from the Engler administration.

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by: DemWave @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 17:27:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Darn it all, DemWave!! (4.00 / 1)

How can I be expected to Take Back Michigan for Corporations & Special Interests if you're SHOUTING ALL MY SECRETS OUT TO THE WORLD???

The Disembodied Head of Dick Devos devos.wordpress.com

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by: devoshead @ Mon Oct 30, 2006 at 12:51:01 PM UTC

Another citation of DeVos skirting the press... (4.00 / 2)

Here's a story from today's Northern Express where they, too, point out DeVos eluding the questions that local residents want to know.

In fact, they put it right up front in the preface:

Editors Note: Current Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm took 30 minutes off the campaign trail to answer questions.
Her opponent Dick DeVos declined to be interviewed or to respond to questions.  Of note, DeVos also recently declined to answer questions from the Michigan Press Association on his stance on the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act.

Tricky Dicky didn't have 30 minutes.  Ouch -- he must be so busy peddling his Chinese Way "American Way" products into the Michigan market.  The Northern Press nails him on that one by emphasizing the brevity of the interview in question.

Methinks he's trying a bit too hard to keep getting in the Detroit papers and other larger circulations, and again is neglecting the rest of Michigan. 

Once again: Jennifer Granholm represents all of Michigan.

-- Signature! --

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by: quaker21 @ Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 00:24:37 AM UTC

Chetly Is Either A Troll or A Right Wing Whacko, in Either Case Chetly Does Not Know What He Is Talking About On the Governor & FIOA (0.00 / 0)

As both Governor and Attorney General, Governor Granholm was as strong of an advocate and protector of FOIA as the state has ever seen including her predecessor Attorney General Kelley. For Chetly to get snarky and trash the Governor as letting the universities get away with evading FOIA indicates the he is a troll or right wing whacko who, like the Bushites, does not let reallity intrude in his world. It was the Engler administration, the Engler appointed univeristy boards of control and the Engler appointed judiciary who have undermined both FOIA and OMA. Further, the university cases occured years before Granholm became AG let alone Governor. I will not waste my time on a whacko wing nut like Chelty.

However, still on the FIOA front, word on the street is that not only has the Michigan Press Association posted on their website the Dick's pathetic blow off of one of the most fundamental principles of democracy, Thomas Jefferson's informed citizenry", but they are now distributing a royal smack down of Dicky by none other than the Eternal General Frank J. Kelley. Apparently Frank could not contain himself over DeVos's contempt for voters and DeVos's secrecy over everything from his tax and business plan to hiding his tax returns and investments. Dick is going to get spanked in way Daddy DeVos would never have been allowed by Mommy DeVos to whop Junior.

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by: williamsman @ Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:28:38 AM UTC

Response is on MPA Website (0.00 / 0)

Read Governor Granholm's response and Amway Guy's non-response here

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by: DemWave @ Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:40:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Response is on MPA Website (0.00 / 0)

Read Governor Granholm's response and Amway Guy's non-response here

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by: DemWave @ Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:40:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Chetley is a troll (0.00 / 0)

He's been around for awhile.

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by: wizardkitten @ Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 02:49:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]