Equality, equal rights, anti-discrimination, a color-blind society...
All terms we hear a lot nowadays.
Do we hear it just because it's politically correct, or do our leaders truly believe in these concepts?
Michigan needs to work for ALL of it's citizens, not just the privileged few.
We've heard the soundbites from Amway Guy "I accept affirmative action as an effective, albeit imperfect solution." (Michigan TurnAround Plan, Vol. 5, pg 15)
Now we follow the money trail...
And surprise, surprise - once again Tricky Dick's money and actions sure speak a lot louder than his cute little 30 second ads.
8. Dick DeVos does not support affirmative action.
Despite his strong Christian conviction that he frequently touts, Tricky Dick apparently doesn't love all of his brothers and sisters as much as the rest.
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation has given at least $209,900 to the Acton Institute, an extreme conservative think tank that openly opposes affirmative action. (Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation: IRS 990 Forms, 1999-2004; Anthony B. Bradley, The Acton Institute, September 3, 2003)
But there's more - there's the questions he won't answer, the word on the street, the advisers he chooses, and the running mate. They all have a clear history of anti-affirmative action behavior. (Check below the fold...)
8. Governor Granholm has been a life-long supporter of civil rights and has worked tirelessly to promote equality all over Michigan.
From high school to Law School, to her job as Michigan's Attorney General, to Governor, Jennifer Granholm has a proven record of fighting for equality and strike down the chains of discrimination. (See the details below)
What's Dick DeVos' biggest complaint about Michigan?
Business Taxes.
Why?
He says they are preventing new businesses from coming to Michigan and setting up shop, and creating new jobs. He says it's 'disappointing' and 'tragic'.
If that were the case, it'd be true. Too bad Dick doesn't really know Michigan.
Abortion is one of those hot-button issues that really isn't comfortable to think about or discuss.
But when it comes down to it, the majority of voters believe that a woman has a right to choose for herself, particularly in cases of rape and incest.
Not only is Governor Granholm protecting a women's right to choose, she's actually being pro-active on stopping unwanted pregnancies all together.
Dick DeVos' plan? Other than interfering with a women's right, he hasn't said boo.
So why would we vote for a guy that doesn't stand for what we do?
10. Dick DeVos has extreme views on abortion, even in the case of rape and incest.
Dick DeVos does not support a woman's right to make personal medical decisions and opposes reproductive choice — even in cases of rape or incest. (MIRS Capitol Capsule, July 20, 2006)
10. Governor Granholm supports a woman's right to choose, and is working hard to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Governor Granholm has vetoed two bills that would have restricted the right to choose.
Jennifer Granholm established the Talk Early & Talk Often program designed to offer resources for parents to discuss abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, and other issues regarding sexuality with their middle-school aged children. (MDCH)
The last Observer & Eccentric edition to land in my driveway had an insert: Michigan Voter Guide - 2006 Election. Independent? Unbiased? Only in fantasy land.
This flyer is paid advertising, yet it attempts to present itself as a public service. Yea, right - a public service to far right Christian extremists. I understand the need for advertising revenue, but shame on the O&E for distributing something that crosses the line with reality.
But, as long as I have the rag open, we might as well examine those candidate responses. A few of the more outrageous...
(From the MichLib Weather Center: a Pyramid Scheme Warning has been issued for Ingham County. An Amway front is headed eastward and will be over East Lansing later today. - promoted by Hy Dudgeon)
In honor of Halloween, Lansing's getting a lot more Trick then we are Treat this weekend...
Amway is Coming to Lansing!!!!
Okay, okay, so it's technically Team of Destiny/TEAM, but really, feel free to substitute Amway/Alticor, it all works.
That's right, Friday morning will see thousands and thousands of Michiganians walk into MSU's Breslin Center. I have it on good word they usually fill the place each year. They'll fork over hundreds and thousands of dollars for motivational tapes, videos, promotional products, and Amway products that researchers have found, never really make it past their shelves at home. :sigh:
Makes me want to drive over there and just hold up a sign that says "Please Stop Lining Your Upline's (Dick DeVos) Pockets and Open Your Eyes!!" Do they have any clue how dangerous "Soap and Hope" has come to be?
(Almost into the home stretch! Catch the final 10 Reasons plus so much more at Liberal Loud and Proud)
Michiganders already know how Tricky Dick has dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into groups who support destroying Michigan's precious environment.
We're fiercely proud of being part of such a beautiful state.
They don't call us the Great Lakes State for nothing...
So why would we ever elect a man who is out to destroy it?
(Given the week I've been through, healthcare's definitely on the top of my list of concerns this election season. Check out my post on why Jennifer Granholm is My Champion Advocate for Stem Cell Research at my blog - Liberal Loud and Proud)
Public Health - it's an important role of the state government.
With services such as
School Lunch programs
Parenting Tools and Resources
Senior Citizen's Services
Disability Services (Commission for the Blind)
Health and Nutrition programs
WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
Public Health Services are used by virtually all of Michigan's citizens at one point or another in our lives. Black, white, young, old, straight or gay, there's something for all of us.
Of course, if you're Amway Guy, chances are you can just buy whatever you need to stay healthy instead of relying on the State.
So it comes as no surprise that Tricky Dick's thinks Michigan needs to cut those programs that so many have come to depend on. Just Say NO to Dick because... 13. Dick DeVos is going to cut public health services. If elected, Slick Dick has made it clear that he will cut necessary public programs such as the Office of Michigan's Surgeon General. (Detroit Free Press 6/08/06) Just Say YES to Jen because... 13. Governor Granholm has helped create top-notch public health programs that work for Michigan's citizens. Jennifer Granholm appointed the state's first Surgeon General and launched a plan - Prescription for a Healthier Michigan - to help make Michigan citizens healthier. To date, many Michigan citizens have accessed the Michigan Steps Up website www.michiganstepsup.org, creating more than 16,000 personal health plans and more than 1,700 health risk appraisals.
Michigan is a state full of blue-collar workers, farmers, small businesses owners, craftsmen, etc.
Most of us are just ordinary folks paying off our mortgages, raising our kids, and at the end of the day, we'd like to do more than just scrape by.
We want to be able to achieve our own American Dream.
We want to have someone who's walked in our shoes to be fighting for us in Lansing.
How in touch can a person be who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth?
Fact is - Dick and Betsy (Prince) DeVos both came from two of the wealthiest families in the country. Middle class is just something they've heard about. Working poor is an even stranger concept for them.
Just Say NO to Dick because... 14. Dick and Betsy DeVos are out of touch with Michigan. As Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, Betsy DeVos said that Michigan's economy was hurting because our workers make too much money. (Associated Press, 5/20/04).
Just Say YES to Jen because... 14. Governor Granholm has been fighting for Michigan workers non-stop. The Governor called for and signed into law an increase of the state’s minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.40 per hour over the next two years, which will increase a minimum wage worker’s annual salary by $4,680 (Detroit Free Press, 10/1/06).
Polarization of the Michigan Republican Party is sending thousands of Michiganians running...directly into the arms of Jennifer Granholm, thanks to Republicans for Granholm.
They are a 1,500 member strong political action committee (PAC) formed by long-time Republican, Gil Ziegler, a Livonia businessman. Their website www.republicansforgranholm.com was expecting to hit 100,000 visits by this past weekend.
They've been profiled in the Detroit Free Press, the Observer and Eccentric, the U.P.'s MiningGazette, but you won't find a mention of them in the Detroit News, but then again, who's really surprised?
(Today's post is dedicated to my grandfather who lost his fight yesterday with an illness that could have been prevented through stem cell research. A man who served his country in WWII, a leader in his church, proud of the family he raised in Detroit, he worked hard for every penny he earned, and was just as proud of his state as I am. I was humbled to know that about a week ago, one of his last acts before succumbing to his illness was to vote by absentee ballot. He told my mother to make sure that I knew that Governor Granholm had his vote because he knew that she was the only one fighting for the real people of Michigan. Despite my immense grief and loss, I know that this list and this fight must continue because of people like my grandfather, who believe in this state, and the power of what we can become if we continue to fight for the people, and not for special interests.
To my grandfather, one of the greatest men I ever knew.)
In Michigan, over 1.3 million of us were hospitalized in 2004 for various illnesses, that left many of us with expensive medical bills/insurance co-pays. (Michigan Dept. of Community Health)
There are thousands and thousands of Michiganians that suffer from illnesses that could be prevented and or cured by stem cell research.
Stem cells offer the possibility... to treat a myriad of diseases, conditions, and disabilities including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. National Institutes of Health
Stem cell research could create more jobs in Michigan and offer more hope for all of us.
But Amway Guy still doesn't think this is a good idea for Michigan.
Why not?
*If you're on Kos, please recommend/comment so we can continue to bring light to Tricky Dick and his evil ways!*
Thanks to Quaker21 for his topic suggestion!
In Michigan, we don't ask for too much.
We just want our elected leaders to be working for us, and only us.
There's a Michigan Tradition where all candidates running for governor disclose their tax information to prove this.
Republican and Democrat alike, they've all done it. Except for Dick.
Why? Does Amway Guy have something to hide???
Just Say NO to Dick because... 16. Dick DeVos is hiding his tax returns from Michigan voters. Dick DeVos is the only candidate for Governor in modern Michigan history not to disclose his tax returns to the public. He refuses to provide detailed information on his financial holdings or any potential conflicts of interests. "I will be disclosing to the people of Michigan that which I think is appropriate to understand as they look to make a decision about their next Governor." (WILX-TV, January 11, 2006)
Just Say YES to Jen because... 16. Governor Granholm has nothing to hide from Michigan voters. Granholm, former GOP Gov. John Engler and 2002 Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick Posthumus have all made their tax returns public. (Muskegon Chronicle, January 31, 2006)
(You can catch the entire list of 25 Reasons Why to Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen... on my blog, Liberal Loud and Proud)
Michigan is an incredible state with abundant natural beauty, particularly our Great Lakes.
Our Great Lakes are a priceless asset.
To destroy our Great Lakes through drilling and pollution would be simply irresponsible and catastrophic.
Tricky Dick says "As governor, I will protect MichiganÂ’s environment from pollution and abuse."(Michigan Turnaround Plan pg 31)
But if there's one thing that Michigan voters have learned...
Amway Guy says one thing, and his money does another.
Just Say NO to Dick because...
17. Dick DeVos supports drilling of the Great Lakes.
Dick DeVos contributed over $100,000 to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, an extreme right wing think tank. The Mackinac Center opposes water restrictions aimed at protecting ground water and supports drilling in the Great Lakes, it once said, the "“threat of oil spills off the Great Lakes is a phantom menace." (Detroit Free Press, January 21, 2004; Oil and Gas Journal, September 26, 2005)
Just Say YES to Jen because...
17. Governor Granholm has worked hard to protect our Great Lakes from drilling and other harmful measures.
Governor Granholm signed legislation that for the first time protects Michigan waters from large-scale diversions and withdrawals. The landmark legislation fulfills a commitment Michigan made more than 20 years ago to join with other states and Canada to protect and preserve the waters of the Great Lakes Basin. (Michigan Water Legacy Act of 2006)
Amway Guy's entire claim as to why he'd be the better Governor is because he's a businessman. He's said time and time again how Michigan needs to be run like a business.
Tricky Dick has even asked us, the voters to hire him so he can be our CEO.
CEO's have proof and get results.
Just Say NO to Dick because... 18. There is no proof that Dick DeVos has actually created jobs in Michigan. His campaign has been unable to turn over any proof that he actually created jobs here, while CEO of Amway/Alticor. It has now been over seven months since the DeVos Campaign told the Associated Press they would "“have documentation in a few days to back up how many jobs DeVos has created." (Associated Press, February 27, 2006)
Just Say YES to Jen because... 18. Total employment in Michigan is up 24,000 since Governor Granholm took office. Despite how Amway Guy may spin it, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tell it like it is.
I CANNOT believe how many awesome Amway Guy videos I have encountered this election year. There are so many, in fact, that I figured it was high time to assemble my favorite videos together for one last hurrah!
Presenting..."Amway Guy's Greatest Hits 2006"Click here for the "Amway Guy's Greatest Hits 2006" playlist on Youtube. And by all means, circulate the link to this post to your own personal Internets!
Okay...I know it's hard to pick...but which video is your favorite? Go below the jump to vote in our poll...
The people of Michigan are a smart bunch.
We're straight-forward and we believe that a firm handshake means you give your word.
We don't need $3,000 suits and fancy cars to sell us on an idea, we just need to know that the person we elect has a plan that's solid and is going to work for us.
We've got mortgages to pay, kids to put through college and food to put on the table each day.
We work hard for our money, and we expect our leaders to work even harder for us.
Just Say NO to Dick because...
19. Dick DeVos's tax plan will destroy Michigan's communities. Dick DeVos's plan to slash taxes has been called irresponsible, and would only ruin our cities and schools that depend on that money to survive. (Detroit Free Press, 10/12/06)
Just Say YES to Jen because...
19. Governor Granholm is strengthening Michigan's communities constantly. The Governor is constantly securing money from the federal government to build up our cities and towns. In September, the Governor brought one grant for over $15.3 million split between 37 different communities. (Michigan Economic Development Corporation) Of course, that's only one example of 8 new projects that she's brought in the last 3 weeks alone. (MEDC)
What is the one issue Michiganians are looking at harder than any other this election season?
Jobs.
For many, it's the only issue.
Tricky Dick has said a lot about his Amway 'business experience' and how he should be 'hired' because of it. However, Michigan voters aren't stupid, they want the facts behind all his rhetoric. Michigan's citizens deserve to know that they have a job, and that there's someone out there fighting like hell to bring even more to Michigan.
It's quite saddening how DeVos avoids talking about the sacred company that has brought him great wealth and his self proclaimed businessman designation. He prides himself in being a Michigan manufacturer but candidly avoids mentioned his blood deep ties to Alticor, Fox Motor Group and other monopolizing operations in the West Michigan area. Michigan voters need to know the truth about DeVos's intimate relations with his father's MLM scheme and his brothers spawning car dealership network. Collectively known as Alticor/Access Business Group/Quixtar, this group of companies is the money pit that feeds DeVos's self funded campaign and based on my research is the largest outsourcing agency on the West side of the state.
To save money, Alticor has abolished the hiring of permanent staff for customer service, warehouse and cleaning positions. Instead of hiring 'expensive' permanent staff, Alticor outsources Manpower temps which receive low pay and no benefits. My research and personal interviews have shown that an average non-professional employee with benefits costs Alticor upwards of $30+ per/hour, while a Manpower temp is only $18 retail cost. Now, you may ask, “what do you mean by retail cost”? Well, $18 per/hour is the retail cost that Alticor pays Manpower per temp/hour of outsourced labor. Manpower turns around and keeps $8.25 for administrative fees, ultimately paying temp staff a raw cost of $9.75 per/hour. Of course this is good for Alticor because it lowers overhead costs, eliminates legacy retirement woes, and most importantly creates a "you are replaceable workplace environment". This is obviously good for DeVos, but certainly bad for Michigan. In total, as of last summer, about 800 of Alticor's 3000 employees are temps through Manpower. These temps are hired for one 12 month contract period. After the contract expires, the temp is indefinitely let go regardless of performance. The temp may not reply for placement at Alticor for one full year following their initial placement. Perhaps this is to avoid certain taxation, or simply to instill a culture of continuous outsourcing? With this in mind, I can only imagine that DeVos aspires to exploit such heinous labor techniques if elected governor.
Let me tell my fellow Michigan liberals a first hand experience of Alticor's corporate culture. In 2004, my girlfriend took a customer service job with Alticor through the Manpower temp agency. Her assignment placed her in Alticor's large Ada call center. Her role was to take inbound calls from IBOs (Independent Business Owners) in regards to the purchases, shipping, and return of items from Alticor's online based e-commerce site Quixtar.com. Where as most call center's would spend a majority of their time performing the aforementioned tasks, my girlfriend's Alticor experience was much different. Most of her days were spent taking an overwhelming amount of calls from highly dissatisfied IBO's seeking to retire their 'business'.
In the Alticor world, one must agree to a lengthy business agreement/credo prior to a fully qualified IBO. This process involves the customer service rep reciting a three minute spiel, followed by a series of recorded yes's by the perspective IBO. If at any step an error is made, the process is started a new. This process is undeniably convoluted and begs to question legality. As if the enrollment process isn't bad enough, the retirement process is much more grey. To cancel one's business, an IBO must sign a retirement waiver along with a one page letter describing why they have elected to retire their business. These materials must then be hand mailed to Alticor for processing and evaluation. Once retirement is approved, the IBO is free to their good will. The processing may take several weeks or even months. The slow nature of this process is put in place to ensure that Alticor can continue to bill IBOs for their annual business "license" and other proprietary fees. This is only the begining.
Healthcare coverage is extremely important to everyone all across Michigan. Medical bills are now the leading cause of bankruptcy in the country, according to a Harvard study. Dr. David Himmelstein, the lead author of the study and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard commented: "Unless you're Bill Gates you're just one serious illness away from bankruptcy. Most of the medically bankrupt were average Americans who happened to get sick." In Michigan, working class families need to have healthcare coverage.
Education is the key to improving Michigan, to ensuring a well-qualified work-force and investing in our incredible human capital. That is indisputable, Amway Guy even agrees with that. Problem is, he says one thing, and does another. Newsflash - Dick's a quitter and Michigan's kids are the ones losing out. Thanks Dick!
Just Say NO to Dick because.... 22. Dick has given up on Michigan's kids. In Tricky Dick's Michigan Turn Around Plan, Dick says "As governor, there is no responsibility I will take more seriously than making sure that all of our children receive the education they need to succeed. Nothing is more important...Following through to make sure our children reach those standards is more important." (pg. 25)
Problem is - In 1991, DeVos was elected to the State Board of Education. He left in 1993, two years into an eight-year term, to run Amway. (Grand Rapids Press, 9/20/06)
Just Say YES to Jen because... 22. Governor Granholm has fought like hell for Michigan's kids, with incredible results.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation giving Michigan one of the toughest sets of high school graduation requirements in the nation. (Detroit News 4/21/06)
