left of the line march 2014
DESCRIPTION
A new publication promoting liberal and progressive ideas, ideals and principles for voters in the 2nd Congressional District of West Michigan.TRANSCRIPT
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Facethefacts. ThatswhatwellbedoinghereatLeft of the Linefromnowon.Moreimportantly,though,thatswhatweareaskingyoutodo. Thisyoumust,ifthepoliticalchangesweallwanttoseehereathome,inLansingandinWashing-ton,D.C.,areevertobebroughtaboutandrealized. Sadtosay,thecold,hardfactsfortheprogressiveandliberalcommunityofthe2ndCongressio-nalDistricthereinWestMichiganareindeedcold,hardfacts. Itisnotmerelyyourunquietperceptionthatwearelivinginthemostcon-servative,teaparty-flavoredneighborhoodintheentirestate. Itstrue. Yetitsalsotruethatwehavebeenbulliedintothisright-wingneighborhoodthroughforcedre-districting.Thuswearecompelledtoendurecongressionalrepresen-tationthatactsoutthewishesanddemandsoffringegroupswithsuchcrackpotideasasprivatiz-ingSocialSecurityandcripplingMedicarebyturningitintoavoucherprogram. Ultra-conservativecandidates,likeU.S.Rep.BillHuizenga,R-Zee-land,arethefrontmenforthesesamewell-heeledorganizationswhopropthemup.Thesepeopleshutdownournationalgovern-ment,holdourpresidentincon-tempt,andseektoshredthesocialsafetynetthatprotectsourmostdefenselesscitizens. Sadly,Huizengaisthemostfar-rightandradicalanti-progressivepersonalityourWestMichigan
districthaseverbeenrepresentedbyintheCongress. Heisacreatureofthesystem,theendresultofthe2ndCongres-sionalDistricthavingbeendelib-eratelyconcoctedbyRepublicanstodefeateventhemostremotepossibilityofaprogressivecan-didaterepresentingusintheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives,wherethenationslawsaremade. Thatsthereality. Butreality,liketruthandfacts,hasadistinctlyliberalbias.Soletsfaceuptotherealityofourpoliticalhomedistrict.Letslookattherealityofourstrategicsituationsquarelyintheeyeball. Ourbizarrelyconfigureddistricthasbeengerrymandered(whichisanothertermforpo-liticallymolded)intoitscurrentformtobeaRepublican-friendly,Democratic-hostileenclave. Andthesaddestfactofallis,itdidnthavetobethisway.Atleastnottothisextreme. Butin2010,justtwoyearsafteroneofthemostimportantelectionsinournationshistorysawBarackObamaelectedpresidentandCongressdeliveredintoprogres-sivehands,weforgotthemostfundamentalruleofelections: Inordertowin,youhavetovote. MichiganhasaninherentDemocraticmajoritystatewide,evenintheskewed2ndCongres-sionalDistrictinwhichwereside.Asitnowstands,wecanstillgivetherightwingarunforitsmoney.ThemarginofJohnMcCainoverBarackObamain2008wasascant2percentofthetotalelectoratehere.
2ndcongressionaldistrict Counties: Lake,Oceana,Newaygo,Muskegon,OttawaandportionsofAl-legan,KentandMason. Cities: Fremont,GrandHaven,Grandville,Holland,Hudsonville,Jeni-son,Kentwood,Muskegon,MuskegonHeights,NortonShores,WalkerandWyoming. Voting: CookPartisanVotingIndexofR+7thedistrictisthemostRe-publicaninthestateofMichigan. Population:709,073 Gender:50.3%Female,49.7%Male Race:85.9%White,5.3%Black,2.1Asian,8.7%Hispanic. Median Income:$45,712 High School Gradation Rate:88.3% College Graduation Rate:83.4%
see EDITORIAL page 11
Editorial
Where you want to be. March-April 2014
As We See ItLets start shaking things up around here.
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Vol. 1 No. 1 March-April 2014Progressive views for the 2nd Congressional District
Mission Statement Americawasfoundedonliberalprinciplesandprogressiveideas,andLeftoftheLineisdedicatedtodefendingbothgoingforward.
Left of the Line Left of the LineisafreebimonthlyInternetnewsmagazineofferingprogressiveandliberalviewstoresidentsofMichigans2ndCongressionalDistrict.ThenewsletterispublishedbyLeftoftheLineLLC,aprivatelyheldcompanynotaffiliatedwithanypoliticalparty,politicalactiongroupororganization.
OfficersDavidKolbCo-Publisher,Co-EditorTerryJuddCo-Publisher,Co-Editor
MichaelWalshResidentAgent/Attorney
Contact Information
LeftoftheLinePOBox1710
Muskegon,MI49443
Letters Policy
Left of the Linewelcomesyourletters,aslongastheyareverifiablebyus.Wewillprintyournameandcity,anecessitybecausewebelievethatinourdemoc-racynooneshouldfearspeakingoutinpublic,andthatyourcredibilityandcourageasaletter-writershouldberecognizedbyyourneighbors. Lettersshouldbesuccinct,legible,courteousandstaywithintheframeworkofasingletopic.Remember,therewillbeanotherissueofournewsmagazine,andyouwillbeabletowriteagain. Letterscanbesubmittedthroughthewonderfulef-fortsofourunionizedfriendsoftheUnitedStatesPostalServicebywriting:
LeftoftheLineP.O.Box1710
Muskegon,MI49443.
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By Donald L. MathewsLeft of the Line Backinthe1920sand1930s,ourfamilyatesupperabout6p.m.,aftermyDadgothomefromwork. AftertheNationalRecoveryAct,includingtheeight-hourday,weateabout5p.m. Itseemslikeasmallthing,butafterabout78yearsIstillrememberthat-oneoftheconsequencesoftheeight-hourday. Imsuretherewasalotofcom-motion,argumentanddisagreementoversuchissuesatthattime.Ihaveforgottenmostofthatbynow. ButasIthinkaboutananswertothequestion,Whyareyoualiberaloraprogressive,itemergesoutof
suchseeminglydinkythingsand,Ithink,itallemergesoutofourat-titudetowardchange. Maybeonemorelittlestorytoillustratetheimportanceofourat-titudetowardchange. DuringWorldWarII,ourunitwascutoff,andwewereonahillintheforestduringtheBattleoftheBulge. Itwasharddiggingtomakeaholetogiveyouaplaceforprotec-tion.SoIstoppeddigging-toohard
todig. Then...Germantanksstartedfir-ingtheir88sontoourhill.Theshellswouldexplodeonthehillandtheshrapnelwouldzingagainstthetreesandanythingelseabovetheground.Itookmyholeafootdeeperquickerthan(intheolddays)youcouldsayJackRobin-son. ImguessingifIweremoreconservative
Imighthavetriedtocurlupsmallerintheoriginalhole,neverminddig-ginginthathardground,ratherthanchangethings. IthinkImaybemoreliberalbe-causeIvelearnedtoacceptrespon-siblechangemorereadily. IguessIdliketoaskyouallthesamequestion. Ifyouthinkofyourselfasaliber-al,whydoyouthinkyouareliberal? Blessingsonyouasyouthink!
Donald L. Mathews recently retired from his acclaimed pastorship at the First Presbyterian Church in Muske-gon after 40 years of dedicated, loving service to his church and community. Mathews, a proud graduate of Ohio State University, did missionary work in Africa for more than a decade. He is a World War II veteran, having served in the Armys 275th Regimental Medi-cal Unit, 70th Division. The decisive Battle of the Bulge, referred to by Rev. Mathews, was fought in the winter of 1944, won by the United States, and sealed the doom of Nazi Germany.
Rev. Donald and Grace Mathews
Before the barrage: A tense moment during the Battle of the Bulge, 1944. Photo/NationalArchives
WhyIm a
liberal
IthinkImaybemoreliberalbe-causeIvelearnedtoacceptresponsiblechangemorereadily.
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Weregladyourewithus,read-ingthisinauguralissueofLeftoftheLinenewsmagazine. Hereinthe2ndCongressionalDistrict,weprogressivesandliberalshavegottohangtogether.Itseitherthator,asfellowprinterBenjaminFranklinoncehumorouslyadvised,mostassuredlywellall Well,youknow.Ontheotherhand,maybeBenwasntkidding. ThatBen. Mynamemayormaynotbeunfamiliartoyou.Ifitisnt,Imtheformerlong-timeeditorialpageeditorforThe Muskegon Chronicle,andIusedtowritecolumnsforthatpublication. Imjoinedinthisendeavorbyex-ChroniclecolleaguesTerryJuddandMichaelG.Walsh.Inthisandfutureissues,youllbereadingwhattheyhavetosayandIcantellyouitwillbeworthwaitingfor. Lestyoureexpectingmetosayanythingderogatoryatthispointaboutourformeremployer,thatsnotgoingtohappen.OuryearsatTheChroniclewerewonderfulyears,workingwithclosefriends,toppro-fessionals,anddedicatedandcaringstaff. Wealldidourjobs,welovedourcommunityandweputoutatremen-dousdailynewspaper.Inreturn,thenewspapertookcareofus.Itwasawonderfularrangement.IhavenothingbuthappymemoriesofThe Muskegon Chronicle,andIwishnoth-ingbutthebestforthoseputtingouttodaysandtomorrowseditions.
WhenIwasstartingoutinthebusinessmanydecadesago,Iaskedanoldhand,abiblical-beardedsportswriter,howitwasthatthenewsroomwesharedmanagedtostayanon-unionshop. Thisfellowwasaunionman,trueblueandback.HerelatedthedetailsofthecontroversythatattimesragedamongthestaffbeforeIjoinedit,touchingonthatveryquestion.Hisone-wordanswer,Iveneverforgot-ten. Unions. Whathemeantwasthatbecauseofunionstrugglesdatingbacktothebeginningofthelastcentury,anequilibriumevolvedbetweenwork-ersandmanagementthatamountedtoasortofunwrittendeal.Thatwas,inreturnfornotunionizing,thecompanywaswillingtogiveworkersthesamebenefitsandprotectionsaunionwouldhavewonforthem. Itwasagreatarrangement.Un-fortunately,IthinkforalltoomanyAmericansstrugglingtokeeptheirheadsabovewater,particularlyyoungpeople,itsalmostover. ThepurposefuldestructionofunionsbyourRepublicanfriendsontheothersideofthelinemeansthatoldarrangementisinimminentdan-ger.Andpeoplearedrowning.Themiddleclassisdisappearing. Soensuringthatunionismre-mainsastrongforceforgoodisone
ofthereasonswereherenow,withyou,fightingtowinthoseprotectionsback. Weknowwhyyourehere,too. Weknowyouwanttoreadmoreprogressivepoliticsstoriesaboutour2ndCongressionalDistrict.Iveheardthatrefrainsomanytimesoverthelastfewyears,Icantevenbelieveit.Youredisgustedbyright-wingspin. Well,askandyeshallreceive.IfyoulikewhatyoureseeingfromLeftoftheLineinthisdebutissue,wellbeback.Ifnot,weshalldisappear.Thisisthefateofmanymediaef-fortsthroughouttimeandwearenoexceptiontotherule. Inthisissue,wellbeginbyex-posingtheliesaboutRighttoWork,andthedoubleliethatourGov.RickSnydertoldwhenhepromisednottotakeupsuchonerouslaw.TheNerdscroniesintheLegislaturepasseditwithoutasinglecommitteehearing,lockedtheCapitoldoorstocloseoutthepublic,andSnyderbetrayedhistrustbysigningthisabominationintolaw. WelltellthestoryaboutLansingRepublicanssellingoutourstatespublicschoolstothehighestbid-ders,rippingawaythefundingforourstudentsandgivingthemoneytocorporationsthatputprofitsfirst. Yes,thereisaconspiracytofundclimatedenialismtothetuneofhalfabilliondollarsaconspiracyex-posedbyscientists.Readallaboutit. WellremindyouthatourKochBrothers-inspiredCongressmanBillHuizengahereinthe2ndCongres-sionalDistrictactivelysupportedSHUTTINGDOWNtheU.S.govern-ment,andvotedforthePaulRyanbudgetdebaclethatwouldkillMedicareasweknowitbyturningitintoaVOUCHERPROGRAM. Didyouknow,RIGHTNOW,thatStateHouseRepublicansaredraftinglawsthatwouldmakeitimpossibleforlocalcommunitiestostopoilandgaswellfrackingoperationsintheirownbackyards?UnderstandthatLakeMichiganisaprimefrackingtargetfortheBigBoys.Theyllstopatnothingtogetwhat
David KolbThe Outside
Were in this together
Here in the 2nd
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see OUTSIDE page 5
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theywant.Heck,oneGOPmemberrecentlycraftedabilltomakeitIL-LEGALtocriticizepoliticians.Itsstillsittingincommittee. Worse,theGOPmajorityinourstatehouseispoisedtochangethelawgoverningpresidentialelectionshereinMichiganinordertostealmorethanhalfofMichiganselectoralvotesfromthenextpresidentialwin-nerandgivethemtotheRepublican. InLeftoftheLine, Well Go There. Youllgetthetruth.Predominant-ly,thestories,columnsandcommen-tariesthatcount,reallycountinyourlives,willfillourpages. Andiftheymakeyouangry,forGodssakedosomethingaboutit. Registertovote,thenvoteateveryopportunity. Beheardatmeetings. Supportprogressiveandliberalcandidates. Demandanswersfromyourright-wingrepresentatives.Askthemwhytheyresellingyoudowntheproverbialriver. WhenIwasaneditorialpageeditor,therewasasloganIoftenusedwhensigningoff.Imbringingitbackbecauseitsayswhatmustbesaidinademocracy: YOURINFLUENCECOUNTS.USEIT! Useit,friends,useit. Useitorkissitgood-by.
David Kolb is a reporter, edito-rial writer, columnist and author. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Inter-national Herald Tribune, the Daily Kos and many other publications and media outlets. Kolbs journal-ism has earned numerous first-place awards from the Associated Press, Michigan Press Association, United Press International and the American Legion. A World War Chronicle, a collection of Kolbs editorials about World War II, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Kolb is co-publisher and co-editor of Left of the Line news magazine.
Boost School Funding
Finally,Michiganhasapro-jected$971millionbudgetsur-plusandcouldshoreupfundinginpublicschoolsandcolleges!Finally,Republicanlawmakerscouldrestorepartofthe$1billioninschoolaidfundsthattheycutin2011!Finally,RepublicanleaderscouldpracticewhattheypreachaboutchildrenbeingMichiganstoppriority! SowhyareRepublicanstalkingtaxrebatestocitizenswhenneighborhoodpublicschoolsandareacollegesareindesperateneed?Aretheymoreconcernedaboutgainingsupportinanelec-tionyearthanassistingMichigansfuture?Sillyquestion. Thewiseuseofthisbudgetsurplusisano-brainer!Usethe$971milliontoenhanceMichiganspublicschoolsandcolleges!
LiddyOlszewskiJenison
A ridiculous rebate WithastonishmentIseeRe-publicanlawmakersadvocatingataxrebateschemetowipeoutthecurrentMichiganbudgetsurplusof$971million! AretheyoblivioustothedirefinancialstraitsofMichigancit-iesandpublicschools?With12EmergencyFinancialManagerscontrollingourcitiesandsixofthesamedictatingrulesinourpublicschools,thereisnodoubtthatthestateisincrisis.
Michigancities,publicschoolsandcollegesaredesperateforfinancialaid.Detroit,ourlargestcity,isinbankruptcyandbeggingforsupport.Othercitiescouldfacesimilarfates. Oneinfivepublicschoolsisfacingfinancialhardshipandatleast56areindeficit.That$971millioncouldrestoremostofthe$1billiontheSnyderAdministrationcutfromtheSchoolAidFundin2011! Bytheway,thatsurpluswasgeneratedbytherobustreboundinnationaleconomythankstotheeffortsofPresidentBarackObamaandDemocratsinCongress. TheNerdandhispalsinLansinghadnothingtodowithit.Theywouldratherhaveseentheautoindustrydie! That$971millionPresidentObamahelpedgetforMichiganisneededincitiesandschoolstoday! ItistimeforustomendMichi-ganspovertywoes!Dontgiveitaway!
SueMaturkanichWestOlive
Steer Surplus to Schools OnJan.10,theConsensusRevenueEstimatingConferenceinLansingreleased$971millionasthefigureforMichiganscurrentbudgetsurplus. Republicanlawmakersarealreadychantingtaxrebatesasauseforthemoney,eventhoughoneinfiveMichiganpublicschool
Letters
see LETTERS page 9
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OUTSIDE from page 4
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2nds Chance
Spring Lake resident seeks to challenge GOP incumbent
By Terry JuddLeft of the Line ItsnosecretDeanVandersteltonceconsideredhimselfaRepubli-can. ButthatallchangedasthestateandnationalRepublicanPartylurchedtothefarrightalienatingmoderate-to-liberalRepublicanslikehimacrossthenation. Today,theretiredSpringLakebusinessmannotonlyhasrealignedhimselfasaDemocrat,butalsoisaDemocratseekingtounseatU.S.Rep.BillHuizengaofZeelandinMichi-gans2ndCongressionalDistrict. NominatingpetitionsaredueApril22.CandidateswillappearontheAug.5primaryballotwithwin-nerscompetingintheNov.4election.VandersteltappearstohavealockontheDemocraticPartynominationandmostlikelywillnothaveaprimarychallenger, Huizenga,asecond-termCon-gressman,haswhole-heartedlyembracedtheGOPsradicalrightanditsteapartywinganddoesnotappeartohaveaprimarychallengereither. Vanderstelt,61,saidhewasmovedtochallengeHuizengabasedonwhathehasobservedfromRe-publicansinWashingtonandLansinginrecentyearsparticularlyfromtheofficeofRep.BillHuizenga.
Ourcurrentrepresentative,BillHuizenga,hasdemonstratedthroughhisac-tionsthathedoesnotrepresentthebestinterestsofWestMichigan,Vandersteltsaid.Infact,hisac-tionshaveshownthathewillnothesitatetohurthisconstituentsifitbenefitsthelob-byistsandcorpo-rationwhofundhiscampaigns. Vandersteltsaidheparticu-larlywasbotheredbyHuizengasparticipationinlastyearsill-advisedshutdownoftheU.S.GovernmentbyRepublicanmembersoftheHouseandSenate,amovethatcostthecountymorethan$24billioninlosteconomicactivity. ThisistotallyunacceptablewhenmanyinWestMichiganarealreadystruggling.,Vandersteltsaid.HealsovotedtopreventAmericafrompayingitsbills.Americanspaytheirbills,andsoshouldAmerica! WestMichiganresidentsaretiredofextremistpartisanpoliticsin
Washingtonanddeservebetterrep-resentation.Weneedacandidatethatwillworktoimprovetheeconomywhilerepresentingallcitizens,notjusttheverywealthy,wellconnected,corporateinterests! VandersteltgrewupinMuske-gonCountyastheyoungestoffivechildrenraisedbyasinglemother.HespenthisearlyyearsinRavenna,thenmovedtoMuskegon,wherehegraduatedin1971fromOakridgeHighSchool. Hecreditsthoseformativeyears
Dean Vanderstelt is hoping to be the Democratic Party candidate this fall for the 2nd Congressional District.Photo/DeanVanderstelt
Our current representative, Bill Huizenga, has demonstrated through his actions that he does not represent the best interests of West Michigan. Dean Vanderstelt
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see VANDERSTELT page 7
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withfosteringanappreciationofhardworkandasupportivefamily.Asayouth,heearnedmoneypickingfruitsandvegetablesandworkingatagasstation. HeattendedMuskegonCommu-nityCollegeandwasawardedtwoassociatesdegrees,oneinelectricaltechnologyandotherinbusinessadministration. HelaterattendedGrandValleyStateUniversityandreceivedabach-elorsdegreeinindustrialengineer-ingandamastersdegreeinbusi-nessadministration. Afterheearnedhisfirstassoci-atesdegreein1976,VandersteltwenttoworkforTeledyneVehicleSystems(ContinentalMotors)asaUnitedAutoWorkersLocal1279uniontechnician.Atthetime,hecon-tinuedhisundergraduateandgradu-ateworkatGVSU. HeworkedhiswayuptheranksatTeledyne,tobecomemanagerofelectricalengineeringatTeledynesadvancedengineeringTechnicalCenteronSeminoleRoadinNortonShores.Afterthecompanywaspur-chasedbyGeneralDynamicsCorp.,Vandersteltwaspromotedtodirec-torofoperationsandengineeringtooverseetheentireTechnicalCenter. HisdutieslaterwereexpandedtoincludeoperationsintheWashing-ton,D.C.areaandDetroit. Bythetimeheretiredin2010,Vandersteltwasmanagingabout1,000workers.HedecidedtomovebacktoWestMichigananddidcon-sultingwork.HealsoisamemberoftheSpringLakeTownshipZoningBoardofAppeals. Buthisretirementgavehimtheopportunitytobecomemorein-volvedinpolitics. IwaslisteningtowhatwasgoingonbutIwasntnecessarilypayingattentiontowhatwasgoingon,hesaid.Isawadiscrepancybetweenwhatpeopleweresayingandwhattheyweredoinginpolitics.Andthatcaughtmyattention.AndthemoreIpaidattention,themoreIreal-izedthatthingsarekindofscrewedup. Aboutthreeyearsago,Vander-steltgotinvolvedwiththeOccupy
MuskegonCoalition,alocalversionoftheOccupyWallStreetmovement.HelaterhelpedformOccupytheLakeshore,asimilargroupwithamorenationalfocus. Maybeitwasanaturalevolutionforme,hesaidofthatexperience.Itgavemetheopportunitytotalkwithothers,toopentheeyesofouryoungerfolksaboutwhatwasgoingonintheirgovernmentincomeandwealthdisparity,taxcodebiastowardcorporateinterests,issueslikethat. Vandersteltsaidhewasap-proachedlastyearbyseveralindi-vidualsandgroupsaboutrunningforCongress,basedonhisbusinessbackgroundandhiscentristmindsetoneconomicissues.
TogethisnameontheAug.5primaryballot,volunteershavebeenactivecollectingthe1,000neededsignatures.VolunteersrecentlycanvassedSt.PatricksDayparadesinMuskegonandHollandandwerepleasedbytheresponse. IntalkingwithpeopleinHol-land,therearealotofpeopledis-satisfiedwithHuizengaVandersteltsaid.Italkedwithonepersonwhosaid,IgrewupwithBill;wewerefriends.Butyouknowwhat?Idontrecognizetheguyanymore.Idontknowwhathappenedtohim. Vandersteltsaidamajorfocusofhiscampaignwillbemakingconstit-uentsandformerconstituentsawareofjusthowfartotherightHuizengahasshifted. Ihaveafirmbelieftherearegood,sensible,moderateRepubli-cansouttherewhodontlikewhathashappenedtotheirparty,Vander-steltsaid.Theyhaveseentheirparty
moveawayfromthem,prettyfartotheright,towhatwecancharacterizeasaprettyextremeposition. Statistically,convincingthe2ndCongressionalDistricttovoteDemo-craticwillbeachallenge.AccordingtotheCookPartisanVotingIndex,thedistrictisthemostRepublicanamonginMichigans15congressio-naldistricts. Pastelectionresultsbearthisout.Forthe2012election,Huizengare-ceived194,653votes,or61.2percent,overwrite-inDemocraticcandidateWillieGermanJr.,whoreceived108,973votes,or34.2percent.ThreeothercandidatesfortheLibertarian,GreenandU.S.Taxpayerspartiesreceivedatotalof3.9percent. For2010,Huizengasoaredtoan
easyfirst-termvictorybyreceiving148,864votes,orawhopping65.3percent.DemocratFredJohnson,re-ceived72,118votes,or31.6percent.ThreeothercandidatesrepresentingtheLibertarian,U.S.TaxpayersandtheGreenpartiesreceivedacom-bined3.1percent. ButVandersteltbelievesHuizen-gahasalienatedhisRepublicanbasebyignoringnotonlywhatisbestforthedistrictbutalsothecountrythroughhisvotestoshutdownthegovernmentandtomakeMedicareavoucherprogram. IfthiscountyhaddonewhatHuizengawantedittodothoughhisvotes,itwouldhavecausedacata-strophicsituationinthenationalandworldeconomy,hesaid.AlotofpeopleinWestMichiganwouldhavebeensignificantlyhurt.Tome,heisnotlookingoutforthecountry,muchlesshisconstituentsinthe2ndDis-trict.
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VANDERSTELT from pg. 6
I have a firm belief there are good, sensible, moderate Republicans out there who dont like what has happened to their party. They have seen their party move away from them, pretty far to the right, to what we can characterize as a pretty extreme position.
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By Eric JustianLeft of the Line TheRepublicansrunningthisstate(intotheground)hatewhenstudentsvote. GVSUstudents.Hopestudents.MCCstudents.Bakerstudents.Allofyou.Ifyouwanttoreallypisssomebodyoff,govotesotheseguyscantstopyoufromvotinginthefuture. Republicanshatewhenyouvote.Drivesemnuts.Andbygodtheyrenottakingitsittingdown.Actuallytheyare,technically,sittingdown.Probablyquitealotastheydevotetheirtimeontheirpamperedduffstryingtowriteandpassanti-votinglawsoneafteranother(atleast11ofthem). Theirdevouthatredofyourconstitutionalrighttovoteispathologicalanditshowsinthelawstheyrechurning,concoctingwaystomakecollegestudentsandothersjumpthroughmorebureaucratichoopslikeper-formingdogstodowhatweareconstitutionallyguaran-teedaRIGHTtodo. OurownformerSecretaryofState,TerriLynnLand,hadapolicyofautomaticallyremovingfromvotingrollsvoterswhohavedriverslicensesfromanotherstateEVENiftheyreresidentsofMichigan.Eveniftheylivehere. Bytheway,LandisgoingtobetheRepublicancandidateforU.S.senatorintheNovemberelection.Youcanputanendtothismiserablepersonspoliticalca-reeracareersteepedinmakingvotingMOREdifficultforyoungpeoplebyvotingforDemocratGaryPeters,someonewhoDOESNTthinkkickingcollegekidsoffthevotingrollsisagoodthing. Heck,IhadanIowalicenseforyearsfrommycol-legedayseventhoughIownedahomeandhadafam-ilyinRooseveltPark.ItdoesntmeanIshouldhavemy
constitutionalrightstripped.ThenourlegislatorstriedtoputupMOREhoopsjusttoRE-QUESTanabsen-teeballot. Thesearelawsdirectlytargetedatcollegestu-dents,toputuproadblockstoyourrighttovote!MaybeImnuts,butIfeelifONEpersonisstrippedoftherighttovote,itsonetoomany.IfONEpersonwhoisexhausteddayandnightjusttryingtogetbyormakeabetterlifeisforcedtojumpthroughextrahoopssohecantexercisehisRIGHTtovote,itsonetoomany. VotingisourRIGHT.Anditshouldbemadeeasier,notharder. OfCOURSERepublicansknowhowbusycollegestudentsare.Ofcoursetheydo!Theyrecountingonitwhentheythrowuproadblocksandahalf-daywaitattheDMVthatyousimplycantaffordbecauseyouhaveobligations:classes,studying,homework,holdingdownajob,sometimesevenraisingafamilyornurturinganewandhopefullyenduringrelationship.Itsrelentless.Anditsallforabetterlife.Forallofus. ThethingsMichiganscollegestudentsdoareallcriticaltoabetterfutureandastrongerstateandcoun-try.Youstayuplateandgetupearlyjusttofitinallthe
FAILINGGRADE
Republicans battle the student vote
Eric Justian
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see JUSTIAN page 9
Commentary
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stuffyouhavetodoandwhatdoRepublicansdotohelp?ThrowuproadblockstoyourconstitutionalRIGHTtoengageinourdemocracy. Whatisthat?Howisthatevenallowed? Sure,Republicansscreamsomehystericalcrapaboutkeepingthevotingprocesspure.Whattheymeanis: Not. For. College. Students. NothingRepublicanshavetosaycanjustifykeepingevenONEpersonfromtheirhumanrighttovote.Notone.Itsunconstitutional.Itscriminal.Itstyrannical.Anditneedstobecalledout. MichigangaveRepublicansachance.Butasidefromtheirobsessionwithinstitutionalizedself-preservation,MichiganRepublicansdonothingwiththeirtimeconsid-eringthestateofMichiganstillhassomeofthehighestunemploymentinAmericawhiletheearningpotentialoffamiliesandcollegegraduateshasplummetedhere. Theonlythingkeepingusafloatisaresurgentautoindustry,andifIrecallitwasPresidentBarackObamawhosteppedin,againstRepublicanscreaming,torescuetheindustryMichiganmostrelieson.Forheavenssake,theGOPnominatedMittRomneytobeourpresident,a
manwhowantedDetroittoDIE. Michiganisfourthfromdeadlastinunemploymentwatchingourwagesdrop.AndhereIthoughtRightToWorkwassupposedtobringjobs.Instead,itwasjustanotherexampleofRepublicanslegislatingtheirownjobsecurityastheytrytoweakenbyhookorbycrookanybodywhomayopposethem. Themorepowertheygettheymoretheytakefromstudents,workingfamiliesandminorities.Wecantputupwiththatanymore. Fortunately,morecollege-agevotershavebeenvot-inginthepastfewelectioncycles.Beoneofthemthisyear.StoptheGOPspowergrab. Eric Justian is a professional writer living near the natural sugar sand beaches and singing sand dunes of Lake Michigan in Muskegon. As Muskegon Critic, he is one of the 50 most-recom-mended active authors at Daily Kos (dailykos.com) and has been a front-page blogger at BloggingForMichigan.org, focusing largely in Great Lakes, renewable energy and Michigan topics. Erics work also appears at TriplePundit.com and LiberalAmerica.org . Eric co-founded a non profit organization dedicated to strengthening independent businesses and diversifying Michigans economy into sustainable industries.
systemsisinfinancialhardship.Fifty-sixdistrictsbeganthisschoolyearindeficit,theeffectofthe2011Gov.RickSnyderSchoolAidFundcutof$1billion!Localpublicschoolshavesuf-feredfromincreasedclasssizes,programeliminations,employeelayoffs,andslashedsalariesandbenefitstoemployees!Nowisthetimetorestorefunding! TheCenterforMichigan,anon-profitandnon-partisangroup,determinedbysurveythatcitizenswantequalresourcesacrossschooldistricts,morefunding,higherexpectationsofstudentsandstaffandmoreaggressiveactionfightingdrop-outrates. Citizensmustconvincestatelegislatorsthattheirlocalschoolsdeservepriorityfunding!NowisthetimetoinvestinthefutureofMichigan:Ourchildren!
JohnDarling
HollandMore Poverty Ahead
RepublicanGov.RickSnyderisdrivingMichiganinthewrongdirection.BridgeMagazineprojectsmostlylow-payingjobsasthenormforMichiganworkersincomingyears. SnyderscutstoK-12andhighereducationhavecontributedtothisdecline.Hislackofinvestmentineducationisproducingfewerstudentswithdegreeswhowillearnlivingwages. Snyderhasactedagainstunionstopleasebusiness.Nerd-approvedRighttoWorklegislationwillleadtofewerfamily-sustainingjobs.WhileMichigansunionizedautoindustryisasourceofgoodpayingjobs,workersowenothankstoSnyder.Justacoupleyearsago,hewasreadytoallowthedomesticautoindustrytogobankrupt. Luckyforoveramillionwork-ersthatPresidentObamabelieved
theirjobsmattered! Gov.SnyderstakeoverofDe-troit,Pontiac,BentonHarborandFlinthasnotonlybeenundemocrat-ic,butaslapinthefacetoemploy-eeswithcontractsandpensions.Snyderhaswatchedunconcernedascontractsandpensionshavebeeninvalidated. Byshiftinganannual$1.7bil-lionintaxesfrombusinesstothepovertystrickenandthemiddleclass,andbytaxingpensions,Sny-derhascreatedanewclassofpoor. ThisregressivetaxstructureiswrongandhurtstheaverageMichi-gander. Itstimetopreventmorepov-ertyaheadwithSnyderandtoelectDemocratMarkSchauer,anadvo-cateforthepeoplein2014!
JoBirdHolland
LETTERS from page 5
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JUSTIAN from page 8
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By Shauna HunterLeft of the Line Iwantmyvoicetobeheard. Ineedsomeoneinpower,withtheabilitytomakelaw,whoknowsmyissues,situationandcircumstances.IneedsomeonewhowilltellmystoryinWashington,D.C.,andwhowillfightfortherightsofallpeople. IwanttolivetheAmericanDream.Ineedsomeonewhowillstandupforus,the99percent,someonewhoknowswhatittakestoputthatdreamwithinourreach. Allofthatisalongwayoff,unfortunately,foralltoomanyofus. Worse,though,isthattheequalityandjusticeforallthatwearestillseekingwillbeanotionofthepastifwecontinuetobepassivewithourrighttovote. Butblackandminorityvoicescanbeheard! Yes,theycan! TheycanifwearriveatthepollsthisNovemberinrecordnumbers,andexercisingthatrightwillgiveusthepowertomakeourvoicesreigninourgovernmentandbounceoffeverywallandflooroftheCongress. Winningoneelection,hereandthere,stillleavesuswithtoomanychallengestoovercome.Soletmetellyou,ifyouarestillexpectingallofthechangethatwasprom-isedin2008and2012,youstillhavetovote. Votinggivesusthepoliticalpowerwemusthaveifchangesandimprovementsaretotakeplaceinourcom-munitiesandneighborhoods. However,governmentshutdowns,filibustersandgridlockaretheoppositeofchange.Toobadthesehavebecomecommonplaceinrecentyears. WedontneedgridlockandgamesonCapitolHill.Weneedhelp. Inthemid-1960s,peoplewerebeatenandmurdered
fortakingastandtocasttheirvotes. Theirwillingnesstodieandendurethosebeatingshavegivenusopportunitiesthatwereonceonlydreamedofbythoseenslaved,ormiredinhopelesspoverty. Yes,wehaveclimbedsomestepstoreachthatAmericandream.Atthesametime,manyopportunitieshavebeenmissedtosolidifythoserights,programsandprivileges. Thesearestillworthfightingfor.Fightingfor,withourvote! Theimportanceoftheblackvoteandtheminorityvoteisjustasimportanttodayasitwaswhenwehadseparatedrinkingfountains,unequalschoolsanddesper-ate,viciouspeopletryingtokeepusinourplace. Ourvoteisdesperatelyneededtokeephopeandop-portunityaliveforgenerationstocome. Ifwe,asacountry,aregoingtoputastoptothegrid-lockingovernmentthatwevecometohateforthepastfewyears,itisessentialweshowupforthe2014elec-tions. ThevoiceofallAmericansmustbeheardonissuesthataffectus-likeimprovingpublichealthcarereform,strengtheningtheSupplementalNutritionAssistancePro-gram(SNAP)andpubliceducation,makingstudentloansmoreaffordable,passingimmigrationreformandputtingpeoplebacktowork. Yetherewearein2014,stillfightingtotakebackourrighttovote,andfightingbackagainstunnecessaryroad-blockstovote. Hereshowwefightback,people: Wefightbackbycastinganabsenteeballet. Wefightbackbytakingourdriverslicenseorper-
I want to live the American Dream. I need someone
who will stand up for us, the 99 percent, someone who
knows what it takes to put that dream within our reach.
Our vote is desperately needed to make hope and op-
portunity for generations to come.
Every time I visit the polls, I proudly wear my I
Voted sticker because that right was earned by many for
many.
Of the people, by the people
Civil right to vote under attack
10
see HUNTER page 11
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sonalIDcardissuedbyanotherstatetothepolls. Wefightbackbyshowingourfederalorstategov-ernment-issuedphotoID,U.S.passport,militaryidentifi-cationcardwithphoto,studentidentificationwithphotofromahighschooloranaccreditedinstitutionofhighereducation. Wefightbackwithourtribalidentificationcardwithphoto. Mostimportantly,wefightbackbygettingregisterednow! Alotisridingonthisyearsminorityvote,anawfullot. Ilearnedatanearlyagethatpeoplediedandgaveuptheirfreedomformyvotingprivilegesasacitizen. Attheageof18,IwasproudtoreceivemyvoterregistrationIDandforaninstant,(inmymind),Istoodinhistoryandthefutureatthesametime. EverytimeIvisitthepolls,IproudlywearmyIVotedstickerbecausethatrightwasearnedbymanyformany.TheonlywaythisrightcouldeverbepulledfrommeisifIrefusetouseit. IfIrefusetovote,ifIrefusetoshowup,Ihavegivenbacktherightthathasthebloodofmyforefathersonit. Ifminorityvotersshowupthisfalllikewedidinthepresidentialelectionsof2008and2012,wecouldper-hapsregainourvoiceintheHouseofRepresentatives,whichisnowcontrolledbylegislatorswhodontwantustovote. Itwillbeatoughfight. Manystateshavecompoundedthechallengesofvot-ing,suchasFlorida,whichhadaseven-hourlinetovote. Yetinthatlinemanystayedthecoursein2012. Eventhoughnooneshouldwaitthatlongtovote,we
stoodtogetherandjumpedthatspecifichurdlebecause,yousee,changewillnevercometothosewholookforit,buttothosewhoactivelyparticipateinmakingithappen. Igrewupknowingthatthepriceofchangedoesnotcometothosewhotalkbuttothosewhostandfirmtobackupeveryword. Myfather,thelateRev.RooseveltHunter,wasveryin-strumentalinfightingfortherightsoflaborers,becausehealwaysbelievedthatthebestweaponwehaveisourvote. NotvotingissayingtoyourfellowAmericansthatyouagreewiththegridlockingovernmentthathaskilledjobsandkeptusback. Fightback! Register! Vote! Godblessusall! Shauna Hunter is the Open Door Administrator for the Muskegon YMCA, 900 W. Western. There, she coordinates child abuse prevention and anti-bullying programs, con-ducts mandatory staff training, and was a key facilitator of the MOVE (Making Overt Violence End) march last summer. She also serves as a motivator for the Muskegon YMCA Summer Evening Recreation Program, which serves 300 to 500 children per night, and is a mentor for Operation Hope Grows, a program for women who are in transitional living. She is a missionary at the Antioch Baptist Church, and her passion in life is to lift people to a higher place in life through poetry, ministry or through public speaking. I enjoy seeing others happy. Shauna is the mother of a daughter.
Thatwasterrific.Almostepic.Buttwoyearslater,wesatonourhands.Werolledoverandplayeddeadfortherightwing. Theteapartytriumphof2010wasadisasterfortheprogressivemovement. ItsvictorygavethedistrictCon-gressmanBillHuizenga. Butthatwasjustforstarters.Michiganteapartiers,swamp-ingliberals,electedaRepublicangovernor,aRepublicanSecretaryofState,aRepublicanAttorneyGen-eral,aRepublicanmajorityinbothhousesofthestateLegislature,andaRepublicanmajorityonthestateSupremeCourt. Game,set,match. Itamountedtoacleansweepthatensuredthe2ndCongressionalDistrict,whenitwasredrawnafter
the2010Census,wouldbecon-figuredinasuchawayastodenyDemocrats,liberalsandprogres-sivesakeyseatinCongress. Thisiswherewefindourselvesgoingintothe2014elections. Giventhepoliticalfactsofredistricting,Democratsofthe2ndremainseverelydisadvantaged.FairVote.orgevaluatedourdistrictspartisanbreakdownas55-45,Re-publicansontop. Butthatsifeveryonevoted.Andeveryonedoesnotvote. Toomanyvotersofbothpartiessititoutinelections,anditscon-ceivablethatin2014onepartywillhaveadecidededge. Ifso,letitbethegoodguyswhowinthistimeout. Sothetestforliberalsandpro-gressivesthisyearinourdistrictistoturnoutasmanyforoursideaswecan,andnotlettingasinglevote
gotowasteforwantofnotbeingcast. Inotherwords,ALLIN. Ifwecanshowstrengthinthisdistrict,whereRepublicansholdanoverwhelmingedge,itwillsendapowerfulmessagestatewide. Wecanandmustmakeourvoiceheardthroughourvotesandthroughourunity. Ifwedo,wewillforceRepub-licanstodukeitoutinadistricttheybelieveistheirhometurf,safefromliberalvoicesandprogressiveideas. Challengingthemherein2ndDistrictwouldshaketheunion-hat-ers,thegaybashers,theanti-choic-ers,theschoolvoucherscrowdandthecorporatebigshotstotheirverycore. Soundsgood,eh? Right! Letsstartshakingthingsup
EDITORIAL from page 1
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HUNTER from page 1O
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By David KolbLeft of the Line No,itsnotyourimagination. TherereallyISavastright-wingconspiracytodumbdownpublicopinionandmisleadournationandtheworldabouttherealityanddangersofhuman-causedclimatechange. Themovementisextraordinarilywell-funded,too.Hundredsofmillionsfromconservativefoundationshavebeenfunneledintoorganizationsthatareactivelypromotingclimatechangecountermovementpropagan-da.Millionsmorepourineveryyear,butmuchofitcantevenbetrackedbecauseitssourcesareincreasinglybeingdisguised. WeknowallthisbecauseoftheheroiceffortsofDr.RobertJ.Brulle,aprofessorofsociologyandenviron-mentalscienceatDrexelUniversityinPhiladelphia. Brullehasundertakenaninvestigationintothesci-encebehindthefundingmethodologyoftheso-calledclimatechangecountermovement,thosewhointhefaceofoverwhelmingevidencetothecontrarydenythatman-madeclimatechangeiswreakinghavoconourfragileplanet. Dr.BrullesworkwasrecentlypublishedinClimaticChange,oneoftheworldsforemostclimatesciencepublications. ItspublicationpromptedtheeditorsofPhys.Org,aleadingscience,researchandtechnologynewswebsite,tocreditthescientistsstudyasalandmarkinclimatedenialresearch: Thisstudymarksthefirstpeer-reviewed,compre-hensiveanalysiseverconductedofthesourcesoffund-ingthatmaintainawell-fundedandorganizedefforttounderminepublicfaithinclimatescienceandblockactionbytheU.S.governmenttoregulateemissions. Thiscountermovementinvolvesalargenumberoforganizations,includingconservativethinktanks,advocacygroups,tradeassociationsandconservativefoundations,withstronglinkstosympatheticmediaout-letsandconservativepoliticians. Sadly,thestudyhasaWestMichigancomponent.AmongthedonorstrackedbytheBrullestudywastheRichardandHelenDeVosFoundation,basedinGrandRapids,whichbetween2003and2010giftedmorethan$10milliontoorganizationspromotingclimatechangedenial,accordingtoInternalRevenueServicerecordscitedbyDr.Brulle.
TheDeVosfamilyremainsextremelyactiveinRe-publicanandconservativecircles.RichardandHelenssonDickisaformerMichigangubernatorialnominee.Theirdaughter-in-law,DickswifeBetsy,isaformerstateGOPchairwoman.BetsyDeVosbrotherisErikPrince,thefounderofthecontroversialBlackwaterUSAprivatesecurityservice,nowknownsimplyasAcademi. TheDeVosesarehardlyaloneintheirlargess.Amongthebetter-knownnamesofthelargestclimatechangedenialmovementfundersarefoundationscre-atedbytheCoorsfamilyofbeerfame,theExxon/Mobilfossilfuelindustrialcomplex,andfoundationsaffiliatedwithDavidandCharlesKochtheKochBrothersandtheRichardMellonScaifefamily. Achartbreakingdownthemoneydistribution,whichappearedinDr.Brullesstudy,accompaniesthisarticle. MostconcerningofallofDr.Brullesfindingswasthecorrelationbetweentheincreasinglyalarmingglobalclimatechangewarningsissuedbyscientificagencies,andtheseemingdirectdeclineofpublicopinionsup-portingthosefindings. Dr.Brullewrote: Inresponsetoasurveyquestioninthefallof2012,Doscientistsbelievethatearthisgettingwarmerbecauseofhumanactivity?43percentrepliedno,andanother12percentdidntknow.Only45percentoftheU.S.publicaccuratelyreportedthenearunanimityofthescientificcommunityaboutanthropogenicclimatechange. Tothescientist,thewhyofthisgrossdisconnectwasall-too-clear: Anumberofanalyseshaveshownthatonemajorfactordrivingthismisunderstandingandanoveralllackoflegislativeactionisadeliberateandorganizedefforttomisdirectthepublicdiscussionanddistortthepub-licsunderstandingofclimatechange. ContinuedDr.Brulle:Itclearlyshowsthatanum-berofconservativethinktanks,tradeassociations,andadvocacyorganizationsarethekeyorganizationalcom-ponentsofawell-organizedmovementthathasnotonlyplayedamajorroleinconfoundingpublicunderstand-ingofclimatescience,butalsosuccessfullydelayedmeaningfulgovernmentpolicyactionstoaddresstheissue. Soitsnotyourimagination.Thereisalargeandex-
The right spends big money questioning evidence
CLIMATECHANGE
12
see CHANGE page 13
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ceedinglywell-fundedefforttodeceivethepublicwhenitcomestotheissueofclimatechange,anditstentaclesextenddirectlyfromsomeoftheRepublicanPartysmostimportantdonors. Theconsequencesindelayingaresponsetowarm-ingwilladverselyaffectthefutures,livesandfortunesofalltheworldscitizens.Sincethiswillultimatelyaffect
eventhefundersofclimatechangesciencedenial,itmakesitallthehardertounderstandthereasoningbe-hindsuchbehavior. Perhapsafuturescientificstudywillgiveussomead-ditionalinsight.Thatis,ifitsnottoolate.
David Kolb is the former editorial page editor for The Muskegon Chronicle. He is co-publisher and co-editor of Left of the Line.
PermissiontoexcerptforthisarticlefromDr.RobertJ.Brullesstudy,InstitutionalizingDelay:FoundationFundingandtheCreationofU.S.ClimateChangeCounter-MovementOrganiza-tions,whichappearedintheDecemberissueofClimatic Changemagazine,wasgrantedbySpringerScience+BusinessMedia. Thatstudyincorporatesanden-largesupontheworkofmanyotherscientistswhohaveinvestigated
thestartlingconnectionbetweenstalledgovernmentalprogressinabatingclimatechangeandtheriseoftheincrediblywell-fundeddenialcountermovement. Foremostamongthoseinvesti-gatingthisphenomenon,intermsofDr.Brullesstudy,isDr.RileyDunlap,authorandsociologypro-fessoratOklahomaStateUniversity. Dr.BrulleisaDrexelUniversity(PA)environmentalsociologist.Hereceivedadoctorateinsociology
fromGeorgeWashingtonUniver-sity,amasterofsciencedegreeinnaturalresourcesfromtheUniver-sityofMichigan,amasterofartsdegreeinsociologyfromtheNewSchoolforSocialResearch,andabachelorofsciencedegreeinma-rineengineeringfromtheUnitedStatesCoastGuardAcademy. BrullepreviouslyservedasacommissionedofficerintheUnitedStatesCoastGuardfortwode-cades.
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CHANGE from page 12
Source: Climatic Change Magazine
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By Steve KeglovitzLeft of the Line IamwritingthistohelppeopleunderstandwhyRighttoWorkisdi-sastrousforAmericasworkingclassfamilies.Simplyput,iterodeswhatsomanyworkingwomenandmenhavefoughtsohardtogain. Itsalsoalie:avery,veryBIGlie. FromtheverybeginningofAmericasIndustrialRevolutionintheearly19thcentury,arevolutionchar-acterizedbythemassproductionofgoods,workerswereruthlesslyexploitedbytheiremployers. Miserableanddangerouswork-ingconditions,chain-ganghours,ridiculouslylowwagesandunequalpayforwomenandminoritiescausedlaborchampionslikeSamuelGompers,founderoftheAmericanFederationofLabor,ortheKnightsofLaborasitwasalsocalled,torepre-sentworkersinplantsandgivethemanorganizedvoice. Managementusedbrutalmeth-odstotrytostranglethisvoice.Laborfoughtbackwithworkstop-pages,strikesandboycotts.Evermanandwomanonthejobtodayhasbenefittedfromthesacrifices,hard-shipandevendeaththatworkerssufferedintheirstruggleforsimpledignityonthejob. Thevictoryoforganizedlaborresultedinimprovedworkingcondi-tionsandwages,whichcausedmorepeopletoseekoutthesecurityofunionstohelpthem.Unionsgrew,spreadovermanydifferentcrafts,andbecameplayersinthepoliticalprocess. Theheroesofthelabormove-mentworkedwithPresidentFranklinDelanoRooseveltinthe1930stocreatetheNewDeal,whichinturngavebirthtoSocialSecurity,allow-
ingpeopletoretireinsteadofwork-inguntiltheydiedofoldageontheassemblyline.PresidentRooseveltsNewDealalsogaveustheWagnerAct,whichprotectedaunionsrightstoorganize,givingrisetoastrongerunionmovement. Americasmiddleclassrosetopowerbecauseoftheon-the-jobprotectionsandadvantagesunionsfightforandwon.Companiesandcorporationswereforcedtosharetheirungodlywealthwiththepeopletheyemployed,whomadethemsowealthy.Thus,powerwasgainedforanever-largerpopulationofAmeri-cansearninghigherwagesthatallowedthemtoownhomesandcars,goonvacationswiththeirfamilies,andsendtheirsonsanddaughterstoattendcolleges(previouslyonlyaffordableforthewealthy). Asaresult,AmericaexperiencedexplosiveeconomicgrowthafterWorldWarII,atrendthatcontinueduntilthe1970s,whenwestartedindiscriminatelyexportingjobsandimportinggoods.Otherblowstothe
labormovementcameintheformofderegulationofindustries,andRepublicanPresidentRonaldRea-gansdastardlydismantlingoftheAirTrafficControllersUnionin1981inthemidstofalegalstrike. Istateallthissoyouhaveanunderstandingofwhytherewereclosedshoppractices,whichmadejoiningaunionaconditionofem-ployment.Readersneedtoknowandunderstandthis. Unionswerethereasonforbetterpay,benefits,workingconditionsanddefinedpensions. Ifyoudidntwanttoworkinaunionshop,therewereplentyofothertypicallow-paying,non-unionjobsoutthere,sopeoplealwayshavehadachoice! ThatiswhythelabelRighttoWorkissuchadisgustinglie. WorkershaveALWAYShadarighttoworkorthechoicenottoworkinaunionshop. Heresthetruth:Gov.RickSny-dersRighttoWorklawshouldbe
AVERYVERYBIGLIE
On strike for a living wagePhoto/PacificaRadioArchives
Right to Work is a lie
14
see LABOR page 15
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labeledastheRighttoWorkforLESSlaw. Inthe24RighttoWorkstatesMichiganisnowoneofthesethankstotheRepublicanswhocontrolourstate-workersmakeanaverageof$6,000LESSperyear. Theirbenefits,suchaspensionsandsafeworkingconditions,havedeclinedSIGNIFICANTLY,butthemosttellingstatisticisthatstatesthathavehadRighttoWorklegislationformorethan10yearsareAmericasPOOREST. SotheGOPseconomicgrowthandmorejobsmantraistheBigLiethatRepublicansusetoselltheirphonyRighttoWorkscheme. RighttoWorkisgrosslyunfair. Itallowsnon-unionizedworkerstogettheprotectionsandbenefitsthatunionsprovideWITHOUTthesesameworkerspayingadimeinuniondues.Theyrefreeloaderswhoweakenlaborstrengthatthenegoti-atingtable. Whenemployersknowyoudontspeakonbehalfofallemployees,andthatyoudonthavesignificantfinancialsupport,andthatyoualsohavetorepresentthosewhohavenoinvestmentintheoutcome,youwillloseyournegotiatingstrength. ThatswhystateswithRighttoWorklawslikeMichigansdonthavestrongoccupationalhealthandsafetyprograms,donthaveunem-ploymentinsurance,havehigherpovertylevelsandpaytheirworkersless. Meanwhile,thoseextradollars,gainedfromdeprivingworkers,gorightintothepocketsofemployersandstockholders. Innon-RighttoWorkstates,likeMichiganoncewas,workershavemorebuyingpower,bettereduca-tionand,mostimportantly,after35yearsofemploymenthaveanextra$210,000intheirownpockets! Thereisalsoasidebenefitfewpeopleeverdiscuss.Inaunionshop,managementalwaysbenefits! Theirbenefitsandsalarieshavealwaysbeenbasedonwhattheunionmembersreceivedornegotiatedatthetable!Ihavepersonallybeenap-proachedmanytimesbysupervisors
toaskforthingsthattheycouldntthemselvesaskforbecausetheyhadnoprotection,buttheyknewifwegotthemtheywouldsoonbenefit! Ireallystrugglewiththefactthatweareerodinglaborsvoice.Right-wingpoliticianshavebeenenviousofourpoliticalstrengthandabilitytomakeourvotesandvoicecount. Yousee,RighttoWorkonlyaf-fectslabor! Butwhendoctors(American
MedicalAssociation),lawyers(AmericanBarAssociation),Realtors(RealtorsAssociation),ChamberofCommerce(businesses),dentists(AmericanDentalAssociation)andmanyothergroups-thatallforcetheirmemberstopaydues-thereisnolegislationbeingproposedtoaf-fectthem. Police(FraternalOrderofPolice)andfirefightersalsowereexemptedfromtheRighttoWorklawinMichi-ganeventhoughtheirmemberspaydues. Theyallsetstandardsalaries,prices,rulesfortheirgoodsorser-vicesexactlythesameasasecre-tary,mailman,teacher,electrician,socialworker,nurseandproductionworker.Yettheirrightsarentre-stricted. Whyarewenotallallowedthesamefreedomsandrights?NowonderthesegroupstypicallyvoteRepublican! Therearesomebusinessleadersthattreattheiremployeesfairlybypayinggoodwagesandbenefitssounionsarentnecessary.Theprob-lemis,therearemorethatdontandthatiswhywithoutthefairabilitytorepresentworkersinasystemthat
alreadyhasenoughunfairlawsaf-fectingbargaining,RighttoWorkdragsworkersstandardsoflivingfartherdownduringatimewhenWallStreetandthewealthiestofAmericansaredrowningindollars. Thisalonetellsmesomethingisntright. Look,withoutthelabormove-mentandunions,thereisnoevenplayingfieldforthosepeoplewith-outavoice. IamveryconcernedasIwatchandlistentopeopleandpoliticianspreachtheneedtoprivatizeSo-cialSecurity,cutjobsbenefits,cutunemploymentinsurancefunding,andpimpformoreunrestrictedfreetrade. Remember,votersstoodtallandwouldntsupportRighttoWorkattheballotbox. OurLegislatureandGov.Snyderpassedthelawanyway,eventhoughSnyderpromisednevertosignitifitmadeithisdesk! Howdidthathappen?Easytoanswer.HeandtheyLIED. IhopevotersrememberthisinNovember.FightforDemocratMarkSchauer,whosrunningagainsttheNerd. EndtheGOPdominationofourLegislatureandSupremeCourt.Sendthemamessageinthenextelection,amessagetheycanunder-stand.Kickthemalloutofoffice. OnlythenwecanstoptheRe-publicanracetothebottomforonce-proudMichigan. Steve Keglovitz is retired from United Steelworkers Local 1015 and South African Pulp and Paper. He is now chair of the 2nd Congressional District Democrats. He is an elected Fruitport School Board member, a Fruitport precinct delegate and a United Way of the Lakeshore Board member, loan execu-tive and volunteer. Steve chairs the Retirees Chapter for Local 1015, is a Salvation Army board member and is a past president of the West Michigan Central Labor Council and a former past Muskegon County Democratic Party Chair. He is married with three children and two grandchildren.
American Federation of Labor President Samuel L. Gompers, a pioneer of the U.S. labor movement. Photo/NationalEndowmentfortheHumanities
15
LABOR from page 14
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By Mary ValentineLeft of the Line Isupportourschools,sayseverypoliticianrunningforoffice. Neverringsquitetrue,though,whenthosewordscomeoutofthemouthsofRepublicancandidates. Thatsbecausetheirfirstprior-ityisntagoodeducationforourstudents.Itissqueezethebeast,orinotherwords,robtheschoolsofadequatefunding. SincetheNerd,Gov.RickSnyder,andtherestofRepublicanclass,waselectedin2010totakeoverstategovernment,thathasmeantacutof$470perstudent.OneresultofGOPruleisthatclasssizes,justwhentheyshouldbedecreasing,areincreasingtounac-ceptablyhighlevels. Students,ofcourse,dofarbet-terwhentherearefewerofthemineachclass.Risingclasssizesmeanthatindividualattentionshrinks.Andourstudentsaretheoneswhopaytheprice.ThosearejustwordsonapaperuntilyourealizeitisYOURpreciouschildwhocantgettheattentionoftheteacher.
Inthelate1990s,anotherRepublicangovernorandanotherRepublicanLegislatureintroducedcharterschools,whichoftencreateatidyprofitfortheoperator. Thoseschoolssuckfundingfromourneighborhoodschoolswhilefindingawaytoavoidenrollingtheneediestandmostexpensive-students. Infact,manyjustoffertheleast-expensivetypeofeducation,whichareelementaryschools. Yetthesechartersgetthesameper-pupilfundingasourneighbor-hoodschools,whicheducateallofourstudents,allthewaythroughhighschool! AndtheRepublicansinLansing,insteadofrequiringfairerrulesormoreoversightforcharteropera-tors,havetakenthecapoff,sothoseschoolscanproliferatewilly-nillyacrossthestate.
Republicananti-publicschoollegislators-rubber-stampedbytheNerd-havealsogivenuscyberschools. Whatagreatidea.Not!Stickakidinfrontofacomputer,hireoneteacherforthousandsofkidsandvoila!Acheapeduca-tion.Oh,andbytheway,thecyberschooloperatorgetspaidthesameper-pupilallowanceabrick-and-mortarschool,whichmustpayformaterials,upkeepoftheschool,teachers,etc,receives. Dothekidsgetagoodeduca-tioninthesecyberschools?Howcouldthey?Havetherebeenanybeenstudiesprovingtheirexcel-lence?Ofcoursenot.But,hey,whocares?Itscheap.Thecyberopera-torsmakebigbucks.Itweakensfreepubliceducationandneigh-
The Republican goal is to replace our public schools with for-profit companies, which have failed miserably....
Spells trouble for public education
Good grief, what have Republicans done to our public schools?
GOP
16
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borhoodschools. TheRepublicanshaveliftedthecapoffthoseschoolsaswell! Theschemetoekeasmuchmoneyaspossiblefromourpublicschoolstogivetoprivatecompa-niesisaliveandwellintheRepubli-canMichigan,bywayofincentivestoprivatizeservices,throwingmorehard-workingcitizensintopoverty. TheRepublicangoalistoreplaceourpublicschoolswithfor-profitcompanies,whichhavefailedmiserablywiththeirprofits-over-kidsphilosophy. Teachingconditionsintheseschoolsareabysmal.Teachersdontstay.Studentswhocangetout,do.Nowthereareevenallegationsofchildabuseinsomeoftheseschools. Yetstill,Republicanleaders,includingHartStateSen.Goeff
Hansen,R-34th,arepushingtheseschoolsintoourcommunitiesbywayoftheEducationAchievementAuthority(EAA). Duringmy30yearsasaspeechpathologistinthepublicschools,Iworkedin25schools.Overwhelm-ingly,Isawteachersdedicatedtothestudentsregardlessofthepoliti-callandscapeswirlingaroundthem. Everyemployerknowsthathighemployeemoraleleadstothebestoutcomes.Thatisdoublytrueforthedemandingjobofteaching,whereateachermustdealwithaclassfulloframbunctiousstudentsandtheirover-protectiveparents. Perhapsoneofthemostre-voltingresultsoftheRepublicanattacksoneducationisthatithastankedthemoraleofteachersacrossthisstate. Sothenexttimeyouhearapoli-ticiansayIsupportourschools,
askwhatthatmeans.ButIlltellyouanywayandsaveyouthetrouble. IfitsaRepublicanthesedays,itmeansSqueezethebeastintostarvation. IfitsaDemocrat,itmeansFeedourschools,soourstudentscanthrive! Goodgrief,whywouldanyedu-cator,parentorteachervoteforaRepublicanlegislatortoday,afteralltheyvedonetowreckourschools?
Perhaps one of the most revolting results of the Republican attacks on education is that it has tanked the morale of teachers across this state.
Mary Valentine is a former Democratic state representative for the 91st District in Muskegon County, where she served two terms. Prior to that, she was a speech pathologist in the public schools of Michigan for more than 30 years. Presently, Mary is the secretary of the Progressive Democratic Womens Caucus and the S.S. Milwaukee Clip-per board. Additionally, she is chair of the NAACP politi-cal action committee, involved with Citizens to Preserve Public Education, and is a member of the Muskegon Heights Optimist Club. Mary lives in Norton Shores with Phil Valentine, her husband of 35 years, and is a proud mom of two adult chil-dren and proud grandma of two precious granddaughters. You can contact her at [email protected]
AnewonlinetoolunveiledinMarchcanhelppar-ents,educators,teachers,schoolstaffandpolicymakersseeexactlyhowmuchGov.RickSnydersschoolcutscontinuetoshortchangeMichiganchildrenineveryschooldistrict. DatingtoSnydersfirstyearasgovernorin2011,thecutsaffecteverythingfromclassroomsizes,coursesandprograms,andbasicsupplies. Accordingtothewebsite,www.kidsnotceos.com,everyMichiganchildwillstillbeshortinsomecases,byhundredsofdollarsevenafterSnyders2014-2015budgetproposalprovidesanaverageof$111perpupil. Criticssaidschoolcutshavecausedrealharmtochildrenseducation,includingsignificantovercrowd-inginclassrooms.Injustthepastfewyears,classsizes
haveincreasedfrom14studentsperclassroomto26,onaverage.Thisresultsinchildrengettinglessindi-vidualizedattentionfromteachers. Duringhisfirstyearinoffice,Snydercutschoolfundingtogivebillionsofdollarsintaxbreakstobigcorporationsresourcesthatchildrenarenotlikelytorecoupunlesstheirclassroomsarefullyfunded. Thehomepageofthesitefeaturesablackboardinadarkenedclassroomwiththewords:Snydersschoolcuts:Thenumbersdontlie. Tofindaschooldistrict,gotowww.kidsnotceos.com,clickonthedropdownbarandselectthedistrict.Theresultscanalsobeprintedasastandalonehandoutpage. Source: Michigan Education Association
New website details Michigan education cuts
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TROUBLE from page 16
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Theanti-gunnerspouncedonme,viciously,asearlyas1965,1966,beforeanybodyinthisroomknewtherewasaculturewar. Now,thatsquiteastatement,be-causewereinaroomfullofpeopleimpactedbythefreedom-haters,andhatethefreedom-haterswithavengeance,asweshould. WeshouldhatetheNazisandtheKlan.WeshouldhatetheBlackPantherpunkswhocommitfeloniesanddestroyinnocentlives.Sohateisagoodemotion. WhenIexperiencedthefirstvolleyofhatetowardsme,becauseIeatvenisonandcarryagun,IcouldntcontrolthelaughterbecausethepeoplewhowerespewingthishatehadlittlefoampuddlesofspittleinthecorneroftheirmouthfreshfromanLSDexperiment.... AndIwouldactuallyreachacrossthetableataradiostation,becauseImtheonlyguitarplayerthatactuallyhasahandkerchief,andIwouldtakemyhandkerchiefandIwouldreachovertothediskjockey,hedbeliveontheair,andIdgo,So
letmegetthisright.Youthinkthatprecious,living,breathingcreaturescreatedbyGodshouldbedescribedasacartooncharacter.YoureangrybecauseIshotBambi?Really? AndIdreachoverandactuallywipethespitofftheirmouthandIdgo,Andwhatsthiswehavehere,son?Youreoutofyourcotton-pickinmind. Andofcourse,theyattackedme
forreferencingcotton-pickinbut,beingthatasitmay,Ivehadsomuchfunwiththis.Iwasdoingthat40yearsago. 2016.Thereitis.Theperfectballotoffreedomwouldbeifthishappened(NugentholdsupaTedNugentforPresident2016sign.)Ourpoliticianschecktheirscrotuminatthedoor.EvenHillary.Butobvi-ouslyshehassparescrotums. ThestateofpoliticsinAmericaareheart-breaking,tragic,virtuallyself-inflictedandIthinkImspeakingforeverybodyhere.Wewouldliketoapologizetotheheroesofthemili-taryforbendingover,sinceWorldWarII,andallowingacommander-in-chief,whoistheenemyoftheU.S.military. Idliketoapologizetotheheroesoflawenforcementforanattorneygeneralwhocommitsmorefeloniesthanthepeopleheletsgo. SowhileImbusyapologizing
becauseIdidntletmyguarddownbutIhaveobviouslyfailedtogalva-nizeandprod,andnotshameenoughAmericanstobeever-vigilantnottoletaChicago,communist-raised,communisteducated,communistnur-tured,sub-humanmongrelliketheAcorncommunityorganizergangsterBarackHusseinObama,toweaselhiswayintothetopofficeofauthorityintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Iamheart-brokenbutIamnotgivingup. IthinkAmericawillbeAmericaagainwhenBarackObama,EricHolder,HillaryClinton,(U.S.Sen.)DickDurbin(D-Ill.),(NewYorkMay-or)MichaelBloomberg,andalloftheliberalDemocratsareinjailfacingthejust,duepunishmentthattheirtreasonousactsareclearlyapparent. Alotofpeoplewouldcallthat
inflammatoryspeech.WellIwouldntcallitinflammatoryspeechwhenitsyourjobtoprotectAmericanswhenyouareaskedtolookintoatelevi-sioncameraandyouareaskedtosaywhatdifferencedoesitmakethatIfailedinmyjobtoprovidesecurityandwehavefourdeadAmericans.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake,nottoachimpanzeeortoHillaryClinton,Iguessitdoesntmatter. AllIcansayis,Freedomisnotfree,andifyourenotamemberoftheNRA,NancyPelosilikesyou,whichmeansyouretheenemy. Postscript: Nugent recently canmpaigned with Greg Abbot, the Republican candidate for Texas gov-ernor. Opposing Abbot is Democrat Wendy Davis, a Texas state senator. You can donate to Wendys cam-paign by contacting her web site: www.wendydavistexas.com/
YES, REALLY, IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Ted Nugent says:
HATEi s a good emot ion
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Editors note: The contents of Other Side of the Line may be offensive to some of our readers, but we believe you really need to read exactly what the extrem-ists of the right wing are saying in public. Only by peeking under the rock can you see their true agenda.
... aChicago, communist-raised, communist educated,communistnurtured,sub-humanmongrelliketheAcorncommunityorganizergangsterBarackHusseinObama....
YOURETHEENEMY-OnJan.18,guns.cominterviewedoncameraaRepublicanteapartyfavorite,self-styledMotorCityMadmanTedNugent,attheSHOTshowinLasVegas,anannualeventorganizedbytheNationalShootingSportsFoundation.(Fulltextavailableatwww.guns.com/2014/01/18/ted-nugent-president/)Heres whatNu-genthadtosay,inhisownwords:
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Recalling in spirit, perhaps not accurately, the unforgettable Muske-gon arts critic Downton Abbey/Inspector Lewis Edition
DOWNTON ABBEY
WithMasterpieceTheatersDowntonAbbeyanditsfourthseasonbehindus,certaincompari-sonscanbemade.OuryardstickshallbeUpstairs,Downstairs,the1971PBSclassic. Upstairs/Downstairsforbet-terorworse,launchedthispopulargenrecenteringontheangstoftheridiculouslyrichupperclassesthattelevisionwouldpresumeustobelieveoverloadedthecensusofpre-WorldOneGreatBritain,whilemixingthingsupwiththemostlymundanemendacitiesandfoiblesofitsservantstaff.
CAGE MATCH # 1 CarsontheButler(JimCarter)
DowntonAbbeyversus
HudsontheButler(GordonJackson)Upstairs,Downstairs
ANALYSIS Itseemsagiventhatthebrusque(butsensitive)Mr.Carsonpaintshisowntoenails,obviouslywithgreatdifficultybutwehavetoassumegreatsuccessgiventhetremendousrangeofhisexasper-atedsighs,indicativeofapersis-tentpersonality.Nailpolishcolorunknown,butitdoesntmatter. Mr.Hudson,reachingbacktohisdaysasaPOWinthemovie
TheGreatEscape,mayhavespenthisfreetimediggingatun-nelunderEatonPlacefarenoughfortheservantstopassundertheguardtowers.Clearly,hedidnotsucceed,asweknowsincetheseriesendedwithoutthebigbust-out.
DECISION TO: Mr.Carson.
CAGE MATCH # 2 Mrs.Patmorethecook(Leslie
Nichol)DowntonAbbeyversus
Mrs.Bridgesthecook(AngelaBaddeley)Upstairs,Downstairs
ANALYSIS SinceMrs.BridgesoncepreparedanextraordinarydinnerfortheKingofEngland,andMrs.Patmoresgreatestachievementtodatehasbeeninnotpoisoninganyoftheestatesserfsattheannualvillagefair,acook-offchallengemaynotbefairbywayofcompari-son. Rather,thequestionmightbeaskedastowhowouldsuccessfullypilfermoreofthecookingsherry. ItsquestionablewhetherMrs.Patmore,evenwithherobviousstrengthadvantage(behindthoserufflesareapairofgunsTheRockwouldenvy),wouldbecleverenoughtowrestmorethananipawayfromthewilyMrs.Bridges.Noway.DECISION TO: Mrs.Bridges.
Tobecontinued
INSPECTOR LEWIS NEWS Intheno-jestcategory,anicesurprise: GreatBritainsITVStudioshasjustannouncedthatInspectorLewiswillberenewedforamostunexpectedeighthseason,withproductionandshootingtobeginthismonth. TheserieshadbeendeclaredDOAafterlastseason. Lewisisthebelovedoff-shootofthefarsuperiorInspectorMorsedramasthatendedwiththedeathofthebrilliantJohnThaw,whoplayedthecurmudgeonly,opera-lovingdetectiveofthetitlesname,in2003. Asthemogulshavedescribedintheirtersepressrelease,Rob-bieLewis(playedbystalwartKevinWhately)willemergefromretirementtocometotheaidofnewlymintedInspectorJamesHathaway(well-actedbyLaurenceFox).Mr.WhatelyplayedThawsMorsesidekickatermthatcouldbetakenalmostliterallyincertainepisodes-intheoriginalseriesinveryslyanddryfashion. Mr.Whatelyspleasingperson-alityhaskepttheMorsefollowingfromdeserting,althoughMr.Fox,beingquitegoodinhisrole,maysurpasstheagingGeordieinthereturnepisodes. Sixnewadventuresareplanned,whichpresumablywillaironWestMichiganPBSstationsin2015.
John Allen Memorial Critics Corner
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O F F C E
N T ER
F O R T H E F U N O F I T
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Iwelcome their hate. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Oct. 31, 1936, New York City
So do we! Left of the Line
We also welcome your letters. Make sure youre on our mail-ing list and write to us at:
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So get out and vote for candidates who share your political beliefs!
MARCH
Saturday, March 22: DemocraticElectedOf-ficialsBreakfastatRussinMuskegonTownship/M120,from9a.m.to11a.m.
Monday, March 24:Ed-ucationalForumpresentedbyStateRep.ColleneLamonte,D-91st,inNortonShoresLibrarycommunityroom,from6p.m.to7:30p.m.
Thursday, March 27: MeetandGreetforCathyForbesfor34thStateSen-ate,atWolfiesPizzaandSubs,420SouthWolfLakeRoad,Muskegon,from4p.m.to6p.m.
Monday, March 31:Re-ElectionCampaignLaunchforStateRep.ColleneLamonte,D-91st,atWhit-lowsBanquetHall,4610Airline,Muskegon,from6p.m.to8:30p.m.
APRIL
Tuesday, April 1:Pe-titionsforDemocraticgubernatorialcandidateMarkSchauerandDemo-craticU.S.Senatecandi-dateGaryPetersmustbeturnedin.
Thursday, April 10: MuskegonCountyDemo-craticPartyMonthlyMeet-ing,heldatMuskegonTownshipHall,1990Apple
Avenue,Muskegon,start-ingat7p.m.
Thursday, April 17: WestMichiganUnitedLaborSportsmensDinneratthePolishFalconClubonWestHackleyAvenueinMuske-gon,from6p.m.to9p.m.Fortickets,pleasecontactSteveKeglovitzat(231)557-5021.
Saturday, April 26:Pro-gressiveWomensDemo-craticCaucusFund-raiseratGreaterMuskegonWomensClub,280WestWebster,Muskegon,from2p.m.to4p.m.
MAY
Saturday, May 3: Demo-craticSPRINGGALAatVFWPost7729,6285EastAppleAvenue,Muske-gon.GuestSpeakerisGubernatorialCandidateMarkSchauer.Fortickets,pleasecontacttheMuske-gonCountyDemocraticPartyat231-722-2254.
Tuesday, May 6:Dead-linetofileasaPrecinctDelegate.YoumustfilewithyourCOUNTYClerksOffice.
Thursday, May 8: Mus-kegonCountyDemocraticPartyMonthlyMeeting,heldatMuskegonTown-shipHall,1990AppleAv-enue,Muskegon,startingat7p.m.
C A L E ND A R
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This & ThatCompiled by Michael WalshLeft of the Line
ACA NewsTiredofthepoliticalspinontheAmericanCareAct(Obamacare)?Howaboutanunim-peachablesource--ConsumerReports?SeeHealthLawHelper.org.Oncethetechnicalglitches(ofthestart-up)werefixed,lotsofconsumerswereabletofindgood,affordablecoverage,saidJimGuest,ConsumerReportspresident,intheMarch2014edition.AshelpfulastheAffordableCareActmightbeformany,somestillmaynotbeabletoaffordtheinsurance.Forthose,ahardshipexemptionexists.
Abortion InsuranceSpeakingofinsurance,didyouknowMichi-ganlawmakersquietlypassedoneofthetoughestanti-abortionlawsinthecountyanditbecamelawinmid-March?Thelawbansaninsuredfromobtainingabortioncoverageeveninthecaseofrapeunlessaspecialriderispurchased.LookslikeMichiganisleadingthechargebacktothedaysofcoat-hangerkillings.
Supremes consider politicianlies TheU.S.SupremeCourtinJanuaryagreedtoconsideraFirstAmendmentchallengetoanOhiolawthatcriminalizesliesaboutpoliti-cians.AnOhioanti-abortiongroupischalleng-inganOhiolawthatcriminalizesfalsestate-mentsaboutcandidatesforpublicoffice.Inthemeantime,aMichiganRepublicansentupatrialballoontoseeifsuchalawwouldworkhere.Itappearstheballoonburstatleastsofar.
Seven Dems block Obama nomineeBelieveitornot,sevenDemocratsenatorshelpedRepublicansdumpthepresidentsnomi-neetoheadtheJusticeDepartmentscivilrightsdivision.Why?BecauseDeboAdegbilespentmorethanadecadeascounseltotheNAACPLegalDefenseFundandprovidedadefensetoMumiaAbu-Jamal,convictedofthe1981slayingofaPhiladelphiapoliceofficer.TheSenateDemocratswhoopposedthenomineewere:ChristopherA.Coons(Del.),RobertP.CaseyJr.(Pa.),MarkPryor(Ark.),HeidiHeitkamp(N.D.),JoeManchinIII(W.Va.),JoeDonnelly(Ind.)andJohnWalsh(Mont.). Theywerewrong,aswellexplaininthenextissueofLeft of the Line.