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America, You Asked For It! 
Cheboygan County’s newly elected drain commissioner, Dennis Lennox, has just issued his latest press release entitled “UAW refuses to pay taxes on lavish lakeside resort“. Lennox campaigned for the drain commissioner job with lawn signs falsely implying that he was the incumbent- a violation of state law. His platform was based on a stated desire for low taxes and getting the state legislature to abolish what he calls the “do nothing” drain commissioner job which pays $600 a year.
For almost 40 years, the UAW has run the Walter and May Reuther Family Education Center for UAW members on the south side of Black Lake in Waverly Township near Onaway. The Center has a first-rate public golf course with a great restaurant and accommodations for up to 250 UAW members and their families to attend weeklong training programs. The UAW Center operations have been almost self-sustaining. The Center has its own fire department, security, road maintenance, waste treatment etc and no school-age children live at the Center.
Property assessment are made by each township on an annual basis and are subject to taxpayer challenge at a local board of review and then before a state tax tribunal. For some years, the UAW has been able to successfully challenge the Waverly Township assessment at the state tax tribunal level. In 2007, the UAW again challenged its assessment and the parties settled that matter that same year. Lennox says he is astonished that the UAW claims the current market value of its property is more than 50% less than its book value. Apparently he has not noticed that property values have been declining. The Lennox release also falsely suggests that I represented the UAW in this matter and refused to make any effort to resolve it. However, I have not represented the UAW in any of these assessment disputes.
When the 2007 assessment challenge was brought to my attention, I arranged for a lunch meeting at the Center with the township board, the UAW Center Director, its tax attorney and a high level administrator from UAW Solidarity House in Detroit. The Waverly Township Board declined this offer. (Neither county commissioners nor for that matter, drain commissioners, are involved in property tax assessment process.)
Since this matter had been resolved by the parties, why does the new drain commissioner regurgitate it now almost two years later? Every taxpayer has a right to appeal a tax assessment. The only issue in any assessment dispute is the appraised value of the property in contrast to other comparable properties. There is no discussion of this issue or of past tax tribunal decisions in the Lennox release. You would think a self-proclaimed advocate for low taxes would support any taxpayer’s right to appeal any assessment. The Lennox argument that merely appealing a tax assessment amounts to a refusal to pay a fair tax rate is just politically-driven balderdash. Indeed given the fact that the UAW has obtained relief every time it has appealed suggests the issue of what is a fair tax assessment favors the UAW.
The UAW Center has been good for the community, and its continued ownership should be encouraged. Rumors have circulated for years that the Center, or at least the golf course, are for sale. I hope the UAW realizes that most do not share Mr. Lennox’s views. The UAW has maintained a beautiful, low impact resort operation which strives to preserve the property’s natural environment. The Center’s 145 employees are locals earning a decent living and enjoying the benefits of union representation. Even though the Center is a seasonal employer, the UAW does NOT exercise its right to challenge unemployment benefits when it shuts down over the winter. The UAW Center attracts almost 10,000 well-behaved UAW members and their families annually, who spend their money in the local area. (Some even come back to vacation and retire here!) The facility has also been made available for many public meetings and the UAW has been a generous supporter of community events and programs. In contrast with some resorts, the UAW does not use foreign workers on temporary work visas. Nor has the UAW asked either the township or county for any subsidy, despite the fact that the Center operations have apparently been a steady drain on the UAW’s declining resources–reportedly requiring a $23 million UAW subsidy over the last 5 years.
Perhaps the new township board may wish to pursue a better relationship with the current property owner and one of the county’s largest and best paying employers. If so, I will try to set up another meeting. Regardless, Lennox’s attack on the UAW is stale, devoid of relevant facts, hypocritical, unprincipled, and totally unrelated to his extensive duties as drain commissioner.
You know that the sad thing about this quote is that some people hear it and say “yeah, what an eloquent leader”.
Regarding your video clip.
It’s funny as well as hypocritical that when wingnut fringe extremists try to hi-jack the democratic process at townhalls by obstructing my freedom of speech or ratchet-up their mob violence at townhall meetings & tea parties, they feign indigance & get self-righteous when the Dem grassroots organizers push back with similar tactics. This is what happens when incivility and fringe extremism flourishes, but you conservative wingnut fanatics took it there. So what’s good for the goose, is good for the gander. Two can play the game. Get use to it and stop whining.
Funny that your name is an attempt to convince readers the military, the most patriotic among us, support the socialistic march of our current administration. Just so everyone knows, his email address was also intended to convey this, but it’s a fake. When I sent an email to the address he listed, I received the message “domain not found.” Just more misinformation and lies from the liberal left.
Be afraid, John. Be very afraid. The hi-jacking tactics of the fringe wingnuts & fearmongers have unleashed the fury of your opponents. You will lose at your own game, as you all scurry back into the wormhole of Reagan-era history — the only thing you have to cling to besides your guns.
Join the revolution, reject fringe lunatics and ideological warfare.
http://www.republicansforobama.org/
I just read a little on your site. Nobody believes the posts on that site and the vast majority of comments are generated by Republicans. If the site was ever legit, it’s now been co-opted by Democrats. It’s nothing more than a bunch of left-wing lunatics who think they can fool real conservatives into thinking they are the “fringe.” It speaks of their intelligence to think their opponents are that gullible.
ALL active, proud, engaged Republicans and Independents.
Report from Local Missouri paper today:
GLADNEY THE UNINSURED ACTIVIST…. Over the last few days, a conservative activist in St. Louis named Kenneth Gladney seems to have become something of a cause celebre in far-right circles. Depending on which version of events you choose to believe, Gladney either initiated or was involved in a scuffle at a town-hall event late last week.
At least one prominent conservative blogger said Gladney was “brutally attacked” by SEIU members outside the event. After watching the video, there’s ample reason for skepticism. Gladney was, in fact, pulled to the ground during the fracas, but he seemed to bounce back up quickly, and is seen walking around soon after without any obvious injuries. His attorney has argued that Gladney was beaten during the fight, but there’s nothing in the clip to support that.
Gladney later went to the hospital, claiming to have sustained injuries to his “knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face.”
Yesterday, about 200 conservative activists held a protest in St.Louis. Gladney was there — bandaged and in a wheelchair — as a featured guest. His attorney, David Brown, read a prepared statement by Gladney.
Brown finished by telling the crowd that Gladney is accepting donations toward his medical expenses. Gladney told reporters he was recently laid off and has no health insurance. [emphasis added]
Wait, the conservative opponent of health care reform, fighting (literally) to defeat a plan that would bring coverage to those who lose their jobs, lost his coverage because he got laid off?
Conservative Fringe groups BRing Loaded Guns to Hi-Jack the Democratic Process & Violate First Amendment Rights:
Reported by the Sierra Newd Herald of Arizona:
‘Town hall disruptions around the country have led to some outbreaks of violence. Unions participating in town halls have received death threats. At an event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) last week, the threat of violence led her aides to call the police after one attendee dropped a gun.
“Yelling and screaming is counterproductive,” she told the Sierra Vista Herald at a Congress on Your Corner event last week. There, one visitor dropped a gun at the meet n’ greet held in a Douglas Safeway, her staff says.
That has aides, who called police to the event, concerned for her safety.
“We have never felt the need before to notify law enforcement when we hold these events,” said spokesman C.J. Karamargin’
Another Repub Thug fringe wingNUT brings loaded gun to Town Hall meeting, this time in Portsmouth, ME.
‘”On Tuesday’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, Matthews’ guest was William Kostric, the man who brought a gun earlier in the day to protest President Obama’s health care town hall meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Kostric was wearing a (legal) handgun strapped to his leg and holding a sign referencing this Jefferson quote: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”‘
——–
Also, did you guys notice that Kenny Gladney, the Black Conservative thug that got his a** kicked at the St. Luois Town Hall meeting is now BEGGING FOR DONATIONS TO PAY HIS MEDICAL BILLS BECAUSE HE HAS NO HEALTHCARE INSURANCE AFTER BEING LAID OFF FROM HIS JOB — a problem which would be allleviated under Healthcare Reform. If you want the FACTS on Healthcare Reform, you can find it here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/?e=10&ref=text2
I bring my loaded gun everywhere I go unless it’s against the law. I’m a law abiding citizen with a concealed carry permit. The state has deemed me fit to exercise that right and I will.
People like you explain why this great nation is the most violent society in all the history of mankind.
John,
I feel the tide shifting in the Public debate over health care reform. The Conservative lunatic fringe over-played the outrage, now the Dems are pushing-back and winning the war of hearts & minds because of your Conservtaive Gestapo tactics at the Town Hall meetings.
Why dont you just delete Wrens posts? Nobody wants to read the s**t spewing out of his mouth
I know it’s a load of bull, everything he’s saying, but I think it’s important to let others see how ridiculous their line of thinking.
John,
Your one redeeming quality is that you actually understand what freedom of speech is all about. Though we might disagree about much, I applaud your decision not to delete. Someone ought to explain those principles to David.
I didnt come here to read some liberal nut job’s thoughts
David,
Obviously, the lunatic rage in you and your propensity to name-call made you miss the fact that I am NOT a liberal; not even a deomocrat. I am, once again for the record, a Life-long registered REPUBLICAN. But whatever you do, please don’t confuse me with conservative wingnuts like you who find every reason to offer gratuitious criticisms of our President no matter what he does. Republicans need to kick conservatives to the curb. Conservatives should go form their own political party. But whatever the case, let’s put partisanship aside, get on-board and recognize that we ALL need to get behind our President out of duty to country. I am PROUD to be a Republican, as well as a Patriot. Are you..??
http://thepoliticalmemo.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/400000-of-your-money-going-to-libyan-despots-son-and-daughter/
Just thought you should know about how our President is using our tax dollars.
Obama is doing no worse (in fact, a WHOLE lot better) than the way Bush/Cheney used my tax dollars. Where was your outrage as Bush DOUBLED the national debt from $5 Trillion when he took office (it took 200 years to reach that level), to $10 Trillion when he left office, and TWO wars in his wake..?? That’s when you should have been outraged!
The Two(2) Trillion that Obama has added (the Nat’l Debt is now $12 Trn) is to pay for the Wall Street bailouts thanks to GOP deregulation & Paulson, the Economic Recovery Act after Bush/Cheny/Paulson wrecked the economy, and the on-going two wars that Bush/Cheny started.
Where was your outrage then, HYPOCRITE..??
http://www.RepublicansForObama.org
EDITORS’ DISCLAIMER:
For those who haven’t seen Wren’s posts before, his views are completely at odds with the editors of America, You Asked For It! However, because we believe all sides of the debate should be heard, we will not delete his posts. We have enough faith in our readers to believe those who compare the arguments made by Wren to those espoused in our posts will come to the right conclusions. That said, we do not believe Wren is a Republican, or even a conservative, but that his choice of domain name is somehow meant as a tactic to persuade right thinking persons to move left.
Join the revolution, reject conservative fringe lunatics and ideological warfare.
http://www.republicansforobama.org/
John,
Congratulations! With the historic American Healthcare Reform Act being signed into law today by PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, we won’t have to worry about filing bankruptcy or dying prematurely because we can’t afford access to decent healthcare; or being unfairly booted off by the multi-billion dollar insurance company tactics due to pre-existing conditions (which we all have!).
Unfortunately, like Civil Rights, Womens Voting and the plight of the unemployed, our party, the Republican party, was again on the wrong side of history. I am going to be writing about this on my Blog (www.RepublicansForObama.org). I hope you follow it, and share it with other Republicans, as I am going to continue to fight to make OUR party more reflective of the people and values of today’s America — not yesterday’s. Here’s a brief excerpt; feel free to disagree, but I still respect your views as a fellow Republican — although I’m NOT of the lunatic ilk.
‘This is truly a fundamental fight about the character of our nation. That is, what kind of nation are we going to be in the 21st century..??
According to Newt Gingrich: “This will not stand. Sunday was a vote…unworthy of the United States of America.” A sentiment that directly brings into stark contrast the question of the character of our nation. Whether, we will be a Hobbesian nation – where life is solitary, hard, nasty, brutish and short — whose values are defined by the ilk of Newt Gingrich, Rush Limabaugh and Michelle Malk — a modern Sparta ruled by corporate overlords, unregulated free markets, social darwinism and endless warmongering. Or whether, like every other industrial wealthy nation in the world; and as our Founding Fathers challenges us “to form a more perfect union,” we will be a Lockean nation – progressive, enlightened, humane and balanced; concerned about the health and welfare of our citizens and the global competitiveness of our businesses…
Tea Party protesters in a crowd backed by Republican lawmakers called Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) a “nigger” and at least one protester spat on Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). The flagrant violation of Congressional decorum when one Republican Congressman loudly shouting “baby killer!” to a fellow Congressman (who was actually trying to ensure no federal funding for abortion under Healthcare reform) on the floor of the House of Representatives…are the same kinds of people who think of themselves as “patriots” and dutifully go Bible-toting on Sunday mornings (Luke 23:34). The Wingnuttery of the conservative Lunatic Fringe most decidedly do not reflect the “character” of the nation I love. I want to raise my children in a society that honors the debt of my ancestors from the very first inception of this great nation. A debt built on the sweat of their backs, the blood in their veins, and often by their very lives – sometimes in gross injustices. I want to raise my children in a society that honors the values of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. You know, provide for the general welfare and domestic tranquility; a life in the pursuit happiness; we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. I mean, you need to be healthy in order to live freely and pursue happiness, don’t you..?? Sometimes I wonder, are these people truly reading the same Bible, and about the same Jesus (Matt 5:3-14), and the same Declaration of Independence that I’m reading..??’
Still, I am proud that, at least for today, the TRUE character of our nation prevailed. One of care and concern for the health and well-being of ordinary working American families & children; and the for global competitiveness of our small business that no longer will be burdened with unsustainable healthcare costs.
Wren
Hi John & Bill,
You have a great blog, from a true conservative viewpoint. I enjoy following your articles on health care reform.
I would like to discuss an exciting opportunity with you. Please send me an e-mail at amykate.brown@gmail.com, so I can share the details.
Thank you for your interest, and keep up the outstanding work!
We wish to thank you yet again for the stunning ideas you gave Jesse when preparing her post-graduate research plus, most importantly, regarding providing many of the ideas in one blog post. Provided we had known of your blog a year ago, we might have been saved the unnecessary measures we were implementing. Thanks to you.