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    Tag: Ruth Johnson

    Well Stated, Mr. Murri


    By Corinthian Scales, Section News
    Posted on Thu Jan 09, 2014 at 09:38:35 PM EST
    Tags: Ruth Johnson, Secretary of State, Transparency, State Senate, SB661, Reporting Requirements, Hidden Agendas, Force, Government, Compulsion, The Hammer, Cronyism, Timing, Greg McNeilly, MCEF & Larry Ward = DeVos cronies, Slick Rick, The Flim-Flam Man, NERD Fund, Rich Baird (all tags)

    via WXYZ

    Ruth is perhaps the only person I will be voting for this fall.

    Comments >>

    Its About Force


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Nov 26, 2013 at 08:42:56 PM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Mackinac Center, Elections, Ruth Johnson, Transparency, State Senate, SB661, Reporting Requirements, Hidden Agendas, Force, Government, Compulsion, The Hammer (all tags)

    Folks at The Mackinac Center and I will nearly NEVER disagree.

    Particularly on issues of such magnitude as transparency or government influence in our daily lives. Yet a presumed difference between private and government monetary involvement on any issue seems to be enough to persuade its scholars that transparency is not an absolute.  Where government monies are spent it seems, is far more important to your freedoms than that which is expended to influence those expenditures or other acts. And that personal monies expended to influence government are not necessarily an impact on any personal liberties to warrant a demand for transparency.

    We DO agree that limits should be removed from campaign finance. We agree that limiting to an arbitrary amount can impede free speech and political expression. What is considered a fair contribution into the process is a completely subjective matter that can only be resolved by the person who is willing to contribute into that process.  A person's individual priorities and where a subject reaches a level of importance are hardly the providence of external assignment.

    Thus the most accurate manner in which to protect what is a sovereign right is to allow, nay, PROTECT, that person's ability to engage in the process at a level appropriate to that person alone. Our place, and that of government should be to prevent that which would infringe on such activity and instead encourage a stake in the game.

    In other words, if an individual wishes to personally expend $1 Million on a county commission race for a friend, there should be no objection from government. If it was to advocate bonding for a new swimming pool in a community, that money expended by itself guarantees no votes, and it is that person's right to seek such approvals.

    And anyhow, some things can be overdone.

    Go below the fold for more.

    (2 comments, 1192 words in story) Full Story

    A Message To Our Legislators - Beware False Choices

    The Shield And The Shorn


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Nov 19, 2013 at 08:09:10 PM EST
    Tags: SB661, Ruth Johnson, Federalist Papers, Transparency, Sheep (all tags)

    In the discussion of reporting finance participation, a particular quote will be used often.
    "Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority."
    Taken from none other than - Justice John Paul Stevens.

    A legitimate perspective, .. to a degree.

    Arguing with the pseudonyms "Publius" and "the Federal Farmer" James Madison John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton raised awareness to the design, purpose, and intent of the new Republic in the federalist papers. Ideas cast back and forth, laying the groundwork for proper historical perspective from identities only revealed years later.  Arguing as I have, and using the federalist papers for reference, and guidance to what was meant in certain cases of constitutional debate, I could hardly be one to deny their importance.

    However, the anonymous nature of that exchange, hardly stands as justification for powerful advocacy remaining out of the sunlight in our current political climate.  Neither does a claim that free speech rendered anonymously must be protected as anything more than free speech.  Under certain conditions, it becomes more than simply opinion, and is affective on others.

    Consider the writings of the federalist papers.

    By going below the fold for more

    (1025 words in story) Full Story

    Breaking - McNeilly Targets Ruth Johnson as EXTREMIST


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Nov 19, 2013 at 09:37:56 AM EST
    Tags: Greg McNeilly, Freedom Flunky, Progressive Losers, Transparency, Conservatives, Ruth Johnson, Tea Party, Magpies And Malcontents, Anonymity (all tags)

    "Freedom Fund" mouthpiece Greg McNeilly, known for his dislike of conservatives and Constitutionalists, has now tied himself and his Dick Devos funded organization to being anti-transparency.

    In doing so he has laid bare a probability only hinted at just yesterday.

    "Oh, and as for Ruth in 2014?  They ask the question:
    "Will Ruth Johnson pay a political price for her stance on disclosure? To seek reelection, she has to be nominated next year at a Republican convention. How will GOP delegates respond to this sort of renegade behavior?"
    If ANY Republican elites even suggested such a move, She would be well served to take her momentum that much more forward and shoot for Guv, where Mr 36% is extremely vulnerable.
    Way to step the game up Mr. "Freedom" Flunky.

    Today's message is straight forward WAR.

    "But if big-government extremists in Lansing, like Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, have their way, issue advertisements like the Federalist Papers would be illegal in the state of Michigan."
    You might want to walk that back a bit Mr McNeilly. Perhaps start understanding that your entire educational effort would likely be dwarfed by the fourth graders of that period.

    They were a little smarter than you then.

    Going further and quoting a leftist?

    "Even far-left Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens noted: "Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority." This is not a left and right issue; this is an American issue.

    Defending minorities from the tyranny of a majority is the point of our Bill of Rights and an important responsibility for those who support social justice and personal liberty."

    Hello progressive left language in the Republican Party brought to you courtesy of the "Freedom Fund."

    the full letter below the fold.

    (1 comment, 744 words in story) Full Story

    So He Likes Transparency?


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Mon Nov 18, 2013 at 04:19:31 PM EST
    Tags: Rick Snyder, Agendas, DRIC, MEDC, Nerd Fund, Detroit, Transparency, Ruth Johnson, SB661 (all tags)

    Laugh of the day.

    From Its Just Politics:

    "Finally, just to make all of this a little more high school: both sides say Governor Rick Snyder told them he's on their side. But the Governor's spokeswoman responded that that's not quite true; says he likes transparency, but he also supports free speech."
    Because speech is not free when its transparent?

    Right.  Because transparency is a high priority in his world.

    Oh, and as for Ruth in 2014?  They ask the question:

    "Will Ruth Johnson pay a political price for her stance on disclosure? To seek reelection, she has to be nominated next year at a Republican convention. How will GOP delegates respond to this sort of renegade behavior?"
    If ANY Republican elites even suggested such a move, She would be well served to take her momentum that much more forward and shoot for Guv, where Mr 36% is extremely vulnerable.

    It would be a far better state for it.

    (1 comment) Comments >>

    Ruth Johnson Is Right.


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Sun Nov 17, 2013 at 11:55:38 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Elections, Ruth Johnson, Sunlight, Transparency, State Senate, SB661, Reporting Requirements, Hidden Agendas (all tags)

    Here hoping that Michigan State Representatives don't forget it when it gets to them.

    A recent in-box treat from the "Michigan Freedom Fund" declares a victory in the name of free speech.  The release says:

    "LANSING, November 14, 2013 - Michigan Freedom Fund President Greg McNeilly today released the following statement after Senate Bill 661 passed 20-18 in the Senate:

    ...

    "Government has no right to target and punish the free speech of individuals, whether or not it is unpopular or delivered through an unpopular medium.  Today, the Senate did the right thing by standing up for our rights and putting the Constitution first." "

    But what was this good thing that was done?

    Ruth Johnson apparently triggered a legislative action with a recent press release and intent on expanding reporting by shadow groups.

    " LANSING, Mich. - Saying the public has a right to know who is behind some of the most negative advertising in political campaigning, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today proposed a sweeping new disclosure rule.

    "In a country where free speech is protected, these ads are part of the political landscape and we can't stop them - but when they try to influence an election, we can make sure the public knows who is paying for them," said Johnson, a long-time fighter for transparency in elections.

    Specifically, Johnson's proposal targets political ads that try to persuade voters about the worthiness or unworthiness of a candidate or proposal without actually using the words "vote for" or "elect." They often encourage voters to contact a specific candidate, as in "call candidate Smith and tell her she shouldn't ignore senior citizens" or "go online to let candidate Jones know you care how he is wasting tax dollars."

    Because of a loophole in Michigan law, those electioneering ads - which are carefully crafted to meet the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law - do not currently require any campaign finance reporting. "

    Transparency, we support frankly.  As usual, McNeilly is off the mark because he didn't tell the whole story.

    Go below the fold.

    (2 comments, 1145 words in story) Full Story

    Ruth Braves The Straits


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Thu May 30, 2013 at 04:27:04 PM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Mackinac, Kayaking, ExpressSOS.Com, Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson, #Kayakinac (all tags)

    She sure knows how to make that job sound fun.

    You have seen her on the Harley biking around the state before, and now Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is Kayaking across the Mackinac straits in an effort to promote the Online ExpressSOS.COM site and online services provided by the Secretary of State.  The trip, a Seven-mile voyage across the straits in 18-foot kayak is expected to take 3 hours. A potentially cool venture with the backdrop of the Mighty Mac, she will be starting her trek at roughly 4pm.

    Weather permitting, TOMORROW Ruth will kayak from the Mackinac Island State Harbor to the Mackinaw City - Straits State Harbor.

    The online services are designed to provide greater efficiencies and make use of the increasingly technological possibilities and advantages. Ruth says:

    "Our staff levels are 25 percent below what they were a decade ago so it's critical to promote online services. The more people we have online means fewer people in line, reducing wait times at our branch offices."
    You KNOW that's always good.

    She's using her personal boat, a kayak that can be paddled, pedaled, and is also outfitted with a sail that features ExpressSOS.com. Decals on the boat highlight organ donation, the Pure Michigan license plate, the state Recreation Passport and Ruth's initiative on behalf of active military and our veterans, OPERATION: Our Troops Count.

    Updates on Ruth's progress across the Straits will be posted on Twitter at www.twitter.com/michsos using the hashtag #Kayakinac and Facebook at www.facebook.com/michigansos.

    If you are in the area Friday, hang out in Mackinaw City to welcome Ruth after the crossing. My guess is that she'd love to see you there.

    Comments >>

    At Least One Grassroots Organization Is Through Messing Around


    By Kevin Rex Heine, Section News
    Posted on Mon Mar 18, 2013 at 02:14:36 PM EST
    Tags: 2013-HB-4111, House Roll Call 11 (2013), nullification vs. enabling, legislative malfeasance, sending a message, empowered grassroots operation, iCaucus Michigan, 2010 endorsees, Justin Amash, Pat Colbeck, Kevin Cotter, Ray Franz, Dave Hildenbrand, Tom Hooker, Ruth Johnson, Dave Robertson, Tim Walberg, 2012 endorsees, Dave Agema, Kerry Bentivolio, Bill Brinkman, David Grant, Scott Harvey, Dale Pomeroy, Jon Rathbun, Jay Spencer, Rob VerHeulen, disciplinary action is necessary to protect those who didn't screw up (all tags)

    First off, let me remind all of my readers that the very fact that 2013-HB-4111 is still sitting on the Senate Schedule means that Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville can call it up for a vote the second he thinks that the grassroots aren't looking (assuming that he has the whip count necessary to ensure passage).  So we need to keep the pressure on our state senators (by all lawful means, including face-to-face discussion when possible) until this Trojan Horse is at least referred to a committee.  However, we also need to keep in mind that the progressives aren't stupid, and will take advantage of our focus to accomplish other things while we're not watching "the other hand," and so in addition to raising a royal stink about the alleged party of smaller government caving to the single biggest expansion of federal government intrusion in our lifetimes, we must keep our other eye on everything else that's going on in Lansing while we're at it.

    You may remember me mentioning a couple of weeks ago that the grassroots are just a tad ticked at 29 "republican" squishies who caved on House Roll Call 11 and brought this state one step closer to what is perhaps the single biggest government intrusion into private lives that I can recall in my lifetime.  While I'm not going to go into too many technical details here, I will say that one particular organization isn't screwing around.

    (1250 words in story) Full Story

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