Janis

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:34 p.m.

I'm sorry, in my comment I meant John Dingell's party has had the majoity vote the past two terms not the minority.

Janis

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:25 p.m.

I don't know why John Dingell is telling people we have to fix Michigan and our School system. What has he been doing for the last 100 years he's been in office. In his last two terms his party had the minority vote so why hasn't he gotten the things he wanted done? I emailed John Dingell last summer when the UV tax was being voted on. This tax was to help pay for the health care bill. He emailed me back telling me all the things he's accomplished in his years of service and that what a great deal this health care bill will be. Since I wrote him specifically telling him my objections to the tax, I sent him another email asking why he didn't answer my concerns. The last email was returned undeliverable. So much for wanting to hear from the middle class. I also received the same response when I wrote President Obama. It seems like no one wants to explain why we are taxing people for using UV light. My question now is, What would you call a tax that is put on a minority group of people based on their skin tone? I believe it is called racist, but I know no one wants to address this either.

jns131

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:28 p.m.

flyer76? Ditto all the way. Remember when George Washington, the founding father had told his constituents that he was not a king and after two terms he was not going to be president any longer? He stepped down. Remember FDR? He was in office for 4 terms. Congress put a clamp on that. Gee, why can't someone put a clamp on terms for house, senate and congress. I think it is about time to re visit our constitution.

join now

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.

Lets pass Dingell approved Cap and Trade in this lame duck Senate. Increasing energy costs by 30% should kick start the economy, right?

a2badger

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:02 p.m.

Term limits, please!

L. C. Burgundy

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:14 p.m.

1. ARRA --> a lot of jobs now. Lower taxes --> maybe a few jobs in future years. The Republicans have no plan, except to say "no". --- I love when people post who have zero knowledge of what creates prosperity and actual growth. It's more unfortunate when they vote.

L. C. Burgundy

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:10 p.m.

Dingell will just rattle around for a couple more years, mostly powerless in an R house. Maybe he and his wife can duck any real debate and run another nasty smear campaign against the challenger in two years. Ann Arbor's too stupid to know the difference anyway.

Randy Dieter

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 3:08 p.m.

Ditto to Flyer76. 77 years of Dingell politics is far too long!!

flyer76

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.

John Dingell has held this seat since 1955, which his father held from 1932 until he died in office. Somehow, I don't think the Founding Fathers intended for someone (or a family) to be in office for their entire life. I don't think it makes for good government.

David Parker

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 2:57 p.m.

I'm curious as to odds of: Dingell retires, Granholm announcing Debbie Dingell, all in month or 2. I suspect we'll have 3rd generation Dingell soon. That'll make 79 years of a Dingells. Plus next time MI will be down to 14 congress persons. So Deb Dingell VS?

jjc155

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.

@maallen-Why should he start sticking to his words now. He has been in office since Eisenhower was president and has not been called to the carpet on not sticking to his word yet.

maallen

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.

It is unfortunate that Dingell's words and cute phrases have not matched his actions: Dingell says, "That I'm their watchdog to see to it that big money, big government, don't hurt the American people." When Dingell says he wants to hold the government accountable and live within its means, but yet votes to spend us into debt repeatedly, what are we to believe? His words or his actions? When Dingell says he is powerful and most respected in Washington, but gets kicked off as chairman and no longer holds any key positions and only brings back.80 on every dollar we send to Washington, what are we to believe? His words, or his actions? When Dingell states that our health insurance premiums will go down, but yet Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, publicly announces that our premiums will go up because of the new health care law, and premiums are going up, what do you believe? His words or the action? When Dingell says he wants to protect social security, but puts our social security in the general funds and fails to keep it out of reach of the government spending machine, who are we to believe? His words or his actions? So, it looks like we are stuck with him for another two years. Hopefully, it will go by quickly. These two years will be a lame duck years for Dingell. Without a leadership position anymore and his party not in control, he won't be able to do much. These next two years we shall see if he will back the words he keeps spouting.

Ram

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.

LarryJ: Last time I checked, the government owned stock of GM

David Briegel

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.

17 point victory. Just like predicted. Not even close. Sarah Who? Congratulations Congressman!

maallen

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.

From the Detroit News Dingell was asked this question: "Why, at 84, after a lifetime of hard work, is Dingell willing to face diminished stature in the House and criticism at home? "I have many plans for the future," he says." This is what is so frustrating about Dingell. It's not about his constituents, it never was as we clearly saw his National Healthcare Bill being introduces in congress every year since 1957, it's about his plans, his version. It's not about his constituents, it's about him. One can only hope that these next two years go by fast, so we can elect someone new to replace him. His old ideas don't work in the new economy.

MorningGirl

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.

"It is a real shame that transient students are allowed to vote on local representation, then get up and leave for New York." Signed by SpartyinExile? You can't make this stuff up! :D

maallen

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.

@John "No, you aren't. You're paying an additional $4000 for health care next year because the health care insurance system is crashing and rates have been ballooning each year." Then please explain to me why Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, (the one overseeing this ObamaCare debacle) wrote a letter September 9th 2010 admitting that our premiums are going up because of the Health care law. By forcing carriers to add benefits to their insurance plans did nothing to lower insurance premiums. It increased our premiums. When you buy a new car for $20,000 and then you want to add leather seats, upgrade sound system, etc you just added more cost to the car. You add benefits, upgrade, you add costs. It doesn't matter how many people are buying that car, the cost is going up because of the added upgrades. It's common sense, really. If the democrats, especially Dingell, were interested in fixing the health insurance market then they would have focused on allowing carriers to sell in other states (get rid of the regulations that forbid this) and deal with tort reform. That would help reduce our premiums. But no, they focused on adding more benefits to policies which in the end costs money!

jns131

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 10:03 a.m.

join now? I totally agree with you. Ann Arbor got its sugar daddy to fix its projects. But who will fix the rest of the mess Michigan and SE Michigan is in? The guy really needs to retire and make room for new blood. I voted for Steel. Dingel is just that. Dingels dangling and keeping his seat for another 4. I agree with others, if he makes it another 4? Wow.

join now

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.

Rein in cost = rein in services = rationing Costs will be increased and mandated on everyone, even 26 year old collage grads will be forced to buy policies with services that they dont need or desire.

jjc155

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:52 a.m.

@ larry-" Socialism is a system where government owns the means of production. Socialism is nowhere in Obama's agenda." You forgot that socialism's second tenant is "ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES." As in Socialism is an economic and political theory advocating public or common ownership and cooperative management of the means of production AND allocation of resources. Let see, Bail out of 2 of the big three with govt owning more that 51% of their stocks, bail out of other major manufacturing companies. Means of production, CHECK. Health care, banking/insurance industry bail out, major finance reform, stimulus etc. Alloction of Resources, CHECK. While this blog is not nessecarily about Obama himself he is very much a Centralist and while I agree that he is not nessecarily a Socialist, I think he is worse, but I digress.

michaywe

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.

Watch Rep. Dingell immediately retire for health reasons. Vacancy lame duck Gov. Granholm will fill, probably with appointment of Mrs. Debbie Dingell.

John

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.

"I'm paying an additional $4000 for Health Care next year because of the Health Care Law that Dingell and his cohorts pushed through..." @Greggy... No, you aren't. You're paying an additional $4000 for health care next year because the health care insurance system is crashing and rates have been ballooning each year. It's one of the main reasons why Health Care Reform was passed and is so important! And the Law's measures to rein in your yearly increases are coming--that part of the Law hasn't been enacted yet but will prevent the kind of cost increases you're seeing now without the Law's consumer protections. Health Care Reform is a good thing... despite what you've been told.

bhall

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.

@Sparty in Exile: Don't blame transient students. They have to change their voter registration to Ann Arbor, which most do not. They're not invested in Michigan. And more importantly, students don't vote, especially in mid-term elections. That will be clear when the numbers are broken down nationally in terms of age.

LarryJ

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:19 a.m.

1. ARRA --> a lot of jobs now. Lower taxes --> maybe a few jobs in future years. The Republicans have no plan, except to say "no". 2. Socialism is a system where government owns the means of production. Socialism is nowhere in Obama's agenda. 3. Are we to judge Dingell on whether he singlehandedly prevented any loss of jobs? He did his part to save Big 3 and steer them in a direction (CAFE) that will serve both them and the American people for years. That's JOBs.

Klayton

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9 a.m.

While I am not a fan of the lifetime politician, I also recognize that to get things done in Washington, you need connections, insiders, and networks. A new senator (Steele) is not going to get anything done in Washington, it takes at least one full term before you get any respect or decent committees (and he wants to go back to his career, so is he a one term politician? That is like a Lame Duck). This is why I voted for Dingell, while he is a Washington insider (he gets the jobs done when asked!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJubU5Y3azI&feature=related This is why I did not vote for Dr. Steele (you don't "rely on the lobbyists???" Good Luck in Washington Dr...you have no clue how it works) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg6T6-cWjU&feature=channel

SpartyInExile

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9 a.m.

Looks like the last baiting the electorate with TIGER projects worked. It is a real shame that transient students are allowed to vote on local representation, then get up and leave for New York.

Greggy_D

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.

"Good for the voters of the 15th District! We'll have at least two more years of principled representation and great constituent service." @David....I'm paying an additional $4000 for Health Care next year because of the Health Care Law that Dingell and his cohorts pushed through, against the will of the people. I'm still waiting for you to explain how this benefits me (and the local economy) and how this is an example of "great constituent service".

join now

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.

What a sad day for the 15th district. AA you have your back room special interest grandpa back for another 2 years, enjoy your bridge and train station and buses and... Maybe in two years hell expedite the funds he promised you this year, for new votes of course.

jjc155

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8 a.m.

@ david- don't you mean 2 more years of the poster child for term limits. As for great consituent service I only have to the point to the fact the the MAJORITY of citizens in our country were against the implimcation of "obama care" and yet it has been forced down our throats. The way I see it is that not a single legislator, including Dingell, who voted for health care reform (or any other measure where the majority of the people disagree with it) should ever be associated with the phrase "great consituent servce" as they forgot that they are here for and by the Will of The People. @talker-WOW....just wow, the kool aide sure does taste good doesnt it? was that cut and pasted directly from a socialist website or something?LOL

Gail

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:57 a.m.

Congratulations Mr. Dingell. At least some voters had some sense yesterday. @ Dan H: I think you need to review your government class notes.

Gail

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:57 a.m.

Congratulations Mr. Dingell. At least some voters had some sense yesterday. @ Dan H: I think you need to review your government class notes.

David Cahill

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.

Good for the voters of the 15th District! We'll have at least two more years of principled representation and great constituent service.

81wolverine

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:04 a.m.

I am thankful for John Dingell's long service to the people of Michigan, BUT it's past time for him to retire. Congress needs to institute age limits, mandatory retirement age, whatever you want to call it. Almost every job on earth has them for a reason.

wildcat1

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:47 a.m.

Thanks goodness Dingell got in. Help keep the Union in and Social Security

Diagenes

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:30 a.m.

Dingell has not been able to stop the job losses of the last 4 years. His type of failed economic policy has damaged Michigan. Instead of having an energetic enthusiastic Representative in the majority party, we have a 84 year old member who even his own caucus has pushed asside. Way to go 15th district.

Bob Anderson

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:42 a.m.

sounds like whining and distortion of the truth from the GOP in the comments. Not surprised coming from the GOP where their true philosophical leader is Rush Limbaugh.

Dog Guy

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:53 a.m.

Ann Arbor reelects the National Rifle Association's annointed.

Silly Sally

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:28 a.m.

It is a shame that this man, who has lived most of his life, including his childhood, in Washington DC, was re-elected by the liberal voters of his gerrymandered district. He is ineffective as a leader and as a representative, out of touch from many in our district. During his long years in office, policies that he supported have led to much of the decline of this nation, including out-of-control immigration, welfare that destroyed the African American family, and free trade agreements that out-sourced jobs to Mexico and China. The health care reform that he supported did nothing to lower medical costs except by government imposed rationing. When asked about adding more medical schools to increase the number of medical doctors, leading to lower doctor fees, he said that doing so would take much too long and we need to do something NOW. Due mostly to his age, he thinks very short term, and the 5 or 6 years that it will take to add more medical professionals is longer than his own projected time left in office. He only supports political gimmicks and short term band-aids

David

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:01 a.m.

In a civilized society, men like Dingell must join powerful and coercive groups (gangs, mafias, governments) to force his beliefs upon others. The sooner this man loses his physical ability to convince people that stealing from their neighbor is acceptable, the better.

robyn

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:59 a.m.

How about this - why not stop sending 'humanitarian' aid to foreign countries - and use the money HERE instead?

True_Wolverine_Fan

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:54 a.m.

Thank God for John Dingell!

talker

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:34 a.m.

A civilized society must have health care for all. That includes people who have lost jobs that gave them insurance. To afford it we might have to tax the richest people, including those who get rich by sending jobs abroad. One way to provide health insurance for less money would be to have a single payer system. Since many don't want that, we have to accept the cost. BTW, we are already paying for those without insurance who show up at ER's. I'm assuming you don't want people to die without care because they can't afford insurance and can't afford to pay the bills on their own. We can avoid an additional $700 billion dollars of spending by not renewing tax cuts for the rich that the Bush Administration passed in such a way that they would end at the end of 2010. Let them end at the end of 2010 as President George H.W. Bush intended. Health care means jobs in addition to humanitarian care. Extending tax cuts (that are supposed to end in several weeks) would not create jobs. The argument that it would is specious. because that Those tax cuts haven't created jobs in the past, so why should we believe that tax cuts now would create enough jobs to be worth the cost of 700 Billion dollars?

Dan H

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:06 a.m.

We need to protect Social Security and affordable health care for all Americans? Hahaha. I really wish I could take Dingell seriously. I'm almost wiping tears of laughter from my eyes if this wasn't so serious. Hey Dingell, Social Security is broke buddy....entire generations are going to get shafted on this ponzi scheme. The worst part is I think even you must realize this by now but you'd never admit it. And health care we can't afford is only going to speed up the death knell for the US's dire financial predicament. Hopefully Rick will reign you in now that he's the boss.