Tea party Republicans rally around Rob Steele's message of cutting big government spending
Republican Rob Steele addresses a crowd of more than 200 tea party Republicans gathered on the University of Michigan Diag Wednesday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The conservative Republican crowd that gathered on the University of Michigan Diag Wednesday night cheered loudly in support of cutting government spending, repealing national health care reforms and putting up further barriers between Mexico and the U.S.
"How many want to close the border almost yesterday?" said radio host Thayrone X, drawing applause. "Until we close that border, there is nothing else to talk about."
The "Take Back Congress" rally sponsored by the U-M College Republicans was organized to give Republican congressional candidate Rob Steele a boost heading into Tuesday's election. Steele, a Superior Township cardiologist, is taking on U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, an 84-year-old veteran politician who has been in office since 1955.
Thayrone X
"If there's one thing I'm not, I'm not a politician," Steele told the crowd of more than 200. "It's time that we now, instead of sending a career politician back to Washington, D.C., we send a member of the community, a citizen, to go there and clean up the mess."
Wednesday's lineup included an invocation by Dr. Dawn Lancaster, who said a prayer for "selfish career politicians."
Thayrone X, a tea party activist, criticized what he called "weak sister Republicans" for reaching across the aisle and trying to work with Democrats. He said that's why Michigan and the U.S. has "been led to the gates of hell."
"You know, we can hedge against that and start going back the other way by voting for anything with an R after its name," he told an agreeing crowd.
Tea party activist Wendy Day said Washington won't change unless the people in Congress change, and that starts with getting rid of Dingell.
Day, who helped organize the first tea party rallies in Michigan last year, said one of the main reasons she's supporting Steele is his pledge to repeal the health care reform law, which she characterized as "overreaching into our personal liberties."
In an apparent reference to Dingell's age and tenure, Day said she likes Steele because he doesn't think he's entitled to serve in Congress until he "ends up coming home in a casket."
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, who ran for governor in the Republican primary, joined Day and others in cracking jokes about Dingell's age.
"Not many things make me feel really young, but the current congressman was there before I was born," Bouchard said, rattling off a list of things younger than Dingell.
"The year he was elected, the hard drive was invented," he said, drawing laughs. "Two years after he was elected, the hula hoop was invented. Twenty-four years after he was elected, the Sony Walkman was invented. They just retired that as an antique.
"What else needs to be retired?" he asked the crowd. "Fifty-five years is plenty. If you can't get it done in 55 years, time to go home."
Bouchard said the Democrats in Washington and Lansing are focused on taking away the freedoms of everyday Americans.
"They now tell you, as an adult, you have to wear a seatbelt in your own car," he said. "How far does government go to protect you from you? That's not government's job."
He also criticized the state's smoking ban.
"They passed a law that said you can't smoke on private property," he said. "They can't smoke a cigarette in a VFW in Michigan. That's wrong. I don't like smoke, but I don't want government coming in and taking your private property rights away."
Bouchard concluded: "These are the issues that need to be addressed."
Mike Bouchard
The Michigan Department of Community Health claims smoking increases annual health care costs in Michigan by $3.4 billion, including $1.1 billion in additional Medicaid costs.
"It is so good to be here with people who believe in less taxes, less government, and liberty," said secretary of state candidate Ruth Johnson, one of several prominent Republicans who made an appearance Wednesday night.
Robert Schostak, finance chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, said the message across the country on Election Night is going to be how Michigan delivered, and it starts with Steele.
"It's time to take our county back and take our state back," agreed state Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. "After 55 years of miserable leadership, it's time for a change."
Steele was described Wednesday night as a candidate who not only is reaching the hearts of voters, but also is literally reaching into their chests and feeling their hearts on a regular basis. Steele said he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from U-M by age 23 and has spent the last 29 years working as a physician.
"What we need in Washington, D.C., are people who interface in the community and live under the rules that are passed by Congress, instead of being a career politician who pretty much does whatever they want," Steele said, calling Dingell out of touch with the needs of the 15th District, which stretches from Dearborn through Ann Arbor and south to the Ohio line.
"Right now we have a Congress that thinks the financial plan is to max out the credit cards of the people that aren't born yet," he said. "I would call that the theft of opportunity for generations to come, and that's what we need to stop. We need to stop the out-of-control spending and let the future generations determine their own future."
Steele agreed Dingell has been one of the most powerful men in Congress, but he said "it's just a shame that he didn't use that for the citizens" of the 15th District and Michigan.
Supporters of Rob Steele gather on the U-M Diag Wednesday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"From 1981 until 1994 when he was chair of the most powerful committee in Congress — Energy and Commerce — according to the United States Census Bureau, the state of Michigan over those 13-14 years ranked 46th out of 50 in return on money sent to Washington," Steele said. "And the problem with that, of course, is that money got sent off to all these other states, and now our kids are leaving this state at record rates."
In the last three weeks, Dingell has announced nearly $170 million in federal grant funding for projects that will directly benefit Ann Arbor, including reconstruction of the East Stadium Boulevard bridges and high-speed rail from Dearborn to Kalamazoo.
Steele criticized Dingell's efforts on health care reform, saying the United States already has the best health care anywhere.
"We do have a problem with costs," he acknowledged. "But if you have a hangnail, you don't cut off the finger. If you've got five hangnails, you don't cut off the hand. Unfortunately, with the health care bill, what they've done is cut off the entire arm. And we need to go ahead and repeal that — have targeted fixes for the problems that we have."
Steele said despite attacks by the Dingell campaign that he wants to privatize Medicare and Social Security, that's simply not true.
"That's who I've spent my entire life taking care of," he said of his patients who are on Social Security and Medicare. "It's just incredible. Absolute fabrications. And I'll tell you, we do have a problem with Social Security. There's absolutely no question about it. The problem that we have with Social Security is that career politicians like John Dingell took all the money out of the trust fund and spent it for their reelection bid by handing out favors."
Dingell welcomed former President Bill Clinton to Ann Arbor earlier this week in an attempt to get out to the vote for his campaign. Steele, in return, picked up the endorsement of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, though critics are calling that the "kiss of death."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
maallen
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 5:52 a.m.
Ghost, Some can read, and some can't read very well. They see the words, but don't comprehend them. Something like they hear somoene talking, but they are not listening. Oooops, my bad, slip of the finger. Should have been 2009. As I stated in my post: "Now one can argue that Obama did not have any say in the 2008 (supposed to have typed 2009) budget because he was not president. But that is being dishonest because Obama as senator, was very much part of the process of setting/voting on the budget. When the democrats took over congress, the debt exploded." Most defintely, look it up. By Obama's fourth year in office his own administration has projected the debt will hit $16.5 trillion! His own administration has the projected debt to be $16.5 trillion in his 4 year in office! As you like to say, look it up. Amazing what happened when the democrats took over congress! One can argue that republicans aren't any better, but that is why the voters have repeatedly said throw them all out and bring in new people. We've had the same people in there over and over, like Dingell, and it hasn't helped us at all. Time to vote someone else in there. Dingell's old ways don't work in the new economy.
maallen
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
The national debt has increased by more than $3 trillion dollars in 2 years since Obama took the presidential office. Debt increased $4.9 trillion during Bush's 8 years. By Obama's fourth year in office his own administration has projected the debt will hit $16.5 trillion! Now one can argue that Obama did not have any say in the 2008 budget because he was not president. But that is being dishonest because Obama as senator, was very much part of the process of setting/voting on the budget. When the democrats took over congress, the debt exploded. Dingell is part of the problem. He continues to think that we need to spend more money to fix the problems we have. It hasn't worked for the past 55 years, and it's not going to work in the next two years. We still have the same problems, but on a bigger scale. Dingell's old ways do not work in the new economy. Time for Dingell to go.
DonBee
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6:19 p.m.
Jimmy Carter did wonderful things with the Jimmy Carter Center and Habitat For Humanity and I truly appreciate those efforts. Beyond that I have trouble with some of his policies. That being said, he floored me this morning with his comments on CNN. There is a clip on the site that everyone should take the time to look at. To say I was surprised would be an understatment.
robyn
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.
Well David, as a matter of fact I have been around since 2001 to 2009. I voted against Carter - so I've been around a long time. Yep you sure are right about the pork - it got even worse between 2007 and 2009! That 'orange guy' you're talking about really did a number on us in those years didn't he? All kidding aside - I would have loved to have gone to the 'R S' rally - it would have been nice to focus on humor instead of politics at this point. And face it - that was not a political rally - it was a satire based on a political rally. Looking to Colbert and that other comedian talk show guy for political advice would be like watching The Simpson's for parenting advice; both are probably entertaining but hardly the place for good information.
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
Robyn, YOU needed to watch the Rally To Restore Sanity! If you think that Speaker Boehner, aka the Orange Man, will do anything different than replace Dem pork with Rep pork, you weren't around from 2001-2009.
robyn
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.
I hope it is a landslide... I hope that the people we elect will actually do what they've been elected to do and serve US and this country instead of themselves and the agenda of the party, Europe, special interest groups and everything else that has absolutely nothing to do with what the majority of American people. Yes - I said AMERICAN people. I also hope that after this election there will be less hateful rhetoric from both sides and fewer accusations. I hope that everyone that keeps spouting about how we need to 'pull together' will actually do what they preach about instead of worrying so much about what the person next to them is doing. I hope people will become the stewards of individual responsibility - meaning that they understand that each person has an obligation to make this country better for themselves and for everyone else. That also means that waiting for the government or someone else to bail you out or fix your life isn't going to happen if you're not participating in attaining that goal too. Yep - I for one will be more than happy to see November 2nd come and go... No more hate ads, no more lies, no more finger pointing, no more name calling and no more looking for the worst in a person just to make a political point (whether it's true or not)... After the 2nd we will know who is going to be rolling up their sleeves and straightening out this mess we call our country and our government. Let's make sure they do what they were elected to do.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 8:46 p.m.
Looks like a Republican Landslide on Tuesday... NYT has Repubs taking 54 seats "at least" nationally, and they lean left. Reid in NV is done - money sent to Washington state. Toomey pulling away from Sestak this weekend in PA. Real Clear Politics is showing "Direction of County" as 61% Wrong direction.
David Briegel
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
Reality Has A Liberal Bias!
maallen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:50 p.m.
@Talker says "Maybe some people can try to scare the electorate with the false statement that the health care bill would put Government between patients and doctors (IT WON'T." Apparently, like Dingell, you haven't read the bill. The government will be involved. For an example (and there are many) did you know, in order for doctors to get paid by the government for the patients the see (medicare, medicaid, and all the other health insurance programs that the government runs) they need to send to the federal government the body mass index (among other things)? Your BMI will then be shared within related deprtments of the federal government. All information of you, name, address, body mass index etc will be shared. But besides all that, Dingell has continued to say that this ObamaCare bill will reduce our health insurance premiums. But Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is overseeing this buearacratic mess of a bill, publicly stated in September that because of the now required benefits added to health insurance plans, it will increase our premiums. So why does Dingell keep lying and saying it will reduce our premiums? Why is it that Dingell's words don't match 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? Dingell has had the office for 55 years to fix the problems we have. All he knows how to do is spend money. After 55 years, you would think he would realize that it doesn't work and that he would try something else. Dingell's old ideas don't work in the new economy. Time for a change.
talker
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9 p.m.
That's a clever play on words with Steele's name. Please note that @Ghost was replying to the false contention that we had spent as much in two years with President Obama a we had in eight years with President Bush. @Ghost wasn't responding to a year for year comment. We have to pay now for what was off budget under President Bush. Not only was the Medicare prescription drug plan not paid for, but there was no attempt to negotiate any group rates with any drug companies. Add that and other off budget programs to the big $1 trillion dollars of the off-budget war in Iraq. Also, members of the Bush administration convinced members of Congress that there were weapons of mass destruction (e.g. nuclear weapons) in Iraq despite the fact there wasn't any real evidence of WMD. It's ironic that candidates who orate about small Government generally want Government intrusion into private lives. If medical research has provided contraception that has been approved by the FDA (during the terms of many Presidents), it isn't the job of Government to prevent anyone from using it. I'd think that as a doctor he wouldn't want Government to come between a woman and her doctor. Maybe some people can try to scare the electorate with the false statement that the health care bill would put Government between patients and doctors (IT WON'T), yet the same people want Government to restrict the health advice and care women can get from their doctors. Also, whether he admits it or not, I think it's likely that at some times in the past Dr. Steele received some taxpayer money. In medical training at hospitals, research funds (NIH, etc.) help fund house staff salaries. I have some questions. What programs would he cut? How much of the money he made in his medical practice came from Medicare and Medicaid and would he have treated people without charge or deny them medical care if people didn't have a third party payer and couldn't afford to pay the whole bill themselves?
E. Manuel Goldstein
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 6:43 p.m.
Rob Steele = Rob and Steal?
maallen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.
@peg dash fab Instead of debating, intelligently or not, but just debating, you instead resort to bashing the messenger. Classy! When a person, whether a politician or not, can only resort to bashing and not focus on the issues at hand, shows the character of that person. Shows how that person truly doesn't understand what is going on around them. But I digress. Now, where was I? Oh, back to how come Dingell's words don't match is 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?
Booradley
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.
Just about anyone with a (D) at the end of their name is going down. I hear Obama will be at the U of M Big House this weekend. Is this for Virg and Dingell?
maallen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:08 p.m.
@peg dash fab, that's what I thought. You can't answer why Dingell says one thing, but his actions are completely the opposite. So instead of saying "I don't have an answer" you choose to start bashing everyone who doesn't agree with you. "the republican/tea party simply lies about the impact the ACA will have on the deficit." Isn't it a fact that the impact of ACA will have on the deficit is just a projection? So, if it's just a projection, an estimate, how is it a lie? The democrats slant it one way, and the republicans slant it another way. So who is telling the truth? The fact is, we start paying taxes on ACA right now. The meat of the ACA doesn't start until 2014. So we pay taxes on it for 4 years before we really see any benefits. So, the 10 year projection that was put out there shows 4 of those years of collecting money before anything goes out. However, when you project starting with 2014 out ten years when the ACA really kicks in, by 2020 the deficit explodes. So, in reality it's all about at which point you start. But don't you find it interesting that Obama only wanted to talk about the first ten years starting with 2010? You throw out a lot of accusations, but you fail to back them up. "your cohort proved itself to be dangerously destructive throughout the bush years, when it was in power (your blatant, transparent distortions notwithstanding; see earlier comment)" My cohorts? Who are you talking about? My distortions? Again, what are you referring to? You can throw all these neat words and phrases out there, but it would help if you can back them up. Show me my distortions. I did get a chuckle out of the following you wrote: "your facile falsehoods (see earlier comment) and the schoolyard "gotcha!" of your recent note, casting aside facts in favor of flourish, prove that you stand for nothing, either, beyond pure, rabid partisanship" You sure said a lot of nothing there! Or you said a lot of fluffy stuff, but had nothing to back it up. How is it partisanship when someone asks why Dingell words and cute phrases don't match his actions? If you call that partisanship, so be it. Most people call it holding their representative accountable. But I guess some people have thin skin. "the last thing this country (and this congressional district) needs is to send rob steele to washington, where he promises to stand arm-in-arm with those determined to bring this country to its knees" Can you point to where Steele promises to stand arm in arm? Please can you point to that? "i'm sure you're familiar with the saying "lead, follow, or get out of the way." Very familiar in that phrase. So is Dingell. Too bad that all he does now is follow. He doesn't lead. He used to, but he is no longer leading. He is lock in step with the rest of his cohorts and throwing more money down the drain. He has had 55 years to fix problems. His idea of fixing is throwing more money at it. Well, if that worked the first time, or the second time, or the third time, then why are we still wanting to throw more money at it? Dingell says he wants to prtoect social security. But what does he offer other than to throw more money at it? He's done that how many times and we keep coming back to Social security is going broke. Obviously, it isn't working. So let's get some new ideas in there. Dingell keeps saying "he's America's watchdog." You know what, he's a house representative for the 15th district. Which means he is supposed to represent us in the 15th district. If he's so busy watching America and worried about all the other districts, then who's watching the 15th district? Dingell's old ways don't work in the new economy.
maallen
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
@Ghost It's simple really, math that is. The total of the 8 Bush Budgets was $20.4 Trillion Which equals to $2.5 Trillion per year The total of the first two Obama budgets was 7.4 Trillion Which equals to $3.7 Trillion per year Once again, thanks for proving my point that Obama and the democrats spending are out of control. Spending up by 45% is absolutely crazy. Dingell is part of the problem. His answer to every problem is to throw more money at it. If that was truly the answer, wouldn't things be fixed by now? Spending is not the answer. It's time to elect someone new. Dingell is not the answer.
Ram
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
Robyn: I couldn't agree with you more. I am actually in favor of the hard decisions we need to make to scale down our government, unlike the GOP candidates who run and hide from the real issues.
TheEnlightenedMaster
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.
Leann, Some basics if I get a tax refund its because I ve over paid my taxes not a government gift unless of course I am a recipient of the EIC (Earned Income Credit) aka redistribution of wealth. I ve never collected an unemployment check in 56 yrs. I do pay for my own health care unlike our beloved house and senate members. Semper fi while your giving John Dingell a pat on the back for good work of Clinton please take note of who was the speaker of the house and who was in the majority. Perhaps John may make it one more time and his lovely wife Debbie will succeed him but he wont be the one creating the surplus. The next big wave is coming talk to you on wed morning!
E. Manuel Goldstein
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:53 a.m.
While looking at Rob Steele's website, I see very little in the way of specifics or concrete proposals as to what he would do if elected. Just like Republican candidate for Governor, Rick Snyder. Which specific federal programs would Rob Steele cut? Which specific taxes would he be willing to raise to pay for the deficit - if it indeed really does matter? Have circumstances really changed that much since arch Conservative Republican Vice President Dick Cheney made his statement? How would you know if I was a Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative? Are "we" not all Americans? Taxpayers? You wish for a return to the Reagan years? The same President whose Conservative Republican operatives sold arms to arch enemy Iran, funneled through the Israelis? The same President whose Republican Conservative operatives armed and materially supported the Afghan mujahedeen - who are now the Taliban - another arch enemy? The same President who made American taxpayers responsible for paying for the Savings and Loan crisis - over $100 billion 1980's dollars? Perhaps all of these facts have also gone down the memory hole. I would propose America return to the income tax rates that existed during the Republican Eisenhower administration. BTW, I did not start the current round of vitriol. My propaganda is just as valid as yours. Tea partyists remind me very much of the John Birch Society. You should read the book The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism. Google it.
Ray D. Aider
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
@Robyn Yours is a wonderfully articulated post. I wish I didn't typically come off so curmudgeonly as I do, but I agree with everything you said and wish that I could voice it as well as you. There are core values. Call it ideology if you will. Let's imagine these core values as the "forest". The difficulty presents itself in government when the trees are addressed. BTW, and I think everybody could agree, it seems that liberals and conservatives have core values, yet differing, being "forests"....addressing the trees seems overwhelming....not everyone agrees on which ones should be nurtured and which ones should be cut down. Yours was a great post.
robyn
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.
Do you realize how many conservatives turned away from the Republicans during the last election because they didn't like the agenda or the policies? Do you realize why these Tea Party, Patriot and Liberty groups became so huge? It was in response to the selling out of the core values of the Republican party that forgot or ignored the ideal of smaller government and fiscal responsibility. By the end of Bush's term (although the Democrats had the majority for the last two years of Bush) - people really couldn't tell the difference between 'Republicans' and 'Democrats'. Along comes Mr. Obama with his promises of transparency and fixing what had been broken in Washington and he was elected. Unfortunately - the transparency has been non-existent, things are still broken and they are spending money in a way that makes the Bush years look like amateurs! What happened to "I'm going to go through givernment - line by line - and eliminate waste, unnecessary spending and redundant departments.."? Haven't seen that yet. Two years and they've pushed through major policies - but haven't gotten to the things that the American people wanted them to do. You should also take note - the people who are running and campaigning as conservatives aren't saying - let's go back to Bush - (that's what the liberals are saying). The conservatives are saying we need to go back to Reagan and other successful administrations to bring this country back to being the great nation that were were, before our wonderful president decided to make a world tour to tell everyone what bad people we are... I don't want another Bush, not that I think he was a 'evil' man - I don't - but I KNOW we cannot continue on the path we are going. If anything - this current administration IS a continuation of Bush as far as spending. Different reasons, but the same downward economic spiral. BTW - If you can 'assume' that ALL conservatives think exactly the same and support EVERYTHING another conservative does - then I guess it would be okay if I 'assumed' that you agree and support people in the Democrat party that have abused their positions to hold themselves above the law when it comes to their own taxes? I sincerely hope you would hold the people in your party accountable - just as I sincerely want those in the Republican party held accountable.
YpsiBronc
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:33 a.m.
And John Dingell said, "The harsh fact of the matter is when youre going to pass legislation that will cover 300 American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together TO CONTROL THE PEOPLE." Yes, we want to Take America Back. We do not desire Obama/Dingell "control". Dingell is an institutionalized Washingtonian that has completely lost touch with the real world citizens of SE Michigan. We can begin anew with Rob Steele, a man that has devoted his career to real hands on care of our citizens.
E. Manuel Goldstein
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:12 a.m.
@Robbin' how doubleplusungood my comment must have been for the censors at the local Ministry of Truth to have withheld my comment from appearing, and to which you have chosen to comment on. Do all Republicans disavow who and what they previously admired as recently as the presidential administration prior to the current one? The fact is that Republican VP Dick Cheney did say "Deficits don't matter" - congress acted on that dictum. It appears as if that statement - and action - have gone down the memory hole. If you and Republican candidate Rob Steele wish to demonstrate such political amnesia, you are free to fool yourselves. Don't you want to "Take America back"?
robyn
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
@ E. Manuel Goldstein: So you're implying that Dr. Steele would 'admire' something just because a Republican is attributed with saying it. Because if ONE Republican makes a statement - ALL Republican's must automatically believe, support, admire the same thing? Nice of you to make an assumption like that. People so love it when others put (false/misguided/totally out of left field) words in their mouth. It is that kind of mentality that has helped create the policital divide we have in this country right now.
robyn
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
I have met Rob Steele a few times over the course of this past year. While I'm not in his district, I have supported his campaign. What really impressed me about him is the fact that he doesn't NEED this political office - it was a part of his personal 'grand plan' or a personal goal that he wanted to achieve. His sole purpose for running for this office was because he looked at what has been going on in this state and in this country and felt compelled to do something about it instead of waiting for someone else to do it and complaining in the meantime... He's intelligent, well spoken and he has a sense of humor (which is probably a major plus considering the political climate we are experiencing right now) - and most of all he has a sincere desire to represent the people he will be working for and making their voices heard through his. He has a medical practice - a successful practice at that - he has a lovely family, he has a home, a life and the career that he has worked to build - all of which will be set aside to some degree so that he can fulfill his duty to the people in his district if he is elected. I seriously doubt that was an easy decision to make for a person who is not a career politician. If I were voting in that election I would definitely look at which politician is motivated by a NEED to hold that office and which politician is motivated by a need to get involved to turn our state around and make it a state where people want to be instead of a state that people have to leave. As for Bouchard's statements about the smoking ban... I have to agree with him. I don't think it's the government's place to make personal choices for me or anyone else. As an adult I am perfectly capable of looking at the information available and deciding for myself what decisions I make and how they may affect my life. I can live with restrictions placed on 'public' (tax payer funded) areas, but to intrude upon privately owned and operated clubs, business' and organizations goes against our Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." If there is a God or Creator, one of the most precious gifts he has given us is the gift of free will, the ability to make choices for ourselves. I'm not willing to give that up. And it isn't about smoking in particular - it's about ALL of the choices we make. Once we allow one choice to be taken away - others are sure to follow. Are you sure you want scales at the checkout line when you have a taste for a Twinkie? It is getting that bad...
DonBee
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
"The first Bush Budget was FY 2002; the last was FY 2009. The total of the 8 Bush Budgets was $20.4 Trillion The total of the first two Obama budgets was 7.4 Trillion" $20.4Trillion/8 = 2,550,000,000,000 $7.4Trillion/2 = 3,700,000,000,000 An increase in the average annual budget of 45 percent. I hope our taxes don't go up to match.
lordhelmet
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:43 a.m.
Time to send Dingell packing! Steele is promoting common sense ideas; first of which is to repeal the disastrous Obamacare bill which will DESTROY health care in this nation. We need to stop government spending like the money is free and balance the budget. We also have to address the long term entitlements which are bankrupting this nation. Our dollar will be worth zip if the democrats keep spending us into oblivion. In 2 short years, the democrats have raised the total massive US debt by 30%!! It's out of control! And it's ALL on the heads of the democrats who went crazy with spending. Kick them all out starting with Dingell who's had his chance and who's been in WAY too long!
Ram
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 1:38 a.m.
I want to get rid of the department of energy, the department of education, the department of agriculture, end the wars, stop bailing failing companies, stop distort the market price of drugs by making them illegal, get lobbyists out of washington, pay off the debt, fix our schools so that we nurture divergent and creative thought rather than linear and unoriginal thought, participate in free trade with citizens of the world, and most of all, I want politicians to stop lying. But the Republicans won't do this for me, and the Democrats won't do this for me either. So how should I vote?
YpsiBronc
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:54 p.m.
maallen and InsideTheHall: It is a daunting task to speak reason to a college town that has been feeding from John Dingell's tax payer's trough for the last 55 years. Few here have yet to feel the pain that the rest of Michigan's unwashed working class are suffering through. Maybe after another two years of Dingell/Obama tax and spend policy enough of them will be ready for real hope and change. By that time we will have passed the tipping point when those that feed from the tax payer's trough will outnumber those of us that contribute.
peg dash fab
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:13 p.m.
actually, @maallen, i am one of those "good government" types who believes that the best thing we can do is to restructure taxes to pay for the illegal, ill-advised, and unnecessary bush wars (and to end those wars!), for the unfunded, budget-busting bush pharmacy sellout, and for the massive giveaways to the mega-rich bush cronies. you and your tea party pals whine endlessly about the deficit, knowing full well that the federal budget can't possibly be reduced to the current level of tax revenues. and you cry about high taxes, knowing full well that tax rates are at historic lows, far too low, in fact, to close or even reduce the budget deficit. (and in a move that shows their true colors, the republican/tea party simply lies about the impact the ACA will have on the deficit.) you don't have to admit that you don't have any solutions to the mess your pals got us into, your hollow platitudes and empty arguments scream that obvious truth. and you don't have to admit that the only platform your party stands on is defeating obama mcconnell said so quite plainly on your behalf. the fact is the republican/tea party stands for nothing beyond political posturing and conniving, a party whose purpose is solely to gain political power, america's interests be damned. your cohort proved itself to be dangerously destructive throughout the bush years, when it was in power (your blatant, transparent distortions notwithstanding; see earlier comment) and dangerously destructive when out of power over the last years. (it's sad to see rob steele, a respected cardiologist, loving father (his daughter and mine are friends), and genuinely nice guy throw in his lot with these scoundrels.) your facile falsehoods (see earlier comment) and the schoolyard "gotcha!" of your recent note, casting aside facts in favor of flourish, prove that you stand for nothing, either, beyond pure, rabid partisanship. i'm sure you're familiar with the saying "lead, follow, or get out of the way." with nothing other than obstruction on the agenda, it's clear that you and yours won't lead, and you absolutely won't follow. so get out of the way so that the obama administration can repair the damage of the past decade and restore america's greatness. the last thing this country (and this congressional district) needs is to send rob steele to washington, where he promises to stand arm-in-arm with those determined to bring this country to its knees if that's what it takes to regain the white house.
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.
@peg dash fab Thank you for reiterating the fact that the dems were in control of congress during the TARP (fiasco or situation depending on one's view). Stay focused peg dash fab. The republicans did their fair share, but this is about Dingell's 55 years of out of touch with reality. This is about Dingell's out of control spending. This is about how Dingell wants to throw more money at every problem we have to try and fix it. Well, he has been doing that for the past 55 years and he still can't fix it. It's time to bring someone in who will represent us. Someone who will not represent the big business, or the big government, like Dingell has. 90% of his re-election money is coming from big corporations and PACs. He's not for us. He's for big corporations and big companies. Funny how know one can explain how Dingell's words and cute phrases don't match 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? Maybe peg dash fab you would like to answer?
peg dash fab
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 5:43 p.m.
OMG, @maallen, were you asleep when TARP was passed? AIG nearly failed, threatening to take the rest of the banking system with it, Lehman did fail, commercial credit disappeared, the Dow went under 10,000, and it looked the the worldwide economic system was about to lock up. That's when Paulson and Bernanke brought to Congress a three-page bailout bill that was light on detail but heavy on Executive power remember the horrified reaction to this clause: "Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency"? and Bush went on prime time TV to make his pitch. When the first vote failed, the Dow experienced its biggest drop in history. Over the next few days, Congress and the White House hammered out a revised bill that passed the Senate by a 3-1 margin and by an 80 vote margin in the House. It was immediately signed into law and economic collapse was averted. So when you say "The fact is, TARP was passed by the democratic controlled congress. So the democrats bailed out wall street.", the fact is you shame yourself through deliberate dishonest distortion.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 5:11 p.m.
Did you know that Insider Trading Laws to do apply to Congressmen - CBS Reports John Dingell's Conflict of Interest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miooLeSHQnI
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 4:34 p.m.
That Dingle has made Millions of Dollars in GM stock is shocking considering he is the one who manipulates the laws GM has to follow. CBS news- Dingell gets rich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miooLeSHQnI That video is eye opening.
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.
Dingell? Conflict of interest? No, tell me it's not true! He's America's watchdog! It can't be! Who would have "thunk?" :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miooLeSHQnI Another great reason why we cant' have career politicians. Especially, one that has been there for 55 years. He forgets he serves us, not himself.
rusty shackelford
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
Maybe it's just me, but "Thayrone X" sounds like the handle of some yahoo commenter on Annarbor.com, not someone who should be advising a potential (in theory) member of Congress.
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:20 p.m.
@bugjuice says: "Fact: The CBO's projected budget deficit for FY2009, beginning four months before Obama took office, was already in excess of $1.3 trillion." Well guess what? Under the democrat controlled congress and Obama, the national debt is at $13.6 Trillion (according to U.S. Treasury Department.) Deficit and debt are two different things. Deficit is the difference between the revenue taken in and the spending. No wonder congress is sucha mess. It spends more than it takes in. And according to the U.S. Treasury department it will rise to $19.6 Trillion in 2015! "Fact: The 2011 budget deficit is projected..." You can project all you want, but it doesn't make it a fact or correct. It's a projection, that's all. You blame our rising national debt in part on Bush's tax cuts in 2001, but yet according to you, Obama cut taxes too. Odd that bush's tax cuts caused a rise in the debt, but not Obama's? Are you keeping two sets of books or something? You keep ignoring the fact that under Clinton, the republicans controlled congress the last 6 of the 8 years Clinton was president. The fact is, TARP was passed by the democratic controlled congress. So the democrats bailed out wall street. According to the CBO, spending dramatically went up from 2007 to now. Gee, again, under the democrat congress and President Obama. Who would have thunk? :) "Does anyone really think that if people like Steele were in Washington that any of this would have happened?" Wow, what a concept, vote people in there who will hold the government accountable. Despite Dingell's words of holding big government accountable his actions have proven otherwise. Dingell is part of the problem. Again, bugjuice, you haven't answered how come Dingell's words don't match his actions? What do you say?
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
New ideas from political and legislative newbies who have no idea of how to get things done are worthless at best and dangerous at worst especially when they are merely political soundbites to get some angry dolts elected. Anyone can say "cut taxes and spending" (it's a great soundbite) yet when they wake up to reality they realize the real work is a lot harder than giving a speech to supporters.
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
Fact: George W. Bush, inherited a $236 billion government surplus from Clinton in 2001, then left President Obama a stacked deck eight years later. Fact: The CBO's projected budget deficit for FY2009, beginning four months before Obama took office, was already in excess of $1.3 trillion. Fact: The 2011 budget deficit is projected to be slightly lower than the one Bush left Obama. Despite the one-time $787 billion stimulus (over three years), no huge growth in government spending has taken place on Obama's watch. Fact: Three causes of the rising national debt remain: the Bush tax cuts of 2001, Bush's unfunded Medicare drug benefit, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fact: According to the CBO, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan resulted in saving approximately 3 million jobs that would have otherwise been lost, plunging us deeper into a full blown depression. Fact: Obama did not raise people's taxes. He cut them. About 1/3 of the stimulus consisted of tax cuts. But because the money reached people in small increments through decreased withholding, most don't know it. Remember when Bush sent taxpayers a check? His showboat method actually cost million to do. Fact: Obama did not bail out Wall Street. The Bush administration did TARP in October 2008. Obama voted for it as a Senator. TARP did succeed in saving the financial system and made some $$ for the favor. Does anyone really think that if people like Steele were in Washington that any of this would have happened? And if they were we would be in a deeper pit of what GHW Bush described as "deep doo doo"
David Briegel
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
SemperFi, what a thoughtful post! As to the disclaimer by Dr Dawn, that prevents her from being sued by some Republican lawyer for malpractice! Your comments about X are precisely why I can't bear to listen to him and the rest of the rdiculous WAAM Republican Radio. And I love these people that want to go back to the good ol' days of 2001-2006 when the Repubs were in charge of every single aspect of our govt. Remember the fiscal conservancy of the Bridge to Nowhere? My Pet Goat? Tight flight suits! Steele needs to continue to practice medicine. Just don't take any of that evil govt money!!
Speechless
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
Even when a Democratic majority in Congress during a time of unabated Great Recession (thanks in no small part to banking deregulation under Bush and Clinton) provides them a convenient opportunity to regain some lost seats, one can only watch with mouth agape as the Republican right continues to go off the rails, doing so figuratively and also literally, given the pathological hate they direct toward sensible investment in mass transit. With Rob Steele as their current congressional candidate, the GOP in this district have managed the feat of transforming the politically centrist John Dingelll into a local liberal folk hero, at least for the time being. Compared to Steele and the Alice in Wonderland tea partiers surrounding him, Dingell looks like the Russ Feingold of southeast Michigan. And Steele's campaign is motivated most of all by Dingell's lifetime advocacy for universal single-payer health care, quite arguably his best contribution over the years. Lastly, does Thayrone seek to become both the Lee Atwater and the Glenn Beck of Washtenaw County? A blues fan who embraces the white tea party?
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
@bugjuice says, "Oh, and we the people of the USA, actually made a few billion on the "bailouts". Does it matter how much we supposedly made if we already spent it? I guess some people don't understand that you can't keep spending more than you take in. Dingell had 55 years to help us, and all he did was help create this mess. It's time to put someone in there who has new ideas and not the same old idea that Dingell has of tax and spend.
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.
President Obama with the consent of many economists, left and right and Republicans knew that the government had to spend to keep the global economy from falling over the cliff. I suppose some folks would have preferred to let the global economy fall into Depression after Bush and his cronies led us to the brink. Obama did what he and any other reasonable person would have done, and I'm purposely not including any tea partiers because they would have let the economy slide into oblivion. Oh, and we the people of the USA, actually made a few billion on the "bailouts". Most of the businesses that got money support Republicans, then they turn around and bite the hands that kept them alive. Hypocrites, just like tea partiers who claim that race has nothing to do with their Obama hate.
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.
Why do all the government haters want to be part of the government?
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.
@bugjuice "Where were the tea party whiners when that was going on and how many of them voted for Bush and his borrow and spend cronies who loaded us up with debt?" The straw that broke people's back (democrats, republicans, and independents) was when President Obama and the democrat controlled congress, outspent Bush's administration in less than two years than what Bush's administration spent in 8 years.
15crown00
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:46 a.m.
Robbie needs to drink some strong strong tea in the middle of the Cath Lab and then go back to clearing arteries.
Jim Osborn
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
Bill Clinton created the myth of a balanced budget and paying down debt. The budget during the end of his term was only balanced by borrowing from the Social Security surplus. It was also lessened by the huge tax payments made by people converting IRA into Roth IRAs. Clinton was better for the budget than either Obama or Bush, I will concede. Clinton also had a Republican Congress, which created and passed the spending legislation. Bush had a Democratic Congress for the latter part of his time, as does Obama, and the Debt has gotten much worse.
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
@SemperFi The final 6 of the 8 years Clinton was president, the Rebublicans controlled the house and senate. So it's not surprising that there was a budget surplus. I see you conveniently failed to answer why Dingell's words don't match 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? Anyone care to answer?
David Parker
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
Money talks: Dingells campaign money: mostly PACS Steele campaign money: over 90% individuals who is out for the wealthy corporations and union?
David Briegel
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.
Inside, I went up on the steps to take a photo of the 90% empty Diag and I walked amongst the crowd hoping to recognize someone, anyone. I stood at the rear of the few people there as the students walked through the area. cinnabar, What rights have you lost? Leann, that sounds like the perfect description of a respnsible, civic minded citizen. Clearly what was lacking in these speeches! marbee, I am still laughing at the thought of any business losing anyone not easily replaceable in this Bush Depression! LOL!
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.
I think it was GW Bush and the Republican congress's during his administration that loaded us up with debt after Bill Clinton, a Democrat, handed him a budget surplus. You know, two wars off the budget book, the Medicare prescription drug fiasco, huge tax cuts for his rich friends etc. It cannot be denied that those actions alone loaded us up with quite a bit debt. Where were the tea party whiners when that was going on and how many of them voted for Bush and his borrow and spend cronies who loaded us up with debt?
marbee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
During Bill Clintons presidency, from 1992 to 2000, spending increased by 29.49% and tax revenues increased by 85.58%. Bill Clinton did not control federal spending since it increased by almost 30% during his tenure. What saved him was the dramatic 85.58% increase in tax revenues. Thats why there was a budget surplus, tax revenue increased faster than Bill Clinton could spend it. The surplus had nothing to do with his ability to intentionally balance the budget.
RayA2
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
Amen Semperfi. The Republican leadership's only real interest is enable the wealthiest to steal from us even more. I can't understand why this is not obvious to everyone.
marbee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:20 a.m.
Julius: The TEA Party represents the values that some Republicans have strayed from. The TEA Party is reminding all Americans that the Democrats are not the traditional Democrats of long ago. It is very evident that with the endorsements they receive, including the Socialists, that the agenda is nothing short of complete control of a previously free population. Land use rights, property rights, and personal freedom are almost non-existent. The TEA parties endorsements of the Republican Party and a few Democrats are the only way to get this country back from ruin.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
Hey Briegel, one thing we agree on. Steele outdrew the Virg rally at EMU. Oh, I did not see you on the Diag by the way.
marbee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.
The most regrettable part of all of this is that incompetent politicians playing with the rights of We The People, taking away private property rights because they think an uptick in people wanting to quit or bowing to the preference of non-smokers will justify trampling the U.S. Constitution. VOTE THEM ALL OUT! Smoke free advocates try to sell the success of smoke free initiatives, laws, and taxation, but never tell of the amount of money the states lose, nor do they report truthfully of the damage it causes to business owners. There is NO business without an owner! I know many professionals (educated) who will NOT work under smoke-free rules and have quit! So how many of the brightest and best has the professional world lost due to the preference of those less educated? How many business owners have lost everything due to those with their snobby anti-smoker bullying? If our country was a democracy, 51% of the people could decide they want to kill the other 49%. That is why our nation is a Constitutional Republic, to protect the minority, in this case, smokers and property owners! We need to get rid of these lawmakers who keep giving special interest anything they want by a poll and elect those that abide by the U.S. Constitution. Perhaps then big pharmas brilliant marketing scam for their own brands of nicotine, Nicorette and Nicoderm will NOT land on the heads of competent legislators!
SemperFi
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
@maalen: You conveniently forget to mention that Rep Dingell was also in congress while Clinton was president, we had budget surpluses and were paying down the debt from the Reagan era.
SemperFi
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
I find it amusing(to the point of astonishment) that Dr. Steele and his entertaining band of followers would hold their little get-together within the confines of one of the great public institutions of our state(They don't like to pay for stuff like this). I assume that they all arrived via private roadways, because government funded roads must be bad and they don't want to pay for silly pork-barrel projects like safe bridges and overpasses. What an interesting choice of speakers he assembled... Mike Bouchard whining about the smoking ban? This piece of legislation will end up saving the taxpayers of Michigan millions of dollars per year in health care costs. C'mon Mike, Think before you open your mouth. And Thayrone X... you should go back to spinnin' the vinyl, because your brand of sexist, chest-thumping is draconian and outdated. Why can't those repubs that reach across the aisle be "weak-brother republicans"? It's just the WOMEN of the GOP that are weak? Great association from a real thinker. Dr. Dawn Lancaster... let's see, she supports the conspiracy theory that the H1N1 virus was developed by American scientists and suggests that you don't get flu shots for your children. On her website she says that she "is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or procedures in this site." Wait, she's a doctor that dispenses advice on her website, but doesn't want to be held responsible for it. Then why would you put information out there that you're not willing to stand behind? That's a really great great crew you've got there Dr. Steele.
maallen
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
It's a shame that people can't focus on the issues, but choose to make personal attacks, name calling, etc. No wonder, with citizens like these voting, our government is such a mess. So, I have a question that I would like anyone to answer: Why is it Dingell's words and phrases that he likes to use for media consumption never matches his actions in congress? 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? Anyone care to answer?
Nick
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:46 a.m.
"How many want to close the border almost yesterday?" said radio host Thayrone X, drawing applause. "Until we close that border, there is nothing else to talk about." We really do need to shore up the Michigan border with Mexico. It's out of control!
A2_Jim
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.
The people on the diag last night want people to wake up to the truth CBS news- Dingell gets rich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miooLeSHQnI truth about healthcare http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HnkxIh62dQ Dingell lies in his adds http://detnews.com/article/20101028/POLITICS02/10280377/1022/Dingell%E2%80%99s-attack-ad-misrepresents-Steele%E2%80%99s-positions How about getting an honest community member like Dr. Steele to represent us for once!
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
"Again demonize the apponent if you have nothing else." Just like demonizing Obama, (Socialist, The Joker, Nazi, Commie, etc) Tea Parties can dish out all the bile, venom and lies, but they are thin skinned and can't take it in return, especially if it's true. I'm surprised that Dr Doom didn't have his private thug army with him on the Diag like confessed liar Joe Miller and hypocrite, Rand Paul who falsely arrested and assaulted their opponents. Oh wait, the doctor did have his thug, Thayrone X.
A2_Jim
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:04 a.m.
Career politicians act in THEIR own interests first & foremost http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miooLeSHQnI It is time to oust every politician that has served more than a decade! We do not let out presidents serve even that long!
HaeJee
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:51 a.m.
I don't understand the claim of reducing big government by the conservatives? It is known that conservatives always throws tons of money into military and take money away from divisions that regulate big business. I support my tax dollars to be spent on better healthcare, educating people, parks, social security, etc. If the Tea Party and Republicans want to earn my respect, then stop taking from the government. Return you tax refunds, do not accept social security checks, pay for your own healthcare, dont apply for unemployment, etc. The only government benefit I can say I really benefited from was student aid. I changed from being moderate conservative to moderate liberal after the federal and state helped me through college. Now, it is my time to pay it forward. If that is big government, then I support it. I did not have parents to support me through college. Because of federal and state aid, I was provided grants, work study, and subsidized loans to help me get the degrees necessary to work in my profession. So when I pay out a lot of money every year to taxes, I think about how it benefited me in the past and hope it does the same for someone else. If that makes me a bleeding heart liberal, then I guess I can take comfort that I have a heart.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:17 a.m.
"They can only be referring to the right to have a White President." Again demonize the apponent if you have nothing else.
bugjuice
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:03 a.m.
"The critics must be sexist if they call Sarah Palin's endosement a "Kiss of Death". She is a strong powerful women who is creating fear in the ranks of the so called "progressives"." Sarah Palin is a one trick pony. She puts on high heels and a tight skirt to drive Republican men crazy. Then she anoints "strong" women like the loose screw Christine O'Donnell and the legislative know nothing Dr Doom (Steele). If any tea partiers get elected and actually go to Washington, they will find out that politickin' is easy compared to legislating. Sarah Palin is a celebrity politician. She makes her living selling endorsements and robo calls to her acolytes. For her, it's all about Sarah. She's in it for the money and the fame, and has no interest in serving all the people of the USA.
David Briegel
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9 a.m.
I was there. It Was open to the public and if they had more than 250 people there I would be shocked. Virtually ALL the Repubs on the ballot were there with their fans, aides and families. There are easily 20 times that many citizens for the hash bash! You left out the best line of the evening when X said that they needed to "put a stake through the heart of anything with a D after it". He also advocated the ideological purity that results in nothing being done by the party of NO! The "gates of Hell" indeed! Do the citizens not deserve a govt that works? Dr Lancaster prayed being thankful for their income. I have never ever heard a minister of any type be thankful for our income! Irony? Another irony is the Anti-Choice people who support what is clearly NOT "the best health care system in the world" since we are 34th in infant mortality. Wanted babies are dead babies because of this false mythology! But those dead babies aren't "baby killing? Irony? Or foolishness? Ask Dr peg dash fab or Dr Veracity or Dr Michiner about that Best Health Care Myth. Please. Julius, The Tea Party and the Republican Party are one and the same! Ghost, great post as always! Brad, they want to take their country back from a duly elected government because they have had their rights taken away. They can only be referring to the right to have a White President.
tommy_t
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
The day you see smaller government no matter what party is in charge - pigs will not only be flying, they will be major contributors to the "Greening of America".
xmo
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
The critics must be sexist if they call Sarah Palin's endosement a "Kiss of Death". She is a strong powerful women who is creating fear in the ranks of the so called "progressives".
Ray D. Aider
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
This guy has my vote. Some think that he is not the smart choice but intelligence and education has absolutely nothing to do with wisdom. Countries and civilizations do not fail because there are no smart people running them. They fail due to a lack of wisdom...which is ironic in the case of Greece, considering their historic legacy of philosophy and wisdom. The principle that tells me that I cannot go out and get a credit card and charge it up to $100,000.00 and not suffer consequences applies to governments. When Governments do it is catastrophic. So, away with Big Government, and big spending for now until we can afford it, and away with wars, and stimulus bills that cost just as much as wars....and lets get conservative in wisest ways we know how....otherwise, we should just raise the deficit ceiling to 500 Trillion dollars, expand the printing operations and just have a big party for tomorrow we die.
lisam
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
I must have missed something. Dr. Steele didn't comment on the the states smoking ban. It was Bouchard. Bouchard said...... He also criticized the state's smoking ban. "They passed a law that said you can't smoke on private property," he said. "They can't smoke a cigarette in a VFW in Michigan. That's wrong. I don't like smoke, but I don't want government coming in and taking your private property rights away." Bouchard concluded: "These are the issues that need to be addressed."
God Loves Us All
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
God bless the Tea Party. They want to stop baby killing.
Cinnamon
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.
People read the article and try to understand what you are reading - Dr. Steele did not say anything about the smoking ban - Mike Bouchard did.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.
peg dash fab Steele doesn't live in a multiple-million dollar mansion (Just looked it up), why does the left feel the need to demonize the apponent, why all the hate on self made people? What is wrong with just stateing facts.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
For the record the crowd was near 400 on a cold and windy evening, open to the public, and not a "controlled" event like the DEMS held Sunday. Internal Republican data on the 15th shows this to be a very close race in what is a carved out DEM district with a DEM "icon" as the incumbent. Further, the Detroit News poll released this morning based on state wide data shows a Republican sweep on the top state offices of up to 15 points or more. The Palin endorsement while scoffed here by the uppity liberal elites is going over big in Dundee, Monroe, Bedford, and the Washtenaw Townships. The Tea Party Express has altered its schedule on a Friday night rally in Monroe. Meanwhile, Dingell hands out candy from the liberal "stimuless" hand bag holding "ghost" press conferences trumpeting that he brings home the bacon when we sent the whole pig to DC. The chocie is clear in the Steele/Dingell debate. If you want more big government, more governments programs,higher taxes and less control over your life vote Dingell. If you want to repeal Obamacare, stop cap & trade, reduce federal spending, and provide a real stimulus to the economy to create sustainable JOBS the Steele is your guy. Dingell continues to tear down Dr. Rob Steele in ads that are flat out fabricated. Evidence the link reagrding the Dingell lies. Shame on John Dingell that at 84 years old and 55 years of feeding at the public trough he has reduced himself to lowest common denominator. http://www.detnews.com/article/20101028/POLITICS02/10280377/1024/POLITICS03/Dingells-attack-ad-misrepresents-Steeles-positions
peg dash fab
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:49 a.m.
did rob steele really say the US has the best health care anywhere? honestly, i respect and admire rob steele (with whom i am acquainted with in non-pseudonymous life), as a cardiologist and as a parent (his kid and mine were friends in high school), but he must be choking on the lies, like this one, that he is forced to spout. after he is soundly thumped next tuesday and he returns to his multiple-million dollar mansion to lick his wounds, he is going to need an ocean of flea powder to cleanse himself from the dogs (palin and thayrone now there's a match made in heaven! come to mind) with whom he presently lies down.
Cash
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:48 a.m.
Yup, just don't touch any of THEIR benefits!!!
Steve Pepple
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:48 a.m.
Two comments that violated our conversation guidelines and a response to them by another reader have been removed. Please refrain from use of the term "tea bagger."
vg550
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:34 a.m.
"He also criticized the state's smoking ban." I was for Steele until I read that. I was so happy about the smoking ban ~~ I can now go into a restaurant and breathe the air around me without my eyes tearing up and itching and my hair and clothes stinking of smoke. And as far as health insurance goes... it will only be fair when the government employees/officials have to have and pay for the exact same health coverage as the rest of us.
Brad
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:25 a.m.
They're taking their country back! So is that to the 20th or the 19th century?
DagnyJ
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:20 a.m.
He's a physician who opposes the smoking ban? He's not very bright I think.
Julius
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:13 a.m.
I think the more appropriate headline would read something like this: "Tea Party members rally behind Rob Steele as he carries their message of reduced government spending." The tea party wants to drive the policies of the Republican party. It's not the other way around.