Catching up

Sat. 2/6/08.

My friend Morning Bear called me up because she needed help, specifically my pickup. Morning is an artist living with another artist and she is a community activist extraordinaire in my Precinct. Actually she just likes helping people especially kids and is always volunteering her services free of charge. Morning was the prime mover in getting Love Community Garden off the ground. I try to help her when I can.



She painted the picture above and volunteered to man it during the recent Polar Plunge in Muskegon. The idea was for the people attending to put their heads in the holes and take their pictures. All I did was take the piece down to The Shoreline Inn and pick it back up afterwards. I was happy to help and I dropped it off early when no one except the divers were there. I caught up later with her and her friend Albetta at the Tipsy Toad, Morning said a lot of people took their pictures in her creation.

When I came back at 3:00 for the “Plunge” I had to park 3 parking lots away and walk about 1/3 of a mile and man was it cold and windy. I could not believe all the people that came out. I would guess there was a thousand or more jamming the L shaped boardwalk between Rafferty’s and Shoreline with people above that boardwalk 3 or more deep. I couldn’t get a count on actual plungers but there was over 20 if not 40.
click on pics to enlarge





The costumes were hilarious; also teams of plungers were there. Everyone was just having fun. After the plunge they would quickly walk/run into the Shoreline inn to take another plunge; this time in their heated pool. The pool area was also packed with people. A great event altogether.
click on pics to enlarge




Sunday, 2/7/10 was my day off and I spent all of it at the computer putting the finishing touches on my Power Point Presentation “Precinct Delegate Training & How to Workshop” that I’m putting on for the Manistee Tea Party. I’m looking forward to this as it is my first time building a Power Point and my first public speaking engagement. It’s one thing to blog, quite another to speak.

Now to “Busy Monday”. 2/8/10.

We had our Muskegon County Republican Caucus with the regulars showing up along with some new faces to the caucus. Sam St. Amour the Fruitland Supervisor was there and Jeff Orzechowski from the Kent County “Fix Michigan” Center joined us for lunch. State Rep. Goeff Hansen and National Committee Woman Holly Hughes were there also. Scott Tillman the newest entry into the primary race for Goeff Hansen’s 100th seat came along with Derek Gray representing Bill Cooper Muskegon’s entry in the crowded 2nd Congressional Seat held by Pete Hoekstra.



Barb Vander Veen, Deputy Chair MiGOP Western/Southern Region was there and really busy. Her region is I believe covers 27 counties. In my “Five Counties” of Bottom Up Politics, I find it hard if not impossible to cover all the five. Her job must simply be overwhelming. I must add that she seems to handle it well and whatever she’s done to her hair – well she’s lookin good. Barb was the first one there and set up her traveling Office in the corner.


From talking with her after, I came to appreciate how the Party is changing it’s outlook towards the Tea Party Movement. They are actively and for the first time trying to listen to what the Tea Partiers are saying. The Tea Party has already started changing the Republican Party. I’m seeing it at the “Five County” meetings I’m attending. There are some TP people on the Executive boards to varying degrees and while they make their presence felt they are there to work and help out.

The sincerity is paying dividends. The lack of criticism I’ve gotten for putting on a Precinct Delegate Training Workshop for Tea Partiers tells me a lot. If I would of done this 6 months ago I’m sure I would of received a lot of flack. Barb V. even complimented me on my efforts without my having to explain the reasons.

On the Precinct Level after the Caucus, I took Goeff Hansen around to a few small businesses I know looking for used appliances and a little politicing.

This was all good stuff and leads into the next event that Monday.

The Michigan House Republican Caucus put on a meet and greet hosted by by L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems and the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee.



There were 12 State Reps from as far away as 3 hours. State Senator Jerry Van Woerkhom was there also. This was a pretty prestigious affair and I was out of my pay grade but managed to mingle reasonably well. US Congressman Pete Hoekstra showed up as well and everyone was getting geeked.




After an introduction with a nice history of how Continental has changed and morphed over its history into it’s current L3 form; the politicians took over.

The 12 and Jerry were there with one purpose in mind, which was to win back the Michigan State House. Each one very briefly introduced themselves with the emphasis not on the individual but on themselves as a group united in message and purpose.



The message was a conservative one of helping small business grow jobs and getting government out of the way. (read as anti-regulation) Also to live within our means. The purpose was to win the House back and strengthen the Republican majority in the Senate.



Then I was truly inspired as Pete Hoekstra came on and echoed that possibility by recounting how in 1994 as they were sitting around watching the returns the media came up with 200 Republican seats, then 205, then 210, then the announcement that the Republicans had actually done the impossible (according to the media anyway) and won the US House. On top of that they won a lot more seats by the time the tally was done. Great stuff.

My conclusions were obvious and simple. We need to get out the vote. We need to re-invigorate all our previous coalitions from ‘94’ and forge as many new ones as we can. The Tea Party is one important part. They have boots on the ground and a solid conservative foundational belief system.

This bring one of my favorite quotes to mind from Peter F. Drucker. Newt btw highly recommends this book.

“Unless a decision has “degenerated into work” it is not a decision; it is at best a good intention”. Peter F Drucker, “The Effective Executive” pp114 Harper Collins paper back edition, 2006.

The McCain campaign in ‘08’ was all about memos seemingly written by planners about theoretical ways to win elections. It lacked the actual personal component. It was set up by spreadsheet gurus and graph grapplers. These guys I had the feeling would freak if confronted with a real voter. This year I’m sensing something different. This is something that is harder and can’t all be done from a lap top. Politics is personal. If we are in the business of changing people’s mind then we must get to the people and actually talk and show them through good works what we mean.

That is the work ahead of us. It starts with a simple solid common sense message from the top that I on the bottom can use with real people. Fix Michigan well ok but the message needs to be more specific something that Joe and Juanita can hang their hat on. I suggest something along the lines of as your state legislator -- your representative I will abide by the laws we pass; and when elected we will pass a law to that effect. or I will do onto myself as I do onto others. You get the drift.

Well today is a big day for the Congressional Candidates. The Zeeland Tea Party is having a Forum for all the Candidates for Pete Hoekstra’s seat. Not only the four Republicans, but the Libertarian and the Democrat. I might add the doors will be opened at 6:30. See link below for specifics. Careful driving if you go, the snow is piling up.

-----link-----
http://www.teapartyofwmi.org/events/district-2-candidates-forum
--------------

That’s it, I’m going to the Zeeland thing and will report tomorrow.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Precinct Delegate Work (Fun)

click pics to enlarge
Thursday started out as always by having breakfast with the Carmen Group - 8am at Carmen’s. The group talk was all about Jennie’s state of the state. Some thought “pathological liar” was an appropriate term. I brought up the idea of “trickle down lying” which I thought nicely tied together the recent State of the Union speech. Bob Scolnik one of our County Commissioners showed up late (he wasn’t in the picture above). Bob had attended the actual event with State Rep Goeff Hansen. Bob talked about how well Jennifer presented her case, and how well she spoke.

We had a new person show up; Scott Tillman who is running for Goeff’s 100th State House seat. Scott makes the 4th entry into the Republican primary race. See Bottom Up Politics Candidate page for the rundown of who’s running.

While we in Muskegon County aren’t in his district, I had met him and invited him because he seems to be interested in good political talk. He is a coalition builder so I invited him and he showed up and did seem to have a good time talking politics with us.

Here is a link to the Calendar of events for this and all the Five County events I can find covering Mason, Muskegon, Lake, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. As you can see Manistee is drawing me into their circle. As the Godfather says “They just keep drawing me back in” lol. Might have to make Bottom Up Politics the Information hub for the Six Counties.

When I got home I got a call from Ron Cooper who drives the truck for Bill Cooper’s “Thanks a Million” food truck program. Ron and I had talked during Republican sponsored food truck of their's Jan 23rd. (the Musk. County Republicans paid for half the costs) and 35 of us helped distribute 10,000 lbs of food that Sat in little over 1 hour. This guy is real old school, a man after my heart.
click on pics to enlarge



Ron being a farmer hates to see anything go to waste. He has been trying to come up with up to 25 places throughout the district through which he can distribute any food that gets left over from the 100 food truck events so that it will still find a way to those who will use it. Ron is doing this all on his own; most would just find a dumpster to put it in.

If you follow this blog you know one of my dearest friends is Marion who runs a (basically) one man food pantry through his Nelson Community Association. He has fund raisers I help with such as a parking lot during Summer Celebration, and putting candles out at different downtown Muskegon location Christmas Eve. He also has a plant giveaway each spring in which we hound the local nurseries from Montague to Spring Lake for free veggies. He sells them to local neighbors at $2 a flat. The leftovers again we make good use of.

Anyway I hooked up Ron with Marion. Also I hooked up Ron and Pastor Jonathon Phillips of a local small church who has been building his congregation thru out-reach efforts in my precinct. He was the Pastor that let us use his property for our Love Community Garden, and who has helped that project along; about which again I’ve blogged incessantly about. Lol. Anyway Pastor Phillips has a great group of parishioners who are willing to put faith where their mouths are and get out and work. They will do the work to insure that the leftover food gets to those in the neighborhood who will use it.

This all took around an hour of my time. When I ask myself and people who read this blog; what can I do today? Well this is the way I answer; there are millions of ways others can and do answer. For me blogging and politics has been my vehicle.

Here BTW is a link to my bottom up calendar for the events coming up in the “Five Counties”.

-----link-----
http://bottomuppolitics.com/calendar_2.html
---------------

Thursday night I headed to Newaygo for the Newaygo County GOP meeting.

Nice group of people at the meeting. A nice mix of Tea Party people sprinkled in. Goeff Hansen was there and all four of the Republican candidates hoping to fill his seat when it becomes empty this Jan.

The regular business stuff was covered and the candidates all had a chance to say how their campaigns were going. They all seemed to be doing nicely, but there was surely an undercurrent of competition running through the room.

Windmills were talked about a lot and the Governor’s State of the State address was discussed. Hansen came up with the best line when he thought they should encircle the Capital with windmills to make use of all the hot air blowing forth.

It is just this blogger’s opinion but of the “Five Counties” Newaygo shows the conservative/liberal split in the Republican party the most or at least it is the most out in the open. But I hasten to point out any differences were handled with a smile. The meeting was cordial and everyone left pleased. The meeting was to the point and concluded on time.

Long drive back home.

Regards,From a Tired PD
Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Songs of My Youth

Songs always seem to play a part in my thinking.

One song of my youth started, “Something Happening Here, What it is Ain’t Exactly Clear”. Then another about “A winter’s day, in a deep and dark December – I am alooone, gazing from my window to the streets below; on a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow. I am alone – I am a rock, I am an I I I I Island.

Sometimes as a conservative I get to feeling alone and like an island in a sea of despair. (Whoa – no need to call the butterfly net squad yet, you see I am a Rock lol, I haven’t turned that corner yet). Ever since I started getting out into my precinct (neighborhood) through politics and blogging, I’m finding a few other lost souls in the heart of Muskegon.

“Then along comes Mary” ooops another song jumped in there. Well along came the Tea Party thing and suddenly I found myself among lots of people thinking like I did more or less. We would trade furtive glances just to make sure we didn’t really walk into a “Ban the Bomb” rally.

Something is happening here and it is becoming clearer to those in the “happening”.

Even the top heavy Big everything is taking notice. At a recent County Republican meeting, the state party liaison button-holed the Tea Party guy afterwards saying how much the State party was behind their efforts.

Wow what a change from a few months ago.

Similar scenes are being played out at the local on up to the national level. We all remember the National Republican Committee Chair Michael Steele say that he thought the Republicans probably couldn’t take back the House. He later retracted that BTW. But look at this article in the Washington Times written by Joseph Curl.

-----link-----
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2010/feb/03/familiar-names-aid-gop-senate-prospects/
---------------

Mr. Curl makes the case that the Republican’s have a chance not only to retake the House but now the Senate also. He quotes national pollster John Zogby as saying –“If the election were held today, the Republicans could come close to winning back the Senate, if not actually win it."

I did say “Big Everything”. The Libs like Pelosi and their ilk as they tried to brand the Tea Party people as “Tea Baggers” or their roots as “astro turf”; and all the other names they tried to hang on the TP movement didn’t gain much traction except in their own minds. What it did do was reflect on the name callers as being the ones who were disconnected from reality and from the everyday people. The upshot is that now you will never hear a discouraging word from the Libs about the Tea Party. (At least in public) It is nice to see PC working the other way for a change.

The effects of that disconnect which the TP reflects can be seen all around us. Lately the President reacted to that in a Clintonesque way by trying in a small way to talk a little Conservativeeze by mentioning drilling offshore, clean coal and nuclear. Also the “Freeze” What a joke. How dumb does he think the people are?



But sticking to the local nature of this blog; I attended as an interested party (albeit a tortured silent one) a vetting of a State Rep. Candidate by the political arm of the Tea Party, Icaucus.
Below is a link to the page to get into a local group.

-----link-----
http://icaucus.ning.com/
--------------

This was an enlightening experience for me. Being a political nut job that I am, I was pleased to see the people who were doing the vetting weren’t; they were just ordinary local people who studied and researched in order to ask some tough questions and also the follow up tougher ones. This process lasted a couple hours. I was impressed by both sides of that equation. Brought me back to my roots and why I’m a political nut job.

This was vetting was my “internship”, I hope to be invited to vett the next candidate. Icaucus is giving all candidates the chance to be vetted. The purpose of the vetting is that when Icaucus gives the candidate its backing; there will be help for that candidate in the form of some money but at the lower state levels there will be volunteers helping on the campaign along with the endorsement of the Tea Party which is carrying more and more weight. The networking of the TP is pretty awesome.

From their Hippy Dippy past the Libs probably have the words to an old song paraphrased running through their head. “Where has all the power gone? Long time Passing. When will we ever learn, when will we ever learn?”

The Repbulicans at least are starting to sing "Stop - Hey hey what's that sound? Everybody Look what's going down."

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

PS>
For What It's Worth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5M_Ttstbgs


>>>>>>>>>

When a Little is Enough

In the constant battle over, well – overregulation, there is always room for common sense to find a place; to find some common ground. When that “regulation” is structured to help out local free markets I tend to be in favor of it. When that effort comes from a local source I am doubly glad.

State Representative Goeff Hansen has a piece of legislation pending in committee that would allow the limited sale and tasting of wine at flea markets in Michigan for a small fee. ($25 a day). That fee would go to the State Liquor Control Commission. The Pic above is of the Cheese Lady with Rep. Goeff Hansen at the Muskegon Farmer's Market.

Representative Hansen has seemed to have come up with legislation to help the local wineries of Michigan to promote themselves and help the thriving flea market business of Michigan at the same time.

Before I go further, here are the facts. The legislation is titled House Bill 4147. Below is the preface and title of the bill.

-----title------
HOUSE BILL No. 4147
February 4, 2009, Introduced by Rep. Hansen and referred to the Committee on Regulatory
Reform.
A bill to amend 1998 PA 58, entitled
"Michigan liquor control code of 1998,"
by amending section 537 (MCL 436.1537), as amended by 2008 PA 218.
-----------------

This bill adds in section Q the following classes of vendors which may sell alcoholic liquors at retail.

-----section Q-----
(Q) FARMERS MARKET LICENSES WHERE WINE MAY BE SAMPLED AND SOLD
AT A FARMERS MARKET FOR CONSUMPTION OFF THE LICENSED PREMISES.

Mr. Hansen, amendment goes on to state the following.

-----amendment-----
(4) THE COMMISSION MAY ISSUE FARMERS MARKET LICENSES FOR WINE
MAKERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF ALLOWING WINE TASTING AND THE SALE OF
WINE PRODUCED, BY THAT WINE MAKER, AT A FARMERS MARKET, FOR
CONSUMPTION OFF THE LICENSED PREMISES. THE COMMISSION SHALL CHARGE
A LICENSE FEE OF $25.00 PER DAY, FOR UP TO 20 NONCONSECUTIVE DAYS
PER CALENDAR YEAR. SECTION 503 DOES NOT APPLY TO THE APPLICATION OR
ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE UNDER THIS SUBSECTION.
(5) IN ISSUING A FARMERS MARKET LICENSE UNDER THIS SECTION,
THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING:
(A) THAT THE WINE TASTING AND SALES BE LIMITED TO AN AREA
UNDER 1 THE CONTROL OF THE WINE MAKER.
(B) THAT THE APPLICANT DEMONSTRATE IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO
THE COMMISSION THAT THE LOCAL POLICE AGENCY HAS APPROVED THE
PROPOSED LICENSED ACTIVITY.
(6) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "FARMERS MARKET" MEANS A GROUP OF
FARMERS WHO ASSEMBLE AT A DEFINED COMMUNITY-SPONSORED OR
MUNICIPALLY-SPONSORED LOCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING, DIRECTLY
TO CONSUMERS, PRODUCE PRODUCED BY THOSE FARMERS.

Below is a link to the legislation.

-----link-----
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/pdf/2009-hIB-4147.pdf
--------------

I called up Rep. Hansen to find out more about the bill. He told me that he had introduced the bill last year and nothing happened. This year he introduced it again. Mr. Hansen seemed pleasantly surprised about the extra interest being shown this time around. Below are some examples.

Holland
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1903564173/Wine-to-flow-at-Holland-Farmers-Market
From Traverse City Dec 19th the article below is pretty in-depth.
It explains that the number of Michigan Wineries and Farmer’s Markets are expanding. Rep. Hansen’s bill would facilitate and promote growth of both industries. At Bottom Up Politics, I favor anything that promotes competition and free markets which helps the small business people and startups.
http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_353005206.htmlFrom Traverse City a month later Jan.19th
http://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/local_story_013072524.html
This ties in with other efforts by Rep. Goeff Hansen (R-Hart). He has introduced the “Buy Local/Select Michigan Day”
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/resolutionintroduced/House/pdf/2009-hIR-0157.pdfHe has also co-sponsored a bill allowing Cottage Food Operations. The bill would allow “home-production foods” at farmers markets and other venues.

Rep. Hansen has been consistent in his efforts to help these grass root businesses. I have followed a local Bistro, Mia & Grace in Muskegon, below is a pic of Jeremy Pacquin who is co-owner with his wife when I introduced Goeff to him. At the time they were discussing how Jeremy and Jamie have made Mia & Grace a real garden to table operation. They buy there food from local farmers and make constant trips to the Farmers Market.



-----link-----
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com/2009/06/day-with-rep-hansen-pd-at-work.html
---------------

For a back story to Mia & Grace look at the link below for an article I posted well before they opened.

-----link-----
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com/2008/05/mia-and-grace-bakery-and-bistro.html
-------------

The article above combines the farmers market and the small business aspect shown through the eyes of Mia & Grace. Mia & Grace has been a shinning example of the cooperation between the aspects of small local people getting together to help each other. The legislation Rep. Hansen is supporting helps facillitate all of the above.

These may seem like small things, and they may be but they are efforts to lower the bureaucratic bar for the small farmer and entrepreneur to play in the market. Farmer’s Market anyway.

In this case a little is enough.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Can’t keep politics out of it.

That is the reality of government. The main thing is that something gets done.
please click on pics to enlarge



I’m talking about the proposed closing of the Whitehall office of the Secretary of State and the moving of the Muskegon Apple location to Sternberg.



Last night State Rep. Mary Valentine (D-Musk.) held a Townhall Meeting in the Collegiate Room of the Muskegon Community College from 6:30-8:00 about that. There was a medium crowd of around 50 made up of candidates and politicos as usual in an election year but others were there as concerned citizens.

This was done to help Rep. Valentine to find out the views of her district on the subject in order for her to formulate a plan. She said at the meeting she will address the problem with legislation she is planning on writing. She mentioned that Sen. Jerry Van Woerkom has a similar plan in the State Senate.


During the Q+A I pointed out that State Rep Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) had introduced a bill (HB5722) to that effect back on Dec 18 of 09. I wondered why that wasn’t acted upon to forestall this outcome. My question was ignored and Mz. Valentine continued on about how Sen. VanWoerkhom and she would solve the dilemma.

From sources I understand that Hansen’s bill will die in the “Committee on Government Operations” for obvious political reasons. Hint. Hansen and Valentine are running for the 34th State Senate Seat. The Dems control the House where they are currently both serving.

There was a printed flyer on the table which listed some things Mary thought were inappropriate, I assume somehow they related to the SOS office closing.
The following one however leaves me wondering.

“Secretary Land Spent $2 million to suppress voters at request of Bush administration”

There was no explanation of that statement. Perhaps just a Freudian slip. I guess she just assumed the audience who seemed mainly made up of Democrats + Democrat candidates would understand that everything is Bush’s fault, by default. The audience seemed to me though to be interested and knowledgable about the SOS closing and I assume Mary may have assumed to little of her audience with that Bush remark.

This meeting, politics aside was very informative and worthwhile if for nothing else than getting local input. The owners of the Whitehall and Muskegon offices in question were there along with the Muskegon County Commission Chair. They all gave their side of the story and I learned a lot. I am in favor of keeping the Whitehall office open and not moving the Muskegon office.



I saw Andy Fink a teacher of government at MCC who brought his class with him and for that I was happy. This was a real education in the politics of government and how in the end things actually do get done if you can cut through the agendas and bickering. I hope they learned that anyway. In fact I hope they learned that the agendas and bickering were the key to Democracy. This was a good example of how the process actually works.

The upside of the Townhall was that it sounded to me there is plenty of political capital to get this done. SOS Terri Lynn Land has already gone ahead and ok’d a rebidding to be done. That will be done by the office of Management and Budget who Mary Valentine informed us she was told will happen later, “after the dust settles”.

The audience had ideas all over the place. It seemed to me that it was plain that the Sternberg move was off the table. However that was what the most comments were about. Secondly the Whitehall closing was much argued against for all the obvious reasons.



John VanWyke, brought up the idea that the figures given from the SOS for moving seemed from his experiance working at Verizon were very low and unrealistic. He joked that the cost for the phones would be more than that.

As a Conservative I appreciate the argument that “consolidation” would save money. However, when this is done by directly cutting services, it smacks of a familiar threat. I liken it to the threat local schools use when trying to get a millage passed. They seem to think the only way to save money is by cutting football. I would think the SOS could find another way.

This rebidding I hope will flush out more realistic facts both from our Sate Rep, State Sen. and the SOS.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative

Signs of the Times ???

First off, I had some signs made up.

Click on any Pics to enlarge !!!


I think you get the idea. I need some help putting them up around the Muskegon County. Anyone interested give me a call. Bob Carr @ 231-728-3455. I would love to see them popping up here and there. I did buy these myself at around $14.00 @. Sherburn Sign made them up and he threw in the wires at no cost. They usually cost $1.00. I only had 13 made. If you can donate any amount it would help. But the main thing is to get them out.

A word of caution, keep them off the terrace and on - way on your property. It is not a candidate sign so I'm hoping it falls under freedom of speech. But no sense pushing it. Better yet if there is interest we could keep a sign a week then give it to someone else and rotate them so they appear to be popping up all over. lol



The phone # is mine; I’ll screen the calls and pass them on to the Muskegon County Republican Party if that is the wish of the caller. If we want to pull a "Boston" here in Muskegon, we will need lots of volunteers and voters to turn things around. This is my effort within my means to try to do that.

Now - on to the main topic today.

Sat. 1/23/10 a Thanks A Million food pantry truck pulled into the old K Mart Parking lot on Henry and Norton. There were 35 volunteers mainly from the Muskegon County Republican Party there to help distribute the 10,000 lbs of food to those who wanted or needed it. The Republicans co-sponsored the days event.




Bill Cooper is the man responsible for the Thanks a Million program. Mr. Cooper is running for the 2nd Congressional seat being vacated by Pete Hoekstra. Bill Cooper dreamed up the ambitious notion to donate to the 2nd district a million pounds of food. That works out to one hundred truck full’s.






If any of you out there are thinking this is wrong because of the Partisan connection; look at it as Bill Cooper explains it. This is not a direct quote just a recap of what Bill told me.

This money would have been spent anyway during the campaign. It would have been spent on all kinds of things like refrigerator magnates with my name on it, bumper stickers with my name on it, maybe pencils or coffee cups or beer can mittens all with my name on them. Then he challenged me to see his name anywhere around. The truck as you can see he had completely wrapped with a design of his own choosing. Nope his name wasn’t to be found. The implied question was whether I thought the money he's spending on the food trucks would be better spent on the campaign trinkets.

As far as the Muskegon GOP being a co-sponsor; we are no different than any other of the co-sponsors. The main thing is that the money spent ends up in the hands of those who need it the most. Wouldn’t it be great if ½ of all campaign money up and down the ballot went to community causes such as this, I’m talking literally billions.





Yesterday was just one of the planned 100 stops throughout the 2nd district.



From Holland up to Benzie County and all the places in-between. Ludington, Cadillac, Hart, Freemont, Muskegon, Whitehall, and Holland – you name it and Thanks a Million will probably be there. This was my second time to volunteer for Bill and he has the system down to a science. I’ve volunteered for a couple other food trucks and while good, Bill Cooper shows off his organizational skills in the efficiency of his program.

My signs and Thanks a Million, I hope are "Signs of the Times"

Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative