One local group is speaking out against some of the state's highest paid people. It all centers on legislation over whether to increase state employee salaries. Progress Michigan, a government watchdog organization based in Lansing, says the group business leaders for Michigan is being hypocritical.

David Joos, CEO of Consumers Energy, is a member of business leaders for Michigan. He was awarded a 148 percent bonus in 2009 based on company performance. The group says CEO pay and benefits are beside the issue. They say they want fairness when it comes to taxpayers and how their dollars are spent.

"We have outsourced a substantial portion of our manufacturing operations to countries in Asia…"

The far right already has its Tea Party. Now, it's got a Mad Hatter.

Because you'd have to be mad, right, to think that what Michigan needs is a corporate CEO. Because those CEOs have done a lot for the country, and for Michigan, right?

Wrong.

Now it's clear that Rick Snyder isn't a "tough nerd" but another fat cat bonus baby. In fact, he's so far from the realm of reason that he thinks we won't notice that he, like Dick DeVos before him, sent thousands of Michigan jobs overseas.

You'd have to be a Mad Hatter to think that what Michigan's hard-working families want is to wave goodbye to more jobs, so big business can benefit.

Measured by the same standard, the initiative Bishop announced last week is a non-event. It risks nothing politically. It is fraught with constitutional and practical hazards that make even Dillon's comprehensive overhaul look simple by comparison. And it signals only the GOP majority leader's willingness to vilify a weakened labor movement with whom his party has long been at odds.

In fact, the most notable thing about Bishop's initiative is how timid it is by comparison with bolder and more comprehensive proposals advanced by other conservative groups, including Business Leaders of Michigan, the statewide mouthpiece of corporate CEOs that succeeded Detroit Renaissance.

And here is the knife in the heart:

Bishop has demonstrated that he is more interested in placating traditional Republican constituencies and scapegoating public employees than in advancing the reform discussion.

Health insurance industry trade groups opposed to President Obama's health care reform bill are paying Facebook users fake money -- called "virtual currency" -- to send letters to Congress protesting the bill.

But Michigan's future demands more. Michigan's future demands a budget that helps us diversify our economy to create the jobs we need; that keeps police officers and fire fighters on the streets of our communities; a budget that helps our kids afford to go to college.

If you only watched the 6 o'clock news you would be left with the impression that the debate surrounding health care insurance reform taking place across America isn't really a debate at all, but rather a shouting match.

Even Michigan's Senate Majority Leader, Mike Bishop, welcomes these "angry mobs."

What has been lost in all of the media exposure to these town halls are the facts, and moreover, the specific stories of how the current health care system is broken. I am not one to extrapolate from an isolated incident, but the more you read about our current health care system the more you realize these are not unique cases, but endemic to the system.

Here is a choice snippet from a story posted on Andrew Sullivan's site, The Daily Dish:

My father´s obesity related illnesses and time spent on disability have cost taxpayers an incredible amount of money. All of this could have been avoided if my father´s insurer 10 years ago would have been required to provide him the care he needed. But private insurers realize that the average patient only stays with them for 2-3 years, so they aren´t interested in reducing long-term healthcare costs because it´s the next company that sees the benefits.

The central point to take home is that the incentive structure our current system operates on is backwards. Health Care Insurance companies pass the buck on treating patients, denying them coverage that would - in the end - save the system money. 

You can read the rest of the story by clicking here.

The Clean Energy Jobs Rally was a resounding success! Thanks to all of you who came out to show your support for Michigan’s clean energy future. There was great music and exceptional speakers throughout the day; the sun was shining AND powering the media tent, so many of you could take action by emailing Governor Jennifer Granholm to stop the Michigan coal rush.

Did you catch that? That’s right, our media tent was 100% powered by solar photovoltaic panels. We owe our thanks to the sun and
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Four Elements Energy is one of several Michigan based companies that specialize in clean energy alternatives: a few others being S.U.R. Energy Systems and Northwoods Energy Alternatives.

Four Elements Energy offers a plethora of options to reduce your carbon footprint, including solar powered panels, wind electric systems, and solar thermal systems. And the investment also saves you money! In fact, if you produce enough energy to put some back into the “grid” the energy company will owe you a credit!

It’s great that we have Four Elements Energy, and other cutting edge clean energy companies, based right here in Michigan. Not only is it easier for people to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy bills, but they help create jobs for our hard workers!