Corporate Backers quit ALEC, Lansing politicians should follow suit

We’ve written in this space about the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council several times before, but in recent weeks their organization has faced renewed scrutiny. This is in part thanks to revelations that they have worked diligently (and secretly) to pass “Kill-At-Will” laws like Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law that let Trayvon Martin’s killer go…

Liberty and Justice for A Few

Yesterday, local elected officials from across Michigan stood in solidarity to announce that they were signing on to the Local Electeds Against Discrimination (LEAD) statement. This statement recognizes the 18 cities across the state that have put non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people in place, and expresses the hope that other communities, as well…

Thanks, Obamacare

This week we’re joining people around the country in saying thanks to President Obama for his hard work in passing the Affordable Care Act two years ago. In honor of the anniversary and the fact that the Supreme Court is holding hearings this week on the constitutionality of the ACA, we thought we’d share some…

Thanks A Lot, Debbie!

Today, Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a right-wing, Koch Brothers-funded front group, kicked off what they called a “citizen education effort” to “turn up the grassroots heat on Senator [Debbie] Stabenow.” Unlike most “grassroots efforts,” they’re coming out the gates fully funded with half a million dollars.  Long ago, out-of-state special interest groups like AFP proved…

Here Comes The Sunshine!

We won’t have a government that’s truly by and for the people until we break the grip of corporate money over our politics. That’s why Michiganders are working hard to pass a constitutional amendment that would make corporations follow a simple rule: they must publicly disclose their political donations.  Big corporations and Lansing politicians are…

Standing Up for Jobs

Over the last year, Lansing politicians have moved one anti-worker measure after another, doing nothing to help put Michigan back to work. It’s no surprise that Republicans oppose one of the last remaining checks on the corporate special interests that fund their campaigns. But it’s not right for them to attack struggling Michigan workers.  Enough…

The Fight Continues

Yesterday, a small fraction of Michigan voters went to the polls to pick who they wanted to get the Republican nomination for president. Mitt Romney was able to scratch out a victory by adopting a fiscally irresponsible tax plan that will explode the deficit with tax cuts for the richest Americans and corporations that outsource…

Under Attack

Michigan’s presidential primary is less than one week from today. But instead of offering a vision to put people back to work, all we’ve heard are more attacks on workers’ collective bargaining rights. Mitt Romney recently promised to “battle unions” that represent Michigan autoworkers, and Rick Santorum has said he doesn’t feel “warm and fuzzy about…