Facethefacts. ThatswhatwellbedoinghereatLeft of the Linefromnowon.Moreimportantly,though,thatswhatweareaskingyoutodo. Thisyoumust,ifthepoliticalchangesweallwanttoseehereathome,inLansingandinWashing-ton,D.C.,areevertobebroughtaboutandrealized. Sadtosay,thecold,hardfactsfortheprogressiveandliberalcommunityofthe2ndCongressio-nalDistricthereinWestMichiganareindeedcold,hardfacts. Itisnotmerelyyourunquietperceptionthatwearelivinginthemostcon-servative,teaparty-flavoredneighborhoodintheentirestate. Itstrue. Yetitsalsotruethatwehavebeenbulliedintothisright-wingneighborhoodthroughforcedre-districting.Thuswearecompelledtoendurecongressionalrepresen-tationthatactsoutthewishesanddemandsoffringegroupswithsuchcrackpotideasasprivatiz-ingSocialSecurityandcripplingMedicarebyturningitintoavoucherprogram. Ultra-conservativecandidates,likeU.S.Rep.BillHuizenga,R-Zee-land,arethefrontmenforthesesamewell-heeledorganizationswhopropthemup.Thesepeopleshutdownournationalgovern-ment,holdourpresidentincon-tempt,andseektoshredthesocialsafetynetthatprotectsourmostdefenselesscitizens. Sadly,Huizengaisthemostfar-rightandradicalanti-progressivepersonalityourWestMichigan

districthaseverbeenrepresentedbyintheCongress. Heisacreatureofthesystem,theendresultofthe2ndCongres-sionalDistricthavingbeendelib-eratelyconcoctedbyRepublicanstodefeateventhemostremotepossibilityofaprogressivecan-didaterepresentingusintheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives,wherethenationslawsaremade. Thatsthereality. Butreality,liketruthandfacts,hasadistinctlyliberalbias.Soletsfaceuptotherealityofourpoliticalhomedistrict.Letslookattherealityofourstrategicsituationsquarelyintheeyeball. Ourbizarrelyconfigureddistricthasbeengerrymandered(whichisanothertermforpo-liticallymolded)intoitscurrentformtobeaRepublican-friendly,Democratic-hostileenclave. Andthesaddestfactofallis,itdidnthavetobethisway.Atleastnottothisextreme. Butin2010,justtwoyearsafteroneofthemostimportantelectionsinournationshistorysawBarackObamaelectedpresidentandCongressdeliveredintoprogres-sivehands,weforgotthemostfundamentalruleofelections: Inordertowin,youhavetovote. MichiganhasaninherentDemocraticmajoritystatewide,evenintheskewed2ndCongres-sionalDistrictinwhichwereside.Asitnowstands,wecanstillgivetherightwingarunforitsmoney.ThemarginofJohnMcCainoverBarackObamain2008wasascant2percentofthetotalelectoratehere.

2ndcongressionaldistrict Counties: Lake,Oceana,Newaygo,Muskegon,OttawaandportionsofAl-legan,KentandMason. Cities: Fremont,GrandHaven,Grandville,Holland,Hudsonville,Jeni-son,Kentwood,Muskegon,MuskegonHeights,NortonShores,WalkerandWyoming. Voting: CookPartisanVotingIndexofR+7thedistrictisthemostRe-publicaninthestateofMichigan. Population:709,073 Gender:50.3%Female,49.7%Male Race:85.9%White,5.3%Black,2.1Asian,8.7%Hispanic. Median Income:$45,712 High School Gradation Rate:88.3% College Graduation Rate:83.4%

see EDITORIAL page 11

Editorial

Where you want to be. March-April 2014

As We See ItLets start shaking things up around here.

Vol. 1 No. 1 March-April 2014Progressive views for the 2nd Congressional District

Mission Statement Americawasfoundedonliberalprinciplesandprogressiveideas,andLeftoftheLineisdedicatedtodefendingbothgoingforward.

Left of the Line Left of the LineisafreebimonthlyInternetnewsmagazineofferingprogressiveandliberalviewstoresidentsofMichigans2ndCongressionalDistrict.ThenewsletterispublishedbyLeftoftheLineLLC,aprivatelyheldcompanynotaffiliatedwithanypoliticalparty,politicalactiongroupororganization.

OfficersDavidKolbCo-Publisher,Co-EditorTerryJuddCo-Publisher,Co-Editor

MichaelWalshResidentAgent/Attorney

Contact Information

LeftoftheLinePOBox1710

Muskegon,MI49443

leftofthelinellc@gmail.com

Letters Policy

Left of the Linewelcomesyourletters,aslongastheyareverifiablebyus.Wewillprintyournameandcity,anecessitybecausewebelievethatinourdemoc-racynooneshouldfearspeakingoutinpublic,andthatyourcredibilityandcourageasaletter-writershouldberecognizedbyyourneighbors. Lettersshouldbesuccinct,legible,courteousandstaywithintheframeworkofasingletopic.Remember,therewillbeanotherissueofournewsmagazine,andyouwillbeabletowriteagain. Letterscanbesubmittedthroughthewonderfulef-fortsofourunionizedfriendsoftheUnitedStatesPostalServicebywriting:

LeftoftheLineP.O.Box1710

Muskegon,MI49443.

Or,ifyouprefer,sendusyourletterasane-mailtoleftofthelinellc@gmail.com Remembertoincludeyourfulladdressandcellorphonenumbersowecanverifyyouridentity.Theselastwillnotbeprintedinthenewsmagazineunlessspecificallyrequestedbytheauthor(s).

Submitting Articles/Columns

Commentary,columns,newsorothermaterialintendedforpublicationinLeftoftheLinenewsmaga-zineiseitherwrittenby,orassignedby,theeditors. Writersorphotographers,cartoonists,orgraphicdesignersandartistsinterestedinsubmittingmaterialforLeftoftheLineshouldwritedirectlytotheeditorsatLeftoftheLineLLC,POBox1710,Muskegon,MI49443,orbysendingane-mailtotheeditorsatleftoftheli-nellc@gmail.com However,unsolicitedmaterial,writtenpriortoeditorialconsentbeinggivenforpublicationandsenttoLeftoftheLine,mayormaynotbeevaluatedforuseinupcomingissues.Norwillthismaterialbereturnedtotheauthorsunlessspecialdispensationisgranted.Moreover,onlymaterialpromotingordefendingliberalandprogressiveprinciplesandideaswillbeconsideredforpublication.

Advertising LeftoftheLinenewsmagazineacceptsofferstoadvertisewithinourpageswiththeunderstandingthatanypro-offeredadvertisementmaybesubjecttorejectionifthepublishersbelieveitiscontradictoryorotherwiseopposedtothespiritofthepublicationsprinciplesandideals. AdvertisersinterestedinappearinginLeftoftheLineshouldinquireaboutratesandfeesbywritingtoAdvertisingDepartment,LeftoftheLineLLC,POBox1710,Muskegon,MI49443,orbysendingane-mailtoleftofthelinellc@gmail.comandputtingAdvertisingInquiryintheheader.

Donations LeftoftheLineLLCacceptsdonationsofanyamountratherthansubscriptionfeesinordertomaintainitsviabilityasaproduct.SuchdonationswillNOTbeaccepted,andwillbereturnedtothesource,ifacceptanceiscontingentinANYWAYwithapromisetopromote,backorendorseanycandidate,proposalorproduct.DonationstoLeftoftheLineareNOTtax-deductable.

Made in the U.S.A.

2

By Donald L. MathewsLeft of the Line Backinthe1920sand1930s,ourfamilyatesupperabout6p.m.,aftermyDadgothomefromwork. AftertheNationalRecoveryAct,includingtheeight-hourday,weateabout5p.m. Itseemslikeasmallthing,butafterabout78yearsIstillrememberthat-oneoftheconsequencesoftheeight-hourday. Imsuretherewasalotofcom-motion,argumentanddisagreementoversuchissuesatthattime.Ihaveforgottenmostofthatbynow. ButasIthinkaboutananswertothequestion,Whyareyoualiberaloraprogressive,itemergesoutof

suchseeminglydinkythingsand,Ithink,itallemergesoutofourat-titudetowardchange. Maybeonemorelittlestorytoillustratetheimportanceofourat-titudetowardchange. DuringWorldWarII,ourunitwascutoff,andwewereonahillintheforestduringtheBattleoftheBulge. Itwasharddiggingtomakeaholetogiveyouaplaceforprotec-tion.SoIstoppeddigging-toohard

todig. Then...Germantanksstartedfir-ingtheir88sontoourhill.Theshellswouldexplodeonthehillandtheshrapnelwouldzingagainstthetreesandanythingelseabovetheground.Itookmyholeafootdeeperquickerthan(intheolddays)youcouldsayJackRobin-son. ImguessingifIweremoreconservative

Imighthavetriedtocurlupsmallerintheoriginalhole,neverminddig-ginginthathardground,ratherthanchangethings. IthinkImaybemoreliberalbe-causeIvelearnedtoacceptrespon-siblechangemorereadily. IguessIdliketoaskyouallthesamequestion. Ifyouthinkofyourselfasaliber-al,whydoyouthinkyouareliberal? Blessingsonyouasyouthink!

Donald L. Mathews recently retired from his acclaimed pastorship at the First Presbyterian Church in Muske-gon after 40 years of dedicated, loving service to his church and community. Mathews, a proud graduate of Ohio State University, did missionary work in Africa for more than a decade. He is a World War II veteran, having served in the Armys 275th Regimental Medi-cal Unit, 70th Division. The decisive Battle of the Bulge, referred to by Rev. Mathews, was fought in the winter of 1944, won by the United States, and sealed the doom of Nazi Germany.

Rev. Donald and Grace Mathews

Before the barrage: A tense moment during the Battle of the Bulge, 1944. Photo/NationalArchives

WhyIm a

liberal

IthinkImaybemoreliberalbe-causeIvelearnedtoacceptresponsiblechangemorereadily.

3

Weregladyourewithus,read-ingthisinauguralissueofLeftoftheLinenewsmagazine. Hereinthe2ndCongressionalDistrict,weprogressivesandliberalshavegottohangtogether.Itseitherthator,asfellowprinterBenjaminFranklinoncehumorouslyadvised,mostassuredlywellall Well,youknow.Ontheotherhand,maybeBenwasntkidding. ThatBen. Mynamemayormaynotbeunfamiliartoyou.Ifitisnt,Imtheformerlong-timeeditorialpageeditorforThe Muskegon Chronicle,andIusedtowritecolumnsforthatpublication. Imjoinedinthisendeavorbyex-ChroniclecolleaguesTerryJuddandMichaelG.Walsh.Inthisandfutureissues,youllbereadingwhattheyhavetosayandIcantellyouitwillbeworthwaitingfor. Lestyoureexpectingmetosayanythingderogatoryatthispointaboutourformeremployer,thatsnotgoingtohappen.OuryearsatTheChroniclewerewonderfulyears,workingwithclosefriends,toppro-fessionals,anddedicatedandcaringstaff. Wealldidourjobs,welovedourcommunityandweputoutatremen-dousdailynewspaper.Inreturn,thenewspapertookcareofus.Itwasawonderfularrangement.IhavenothingbuthappymemoriesofThe Muskegon Chronicle,andIwishnoth-ingbutthebestforthoseputtingouttodaysandtomorrowseditions.

WhenIwasstartingoutinthebusinessmanydecadesago,Iaskedanoldhand,abiblical-beardedsportswriter,howitwasthatthenewsroomwesharedmanagedtostayanon-unionshop. Thisfellowwasaunionman,trueblueandback.HerelatedthedetailsofthecontroversythatattimesragedamongthestaffbeforeIjoinedit,touchingonthatveryquestion.Hisone-wordanswer,Iveneverforgot-ten. Unions. Whathemeantwasthatbecauseofunionstrugglesdatingbacktothebeginningofthelastcentury,anequilibriumevolvedbetweenwork-ersandmanagementthatamountedtoasortofunwrittendeal.Thatwas,inreturnfornotunionizing,thecompanywaswillingtogiveworkersthesamebenefitsandprotectionsaunionwouldhavewonforthem. Itwasagreatarrangement.Un-fortunately,IthinkforalltoomanyAmericansstrugglingtokeeptheirheadsabovewater,particularlyyoungpeople,itsalmostover. ThepurposefuldestructionofunionsbyourRepublicanfriendsontheothersideofthelinemeansthatoldarrangementisinimminentdan-ger.Andpeoplearedrowning.Themiddleclassisdisappearing. Soensuringthatunionismre-mainsastrongforceforgoodisone

ofthereasonswereherenow,withyou,fightingtowinthoseprotectionsback. Weknowwhyyourehere,too. Weknowyouwanttoreadmoreprogressivepoliticsstoriesaboutour2ndCongressionalDistrict.Iveheardthatrefrainsomanytimesoverthelastfewyears,Icantevenbelieveit.Youredisgustedbyright-wingspin. Well,askandyeshallreceive.IfyoulikewhatyoureseeingfromLeftoftheLineinthisdebutissue,wellbeback.Ifnot,weshalldisappear.Thisisthefateofmanymediaef-fortsthroughouttimeandwearenoexceptiontotherule. Inthisissue,wellbeginbyex-posingtheliesaboutRighttoWork,andthedoubleliethatourGov.RickSnydertoldwhenhepromisednottotakeupsuchonerouslaw.TheNerdscroniesintheLegislaturepasseditwithoutasinglecommitteehearing,lockedtheCapitoldoorstocloseoutthepublic,andSnyderbetrayedhistrustbysigningthisabominationintolaw. WelltellthestoryaboutLansingRepublicanssellingoutourstatespublicschoolstothehighestbid-ders,rippingawaythefundingforourstudentsandgivingthemoneytocorporationsthatputprofitsfirst. Yes,thereisaconspiracytofundclimatedenialismtothetuneofhalfabilliondollarsaconspiracyex-posedbyscientists.Readallaboutit. WellremindyouthatourKochBrothers-inspiredCongressmanBillHuizengahereinthe2ndCongres-sionalDistrictactivelysupportedSHUTTINGDOWNtheU.S.govern-ment,andvotedforthePaulRyanbudgetdebaclethatwouldkillMedicareasweknowitbyturningitintoaVOUCHERPROGRAM. Didyouknow,RIGHTNOW,thatStateHouseRepublicansaredraftinglawsthatwouldmakeitimpossibleforlocalcommunitiestostopoilandgaswellfrackingoperationsintheirownbackyards?UnderstandthatLakeMichiganisaprimefrackingtargetfortheBigBoys.Theyllstopatnothingtogetwhat

David KolbThe Outside

Were in this together

Here in the 2nd

4

see OUTSIDE page 5

theywant.Heck,oneGOPmemberrecentlycraftedabilltomakeitIL-LEGALtocriticizepoliticians.Itsstillsittingincommittee. Worse,theGOPmajorityinourstatehouseispoisedtochangethelawgoverningpresidentialelectionshereinMichiganinordertostealmorethanhalfofMichiganselectoralvotesfromthenextpresidentialwin-nerandgivethemtotheRepublican. InLeftoftheLine, Well Go There. Youllgetthetruth.Predominant-ly,thestories,columnsandcommen-tariesthatcount,reallycountinyourlives,willfillourpages. Andiftheymakeyouangry,forGodssakedosomethingaboutit. Registertovote,thenvoteateveryopportunity. Beheardatmeetings. Supportprogressiveandliberalcandidates. Demandanswersfromyourright-wingrepresentatives.Askthemwhytheyresellingyoudowntheproverbialriver. WhenIwasaneditorialpageeditor,therewasasloganIoftenusedwhensigningoff.Imbringingitbackbecauseitsayswhatmustbesaidinademocracy: YOURINFLUENCECOUNTS.USEIT! Useit,friends,useit. Useitorkissitgood-by.

David Kolb is a reporter, edito-rial writer, columnist and author. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Inter-national Herald Tribune, the Daily Kos and many other publications and media outlets. Kolbs journal-ism has earned numerous first-place awards from the Associated Press, Michigan Press Association, United Press International and the American Legion. A World War Chronicle, a collection of Kolbs editorials about World War II, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Kolb is co-publisher and co-editor of Left of the Line news magazine.

Boost School Funding

Finally,Michiganhasapro-jected$971millionbudgetsur-plusandcouldshoreupfundinginpublicschoolsandcolleges!Finally,Republicanlawmakerscouldrestorepartofthe$1billioninschoolaidfundsthattheycutin2011!Finally,RepublicanleaderscouldpracticewhattheypreachaboutchildrenbeingMichiganstoppriority! SowhyareRepublicanstalkingtaxrebatestocitizenswhenneighborhoodpublicschoolsandareacollegesareindesperateneed?Aretheymoreconcernedaboutgainingsupportinanelec-tionyearthanassistingMichigansfuture?Sillyquestion. Thewiseuseofthisbudgetsurplusisano-brainer!Usethe$971milliontoenhanceMichiganspublicschoolsandcolleges!

LiddyOlszewskiJenison

A ridiculous rebate WithastonishmentIseeRe-publicanlawmakersadvocatingataxrebateschemetowipeoutthecurrentMichiganbudgetsurplusof$971million! AretheyoblivioustothedirefinancialstraitsofMichigancit-iesandpublicschools?With12EmergencyFinancialManagerscontrollingourcitiesandsixofthesamedictatingrulesinourpublicschools,thereisnodoubtthatthestateisincrisis.

Michigancities,publicschoolsandcollegesaredesperateforfinancialaid.Detroit,ourlargestcity,isinbankruptcyandbeggingforsupport.Othercitiescouldfacesimilarfates. Oneinfivepublicschoolsisfacingfinancialhardshipandatleast56areindeficit.That$971millioncouldrestoremostofthe$1billiontheSnyderAdministrationcutfromtheSchoolAidFundin2011! Bytheway,thatsurpluswasgeneratedbytherobustreboundinnationaleconomythankstotheeffortsofPresidentBarackObamaandDemocratsinCongress. TheNerdandhispalsinLansinghadnothingtodowithit.Theywouldratherhaveseentheautoindustrydie! That$971millionPresidentObamahelpedgetforMichiganisneededincitiesandschoolstoday! ItistimeforustomendMichi-ganspovertywoes!Dontgiveitaway!

SueMaturkanichWestOlive

Steer Surplus to Schools OnJan.10,theConsensusRevenueEstimatingConferenceinLansingreleased$971millionasthefigureforMichiganscurrentbudgetsurplus. Republicanlawmakersarealreadychantingtaxrebatesasauseforthemoney,eventhoughoneinfiveMichiganpublicschool

Letters

see LETTERS page 9

5

OUTSIDE from page 4

2nds Chance

Spring Lake resident seeks to challenge GOP incumbent

By Terry JuddLeft of the Line ItsnosecretDeanVandersteltonceconsideredhimselfaRepubli-can. ButthatallchangedasthestateandnationalRepublicanPartylurchedtothefarrightalienatingmoderate-to-liberalRepublicanslikehimacrossthenation. Today,theretiredSpringLakebusinessmannotonlyhasrealignedhimselfasaDemocrat,butalsoisaDemocratseekingtounseatU.S.Rep.BillHuizengaofZeelandinMichi-gans2ndCongressionalDistrict. NominatingpetitionsaredueApril22.CandidateswillappearontheAug.5primaryballotwithwin-nerscompetingintheNov.4election.VandersteltappearstohavealockontheDemocraticPartynominationandmostlikelywillnothaveaprimarychallenger, Huizenga,asecond-termCon-gressman,haswhole-heartedlyembracedtheGOPsradicalrightanditsteapartywinganddoesnotappeartohaveaprimarychallengereither. Vanderstelt,61,saidhewasmovedtochallengeHuizengabasedonwhathehasobservedfromRe-publicansinWashingtonandLansinginrecentyearsparticularlyfromtheofficeofRep.BillHuizenga.

Ourcurrentrepresentative,BillHuizenga,hasdemonstratedthroughhisac-tionsthathedoesnotrepresentthebestinterestsofWestMichigan,Vandersteltsaid.Infact,hisac-tionshaveshownthathewillnothesitatetohurthisconstituentsifitbenefitsthelob-byistsandcorpo-rationwhofundhiscampaigns. Vandersteltsaidheparticu-larlywasbotheredbyHuizengasparticipationinlastyearsill-advisedshutdownoftheU.S.GovernmentbyRepublicanmembersoftheHouseandSenate,amovethatcostthecountymorethan$24billioninlosteconomicactivity. ThisistotallyunacceptablewhenmanyinWestMichiganarealreadystruggling.,Vandersteltsaid.HealsovotedtopreventAmericafrompayingitsbills.Americanspaytheirbills,andsoshouldAmerica! WestMichiganresidentsaretiredofextremistpartisanpoliticsin

Washingtonanddeservebetterrep-resentation.Weneedacandidatethatwillworktoimprovetheeconomywhilerepresentingallcitizens,notjusttheverywealthy,wellconnected,corporateinterests! VandersteltgrewupinMuske-gonCountyastheyoungestoffivechildrenraisedbyasinglemother.HespenthisearlyyearsinRavenna,thenmovedtoMuskegon,wherehegraduatedin1971fromOakridgeHighSchool. Hecreditsthoseformativeyears

Dean Vanderstelt is hoping to be the Democratic Party candidate this fall for the 2nd Congressional District.Photo/DeanVanderstelt

Our current representative, Bill Huizenga, has demonstrated through his actions that he does not represent the best interests of West Michigan. Dean Vanderstelt

6

see VANDERSTELT page 7

withfosteringanappreciationofhardworkandasupportivefamily.Asayouth,heearnedmoneypickingfruitsandvegetablesandworkingatagasstation. HeattendedMuskegonCommu-nityCollegeandwasawardedtwoassociatesdegrees,oneinelectricaltechnologyandotherinbusinessadministration. HelaterattendedGrandValleyStateUniversityandreceivedabach-elorsdegreeinindustrialengineer-ingandamastersdegreeinbusi-nessadministration. Afterheearnedhisfirstassoci-atesdegreein1976,VandersteltwenttoworkforTeledyneVehicleSystems(ContinentalMotors)asaUnitedAutoWorkersLocal1279uniontechnician.Atthetime,hecon-tinuedhisundergraduateandgradu-ateworkatGVSU. HeworkedhiswayuptheranksatTeledyne,tobecomemanagerofelectricalengineeringatTeledynesadvancedengineeringTechnicalCenteronSeminoleRoadinNortonShores.Afterthecompanywaspur-chasedbyGeneralDynamicsCorp.,Vandersteltwaspromotedtodirec-torofoperationsandengineeringtooverseetheentireTechnicalCenter. HisdutieslaterwereexpandedtoincludeoperationsintheWashing-ton,D.C.areaandDetroit. Bythetimeheretiredin2010,Vandersteltwasmanagingabout1,000workers.HedecidedtomovebacktoWestMichigananddidcon-sultingwork.HealsoisamemberoftheSpringLakeTownshipZoningBoardofAppeals. Buthisretirementgavehimtheopportunitytobecomemorein-volvedinpolitics. IwaslisteningtowhatwasgoingonbutIwasntnecessarilypayingattentiontowhatwasgoingon,hesaid.Isawadiscrepancybetweenwhatpeopleweresayingandwhattheyweredoinginpolitics.Andthatcaughtmyattention.AndthemoreIpaidattention,themoreIreal-izedthatthingsarekindofscrewedup. Aboutthreeyearsago,Vander-steltgotinvolvedwiththeOccupy

MuskegonCoalition,alocalversionoftheOccupyWallStreetmovement.HelaterhelpedformOccupytheLakeshore,asimilargroupwithamorenationalfocus. Maybeitwasanaturalevolutionforme,hesaidofthatexperience.Itgavemetheopportunitytotalkwithothers,toopentheeyesofouryoungerfolksaboutwhatwasgoingonintheirgovernmentincomeandwealthdisparity,taxcodebiastowardcorporateinterests,issueslikethat. Vandersteltsaidhewasap-proachedlastyearbyseveralindi-vidualsandgroupsaboutrunningforCongress,basedonhisbusinessbackgroundandhiscentristmindsetoneconomicissues.

TogethisnameontheAug.5primaryballot,volunteershavebeenactivecollectingthe1,000neededsignatures.VolunteersrecentlycanvassedSt.PatricksDayparadesinMuskegonandHollandandwerepleasedbytheresponse. IntalkingwithpeopleinHol-land,therearealotofpeopledis-satisfiedwithHuizengaVandersteltsaid.Italkedwithonepersonwhosaid,IgrewupwithBill;wewerefriends.Butyouknowwhat?Idontrecognizetheguyanymore.Idontknowwhathappenedtohim. Vandersteltsaidamajorfocusofhiscampaignwillbemakingconstit-uentsandformerconstituentsawareofjusthowfartotherightHuizengahasshifted. Ihaveafirmbelieftherearegood,sensible,moderateRepubli-cansouttherewhodontlikewhathashappenedtotheirparty,Vander-steltsaid.Theyhaveseentheirparty

moveawayfromthem,prettyfartotheright,towhatwecancharacterizeasaprettyextremeposition. Statistically,convincingthe2ndCongressionalDistricttovoteDemo-craticwillbeachallenge.AccordingtotheCookPartisanVotingIndex,thedistrictisthemostRepublicanamonginMichigans15congressio-naldistricts. Pastelectionresultsbearthisout.Forthe2012election,Huizengare-ceived194,653votes,or61.2percent,overwrite-inDemocraticcandidateWillieGermanJr.,whoreceived108,973votes,or34.2percent.ThreeothercandidatesfortheLibertarian,GreenandU.S.Taxpayerspartiesreceivedatotalof3.9percent. For2010,Huizengasoaredtoan

easyfirst-termvictorybyreceiving148,864votes,orawhopping65.3percent.DemocratFredJohnson,re-ceived72,118votes,or31.6percent.ThreeothercandidatesrepresentingtheLibertarian,U.S.TaxpayersandtheGreenpartiesreceivedacom-bined3.1percent. ButVandersteltbelievesHuizen-gahasalienatedhisRepublicanbasebyignoringnotonlywhatisbestforthedistrictbutalsothecountrythroughhisvotestoshutdownthegovernmentandtomakeMedicareavoucherprogram. IfthiscountyhaddonewhatHuizengawantedittodothoughhisvotes,itwouldhavecausedacata-strophicsituationinthenationalandworldeconomy,hesaid.AlotofpeopleinWestMichiganwouldhavebeensignificantlyhurt.Tome,heisnotlookingoutforthecountry,muchlesshisconstituentsinthe2ndDis-trict.

7

VANDERSTELT from pg. 6

I have a firm belief there are good, sensible, moderate Republicans out there who dont like what has happened to their party. They have seen their party move away from them, pretty far to the right, to what we can characterize as a pretty extreme position.

By Eric JustianLeft of the Line TheRepublicansrunningthisstate(intotheground)hatewhenstudentsvote. GVSUstudents.Hopestudents.MCCstudents.Bakerstudents.Allofyou.Ifyouwanttoreallypisssomebodyoff,govotesotheseguyscantstopyoufromvotinginthefuture. Republicanshatewhenyouvote.Drivesemnuts.Andbygodtheyrenottakingitsittingdown.Actuallytheyare,technically,sittingdown.Probablyquitealotastheydevotetheirtimeontheirpamperedduffstryingtowriteandpassanti-votinglawsoneafteranother(atleast11ofthem). Theirdevouthatredofyourconstitutionalrighttovoteispathologicalanditshowsinthelawstheyrechurning,concoctingwaystomakecollegestudentsandothersjumpthroughmorebureaucratichoopslikeper-formingdogstodowhatweareconstitutionallyguaran-teedaRIGHTtodo. OurownformerSecretaryofState,TerriLynnLand,hadapolicyofautomaticallyremovingfromvotingrollsvoterswhohavedriverslicensesfromanotherstateEVENiftheyreresidentsofMichigan.Eveniftheylivehere. Bytheway,LandisgoingtobetheRepublicancandidateforU.S.senatorintheNovemberelection.Youcanputanendtothismiserablepersonspoliticalca-reeracareersteepedinmakingvotingMOREdifficultforyoungpeoplebyvotingforDemocratGaryPeters,someonewhoDOESNTthinkkickingcollegekidsoffthevotingrollsisagoodthing. Heck,IhadanIowalicenseforyearsfrommycol-legedayseventhoughIownedahomeandhadafam-ilyinRooseveltPark.ItdoesntmeanIshouldhavemy

constitutionalrightstripped.ThenourlegislatorstriedtoputupMOREhoopsjusttoRE-QUESTanabsen-teeballot. Thesearelawsdirectlytargetedatcollegestu-dents,toputuproadblockstoyourrighttovote!MaybeImnuts,butIfeelifONEpersonisstrippedoftherighttovote,itsonetoomany.IfONEpersonwhoisexhausteddayandnightjusttryingtogetbyormakeabetterlifeisforcedtojumpthroughextrahoopssohecantexercisehisRIGHTtovote,itsonetoomany. VotingisourRIGHT.Anditshouldbemadeeasier,notharder. OfCOURSERepublicansknowhowbusycollegestudentsare.Ofcoursetheydo!Theyrecountingonitwhentheythrowuproadblocksandahalf-daywaitattheDMVthatyousimplycantaffordbecauseyouhaveobligations:classes,studying,homework,holdingdownajob,sometimesevenraisingafamilyornurturinganewandhopefullyenduringrelationship.Itsrelentless.Anditsallforabetterlife.Forallofus. ThethingsMichiganscollegestudentsdoareallcriticaltoabetterfutureandastrongerstateandcoun-try.Youstayuplateandgetupearlyjusttofitinallthe

FAILINGGRADE

Republicans battle the student vote

Eric Justian

8

see JUSTIAN page 9

Commentary

stuffyouhavetodoandwhatdoRepublicansdotohelp?ThrowuproadblockstoyourconstitutionalRIGHTtoengageinourdemocracy. Whatisthat?Howisthatevenallowed? Sure,Republicansscreamsomehystericalcrapaboutkeepingthevotingprocesspure.Whattheymeanis: Not. For. College. Students. NothingRepublicanshavetosaycanjustifykeepingevenONEpersonfromtheirhumanrighttovote.Notone.Itsunconstitutional.Itscriminal.Itstyrannical.Anditneedstobecalledout. MichigangaveRepublicansachance.Butasidefromtheirobsessionwithinstitutionalizedself-preservation,MichiganRepublicansdonothingwiththeirtimeconsid-eringthestateofMichiganstillhassomeofthehighestunemploymentinAmericawhiletheearningpotentialoffamiliesandcollegegraduateshasplummetedhere. Theonlythingkeepingusafloatisaresurgentautoindustry,andifIrecallitwasPresidentBarackObamawhosteppedin,againstRepublicanscreaming,torescuetheindustryMichiganmostrelieson.Forheavenssake,theGOPnominatedMittRomneytobeourpresident,a

manwhowantedDetroittoDIE. Michiganisfourthfromdeadlastinunemploymentwatchingourwagesdrop.AndhereIthoughtRightToWorkwassupposedtobringjobs.Instead,itwasjustanotherexampleofRepublicanslegislatingtheirownjobsecurityastheytrytoweakenbyhookorbycrookanybodywhomayopposethem. Themorepowertheygettheymoretheytakefromstudents,workingfamiliesandminorities.Wecantputupwiththatanymore. Fortunately,morecollege-agevotershavebeenvot-inginthepastfewelectioncycles.Beoneofthemthisyear.StoptheGOPspowergrab. Eric Justian is a professional writer living near the natural sugar sand beaches and singing sand dunes of Lake Michigan in Muskegon. As Muskegon Critic, he is one of the 50 most-recom-mended active authors at Daily Kos (dailykos.com) and has been a front-page blogger at BloggingForMichigan.org, focusing largely in Great Lakes, renewable energy and Michigan topics. Erics work also appears at TriplePundit.com and LiberalAmerica.org . Eric co-founded a non profit organization dedicated to strengthening independent businesses and diversifying Michigans economy into sustainable industries.

systemsisinfinancialhardship.Fifty-sixdistrictsbeganthisschoolyearindeficit,theeffectofthe2011Gov.RickSnyderSchoolAidFundcutof$1billion!Localpublicschoolshavesuf-feredfromincreasedclasssizes,programeliminations,employeelayoffs,andslashedsalariesandbenefitstoemployees!Nowisthetimetorestorefunding! TheCenterforMichigan,anon-profitandnon-partisangroup,determinedbysurveythatcitizenswantequalresourcesacrossschooldistricts,morefunding,higherexpectationsofstudentsandstaffandmoreaggressiveactionfightingdrop-outrates. Citizensmustconvincestatelegislatorsthattheirlocalschoolsdeservepriorityfunding!NowisthetimetoinvestinthefutureofMichigan:Ourchildren!

JohnDarling

HollandMore Poverty Ahead

RepublicanGov.RickSnyderisdrivingMichiganinthewrongdirection.BridgeMagazineprojectsmostlylow-payingjobsasthenormforMichiganworkersincomingyears. SnyderscutstoK-12andhighereducationhavecontributedtothisdecline.Hislackofinvestmentineducationisproducingfewerstudentswithdegreeswhowillearnlivingwages. Snyderhasactedagainstunionstopleasebusiness.Nerd-approvedRighttoWorklegislationwillleadtofewerfamily-sustainingjobs.WhileMichigansunionizedautoindustryisasourceofgoodpayingjobs,workersowenothankstoSnyder.Justacoupleyearsago,hewasreadytoallowthedomesticautoindustrytogobankrupt. Luckyforoveramillionwork-ersthatPresidentObamabelieved

theirjobsmattered! Gov.SnyderstakeoverofDe-troit,Pontiac,BentonHarborandFlinthasnotonlybeenundemocrat-ic,butaslapinthefacetoemploy-eeswithcontractsandpensions.Snyderhaswatchedunconcernedascontractsandpensionshavebeeninvalidated. Byshiftinganannual$1.7bil-lionintaxesfrombusinesstothepovertystrickenandthemiddleclass,andbytaxingpensions,Sny-derhascreatedanewclassofpoor. ThisregressivetaxstructureiswrongandhurtstheaverageMichi-gander. Itstimetopreventmorepov-ertyaheadwithSnyderandtoelectDemocratMarkSchauer,anadvo-cateforthepeoplein2014!

JoBirdHolland

LETTERS from page 5

9

JUSTIAN from page 8

By Shauna HunterLeft of the Line Iwantmyvoicetobeheard. Ineedsomeoneinpower,withtheabilitytomakelaw,whoknowsmyissues,situationandcircumstances.IneedsomeonewhowilltellmystoryinWashington,D.C.,andwhowillfightfortherightsofallpeople. IwanttolivetheAmericanDream.Ineedsomeonewhowillstandupforus,the99percent,someonewhoknowswhatittakestoputthatdreamwithinourreach. Allofthatisalongwayoff,unfortunately,foralltoomanyofus. Worse,though,isthattheequalityandjusticeforallthatwearestillseekingwillbeanotionofthepastifwecontinuetobepassivewithourrighttovote. Butblackandminorityvoicescanbeheard! Yes,theycan! TheycanifwearriveatthepollsthisNovemberinrecordnumbers,andexercisingthatrightwillgiveusthepowertomakeourvoicesreigninourgovernmentandbounceoffeverywallandflooroftheCongress. Winningoneelection,hereandthere,stillleavesuswithtoomanychallengestoovercome.Soletmetellyou,ifyouarestillexpectingallofthechangethatwasprom-isedin2008and2012,youstillhavetovote. Votinggivesusthepoliticalpowerwemusthaveifchangesandimprovementsaretotakeplaceinourcom-munitiesandneighborhoods. However,governmentshutdowns,filibustersandgridlockaretheoppositeofchange.Toobadthesehavebecomecommonplaceinrecentyears. WedontneedgridlockandgamesonCapitolHill.Weneedhelp. Inthemid-1960s,peoplewerebeatenandmurdered

fortakingastandtocasttheirvotes. Theirwillingnesstodieandendurethosebeatingshavegivenusopportunitiesthatwereonceonlydreamedofbythoseenslaved,ormiredinhopelesspoverty. Yes,wehaveclimbedsomestepstoreachthatAmericandream.Atthesametime,manyopportunitieshavebeenmissedtosolidifythoserights,programsandprivileges. Thesearestillworthfightingfor.Fightingfor,withourvote! Theimportanceoftheblackvoteandtheminorityvoteisjustasimportanttodayasitwaswhenwehadseparatedrinkingfountains,unequalschoolsanddesper-ate,viciouspeopletryingtokeepusinourplace. Ourvoteisdesperatelyneededtokeephopeandop-portunityaliveforgenerationstocome. Ifwe,asacountry,aregoingtoputastoptothegrid-lockingovernmentthatwevecometohateforthepastfewyears,itisessentialweshowupforthe2014elec-tions. ThevoiceofallAmericansmustbeheardonissuesthataffectus-likeimprovingpublichealthcarereform,strengtheningtheSupplementalNutritionAssistancePro-gram(SNAP)andpubliceducation,makingstudentloansmoreaffordable,passingimmigrationreformandputtingpeoplebacktowork. Yetherewearein2014,stillfightingtotakebackourrighttovote,andfightingbackagainstunnecessaryroad-blockstovote. Hereshowwefightback,people: Wefightbackbycastinganabsenteeballet. Wefightbackbytakingourdriverslicenseorper-

I want to live the American Dream. I need someone

who will stand up for us, the 99 percent, someone who

knows what it takes to put that dream within our reach.

Our vote is desperately needed to make hope and op-

portunity for generations to come.

Every time I visit the polls, I proudly wear my I

Voted sticker because that right was earned by many for

many.

Of the people, by the people

Civil right to vote under attack

10

see HUNTER page 11

sonalIDcardissuedbyanotherstatetothepolls. Wefightbackbyshowingourfederalorstategov-ernment-issuedphotoID,U.S.passport,militaryidentifi-cationcardwithphoto,studentidentificationwithphotofromahighschooloranaccreditedinstitutionofhighereducation. Wefightbackwithourtribalidentificationcardwithphoto. Mostimportantly,wefightbackbygettingregisterednow! Alotisridingonthisyearsminorityvote,anawfullot. Ilearnedatanearlyagethatpeoplediedandgaveuptheirfreedomformyvotingprivilegesasacitizen. Attheageof18,IwasproudtoreceivemyvoterregistrationIDandforaninstant,(inmymind),Istoodinhistoryandthefutureatthesametime. EverytimeIvisitthepolls,IproudlywearmyIVotedstickerbecausethatrightwasearnedbymanyformany.TheonlywaythisrightcouldeverbepulledfrommeisifIrefusetouseit. IfIrefusetovote,ifIrefusetoshowup,Ihavegivenbacktherightthathasthebloodofmyforefathersonit. Ifminorityvotersshowupthisfalllikewedidinthepresidentialelectionsof2008and2012,wecouldper-hapsregainourvoiceintheHouseofRepresentatives,whichisnowcontrolledbylegislatorswhodontwantustovote. Itwillbeatoughfight. Manystateshavecompoundedthechallengesofvot-ing,suchasFlorida,whichhadaseven-hourlinetovote. Yetinthatlinemanystayedthecoursein2012. Eventhoughnooneshouldwaitthatlongtovote,we

stoodtogetherandjumpedthatspecifichurdlebecause,yousee,changewillnevercometothosewholookforit,buttothosewhoactivelyparticipateinmakingithappen. Igrewupknowingthatthepriceofchangedoesnotcometothosewhotalkbuttothosewhostandfirmtobackupeveryword. Myfather,thelateRev.RooseveltHunter,wasveryin-strumentalinfightingfortherightsoflaborers,becausehealwaysbelievedthatthebestweaponwehaveisourvote. NotvotingissayingtoyourfellowAmericansthatyouagreewiththegridlockingovernmentthathaskilledjobsandkeptusback. Fightback! Register! Vote! Godblessusall! Shauna Hunter is the Open Door Administrator for the Muskegon YMCA, 900 W. Western. There, she coordinates child abuse prevention and anti-bullying programs, con-ducts mandatory staff training, and was a key facilitator of the MOVE (Making Overt Violence End) march last summer. She also serves as a motivator for the Muskegon YMCA Summer Evening Recreation Program, which serves 300 to 500 children per night, and is a mentor for Operation Hope Grows, a program for women who are in transitional living. She is a missionary at the Antioch Baptist Church, and her passion in life is to lift people to a higher place in life through poetry, ministry or through public speaking. I enjoy seeing others happy. Shauna is the mother of a daughter.

Thatwasterrific.Almostepic.Buttwoyearslater,wesatonourhands.Werolledoverandplayeddeadfortherightwing. Theteapartytriumphof2010wasadisasterfortheprogressivemovement. ItsvictorygavethedistrictCon-gressmanBillHuizenga. Butthatwasjustforstarters.Michiganteapartiers,swamp-ingliberals,electedaRepublicangovernor,aRepublicanSecretaryofState,aRepublicanAttorneyGen-eral,aRepublicanmajorityinbothhousesofthestateLegislature,andaRepublicanmajorityonthestateSupremeCourt. Game,set,match. Itamountedtoacleansweepthatensuredthe2ndCongressionalDistrict,whenitwasredrawnafter

the2010Census,wouldbecon-figuredinasuchawayastodenyDemocrats,liberalsandprogres-sivesakeyseatinCongress. Thisiswherewefindourselvesgoingintothe2014elections. Giventhepoliticalfactsofredistricting,Democratsofthe2ndremainseverelydisadvantaged.FairVote.orgevaluatedourdistrictspartisanbreakdownas55-45,Re-publicansontop. Butthatsifeveryonevoted.Andeveryonedoesnotvote. Toomanyvotersofbothpartiessititoutinelections,anditscon-ceivablethatin2014onepartywillhaveadecidededge. Ifso,letitbethegoodguyswhowinthistimeout. Sothetestforliberalsandpro-gressivesthisyearinourdistrictistoturnoutasmanyforoursideaswecan,andnotlettingasinglevote

gotowasteforwantofnotbeingcast. Inotherwords,ALLIN. Ifwecanshowstrengthinthisdistrict,whereRepublicansholdanoverwhelmingedge,itwillsendapowerfulmessagestatewide. Wecanandmustmakeourvoiceheardthroughourvotesandthroughourunity. Ifwedo,wewillforceRepub-licanstodukeitoutinadistricttheybelieveistheirhometurf,safefromliberalvoicesandprogressiveideas. Challengingthemherein2ndDistrictwouldshaketheunion-hat-ers,thegaybashers,theanti-choic-ers,theschoolvoucherscrowdandthecorporatebigshotstotheirverycore. Soundsgood,eh? Right! Letsstartshakingthingsup

EDITORIAL from page 1

11

HUNTER from page 1O

By David KolbLeft of the Line No,itsnotyourimagination. TherereallyISavastright-wingconspiracytodumbdownpublicopinionandmisleadournationandtheworldabouttherealityanddangersofhuman-causedclimatechange. Themovementisextraordinarilywell-funded,too.Hundredsofmillionsfromconservativefoundationshavebeenfunneledintoorganizationsthatareactivelypromotingclimatechangecountermovementpropagan-da.Millionsmorepourineveryyear,butmuchofitcantevenbetrackedbecauseitssourcesareincreasinglybeingdisguised. WeknowallthisbecauseoftheheroiceffortsofDr.RobertJ.Brulle,aprofessorofsociologyandenviron-mentalscienceatDrexelUniversityinPhiladelphia. Brullehasundertakenaninvestigationintothesci-encebehindthefundingmethodologyoftheso-calledclimatechangecountermovement,thosewhointhefaceofoverwhelmingevidencetothecontrarydenythatman-madeclimatechangeiswreakinghavoconourfragileplanet. Dr.BrullesworkwasrecentlypublishedinClimaticChange,oneoftheworldsforemostclimatesciencepublications. ItspublicationpromptedtheeditorsofPhys.Org,aleadingscience,researchandtechnologynewswebsite,tocreditthescientistsstudyasalandmarkinclimatedenialresearch: Thisstudymarksthefirstpeer-reviewed,compre-hensiveanalysiseverconductedofthesourcesoffund-ingthatmaintainawell-fundedandorganizedefforttounderminepublicfaithinclimatescienceandblockactionbytheU.S.governmenttoregulateemissions. Thiscountermovementinvolvesalargenumberoforganizations,includingconservativethinktanks,advocacygroups,tradeassociationsandconservativefoundations,withstronglinkstosympatheticmediaout-letsandconservativepoliticians. Sadly,thestudyhasaWestMichigancomponent.AmongthedonorstrackedbytheBrullestudywastheRichardandHelenDeVosFoundation,basedinGrandRapids,whichbetween2003and2010giftedmorethan$10milliontoorganizationspromotingclimatechangedenial,accordingtoInternalRevenueServicerecordscitedbyDr.Brulle.

TheDeVosfamilyremainsextremelyactiveinRe-publicanandconservativecircles.RichardandHelenssonDickisaformerMichigangubernatorialnominee.Theirdaughter-in-law,DickswifeBetsy,isaformerstateGOPchairwoman.BetsyDeVosbrotherisErikPrince,thefounderofthecontroversialBlackwaterUSAprivatesecurityservice,nowknownsimplyasAcademi. TheDeVosesarehardlyaloneintheirlargess.Amongthebetter-knownnamesofthelargestclimatechangedenialmovementfundersarefoundationscre-atedbytheCoorsfamilyofbeerfame,theExxon/Mobilfossilfuelindustrialcomplex,andfoundationsaffiliatedwithDavidandCharlesKochtheKochBrothersandtheRichardMellonScaifefamily. Achartbreakingdownthemoneydistribution,whichappearedinDr.Brullesstudy,accompaniesthisarticle. MostconcerningofallofDr.Brullesfindingswasthecorrelationbetweentheincreasinglyalarmingglobalclimatechangewarningsissuedbyscientificagencies,andtheseemingdirectdeclineofpublicopinionsup-portingthosefindings. Dr.Brullewrote: Inresponsetoasurveyquestioninthefallof2012,Doscientistsbelievethatearthisgettingwarmerbecauseofhumanactivity?43percentrepliedno,andanother12percentdidntknow.Only45percentoftheU.S.publicaccuratelyreportedthenearunanimityofthescientificcommunityaboutanthropogenicclimatechange. Tothescientist,thewhyofthisgrossdisconnectwasall-too-clear: Anumberofanalyseshaveshownthatonemajorfactordrivingthismisunderstandingandanoveralllackoflegislativeactionisadeliberateandorganizedefforttomisdirectthepublicdiscussionanddistortthepub-licsunderstandingofclimatechange. ContinuedDr.Brulle:Itclearlyshowsthatanum-berofconservativethinktanks,tradeassociations,andadvocacyorganizationsarethekeyorganizationalcom-ponentsofawell-organizedmovementthathasnotonlyplayedamajorroleinconfoundingpublicunderstand-ingofclimatescience,butalsosuccessfullydelayedmeaningfulgovernmentpolicyactionstoaddresstheissue. Soitsnotyourimagination.Thereisalargeandex-

The right spends big money questioning evidence

CLIMATECHANGE

12

see CHANGE page 13

ceedinglywell-fundedefforttodeceivethepublicwhenitcomestotheissueofclimatechange,anditstentaclesextenddirectlyfromsomeoftheRepublicanPartysmostimportantdonors. Theconsequencesindelayingaresponsetowarm-ingwilladverselyaffectthefutures,livesandfortunesofalltheworldscitizens.Sincethiswillultimatelyaffect

eventhefundersofclimatechangesciencedenial,itmakesitallthehardertounderstandthereasoningbe-hindsuchbehavior. Perhapsafuturescientificstudywillgiveussomead-ditionalinsight.Thatis,ifitsnottoolate.

David Kolb is the former editorial page editor for The Muskegon Chronicle. He is co-publisher and co-editor of Left of the Line.

PermissiontoexcerptforthisarticlefromDr.RobertJ.Brullesstudy,InstitutionalizingDelay:FoundationFundingandtheCreationofU.S.ClimateChangeCounter-MovementOrganiza-tions,whichappearedintheDecemberissueofClimatic Changemagazine,wasgrantedbySpringerScience+BusinessMedia. Thatstudyincorporatesanden-largesupontheworkofmanyotherscientistswhohaveinvestigated

thestartlingconnectionbetweenstalledgovernmentalprogressinabatingclimatechangeandtheriseoftheincrediblywell-fundeddenialcountermovement. Foremostamongthoseinvesti-gatingthisphenomenon,intermsofDr.Brullesstudy,isDr.RileyDunlap,authorandsociologypro-fessoratOklahomaStateUniversity. Dr.BrulleisaDrexelUniversity(PA)environmentalsociologist.Hereceivedadoctorateinsociology

fromGeorgeWashingtonUniver-sity,amasterofsciencedegreeinnaturalresourcesfromtheUniver-sityofMichigan,amasterofartsdegreeinsociologyfromtheNewSchoolforSocialResearch,andabachelorofsciencedegreeinma-rineengineeringfromtheUnitedStatesCoastGuardAcademy. BrullepreviouslyservedasacommissionedofficerintheUnitedStatesCoastGuardfortwode-cades.

13

CHANGE from page 12

Source: Climatic Change Magazine

By Steve KeglovitzLeft of the Line IamwritingthistohelppeopleunderstandwhyRighttoWorkisdi-sastrousforAmericasworkingclassfamilies.Simplyput,iterodeswhatsomanyworkingwomenandmenhavefoughtsohardtogain. Itsalsoalie:avery,veryBIGlie. FromtheverybeginningofAmericasIndustrialRevolutionintheearly19thcentury,arevolutionchar-acterizedbythemassproductionofgoods,workerswereruthlesslyexploitedbytheiremployers. Miserableanddangerouswork-ingconditions,chain-ganghours,ridiculouslylowwagesandunequalpayforwomenandminoritiescausedlaborchampionslikeSamuelGompers,founderoftheAmericanFederationofLabor,ortheKnightsofLaborasitwasalsocalled,torepre-sentworkersinplantsandgivethemanorganizedvoice. Managementusedbrutalmeth-odstotrytostranglethisvoice.Laborfoughtbackwithworkstop-pages,strikesandboycotts.Evermanandwomanonthejobtodayhasbenefittedfromthesacrifices,hard-shipandevendeaththatworkerssufferedintheirstruggleforsimpledignityonthejob. Thevictoryoforganizedlaborresultedinimprovedworkingcondi-tionsandwages,whichcausedmorepeopletoseekoutthesecurityofunionstohelpthem.Unionsgrew,spreadovermanydifferentcrafts,andbecameplayersinthepoliticalprocess. Theheroesofthelabormove-mentworkedwithPresidentFranklinDelanoRooseveltinthe1930stocreatetheNewDeal,whichinturngavebirthtoSocialSecurity,allow-

ingpeopletoretireinsteadofwork-inguntiltheydiedofoldageontheassemblyline.PresidentRooseveltsNewDealalsogaveustheWagnerAct,whichprotectedaunionsrightstoorganize,givingrisetoastrongerunionmovement. Americasmiddleclassrosetopowerbecauseoftheon-the-jobprotectionsandadvantagesunionsfightforandwon.Companiesandcorporationswereforcedtosharetheirungodlywealthwiththepeopletheyemployed,whomadethemsowealthy.Thus,powerwasgainedforanever-largerpopulationofAmeri-cansearninghigherwagesthatallowedthemtoownhomesandcars,goonvacationswiththeirfamilies,andsendtheirsonsanddaughterstoattendcolleges(previouslyonlyaffordableforthewealthy). Asaresult,AmericaexperiencedexplosiveeconomicgrowthafterWorldWarII,atrendthatcontinueduntilthe1970s,whenwestartedindiscriminatelyexportingjobsandimportinggoods.Otherblowstothe

labormovementcameintheformofderegulationofindustries,andRepublicanPresidentRonaldRea-gansdastardlydismantlingoftheAirTrafficControllersUnionin1981inthemidstofalegalstrike. Istateallthissoyouhaveanunderstandingofwhytherewereclosedshoppractices,whichmadejoiningaunionaconditionofem-ployment.Readersneedtoknowandunderstandthis. Unionswerethereasonforbetterpay,benefits,workingconditionsanddefinedpensions. Ifyoudidntwanttoworkinaunionshop,therewereplentyofothertypicallow-paying,non-unionjobsoutthere,sopeoplealwayshavehadachoice! ThatiswhythelabelRighttoWorkissuchadisgustinglie. WorkershaveALWAYShadarighttoworkorthechoicenottoworkinaunionshop. Heresthetruth:Gov.RickSny-dersRighttoWorklawshouldbe

AVERYVERYBIGLIE

On strike for a living wagePhoto/PacificaRadioArchives

Right to Work is a lie

14

see LABOR page 15

labeledastheRighttoWorkforLESSlaw. Inthe24RighttoWorkstatesMichiganisnowoneofthesethankstotheRepublicanswhocontrolourstate-workersmakeanaverageof$6,000LESSperyear. Theirbenefits,suchaspensionsandsafeworkingconditions,havedeclinedSIGNIFICANTLY,butthemosttellingstatisticisthatstatesthathavehadRighttoWorklegislationformorethan10yearsareAmericasPOOREST. SotheGOPseconomicgrowthandmorejobsmantraistheBigLiethatRepublicansusetoselltheirphonyRighttoWorkscheme. RighttoWorkisgrosslyunfair. Itallowsnon-unionizedworkerstogettheprotectionsandbenefitsthatunionsprovideWITHOUTthesesameworkerspayingadimeinuniondues.Theyrefreeloaderswhoweakenlaborstrengthatthenegoti-atingtable. Whenemployersknowyoudontspeakonbehalfofallemployees,andthatyoudonthavesignificantfinancialsupport,andthatyoualsohavetorepresentthosewhohavenoinvestmentintheoutcome,youwillloseyournegotiatingstrength. ThatswhystateswithRighttoWorklawslikeMichigansdonthavestrongoccupationalhealthandsafetyprograms,donthaveunem-ploymentinsurance,havehigherpovertylevelsandpaytheirworkersless. Meanwhile,thoseextradollars,gainedfromdeprivingworkers,gorightintothepocketsofemployersandstockholders. Innon-RighttoWorkstates,likeMichiganoncewas,workershavemorebuyingpower,bettereduca-tionand,mostimportantly,after35yearsofemploymenthaveanextra$210,000intheirownpockets! Thereisalsoasidebenefitfewpeopleeverdiscuss.Inaunionshop,managementalwaysbenefits! Theirbenefitsandsalarieshavealwaysbeenbasedonwhattheunionmembersreceivedornegotiatedatthetable!Ihavepersonallybeenap-proachedmanytimesbysupervisors

toaskforthingsthattheycouldntthemselvesaskforbecausetheyhadnoprotection,buttheyknewifwegotthemtheywouldsoonbenefit! Ireallystrugglewiththefactthatweareerodinglaborsvoice.Right-wingpoliticianshavebeenenviousofourpoliticalstrengthandabilitytomakeourvotesandvoicecount. Yousee,RighttoWorkonlyaf-fectslabor! Butwhendoctors(American

MedicalAssociation),lawyers(AmericanBarAssociation),Realtors(RealtorsAssociation),ChamberofCommerce(businesses),dentists(AmericanDentalAssociation)andmanyothergroups-thatallforcetheirmemberstopaydues-thereisnolegislationbeingproposedtoaf-fectthem. Police(FraternalOrderofPolice)andfirefightersalsowereexemptedfromtheRighttoWorklawinMichi-ganeventhoughtheirmemberspaydues. Theyallsetstandardsalaries,prices,rulesfortheirgoodsorser-vicesexactlythesameasasecre-tary,mailman,teacher,electrician,socialworker,nurseandproductionworker.Yettheirrightsarentre-stricted. Whyarewenotallallowedthesamefreedomsandrights?NowonderthesegroupstypicallyvoteRepublican! Therearesomebusinessleadersthattreattheiremployeesfairlybypayinggoodwagesandbenefitssounionsarentnecessary.Theprob-lemis,therearemorethatdontandthatiswhywithoutthefairabilitytorepresentworkersinasystemthat

alreadyhasenoughunfairlawsaf-fectingbargaining,RighttoWorkdragsworkersstandardsoflivingfartherdownduringatimewhenWallStreetandthewealthiestofAmericansaredrowningindollars. Thisalonetellsmesomethingisntright. Look,withoutthelabormove-mentandunions,thereisnoevenplayingfieldforthosepeoplewith-outavoice. IamveryconcernedasIwatchandlistentopeopleandpoliticianspreachtheneedtoprivatizeSo-cialSecurity,cutjobsbenefits,cutunemploymentinsurancefunding,andpimpformoreunrestrictedfreetrade. Remember,votersstoodtallandwouldntsupportRighttoWorkattheballotbox. OurLegislatureandGov.Snyderpassedthelawanyway,eventhoughSnyderpromisednevertosignitifitmadeithisdesk! Howdidthathappen?Easytoanswer.HeandtheyLIED. IhopevotersrememberthisinNovember.FightforDemocratMarkSchauer,whosrunningagainsttheNerd. EndtheGOPdominationofourLegislatureandSupremeCourt.Sendthemamessageinthenextelection,amessagetheycanunder-stand.Kickthemalloutofoffice. OnlythenwecanstoptheRe-publicanracetothebottomforonce-proudMichigan. Steve Keglovitz is retired from United Steelworkers Local 1015 and South African Pulp and Paper. He is now chair of the 2nd Congressional District Democrats. He is an elected Fruitport School Board member, a Fruitport precinct delegate and a United Way of the Lakeshore Board member, loan execu-tive and volunteer. Steve chairs the Retirees Chapter for Local 1015, is a Salvation Army board member and is a past president of the West Michigan Central Labor Council and a former past Muskegon County Democratic Party Chair. He is married with three children and two grandchildren.

American Federation of Labor President Samuel L. Gompers, a pioneer of the U.S. labor movement. Photo/NationalEndowmentfortheHumanities

15

LABOR from page 14

By Mary ValentineLeft of the Line Isupportourschools,sayseverypoliticianrunningforoffice. Neverringsquitetrue,though,whenthosewordscomeoutofthemouthsofRepublicancandidates. Thatsbecausetheirfirstprior-ityisntagoodeducationforourstudents.Itissqueezethebeast,orinotherwords,robtheschoolsofadequatefunding. SincetheNerd,Gov.RickSnyder,andtherestofRepublicanclass,waselectedin2010totakeoverstategovernment,thathasmeantacutof$470perstudent.OneresultofGOPruleisthatclasssizes,justwhentheyshouldbedecreasing,areincreasingtounac-ceptablyhighlevels. Students,ofcourse,dofarbet-terwhentherearefewerofthemineachclass.Risingclasssizesmeanthatindividualattentionshrinks.Andourstudentsaretheoneswhopaytheprice.ThosearejustwordsonapaperuntilyourealizeitisYOURpreciouschildwhocantgettheattentionoftheteacher.

Inthelate1990s,anotherRepublicangovernorandanotherRepublicanLegislatureintroducedcharterschools,whichoftencreateatidyprofitfortheoperator. Thoseschoolssuckfundingfromourneighborhoodschoolswhilefindingawaytoavoidenrollingtheneediestandmostexpensive-students. Infact,manyjustoffertheleast-expensivetypeofeducation,whichareelementaryschools. Yetthesechartersgetthesameper-pupilfundingasourneighbor-hoodschools,whicheducateallofourstudents,allthewaythroughhighschool! AndtheRepublicansinLansing,insteadofrequiringfairerrulesormoreoversightforcharteropera-tors,havetakenthecapoff,sothoseschoolscanproliferatewilly-nillyacrossthestate.

Republicananti-publicschoollegislators-rubber-stampedbytheNerd-havealsogivenuscyberschools. Whatagreatidea.Not!Stickakidinfrontofacomputer,hireoneteacherforthousandsofkidsandvoila!Acheapeduca-tion.Oh,andbytheway,thecyberschooloperatorgetspaidthesameper-pupilallowanceabrick-and-mortarschool,whichmustpayformaterials,upkeepoftheschool,teachers,etc,receives. Dothekidsgetagoodeduca-tioninthesecyberschools?Howcouldthey?Havetherebeenanybeenstudiesprovingtheirexcel-lence?Ofcoursenot.But,hey,whocares?Itscheap.Thecyberopera-torsmakebigbucks.Itweakensfreepubliceducationandneigh-

The Republican goal is to replace our public schools with for-profit companies, which have failed miserably....

Spells trouble for public education

Good grief, what have Republicans done to our public schools?

GOP

16

see TROUBLE page 17

borhoodschools. TheRepublicanshaveliftedthecapoffthoseschoolsaswell! Theschemetoekeasmuchmoneyaspossiblefromourpublicschoolstogivetoprivatecompa-niesisaliveandwellintheRepubli-canMichigan,bywayofincentivestoprivatizeservices,throwingmorehard-workingcitizensintopoverty. TheRepublicangoalistoreplaceourpublicschoolswithfor-profitcompanies,whichhavefailedmiserablywiththeirprofits-over-kidsphilosophy. Teachingconditionsintheseschoolsareabysmal.Teachersdontstay.Studentswhocangetout,do.Nowthereareevenallegationsofchildabuseinsomeoftheseschools. Yetstill,Republicanleaders,includingHartStateSen.Goeff

Hansen,R-34th,arepushingtheseschoolsintoourcommunitiesbywayoftheEducationAchievementAuthority(EAA). Duringmy30yearsasaspeechpathologistinthepublicschools,Iworkedin25schools.Overwhelm-ingly,Isawteachersdedicatedtothestudentsregardlessofthepoliti-callandscapeswirlingaroundthem. Everyemployerknowsthathighemployeemoraleleadstothebestoutcomes.Thatisdoublytrueforthedemandingjobofteaching,whereateachermustdealwithaclassfulloframbunctiousstudentsandtheirover-protectiveparents. Perhapsoneofthemostre-voltingresultsoftheRepublicanattacksoneducationisthatithastankedthemoraleofteachersacrossthisstate. Sothenexttimeyouhearapoli-ticiansayIsupportourschools,

askwhatthatmeans.ButIlltellyouanywayandsaveyouthetrouble. IfitsaRepublicanthesedays,itmeansSqueezethebeastintostarvation. IfitsaDemocrat,itmeansFeedourschools,soourstudentscanthrive! Goodgrief,whywouldanyedu-cator,parentorteachervoteforaRepublicanlegislatortoday,afteralltheyvedonetowreckourschools?

Perhaps one of the most revolting results of the Republican attacks on education is that it has tanked the morale of teachers across this state.

Mary Valentine is a former Democratic state representative for the 91st District in Muskegon County, where she served two terms. Prior to that, she was a speech pathologist in the public schools of Michigan for more than 30 years. Presently, Mary is the secretary of the Progressive Democratic Womens Caucus and the S.S. Milwaukee Clip-per board. Additionally, she is chair of the NAACP politi-cal action committee, involved with Citizens to Preserve Public Education, and is a member of the Muskegon Heights Optimist Club. Mary lives in Norton Shores with Phil Valentine, her husband of 35 years, and is a proud mom of two adult chil-dren and proud grandma of two precious granddaughters. You can contact her at maryvalen-tine08@gmail.com

AnewonlinetoolunveiledinMarchcanhelppar-ents,educators,teachers,schoolstaffandpolicymakersseeexactlyhowmuchGov.RickSnydersschoolcutscontinuetoshortchangeMichiganchildrenineveryschooldistrict. DatingtoSnydersfirstyearasgovernorin2011,thecutsaffecteverythingfromclassroomsizes,coursesandprograms,andbasicsupplies. Accordingtothewebsite,www.kidsnotceos.com,everyMichiganchildwillstillbeshortinsomecases,byhundredsofdollarsevenafterSnyders2014-2015budgetproposalprovidesanaverageof$111perpupil. Criticssaidschoolcutshavecausedrealharmtochildrenseducation,includingsignificantovercrowd-inginclassrooms.Injustthepastfewyears,classsizes

haveincreasedfrom14studentsperclassroomto26,onaverage.Thisresultsinchildrengettinglessindi-vidualizedattentionfromteachers. Duringhisfirstyearinoffice,Snydercutschoolfundingtogivebillionsofdollarsintaxbreakstobigcorporationsresourcesthatchildrenarenotlikelytorecoupunlesstheirclassroomsarefullyfunded. Thehomepageofthesitefeaturesablackboardinadarkenedclassroomwiththewords:Snydersschoolcuts:Thenumbersdontlie. Tofindaschooldistrict,gotowww.kidsnotceos.com,clickonthedropdownbarandselectthedistrict.Theresultscanalsobeprintedasastandalonehandoutpage. Source: Michigan Education Association

New website details Michigan education cuts

17

TROUBLE from page 16

Theanti-gunnerspouncedonme,viciously,asearlyas1965,1966,beforeanybodyinthisroomknewtherewasaculturewar. Now,thatsquiteastatement,be-causewereinaroomfullofpeopleimpactedbythefreedom-haters,andhatethefreedom-haterswithavengeance,asweshould. WeshouldhatetheNazisandtheKlan.WeshouldhatetheBlackPantherpunkswhocommitfeloniesanddestroyinnocentlives.Sohateisagoodemotion. WhenIexperiencedthefirstvolleyofhatetowardsme,becauseIeatvenisonandcarryagun,IcouldntcontrolthelaughterbecausethepeoplewhowerespewingthishatehadlittlefoampuddlesofspittleinthecorneroftheirmouthfreshfromanLSDexperiment.... AndIwouldactuallyreachacrossthetableataradiostation,becauseImtheonlyguitarplayerthatactuallyhasahandkerchief,andIwouldtakemyhandkerchiefandIwouldreachovertothediskjockey,hedbeliveontheair,andIdgo,So

letmegetthisright.Youthinkthatprecious,living,breathingcreaturescreatedbyGodshouldbedescribedasacartooncharacter.YoureangrybecauseIshotBambi?Really? AndIdreachoverandactuallywipethespitofftheirmouthandIdgo,Andwhatsthiswehavehere,son?Youreoutofyourcotton-pickinmind. Andofcourse,theyattackedme

forreferencingcotton-pickinbut,beingthatasitmay,Ivehadsomuchfunwiththis.Iwasdoingthat40yearsago. 2016.Thereitis.Theperfectballotoffreedomwouldbeifthishappened(NugentholdsupaTedNugentforPresident2016sign.)Ourpoliticianschecktheirscrotuminatthedoor.EvenHillary.Butobvi-ouslyshehassparescrotums. ThestateofpoliticsinAmericaareheart-breaking,tragic,virtuallyself-inflictedandIthinkImspeakingforeverybodyhere.Wewouldliketoapologizetotheheroesofthemili-taryforbendingover,sinceWorldWarII,andallowingacommander-in-chief,whoistheenemyoftheU.S.military. Idliketoapologizetotheheroesoflawenforcementforanattorneygeneralwhocommitsmorefeloniesthanthepeopleheletsgo. SowhileImbusyapologizing

becauseIdidntletmyguarddownbutIhaveobviouslyfailedtogalva-nizeandprod,andnotshameenoughAmericanstobeever-vigilantnottoletaChicago,communist-raised,communisteducated,communistnur-tured,sub-humanmongrelliketheAcorncommunityorganizergangsterBarackHusseinObama,toweaselhiswayintothetopofficeofauthorityintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Iamheart-brokenbutIamnotgivingup. IthinkAmericawillbeAmericaagainwhenBarackObama,EricHolder,HillaryClinton,(U.S.Sen.)DickDurbin(D-Ill.),(NewYorkMay-or)MichaelBloomberg,andalloftheliberalDemocratsareinjailfacingthejust,duepunishmentthattheirtreasonousactsareclearlyapparent. Alotofpeoplewouldcallthat

inflammatoryspeech.WellIwouldntcallitinflammatoryspeechwhenitsyourjobtoprotectAmericanswhenyouareaskedtolookintoatelevi-sioncameraandyouareaskedtosaywhatdifferencedoesitmakethatIfailedinmyjobtoprovidesecurityandwehavefourdeadAmericans.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake,nottoachimpanzeeortoHillaryClinton,Iguessitdoesntmatter. AllIcansayis,Freedomisnotfree,andifyourenotamemberoftheNRA,NancyPelosilikesyou,whichmeansyouretheenemy. Postscript: Nugent recently canmpaigned with Greg Abbot, the Republican candidate for Texas gov-ernor. Opposing Abbot is Democrat Wendy Davis, a Texas state senator. You can donate to Wendys cam-paign by contacting her web site: www.wendydavistexas.com/

YES, REALLY, IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Ted Nugent says:

HATEi s a good emot ion

18

Editors note: The contents of Other Side of the Line may be offensive to some of our readers, but we believe you really need to read exactly what the extrem-ists of the right wing are saying in public. Only by peeking under the rock can you see their true agenda.

... aChicago, communist-raised, communist educated,communistnurtured,sub-humanmongrelliketheAcorncommunityorganizergangsterBarackHusseinObama....

YOURETHEENEMY-OnJan.18,guns.cominterviewedoncameraaRepublicanteapartyfavorite,self-styledMotorCityMadmanTedNugent,attheSHOTshowinLasVegas,anannualeventorganizedbytheNationalShootingSportsFoundation.(Fulltextavailableatwww.guns.com/2014/01/18/ted-nugent-president/)Heres whatNu-genthadtosay,inhisownwords:

Recalling in spirit, perhaps not accurately, the unforgettable Muske-gon arts critic Downton Abbey/Inspector Lewis Edition

DOWNTON ABBEY

WithMasterpieceTheatersDowntonAbbeyanditsfourthseasonbehindus,certaincompari-sonscanbemade.OuryardstickshallbeUpstairs,Downstairs,the1971PBSclassic. Upstairs/Downstairsforbet-terorworse,launchedthispopulargenrecenteringontheangstoftheridiculouslyrichupperclassesthattelevisionwouldpresumeustobelieveoverloadedthecensusofpre-WorldOneGreatBritain,whilemixingthingsupwiththemostlymundanemendacitiesandfoiblesofitsservantstaff.

CAGE MATCH # 1 CarsontheButler(JimCarter)

DowntonAbbeyversus

HudsontheButler(GordonJackson)Upstairs,Downstairs

ANALYSIS Itseemsagiventhatthebrusque(butsensitive)Mr.Carsonpaintshisowntoenails,obviouslywithgreatdifficultybutwehavetoassumegreatsuccessgiventhetremendousrangeofhisexasper-atedsighs,indicativeofapersis-tentpersonality.Nailpolishcolorunknown,butitdoesntmatter. Mr.Hudson,reachingbacktohisdaysasaPOWinthemovie

TheGreatEscape,mayhavespenthisfreetimediggingatun-nelunderEatonPlacefarenoughfortheservantstopassundertheguardtowers.Clearly,hedidnotsucceed,asweknowsincetheseriesendedwithoutthebigbust-out.

DECISION TO: Mr.Carson.

CAGE MATCH # 2 Mrs.Patmorethecook(Leslie

Nichol)DowntonAbbeyversus

Mrs.Bridgesthecook(AngelaBaddeley)Upstairs,Downstairs

ANALYSIS SinceMrs.BridgesoncepreparedanextraordinarydinnerfortheKingofEngland,andMrs.Patmoresgreatestachievementtodatehasbeeninnotpoisoninganyoftheestatesserfsattheannualvillagefair,acook-offchallengemaynotbefairbywayofcompari-son. Rather,thequestionmightbeaskedastowhowouldsuccessfullypilfermoreofthecookingsherry. ItsquestionablewhetherMrs.Patmore,evenwithherobviousstrengthadvantage(behindthoserufflesareapairofgunsTheRockwouldenvy),wouldbecleverenoughtowrestmorethananipawayfromthewilyMrs.Bridges.Noway.DECISION TO: Mrs.Bridges.

Tobecontinued

INSPECTOR LEWIS NEWS Intheno-jestcategory,anicesurprise: GreatBritainsITVStudioshasjustannouncedthatInspectorLewiswillberenewedforamostunexpectedeighthseason,withproductionandshootingtobeginthismonth. TheserieshadbeendeclaredDOAafterlastseason. Lewisisthebelovedoff-shootofthefarsuperiorInspectorMorsedramasthatendedwiththedeathofthebrilliantJohnThaw,whoplayedthecurmudgeonly,opera-lovingdetectiveofthetitlesname,in2003. Asthemogulshavedescribedintheirtersepressrelease,Rob-bieLewis(playedbystalwartKevinWhately)willemergefromretirementtocometotheaidofnewlymintedInspectorJamesHathaway(well-actedbyLaurenceFox).Mr.WhatelyplayedThawsMorsesidekickatermthatcouldbetakenalmostliterallyincertainepisodes-intheoriginalseriesinveryslyanddryfashion. Mr.Whatelyspleasingperson-alityhaskepttheMorsefollowingfromdeserting,althoughMr.Fox,beingquitegoodinhisrole,maysurpasstheagingGeordieinthereturnepisodes. Sixnewadventuresareplanned,whichpresumablywillaironWestMichiganPBSstationsin2015.

John Allen Memorial Critics Corner

19

O F F C E

N T ER

F O R T H E F U N O F I T

20

Iwelcome their hate. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Oct. 31, 1936, New York City

So do we! Left of the Line

We also welcome your letters. Make sure youre on our mail-ing list and write to us at:

leftofthelinellc@gmail.com

21

So get out and vote for candidates who share your political beliefs!

MARCH

Saturday, March 22: DemocraticElectedOf-ficialsBreakfastatRussinMuskegonTownship/M120,from9a.m.to11a.m.

Monday, March 24:Ed-ucationalForumpresentedbyStateRep.ColleneLamonte,D-91st,inNortonShoresLibrarycommunityroom,from6p.m.to7:30p.m.

Thursday, March 27: MeetandGreetforCathyForbesfor34thStateSen-ate,atWolfiesPizzaandSubs,420SouthWolfLakeRoad,Muskegon,from4p.m.to6p.m.

Monday, March 31:Re-ElectionCampaignLaunchforStateRep.ColleneLamonte,D-91st,atWhit-lowsBanquetHall,4610Airline,Muskegon,from6p.m.to8:30p.m.

APRIL

Tuesday, April 1:Pe-titionsforDemocraticgubernatorialcandidateMarkSchauerandDemo-craticU.S.Senatecandi-dateGaryPetersmustbeturnedin.

Thursday, April 10: MuskegonCountyDemo-craticPartyMonthlyMeet-ing,heldatMuskegonTownshipHall,1990Apple

Avenue,Muskegon,start-ingat7p.m.

Thursday, April 17: WestMichiganUnitedLaborSportsmensDinneratthePolishFalconClubonWestHackleyAvenueinMuske-gon,from6p.m.to9p.m.Fortickets,pleasecontactSteveKeglovitzat(231)557-5021.

Saturday, April 26:Pro-gressiveWomensDemo-craticCaucusFund-raiseratGreaterMuskegonWomensClub,280WestWebster,Muskegon,from2p.m.to4p.m.

MAY

Saturday, May 3: Demo-craticSPRINGGALAatVFWPost7729,6285EastAppleAvenue,Muske-gon.GuestSpeakerisGubernatorialCandidateMarkSchauer.Fortickets,pleasecontacttheMuske-gonCountyDemocraticPartyat231-722-2254.

Tuesday, May 6:Dead-linetofileasaPrecinctDelegate.YoumustfilewithyourCOUNTYClerksOffice.

Thursday, May 8: Mus-kegonCountyDemocraticPartyMonthlyMeeting,heldatMuskegonTown-shipHall,1990AppleAv-enue,Muskegon,startingat7p.m.

C A L E ND A R

22

This & ThatCompiled by Michael WalshLeft of the Line

ACA NewsTiredofthepoliticalspinontheAmericanCareAct(Obamacare)?Howaboutanunim-peachablesource--ConsumerReports?SeeHealthLawHelper.org.Oncethetechnicalglitches(ofthestart-up)werefixed,lotsofconsumerswereabletofindgood,affordablecoverage,saidJimGuest,ConsumerReportspresident,intheMarch2014edition.AshelpfulastheAffordableCareActmightbeformany,somestillmaynotbeabletoaffordtheinsurance.Forthose,ahardshipexemptionexists.

Abortion InsuranceSpeakingofinsurance,didyouknowMichi-ganlawmakersquietlypassedoneofthetoughestanti-abortionlawsinthecountyanditbecamelawinmid-March?Thelawbansaninsuredfromobtainingabortioncoverageeveninthecaseofrapeunlessaspecialriderispurchased.LookslikeMichiganisleadingthechargebacktothedaysofcoat-hangerkillings.

Supremes consider politicianlies TheU.S.SupremeCourtinJanuaryagreedtoconsideraFirstAmendmentchallengetoanOhiolawthatcriminalizesliesaboutpoliti-cians.AnOhioanti-abortiongroupischalleng-inganOhiolawthatcriminalizesfalsestate-mentsaboutcandidatesforpublicoffice.Inthemeantime,aMichiganRepublicansentupatrialballoontoseeifsuchalawwouldworkhere.Itappearstheballoonburstatleastsofar.

Seven Dems block Obama nomineeBelieveitornot,sevenDemocratsenatorshelpedRepublicansdumpthepresidentsnomi-neetoheadtheJusticeDepartmentscivilrightsdivision.Why?BecauseDeboAdegbilespentmorethanadecadeascounseltotheNAACPLegalDefenseFundandprovidedadefensetoMumiaAbu-Jamal,convictedofthe1981slayingofaPhiladelphiapoliceofficer.TheSenateDemocratswhoopposedthenomineewere:ChristopherA.Coons(Del.),RobertP.CaseyJr.(Pa.),MarkPryor(Ark.),HeidiHeitkamp(N.D.),JoeManchinIII(W.Va.),JoeDonnelly(Ind.)andJohnWalsh(Mont.). Theywerewrong,aswellexplaininthenextissueofLeft of the Line.