While at a Kent County Republican Party event in 2008, I noticed the Justin Amash campaign for State House. I was very impressed with the commitment to liberty that was expressed by the Amash campaign. As 2009 draws to a close, I am able to confidently assert that Kent County has no better advocate of basic liberty, restrained government, and economic freedom than Representative Amash.  For example, Rep. Amash introduced a Bill that affirmed Michigan's commitment to the Ninth and Tenth Amendments. Unlike the Rick Perry stunt in Texas, which focused on "states' rights," Amash's Bill was focused on reserving the basic rights of individuals. Rep. Amash has opposed union wage controls in government contracts and special interest tax breaks and subsidies that pick and choose favored industries (See HB 4629 and HB 5247). Representative Amash is also not afraid to break ranks and vote "no" when the majority of the Republican caucus goes along with the House Democrats. 

In a nod towards meaningful constituent interaction, Representative Amash keeps everyone up-to-date on the House Agenda and his votes through his Facebook page. He also actively responds to postings on the page and is frank in his references to current news events. This is exactly the kind of authentic representative government that was intended for our republic. Instead of maintaining a narcisistic level of indifference, Representative Amash embraces online interaction with the taxpayers.

This type of praise for Representative Amash is long over-due, and it has been my failure for not paying close attention. Allow me to now note: as more and more Republicans cave in to the temptation to save people from the free market, especially here in Michigan, Representative Amash continues to be liberty's laudable standard-bearer.

Amidst the buzz over the encouraging elections on the East Coast, it was easy to overlook the Grand Rapids City Commission election. However, Grand Rapidians finally get a voice of reason for the City Commission. Last night, Dave Shaffer staged an upset victory over the union apostle James Jendrasiak. Shaffer polled second in the primary election back in August, setting up a general election face-off against Jendrasiak. In an excruciatingly close finish, Shaffer received 140 more votes than Jendrasiak (51% to 49%). This close finish is a testament to the Shaffer supporters who voted for him yesterday. Clearly, the enthusiasm to bring reason to the City Commission prevailed over union allegiance.

Hopefully, all of the elections yesterday will provide a shot in the arm to competent government. I personally appreciate that in one year's time, reason is replacing passion and meaningful policy debates are replacing nonsensical chants for change.

As I reported earlier here, Governor Granholm and the Democratic-controlled house wanted to tax Michigan's doctors to pay for a mere slice of the budget deficit. Physicians from across the state and medical lobbying groups vehemently opposed the plan, which would have amounted to a tax on revenue in exchange for federal Medicaid dollars. Thankfully, the Republican-controlled Senate overwhelmingly voted down the proposal. Senate Leader Mike Bishop is holding steadfast on his no tax pledge, frustrating, amongst others, the Governor's husband. As the budget impasse continues, let's hope Bishop continues to fend off the cries for new "revenue."

The Associated Press is reporting that a new poll released by EPIC-MRA shows the GOP beating Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, regardless of who will win the primary. The poll breaks down like this: Mike Cox receives support of 45% of those surveyed with Cherry receiving 30%.  Mike Bouchard is leading 39% to 31%. Pete Hoekstra is leading 40% to 33%. The poll is listed as having a margin of error of 4%. EPIC-MRA has a decidedly mixed reputation as a polling group and not a single ad has run against any of these candidates, but the MI GOP has to feel good about the general mood.

John Cherry running on the Granholm record would be an absolute disaster for the democrats. Really the only similar comparison would be if Vice President Cheney would have run for President in 2008. Granholm's job approval is similar to President Bush's when he left office. In my opinion, a different type of democrat, such as Andy Dillon, would pose a much greater challenge. Cherry is going to lose votes, just based on disgruntled voter attitudes towards Granholm.

Here's to hoping the current budget battle with Senate Leader Bishop further tarnishes the Granholm executive branch.

           Grand Rapids is a burgeoning medical center, with the new Michigan State University College of Human Medicine serving as the latest evidence. However, the current plans in Congress will seriously alter our future development in this area. West Michigan’s conservative streak may have consequences.

           Today, on a conference call, Representative Shadegg (AZ) stated that all of the current health care bills in the House and Senate will usher in “Soviet-style” health care in America. Specifically, he pointed out that the quality of our health care benefits may well be determined by the seniority, influence, or political affiliation of the Senators or Representatives who represent the state in which we live.

           Representative Shadegg pointed out a few telling examples to illustrate his point. First, Harry Reid (NV) added a provision to one of the Senate bills that would give four extra-special states, including Nevada, federal dollars to cover the state’s portion of the Medicaid expansion for four years. Harry is of course proud to fight “the good fight for Nevada.” Second, Debbie Stabenow (MI) and John Kerry (MA) have added a $5 billion measure to help cover the cost of union health care benefit plans for members below Medicare age, proving that it sure is nice to be a favorite son of the majority party. Third, Senator Menendez (NJ) has attached an amendment that gives tax breaks to “emerging” biotech companies. Approximately 86% of New Jersey’s biotech firms qualify for the credit.  

          These are just a few early examples of the type of health care system we will soon have in America. Representative Shadegg is exactly correct to label this type of unnatural selection as “Soviet-style.” When our political masters are given control over matters so central to our lives and well-being, we become easily managed. The political majority gains even more power by delivering life-giving services in an unequal fashion to those people, groups, and organizations that are most loyal.

          The market, even with inequities, does not evoke the same intuition of unfairness and injustice precisely because some basic opportunity for self-determination is present. Clearly, the medical industry and the health insurance industry are highly regulated, but a regulated market is still much freer than the state-run system. The capacity to change jobs, work more hours, and petition for charity offers individuals the ability to make rational decisions. If the favoritism outlined here prevails, individual health benefits, a basic requirement of modern life, will be determined by the majority party. Representative Shadegg’s warnings do indeed ring true, especially, if these early acts of statist-favoritism are allowed to persist. Suddenly, the lessons of Solzhenitsyn gain pressing relevance.  

The Michigan Senate should summarily vote down “Michigan Health Care Rebate Law.” The law, already passed by the house, is a misleading tax on physicians. The “Michigan Health Care Rebate Law” raises two very substantial issues. First, it represents another tax on the middle class. Second, the tax is a result of Michigan’s efforts to comply with conditions placed on receiving federal money.

As to the first issue, the “Michigan Health Care Rebate Law” places a 3% gross revenue tax on physicians. The tax revenues are then used to increase Medicaid reimbursement. Presumably, physicians who deal primarily with Medicaid reimbursement may actually support the increased rates of reimbursement, even with the 3% gross revenue tax. However, the local family practice that sees mainly middle class patients will not realize any of the increased rates of reimbursement. This, logically, will only result in increased rates or layoffs of support staff. Once again, entitlements are funded at the expense of people who pay their bills.

The second issue is larger and potentially more troublesome. With Michigan’s daunting budgetary problems, federal money is tempting, but we make a substantial compromise when in order to alleviate our budget issues we sacrifice our capacity for self-determination. Federal money for Medicaid reimbursement is nice, but is it worth a 3% tax on revenue generated by physician services? Michigan must solve Michigan’s problems. Federal money is fleeting, but our problems are not.

With these glaring issues, the Republican-controlled Senate will undoubtedly oppose the bill. The Michigan State Medical Society is also holding a “White Coat March” to express its disapproval. Going forward, these are exactly the type of proposals that Republicans can use to garner support from the already-pinched middle class.