MCU is Committed to Conservative Governance, nothing less
 These and more Details in the Newsletter.
 
If you are not seeing the full Newsletter scroll down to the
bottom and hit  "View  entire message."             
                             
 In This Issue: Easter! Tax Day! Government spending & debt; Syrian
 strikes and China/Korea; Property rights trampled; Little diversity in higher ed;
.  MCU reveals more faculty and Plans for MiCPAC - see Faculty Flier
   Your support, readership and sharing is making a difference and is much appreciated. We change public policies by changing pubic opinions. Perhaps we have been given a reprieve to restore God and His principles to out great land. We are pleased to work hard to equip you with a digest of key news, and information to share. The work is not done. Please help! Pass this newsletter on to another or copy and share an article. If there is a way you can make it, please join us at MiCPAC as we strategize, network and prepare to win conservative governance.
Godspeed! Let's make 2017 Great as we make America Great Again.   Link


Please forward to associates wanting lower taxes and less government!
If you want to option out please open the newsletter and scroll to the link on the bottom.
 
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies,
but just as much to stand up to our friends." J. K. Rowling

 "if we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people,  under 
the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy."   Thomas Jefferson   
 
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit is, there is Liberty"  1Cor.3:17

"Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist." - John Adams

April 15, 2017
Tax day - Between the Cross and the Tomb
"...and the government shall be upon his shoulder.." .Isaiah 9:6b 


 
WHITE HOUSE MEMO:
This is a season of hope for millions of Americans. This week, Jewish families celebrate Passover and retell the story of God's deliverance of the Jewish people.
This Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal salvation. America is a Nation of believers. As long as we have faith in each
other, and trust in God, we will succeed.

Who's coming? Who's speaking?
See MiCPAC 2017 Faculty Flier near the end of this Newsletter
 
How do YOU deal with political stress? The late Phyllis Schlafly speaking: staying positive in the face of tough opposition and keeping focused on the mission.   Audio
 
Tax Day!
   Taxing is getting out of hand! This month we were assessed by another $ 11.85 increase in Federal taxes on our phone bill. Did you see it on your bill also? Government creep is stripping us of freedoms and income as we pay for them to do it to us.
   A bureaucrat dreams of more and more they can do for (to) us, and build his/her fiefdom, power and control in the process. The siren of power and also bites elected officials.
   It wasn't that many years ago that four legislators shared one secretary, and offices were cubicles, some in trailers behind the Capitol. Now legislators have posh offices and staffs. People in office -  elected or appointed or staff, are also enticed by power and perks and some become self-serving.
   A couple issues ago (Link) we reported on legislators, one taking as much as $ 4,047 in one year in lobbyists food and beverages. At $100 a meal/drinks, that is 405 meals with lobbyists. How many meals with constituents? Lobbyists reported spending $690,681 on food and drink purchases in 2016 with 25 different state legislators. Not all such spending must be reported.
   Do we have the best legislature than money can buy?
   . 
Could YOU use your money better? Will you act to roll back taxe$ and control?
Reference: the Heritage Foundation. Meet and hear Heritage's Dr. Lee Edwards at MiCPAC
   No American family could spend and borrow as Congress does. If it could, a median-income family with $54,000 in yearly earnings would spend $61,000 in 2013, putting $7,000 on a credit card. This family's total debt would already be over $300,000.
   To set aside enough money today to pay the current debt and future unfunded costs just from Social Security and Medicare, each person in America today, including their children, would owe more than $210,000. 
(Thank Bob and Anne)
 
Obama's proposed 2017 Federal budget:
Income $3.6 T
Spending $4.2T
Increase deficit
$ 600 Billion
Spending $12,928
for every man, woman and child.
 Debt increase = $1847 per man, woman and child.
Thank Heaven we are not getting all the government we are paying for!

   More than $2 Billion dollars a year on INTEREST? But the Michigan Constitution requires the State and all local governments to have a balanced budget!

   How much is a BILLION DOLLARS? Christ was crucified about 1,984 years ago. x365.25 days a year = 724.656 days. x24 hours in a day = 17,391,744 hours. x60 minutes in an hour = 1,043,504,640 minutes = just over ONE BILLION MINUTES since Jesus walked the Earth.
 
   The Obama administration's proposed Federal budget for 2017 proposed spending $4.2 trillion and raising $3.6 trillion in tax revenue. That is about $5,640,612 ($5.6 Million) a minute. The Federal government spends more a billion dollars every two minutes, 24/7/365. And not even a thank you. And the Boston tea party was about what?
   Michigan's 2017 State budget is $54.9 billion. More than 3 of every 4 dollars (75%) goes to education, health and human services. Source
   Michigan's population is estimated in 2016 as 9,928,300 souls. State spending would be about $ 5,530 for every man, woman or child, and $22,119 for a family of four.
   According to the Census ACS 1-year survey, the median household income for Michigan was $51,084 in 2015, the latest figures available. Compared to ten years ago Michigan Median Income is down $ 4,792. Compared to the median US household income, Michigan median household income is $4,691 lower. Source
    Thus, the Federal and State government budgets (not county and local) is about ($12,928 + $ 5,530)  = $18,458 per person per year, and climbing. In Michigan the average household now has about 2.5 people. Source
   That is about $ 46,145 in Federal and State government spending per household per year with a median household income of $ 51,084. Do you see a problem here?
47% of Detroit Property Owners pay NO taxes! Source
Those that do pay  taxes must act together to roll back governments!
Join MCU/MiCPAC!
   Editorial by MCU Member Jason Gillman (Meet him at MiCPAC) - Watching taxes go up, socialized medicine implemented, an international bridge obligation, bailouts for Detroit, Bailouts for Detroit schools, and increased bureaucracy develop in the past 6 years, one would think we have a liberal Democrat legislature led by a liberal Democrat governor at the helm. Even the former liberal controlled political machinations of Lansing were never so effective in the g rowth of the budget , and accompanying growth in taxes.
   The reason is as simple as the players behind the scenes pushing for corporate welfare (cough- Detroit stadiums, arts, roads, schools) and an increasingly centralized hospital, insurance, industrial complex.  There is much money in these endeavors, and the scaly denizens who benefit financially run the swamp with a tight leash on the legislative majority.
   So along comes this activist brigade attempting to educate, make taxpayers aware of how bad they are being abused, and highlight who is doing the abusing. Yeah, we may have been trying to do that here, but Drain the Swamp Michigan is actually running ads and spending money.  Full editorial   Sample ADD   DTS will be at MiCPAC. Check it out!

Beware of Identity theft and imposters this Easter (Thanks, John)








 
Conservatives Are Invited to strategize and network at MiCPAC 2017

Outstanding speakers
Sessions on
Education
Health Care
  Regulations
Limiting Rights
National Security
Defending Christianity
Conservatism & Ethics
 Local officials and Legislators winning elections by hard work and grassroots support, now making a difference
Book signings
Continental Breakfast and Banquet Lunch 
 
SEE FLIER BELOW 
MiCPAC 2017Holt, MI.
VIP Reception 4/28/2017 networking with key speakers and Michigan conservative leadership, supporting and enabling the grass roots!
Conference 4/29/2017 with major speakers, elected officials and group leaders from across the state. 
Sponsorships, Program advertising and tables available; email [email protected]    (subject to approval)
Who should attend? 
  • Conservatives who care about their communities, schools, state and country... looking for inspiration, strategy and tactics to run & govern local and statewide
  • Legislators and Community leaders... seeking solutions to government over-reach, regulations and tax increases
  • Conservative students... seeking to influence their peers and decrease problems they will inherit from public debt
  • Home schoolers seeking civics knowledge from experts 
  • Prospective candidates for elected office seeking conservative answers, connections and messaging
  • Group leaders... wanting to expand attendance and ignite passion among members
  • Grass roots activists who want to be more effective
  • Precinct delegates who think politics is about policies
Limited sponsorships plus youth intern and scholarship opportunities available. email [email protected] 
Less expensive than a Lincoln dinner, MiCPAC includes two meals and more than two dozen experts on burning issues of the day, all day! Why? Because we are conservatives and we believe in value! Meet and hear Leaders from Heritage Foundation, Sustainable Freedom Lab, Thomas More Law Center, Great Lakes Justice Project, Salt & Light Global, Michigan Conservative Union, Michigan Freedom To Work, Up Right Michigan PAC, Right Michigan, Campaign for Liberty, Stop Common Core in Michigan, Top Gun PAC, Republican National Committee, Michigan State School Board, iCaucus, several other groups, four legislators, academe, and more. Help us strategize,
and network for success. This is the most significant Michigan conservative event of the year.  Come learn, share information, enjoy fellowship and be inspired.

National and International
Selected posts from recent news of significance to conservatives
 
+ Diversity on Campus - not happening! Free Speech & Diversity Of Thought Are Under Attack On America's College Campuses! #BigGovSucks.   From registration to post-grad most colleges and universities are indoctrination centers.    Video
++ Why hasn't Repeal of ObamaCare happened? This was a solemn pledge of the 2016 Republican campaign. Is Freedom Caucus the problem? Are they at fault for pointing out the Ryan bill only removed 2 of 12 mandates and could increase insurance premiums 75% over the next three years? Were they right in  fearing a 75% additional increase in premiums would cost Republicans majorities in Congress? Now comes Michigan Jen Kuznicki writing for Conservative Review, that the cause falls to the feet of the liberal "Republican" Tuesday Group. Link

++ JOBS! President Trump Leads a Strategic and Policy CEO Discussion     Video

++ The Middle East is the cradle of the three Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Today, the Christian population is rapidly decreasing due to systematic persecution and mass migrations abroad. Very few Jewish people live in the region outside of the Jewish State of Israel. These realities are alarming for the future of religious pluralism in the region. 
  April 24 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, when we remember the slaughter of 6 million European Jews by the Nazi Reich. In pledging "Never Again," it is appropriate that we seek to preserve the mosaic of religious minorities in the cradle of their heritage.  (Thanks, Philos Project)

++ A Detroit physician was arrested earlier this week for performing the grisly practice of female genital mutilation on young girls in a first-of-its-kind case prosecuted in America. Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, a Muslim physician and native of western India, performed the procedure, described as "barbaric" by U.S. Justice Department prosecutors, on girls ages 6 to 8.
   ... "female circumcision" is part of Shariah law. At least two of her small victims were brought from Minnesota by their parents to have the procedure done. Minnesota, like Michigan, has a large population of Muslim immigrants who would seek out this procedure for their daughters.
   Some of the most ardent women's rights organizations in America have also been silent on the issue for years, even though the Centers for Disease Control has warned that more than 500,000 girls in the U.S. are at risk of having the painful procedure forced upon them.
   Dick Manasseri, spokesman for Secure Michigan, a group that aims to educate Michiganders about the dangers of Shariah law, told WND his group applauds the actions of Attorney General Sessions in the Michigan FGM case.
   "We hope it leads to other arrests and convictions," Manasseri said. "We have been concerned this 'creeping Shariah' activity has been occurring in Michigan in just the furtive manner that was revealed. The perpetrators knew what they were doing is illegal. They knew what they were doing is not acceptable in our culture. They committed this crime in secret. They refuse to assimilate. They operate under Shariah values, not constitutional values. This is a very clear example of why Shariah should be outlawed in the United States."  Article  (thanks, Dick)

++ An open lesbian colonel with a "wife" and two children has just been appointed as the next commandant of the US Air Force Academy. Link (Thanks, Dave)

++ Syrian Strikes and Chinese/Korean policies - The Tomahawk missiles were launched as President Trump was hosting a dinner for Chinese President Xi Jin-Ping. No time in memory has a country launched a military attack while hosting another head of state.  
   President Trump had a brief unscheduled press conference excusing himself from the meeting with Xi Jin-Ping. At the press conference he set a firm tone, even criticizing the man he was hosting:
   My dear distinguished Chinese guest, sorry to take the spotlight from you but this missile attack against Syria is as much about your failure to reign in North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un. He has shown remarkable dedication to developing, with the help of your state-run businesses and of Iran's nuclear program, a warhead and delivery system that may soon be capable of reaching and destroying U.S. cities. 
   T he America-first proclaiming president was jabbing a finger in the direction of  China , North Korea, Russia and Iran and saying: Listen up. The age of the U.S. turning the other cheek to aggression is over.  Article
   On the same day we saw China take a first move reigning in North Korea:
++  North Korean ships head home after China orders coal returned - A fleet of North Korean cargo ships is heading home to the port of Nampo, the majority of it fully laden, after China ordered its trading companies to return coal, shipping data shows
   Following repeated missile tests that drew international criticism, China banned all imports of North Korean coal on Feb. 26, cutting off the country's most important export product.
   China's customs department issued an official order on April 7 

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were discussing North Korea at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on April 7. More
(Thanks, Priscilla! See you at MiCPAC)
++ N. KOREA WARNS It Will Strike U.S. Bases In S. Korea...Mike Pence Travels To S. Korea As Sign Of Commitment To Ally...China Warns Of "War At Any Moment"  More (Thanks, Patty)

++ Some conservatives are very upset at the Syria air base missile attack, preferring a non-interventionist policy. Dr. Russell Kirk, father of the modern conservative movement, believed in very limited military use, primarily for defense. As we are a week removed from the attack it we have not seen boots on the ground or the beginning of a major military offence. appears Trump's policy appears to be  nationalism (America First), not the neo-con policies of trying to impose democracy across the World. It mirrors campaign declarations.
    We hate war, but believe in self defense. As a "Randist" we each have our rights. Your right to swing your fist ends at the beginning of my nose. There are bullies in this World. If you do not brush them back you are toast and you will have no rights and no mercy. If you think making nice or setting on our hands will pacify communists, socialists, hedonists, radical Muslims and other bullies wanting to caliphate the World you do not understand basic human nature or believe in the war between good and evil, or have a healthy understanding of what we face.
   Pacifism is not a reasonable response to terror. Ask the Yazidis, if even one survives. So many on FB are second guessing. Walk in the shoes of the guy who has to make the tough decisions - and has infinitely more information
 

Don't miss MiCPAC, Holt, Mi. 4/29.2017 - Flier below

"Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist." - John Adams

++ PROPERTY RIGHTS - From "asset forfeiture" (taking property without judicial process and converting it to personal or government use), TOST regulations restricting your rights to sell property, to oppressive wind farms, to EPA regulating mud puddles to drain commissioners imposing easements and taxes on private property, to planning officials declaring all the property belongs to governments, to internationalists imposing restrictions based upon alleged environments crises and unconfirmed treaties, to interstate and intra-state compacts, we are losing control of our real, personal and intellectual properties at an alarming rate!  

(repeat for some)  The Supreme Court heard arguments in a high-stakes legal battle over a tiny waterfront lot that could affect how courts weigh whether government has illegally taken private property.  THE ISSUE IS WHO OWNS AND CONTROLS YOUR PROPERTY!
    The owners of the waterfront land in Wisconsin claim that St. Croix County, through a decades-old environmental regulation, has taken their private property without compensation. Property rights advocates and several states have leapt to their defense, arguing that the case is important for maintaining rights for landowners across the country.
   On the other side, Wisconsin and St. Croix argue that lower courts were correct in rejecting the claims. They are supported by the federal government and several other states. John Echeverria, a takings expert at Vermont Law School, said Murr v. Wisconsin could end up becoming one of the most important property rights cases ever decided by the Supreme Court. they were told they couldn't sell the property. Congress added the St. Croix River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers program in 1972, and an ensuing county ordinance based on state regulations required a total area of at least an acre to develop. The 1975 ordinance, which required subtracting wetlands and floodplains from the total land area, meant the Murrs' vacant lot was too small to develop. The key question justices will grapple with is how courts should weigh whether an uncompensated taking of private property has occurred in violation of the Fifth Amendment...the court may say, "Why can't these poor people build their house?"
   One immediate effect of the case could be in deciding a separate pending property rights case in front of the Supreme Court. In that case, Lost Tree Village Corp. v. United States, the government asked justices to review a lower-court decision that found the government liable for $4.2 million after it denied a real estate company permits to fill in wetlands. The developer, Lost Tree Village, had argued that a coastal parcel in Florida would be worth $25,000 without the necessary permit and $4.8 million with it after being developed into a residential property.  More

NOTE: PROPERTY RIGHTS will be a significant issue at MiCPAC 2017 in Holt, Michigan, April 29, 2017.  We are flying in from Tennessee John Anthony, author and head of Sustainable Freedom Lab, an expert on government restrictions, takings and regulations that limit our liberties and freedom, as unelected governmental boards and commissions creep into more and more control.

Anthony will tell us at MiCPAC2017 how HUD is forcing the breakup of communities and driving down property rights in the name of alleged economic discrimination. How dare a subdivision of 2.000 SF homes on two acre lots exclude a 960 SF home on 1/10th acre?     
   Anthony will explain how international organizations are dictating the denigration of American society and ordering the administrative control over our real, personal and intellectual property. What is Agenda 21, Agenda 2030? Are they real? Are they happening? How do we fight it? 
    Michigan's Conservative Citizens Property Rights Task Force will also report it's 1st phase findings. One example of what is happening in Michigan is TOST - a program in 10 counties and growing, that allows a health department to determine if you can sell your property and under what restrictions?   BE THERE!
John Anthony

               
BIG GOVERNMENT
=   BIG TAXES!

++ Off FB
Kerry Bentivolio - Will China protect its #1 economic market (USA) by annexing NK?  Maybe something like it?  The Art of the Deal.  Don't mess with my business partner!  Thinking outside the box is something career FinPols don't do.   Was an accord or deal reached previously in Florida?  Interesting developments the media never dreamed!   
Trump continues to amaze...  Is he is running circles around DC wankers... I think so, and I Love it!  (Meet former congressman Kerry Bentivolio at MiCPAC 2017)
Dave Alan Ryan - They say medical marihuana, but Pfizer isn't growing it and pharmacies aren't selling it. The truth is they are seeking a way to tax the weed and pretend it will be used only by patients. Legalize it and leave people alone.
     Kevin D Wright  one state was going to legalize it ..the legislators stopped it and Big Pharma came up with a synthetic ....I wonder how much big pharma paid to stop that Bill
     Norm Hughes  I don't care if it is weed or alcohol or smokes, porn, gluttony or whatever a person chooses to do with their selves but I do not want 1) to pay for the results or 2) have them interfere with or harm me or my loved ones. OD and hospitalize or die at your own expense. Stewed, don't drive. Sin, do it in the privacy of your home and/or out of sight. You can do anything you want so long as you do not iniatiate force against others. Making me pay for your wanton behavior is initiating force
Dr. Kenneth A. Fisher  - We can provide care to ALL Americans via a well thought out Health Savings Account plan from Congress. Provide this possibility to the poor via a means tested refundable tax credit. Empower the consumer to direct their own personalized care. The present attempts to control costs via the providers is not and can never work. Healthcare must be tailored to meet the needs of each individual.

 April 29, 2017 MiCPAC Conference in Holt, Michigan.
This is Michigan's foremost annual gathering of conservative leaders from all branches of the movement. Cost $50 (MCU Members $40; Tables of 8 $ 350). Limited capacity. Book today! Please put in on your calendar. 
Among confirmed speakers are authors Lee Edwards (Heritage), John Anthony, President at Sustainable Freedom Lab (Obama wraps HUD in climate change Link); New Zealand's Patriot Trevor Louden, and several Michigan conservative leaders, Richard. Thompson, William Wagner and others.   Please join HERE!


Michigan News and Views
 
++ Lansing rescinds its decision to deem itself a "sanctuary city" protecting immigrants, bowing to concerns from the business community that the ambiguous, contentious term may draw unwanted attention to Lansing.
   The City Council voted 5-2 to reverse course after last week's 6-0 vote to call itself a sanctuary. The term "sanctuary city" has no legal definition and varies in application, but it generally refers to jurisdictions that do not cooperate with U.S. immigration officials. Under Lansing city policy, police don't ask for people's immigration status, except as required by U.S. or Michigan law or a court order.  Article   (Thanks, Nick)

++ Union Rules: Ineffective Teacher's Raise is 4x That of 'Teacher Of The Year'. Recent top educator got a $400 bump, colleague rated 'ineffective' got $1,836  More

++ Public education in Michigan is broken. Even Michigan's liberal and "moderate" establishment concludes this. But Gov. Snyder's 21st Century Education Commission Report doubles down and calls for government interference and control from the womb to the grave.  The report leads with summary of poor performance by Michigan public schools e.g.: "Michigan children are falling behind. As early as fourth grade, Michiganders underperform their peers, ranking 41st on fourth grade reading performance nationally. Michigan is one of only three states that has seen a decline in fourth grade reading achievement since 2003.
   Then the report asks to increase the same lousy policy that achieves such lousy results, and recommends that the State Board of Education be appointed by the Governor or be eliminated.
    When Gov. Snyder says PreK he presumes to tell women what they can eat and do while bearing a child, and when he says PreK-20 he means that taxpayers should be on the hook for lifetime education for everyone. It is a utopian scheme anchored with a blind eye to why a collective education system stifles greatness and rewards failure. Frankly, we do not feel the Governor has a clue as to what might work, but he intends to rush there fast and with breakneck spending increases.
   The report concludes that Michigan's higher income and white students are also among the worst performing in the country ranking 48th - 7 states worse that the lower income statistics. Those among our readers that defend their home districts are most likely deceiving themselves. Maybe YOUR children are the exceptions, certainly some teachers are high quality and doing their best, but as a society we are failing.  
   Our Conservative Education Task Force has proposals of our own and will further report on the Governor's commission in future issues.   Governor's Full Report
 
++ Gary Glenn of education - Video  (See Gary at MiCPAC 2017)

FREE ENTERPRISE = FREE LIVES + MORE JOBS!


 
Legislative Accountability!
It is OUR responsibility to know the issues and the players, and to inform others so that we Change Policies by changing public opinions!      Check back in the next issue. Get briefed at MiCPAC


An Invitation - A lot has transpired in the last year! Although we never thought we lost it, We have our groove back! We have renewed hope for America returning to its greatness and to traditional values. Thank YOU! Now for Michigan.... Will we work together. or be plowed under? 
April 29, 2017  MiCPAC Conference 
The location is Capitol City Baptist School
  5100 W Willoughby Rd, Holt, MI 48842

Project Kirk is designed for us to better understand the true precepts of what he called "The Permanent Things." Russell was the writer that Reagan, Goldwater, Wm. F. Buckley, Jr. and so many others read and referred to as the founder of modern conservatism. Share his wisdom with others

Dr. Russell Amos Kirk left this life on April 29, 1994. It is fitting MiCPAC is scheduled April 29 in his memory.
 
Kirk on The 10 Principles of Conservatism:  Link


Dr. Lee Edwards, a leading historian of American conservatism and the author or editor of 25 books and Kirk expert  headlines MiCPAC 2017
The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Santayana the published version of Kirk's doctoral dissertation, contributed materially to the 20th century   Burke  revival. It also drew attention to:
Headlining MiCPAC 2017 is Lee   Edwards
Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought

B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles & Politics

Institute for Constitutional Government
Dr. Edwards will be discussing the works and impact of Dr. Kirk on American society and government. Dr. Edwards will also update us on what is happening in the National conservative movement and with policies under the new Administration.
  
Be sure you meet and hear Dr. Lee Edwards at MiCPAC 4/28-29/ 2017!


See you at MiCPAC! Apply below or at MiCPAC 2017 or at Eventbrite (fees apply) 
Return to POX 658, Oxford, Mi. 48371
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