Michigan Proposals and Oakland Local Election Results

More thoughts on the national election results in a moment.

On the upside locally here in Michigan, Proposals 2-6 went down in flames, ending the Union-Green takeover attempt of the Constitution and ending Maroun's attempt to buy a slice of the Constitution. All good.

On the downside, Proposal 1 was defeated meaning no Emergency Manager Law and thus without such a law it means that Detroit better get ready for bankruptcy. Given the attitude of Detroiters who were opposed to the proposal, I have darn little sympathy. You voted for it, now you get to live with the results. Don't expect the rest of us to come bail you out.

The Oakland County results can be seen at the Detroit Free Press.

Unfortunately, Oakland county has been going from a prosperous though Country Club Republican Red to Blue. Refugees from Detroit and other locations in Wayne County have been moving here to escape that county's mis-management but then voting to bring about the same policies and Democrat leadership that caused the problem in the county they have left. (Sound familiar?).

On the Upside, L. Brooks Patterson was reelected as County Executive. While a Country Club Republican he at least knows that focusing on the economy is what matters, and a lot of Republicans would be better off if they got that hint.

On the downside two good Republicans fell to Democrat challengers, Bill Bullard Jr lost the County Clerk spot, and he's been a very effective County Clerk and John McCulloch lost his position as Water Resources Commissioner, again someone who was very effective. Democrats also held on easily to the County Treasurer and Prosecuting Attorney positions (to be fair, Dem Jessica Cooper is doing what is by all reports a good job there).

In West Bloomfield, Michelle Economou-Ureste of getting-a-ride-home-from-the-police-because-we're-tired fame was easily reelected, and the one Republican on the board of Trustees was lost, making it all Democrat Drama, all the time in the Township.

The Union And The Bridge Owner

It's Baptists and Bootleggers Michigan Style as Ambassador Bridge Owner Matty Maroun bankrolls the UAW's job killing Proposal 2 in return for UAW member votes on Proposal 6.

Proposal 2 will enshrine Unions - both public and private - and collective bargaining in the Michigan Constitution and trump numerous laws and send us into the union-infested dark ages. basically it will drastically tilt the scales in favor of Unions, reducing even further Michigan's appeal as a place for businesses to come and employ people.

Proposal 6 will require a public vote before any international crossing could be built, slowing down commerce and the Michigan economy and leaving a main international trade artery and profits under the control of Maroun.

Vote No on both.

While you're at it, Vote YES on 1 and NO on 2,3,4,5 and 6 - good descriptions of each of these execrable proposals and the reasons for voting NO on 2-6 are presented here.

The Detroit Free Press: UAW, Moroun said to be allies in battle to block new U.S.-Canada bridge

The UAW and Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel (Matty) Moroun are discussing a deal that calls for the billionaire to pump cash into a labor-sponsored ballot initiative in exchange for the union's support for a Moroun-backed campaign to block a new international bridge from Detroit to Windsor, according to a senior auto executive and several local political leaders.

Note that the UAW is sacrificing what will be a lot of good paying and most undoubtedly union construction jobs on the bridge in return for money up front to bolster their position long-term even as such a measure will make Michigan far less employer and hence employment friendly.

Maroun, of course, is probably harming his companies in the long-term, assuming there's a union presence there, in return for the union's support to block competition to his Ambassador Bridge and thus maintain his monopoly power.

Both proposals are bad for the public, who will be the ones really bearing the costs if Proposals 2 and 6 pass.