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When non-partisan groups... aren't....By Nick, Section News
Get ready... the regressisphere is going to give this one some serious play. There's a new poll circulating around Lansing today from a group called the Midwest Democracy Network. It's chock-full of dramatically low approval numbers for the usual suspects to draw you in and then while your attention is diverted it wallops you in the back of the head with a fist full of quarters, suggesting that voters just plain aren't interested in reforming government or cutting taxes.
Expect liberal blogs to parrot the talking points regularly. It'll become gospel for our own lefty trolls here on Right Michigan. Heck, these talking points have probably already gone out from MDP to every Dem leaning blogger in the State in their morning talking points memo (the stuff you wind up actually reading on their blogs). The Ivory Tower, not surprisingly, is giving the thing plenty of love this morning but the article's author, Dawson Bell, rips the curtain back too, revealing the wizard. But first, the results:
Only 11% of those surveyed in Michigan said the Legislature was doing a good job, lowest of respondents from five states (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin). The 2008 Midwest Political Reform Survey found that 21% of the state's residents thought Gov. Jennifer Granholm was doing a good job. Among governors in the five states, only Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich fared worse with his constituents with only 13% giving him a good job rating... I can only imagine what those approval numbers might look like if they were gathered by a group without a specific ax to grind. Up front admission, I haven't seen the survey language but based on the results I'm going to assume we're looking at a classic push poll. MDN claims that things like banning state contractors from making political donations and lobbyist disclosure rank high on regular citizens "reform" lists, with over 60% of respondents advocating each. And hey, great ideas, right? Kwame's contractor buddy has made millions on his relationship with the Mayor and who doesn't want to open Diane Byrum's books as she pushes that ugly Soros / MoveOn.org petition to gut our Constitution... But as broader issues those are awfully inside baseball. Can't you just see 60% of Michigan families sitting around the dinner table at night, eating Raman Noodles and drinking water (if Lansing won't tighten their belts we've got to tighten ours... again... and again...and again...) and discussing things as a family.
Dad: So Timmy, how was your day?
Timmy: Fine.
Mom: Honey, how was your day at work?
Dad: Well, it was Friday! Ha ha ha, ho ho ho. Say, how about that state government in Lansing? I really wish they'd ban state contractors from making political contributions. I think that would make a really big difference in our every day lives.
Timmy: Gee dad, that would be swell.
Mom: Oh Timmy, I agree. In fact, I was just thinking the EXACT SAME THING!
(Everyone looks at the camera and smiles one of those 1950s TV family smiles.) Right. Sounds like somebody's got an agenda to push. And here in Michigan that somebody is the king of partisan "non-partisan" groups, Rich Robinson at the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. Turns out MCFN is a part of the Midwest Democracy Network. It's also a highly partisan attack-dog organization that'd erase the first amendment if it could, except when it comes to their own donors and how they spend their money. Oh, and did I mention that they're highly partisan? I did? OK. Just trying to be thorough. But don't take my word for it, check out this email:
You're invited!
MICHIGAN POLICY SUMMIT 2008
The Michigan Prospect and friends from throughout Michigan's progressive community invite you to the 2nd annual Michigan Policy Summit.
The summit features two compelling keynote speakers: Amy Goodman, host and producer of Democracy Now!; and Texas's foremost commentator, Jim Hightower.
The summit will have policy workshops on healthcare, sustainable energy and education. You'll have opportunities to network with activists from across the state. And an array of progressive organizations will showcase their work.
Registration is only $30 and that price includes lunch.
Learn more and register at http://www.mipolicysummit.org. Again, that's Amy Goodman, the "voice of the disenfranchised left" and Jim Hightower, Dennis Kucinich's biggest backer. Not exactly a "bi-partisan" family function. But hey, that's MCFN. They've got an ax to grind. Just keep that in mind when the lefties come swinging their new "big-partisan" survey numbers.
When non-partisan groups... aren't.... | 23 comments (23 topical, 0 hidden)
When non-partisan groups... aren't.... | 23 comments (23 topical, 0 hidden)
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Related Links+ Ivory Tower+ http://www .mipolicysummit.org + Amy Goodman + Jim Hightower + Also by Nick |
