The Saginaw County Republicans will be hosting Senator Tom George on Wednesday, January 6th at 12:00 noon at Thirsty's Sports Pub.  Thirsty's is located in State Lanes Bowling at 5707 State St., Saginaw.

Senator George is running for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2010.  He is campaigning on the idea that Michigan's problems are economic and Fixing Michigan requires creating jobs. Unfortunately there is no single, simple way to bring jobs here, so Senator George is focusing on creating a competitive economic environment.

He will be in Saginaw to informally meet voters and answer questions.  Learn more about the candidate and his views at his website, http://www.georgeforgovernor.com/, or better yet, come on out and meet him Wednesday!

Last Tuesday, the Senate Health Committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment, courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn, which would require all Members of Congress and their staff members to enroll in any new government-run health plan.

Now, Congressman John Fleming has proposed an amendment to HR 615 that would require Congressmen and Senators to take the same health care plan that they would force on us. (Under the currently proposed legislation they are exempt.)  Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go to his Website and sign his petition at: http://fleming.house.gov/index.html.

Interestingly, Senator Coburn and Congressman Fleming are both physicians.  They know what a disaster the proposed plans are and why Congress so far refuses to place themselves into the system they want to force us into.  Regardless of your political beliefs, it seems reasonable that Congress should have exactly the same medical coverage that they impose on the rest of us.

If we can't get Congress to kill the health care bills, at least we might push them into the same plan.  Please sign Congressman Fleming's petition today to let them know how you feel, by amending HR 615.

From Tim Kelly's "Citizen Leader" blog of December 29, 2009:

This morning on Fox News, someone said that there is no way to identify the ideology of a passenger on a plane but that we should continue to identify radical Muslims as jihadist.  We currently do neither, and it's about time we did both.

Since 9/11, we continue to live the ridiculous myth that bombings in the name of Islam, can, have, and will be perpetrated by anyone other than Muslims so we must therefore screen everyone.  This is farcical, unnecessary, and we all know it to be unmitigated bullshit.  Not only does this practice perpetuate the mirage of security, but, in the end, is extremely dangerous.  The latest attempt to blow apart an American airliner is a perfect example of this.  Forget for a moment, that this young man from Nigeria purchased his one-way ticket with cash, had no luggage, or that his father had warned the authorities of his radicalism.  He should have been on anybody's no-fly list because his name is UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB!  

Zenaphobic?  No, I'm being pragmatic.  Instead of assuming that all people are interested in, let alone capable of, blowing up Western, Christian, or Jewish things, let's assume that all Muslims are.  Then it remains their problem in clearing their individual names off of any no-fly or border crossing lists.  Although Muslims make up a large, and growing, portion of the worlds' population, their numbers are still more  manageable than an entire planets.  I have friends that are Muslim, and they would have no problem in clearing their names within minutes.  Would these friends be upset with my proposal?  Perhaps, but we can ill afford to worry about such trivialities anymore.  It's time we put an end to "politically correct."      

This practice would also push non-violent Muslims to help fight, what continues to be for many, a reluctant war against some of their own.  Let's put the onus, once and for all, where it belongs.  If the Muslim religion is so peace-loving and humanitarian, and I believe that it is, prove it.  Help us destroy this insidious cancer before it threatens to consume us all.

Amanda Roggenbuck, Tuscola County District 1 Commissioner, stated, "This campaign school is perfect for anyone running for their local school board, city council, county commission, even a state level office,."  Amanda further said, "I have attended many campaign academies and found them very beneficial to me and my campaign.  We have many elected officials and members who wanted to share their collective knowledge with others."

Participants will also receive discounts on photography and printed materials for use in their campaign.   There is also a special discount for Tuscola GOP members on web page hosting.

The cost is $150 for Tuscola County Republican members, and $500 for non-members.  It includes a manual on campaigns and campaign management that will prove a useful tool for your campaign.   A limited number of scholarships at a reduced fee of $25 are available for high school and college students wishing to become politically involved.  The enrollment fee covers the class, costs of materials and lunch. To allow for individual attention and involvement, the seminar will be limited to 20 participants.

Pre-registration is required by January 15, 2010.   Register online at www.ThumbGOP.org.  Questions may be directed to Amanda Roggenbuck at amanda@voteroggenbuck.com or 989-872-8881.