IT'S ABOUT TIME

ON ANN ROMNEY'S WEBSITE:

[ANN'S WEBSITE]

One of the greatest assets to GWB's image while running for Prez was his absolutely enchanting wife, Laura. I can't think of a single individual who has ever said a mean-spirited thing about our First Lady (the same cannot be said about the former First Lady. . . you know, the one seeking to run the country). So, your Mittiot joins the minions in stating the obvious, "our next First Lady, Ann Romney, will only help Mitt distinguish himself in the GOP race and the race for the White House." Yet one more reason to become a Mittiot.

ON MITT ROMNEY AND ENTREPRENEURS:

Many "Thanks" to fellow Mittiot Doug Campbell (Romney Chair, Branch Co) for sending me the following article from NEWSMAX:

Entrepreneurs Like Romney — and Hate Hillary

Republican Mitt Romney is the preferred presidential candidate among small-business owners — while Democrat Hillary Clinton is by far their least-favored White House hopeful, a poll reveals.

Asked to choose their favored candidate, 21 percent of respondents chose Romney, 19 percent selected John Edwards, and 13 percent opted for Rudy Giuliani.

In the Zogby e-mail poll of nearly 2,000 small-business owners/operators, 9 percent named Clinton as their favorite, 9 percent chose Barack Obama, and just 1 percent named John McCain. But the biggest vote getter was “not sure,” with 28 percent.

While Clinton got as many or more votes than Obama and McCain, she was chosen as the entrepreneurs’ “least favorite” candidate, with 36 percent of respondents naming her. That was twice the number of votes tallied by the second-place finisher, Giuliani with 18 percent. Romney was named “least favorite” by 15 percent, Edwards by 12 percent, McCain by 6 percent, and Obama by 5 percent, with 9 percent not sure.

In a somewhat surprising result, health insurance was cited by the most entrepreneurs as the key issue they want the next president to tackle, according to the poll results reported by Fortune Small Business magazine.

When asked to name the two most significant issues, 47 percent of respondents cited health insurance in first or second place, followed by income taxes at 40 percent, immigration reform at 32 percent, and rising energy costs at 28 percent. A similar poll in 2004 found that income tax was then the most cited issue, at 49 percent, followed by health insurance at 42 percent.

The poll also disclosed that while President Bush remains more popular among entrepreneurs than among the general population, his support has dropped sharply since a 2004 poll. Today 57 percent of small-business owners give Bush an unfavorable rating, compared to 46 percent in 2004.

Your Mittiot just watched a commentator on CNBC choke his way through stating the "fact" that "businesses like Hillary Clinton." KUDO's for keeping the straight face. The "FACT" is businesses may like Hillary over the other dem candidates BUT THEY DO NOT FAVOR A DEM IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

From Open Secrets [http://www.opensecrets.org/]:

All PRO-GOP BUSINESS SECTORS. You know who likes the DEMS though?

So, WHY would the GOP want to nominate a LAWYER for President?

ON THE RECENT MICHIGAN DEBACLE:

Our state is crumbling and to hold it together Democrats (and a couple Hufficans) voted to raise the income tax - and even worse - extend sales tax to "certain" services.

"Let's see, I could graduate from college and be a, let's say, financial consultant anywhere in the U.S. Oh, let's look at Michigan. . . NOPE, I'll be put at disadvantage to the those brokers, insurance salesmen, and mutual fund companies doing the same thing but not subject to the 6% sales tax. I guess I better move. . . I hope I can rent a moving van - I hear you have to reserve them way ahead of time. . . "

As the saying goes (and grows): "Don't blame me, I voted for DeVos!"

OH, and by the way who else is exempt from the "service tax?" LAWYERS. Looks like it pays to pay the Governor.

~so sayeth the Mittiot

The List To Remember Come '08:

[My good friend, and future fellow Mittiot, Nick of RightMichigan.com has posted a Tax-Hikers Hall of Shame at his blog - check it out]

House Bill 5194: Increasing income tax This bill would allow the state to increase the income tax from 3.9 percent to 4.35 percent, effective Oct. 1, 2007.

Michigan House Vote: 57 YES; 52 NO; 1 NOT VOTING Voting YES Frank Accavitti Jr., D-Eastpointe Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee Joan Bauer, D-Lansing Doug Bennett, D-Muskegon Steve Bieda, D-Warren Terry Brown, D-Pigeon Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga Marsha Cheeks, D-Detroit Brenda Clack, D-Flint Ed Clemente, D-Lincoln Park Paul Condino, D-Southfield Bob Constan, D-Dearborn Heights Marc Corriveau, D-Northville Andy Coulouris, D-Saginaw George Cushingberry, D-Detroit Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak Kate Ebli, D-Monroe John Espinoza, D-Croswell Barbara Farrah, D-Southgate Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms Matthew Gillard, D-Alpena Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Township Richard Hammel, D-Mt. Morris Township Ted Hammon, D-Burton Morris Hood III, D-Detroit Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit Bert Johnson, D-Detroit Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo Michael Lahti, D-Hancock Kathleen Law, D-Gibraltar Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland Gabe Leland, D-Detroit LaMar Lemmons Jr., D-Detroit Steven Lindberg, D-Marquette Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale Tim Melton, D-Pontiac Fred Miller, D-Mount Clemens Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn Michael Sak, D-Grand Rapids Bettie Scott, D-Detroit Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch Alma Smith, D-Ypsilanti Virgil Smith Jr., D-Detroit Dudley Spade, D-Tipton Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores Chris Ward, R-Brighton Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor Coleman Young, D-Detroit Voting NO Daniel Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township Fran Amos, R-Waterford Richard J. Ball, R-Bennington Township Darwin Booher, R-Evart Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township Brian Calley, R-Portland Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba Bruce Caswell, R-Pittsford Bill Caul, R-Mt. Pleasant Craig DeRoche, R-Novi Kevin A. Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan John Garfield, R-Rochester Hills Kevin Green, R-Wyoming Martin Griffin, D-Jackson Goeff Hansen, R-Hart Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell Jacob Hoogendyk Jr., R-Texas Township Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township Rick Jones, R-Oneida Township Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy Philip LaJoy, R-Canton Township David Law, R-West Bloomfield Jim Marleau, R-Lake Orion Arlan Meekhof, R-Olive Kimberly Meltzer, R-Clinton Township John Moolenaar, R-Midland Tim Moore, R-Farwell Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham Neal Nitz, R-Baroda Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt Brian Palmer, R-Romeo David Palsrok, R-Maninstee John Pastor, R-Livonia Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township Tom Pearce, R-Rockford John Proos IV, R-St. Joseph David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Tory Rocca, R-Sterling Heights Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell Mike Simpson, D-Liberty Township John Stahl, R-North Branch John Stakoe, R-Highland Township Glenn Steil Jr., R-Cascade Howard Walker, R-Traverse City Lorence Wenke, R-Richland Lisa Wojno, D-Warren NOT VOTING David Agema, R-Grandville

Michigan Senate Vote: 19 YES; 19 NO; 1 TIE BREAKER Voting YES Jim Barcia, D-Bay City Ray Basham, D-Taylor Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor Deb Cherry, D-Burton Irma Clark-Coleman, D-Detroit Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit Tom George, R-Kalazmazoo John Gleason, D-Flushing Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit Gilda Jacobs, D-Huntington Woods Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek Martha Scott, D-Highland Park Mickey Switalski, D-Roseville Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit Gerald VanWoerkem, R-Muskegon Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing Voting NO Jason Allen, R-Traverse City Glenn Anderson, D-Westland Mike Bishop, R-Rochester Cameron Brown, R-Fawn River Township Nancy Cassis, R-Novi Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt Valde Garcia, R-Howell Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood Mark Jansen, R-Gaines Township Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau Dennis Olshove, D-Warren John Pappageorge, R-Troy Bruce Patterson, R-Canton Township Randy Richardville, R-Grandville Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond Tony Stamas, R-Midland TIE-BREAKER VOTE Lt. Gov. John Cherry

House Bill 5198: Imposing sales tax on services

This bill would impose a 6 percent sales tax on a wide variety of services, including various personal services and a number of services used primarily by businesses

Michigan House Vote: 56 YES; 53 NO; 1 NOT VOTING Voting YES Frank Accavitti Jr., D-Eastpointe Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee Joan Bauer, D-Lansing Doug Bennett, D-Muskegon Steve Bieda, D-Warren Terry Brown, D-Pigeon Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga Marsha Cheeks, D-Detroit Brenda Clack, D-Flint Ed Clemente, D-Lincoln Park Paul Condino, D-Southfield Bob Constan, D-Dearborn Heights Andy Coulouris, D-Saginaw George Cushingberry, D-Detroit Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak John Espinoza, D-Croswell Barbara Farrah, D-Southgate Matthew Gillard, D-Alpena Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Township Martin Griffin, D-Jackson Richard Hammel, D-Mt. Morris Township Ted Hammon, D-Burton Morris Hood III, D-Detroit Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit Bert Johnson, D-Detroit Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo Michael Lahti, D-Hancock Kathleen Law, D-Gibraltar Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland Gabe Leland, D-Detroit LaMar Lemmons Jr., D-Detroit Steven Lindberg, D-Marquette Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale Tim Melton, D-Pontiac Fred Miller, D-Mount Clemens Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn Michael Sak, D-Grand Rapids Bettie Scott, D-Detroit Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch Mike Simpson, D-Liberty Township Alma Smith, D-Ypsilanti Virgil Smith Jr., D-Detroit Dudley Spade, D-Tipton Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor Lisa Wojno, D-Warren Coleman Young, D-Detroit Voting NO Daniel Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township Fran Amos, R-Waterford Richard J. Ball, R-Bennington Township Darwin Booher, R-Evart Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township Brian Calley, R-Portland Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba Bruce Caswell, R-Pittsford Bill Caul, R-Mt. Pleasant Marc Corriveau, D-Northville Craig DeRoche, R-Novi Kate Ebli, D-Monroe Kevin A. Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms John Garfield, R-Rochester Hills Kevin Green, R-Wyoming Goeff Hansen, R-Hart Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell Jacob Hoogendyk Jr., R-Texas Township Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township Rick Jones, R-Oneida Township Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy Philip LaJoy, R-Canton Township David Law, R-West Bloomfield Jim Marleau, R-Lake Orion Arlan Meekhof, R-Olive Kimberly Meltzer, R-Clinton Township John Moolenaar, R-Midland Tim Moore, R-Farwell Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham Neal Nitz, R-Baroda Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt Brian Palmer, R-Romeo David Palsrok, R-Maninstee John Pastor, R-Livonia Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township Tom Pearce, R-Rockford John Proos IV, R-St. Joseph David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Tory Rocca, R-Sterling Heights Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell John Stahl, R-North Branch John Stakoe, R-Highland Township Glenn Steil Jr., R-Cascade Howard Walker, R-Traverse City Chris Ward, R-Brighton Lorence Wenke, R-Richland NOT VOTING David Agema, R-Grandville

Michigan Senate Vote: 19 YES; 19 NO; 1 TIE BREAKER Voting YES Jim Barcia, D-Bay City Ray Basham, D-Taylor Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor Deb Cherry, D-Burton Irma Clark-Coleman, D-Detroit Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit Valde Garcia, R-Howell John Gleason, D-Flushing Gilda Jacobs, D-Huntington Woods Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek Martha Scott, D-Highland Park Mickey Switalski, D-Roseville Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing Voting NO Jason Allen, R-Traverse City Glenn Anderson, D-Westland Mike Bishop, R-Rochester Cameron Brown, R-Fawn River Township Nancy Cassis, R-Novi Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt Tom George, R-Kalazmazoo Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood Mark Jansen, R-Gaines Township Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau Dennis Olshove, D-Warren John Pappageorge, R-Troy Bruce Patterson, R-Canton Township Randy Richardville, R-Grandville Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond Tony Stamas, R-Midland Gerald VanWoerkem, R-Muskegon TIE-BREAKER VOTE Lt. Gov. John Cherry