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Chaldean Caucus of Michigan to Host Presidential Debate Gathering and Discussion |
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By Neda Ayar :: 7227 Views
::  :: Career & Education, Government & Society, Chaldean Caucus
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Surrogates from both the McCain and Obama camp have approached Chaldean community leaders hoping to gain their support. In Michigan, issue advocates like CatholicVote.com have reached out to Chaldeans with a special issue announcement.
The Chaldean Caucus of Michigan will be hosting the first presidential debate viewing at Mother of God Church Hall in Southfield, Michigan this Friday, September 26th beginning at 7:30 p.m. Supporters of both candidates are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served and lively discussion will follow immediately after the debate, moderated by Chaldean Caucus regional leaders.
Michigan is a battleground state for the presidential contenders. Both have opened offices in the heart of Chaldean strongholds. The McCain camp has headquartered in Farmington, while the Obama camp is in Southfield.
Chaldeans are concerned over a host of issues. However, a few stand as paramount concerns for the community. “On one hand we are unhappy with how persecuted Iraqi Christians are being treated and on the other hand, the community is deeply offended by our country’s current policy on abortion and anti-family issues,” says Kamal Zoree. “The thing is many Chaldeans are still trying to figure out which candidate is best for America, best for the future of America, and best for Chaldeans.”
The Chaldean Caucus reminds readers that unregistered Chaldean voters have until October 1st to register. Chaldeans unfamiliar with where to vote can contact their local church for assistance.
Chaldean supporters of either presidential, state, and / or local candidates, should e-mail info@chaldean.org their supporting comments or literature to further advocate for their candidate. The e-mails received by www.CHALDEAN.org may be used in future articles.
The Chaldean Caucus and www.CHALDEAN.org will be collaborating on upcoming articles to provide clarity as to where each candidate stands on the issues.
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What Transparency Should Look Like at the MEDC (but Doesn't)
<p>By James M. Hohman. </p>The award of a $9.1 million tax credit to a convicted embezzler has raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The concerns could be alleviated by two transparency/due diligence reforms that would protect the state (and taxpayers) from fraud. However, the real issue is not whether the occasional criminal wins an "incentive" deal, but the lack of transparency that characterizes this entire operation. This is the measure by which the responses of politicians and economic development bureaucrats to this embarrassment should assessed.</P> http://www.mackinac.org/12358
Legislature's Most Persistent Targeted-Incentives Booster to Run Hearings on Embezzler's Tax-Break Deal
<p>By Jack McHugh. </p><p>In the wake of the news that the Michigan Economic Growth Authority awarded a $9 million tax break/subsidy deal to what appears to be a "shell" company created by a convicted embezzler, Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, has been assigned the task of managing Senate hearings on the vetting procedures used by MEGA and its parent agency, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. During his 11 years in the Legislature, Allen has become perhaps the most ardent promoter and defender of selective tax breaks and subsidies for particular firms and industries. Since 2001, Allen has introduced at least 60 bills in this category, many of them thinly disguised favors benefiting specific companies. Here are concise descriptions of a selection of these bills, from <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/">MichiganVotes.org</a>:</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12357
Center Scholar Tapped to Help Warren With Budget Crisis
<p><a href="http://www.mackinac.org/bio.aspx?ID=139"><span style="color: #003399;">Lou Schimmel</span></a>, former director of municipal finance and an adjunct scholar with the Center, has been tapped for his expertise to solve the city of Warren's $10 million overspending crisis.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12356
The Right Choice
<p>By Joseph G. Lehman. </p>School choice is good for students and the state budget. http://www.mackinac.org/12334
Climate Change Panel Examines the 'Changing Debate'
<p>Henry Payne, editorial cartoonist for The Detroit News, writes about the Mackinac Center's climate change panel, in which he participated, at <a href="http://planetgore.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZjZjNjJkZDg3MGZlNDVjYmU1OTE4MzQzMWM3NGVlMzY="><span style="color: #003399;">National Review Online</span></a>.</p>
<p>You can watch the event <a href="http://www.michiganliveevents.com/mppi-live032010.html"><span style="color: #003399;">here</span></a>.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12352
Legislators Should Look Closer to Home to Cut Spending
<p>A <a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20100318/OPINION01/3180341/1008/Editorial--Drop-gimmicky-plan-to-link-salaries-of-teachers-and-school-superintendents-to-those-of-lawmakers"><span style="color: #003399;">Detroit News</span></a> editorial today calls a plan to cap salaries of public school superintendents and teachers based on what politicians are paid, "gimmicky," and cites <a href="http://www.mackinac.org/12288"><span style="color: #003399;">this commentary</span></a> by Mike Van Beek, director of education policy, which states that only 1 percent of school expenses go toward superintendent pay and benefits.</p>
<p>James Hohman, fiscal policy analyst, does have a suggestion in this <a href="http://downriversundaytimes.com/2010/03/12/legislative-pay-evidence-of-a-larger-problem"><span style="color: #003399;">Dearborn Times-Herald Op-Ed</span></a> about what legislators should focus on if they really want to cut spending.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12351
Solving the Wrong Problem
<p>By James M. Hohman. </p>Expanding Michigan's sales tax a bad idea.
http://www.mackinac.org/12328
No Checkbook Left Behind
<p>More Michigan public school districts are posting their checkbook registers online as a way for taxpayers to see exactly how their money is spent, but most districts get a failing grade when it comes to transparency.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12350
MEGA Jobs Announcements Symbolic Drop in the Bucket
<p>By James M. Hohman. </p><p>The Michigan Economic Growth Authority <a href="/12345">yesterday</a> approved its latest batch of tax credits to lure large business projects to Michigan. </p>
<p>Despite the press release, these big business projects are just not that consequential to Michigan's total economy. </p> http://www.mackinac.org/12347
Stealing the Spotlight
<p>By Michael D. LaFaive & Michael D. LaFaive. </p>Convicted embezzler's business wins high-profile state subsidy. http://www.mackinac.org/12345
More Schools Post Spending
Kent County districts, others, report checkbooks now online. http://www.mackinac.org/12346
Climate Panel Video
Did you miss the lively discussion? Watch it <a href="http://www.michiganliveevents.com/mppi-live032010.html">here</a>. http://www.michiganliveevents.com/mppi-live032010.html
Teacher Contracts: An Analysis
<p>By Michael Van Beek. </p><p>Nearly every aspect of a teacher's job falls under the rules of a union contract. The following is a synopsis of just one of those agreements in Michigan.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12336
Union Corruption Update
<p>By Paul Kersey. </p><p>Recent charges and guilty pleas involving union officials.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12329
MED March 16, 2010
New 'No Child,' concessions, reading scores. http://www.educationreport.org/12331
Climate Extremes
<p>By Paul Chesser. </p>MichiganScience looks at Climategate.
http://www.mackinac.org/12265
Rejecting State Employee Raise
<p>The <a href="http://www.mirsnews.com/welcome.php"><span style="color: #003399;">Michigan Information & Research Service</span></a> (subscription required) reprinted <a href="http://www.mackinac.org/12281"><span style="color: #003399;">this</span></a> blog post by Paul Kersey, labor policy director, explaining why it would not be a violation of labor law for the Legislature to reject a 3 percent raise for state employees as some lawmakers claimed.</p> http://www.mackinac.org/12314
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