Is Michigan Ready to Stand up to Big Oil?

Big oil and the automotive industry have walked hand-in-hand for ages. How angry are Michigan's voters at the feed the rich, starve the rest corporate suck-up attitude that has been this administration and Republican congress' calling card? Ready to dump Thad McCotter and Joseph Knollenberg?

Thad McCotter who this year voted "present" on the Iraq war resolution. Present? As in, "oops, we really stepped in it this time, and I can't be seen by voters to be supporting an upopular president, but on the other hand, I can't be seen by the administration to be attacking them... how ever will I get out of this one?" Or was it that Thad thought the resolution didn't have enough "let's get them bastards" umph in it? Well whatever it is, the Chamber of Commerce still seems to love their boy Thad. Protector of the rich and mighty. Because they could always use a little more help.And Thad's voting record?

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Rated 100% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)

How about another Michigan Republican, Joseph Knollenberg? Well he's got $10,190 dollars in his pocket from his buddy Tom DeLay that's helped him out so far. But 10 grand doesn't go very far in politics, good thing Joe's got good friends in big business. You'd think with all those contacts in DC that King Bush and Prince Rove would take Knollenberg's calls when he rings. So what's the use of having a Republican representing you if he can't even get his partybosses to talk to him? Oh yeah, and his voting record:

• Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)

Take a look a the two folks going up against the intrenched, same ol', same ol' in Michigan's 11th and 9th. In the 11th, take a look at Tony Trupiano. And in the 9th, dump Joe and consider voting for Nancy Skinner.