If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
I took a few days off to enjoy the beautiful weather...thanks to SunkenCiv for the links at #10!
Posted on 10/12/2008 1:10:14 PM PDT by Maelstorm
LANSING - A gallon of gas costs more than twice what it did six years ago, the last time incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Carl Levin was up for re-election.
The average statewide cost for regular unleaded gasoline was $3.27 per gallon as of Friday, according to AAA Michigan. The price topped $4 at times this summer, very different from the $1.55 per gallon Michigan motorists were paying in October 2002.
Energy prices are among the top concerns for Michigan voters headed to the polls Nov. 4. The price and availability of energy, along with the nation's emerging energy policy, could be crucial components of the state's future economic fortunes.
Levin and his Republican opponent, Jack Hoogendyk, both say the U.S. must reduce its dependence on imported oil. But they disagree on whether drilling should be allowed in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and what should be done to prompt alternative energy development.
SUMMARY CHARGED UP: Energy costs and the degree of dependence on foreign oil are key issues in the nation and Michigan. Future policy could play a role in the economy and national security.
THE CANDIDATES: Incumbent Democratic Sen. Carl Levin faces Republican state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk in Michigan's U.S. Senate race. The two candidates differ on energy policy.
DRILLING DEBATE: Levin opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because of environmental concerns. Hoogendyk says the drilling could be done in those areas without harming the environment, provided proper safeguards are in place. Levin supports a windfall profits tax on oil companies that have unduly profited from what he has characterized as "outrageous price increases" at the pump.
Hoogendyk opposes such a tax.
"All it does is drive profits offshore," said the conservative state lawmaker from Kalamazoo County's Texas Township. "If you unfairly tax corporations for making a profit, they will leave."
Hoogendyk said he also worries that a windfall profits tax would take away money that companies otherwise could invest in alternative energy research and development.
Hoogendyk said he would boost domestic oil production by supporting offshore drilling and tapping the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which he says can be done without harming the environment.
Levin has opposed drilling in areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Great Lakes because "drilling could have devastating and permanent effects on fragile ecosystems."
Oil and gas companies already have leases on 68 million acres of federal land for exploration and drilling that have not yet been used, Levin said. The country needs to turn more toward renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass to make the energy supply more stable and self-sufficient, he added.
"The U.S. cannot drill its way out of dependence on foreign oil," Levin said. "We need to reach a bipartisan comprehensive compromise on energy."
Four other candidates share the November ballot with Levin and Hoogendyk.
Michael Nikitin of the U.S. Taxpayers Party and Scotty Boman of the Libertarian Party say they would allow more offshore drilling and would not make the Alaska refuge off limits to drilling. Harley Mikkelson of the Green Party says that drilling would be expensive and the money should be put into energy conservation programs and wind and solar power development instead. Doug Dern of the Natural Law Party said he would oppose offshore drilling and would push for alternative energy development.
Michigan universities and companies are researching alternative energy developments such as turning nonfood substances like wood and switchgrass into ethanol. They're also connecting with domestic automakers to help develop lithium batteries and other power sources.
The federal government must do more to promote that type of research and commercialization, Levin said. He noted recently approved provisions to extend tax incentives for wind, solar and other alternative fuels and a new tax credit for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
"We've got to invest in the technologies and the alternative fuels which can take us away from fossil fuels," Levin said. "If anyplace can do it, I believe it's America. And Michigan is right smack in the center of it."
Congress has not adopted standards requiring utilities to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable standards. But more than half the states have established such requirements or goals. Last month, Michigan lawmakers approved requirements that 10 percent of the state's power come from renewable sources by the end of 2015.
Hoogendyk said he voted against that legislation mainly because it's expected to raise customers' electric bills. The legislation gradually increases Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy Co.'s residential rates by 5 percent to 15 percent over 10 years. Businesses and schools that historically have subsidized residents' costs will see their rates drop.
The legislation caps extra costs associated with requiring green power at $3 a month for residents.
"It's impractical to think we can cost effectively get energy from some of these alternative sources," said Hoogendyk, who supports expansion of nuclear energy and clean coal technology. "Science and technology and the free market will take care of that in time. Government can't force it to happen."
Hoogendyk and Levin also differ on the federal government's recently approved $25 billion loan package to help automakers retool plants and build more fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles.
Hoogendyk said he would have voted against the plan and would instead offer automakers a five-year exemption from federal corporate taxes. The savings, he said, would give automakers money to invest in research and development.
Levin, like most in Congress, supported the bill.
Again. I say this alot. Michigan have the “dumbest” voter base in the country. The state is suffering a depression, auto jobs are gone, and the democrats keep raising taxes. I’m sorry to the Republicans in Michigan, but your voter base is stupid.
It is hard to watch my beautiful Michigan disintegrate before my eyes.
Levin = Lenin
This may also be the case at the national level as well, if Obama does become the next POTUS and the next Congress is also a majority of leftist politicians! A capitalistic U.S. is quickly disappearing right before all of our eyes, and I don’t see any opportunity of a serious and successful U.S. conservative comeback, after all of the socialistic “damage” that leftists will successfully create on all of the issues and then successfully force upon everybody throughout the U.S. from January 20, 2009 on and with no actual end in sight!
The oleaginous Levin has done more than any other Democrat in Congress (and that is saying something), to give aid and comfort to Al Qaeda in Iraq. Because he has constantly leaked intelligence information to the press he is one of those responsible for the growing lack of confidence that exists between our intelligence services and those of other nations.
It should not be necessary to put one penny in MI if the voters were anything but stupid.
High gas prices not only hurt the driver and the home heating oil market, but it is one of the major causes of the decline in auto/light truck sales.
If they can’t see this, it probably is true that money spent trying to educate them would be money wasted.
Use it in a state that has smarter voters.
We have a really good set of solid conservative Senate candidates running and interestingly enough they are the ones not getting much money from the national party which seemed happy to take a loss this election. I’m disgusted.
The reason is that the national party has to pay for McCain. His run is expensive and there isn’t any money left over.
Yeah, I can’t understand why Michigan continues to vote for these Democrats election after election and them blame all of the problems on the Republicans. Didn’t the female Canadian Gov. of Michigan raise taxes? Then she blames her one-state recession all on Bush.
The RNC/GOP has always been anti-conservative. The RNC is a corporatist financial party of social planning elitists who have a bit of difference with the socialist planners of the DNC.
Roosevelt, Hoover, Eisenhower,Nixon, Ford, Bush I and II, McCain, all bigger government. Coolidge and Reagan, no.
here’s some backstory, remember these?
Statement by Jerry Hood, Former Special Assistant on Energy,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters [speaking in Michigan]
George W. Bush | October 7, 2004
Posted on 10/07/2004 1:11:07 PM PDT by RWR8189
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1238163/posts
OUT OF ENERGY — Kerry’s Energy Plan Independent Of Reality
Republican National Committee | October 11, 2004 | RNC Research
Posted on 10/11/2004 6:25:43 PM PDT by PhiKapMom
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1242152/posts
-Kerry to drill ANWR?-
HOFFA on Hardball: KERRY Now Supporting drilling in ANWR and everywhere in the US
vanity | February 17, 2004 | the eagle has landed
Posted on 02/17/2004 5:36:46 PM PST by TheEaglehasLanded
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1080181/posts
Hardball Transcript Hoffa Claims Kerry supports ANWR
Hardball MSNBC | 2/17/04
Posted on 02/18/2004 11:23:51 AM PST by finnman69
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1080634/posts
Kerry stated he will drill ANWR! “we‘re going to be drilling all over the United States.”
MSNBC | James Hoffa on HardBall
Posted on 02/20/2004 7:44:21 AM PST by SirFishalot
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1082010/posts
Hoffa’s Comments on Kerry Leave Some Perplexed
(We’re going to drill like never before-Kerry)
CNSNEWS.com | 2/25/04 | Robert B. Bluey
Posted on 02/25/2004 3:20:22 PM PST by kattracks
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085503/posts
-Nope, it was all a lie-
“That black stuff is hurting us.” Sen. John Kerry on oil
House Resource Committee | not given | unknown
Posted on 03/30/2004 6:24:11 PM PST by GailA
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1108305/posts
ANWR drilling no solution to gasoline costs, Kerry says
adn.com | March 31, 2004 | LIZ RUSKIN
Posted on 03/31/2004 11:41:20 AM PST by KQQL
Edited on 07/07/2004 4:49:14 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1108824/posts
-and-
DIRTY DEAL: WHAT THE TEAMSTERS WANT FROM GEORGE W.
The New Republic Online | 03.21.02 | John B. Judis
Posted on 03/28/2002 9:10:29 AM PST by flim-flam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/655224/posts
I put a bunch of relevant archival topic links in #10.
Michigan will vote for Levin and Obama because Michigan is “Stuck on Stupid”. (I would love to be wrong)
The hell holes of Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw will vote Democrat. Unfortunately more people live in these cities than the rest of Michigan combined. There are very few blue counties, but they’re big ones.
I beg everyone - if your congressman/senator has been in office more than 10/12 years, respectively, send them back home... even if you like them. They should not be in Congress for life. And this means you, Carl Levin. Time to go home and play with the grandkids. You are a huge part of the problem, which is just how you intend it to be.
I love this state too! Grew up in Ludington, now live next to Detroit. Have to deal with all the Dems/Libs that have been in office longer than I have been alive!
You’re dreaming if you think Levin is going to lose. He is in office for life.
I'm disgusted, too. Why won't the GOP/RNC back these people? Oh, wait, they're conservatives. Silly me.
If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
I took a few days off to enjoy the beautiful weather...thanks to SunkenCiv for the links at #10!
Along with my “representative” his goofy, lazy good for nothing brother.
In all his years in congress, he has authiored 78 bills, only one of which even got out of committee, only to be voted down.
Even though there are a few good congressmen and statesmen, all incumbents should be sent home.
No argument from me. That's been the essence of my tagline for a little while now.
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