If Jay can't handle successfully leading a football team, how can we expect him to lead our district. Look at his comments as a coach in the Holland Sentinel. You will see a person who is highly divisive and points fingers at every turn. West Michigan doesn't need a WEALTHY ex-football player who has nothing better to do with his time. This is a time for serious and knowledgeable leaders who can reach across the aisle.
jon - 15 years ago
Jay brings a high sense of purpose and commitment grounded in conservative values. He will hit the ground running utilizing the very best advice he can get from a broad group of advisors. He listens and is commited to the regions besst interest. The others running have proven by their voting record that they donot always consider our regions best interest and needs of our residents.
I'm remaining neutral in this race for now untill I get a chance to find out more about Riemersma and Cooper. I'm in the process of interviewing Jay and have already interviewed Sen. Kuipers. I've met a few times now with Bill Cooper and have briefly met a bunch of times with Rep Huizenga.
I always think it such a waste that we have such a good talent pool fighting in the primaries within the "safe" Republican seats. Somehow our State Party should foster a system to take some of that talent and put it up in the unsafe districts.
I don't know how to do that but it is a shame.
I see in the poll that Riemersma is ahead. People are on both sides looking for change, which they may feel comes easiest from an outsider. Cooper and Riemersma are that. There are many prominent examples of outsiders running and doing a great job. Reagan for one and even Pete at the start for sure was an outsider.
That is what the crucible of a primary is all about. We have still over a year to see how the "outsiders" handle themselves under pressure.
All across the board for Republicans, this primary season will be exciting. Look at the purple thumbs of the Iraquis and the deaths of the Iranians and let us cherish this voting right we have.
To keep it we must use it.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Bob Carr
No Mas - 15 years ago
Jay: Are you Jay Riemersma?
jay - 15 years ago
There are others to consider if you vote NONE oF The Above.
http://www.billcooper4wmi.com/
I am not saying that he is getting my vote, but he is someone from West Michigan and would hopefully help this side.
Let'sGetFiscal - 15 years ago
The Holland Sentinel is funny. They’re not even listing all the candidates.
I heard there was a guy from Grand Haven(?) who has announced he’s running - Bill Cooper. From what I remember, he’s actually CREATED jobs, unlike these political hacks, who seem to be driving jobs out of Michigan as fast as possible.
I’m voting for Bill alright, but Bill Cooper, not termed out Bill.
No Mas - 15 years ago
I agree with Dreamweaver. Riemersma is trying to cast himself as an outsider, but has hired the biggest inside political attack machine in the Yob Mob. In fact, the Yob Mob has stuck the knife right in Pete’s back and is endorsing Rick Snyder for Governor. I can’t believe that’s going to get Riemersma any votes, or any help from Pete for that matter. What’s the toughest decision that guy has ever had to make anyway? Whether to peel off the line and act as a safety valve for the QB or to stay in run support and take out the defensive back? He’s had the white glove treatment since he was 6’2” in eighth grade. He didn’t even have to negotiate his own contract; they get an agent for that. Physical size and name recognition are not the top two criteria I consider when selecting a candidate.
Deb - 15 years ago
Bill Has a revence for God So he flows a Higher power!
deborah - 15 years ago
Sorry for not proofeading more carefully. That should be compromising aand constituents.
deborah - 15 years ago
Huizenga is the right choice for Congress. He lives out his conservative values and is not afraid to stand up for them. At the same time he is a skilled legislator. He is willing to build consensus without comproming on the things that matter most. He is open to hearing from his contituents and has a broad range of experience in the political process that he will put to good use for the people of this district.
Dreamweaver - 15 years ago
Common Sense's comments are brought to you buy the Jay Riemersma for Congress campaign.
Don't buy the "Riemersma is an outsider" bit folks - he hired the Yob mob as his consultant and that's about as INSIDER as you get!!
Gary - 15 years ago
in regards to SMH, who got a little wordy and I may have gotten lost in it but if what common sense said, a minimum of $48 million tax dollars paid out to Hollywood is true and we just laid off how many State Troopers. I'd rather be protected by our boys in blue and let rich libs support the endowment for the arts. I served to protect the rights of free speec (both SMH's and Hollywoods) and would again but that doesn't mean that I want to support the film industry with my tax dollars. I may go purchase a ticket to a movie or rent one but that's something that I do voluntarily. I want someone to represent me and my values and not side with the Democrtatic East side of the state or an industry who can bring in laborers from CA rather than hire locals if they chose to. I'm perhaps a bit naive but I'm not seeing a big fat win for West MI or the state on this movie industry thing, and we could really use a win right about now. I don't know if it's time to put the torches to the keep yet, but I think that a change needs to made to conservative values and conservative voting is in order.
DPH - 15 years ago
I like Jay but I just am not comfortable nor confident he can really hit the ground running in washington and combat Pelosi and her liberal agenda. It will take him literally years to figure out it out and we dont have time to wait. I am sure this is a fun hobby for the ex nfl player/millionaire but these are real issues affecting real families.
TLS - 15 years ago
Huizenga always had time to serve his constituents well and to make sure that each call was answered and each matter attended to. He ran an efficient office and was well respected by staff and colleagues alike. Huizenga is compassionate, hardworking, and not afraid of tough choices. I encourage you to contact him to find out why he voted for/against specific issues. I assure you, he did what was best in the situation. Huizenga is the only man for the job and I don't hesitate to throw my support behind him!
SMH - 15 years ago
In response to the issues raised by "Common Sense" regarding his dislike of the the Film Tax Incentives, all avenues of this obviously haven't been researched. Granted, it will be costing taxpayers a large lump sum and in a very conservative area to be offering that much money to Hollywood seems strange, there are a lot of benefits. It not only will be shedding light on the state of Michigan, and draw people here through filming, tourism, events, etc... It is also offering a number of jobs to locals, they may be only temporary (some only day to day), but for some in this time that extra $50-100 dollars can make a huge difference. The acceptance and respect of art in this country has gone downhill, granted the standard has also been lowered, but to be as immature as to constantly refer to it as "Hollywierd" is just unacceptable. You may not agree with a lot of what they are doing and the political and moral stands that people in the Cinematic Arts take, but who are you to judge? There are a lot of people out there that are trying to bring back the morals and standards that used to be upheld, and just because they are a minority they aren't being advertised as much as others. So, unless you are going to no longer go to the theater, rent movies, watch television, going to museums, reading fiction literature, and remain in the judgemental caves that so many conservatives have placed themselves in, you need to remain silent. It's one thing to not understand what/why people do things. Or why people can call something art, when in our eyes we just see a hot mess. Especially when the basis of art is just expressing what someone is feeling through any medium (stories, music, film, television, paint, speeches, architecture, photo, business, food, etc...). Just because you don't understand where someone is coming from, or why they express themselves in that way, in no way gives you the right to dis-respect them. You may think it's strange, you may think it's wrong, but to turn down an entire industry that we are welcoming in to bring money and jobs to our great state makes you the wierd one. We are based on free speech, and if something is offensive, good. We are too caught up in being "PC", and that is the ultimate form of censorship. I know that this may have not gone along the lines of what candidate to vote for, but seeing where they might be coming from in the way that they may have voted could open your eyes that have been shut for too long. And I for one, would be proud to have a representative that would be mindful of that, someone who may not get (or does) but leaves their mind open to respect the feelings and expressions of others. I understand where one might not get it, but I also reserve the right to educate and try to give the understanding. We are different, and to have a representative that understands that and takes into consideration our different interests has one up on the competition in my book.
Common Sense - 15 years ago
Huizenga, being the only announced candidate, should be embarrassed if he doesn't win this poll. He may be a Republican through and through, but the claim that he is a conservative, or that he understands what conservatism is, is questionable at best. Any one can wave the flag when it's convenient (remember Sen. Specter), but having the right principles and the ability to lead from them is what matters.
When given the chance, both Kuipers and Huizenga (who voted along with the democrats and against the majority of his fellow Republicans) voted to support the MBT, a MI tax plan that largely exempted the big 3 (who as we know were going bankrupt anyway), taxes companies regardless of whether they make a profit, and shifted the tax burden onto small and medium sized businesses. The west side of the state, (ie, the people the were elected to represent) now bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden in this state. Their records demonstrate that they either don't understand the basic economics of job creation, or that they were simply unwilling or unable to stand up to the pressures of "do something".
Kuipers of course added a vote to increase taxes on services, which he later called a "disaster", (he was right about that) and then proceeded to vote to replace the services tax increase with an MBT "surcharge", which is best understood as a tax on a tax. A little sunlight on these issues, and I'm afraid his goose is cooked.
Huizenga did him one better. He was the author of MI's film tax incentive. You know, the one that's created another level of bureaucracy (The MI Film Office, costing a couple hundred thousand tax payer dollars) and is expected to pay out a minimum of $48 million to film makers (see for details: http://www.mackinac.org/articlemedia.aspx?ID=10439#2821). Those are tax dollars taken from our pockets and given to Hollywierd. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy figures that 20% of the MBT surcharge (1 out of 5 tax on a tax dollars) has gone to pay for this film incentive.
So what we should be asking is why Huizenga thinks businesses that have been in our state for generations should be forced to pay Hollywierd's bills? Where's the check for restauranteurs, tool and dye shops, farmers, builders, etc? We're bailing out an industry that doesn't exist here and at great cost to ourselves.
Huizenga and Kuipers have shown they believe in government's ability to pick winners and losers using the tax code. They think they can anticipate the market and use the tax code to promote their favorite niche industry. This is neither the proper role nor function of government. They should have used their high offices to lower overall tax burdens so that established businesses could succeed in Michigan, and new businesses could be created or relocated here. This is not conservatism, and it's certainly not an answer to the mess in Washington DC.
True, Riemersma has little political background. Neither did Hoekstra when he first ran, and that hasn't stopped Kuipers and Huizenga from trying to ride his coattails (see Huizenga's website and his name dropping). As far as I can tell, Hoekstra hasn't endorsed either his former staff member (Huizenga) or his associate Kuipers. Maybe he doesn't want to mess up his shot at the governorship, or maybe he's skeptical of what they bring to the table? It's a legitimate question b/c Huizenga would be an otherwise obvious choice.
Conservatives should take a hard look at Riemersma; he would make an intriguing candidate and seems to have all the right values. If he gets in this race, we're going to see national exposure for west Michigan (our priorities, our values, our businesses), and conservatives will finally have something to cheer about.
Greg Stevens - 15 years ago
Bill is the best choice for this position. I like Jay and have no doubt that he could be good representative for the 2nd congressional district, but Bill is the right choice mainly because of his experience in both business and holding public office and respectfully serving his constituents.
dutchMoney72 - 15 years ago
Huizenga is the best candidate by far. True Republican with conservative values who has all kinds of political experience.
mjw - 15 years ago
Huizenga is definitely the right candidate for this post. Vote for the best candidate, not just because you recognize their name!
chas gilbert - 15 years ago
Sen. Kuipers only knows how to beat the Republican drum for two eventual things: limiting individual constitutional rights, and parochiade. He does not build consensus, he panders. Riemersma is a novice with no level of service, not even local, and running on past laurels, hoping to ride a short sports career into a political arena. Sports skill does not translate to political gravitas. Huizenga has years of experience at various levels of service and while he is at heart a Republican through and ththrough, will work towards the middle to get something done, which is the only reason any one should ever get elected.
If Jay can't handle successfully leading a football team, how can we expect him to lead our district. Look at his comments as a coach in the Holland Sentinel. You will see a person who is highly divisive and points fingers at every turn. West Michigan doesn't need a WEALTHY ex-football player who has nothing better to do with his time. This is a time for serious and knowledgeable leaders who can reach across the aisle.
Jay brings a high sense of purpose and commitment grounded in conservative values. He will hit the ground running utilizing the very best advice he can get from a broad group of advisors. He listens and is commited to the regions besst interest. The others running have proven by their voting record that they donot always consider our regions best interest and needs of our residents.
I'm remaining neutral in this race for now untill I get a chance to find out more about Riemersma and Cooper. I'm in the process of interviewing Jay and have already interviewed Sen. Kuipers. I've met a few times now with Bill Cooper and have briefly met a bunch of times with Rep Huizenga.
I always think it such a waste that we have such a good talent pool fighting in the primaries within the "safe" Republican seats. Somehow our State Party should foster a system to take some of that talent and put it up in the unsafe districts.
I don't know how to do that but it is a shame.
I see in the poll that Riemersma is ahead. People are on both sides looking for change, which they may feel comes easiest from an outsider. Cooper and Riemersma are that. There are many prominent examples of outsiders running and doing a great job. Reagan for one and even Pete at the start for sure was an outsider.
That is what the crucible of a primary is all about. We have still over a year to see how the "outsiders" handle themselves under pressure.
All across the board for Republicans, this primary season will be exciting. Look at the purple thumbs of the Iraquis and the deaths of the Iranians and let us cherish this voting right we have.
To keep it we must use it.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Bob Carr
Jay: Are you Jay Riemersma?
There are others to consider if you vote NONE oF The Above.
http://www.billcooper4wmi.com/
I am not saying that he is getting my vote, but he is someone from West Michigan and would hopefully help this side.
The Holland Sentinel is funny. They’re not even listing all the candidates.
I heard there was a guy from Grand Haven(?) who has announced he’s running - Bill Cooper. From what I remember, he’s actually CREATED jobs, unlike these political hacks, who seem to be driving jobs out of Michigan as fast as possible.
I’m voting for Bill alright, but Bill Cooper, not termed out Bill.
I agree with Dreamweaver. Riemersma is trying to cast himself as an outsider, but has hired the biggest inside political attack machine in the Yob Mob. In fact, the Yob Mob has stuck the knife right in Pete’s back and is endorsing Rick Snyder for Governor. I can’t believe that’s going to get Riemersma any votes, or any help from Pete for that matter. What’s the toughest decision that guy has ever had to make anyway? Whether to peel off the line and act as a safety valve for the QB or to stay in run support and take out the defensive back? He’s had the white glove treatment since he was 6’2” in eighth grade. He didn’t even have to negotiate his own contract; they get an agent for that. Physical size and name recognition are not the top two criteria I consider when selecting a candidate.
Bill Has a revence for God So he flows a Higher power!
Sorry for not proofeading more carefully. That should be compromising aand constituents.
Huizenga is the right choice for Congress. He lives out his conservative values and is not afraid to stand up for them. At the same time he is a skilled legislator. He is willing to build consensus without comproming on the things that matter most. He is open to hearing from his contituents and has a broad range of experience in the political process that he will put to good use for the people of this district.
Common Sense's comments are brought to you buy the Jay Riemersma for Congress campaign.
Don't buy the "Riemersma is an outsider" bit folks - he hired the Yob mob as his consultant and that's about as INSIDER as you get!!
in regards to SMH, who got a little wordy and I may have gotten lost in it but if what common sense said, a minimum of $48 million tax dollars paid out to Hollywood is true and we just laid off how many State Troopers. I'd rather be protected by our boys in blue and let rich libs support the endowment for the arts. I served to protect the rights of free speec (both SMH's and Hollywoods) and would again but that doesn't mean that I want to support the film industry with my tax dollars. I may go purchase a ticket to a movie or rent one but that's something that I do voluntarily. I want someone to represent me and my values and not side with the Democrtatic East side of the state or an industry who can bring in laborers from CA rather than hire locals if they chose to. I'm perhaps a bit naive but I'm not seeing a big fat win for West MI or the state on this movie industry thing, and we could really use a win right about now. I don't know if it's time to put the torches to the keep yet, but I think that a change needs to made to conservative values and conservative voting is in order.
I like Jay but I just am not comfortable nor confident he can really hit the ground running in washington and combat Pelosi and her liberal agenda. It will take him literally years to figure out it out and we dont have time to wait. I am sure this is a fun hobby for the ex nfl player/millionaire but these are real issues affecting real families.
Huizenga always had time to serve his constituents well and to make sure that each call was answered and each matter attended to. He ran an efficient office and was well respected by staff and colleagues alike. Huizenga is compassionate, hardworking, and not afraid of tough choices. I encourage you to contact him to find out why he voted for/against specific issues. I assure you, he did what was best in the situation. Huizenga is the only man for the job and I don't hesitate to throw my support behind him!
In response to the issues raised by "Common Sense" regarding his dislike of the the Film Tax Incentives, all avenues of this obviously haven't been researched. Granted, it will be costing taxpayers a large lump sum and in a very conservative area to be offering that much money to Hollywood seems strange, there are a lot of benefits. It not only will be shedding light on the state of Michigan, and draw people here through filming, tourism, events, etc... It is also offering a number of jobs to locals, they may be only temporary (some only day to day), but for some in this time that extra $50-100 dollars can make a huge difference. The acceptance and respect of art in this country has gone downhill, granted the standard has also been lowered, but to be as immature as to constantly refer to it as "Hollywierd" is just unacceptable. You may not agree with a lot of what they are doing and the political and moral stands that people in the Cinematic Arts take, but who are you to judge? There are a lot of people out there that are trying to bring back the morals and standards that used to be upheld, and just because they are a minority they aren't being advertised as much as others. So, unless you are going to no longer go to the theater, rent movies, watch television, going to museums, reading fiction literature, and remain in the judgemental caves that so many conservatives have placed themselves in, you need to remain silent. It's one thing to not understand what/why people do things. Or why people can call something art, when in our eyes we just see a hot mess. Especially when the basis of art is just expressing what someone is feeling through any medium (stories, music, film, television, paint, speeches, architecture, photo, business, food, etc...). Just because you don't understand where someone is coming from, or why they express themselves in that way, in no way gives you the right to dis-respect them. You may think it's strange, you may think it's wrong, but to turn down an entire industry that we are welcoming in to bring money and jobs to our great state makes you the wierd one. We are based on free speech, and if something is offensive, good. We are too caught up in being "PC", and that is the ultimate form of censorship. I know that this may have not gone along the lines of what candidate to vote for, but seeing where they might be coming from in the way that they may have voted could open your eyes that have been shut for too long. And I for one, would be proud to have a representative that would be mindful of that, someone who may not get (or does) but leaves their mind open to respect the feelings and expressions of others. I understand where one might not get it, but I also reserve the right to educate and try to give the understanding. We are different, and to have a representative that understands that and takes into consideration our different interests has one up on the competition in my book.
Huizenga, being the only announced candidate, should be embarrassed if he doesn't win this poll. He may be a Republican through and through, but the claim that he is a conservative, or that he understands what conservatism is, is questionable at best. Any one can wave the flag when it's convenient (remember Sen. Specter), but having the right principles and the ability to lead from them is what matters.
When given the chance, both Kuipers and Huizenga (who voted along with the democrats and against the majority of his fellow Republicans) voted to support the MBT, a MI tax plan that largely exempted the big 3 (who as we know were going bankrupt anyway), taxes companies regardless of whether they make a profit, and shifted the tax burden onto small and medium sized businesses. The west side of the state, (ie, the people the were elected to represent) now bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden in this state. Their records demonstrate that they either don't understand the basic economics of job creation, or that they were simply unwilling or unable to stand up to the pressures of "do something".
Kuipers of course added a vote to increase taxes on services, which he later called a "disaster", (he was right about that) and then proceeded to vote to replace the services tax increase with an MBT "surcharge", which is best understood as a tax on a tax. A little sunlight on these issues, and I'm afraid his goose is cooked.
Huizenga did him one better. He was the author of MI's film tax incentive. You know, the one that's created another level of bureaucracy (The MI Film Office, costing a couple hundred thousand tax payer dollars) and is expected to pay out a minimum of $48 million to film makers (see for details: http://www.mackinac.org/articlemedia.aspx?ID=10439#2821). Those are tax dollars taken from our pockets and given to Hollywierd. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy figures that 20% of the MBT surcharge (1 out of 5 tax on a tax dollars) has gone to pay for this film incentive.
So what we should be asking is why Huizenga thinks businesses that have been in our state for generations should be forced to pay Hollywierd's bills? Where's the check for restauranteurs, tool and dye shops, farmers, builders, etc? We're bailing out an industry that doesn't exist here and at great cost to ourselves.
Huizenga and Kuipers have shown they believe in government's ability to pick winners and losers using the tax code. They think they can anticipate the market and use the tax code to promote their favorite niche industry. This is neither the proper role nor function of government. They should have used their high offices to lower overall tax burdens so that established businesses could succeed in Michigan, and new businesses could be created or relocated here. This is not conservatism, and it's certainly not an answer to the mess in Washington DC.
True, Riemersma has little political background. Neither did Hoekstra when he first ran, and that hasn't stopped Kuipers and Huizenga from trying to ride his coattails (see Huizenga's website and his name dropping). As far as I can tell, Hoekstra hasn't endorsed either his former staff member (Huizenga) or his associate Kuipers. Maybe he doesn't want to mess up his shot at the governorship, or maybe he's skeptical of what they bring to the table? It's a legitimate question b/c Huizenga would be an otherwise obvious choice.
Conservatives should take a hard look at Riemersma; he would make an intriguing candidate and seems to have all the right values. If he gets in this race, we're going to see national exposure for west Michigan (our priorities, our values, our businesses), and conservatives will finally have something to cheer about.
Bill is the best choice for this position. I like Jay and have no doubt that he could be good representative for the 2nd congressional district, but Bill is the right choice mainly because of his experience in both business and holding public office and respectfully serving his constituents.
Huizenga is the best candidate by far. True Republican with conservative values who has all kinds of political experience.
Huizenga is definitely the right candidate for this post. Vote for the best candidate, not just because you recognize their name!
Sen. Kuipers only knows how to beat the Republican drum for two eventual things: limiting individual constitutional rights, and parochiade. He does not build consensus, he panders. Riemersma is a novice with no level of service, not even local, and running on past laurels, hoping to ride a short sports career into a political arena. Sports skill does not translate to political gravitas. Huizenga has years of experience at various levels of service and while he is at heart a Republican through and ththrough, will work towards the middle to get something done, which is the only reason any one should ever get elected.