Commentary

Prop 4 Op-Ed in Detroit Free Press Ungrounded

In the Detroit Free Press recently, two opposing views about Proposal 4 — the home-based caregivers constitutional amendment — were published, but only one was factually correct. 

The article opposing the union power grab was written by Robert and Patricia Haynes and laid out the position they have been forced into. The article in support of the proposal is from Dohn Hoyle, who is Prop 4 spokesman and executive director of The Arc Michigan (and last seen calling Robert Haynes an "idiot"). Hoyle's column is wrong on every single point raised.

Let's go through the points made by Hoyle:

"Proposal 4 ensures seniors and people with disabilities can direct their own care while remaining independent, safe and healthy in their own homes."

Already happening with the Home Help Program and nobody wants to stop this.

"It will help our loved ones who receive care in their own homes as an alternative to nursing homes."

Already happening and nobody wants to stop this.

"Importantly, Proposal 4 will ensure that those looking for care have access to a registry of home care workers who have undergone criminal background checks, an important safeguard to prevent neglect and abuse."

Already happening and nobody wants to stop this. Here is information about the registry.

"Proposal 4 will establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council, which would oversee a registry that links home care recipients with prescreened home care providers in their area."

Already happening and nobody wants to stop this. Here it is online under a slightly different name.

"Home care providers on the registry will be required to undergo strict criminal background checks to ensure safety for seniors and people with disabilities."

Already happening and nobody wants to change this. Most of the disabled don’t use the registry because at least 75 percent use family members or friends as caregivers.

The rest of the article reiterates the above points, platitudes or faux outrage.

So, every single thing Hoyle mentioned is already happening. But there is one important thing missing from Hoyle's column — the words "union" and "SEIU."

Since every reported dime to gather signatures and run this campaign are paid for by the Service Employees International Union, one wonders why it is not mentioned.

Proposal 4 is a power grab almost completely funded by a single entity trying to ensure the forced unionization it orchestrated that takes $6 million a year from the disabled and elderly in Michigan continues.

For $6 million a year and more than $32 million to date, a few million to force through a constitutional amendment isn't bad a bad return on investment — if the SEIU wins.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.

News Story

Another One: Stimulus-Backed Battery Company Workers With No Work To Do — Playing Cards, Watching Movies, Reading Magazines

LG Chem joins the growing list of 'green' failures

LG Chem, a Korean-owned company with a battery manufacturing plant in Holland, Mich., received a $151 million grant through the federal stimulus program and another $100 million in promised credits from Michigan taxpayers.

Today, the company faces “rolling furloughs” and workers reportedly are sitting around playing cards and reading magazines because “there’s nothing to do.”

Just two years ago, President Obama hailed the company as helping to transform the state to “a green economy” and bring “not just any jobs,” but “jobs in the industries of the future.” But recently, some workers went on record telling WOOD TV in Grand Rapids that “as much as they want to work, there’s nothing to do.”

"We were given assignments to go outside and clean; if we weren't cleaning outside, we were cleaning inside. If there was nothing for us to do, we would study in the cafeteria, or we would sit and play cards, sit and read magazines," said former employee Nicole Merryman, who said she quit in May. "It's really sad that all these people are sitting there and doing nothing, and it's basically on taxpayer money." 

LG Chem promised in 2010 to create 443 new jobs in five years — those projections have been shelved. Today, $133 million of the $151 million in federal dollars has been spent and the 200 current workers for the company have been on “rolling furloughs” since April.

A few weeks ago, the company’s spokesman told Michigan Capitol Confidential, "Ultimately, market conditions and demand for lithium-ion batteries are going to determine when the company is going to be able to launch production and grow," said Randy Boileau. "The company has said the Holland facility will play an important role in its global strategy for the batteries."

This report comes on the heels of another “green energy” failure as A123 Systems, another battery company, declared bankruptcy this week. The company was promoted heavily by President Obama and top Michigan Democratic politicians. Earlier this year, Michigan Capitol Confidential uncovered a video of President Obama, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu promising “hundreds” and “thousands” of jobs.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.