Michigan Historical Museum Focuses on Tourist Traps

One of my favorite things about this great state is tourism, and definitely the good old "tourist traps." Check out this article in The St. Ignace News.

Michigan's Roadside Program Seeks Artifacts, Stories, Photos

The Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing is planning an exhibit called Michigan's Roadside Attractions in 2009, and is looking for stories, pictures, and artifacts of the attractions, some of which no longer exist, that travelers have visited on their way to other destinations. Examples are Big John, the World's Largest Miner near Iron Mountain, or the Twin Towers in the Irish Hills. [more here]

Michigan Redneck Now Has a Theme Song (HONESTY)

Hey y'all! Ya know that a lot of why I have been slacking in my blog postings is because I have been selling on eBay. Another reason is the political environment that has been going on in the "conservative" Republican Party. Most of my regular readers know for a 100 percent fact that I am always honest. I have been spending alot of this time, lately, reading other blogs, reading conservative websites, reading online news and listening to talk radio, hardly any cable news.
Some of what I have been finding out is disturbing me. Disturbing me to the point that if I don't let out all of what's going on in my thoughts, I will end up in a rubber room with a roommate named Britney. So, here's what's going on.
I have kept alot of stuff to myself. Stuff I have kept to myself because of "what will others think about my loyalties to the 'party'?". As I y'all know, I will be attending the Michigan Republican State Convention, this weekend. I have been keeping alot of my thoughts to myself because I didn't want to "offend" anyone before I even get to Lansing this weekend. Well, enough!! This attitude is NOT (repeat NOT) me. Never has been, never will be. I am going to be honest and bring alot of my thoughts to the forefront from here on out. I really don't give a rat's rooty tooty about who I offend.
I am not thrilled with the fact that John McCain will most likely be "our nominee." And y'all know how I now feel about Mike Huckabee. During this period of "self imposed silence" I have been checking on things such as immigration and the economy. I have also been checking on the Constitution Party. I am finding myself agreeing with most everything of what I have read on their website. This is not lock-step with being a "loyal Republican." But again, I don't care. More of what I have found there will be posted soon. Republican Party be damned. If any convention attendees have a problem with this, you can find me this weekend in Lansing. I am the obnoxious redhead who is opinionated and dressed just as loud and obnoxious. You can come up to me to tell me your thoughts. You can throw your martini in my face. I don't care.
I am getting sick of hearing that "We need to stand together as Republicans, regardless of what happens." BULLSHIT! Being a Republican means standing up for what you believe, having principles and doing what is right, and of course courage to not care if you offend anyone. Maybe I should say that is what being a conservative is.
Just a few posts ago I waxed nostalogic about Former Michigan Governor John Engler. Well one thing I did not mention is that after having done some volunteer work, I had attended a few parties and was invited to the governors innaugural ball after he won his re-election in 1994. (Didn't get to go. Blame my stoopid ex-boyfriend who is from a UAW GM liberal Democrat family, who promised me he would take me.) This was not why I got involved in politics. I got involved because I wanted to walk the talk of my oppinionated self. In fact I didn't even know that "regular Joes and Janes" such as myself could even be invited to such events. This goes back to my talking about not caring what convention attendees will think of this post. Sure it is fun to go to "exclusive" events to see, hear, be seen, be heard. Which is rather ironic, isn't it? We want to be heard, but yet we keep silent because we are afraid of who we might offend.
Many people get involved in political party politics to "move up the ranks" and end up getting a fancy title after a while. I don't give a damn about fancy titles. Maybe the only reason I would care about getting a fancy tile is so that I could affect things. But I do not just want to be crowned "something."
Now for the original reason for this post. After having read the Constitution Party website, along with other things, I really felt within me to go on YouTube and see if I could find video of the Billy Joel classic from 1978, "Honesty." I have always loved this song. It is so deep and true, dare I say "honest?". Well I found it. I have played it over and over and over and over and over again... In fact I have been replaying while I write this. While listening to the words got me to thinking. I was thinking, "This blog doesn't have a theme song." I never even thought of having a theme song for this blog. I don't think many blogs have a theme song. I recall a few years ago when Oprah played Ally McBeal's pscycologist, she told Ally to get a theme song. In fact Oprah even talked about this idea on her show. So I figure, why not have a theme song for my blog?
So after all this long rambling, here is the song that is truly in this Michigan Redneck's heart. It is my message to all conservatives and the Republican Party out there. I know this is actually a love song/break up song, but I as a single conservative Republican chick, I am a bit mixed up and confused. My "love life" is about politics. In fact I have given up on having a "love life", for the Republican Party. More on that on my Valentines Day Special (post) I am kinda like Mary Matalin, in that I only date Democrats, except they have to be better looking than James Carville ;). But seriously, if you really listen to the words in this song, you will see how each and every word fits for those who are truly conservative and are feeling the same way as me about the Republican Party, except for "your the one that I depend upon." Just listen to the passion in the words and voice of the "Piano Man" and you will see what I mean...



...Truly, honesty is a "...lonely word..." Those rare people who believe in this word are lonely. Now, which came first, the chicken or the egg...

Michigan Republican State Convention will be Held in Lansing this Year

On "That's Saul, Folks" today Michigan Republican State Party Chairman Saul Anuzis has all the details about the upcoming state convention.

• FEBRUARY 15 & 16, 2008 - State Convention & State Committee Meeting
• Friday, February 15th & Saturday, February 16th - Lansing Center / Lansing Radisson Hotel, Lansing. State Convention will be held for the purposes of electing National Committee delegates, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman. District Caucuses will be held Friday night at the Lansing Radisson Hotel and the Lansing Center. Convention floor proceedings held Saturday AM at the Lansing Center. More details to be distributed at County Conventions.

If you are a precinct delegate or just want to know how it all works go here to find out more info, regarding the county conventions. Your county chair should be sending info to you soon, if you're a delegate.

I am so glad to hear it will be in Lansing. The last two I attended were in Grand Rapids. Don't get me wrong I like Grand Rapids and the Amway Grand Hotel Plaza, but I lived in Lansing for a couple years and it would be nice to visit again. I want to head on to the Green Door Bar & Grill to have a couple drinks and listen to the live blues music.

Mike Huckabee Attended Clinton County Lincoln Day Dinner in East Lansing, Michigan

Well, I am finally getting around to the post about the Lincoln Day Dinner.
I started out from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, taking a six and a half hour bus ride to Owosso, where my grandma picked me up. Almost as soon as I got to my grandma's house I had to start getting ready to leave for the meeting.
We arrived at the magnificent Eagle Eye Golf Club just in time to pick up our name stickers, pick up some Mike Huckabee bumper stickers and get a drink from the bar. I ordered a Jack Daniels and Coke, except they only had Pepsi for the soda. So I got my drink with a Pepsi and lemon, lemon is the only way I can stand Pepsi. My eighty-two year old grandma got a beer. I think that is so cute. I hope it's genetic that I will still be able to drive and drink a beer when I am that age.
Y'all shoulda scene this place. It was huge and gorgeous. Where we got our name tags and drinks was a large room all seperate from the dining room. Oh my, the dining room was spacious and beautiful. There had to be at least 150 to 200, maybe more, people in attendance.
Y'all should be really proud of me. There was a salad on the table when we went to sit. I did not eat it as soon as I sat down. I have manners, sorta. The dinner began standing up for the "Presentation of Colors." Everyone in attendance loudly and proudly recitited the "Pledge to the Flag." The DeWitt High School Chamber Singers beautifully sang "The Star Spangled Banner" in acapella.
Dinner Chairman, Scott Hummel, welcomed everyone. He announced Clinton County Party Chairman Sheriff Wayne Kangas, who spoke. Congressman Mike Rogers was supposed to be a speaker but was in session and could not make it. Michigan's Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land spoke, as did State Attorney General Mike Cox. This was a great line up of speakers.
There was talk about being proud to be a Republican. How we can win in '08, at all levels. There was talk about the Michigan economy and how Republicans in Michigan can balance the budget, without raising taxes.
93rd District Representative Paul Opsommer (Clinton and Gratiot Counties) gave the Invocation.
Then I was able to eat my salad. This was a delicious salad. It was a simple, yet elegant spinach salad, with a few veggies. Get this, there was also grapes in the salad. We had a choice of raspberry or ranch dressings. I chose raspberry.
The dinner menu was terrific. It was served family style. That way people could have as much or as little as possible. The meats were Old English pot roast. Veggies were garlic mashed potatoes and Key West medley. Of course there was also bread and butter. For dessert we enjoyed pumpkin tort.
To save time, while we ate the speakers kept on speaking. Sheriff Kangas gave the "Recognition of Office Holders" and announced some of the well known attendees who were not speakers. After his announcement Chief Justice Cliff Taylor spoke.
Then Sheriff Kangas gave the county's "Republican of the Year" award to Tim Fair.
The Ovid-Elsie High School Band played "Patriotic Spectacular."
Congressman Mike Rogers was supposed to introduce Mike Huckabee. But since he was unable to attend Reverend Keith Butler filled in. He gave a great speech. I have already talked a little bit about his speech and his positive words about Mike Huckabee in a previous post. I was really rooting for him in the Senatorial Primary in '06. While Reverend Butler was speaking Mike Huckabee entered the room. He had arrived from a fundraiser in Owosso.

A New Hope for Michigan

Mike Huckabee's speech was so awesome, that I think it deserves a subpost within the main post.
He started off talking about when he first got interested in politics. When he decided that he was a Republican because of core beliefs, Republicans were far and few between in his home state of Arkansas. He talked about why he is willing to spend so much time on the road, making speech after speech, attending events and spending only 2 nights a month at his own home. He told a story about once when he woke up wondering what town and hotel he was at. He then realized that he was in his own home. He does it because he truly believes this is the greatest country in the world. And he wants to make it even better than what it is. He cares about all Americans. He cares about the issues that Americans find important.
He did say it was his family that talked him into running for president. I think we should all thank the Huckabee family for that. They gave him talking points as to why he would make a great president.
He talked about important issues. He said the border issue is out of control and that Republicans need to stand up and do something. He believes the first thing that needs to be done is build the fence. He believes that employers should be punished for hiring illegals.
He talked about out of control spending in Washington. He said that both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of this. He compared them to kids who get a hold of their parents credit cards.
He talked about Fair Tax. Always the humble man, he said that the guys who came up with the Fair Tax plan are way smarter than him. He said that he had researched all the angles. He said these guys are Ivy League educated with economic degrees. He believes that this is the most sensible plan. It would be equal for everyone. It would be based wholly on consumption. Everyone would receive their whole paychecks. Pimps and prostitutes would pay in equally. And the best part it would eliminate the IRS. Mike Huckabee wants to be the one to nail the going out of business sign on the door of the IRS.
He told a story about a machine shop worker in New Hampshire he had talked to. This gentleman took on a second job so that his daughter could attend Cornell University. Except that the more he worked the more he was taxed. The only way the government could help him, and his daughter attend college is if he were to quit both working both all together. Mike Huckabee believes this backwards. The America he, I also, believes in is an America where one gets rewarded for working hard.
He talked about Michigan and how we have lost many manufacturing jobs in this state. He wants to see a tax system that will make it profitable for American Companies to bring jobs back He wants to see the "Made in America" label back on products that are sold in the US. I am reminded of Rosie the Rivitor, who by the way was a 17 year old Lansing girl working in the shops during WWII. "We can do it", with Mike Huckabee leading. He talked about substandard products from China. He said a country is not free if it is dependent on other countries to feed and clothe us.
He wants us to be energy independent within the next 10 years. He wants to tell the Saudis that their oil is about as worth as their sand is to us. He said national security is the issue.
He talked about his parents generation sacrificing everything for their children to have a better life. In his own family his mother came from a family that had dirt floors and no running water. No male on his father's side ever graduated from high school. Mike Huckabee had the distinction of being the first male to not only graduate from high school, but also college. He told a story about growing up in Hope, Arkansas. One time when he was a boy the governor came to town. This was a big deal, as not too many elected officials came to his town. His dad took him down to see the governor speak. Mike acknowledged that his dad would probably never imagine that Mike Huckabee would ever become governor himself, especially not run for president. I bet once his dad will be smiling down from heaven during Mike Huckabee's inauguration. His dad once told him to never look to far up the family tree, he may not know what he'll find.
He talked about why he is pro-life. He believes that pro-life is from cradle to grave. He believes that all Americans deserve a decent life. He wants to see Roe v. Wade reversed. He refuses to see this country take a far left turn and lose everything. He believes every person is of equal value. If any one is considered more valuable than another we are going down a slippery slope. He talked about how the pro-life issue is one of morals, not political. If it were a political, then fine for the states to choose. But if it is a moral issue than if it is wrong in one state then it is wrong in the other state. If something is nt moral, then it is not moral, regardless. It is a matter of principles that should not be abandonded.
He feels people should vote Republican, not for name but belief.
He talked about being shunned when first becoming governor. He was the 3rd Republican to be elected governor in Arkansas , since reconstruction. His beliefs are so strong that he kept on going as a Republican and didn't buckle. He beat the Democrats , not on numbers, but on quality.
He believes in going to the people and listening. He believes if someone is faithful in tasks, they will be given bigger tasks, if not, they will not be given bigger tasks.
He wants to beat Islamofascism. He understands that the war on terror is a religious war.
He talked about health care. He talked about the state of American health care. He does not want socialized medicine. He talked about the trouble with the modern system as that it treats the after affect, not tries to prevent the problems. According to Mike Huckabee it would be cheaper and simpler to prevent the problems than treat the diseases.
He talked about education. He talked about kids don't drop out because they are stupid, but bored. He said that the kids need both the right and left brains stimulated.
He joked that Democrats approval rating in Congress is so low that Britney Spears has a better chance of getting elected. I got a sense that this was something that just came to him at the moment. Although he did not get all Fred Thompson. Like "uh,uh, Britney, um-um, Spears, could, oh, get, yeah-um, elected. Can I, um, get, some applause?". Sorry, I had to add some of my biting humor in there. There was still a clear delivery by Mike Huckabee. But what's new?
One of the best things that said was that the Republican Party needs to look excited about where we're going, not sour about where we've been. I know with the chance of Mike Huckabee being the president I know I am excited!
Forgive me on this next part, as it was so good I had to drop my pen and just listen. So, unfortunately I will not be able to do near justice to Mike Huckabee's words. He told a great story about when he was governor of Arkansas he went to Utah for a political event. The governor there said he had bobsleds for all the politicians there. Mike thought, "cool", it would be bobsleds in a race with each one representing each of the politicians. Was he in for a surprise. The governor wanted him to participate in the race.
He talked about never being involved in snow related activities. He made a few jokes about snow in Arkansas. He said that if it were to snow in Arkansas everything would close for the day and wait 'til the next day and the snow would be melted. If anyone in the state had a snow shovel it was because they moved from a northern state and brought the shovel with them and kept it not knowing what to do with it.
He said that he would be getting training from a sixteen year old Junior Olympian. He joked "training for what, getting ready to meet Jesus?". It was funnier when he told it. The kid went through the steps and told him not to look behind and not overcorrect. In the moral of the story was that, "All you have to to do is steer what is ahead." This was his political advice, Mike's, not the kid's. He said that "Leadership is steering for the curves."
Senator Alan Cropsey (33rd District-Clinton, Ionia, Isabella, Montcalm Counties) gave the Benediction. After the dinner was over it was announced that Mike Huckabee would have about 7 minutes with the press. I am not sure which press this was, as the only thing I can find on the dinner is a little footnote in The State News of Michigan State University. If I had known there wouldn't be too much press coverage of the event I would have tried harder to work my way in and talk to him. There was also another Yooper who attended the event. She actually came from farther in the Upper Peninsula than I did. After this Mike Huckabee went to the back of the dining room to pose for pictures.
It would only be $20 to pose with Mike. I did not think this was too bad. My grandma said that she would just let me have my picture taken with Mike. She said it didn't matter if she had her picture with him. She stood in line with me. I was talking to some of the people who were in line. everyone thought he gave great speech. Many of the people who had heard him speak for the first time, at this event. Were amazed by what he said and the fact that he was genuine and had no script. I have to say, even after hearing him speak, on the internet, on TV and twice in person I, myself, am still amazed at his skill of giving such great speeches. While we were in line one of the persons said that more than one person could pose with him, so she decided to get in the picture. After waiting for quite a while, it was our turn.
He was super nice. I can't remember all I said or all he said. This is where I have surprised myself. In group events I am nice and sweet, submissive, keeping my cool. But with Mike Huckabee I am such a dork. I walked up to him and he said, "Hi Kathy." He was probably looking at my name sticker. I shook his hand and said, "I am one of your bloggers." He said "Oh yeah I know. You're Michigan Redneck." I reminded him that I went to help out at the Iowa Straw Poll. He said, "Oh yeah I remember." He actually remembered that. I know you could say "well you told him that." With other politicians I would agree. But not with Mike Huckabee. It was sincere. After that I don't remember much. I know I kept talking. To tell ya the truth, if I hadn't kept talking I probably would have passed out. My grandma told him that I wanted to go and invited her to come along and said that I came down from the Upper Peninsula. He asked her if she came down from the Upper Peninsula. I let him know that I took the bus down and she picked me up. He seemed really interested in listening to my grandma. The photographer said that we needed to pose and get the picture. After our picture was taken my grandma kept on talking to him. He listened with a genuine concern.
It was the photographer who told her that we had to hurry up so the people in line could get their turns. I truly believe that if Mike had the time and didn't have the photographer to move the line he would have stayed to talk to everyone, listen and answer their questions for the next three days. He is just that kind of person.
In conclusion, just when I thought Mike Huckabee could never give a better speech, he trumps his own self and gives a better speech than ever before. He always gives great speech, but this was the best ever. Maybe I am just prejudice, because I was there.
After leaving there I thought that if it was just Mike Huckabee event and not a Republican event I would have invited my grandpa, not the husband of the grandma who was with me, but my dad's dad. Dang, if he liked that Bill Clinton was from Arkansas, he would love that Mike Huckabee is from Arkansas! But I couldn't take him to a Republican event. He is old school UAW. Nothing, except Mike Huckabee winning the Republican nomination, could make him abandon the Democrats.
Believe it or not, I may have more to say. There was just so much going on that my brain is still spinning. So, if I have more to say I will add it later. I am still editing pictures. I will post them soon. One of the pictures I took, even after trying to editing, made Mike Huckabee look like he hasn't shaved in two days and had bad acne.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

A Little Bit of Coverage from the Clinton County Lincoln Day Dinner

I am still here and will have a blog post for ya tomorrow about the Lincoln Day Dinner. In the meantime I have tried to find some coverage of Mike Huckabee at the Clinton County Lincoln Day Dinner in East Lansing and this is all I could find, from the State News (MSU's news).

• Mike Huckabee visits E.L., third Republican in last week
• Mike Huckabee, a Republican presidential candidate and former governor of Arkansas, campaigned Thursday in East Lansing. The presidential hopeful attended the Clinton County Lincoln Day Dinner in East Lansing. “(Huckabee) doesn’t have the name recognition or the money in the bank like the other Republican candidates – he’s a second-tier candidate,” said Ben Morlock, president of MSU College Republicans. “But he’s drawn a big following from social conservatives.” He is the third Republican candidate to visit Michigan in a week, following Mitt Romney and John McCain. [source]

Mike Huckabee to be in Michigan

This is the Lincoln Day Dinner I will be attending.

• Huckabee to speak at Lincoln Day dinner

• CLINTON COUNTY — Former Governor of Arkansas and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will be the key note speaker for the Clinton County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner Nov. 8.

• In addition to Governor Huckabee, Congressman Mike Rogers, who will be the host for the evening, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox, state representatives Richard Ball and Paul Opsommer, senator Alan Cropsey and other dignitaries will also be present.

• The dinner will give the area its first glimpse of Huckabee as he continues his uphill battle to win the Republican nomination.

• From 1996 to 2007, Huckabee was governor of Arkansas. He is recognized as a national leader, having been honored by several renowned publications and organizations for his numerous accomplishments; Governing Magazine named him one of its 'Public Officials of the Year' for 2005 and Time Magazine honored him as one of the five best governors in America. In 2007, Huckabee was presented with the Music for Life Award by the National Association of Music Merchants for his commitment to music education. He is also past chairman of the National Governors' Association (NGA).

• The dinner is at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagle Eye Golf Course, located at 15500 Chandler Road, East Lansing. Tickets for this year's dinner are $15 for students, $30 for an individual, and $50 per couple with other options available. Reservations must be received by Oct. 27. Seats sold at the door will cost an additional $20 per person. For an invitation or information, contact Tim Fair at (517) 202-9605 or e-mail tdfair@msn.com; Scott Hummel at (517) 256-7350 or e-mail hummelsc@comcast.net or visit www.ccrp.us.

• — From the Clinton County Republican Party.

Presidential candidate to appear in Bath Township

Mike Huckabee will be at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Michigan. Check out this article from the Lansing Sate Journal.

• BATH TWP. — Former Governor of Arkansas and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will be the keynote speaker for the Clinton County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner. The dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at the Eagle Eye Golf Course located at 15500 Chandler Road in East Lansing.
  In addition to Governor Huckabee, United States Congressman Mike Rogers, who will be the host for the evening, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox, Michigan State Senator Alan Cropsey, Michigan Representatives Richard Ball and Paul Opsommer, and other dignitaries will also be present. This year's theme, a New Hope for Michigan, will provide mid-Michigan residents a great opportunity to gather for a evening of encouragement and hope.
  The dinner will also give the area its first glimpse of Huckabee as he continues his up hill battle to win the Republican nomination for President of the United States. From 1996-2007, Huckabee served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas. Huckabee is recognized as a national leader, having been honored by several renowned publications and organizations for his numerous accomplishments. Governing Magazine named him as one of its 'Public Officials of the Year' for 2005, Time Magazine honored him as one of the five best governors in America. In 2007, he was presented with the Music for Life Award by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for his commitment to music education. He is also past chairman of the National Governors' Association (NGA).
  
  Tickets for this year's dinner are $15 for students, $30 for an individual, and $50 per couple with other options available. RSVP's must be received by Saturday, Oct. 27. Seats sold at the door will cost an additional $20 per person. For an invitation or information please contact Tim Fair at (517) 202-9605 (tdfair@msn.com), Scott Hummel at (517) 256-7350 (hummelsc@comcast.net) or visit www.ccrp.us.
  — From the Clinton County Republican Party [source]

This looks to be a great line-up of speakers and attendees.

Which Southerner Would Michiganders Like Better?

Originally posted on 8/30/07. Today is the last day to register online for the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference. If you are sa Mike Huckabee supporter and have not registered, please register. I get to make some coffee and get back to my blouse. I will be back to my blog soon.

I was thinking about Mike Huckabee coming to the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference and the fact that he will be in the great state of Michigan, along with the recent support from Machinist and Aeronautics Workers. Michigan, especially in Flint (where I grew up), Lansing and Detroit is Union Country.

During one of the earlier blogger's conference calls I asked Gov. Huckabee about his slogan "I Like Mike," if he took that idea from the old "I Like Ike" slogan. He answered that it was a friends idea, but wish he had thought about it originally. He said something to the effect of "Speaking of slogans, I didn't know there were any rednecks in Michigan." While he was well meaning, there are quite a few rednecks in Michigan. More on that later.

As I have said before, one of my grandfathers was an Arkansan with an eighth grade education before working for General Motors. This is the story of many GM workers from GM's heyday, 1940's through 1960's. Many people in Flint and Lansing, possibly Detroit, are either from the South or have Southern roots.

While I don't agree with this, these people will look to Southern candidates. This is due to "voter identification." They will take a closer look at who they identify with more. Most members of the Union of Auto Workers of the above mentioned cities are Democrats. Like my grandfather, many of them vote for "Yellow Dog Democrats."

This time might just change. While I don't like the actual organization of the UAW, I have the utmost respect for the men and women who work in the shops. These people have a high regard for family values. A family values candidate will resonate with them.

On the Republican side, the Southerners are Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson. I don't know either of these men's schedules for in Michigan, except the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference. Now, there won't be too many UAW workers at this conference, if any. But, there will be newspapers and TV news stations that represent the cities these people are from. I doubt to many people in Flint will care to pay much attention to the conference. I will get my family in Flint to pay attention and tell their friends along with the distant side of the family.

This, along with other reasons, is why I pray that Mike Huckabee doesn't change his message of "Main Street" Republican, just to appease the base that will be there. People who are not "Wall Street" Republicans will be watching. Everyone in Flint, Lansing and Detroit need to see that Mike is for us "little guys," the blue-collars. They need to see that he cares about all Americans; rich or poor, Republican or Democrat, black or white.

I would love to see him in Flint. I would not be able to actually see him there, but I sure would send my family. Why would I like to see Mike Huckabee in Flint, such a liberal town? His message would resonate with Flintites.

Flint used to be such a nice town. Not quite in my time. In my time that's when the city started going downhill. Back then it was fun to pile up the family in the car and to go into town to watch them blow up or bulldoze an old GM plant. In hopes, perhaps of them building a newer facility.

That never came. Now it is sad to go to Flint. There are boarded up houses and factories. So many people layed off, on unemployment, gang activity and whatnot. I WANT MY FLINT BACK!

Mike Huckabee can make people realize that it is about more than just Democrats versus Republicans. It's about people. It's about the economy. It's about the Fair Tax being fair for everyone.

Mike Huckabee came from humble roots, in Hope, Arkansas. He was the first male in his family to attend college. His father worked two jobs to put a meal on the table and shoes on his kids' feet. Mike Huckabee knows what it is like to struggle and work hard to make his dreams come true. That is what the shopworkers from the forties to the sixties know about. That is what their children and grandchildren know about.

Now about the other Republican Southerner. I don't know much about Fred Thompson. He seems rather lazy. Another blogger said Fred reminds him of a rich Plantation Owner. I say he reminds me of the foreman. The meanest guy on the plantation who did all the cruel stuff. But perhaps the fellow blogger has a point. The plantation owner sat around and let the other guy, the foreman, do all the dirty work, along with those in the field doing the backbreaking work. This smugness does not work in Flint. The people of Flint would not welcome someone like Fred.

Now about the Democrat Southerner. I do know John Edwards is the son of a millworker. I do know he has a big mansion. I do know he wants everyone to get rid of their SUVs, while he continues to drive his. The part about him coming from humble roots would generate with those in Flint who have Southern backgrounds or ancestry. That's where it ends. They don't like big shot lawyers. They don't like hypocrites.

The UAW may go all out to tout their prized Democrats. But I think once the good people who belong to the UAW, along with those retired from the shops, would give Huckabee a chance once they got to hear about him. No freakin way would they go for Hillary or Barack. As much as I hate to say it, while it's not right, they will look at gender and skin color. It shouldn't be this way, but some older Flintites are set in their ways. But also the liberalness is what will ultimately turn them off to those two.

Now, about other Michigan rednecks. I think, or at least hope, that Flintites are getting sick of the limousine liberals. People in Flint are humble, from humble backgrounds. My dad or grandpa told me that back in Arkansas and when first in Flint he would hunt rabbit and "varmint" (as Mitt Romney has so eloquently put it) to put food on the table. Also, when I went to my grandma's funeral I was told that the family also used to raise chickens along with veggies and fruits. Who plucked those chickens? My aunts.

There were other families doing the same things. These are people who came from states like Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and of course Arkansas. The remaining people of Southern backgrounds are family values, love the American Flag (don't say it...), support our troops, pro-lifers once they figure out the truth, don't believe in gay marriage, etc. These decent folks have been abandoned by the Union that was supposed to help them. And the Democrat Party that they were told would "take all their troubles away," which never happened.

While I have been talking about the white side who came from the South, I haven't forgotten about the black people of Flint, Detroit and Lansing. Most of these people have Southern roots also. Some of them are descended from slaves who came to Michigan to work other types of industry, just after the Civil War. Some of them were GM workers who came up to Michigan from the South for the same reasons as my grandfather, to make a better life for their families. And now, like the white descendants of Flint, their descendants are wondering "what now?".

As a white girl, I don't feel appropriate talking about what it is like to "grow up black" in Flint. But it is definitely appropriate to have empathy.

Sorry for such a long post. I hope ya didn't fall asleep ;). I am only getting started. I haven't even said everything on my mind about this.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

If you are in Flint or near Flint, demand that Mike Huckabee come to Flint.