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The Democratic chairman, Mark Brewer, goes to the U.P. and thinks he’s takin’ the talk? “rustlin’ ‘em up”… Give me a break… Brewer’s training as an ACLU lawyer said he should get down to the “people’s level”—What hypocrisy! What arrogance! But then isn’t that what the ACLU is all about? And how does the ACLU get all it’s clout? The Democratic Party, you say? Of course! 

Actually, that is the only part of this article that is at all interesting; if you are aware of the truth, that is! 

Full article follows… 

State chairman visits U.P.

Published Thursday, February 23, 2006 2:52:58 PM Central Time
By ANDY HILL

Globe Associate Editor

IRONWOOD -- "I tell all our friends that the Democratic vote in the Upper Peninsula is just as important as the Democratic vote in Detroit, so we're rustlin' 'em up," said Michigan State Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer Wednesday near the close of a three-day tour.

Brewer said the party is working hard in the Upper Peninsula because State Reps. Rich Brown, D-Bessemer, and Steve Adamini, D-Marquette, are term-limited.

The party also hopes to see Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, re-elected and incumbent Rep. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, defeated, said Brewer.

"He's the guy who voted to close a couple of prisons and gut Northern Michigan University next year. Those are just a couple of the issues we're going to use against him in the next election," Brewer said.

Term limits are a motivator.

"We've got the toughest term limits in the country now," said Brewer. "It forces us to use more resources. We'd like to keep the three Democratic seats we have and knock off Casperson."

Higher up the agenda are two efforts, the re-election of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who faces a challenge from entrepreneur and Republican Party activist Dick DeVos, and a drive to increase the minimum wage.

"Our fund raising is going well, but we're not going to be able to keep up with Dick DeVos, and his $60 million," said Brewer. "This billionaire claims he's a job maker when, in fact, he was at Amway they laid off 1,400 folks. He turned around and created tens of thousands of jobs in China.

"This is the guy who says he has the answer to economic problems in Michigan. We don't think so."

A minimum-wage referendum on the November ballot will help the economy, the party believes.

"Every time the minimum wage has been increased in this state employment has continued to go up and the economy has benefited, because the workers spend that money," said Brewer. "Florida and Nevada just raised the minimum wage in 2004. It was on the ballot, and passed by 70 or 75 percent. It's just the right thing to do."

Brewer, fellow party official G.T. Long and county party chairman Laurel Makinen attended a party meeting Wednesday evening at the Elk & Hound.

"We had a really good crowd and an informative, enjoyable time," Makinen said this morning. "We especially discussed the governor's race. Our petition for raising the minimum wage will be going full force.

"There are a lot of good, positive things happening for Michigan overall, downstate and upstate."

A second party event is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon.

Houghton businessman Mike Lahti, chairman of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners, plans to formally announce his candidacy for the 110th District seat at the courthouse in Bessemer.