George Weeks had a short column in the Escanaba Daily Press about the environment and the governor's race. While he didn't get into much detail, there have been a few instances where Dick and Saul are using the far-right's talking points lately. Be on the lookout for them in the future- they use this "code" to justify forcing their destructive agenda, whether it be limiting civil rights or destroying the environment in the name of big business dollars or the ever-popular term "creating jobs".
Think "activist judges".
TRAVERSE CITY — They fall far short of making the environment and natural resources front burner issues of Campaign ‘06, but actions and proposals of current candidates are inching along the greening of Michigan politics that got a flickering start in the 1970s.
“I will be a steward of Michigan’s precious environment,” businessman Dick DeVos, Republican challenger of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, said in a vow to protect natural resources “unmatched in the nation and around the world” that is in his 64-page Michigan TurnAround Plan which he trumpets in his statewide TV ads.
But environmental vows don’t make it into his ads (latest estimated cost: nearly $10 million)—nor into those that the Democratic State Party has so far spent an estimated $3 million on to tout Granholm.
DeVos in his printed plan says “we can protect the environment and create jobs at the same time”—but that thought doesn’t work into a 30-second spot crafted around his credentials as a job-creator.
Not surprisingly, given what voters tell pollsters about their priorities, each side uses its TV dollars to emphasize spurring the economy, not saving the environment.
On Friday, DeVos spokesman John Truscott said DeVos will have a more specific environmental agenda, and Granholm Press Secretary Liz Boyd said her boss will build on “her exceptional record “ on such issues.
She does have a great record on this issue. It's too bad more people don't pay attention to her environmental record- she has done a great deal to protect our beautiful state and it's waters. Just this week she attended a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Michigan National Trust Fund, the program started by William Milliken to help fund land acquisition and public outdoor recreation projects, and announced that the state will work on expanding and improving our trail system. Little things like that add up to a quality of life that our state needs to be attractive to tourists and businesses alike.
But turning back to the words Dick DeVos in an attempt to gather clues as to what he would do in regards to our natural resources- he has already used the term "environmental extremist" in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club- unfortunately, again, they didn't go into much detail. Since we don't see members of ELF blowing up SUVs in Michigan, it's hard to tell what "extremists" Dick is alluding to when he uses that term.
In truth, he really doesn't have to explain. These words are like a dog whistle to the highly-tuned ears on the right.
Reiterating his support for abolishing the Single Business Tax by next year, DeVos said he would replace it with a tax on corporate profits or gross receipts.
He said business expansion is impeded by "overzealous bureaucrats and environmental extremists."
"Environmental extremist" is now a talking point for "They won't let us pollute the air and water for profit". It is been used extensively when it comes to describing ANWR, Kyoto, Al Gore, or any other group or person who attempts to protect the Earth from destruction. Countless examples abound on the use of these words- from O'Reilly, to Hannity, to Limbaugh, to any number of talking head "conservatives" who serve only the far-right agenda.
Never one to be left out of the party, Saul Anuzis used a variation of the term this week in Traverse City.
The state's tax and regulatory climate must change in order to bring more jobs back to the state, Anuzis said. He added that Granholm's business policies are swayed by "radical" environmental and union special interest groups.
So, who are these "extremists" and "radicals" that Dick and Saul are talking about? My guess is they are a figment of their imagination, driven by the incessant need to parrot the "code" of the right and clue in those who follow FOX News and the Limbaugh's of the world. It's a wink and a nod to the people that believe that liberals and Democrats are to blame for all their problems.
Watch for the talking points in Dick's words. They are subtle, but they are there. He reveals himself every time he speaks.