Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

• PAC Man, Part 2

  In case you needed more evidence that those who give big bucks are, unsurprisingly, the same ones who get big favors...
  USA Today has a story on the lobbying $$ spent by FedEx and UPS, and how our own Mike Rogers has enjoyed quite a bit of that shipping [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 4:35pm EST
  

• PAC Man

  CQ Politics has a story today about leadership PACs shelling out in contested Senate primary races. Leadership PACs, as you probably know, are organized by members of Congress; they enjoy higher limits on donations than do individual donors -- $10,000 per cycle, instead of $4800.
  Mike Rogers has his [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 2:54pm EDT
  

• TPM is reporting that the NRCC ...

  TPM is reporting that the NRCC has decided to limit its next Patriot Program group to five incumbents, down from the original 10.
  Mike Rogers has energetically co-chaired the NRCC incumbent retention program and spent quite a bit of time raising $$ for [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
  

• Very High Double Standards

  The Neighborhood is admittedly a small blog; we focus on one Congressional district that's spread out over bits & pieces of five different counties (not to mention three different media markets), "represented" in Washington, D.C. by Mike Rogers.
  Well, the 'Hood got some national attention last week, when the story [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
  

• Don't Know Much About History

  Despite his many obligations to the NRCC -- protecting incumbent Republican members -- and his latest job serving as John Boehner's liaison to GOP governors, Mr. Rogers apparently has the time to offer up a misty-eyed, breathtakingly inaccurate version of American history.
  
  His latest YouTube special' [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 9:21am EDT
  

• Money Talks, Congress Listens

  Over at Open Secrets, there's a great article on insurance industry donations to House Energy & Commerce Committee members.
  
  Committee Chair Henry Waxman told 52 insurance companies that they had to disclose their financial records, including executive pay, entertainment expenditures and, oh yes, political donations.
  Here' [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 8:31pm EDT
  

• Pop-Up Video

  Remember VH-1's "Pop-Up Video" series that ran in the late 90s? As the music video was playing, little bubbles ("info nuggets") would pop up on the screen, a mix of snark and trivia.
  
  I really wish that I could do that for Mike Rogers' latest YouTube video... but [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 11:59am EDT
  

• Hell is, in fact, freezing over.

  Once again, a conservative blogger has done a great job of calling out Mr. Rogers for his, um, flexible approach to policy. Earlier this summer, The Right Stuff took him to task over his earmarking habits...
  
  and now Debbie Schlussel has named him the Hypocrite of the [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
  

• Excuses, excuses

  A neighbor sent me the link to the Channel 4/Flashpoint Roundtable video, featuring a health care discussion with Congressmen Rogers, Thad McCotter, John Dingell and John Conyers.
  The show leads off with Rogers, flush from a few million hits off his YouTube video. Mr. Rogers states that "we've'" [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 9:39am EDT
  

• Echo Chamber

  Just when we thought Mr. Rogers had totally bailed on talking with his constituents over the August break, we find that he only partially bailed -- he held a "tele-townhall" limited to "randomly" selected residents of the 8th Congressional District.
  This isn't the first time Rogers has chosen a' [...]
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  Posted: September 04, 2009, 10:40am EDT
  

• Fan Fiction

  The YouTube video of Mike Rogers' opening statement on health care has been popping up on quite a few conservative blogs lately, as posters excitedly swoon over his "common sense" stance on health care reform.
  There's no question that Mr. Rogers is a persuasive speaker. He has a [...]
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  Posted: August 28, 2009, 10:03am EDT
  

• Friday Funnies

  Quite some time ago, a Neighbor signed up for "Mike Rogers" GoogleAlerts.
  Now, a vast number of men share this name; the Neighbor thought it was kind of funny to read about the New Zealand rugby club manager, the California skateboarder and the Virginia police chief (not to mention [...]
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  Posted: August 07, 2009, 4:58pm EDT
  

• Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

  With apologies to MacBeth, Mike Rogers is doing a good job of turning national security into "a tale told by an idiot."
  Stop by DailyKos for the full discussion. [...]
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  Posted: August 05, 2009, 7:07am EDT
  

• Hamster Wheel

  Mr. Rogers has certainly earned his month-long (paid) summer vacation! He was running full-tilt on the D.C. hamster wheel, squeaking about health care, fiscal responsibility and Wall Street compensation.
  A few weeks ago, Mr. Rogers wasn't sure he'd even bother offering an amendment to the health care bill [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2009, 8:27am EDT
  

• By the Numbers: Health care reform in MI-08

  From the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, a breakdown of why Mike Rogers needs to stop obstructing health care reform:America’s Affordable Health Choices Act would provide significant benefits in the 8th Congressional District of Michigan: up to 15,100 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage [...]
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  Posted: July 29, 2009, 7:51am EDT
  

• Bandwagons, Ho!

  After watching President Obama's press conference Wednesday evening, I had several thoughts:I am thrilled to have a president who uses complete sentences AND logic;the discussion was probably too complex for most people to absorb; and as a resultthe final question about Professor Gates would be one of the main media' [...]
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  Posted: July 24, 2009, 2:20pm EDT
  

• Good News/Bad News

  The good news?
  Mike Rogers is working hard to ensure that people keep good jobs with affordable health insurance. He makes time in his schedule to have weekly meetings on this issue; he even meets one-on-one with people who are worried about losing their jobs. Today, Rogers will [...]
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  Posted: July 23, 2009, 7:50am EDT
  

• Stretching the Analogy

  Yesterday, Mike Rogers gave his opening statement on health care reform. At 0:54, he asksWhy would we punish the part that's working to cover the part that's not? It's like taking a queen-sized sheet and trying to put it over a king-sized bed. I will guarantee you the corners' [...]
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  Posted: July 18, 2009, 2:31pm EDT
  

• Common Ground

  You may recall that the Neighborhood has called Mike Rogers out on his, ah, creative approach to earmarks and the budget on more than one occasion.
  Well, it's not just us Neighborhood liberals who are unimpressed with Rogers' tendency to two-step. The Right Stuff takes [...]
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  Posted: July 16, 2009, 6:59am EDT
  

• Summer Slump

  Well, we haven't heard much about Miranda rights for terrorists lately.
  The money seems to be coming in OK for Mr. Rogers' NRCC Patriot pals.
  There have been a few scary threats about the impact of cap-and-trade legislation, but they're pretty much preaching to the' [...]
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  Posted: July 15, 2009, 7:06am EDT
  

• Job Description

  Roll Call has dubbed Mike Rogers as the NRCC's "Top Cop," in view of his untiring efforts as Incumbent Retention Chairman for the GOP.
  Here in the Neighborhood, we've heard about Mr. Rogers' work as Incumbent Retention Chair -- and we know that this is NOT the' [...]
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  Posted: July 07, 2009, 7:05am EDT
  

• 2010: Coming up fast

  
  Well, the second quarter of 2009 has closed and we're waiting to see the goodies that were deposited into Mike Rogers' war chest.
  In the meantime, Mike Rogers was in great financial shape for 2010 at the end of Q1.
  He reported [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 2:06pm EDT
  

• Sick and Tired

  Mike Rogers is a Serious Guy when it comes to health care. He warned us about those liberals who wanted to take Grandma's oxygen tank -- and her "choice" in health care coverage while they're at it.
  Well, Mr. Rogers is back with a regurgitated plan for health [...]
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  Posted: July 02, 2009, 8:14am EDT
  

• Still Bananas Over Miranda

  A few weeks ago, Mike Rogers was making the right-wing news rounds with dire predictions about the dangers of Mirandizing Afghan detainees.
  
  More recently, Mr. Rogers has been spreading the "news" in the local media, like WHMI and the Press & Argus."As" [...]
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  Posted: June 29, 2009, 7:56am EDT
  

• If It's On Fox, It Must Be True!

  The FauxNews machine is working overtime to promote Mr. Rogers' recent trip to Afghanistan.
  According to Mr. R., the Obama administration is "creating chaos in the field among the CIA, FBI and military personnel" by "quietly ordering the FBI to start reading Miranda rights to suspected terrorists at U.S.'" [...]
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  Posted: June 11, 2009, 7:16am EDT
  

• Your Turn, Mr. Rogers

  During the recent House Energy & Commerce committee debate on climate change legislation, Mike Rogers energetically offered up an amendment to tie U.S. adoption of cap-and-trade carbon policy to similar action by China and India. 
  His amendment would allow the U.S. to get out of the cap-and-trade plan [...]
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  Posted: May 28, 2009, 6:24am EDT
  

• Just Plain Wrong

  As regular readers may have guessed, I disagree with Mike Rogers on a wide variety of issues. Many of these are differences of opinion on things like government transparency, civil rights, fiscal responsibility and science-based public policy.
  
  In today's Press & Argus, though, I read a letter to' [...]
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  Posted: May 18, 2009, 9:59am EDT
  

• Attack of the Attacks!

  Poor Mr. Rogers.  
  He's been under attack -- unfair attack, no less! -- for his votes in Washington. 
  He's been "unfairly attacked" by the League of Conservation Voters, who disagree with his stance on carbon cap-and-trade; the "League's attack takes the low road" according to a supporter.[...]
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  Posted: April 28, 2009, 7:41am EDT
  

• Pollution and Unemployment: OK by Mike

  Here in The Neighborhood, we've already noticed that Mike Rogers has been pretty vocal about his dislike of reducing greenhouse gases.  
  Using the GOP playbook phrase "cap and tax" to argue that cap-and-trade carbon policy will hurt Michigan's economy, he's downplayed the real gains that can come' [...]
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  Posted: April 23, 2009, 6:47am EDT
  

• Is it the Good Russia, or the Bad One?

  Mr. Rogers recently returned from his spring break visit intelligence trip to Russia with some amazing news:  they have a better business plan than we do."Why is it I had to go all the way to Moscow to hear a good idea on turning the economy around?" Rogers said.Hmm. [...]
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  Posted: April 20, 2009, 12:46pm EDT
  

• Whoa there, Washington Waste Watcher Guy!

  Mr. Rogers is Concerned About Waste.
  He was in Lansing yesterday for the MI tea party festivities.
  
  He's set up a "Washington Waste Watch" website to track how tax dollars are being spent, and issued this statement:

  “Republicans and Democrats have spent recklessly in the past, but' [...]

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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 7:16am EDT
  

• Celebrities in Lansing!

  The Washington Indpendent has a great article on today's Michigan "Tea Party."  It was a happening place -- not only was Joe the Plumber there, but Representative Rogers was, too!  Lots of photos, as well.  Enjoy.' [...]
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  Posted: April 15, 2009, 5:05pm EDT
  

• Tobacco Road

  Tobacco is bad for you. In 2009, there shouldn't be any debate about this statement -- but some Michigan lawmakers are taking issue with it.
  Earlier this month, the U.S. House passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1256). This bill gives the Food and Drug' [...]
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  Posted: April 13, 2009, 7:25am EDT
  

• Government Gone Wild

  That's House minority leader John Boehner's assessment of the state of the nation, anyway. He issued a statement to FOX News' FOX Forum blog with the following comments: As Americans become more incensed with government run amok in Washington, they are becoming more eager for a credible, energized alternative.Hmm.  Is that why' [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2009, 7:03am EDT
  

• A Feather in His Cap

  Congress has been racing to wrap things up before Easter recess...  apparently, chocolate bunnies are a powerful bipartisan motivator. 

  The $3 trillion+ budget passed  both houses in a party-line vote and moved on to conference committee.  The vote tallies came as no suprise, and Republican House members knew that they [...]

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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 7:50am EDT
  

• Service to Country

  Things aren't looking too rosy out there these days. With the size (and number) of problems facing our country, it can be hard for an individual to feel as though she can make a difference.
  
  Well, a good idea popped up on Capitol Hill recently: the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism' [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 6:50am EDT
  

• Summer's Coming: Time for Flip-Flops!

  Today's Free Press ran an opinion piece by Mike Rogers titled "Obama budget hurts Michigan."  In it, he trots out GOP budget talking points* (Cap & trade = bad! Taxes = bad!) and opines that the budget is "one more kick in the gut" for Michigan.
  It was somewhat' [...]
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  Posted: March 27, 2009, 10:47am EDT
  

• Much Ado! Or, Adventures in Blogging

  Yesterday, I posted a piece from Politico's Huddle about Rep. Mike Rogers claiming D.C. residency for tax purposes. Politico is a respected, mainstream Washington site with solid content.
  
  I cross-posted at LivingBlue & asked Michigan Liberal to post as well. So far, so good. Then, having a' [...]
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  Posted: March 26, 2009, 6:40am EDT
  

• Home Safe?

  UPDATE 2: The Huddle correction was published this morning.
  
  UPDATE: The Huddle gang stated in error that Mike Rogers of Michigan was double-dipping his tax exemptions -- it was in fact Mike Rogers of Alabama. The clip below was taken from the Huddle blast email sent at 8:00 [...]
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  Posted: March 25, 2009, 8:32am EDT
  

• California Dreamin'

  Once again in the grip of his love-hate affair with the state of California, Mr. Rogers has co-sponsored a bill with Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher (CA-10) to direct federal dollars to encourage local van pools.
  Mr. Rogers co-chairs the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Caucus with Rep. Tauscher; they've' [...]
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  Posted: March 24, 2009, 6:50am EDT
  

• It's Not Personal, It's Business

  This classic line from The Godfather came to mind as I read a letter to the editor in today's Press & Argus titled "Unfair Attack on Rogers and Cleary."
  Not entirely sure when questioning the public actions of an elected official became an "unfair attack," but accusing your questioner' [...]
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  Posted: March 23, 2009, 8:07am EDT
  

• Let's Do Lunch, Multitasker Edition

  There are so many challenges facing our state -- and our nation -- it can seem overwhelming. 
  So, you'll be glad to know that Mr. Rogers is earning his $174,000 salary!  He's multitasking, taking time to eat a healthy lunch AND raising money to keep Republican bottoms in Congressional seats [...]
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  Posted: March 19, 2009, 5:43pm EDT
  

• Collegiality, Livingston County Style

  There have been quite a few articles of late discussing Mike Rogers' $1.4 million in earmarks for Livingston County.
  This is the same Mike Rogers who railed against the omnibus spending bill as mortgaging "our children and grandchildren's future... Congress continues to wastefully spend their hard-earned tax dollars." [...]
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  Posted: March 18, 2009, 8:11am EDT
  

• Nobody Expects the Rush-in Inquisition

  Last week, The Neighborhood considered the religious overtones of Mr. Rogers' recent pronouncements on 2010 Congressional races.
  This got me thinking about leadership, orthodoxy and control.
  The Spanish Inquisition (known to most of us as the basis for a classic Monty Python sketch) was' [...]
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  Posted: March 02, 2009, 9:44am EST
  

• Congressman, Cardinal or Consigliere?

  Regular visitors to The Neighborhood know that Mr. Rogers expends most of his time & energy on party politics -- with the emphasis on party.
  Since announcing his decision to skip the 2010 Governor's race, Mr. Rogers has turned his focus to fiscal planning and long-term employment projects...[...]
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  Posted: February 26, 2009, 9:40am EST
  

• Newspeak, 2009 Style

  Well, it's official: Mike Rogers has announced that he will not run for Governor in 2010:”After thinking about the impact a statewide race would have on my two young children, and the impact I can have in Washington fighting to help the auto industry, lower health-care costs and protect' [...]
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  Posted: February 21, 2009, 6:00am EST
  

• The Best Ammunition Against Lies is the Truth

  Hemingway was absolutely right when he said this, and Michigan Liberal is certainly keeping their powder dry. Today they had a post about the amazing lie-filled email Mike Rogers sent to a constituent who had asked about Rogers' no vote on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
  
  Filled' [...]
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  Posted: February 20, 2009, 12:39pm EST
  

• Misery Wants Company

  The stimulus package offers some badly-needed good news for the 8th Congressional District: 
  * an estimated 8,000 jobs
  * a 33-week extension of unemployment benefits for 162,000 Michiganders
  
  * $3 million for Livingston County roads
  * Nation-wide, 70% of the tax cuts will go to the [...]
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  Posted: February 18, 2009, 7:46am EST
  

• Worth $174,000 Plus Benefits?

  Mike Rogers recently popped up on a list of about 150 Representatives who have not been serving their constituents very well.
  No, it's not the House Republicans who, like a preschool class deprived of naptime, threw a collective hissy fit and voted in a bloc against the stimulus package.  Well,' [...]
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  Posted: February 17, 2009, 7:08am EST
  

• Party Time

  Did you know that Mr. Rogers is really busy in Washington?
  You may think he's working to support the stimulus package, but no -- he's against it, even though the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has urged Congress to pass it.
  Well, he's a member of the Energy & Commerce' [...]
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  Posted: February 13, 2009, 8:37am EST
  

• Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

  Back in December, Mr. Rogers loudly bemoaned the scheduled 2009 pay hike for members of Congress.  
  Mr. Rogers, who regularly touts the values of fiscal conservatism and personal responsibility, was noticeably quiet about his own plans to forego the raise or donate it to charity.  
  
  Guess [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 8:12am EST
  

• He's Got Great Health Insurance, Too

  As soon as I finished this morning's post ("Hey, He's Got Job Security"), this popped up in the inbox:
  From WHMI, "Rogers Splits With Michigan Delegation on S-CHIPRogers was one of only two Michigan Republicans to vote against the measure that extends health coverage to 4 million uninsured children.Got" [...]
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  Posted: February 05, 2009, 10:22am EST
  

• Hey, He's Got Job Security

  
  Mr. Rogers recently talked with RightMichigan about the stimulus package; the folksy interview was divided between blaming the Democrats and yearning for tax cuts.  One of Mr. Rogers' complaints about the stimulus package:Only 2.7 percent of the cost of this bill would go to tax' [...]
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  Posted: February 05, 2009, 6:51am EST
  

• Strike Two

  Yesterday, Congress gave its final approval to the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which passed 250-177.
  No prizes for guessing how Mr. Rogers voted on the bill, which reduces barriers for workers to bring lawsuits for pay discrimination.   It was his second "no" on fair pay [...]
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  Posted: January 28, 2009, 6:02am EST
  

• Misunderestimated

  From today’s Press & Argus:
  

  U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said Bush has received a bum rap from many citizens.

  “He didn’t get credit for being a nice guy a lot, but his tendencies are always to do that, I think,” Rogers said. “He didn’t get a chance [...]

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  Posted: January 19, 2009, 9:29am EST
  

• Mike Rogers: Dr. No

  Today, the House overwhelmingly passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), twice-vetoed by President Bush, with the comfortable margin of 289-139.
  As a quick recap, S-CHIP is the joint federal/state program that helps working parents purchase affordable health insurance coverage for their children. It isn't welfare, it isn't a handout,' [...]
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  Posted: January 14, 2009, 6:27pm EST
  

• A (Sort of) Rousing Endorsement

  Today's Press & Argus editorial, "Rogers for Gov.? It's opportunity worth exploring", rehashed a recent MIRS report and gave it a little "local boy" twist.While Rogers has served us well in Congress, perhaps he can have the greatest political impact in Michigan, which desperately needs a big turnaround. We're glad' [...]
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  Posted: January 14, 2009, 7:36am EST
  

• An Epiphany. Sort of.

  Happy Epiphany, dear readers!  Things have been pretty quiet in The Neighborhood during the holidays, but since today is the twelfth day of Christmas, here's a little treat:
  
  Mr. Rogers is considering a run for Governor in 2010.
  A Press & Argus article cites a report from MIRS:The Michigan Information' [...]
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  Posted: January 06, 2009, 5:38pm EST
  

• Picking and Choosing

  Back in September, Mike Rogers boasted about his success in achieving a "victory for Michigan workers."
  
  Then for some reason, he decided it would be more fun to rail against the Wall Street bailout (to the point where a local reporter basically told him to put up [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2008, 3:27pm EST
  

• True Colors

  You can tell it's the end of October: the leaves are turning, the days are getting shorter, the frost is on the pumpkin...
  
  ... and Mike Rogers is going negative.
  Coming soon: the argument that Mike has nothing to do with the recent slimefest mailers going out around' [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2008, 7:16am EDT
  

• Where's Mike?

  With the election just around the corner, it's no surprise that Mike Rogers is in the news for his usual blend of evasion and ignoring the voters.
  
  In the "Ignoring the Voters Category," Mr. Rogers broke new ground this week -- he didn't bother to show [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2008, 9:31am EDT
  

• The Thrill of the Drill

  Guess what? Mike Rogers has an energy plan!
  
  No, the other Mike Rogers (AL-03), who shares a name (and talking points) with Michigan Mike. Alabama Mike's campaign blog describes his energy plan thusly:
  

  Known as the Furthering Renewable Energy and Exploration or FREE Act, the bill' [...]

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  Posted: September 24, 2008, 7:25am EDT
  

• Sign of the Times

  If you really need another example of how Mike Rogers skates on the edge of ethics, look no further than the front page of today's Press & Argus.
  
  In Political billboard stirs concerns, we learn that a few years back, a local attorney' [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2008, 12:31pm EDT
  

• Mr. Rogers: Drill Sergeant?

  It was a beautiful day in The Neighborhood for Mr. Rogers yesterday. In front of a very friendly crowd (and an unquestioning press), Livingston County's own Master of Maybe thrilled his audience with a rousing call to drill for oil EVERYWHERE, enhanced with anecdotes about scary foreign bad' [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2008, 6:50am EDT
  

• Methinks the Elephant Doth Protest Too Much

  Just when I thought the Livingston County Press & Argus was back to being a good, solid community paper, this morning's editorial reminded me that they are still marching in lockstep with Rep. Mike Rogers' orders.

  Earlier this month, the P&A ran a story about opposition to Rogers'' [...]

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  Posted: August 20, 2008, 7:26am EDT
  

• Rules Are For Other People

  Even though Mr. Rogers is undoubtedly packing his cargo shorts and sandals for a publicity-filled (and content-free) trip to DC next week, he apparently has taken a few minutes to work on his empire building re-election campaign.
  
  Seems that Mr. Rogers sent an email to his constituent [...]
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  Posted: August 19, 2008, 9:50am EDT
  

• Cappafrappahalfcaf Representation

  After a few years of living in the 8th Congressional District, I'm used to having a Representative who doesn't show up when he should, and who also shows up where he's not needed, like here and here (oh, and here).
  
  I'll admit I was curious, [...]
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  Posted: August 18, 2008, 6:53am EDT
  

• Money Can't Buy You Love

  Judy over at LivingBlue has an interesting post...
  
  Seems that Mr. Rogers was hanging around the Brighton Costco prior to the July 4th parade, trolling for people to march with him.
  
  And he recently sent out a plea for some marching pals to accompany him in this [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2008, 12:38pm EDT
  

• Toon Town

  The recent flap over Mike Rogers' energy plan -- local and national Arab-American groups are upset with the video's animated portrayal of anonymous, threatening Arabs -- made me wonder why he would spend his money on such a poor-quality vid in the first place.
  
  As expected, Mr. Rogers [...]
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  Posted: August 08, 2008, 7:41am EDT
  

• Gotcha! Um, never mind...

  In an extra-special burst of party loyalty -- and no doubt hoping for a little more national attention -- Mr. Rogers was at his fact-free best today. Amazingly, some political writers are calling him on it.
  
  Wiggling like a kid with a lunchbox full of Twinkies, Rogers sat in [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2008, 8:13pm EDT
  

• Too Casual Friday

  Mike Rogers is already on summer vacation... he's dressed for it, anyway.
  
  According to the CBS/Politico, Mr. Rogers showed up in a fetching summery ensemble:
  

  Michigan Republican Mike Rogers returned to the House floor in shorts and sandals to take his turn at the podium, as the Republican [...]

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  Posted: August 01, 2008, 5:01pm EDT
  

• The Hobgoblin of Little Minds

  ... that's how Emerson defined "foolish consistency."
  
  For an example of hobgoblins right here in MI-08, look no further than Mike Rogers' thoughts about privacy.
  

  The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to vote this week on legislation aimed at creating a nationwide system of electronic health records [...]

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  Posted: July 22, 2008, 6:41am EDT
  

• Summer Fiction List

  After a few days off (complete with several good volumes of summer fiction), I returned to find an email newsletter from Mr. Rogers. I don't know if there's an award for Boldest Use of Inaccurate Facts, but if there was such a thing I'd be the first to nominate Mr. [...]
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  Posted: July 14, 2008, 1:44pm EDT
  

• Mr. Rogers' Next Job?

  Politico had an interesting article comparing the happy state of the DCCC under Chair Chris VanHollen (D-MD) with the struggles faced by Tom Cole (R-OK) over at the NRCC:
  

  Since assuming the chairmanship of the National Republican Congressional Committee last year, Cole has inherited [...]

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  Posted: July 10, 2008, 7:01am EDT
  

• Summer Plans

  With summer vacation on the horizon, you might think that Mike Rogers was kicking back last week whilst in our nation's capitol.
  
  But no -- Mr. Rogers was really busy. He was voting on some very important bills: things like Medicare improvements, price gouging protection, and [...]
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  Posted: July 01, 2008, 7:33am EDT
  

• Champion of the Middle Class?

  Mike Rogers -- never one to leave a thought unexpressed when an audience is present -- characterization of Barack Obama's economic policies:
  

  "This guy is completely out of touch with the average Michigan family," said Rogers, a Brighton Republican.

  
  Rogers also said that Obama's energy policy proposals would increase [...]
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  Posted: June 16, 2008, 4:49pm EDT
  

• The Courage of his convictions?

  Mike Rogers has held firm on his opposition to extending unemployment benefits for hard-hit states...
  
  ... sort of.
  
  In yesterday's House vote (234-137), the
  

  Republicans split, with 49 voting in favor and 137 against the extension.
  
  All six of Michigan's House Democrats voted for the extension. [...]

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  Posted: June 13, 2008, 2:27pm EDT
  

• He Works Hard for the Money

  Seems as though Mr. Rogers' Energy Independence Plan (a/k/a the Special Interests Bonanza Plan) didn't get the kind of notice our attention-lovin' Congressman had hoped for, so he's found something else to scare you:
  
  Chinese hackers.
  Yes, that's right: for all of you Michiganders with the cash and [...]
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  Posted: June 11, 2008, 3:10pm EDT
  

• Lube Job

  Well, we must be getting close to an election, since Mr. Rogers is suddenly popping up EVERYWHERE in the Neighborhood with his new plan for energy independence.
  
  Just in time for him to have something to talk about over the Memorial Day weekend, Mr. Rogers has now seen the [...]
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  Posted: May 29, 2008, 8:57am EDT
  

• Livingston Gothic

  Mike Rogers may have turned his back on the mothers, veterans and unemployed folks here in MI-08, but he was able to rally himself & vote for this week's Farm Bill despite his misgivings:
  
  

  "I wish it would have been written differently ... but at [...]

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  Posted: May 23, 2008, 6:52am EDT
  

• Where, Exactly, Is Mike Rogers From?

  He says he's from Michigan, but you really have to wonder...
  
  Rogers recently hit a mean-spirited trifecta, topping off a busy week in which he voted against mothers and the military by voting against Michigan's unemployed.
  
  It's not news to anyone that Michigan has [...]
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  Posted: May 17, 2008, 9:06am EDT
  

• Rogers Votes Against GI Bill

  Last week, we let you know that Mike Rogers voted against honoring the mothers of America.
  
  This week, Mike Rogers voted against the new GI Bill.
  
  Will puppy kicking be next on the Rogers agenda?
  
  Happily, the bill's House supporters carried the day, 256-166; [...]
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  Posted: May 16, 2008, 11:19am EDT
  

• Bet There's No Apple Pie, Either!

  From our bloggy pals down in Ohio, a post that confirms what you always knew in your heart:
  178 Republicans Vote Against Mothers.
  

  First, the Democrats and Republicans voted for HRES 1113 (House Vote 274), which the Washington Post reports was a resolution "Celebrating the Role [...]

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  Posted: May 10, 2008, 7:21am EDT
  

• Whistle a Happy Tune, or Else

  We know that Mike Rogers doesn't really pay much attention to the lives of people living in MI- 08. That much is clear from his voting record, which shows plenty of support for oil companies & not enough for working families. He prefers to stay in Washington, spending [...]
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  Posted: May 05, 2008, 8:55am EDT
  

• Company's Coming!

  The Neighborhood is looking forward to next week's visit by Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio's Senior Political Analyst. Mr. Lessenberry will be at the Howell Opera House on Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. The evening is sponsored by two groups that are working to make a difference in Livingston County: [...]
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  Posted: May 03, 2008, 7:06am EDT
  

• Better Late Than Never

  Last week, LivingBlue reported on Mike Rogers' lack of support for the new and much-needed GI Bill (S.22/H.R.5740).
  
  Lo and behold, today the GI Bill website listed Mr. Rogers as a co-sponsor. (Bart Stupak, Pete Hoekstra, Vern Ehlers, Fred Upton, Tim Walberg -- what are you waiting [...]
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  Posted: May 01, 2008, 8:33am EDT
  

• SCHIP to Shore

  There have been lots of posts about the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) here in the Neighborhood, focusing on Mike Rogers' opposition to efforts to expand affordable health insurance for children of working families. (For a refresher, see Bull-SCHIP Excuses, SCHIP of Fools or Let the [...]
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  Posted: April 24, 2008, 11:00am EDT
  

• One Child Isn't Left Behind

  A six-year-old boy from Lansing has had a pretty amazing week. Christopher had his first plane ride, his first visit to Washington, D.C., and his first visit to the White House at a reception for Pope Benedict XVI.
  
  How did this happen? Well, the Bush administration allowed (loyal) members [...]
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  Posted: April 17, 2008, 10:01am EDT
  

• Put on Your Party Shoes!

  Come on down to Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (a/k/a Livingston County) and join the Livingston County Democrats for a celebration of 25 years of political work.
  
  The LivCo Dems are hosting their 25th Annual Winans Dinner on Saturday, April 19th at the Hamburg VFW Post 1224, 8891 Spicer Road in [...]
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  Posted: April 13, 2008, 5:15pm EDT
  

• Mike's Methodology

  This morning's Press & Argus featured not one but two stories about Mr. Rogers' speech to the Howell Chamber of Commerce.
  
  On the front page, he disses the Senate bill to help homeowners facing foreclosure, even though he said that helping those families was his "top priority." Inside, [...]
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  Posted: April 09, 2008, 9:14am EDT
  

• Words v. Deeds: Mike Rogers on Education

  Today's Press & Argus has a story titled "Students communicate across the globe at Rogers-hosted forum." A World History class at Pinckney Community High School was able to have real-time conversations with students in Bilda, Algeria thanks to a very cool MSU program called E3LINK. The program is [...]
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  Posted: March 05, 2008, 9:19am EST
  

• The Invisible Hand Makes a Rude Gesture

  Well, it looks like I was wrong: Mr. Rogers actually did set foot in the district last week.
  
  After his interesting stab at "talking" to voters on WHMI (a radio town hall, which ensured Rogers wouldn't have to be in the same room as unscreened constitutents), the Press & [...]
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  Posted: February 27, 2008, 7:27am EST
  

• Too Little, Too Late

  In today's Press & Argus, you'll find a quarter-page ad inviting you to join Mike Rogers in a radio town hall on Wednesday (2/20). The topic is "Protecting Our Homes Against Foreclosure." In the ad, Mr. Rogers writes,
  
  

  I know that 2007 was a difficult year for Michigan [...]

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  Posted: February 18, 2008, 7:55am EST
  

• Busy, Busy

  The House was considering a 21-day extension to the temporary electronic surveillance law; at least, they were until House Republicans orchestrated a series of votes to derail it.
  
  On Tuesday, the Senate basically rolled over for the Bush Administration's lust to spy on American citizens. (At least [...]
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  Posted: February 14, 2008, 7:11am EST
  

• There's Your Sign

  As if we need any more confirmation that Mike Rogers does not, in fact, represent the people of Michigan's Eighth District, Judy over at Living Blue has a story about some constituents who had an appointment to meet with Mr. Rogers when they visited Washington, D.C. last week:
  

  The [...]

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  Posted: February 11, 2008, 7:52pm EST
  

• Hands Across the Blogiverse

  One of the neatest things about the internet is the way you can find people all over the world who share your interests, your concerns and even your sense of humor.
  
  For those of us in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (MI-08), it was cool to find that there is [...]
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  Posted: February 04, 2008, 7:12am EST
  

• Mason, Meet Dixon

  Michiganders are about as Northern as you get (next stop, Canada). Yet it's nice, in a strange way, to find that there are Southerners who share our problems and concerns.
  
  Example Number One: Mike Rogers
  
  As you know, there is another Mike Rogers in Congress -- from Alabama's [...]
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  Posted: February 01, 2008, 6:12am EST
  

• Stimulating Conversation

  How things change with time...
  
  ... and a little attention.
  
  Last week, Mike Rogers was firmly against including any kind of extension to unemployment benefits. He felt that cash money was all we needed:
  

  U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said Friday that Congress should not spend more [...]

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  Posted: January 31, 2008, 2:38pm EST
  

• Was it Stalin, Goebbels or Karl Rove?

  Someone once said that if a lie is repeated often enough, it becomes the truth.
  
  Clearly, Mike Rogers has been paying attention to this dictum. He had a guest op-ed in the Sunday Press & Argus titled, "Playing politics over SCHIP legislation."
  
  cue the violins...
  
  In [...]
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  Posted: January 28, 2008, 11:47am EST
  

• No Way to Treat Your Fellow Michiganders

  It's no secret that we're facing tough economic times here in Michigan, and have been for a while. The proposed federal stimulus package is being pushed through Congress as we speak, but the jury is still out on exactly how much good it will do.
  
  The Freep's Susan [...]
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  Posted: January 26, 2008, 11:05am EST