Americans for Prosperity Michigan Chapter Advisory Board Member Jack Hoogendyk and AFP-Michigan State Director Scott Hagerstrom joined the Get Your Justice Live program Wednesday June 17, 2009 and they brought a multitude of fresh issues to the national audience. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) are committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process.

 

 EPISODE225 - Americans for Prosperity, Jack Hoogendyk & Scott Hagerstrom [1:06:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Just some of the discussions included right to work legislation, parental rights issues, establishing a limited government, enforcing government transparency (see-through spending), cap and trade policies, center right meetings, and the notion of taxation by citation/government funding.  The consensus seems to be that moving citizens into stronger and better informed advocacy positions will certainly advance a more predictable and transparent government, and our Americans for Prosperity guests certainly enumerated that vision.

Having both of these grassroots enablers on the line at the same time, we were able to discuss the top three federal and state changes needed to roll back government and place citizens back in control of their own destinies. Take a simple hour of your time and arm yourself with critical information to help not only the State of Michigan, but the entire Nation. Bringing jobs, reducing our government bureaucracy, emphasize core principles, and remind our government that the Constitution is a restriction on them not the citizens.

Americans for Prosperity Foundation is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and a return of the federal government to its Constitutional limits. AFP Foundation’s educational programs and analyses help policymakers, the media and individual citizens understand why policies that promote the American enterprise system are the best method to ensuring prosperity for all Americans. To that end, AFP and AFP Foundation supports:

• Cutting taxes and government spending in order to halt the encroachment of government in the economic lives of citizens by fighting proposed tax increases and pointing out evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Tax and Expenditure Limitations to promote fiscal responsibility.
• Removing unnecessary barriers to entrepreneurship and opportunity by sparking citizen involvement in the regulatory process early on in order to reduce red tape.
• Restoring fairness to our judicial system.

Jack Hoogendyk is certainly no stranger to the political process, In 2002, Jack was elected to the first of his three terms as State Representative, taking another step in his public service commitment. Since then, Jack Hoogendyk has been working to protect taxpayers, strengthen education and defend families. He is not willing to be defined by his surroundings, but rather seeks to influence and inspire. He’s been following in the steps of his father by investing in his family, community and state.

Following some of the resources available, I encourage others to check out Jack Hoogendyk’s Core Principles at http://www.jackformichigan.org, and also peruse both the National Americans for Prosperity Site and the Michigan Chapter of the AFP website. Citizens that are serious about taking a stand against harmful government policies that negatively impact jobs, our families, our property, and our privacy will feel compelled to join AFP.

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On Wednesday June 11, 2009, we were blessed to have nationally known former Sheriff Richard Mack on Get Your Justice Live! He discussed the role of the State and the role of the Sheriff in upholding the limitations of government intrusion at all levels. One of my favorites in this episode was his statement that law enforcement and government have created “Taxation by Citation” which I certainly whole-heartedly agree with. Sheriff Mack gave a wonderful interview with Lary Holland on this episode of Get Your Justice Live. Press Play to listen!

 

 EPISODE223 - Sheriff Richard Mack joins Get Your Justice Live [48:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Author/speaker and former sheriff Richard Mack has served in a wide variety of roles over the course of his nearly twenty year career in law enforcement, which began in Provo, Utah.

Mack began his career with the Provo Police Department as a parking enforcement cadet while attending BYU. A couple of years later he became a full-time officer and was soon promoted to Corporal, Sergeant, and Detective. His most traumatic experience there was a one-year assignment as an undercover narcotics agent. After nearly 11 years at Provo PD, Mack decided to return to his childhood turf in Arizona and run for Graham County Sheriff. His campaign took off and he was elected in 1988.

He was sheriff for two terms until 1997. He was named Elected Official of the Year by the Arizona-New Mexico Coalition of Counties in 1994, received the NRA Law Officer of the Year, inducted into the NRA Hall of Fame, 1995 Cicero Award, Samuel Adams Leadership Award from the Local Sovereignty Coalition, and Gun Owners of America Defender of the Second Amendment Award.

During his tenure, federal officers informed the sheriffs of the state that they would be required to enforce the so-called “Brady Bill” and run background checks at their expense under the law. In 1994, Mack and six other sheriffs from across the country, challenged the constitutionality of the Brady Bill and ultimately, fought it all the way to the United States Supreme Court, where they won a monumental decision for freedom.
Three years later, in a landmark 5-4 split decision based on the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Mack won his case.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy, some of Mack’s positions include: patrol officer, undercover narcotics officer, hostage negotiator, youth officer, school resource officer, communications supervisor, corporal, front desk sergeant, detective, sheriff, Search and Rescue supervisor, jail administrator, and DARE instructor.

Mack has been a consultant on numerous cases regarding police abuse, brutality, and other misconduct by public officials. He has joined with other members of the law enforcement community to speak out in favor of drug policy reform.

A graduate of Brigham Young University, Mack lives with his wife and family in Safford, Arizona.

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Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, representing  the National Partnership for Community Leadership, joined us live on Get Your Justice Live to discuss the 100th Anniversary Year of Father’s Day, the National Fatherhood Conference for Responsible Fathers, and the National Fathers Day Rally on the Lincoln Memorial. Take a listen at the shortened 31 minute version so that you can get all the information about Dr. Jeffrey Johnson’s perspective on fatherhood, absenteeism, the events, and government policy affecting our families and children.

 

 EPISODE221 - Dr. Johnson Discusses 100th Anniversary Year of Fathes Day [31:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

“The National Fatherhood Conference is occurring June 16th through June 19th, 2009. The National Fathers Day Rally is occurring on June 20th, 2009 at the Lincoln Memorial.”

I asked Dr. Jeffrey Johnson “what is the best form of child support that a father can offer their child?” and he replied pretty clearly that being a father is more than being a paycheck and that the “best support that a father can provide to their child is to be “present.”

Over 2 million children in the United States live in Fatherless homes. As a result, child/teen statistics related to violence, failure in academics, broken relationships and more, have grown to an alarming rate. Active involvement of both parents has proven to be direct link to child success in personal life decisions, academics, and beyond. (Click here to read documented statistics on growing Father absence in the US)

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson agrees that current policies that affect the family promote negative results of fatherlessness rather than positive results of having fathers “be present.” In fact, responsible fathers are going to be praised at the National Fathers Day Rally in Washington DC this June 20, 2009. Click the flyer image for more information on attending or starting your own rally in your State!

Changes are going to occur by coming together and setting differences aside. As I have been pushing forward, children need both parents and the parent-child relationship should be the positive result in legislation. “Parental Rights should be respected and protected by all,” and we need to focus less on conflict and more on conflict resolution in todays legislation.

Now we still have time to time to get the interesting fact out that this year is the 100th Anniversary Day for Fathers Day out to members of the press, marketing coordinators for stores, and more so that it is reflected in advertising, media releases, and the general public.

Don’t forget that next month is National Child-Centered Divorce Month and July 26, 2009 is the National Parents Day. We will have more information on how you can help raise awareness in the coming week.

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