Thoughts for the Day, January 9, 2025: Jimmy Carter's final journey

Jimmy Carter’s wisdom

From Robert Reich’s blog, in an interview Carter did with Thom Hartmann on July 30, 2015, Hartmann’s noted that the Supreme Court now allows “unlimited money in politics,” Carter said this:

“It violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members.

So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors, who want and expect and sometimes get favors for themselves after the election’s over. …

The incumbents, Democrats and Republicans, look upon this unlimited money as a great benefit to themselves. Somebody’s who’s already in Congress has a lot more to sell to an avid contributor than somebody who’s just a challenger.”

May we remember the truths that Jimmy Carter told us — and act to remedy them…And may former President Jimmy Carter rest in peace.

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Will we ever see transparency in Michigan?

Per Bridge Michigan, House Republicans wasted no time Wednesday in adopting rules that give sweeping powers to an expanded oversight committee to watchdog Governor Whitmer’s Administration administration and other top Democratic officials.

The rules mark the start of what Republicans say will be a renewed push for transparency, centered on scrutinizing economic development deals and what they call government overreach under Whitmer,

Notably absent from the conversation so far, however, is whether House Republicans will take up long-sought after government transparency legislation that would open both the Legislature and governor’s office to public records requests.

The Democratic-led Senate last year approved a plan to expand the Freedom of Information Act, and lawmakers reintroduced those bills Wednesday, making clear they are a priority

The Democratic-led Senate last year approved a plan to expand the Freedom of Information Act, and lawmakers reintroduced those bills Wednesday, making clear they are a priority. The first bills introduced in the House under new Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, would amend Michigan’s pending minimum wage, tipped wage and sick leave laws.

It didn’t happen when the Republicans held the governorship and the majority in both chambers. It didn’t happen when the Democrats held the governorship and the majority in both chambers. It is not likely it will happen in a split chamber, with an election coming up in less than two years.

We are destined to be the 49^th state in the country with the worst transparency laws for the legislature and the governor. Nothing is going to change until the citizens start demanding it. Embarrassing.

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Football, Football, and more Football

Football fans are going to have their fill over the next five days. The college football playoffs are tonight (Thursday) and Friday night. The NFL Playoffs are on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

I predict every one of the games will be in the top 25 highest viewed television shows of the year.

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The Pistons

Last year the Pistons had a record of 14-68, the worst in franchise history. After 37 games this season, the Pistons are 19-18 and currently are riding a five-game winning streak, despite losing future star Jaden Ivy to a broken leg three games ago. Coach Bickerstaff has the team playing at a very high level. They have minimized their turnovers, are starting to heat up from behind the arc, and have showed good depth in their line-up. Bickerstaff appears to be getting the most out of the roster. It has been a long time coming, but it looks like basketball in the Motor City is back.

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An interesting stat

The Detroit Lions, the Detroit Pistons, the Detroit Red Wings, the MSU Spartan’s basketball team, and the Michigan Wolverines basketball team have not lost a game in 2025. It’s only nine days, but it is impressive anyway.

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Quote of the Day: “His political life and his presidency, for me, was not just ahead of its time. It was prophetic. He had the courage and strength to stick to his principles even when they were politically unpopular. As governor of Georgia half a century ago, he preached an end to racial discrimination and an end to mass incarceration. As president in the 1970s, as you’ve heard, he protected more land than any other president in history. Fifty years ago, he was a climate warrior who pushed for a world where we conserved energy, limited emissions and traded our reliance on fossil fuels for expanded renewable sources. By the way, he cut the deficit, wanted to decriminalize marijuana, deregulated so many industries that he gave us cheap flights and, as you heard, craft beer. Basically. all of those years ago, he was the first millennial. And he could make great playlists, as we’ve heard as well." Jason Carter, grandson of former president Jimmy Carter.

Orchid of the Day: Jason Carter, who knocked it out of the park today with his tribute to his grandfather, former president Jimmy Carter. See my Video of the Day

Onion of the Day: In honor of Jimmy Carter, no onion today.

Lyrics of the Day: You can't stop us on the road to freedom, You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see, Men with insight, men in granites Knights in armor bent on chivalry

If you think you know the answer, indicate your answer in the comment section below.

Answer to January 8, Lyrics of the Day, “Dancing in the Dark.” By Bruce Springsteen

Question of the Day: Trump is getting sentenced tomorrow in his felony conviction. How will his sentencing be viewed the history of his two terms as president?

Video of the Day: Jason Carter delivers a eulogy for his grandfather Jimmy Carter

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