I too remember the ‘92 campaign and the impression of optimism and idealism when shaking Pete’s hand at the Tulip Time parade on Van Raalte Ave when he said he wasn’t like the other career politicians. But the moment he took office it was a different story and every time I think back on it I feel like I should wash my hand.

Pete is dangerous for America so please keep this site to keep reminding people of what he really is. I’m glad he was defeated in this 2010 Governer’s race, but I suspect it won’t be long before he tries again for political office. He’s addicted to it.

You should stick to politics in California.

Also, trying to ‘out’ you is very low. Looks like your politicians are just as big a bunch of crooks as ours…

Much peace & love from across the pond,
Rich

also being a from holland (go WO!) and now out of state, i find your commitment, candor, and thoughtfulness amazing. it’s easy for many folks to leave home and not look back–minus holidays or summer visits to the lake–to become solely focused on their new home and community. but you haven’t.

hopefully your example will encourage others to think critically, model to folks that it’s okay to challenge family and friends politically, and push people to realize that the “good ol’ boy” club does not equate effective leadership of a struggling state.

i have tremendous respect for this site. i haven’t agreed with everything you’ve said, and i don’t expect too. it would be weird if i did. what matters is that you want a better michigan, and so do i. thanks again.

“I’m proud of what my family stands for in Western Michigan. You’re absolutely entitled to your opinion, as I’m entitled to mine. The views expressed on this site are exclusively those of me, Ben Padnos. Remember, I intended on being anonymous — it was the Congressman’s campaign who released my name. ”

It takes a big man to stand up and put his real name out front so that people can judge whether the criticism is real or that of a political adversary. Your family which has a tendency to contribute to the Democrat establishment with a few exceptions has not seemingly been ashamed to fill out the disclosures. Your contribution here could have at least carried the weight and conviction of your blog http://www.benpadnos.com/ which must have lost a little of its excitement with a last post of excitement about Obama 4 months ago..

If you believe in something put your name on it. Sad.

If the Congressman or his staff used connections within the government’s intelligence community to unearth confidential domain registration information without the proper and lawful use of a search warrant or subpoena (for which they surely would not have had just cause to obtain), then they should be held accountable in a court of law. But for obvious reasons, I find this outcome extremely unlikely.

Miteeeman, if you had taken the time to elaborate on your relationship with the family a bit more, sir, my confusion/irritation could have been avoided. While I don’t agree with you assesment, I do give your opinion a bit more credibility now that you filled in the blanks. My perceptions come not from family interaction, but from a look about the internet regarding this site’s operator. Your information is apparently more personally based. Therein, politics aside, lies our disagreement. And while we do disagree on politics, the majority of the information I see on this site is of a more personal nature than long “Daily Kos-esque” and/or “Red State” posts containing a myriad of information from what may perhaps be the biased sources you refer to. Maybe that will come later, but my perception is that Mr. Padnos has had to spend more time lately defending himself from local detractors than promulgating information about Rep. Hoekstra’s record or ability to hold the Governor’s seat.
And, as for being”done with this charade”, the fact that you checked in at least three times today leads me to believe I’ll be hearing from you again sooner than later, which is something I look forward too.

I am English not Dutch, I was born in the area, I know the family very well, I have been in many of their homes, (I will divulge no more information), I have know the family longer than Ben has been alive. I respect the grandparents and the children very much. I own a multi state business that I started from the ground up, some of that business is in W. Michigan, none is with the family business directly. I respect hard work, and performance. I have issue with liberal agendas, that quote Huffington Post, Daily Koz, MSNBC, that are less than objective media and then the blogger states, an “extremist minority group”?? One could easily argue that Nancy Pelosi is an extremist and Obama, which I tend to agree is the case. Hoekstra’s style is no more “divisive” than the media quoted on this page. So lets not contradict ourselves.

I am far from grumpy, I have been blessed with a wonderful family, a wonderful life and never take it for granted. Because I challenge someone’s opinions makes me wrong? Enjoy patting each other on the back, I’m done with this charade.