Community Corner

Political Group Calling for Obama's Impeachment Stops in Hartland

Livingston County Democratic Party head says the LaRouche Political Action Committee is 'extreme.'

With the slogan "Dump Obama" and a picture of the president with a Adolf Hitler-like moustache, LaRouchePAC — a group labeled as extreme by Democrats — stood out front of the in Hartland on Monday seeking support.

The group advocates for President Barack Obama's impeachment, the re-enactment of Glass-Steagall law that would separate commercial and investment banking and create a North American Power and Water Alliance that it says would create millions of jobs.

"We're trying to awaken the American people," said Angela Vullo, the press coordinator for the group. "We're building a political movement.

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"People are joining us from the Democrats because they hate Obama. They recognize that Obama's policies are no different from Bush-Cheney."

But Jordan Genso, chairperson of the Livingston County Democratic Party, said while some Democrats, including himself, agree with bringing back Glass-Steagall, the rest of the group's ideas are suspect at best. He said the rhetoric of comparing Obama with Hitler shows the group can't be taken seriously.

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"That is obviously in poor taste and should not be acceptable," Genso said. "I think they lose all credibility when they go that route. I don't know what they are trying to achieve with these tactics."

The group's leader, 89-year-old economist Lyndon LaRouche, is a lightning rod of controversy. He's run for president as a self-described Roosevelt Democrat several times, but has been convicted of mail fraud involving political fund raising and served five years in prison. Democrats say they don't support him.

Vullo said LaRouche didn't break any laws and that the prosecution was because of his ideas.

The group is backing six candidates for congress, including one from Michigan, Bill Roberts. Vullo said Roberts hasn't decided which congressional district to run in. She also said should couldn't say whether or when the group would be back in Hartland.

Cheryl Martin, a Tyrone Township Republican, stopped by the table to learn more. She said she supports the group's idea of removing Obama.

A mother of seven and whose family owns a small manufacturing business, Martin said her health insurance company told her it has raised premiums and lowered coverage because of health care reform.

"He's absolutely done nothing for this country," Martin said. "The health care is really, really dumb. … What this country needs is a businessman. I like (Texas Gov.) Rick Perry, but I would vote whoever it is as long as it's not Obama."

Genso said insurance companies are incorrectly blaming higher costs on the reform while it will actually slow down cost growth by the time it's fully implemented in 2014.

"I would say that is not a reliable statement," he said.


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