Michigan Votes Forum

We do not have the "choice" to use marijuana in our own homes. I personally have no use for the stuff, but I would support its legalization as long as the same rules applied to it as alcohol. 21 and older, and you can't drive under the influence of it. With tobacco and alcohol taxes being what they are imagine the tax revenue marijuana would bring.

This bill was suppost to be voted on in February. Imagine that. If it was voted on and passed when it was suppost to be we could be celebrating freedom of choice this holiday weekend. Instead I will have to go to the free state of Ohio (again) to enjoy freedom of choice. I will also be spending my money there instead of here as a result of our restrictive law. Maybe next year. How many years have we been saying that, 35? Thirty-five years from now it will be 2039. Hopefully the wait won't be that long.

This was printed in the jackson citizen patriot. to make the long story short guy runs out of gas in downtown jackson. up pulls a state trooper and lays into him about not wearing a helmet while he is PUSHING his non operational bike. I have his court date and am planning on going. if this guy looses were all screwd. just think having to wear a helmet to put gas in your bike, start your bike, work on your bike, or even to just be neer your bike. now i know that not all troopers have this pee braind mentality, but have you ever seen a cop get into his car and write a ticket wearing his seatbelt??? this has got to be voted on so crap like this doesnt keep happening.

I spent the 3-day holiday weekend in Ohio, one of 31 states that allow adult helmet choice. While there I saw HUNDREDS of bikes with Michigan license plates. Funny thing, when I got back to Michigan I did not see ANY bikes with Ohio plates. NOT ONE! Hmmm, I wonder why? Could it be adult choice? You betcha. Michigan is clearly loosing tourism dollars due to our mandatory helmet law.

This was introduced on 3-20-03, and still NO VOTE! Take your time senators, we've only been waiting 35 years. We wouldn't expect you to actully do your job and serve the people who elected you.

"Those who are willing to give up freedom for security deserve neither" Benjamin Franklin "I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves" Ronald Reagan Helmet laws seem pretty un-American to me.

I've been riding for 14 years. During that time I've been in exactly ZERO accidents. Therefore the helmet I was forced to wear on my head was as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Even if I had been in an accident I seriously doubt a piece af plastic is going to do me any good against a car T-boning me at 60mph. Why have I had 14 accident free years? Luck? Luck has nothing to do with it, experience and education are what make me a safe rider. (And yet our governor wants to take away the rider education program). Not riding like an idiot like some of these fools I see on crotch-rocket bikes. Not putting myself in dangerous situations has kept me safe all these years. Could doing all the right things prevent accidents 100%? No, but a helmet cannot prevent an accident at all. Therefore education and common sense riding are a better defense against accidents than helmets. That being said, am I anti-helmet? No, I am pro helmet CHOICE. Wearing a helmet should be a choice made by the rider and only the rider. Not the governor, not your senator, and especialy not the insurance companies. We know what's best for us, NOT THEM!

High taxes, high cost of living, lack of good jobs, bad weather, and the helmet law. Need I go on? If we got rid of the helmet law that would boost our states economy with new bike sales and increased tourism. It has in the 31 states that have gotten rid of theirs. As I ride in Indiana and Ohio I see lots of bikes with Michigan plates, but when I get back to Michigan, I no longer see bikes with out of state plates. Nobody's coming here and I don't blame them. When I go out for a weekend ride I hit I75 south and as soon as I get to the first Ohio exit I buy my gas there, buy my lunch there, (spending my money there and not here) put my helmet in my saddle bag and have fun. Hopefully next year I will be able to go north and have the same fun experience, but I doubt it.

I have read many comments on how safe you bike drivers have been. My uncle is a safe driver also, but that did not stop a teenager from smacking him from behind at 20 mph at a light and sending him sailing 100 feet!!! What saved his life you ask??? A helmet and a full body leather riding outfit (in 70 degree sun!) He was in the hospital for a couple months and have several reconstructive bone surgeries, but no skin grafts thanks to the outfit he had. I think that is responsible riding. You may know you are safe, but what about the person behind you not paying attention. (Why didn't he go through the light you might ask? A semi was coming through the intersection, but turned right before the light) When I see the people riding in tank tops and shorts, I think, there is another idiot rider thinking of his comfort and not his safety. Keep riding without helmets and protective wear, when I see you on the side of the road looking like a hamburger I will try not to feel sorry for you.

If your so worried about losing jobs in Michigan, you should be interested in bill 4610. It's backing the slots at the horse racing tracks. Without the slots, the racing business will go down the drain. .20 of every dollar is now given to the State, with the slots the state will take in more. If the bill does not pass 40,000 horsemen will have to move from this state, or go out of business. This does not include the people working at these tracks, farmers and grain elevators that provide the feed. We're talking about at least 60,000 to 100,000 people involved. Please back this bill, Michigan has already lost too many jobs. Other States have passed these bills, and more money has been generated. Think about your job.

And most riders do agree that tank tops shorts and tennis shoes (or even flip-flops) are not riding gear. I just recently returned from st. louis Mo, and did close to 450 miles with out a helmet, and the only thing that happend to me was a sunburned forehead, but that was my CHOICE (not screaming just emphisising). The makers of helmets were recently asked at what mph does a helmet protect to, most gave the canned "the helmet modles are tested at yadda yadda yadda " but Snell replied that there is no way a helmet would protect a rider beyond 26 mph. Im happy that you think everyone should wear a helmet, just dont force your belifes on others. as far as seeing someone on the side of the road looking like hamburg... Im glad you care so littel of others. we need to educate the drivers ed students on how to watch out for motorcylist and we also need to educate the motorcyclist themselves, by taking a yearly refreasher course. Only through education can we achive the real lifesaving action that is needed, to prevent the accident from occuring in the first place. Like I said in the title I'm Glad hes ok, how old was the person that hit him?

Helmet law haiku: Helmet laws still s**k Vote Granholm out of office Ken Sikkema too

I have a friend who lives in Chicago. He and his girlfriend were on the same bike. He was not wearing a helmet she was. A senior citizen failed to stop at a stop sign and T-boned them at @ 25mph. They both suffered broken right legs (side of impact) neither one had a head injury. However his girlfriend broke her neck due to the weight of the helmet adding more force to her neck. Thank goodness there was no spinal cord damage or else she would be paralized because she was wearing a helmet. You never know the outcome of an accident until it's too late. A helmet may help or harm you. Either way it should be a choice not a law.

I live in the Toledo area and I can't even imagine how much it must suck not to have helmet choice. We've had it for 1/4 century now, and our fatalties, head injuries, and insurance rates aren't any higher. Sucks to be you. You having to wear helmets like retards on the short bus knowing all the surrounding free states don't. All ball busting aside Michigan is a beautiful state. I hope you get this mandatory helmet crap straightened out so we can come up and ride (and spend money) in your state. I've talked to Michigan bikers that come down here. They really want helmet choice and I hope they get it. Good luck.

Michigan bikers have waited long enough for their freedom. We have fought hard for it. Other states have gotten it done with less effort. Just do it already!

I agree Michigan should do this. All our neighboring states have been helmet optional for as long as I can remember and they dont have any of the problems that the insurance would like you to believe. If they did then there would not be any helmet optional states just as there no seat-belt optional states. The fact is most states are helmet optional because helmet laws are proven to do nothing.

We absolutely LOVE our mandatory helmet law. Sincerely, France.

I moved up here from Ohio in 4-02. When I did I was really concerned about living in a state that does not allow helmet choice. I thought, well I usually wear one on my way to work in the morning anyway when it's chilly. I just won't be able to not wear it on the way home. It can't be that bad, right? WRONG!! I knew not having helmet choice would suck but I didn't realize it would suck as much as it does. I didn't know I would miss it as much as I do. I guess I was so used to always having it that I took my freedom for granted. What I don't understand is insurance in this state. In Ohio my auto insurance was $60 a month. Here it's $120 a month! My coverage is the same here as it was there but it cost twice as much! Double the price for the same exact coverage and this state STILL has a mandatory helmet law! If I knew the insurance companies controlled this state the way that they do I would NEVER have moved here. My work contract expires 4-05. If Michigan hasn't repealed it's helmet law by then, I'm moving back.

Here we are, it's late October and STILL NO VOTE! I was really hoping that this would be our first helmet choice summer. Hopefully it will be our last mandatory helmet summer. We in Michigan have been saying "maybe next year" for 35 years now. Hopefully next year won't be the 36th. Keep writing to the governor and your senators and maybe just maybe it will FINALLY happen.

Michigan could have repealed the helmet law a long time ago, but when we went to a "no-fault" insurance system, the rates have continued to go through the roof each year as good drivers and riders are penalized to cover lousy drunk and irresponsible drivers who should have had their licenses yanked permanently. So its really an issue that must be confronted on two fronts, but I don't think many of our kowtowing represenatives, conservative and liberal alike will work for us on this issue.

Last Wednesday the Boston Red Sox did something that they had not been able to do since 1918. They won the world series. Many believed that team to be cursed. They were always next years team. They would be right on the doorstep until their arch rivals, the New York Yankees, would ruin it. This year however while down 3 games to 0, and only 3 outs away from being swept by the Yankees, they battled back by winning games 4 and 5 in extra innings, and then having to win games 6 and 7 in Yankee Stadium. A task that was all but impossible. No team in the history of baseball had ever come back down 3 games to none to win a series but they fought hard, changed history, and made the impossible come true. Then they beat the St.Louis Cardinals 4 games to none to win their first world series in 86 years. They NEVER took their eyes off the prize. Michigan motorcyclists have faced a similar curse. With all of our neighboring states having helmet choice, and having it since the late 70's, we are the only ones in this part of the country who do not. Like the Red Sox we have fought hard year after year only to come up short. Our arch rivals, the insurance industry, have ruined it for us year after year. The insurance industry, like the Yankees, are the ones with all the money. That makes the fight all the more difficult. However we are closer than ever to winning this battle once and for all. Keep writing the Governor and your Senators. Maybe 2004 could be the year we kill our curse as did the Boston Red Sox. Never take your eyes off the prize. If we don't do it this year, we will only be stronger next time around. It's not a matter of IF but WHEN. The Red Sox proved no curse lasts forever and the good guys do eventually win.

Today is election day. I don't need to tell to get out and vote. Vote for freedom, vote for change, vote because it is your duty as an American, vote because you can! If we bikers get out and vote and become politicly active we will be heard. Those in Lansing will have to keep us in mind when they vote on such issues as this. Their jobs will depend on it.

Way I figure it, it will help so many people who are in desperate need of a donated organ!

That is a very ignorant point of view. Obviously you do not know the facts about motorcycle safety and you have an opinionated emotional view on the subject. Unfortunetly this is a popular opinion of those who do not ride a motorcycle. Most states do not have mandatory helmet laws and motorcycle injuries and fatalities are not any worse in those states than they are here.

Yesterday the house passed their version of this bill @ 2-1. Two thirds of State Reps (as well as two thirds of States) can't be wrong. I hope you Senators do the same.

By the sounds of your statement you obviously dont know that a BRAIN transplant is nt possible yet. "ROADTRIP"

Insurance companies like to tell the portion of the truth that best suits their agenda. For example they claim if a state repeals it's helmet law fatalities will increase by 50%. Sounds terrible doesn't it? The reality goes something like this. If a state had 80 motorcycle fatalities one year repealed it's helmet law and then had 120 the next year that would be a 50% increase. The truth is that's only a total of 40. 40 is 40 too many certainly, but when you look at the big picture it is a very small number. Here's the half of the truth they like to leave out. When a state repeals it's helmet law new bike sales increase by 20%. In Michigan that would mean 40,000 more new bikes sold. (How great would that be for our states economy?!) With an increase of that magnitude of course the total of fatalities is going to go up. However the number of fatalities PER BIKE will not go up. In most helmet choice states the fatality per bike rate is slightly lower than in mandatory helmet states. Not a lot just slightly lower. Insurance companies are like lawyers when it comes to how they word things. Be careful not to get caught up in their half-truths.

Both riders and non-riders should support the passage of this legislation. Riders obviously would benefit by having a choice. Some riders would still choose to wear there helmet and that's fine because this bill is not anti-helmet it is pro-choice. Non-riders would benefit from the states economic boost it would receive from increased tourism and motorcycle sales. An economic increase without having to raise taxes or cut services benefits everyone. This is a win-win situation. There is no logical reason for Michigan not to do this.

This is absolutely ridiculous. The Michigan State Police (MSP) should not have any authority to make personal safety decisions for individuals. Inserting the department into this debate is another example of “mission creep” - the MSP originally had the sole mission of ensuring the governor’s safety. See how that has grown! Under our system, the legislature has the duty of reflecting the will of the citizens, not the bureaucrats and state departments. State Representative John Garfield

Thank you for voting in favor of this legislation. It is good Republicans like you who favor individual freedom of choice that make this country great. However it is those who put big business (like the insurance industry) ahead of individual freedom that bring this country down. Senator Ken Sikkema is such a Republican of which I speak. This tool is nothing more than an insurance company puppet that cares nothing about this states citizens individual freedoms. This bill has enough support to pass the senate however he his sitting on the bill and will not allow a vote. I fear that this bill will die on January 1st. Please talk to your boy and try to get him to at least allow a vote even if he himself votes against it. If he at least doe's that and it passes then it's all on Granholm. Grand Rapids you're responsible for him so it is up to you to get him the heck out of Lansing in 2006!!!

How can one person hold up a vote that the majority of the people clearly want? This is America isn't it?

Years ago a buddy of mine and I made a $100 bet on what would happen first, the Lions winning the superbowl or helmet choice in Michigan. I bet on the Lions winning the superbowl. At the time I didn't think either one of us would live long enough to know the outcome of this bet, and I'm still not sure we will. However I hope this is a bet I lose. If I'm going to lose this bet I want to lose it now. Not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now, NOW. Let's face it the Lions aren't winning a superbowl any time soon.

This bill has to be passed before the end of this year. Hurry up and pass it already.

I would like to see a rider attached to the bill that would relieve hospitals and nursing homes of the responsibility of keeping helmetless riders alive after their insurance runs out. Same for those who will not use seat belts etc. Also, why should the public be responsible for raising the families of those people? We need relief from costs associated with those who do not care about their families or themselves. I'm all for eliminating the helmets if the riders will accept the responsibilities. It will also help thin the herd.

EVERY TIME I AM AT THE CAPITOL I SEE ALL THE YOUNG SCHOOL CHILDREN TOURING THE BUILDING. GOING INTO THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS (AND THE WASTE OF TIME TO INTRODUCE EACH AND EVERY CLASS THAT IS THERE) AND I HEAR THEIR TEACHERS TELL THEM ABOUT THE DEMOCRACY IN THIS COUNTRY. HOW THIS IS WHERE LAWS ARE MADE FOR MICHIGAN RESIDENTS. I SO WANT TO TAKE ALL THOSE KID ASIDE AND TELL THEM WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP THAT IS. ONE PERSON CAN STALL AND ESSENTIALLY KILL A BILL IF HE CHOOSES AND IS IN THE RIGHT POSTITION AT THE TIME TO DO SO. SB321 HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE SENATE WITH ONE PERSON HOLDING IT UP AND PREVENTING IT FROM BEING VOTED UPON. NOW THAT HB 4325 HAS PASSED THE HOUSE THIS SAME PERSON HAS MADE SURE IT GETS STUCK IN A COMMITTEE HE IS IN CHARGE OF ESSENTIALLY KILLING IT AND SAYING THAT IS IS TOO "SEXY" OF AN ISSUE TO DEAL WITH THIS LATE IN THE SESSION. HELLOOOO IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS IN THE SENATE. IT IS NOTHING NEW, JUST NOW IT HAS PASSED THROUGH ONE HOUSE. WHY IS IT THAT WE ARE TAUGHT THAT THIS IS A DEMOCRACY AND THAT OUR LEGISLATORS ARE WORKING FOR US AND LEGISLATION CAN BE HELD UP BY ONE PERSON??? MEMBERS OF ABATE HAVE WORKED MANY HOURS EDUCATING OUR LEGISLATORS TO THE FACTS AND WE DESERVE A VOTE ON OUR BILLS THIS YEAR! COME ON GUYS, GET ONE OR BOTH OF THESE BILLS ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND SHOW US WHAT A DEMOCRACY IS ALL ABOUT. KATHY-REGION 14

IN REPLY TO YOUR COMMENT. MOTORCYCLISTS ARE LESS OF A PUBLIC BURDEN THAN AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS. WE ON AVERAGE CARRY MORE INSURANCE THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND REPRESENT LESS THAN 1% OF THE COSTS DUE TO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS. OVER 75% OF ALL MOTORCYCLE/AUTO ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY THE CAR DRIVER WHO WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE TO BE TWICE AS ALERT AS CAR DRIVERS BECAUSE WE NOT ONLY HAVE TO PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT WE ARE DOING AND THE CONDITION/DEBRIS IN THE ROAD, WE ALSO HAVE TO TRY TO ANTICIPATE WHAT YOU CAR DRIVERS ARE GOING TO DO (SUCH AS PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF US, TURNING IN FRONT OF US, PULLING INTO THE SAME LANE WITH US AND TAILGATING US TO NAME A FEW, AND YES I HAVE HAD ALL HAPPEN TO ME PERSONALLY) AND TRY TO AVOID THE PENDING COLLISION. MAYBE YOU CAR DRIVERS SHOULD BEAR THE BRUNT OF OUR INSURANCE AS YOU CAUSE OVER 75% OF THE ACCIDENTS??? WOULD ONLY BE FAIR THAT YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS! MY HUSBAND WAS RECENTLY RUN DOWN BY A MOTORIST IN ANOTHER STATE, THAT DRIVER TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS BY ONLY CARRYING $10,000 OF MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR DAMAGE HE CAUSED. THIS DIDN'T COVER THE FIRST HOUR IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, LET ALONE THE SURGERY (AND BY THE WAY A HELMET WOULD HAVE DONE WONDERS FOR THE INJURIES TO HIS LEG!) AND GEE, MY INSURANCE GETS TO PICK UP THE TAB. WHERE'S THE RESPONSIBILITY THERE??????

That senators name is Ken Sikkema. Fortunatly this is his last term. He cannot run for re-election in 2006. We just need to be sure that his replacement isn't an insurance company bitch like him.

Do not pass this law without first calculating the increase this will have on the catastrophic claims law. It is noted that motorcycles result in over 3 time the claims per vehicle under the CCA. This is with the helmet law! We need to tie the claims under this act to the insurance premiums for motorcycles and make them separate from autos etc.That too is freedom.

Hey Blue Lady, Your Caps lock key stuck? Read this:. AAA Michigan states that legislation passed by the state House would increase the number of motorcycle deaths and injuries. House Bill 4823 would remove the mandatory helmet requirement for all riders and passengers 21 years of age or older, but does not require riders to carry Personal Injury Protection insurance coverage. June 2, 2002 Dearborn, MI - Legislation just passed by the state House and sent to the Senate for approval would increase the number of motorcycle deaths and injuries in Michigan, said AAA Michigan. House Bill 4823, sponsored by Rep. Gene DeRossett (R-Manchester), would remove the mandatory helmet requirement for all riders and passengers 21 years of age or older, but does not require motorcycle riders to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. "It is well known that motorcycle helmets decrease the severity of injury, the likelihood of death and the overall cost of medical care," said Richard J. Miller, manager of Community Safety Services for AAA Michigan. "Motorcycle riders are much more at risk than persons driving or riding in a passenger vehicle. In fact, more than 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death to the motorcyclist." The high rate of catastrophic injury is reflected in data from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA). According to the MCCA, although fewer than 2 percent of all registered motor vehicles in Michigan are motorcycles, 6.2 percent of all reported claims are from motorcyclists. Since motorcyclists are exempt from Personal Injury Protection coverage and often ride uninsured, said Miller, all Michigan drivers pay higher MCCA assessments and higher insurance premiums to cover these losses. Miller also cited Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, which shows that younger riders (25-34 years old) incur both the greatest number of motorcycle fatalities in Michigan and the highest level of non-compliance with the state's mandatory helmet law. In 2000, said Miller, 29 young riders were killed in Michigan - more than any other age group - and at least one-quarter of those killed were not wearing helmets. This is despite the fact that Michigan's mandatory helmet law is long established and strictly enforced. Nationwide, motorcycle fatality rates have been rising. The total number of fatalities is up 44 percent between 1997 (2,116 deaths) and 2001 (3,067 deaths). In addition, the fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles is up -- from 55.3 in 1997 to 65.9 in 2000. 2000 MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE FACTS: - In 2000, there were 3,180 motorcycle-involved crashes (compared with 2,820 in 1999) in which 78 riders were killed and 2,541 injured. - Average paid motorcycle claim is $377,830, up from $345,602 in 1997. - In Michigan, the helmet law has saved an estimated 800 lives over the past 13 years.

So his majesty, MI State Senate Republican Majority Leader SINGLEHANDEDLY prevented a vote on SB 321 huh? Way to go Mr. Sikkema! Democracy in action has been proven (again!) to be a farce in the state of Michigan. I and several thousand ABATE members have worked from the ground up for years, educating our legislators about the helmet RULE instituted by the MSP. I ride whenever and wherever I can OUTSIDE of Michigan without my helmet. I will spend winter (and my dollars!) in helmet free Florida. Mr. Sikkema, you have denied a legitimate vote to be taken because you know we have a majority of senators supporting our bill. Michigan remains in the dark ages.