Thank you for providing side by side profiles of the two candidates running for the 21st District State Senate seat.  One candidate, Kim LaSata, claims she is a conservative.  I guess the definition of conservative has changed quite a bit through the years.

LaSata thinks it’s conservative to vote to blow a huge hole in the budget without identifying any spending cuts.  Being fiscally irresponsible isn’t conservative.

LaSata thinks it’s conservative to steal $900 million from the School Aid Fund for our kids and local schools and spread it throughout the state budget for other purposes.  Sounds like a budget gimmick that only Congress could love.

LaSata thinks it’s conservative to oppose law enforcement and get rid of training for concealed carry.  This is particularly strange because she boasts the support of area sheriffs, but the bill she voted yes on was vehemently opposed by the Michigan’s Sheriff’s Association, whose chairman is Paul Bailey.  I guess courthouse politics are more important than the safety of Michigan citizens.  That’s not conservative.

And LaSata is supported by John Proos.  He is pushing a bill to pilfer $600 million from local communities and hand it to special interest groups. Another fiscal quandary. No thanks.

These positions are not conservative, they are the positions of Lansing special interest groups.  And they are certainly not conservative.  Don’t be fooled.  Dave Pagel is the fiscal conservative in the race, and he isn’t bought and paid for by Lansing insiders and the county political machine. Dave has intent beyond himself. He has served at the school board, and county level, and fulfilled his six-year state representative commitment. Pick Pagel on Aug. 7 for State Senate.

Jeff Curry

Niles