The Stryker Story

Michigan is in the midst of a civil war over social values and we must fight back with every possible vote on November 7. A Michigan billionaire activist, Jon Stryker, has launched an assault on the social values we cherish and is poised to put legislators in office who will rubberstamp his extreme liberal agenda.

In mid-August, a new independent committee calling itself "Coalition for Progress" formed in Kalamazoo. The committee's primary funding source is one or more members of the Stryker family, which launched a similar campaign two years ago. The Coalition's main benefactor appears to be Jon Stryker, one of the 400 richest men in America . His family fortune is poised to forever change the political landscape in Michigan. (note: The Strykers successfully ended conservative control of the Colorado Legislature for the first time in 42 years.)

Conservative values that many have fought so dearly for could become a thing of the past.

The liberal Detroit Free Press ran a lead story on Wednesday shining light on the Coalition and it's activities. Here's a snippet: "Who's the tycoon behind the campaign? He's Jon Stryker, 48, of Kalamazoo, heir to his grandfather's medical supply fortune and a philanthropist for gay and transgender rights." You can click this link to view the entire article.

Don't be deceived. The Stryker fortune has been supporting an agenda very different than what is talked about in their negative campaign commercials. Consider what the Stryker family fortune has been used to support:

• Challenges to "abstinence until marriage" sex education
• Gay adoption rights
• Challenges to state laws preserving traditional marriage
• Creation of homosexual diversity courses in our public schools
• Establishment of domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian couples
• Abortion rights

The Coalition for Progress has purchased more than $3 million in TV advertising in competitive legislative districts. The Coalition for Progress money means more than 55,000 commercials in addition to thousands of "robo calls" and thousands of pieces of literature above and beyond what the liberal legislators & leaders, the trial lawyers and the unions already had planned.

The assault in Michigan is well underway and it's targeting conservative candidates who support strong traditional values. Inaccurate commercials are already pounding away against conservatives and misrepresenting legislative votes on issues like Canadian trash, drug company liability and the minimum wage. But this is all just a smokescreen for Stryker's hidden agenda.

We must take this threat seriously! If we stand idly by, we may let all we have worked so hard to achieve slip away forever. Here are some key actions YOU can take in this social values civil war:

• Share this e-mail with friends and family who share our conservative values and want to see Michigan remain a strong and safe place to raise a family.
• Get out and vote on Tues, November 7!
• Encourage others to get out and vote on November 7!

Visit the Protect Our Michigan website for more information or contact our office with further questions.

Thank you,

CTV Team