Local Business Owner Takes on the Bully Governor

[XLFD]

Jordan Warnsholz is a physician assistant and owner of both Primary Health Services in Ludington and the Wellston Medical Center in Wellston. He is a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the governor’s use of emergency powers and is represented by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Warnsholz was featured in the Ludington media back in early May, when they forgave $200,000 in medical service debt of their patients.  Just a few days after that announcement, Warnsholz made the news once again, not locally, by announcing he was part of a lawsuit challenging the governor's policies which he believed was operating against public health and safety by that point, roughly two months into the lockdown.  He explained it to a national audience yesterday in an op-ed wrote in the USA Today:

My patients suffered because of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's illegal lockdown

In Michigan, the ban on supposedly non-essential medical care shows a shocking ignorance of how medicine works. I'm suing because this can't stand.

No one is above the law. Not even a governor. Not even during a pandemic.

But Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer apparently disagrees. Her disregard for the voice of the people, expressed through our elected representatives, has caused profound pain for my medical practice, and, more importantly, the patients I serve. Watching them suffer has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. 

Whitmer’s power grab started a few months into the pandemic. After initially declaring a state of emergency in March and issuing a series of orders to shut down the state’s economy, the governor illegally chose to extend these emergency orders unilaterally. In doing so, she broke the law and the Michigan Constitution, which gives that power to the legislature.  

Dangers looms when one person tries to regulate the lives of millions. Whitmer’s orders are a case in point. One banned any “non-essential” medical procedures and elective surgeries. This broad elimination of medical care shows a shocking ignorance of how medicine works. 

As a physician assistant, I routinely provide medical care that will prevent worsening health problems down the line. What looks like something non-essential in the eyes of a politician or government bureaucrat can actually be very essential to a patient’s overall current health and future health. 

Similarly, elective surgeries aren’t unimportant or unnecessary. They’re simply procedures that can be scheduled in advance. They can and regularly do save lives, both in the short- and long-term. There’s no doubt that banning these procedures harmed the health and safety of my patients. 

My patients are desperate

Take the story of an elderly woman who I see quite often. Before the pandemic hit, she needed a routine procedure that would have restored blood flow to her leg and allowed her to walk. Whitmer’s order outlawed that procedure.

The woman’s condition worsened until she lost all blood flow to her leg, turning it purple and leaving her in excruciating pain. She called me in a panic, and I was able to get her into emergency surgery. She was hours away from losing her leg altogether.

Another one of my patients had emergency surgery for kidney stones, but could not receive critical follow-up care because of the governor’s orders. Sure enough, he wound up right back in the hospital with an infection, sepsis and kidney failure, which landed him in critical care for weeks.

One of my patients came to see me when he felt like he had nowhere else to turn. The governor's orders prevented him from getting regular treatment for his diabetes. By the time he came to me, he was in a full-on medical emergency. He told me about an odor coming from his foot — it turned out to be gangrene. His kidneys were in full-blown failure. 

We rushed him to the nearest hospital, but it was too late. His foot had to be amputated. And then, just days later, he died from complications.

None of this trauma had to happen. But happen it did, because of shortsighted executive orders issued unilaterally by Gov. Whitmer. 

Michigan can do what's right

The Michigan Supreme Court has a chance to restore our representative government. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the court will hear my story, the story of another medical professional, and the story of a patient who couldn’t get the knee replacement he needed. 

We are suing the governor because her actions violate the state’s constitution requirement that executive, legislative and judicial powers remain distinct and separate. Not only that, but under Michigan law, emergency powers may only persist for 28 days, unless the legislature agrees to extend them further. Whitmer ignored the law and extended her order anyway. 

It’s too late to undo most of the harm that these orders have caused. But it’s not too late for the Michigan Supreme Court to do what’s right. The court should rule that her actions violated state statue and the Michigan Constitution. And the court can prevent her, and future governors, from illegally seizing lawmaking power. 

No one should ever have to suffer like my patients have suffered from Gov. Whitmer’s illegal power grab (END op-ed).

What the op-ed post doesn't reveal is the counter-attack that Governor Whitmer has mounted against this Ludington business owner.  Other local media have also ignored it, but Lifesite news has reported it and added his own personal peril that he related on social media in late August, listing the retributive strike made by the Michigan government under direction of Governor Whitmer:

Jordan Warnsholz:  We filed our lawsuit against gov Whitmer on May 5th:

1) On May 10th (Sunday, Mother's Day), a DNR officer knocked on my door and told me he was there to serve me my arrest warrant for an infraction that occurred 30 MONTHS PRIOR on 11/22/2017. The "infraction" was actually a WARNING that a DNR officer gave me 2-1/2 years prior for not physically putting my deer tag on my deer that I shot (my deer tag was in my pocket, which I showed the DNR officer). The officer told me to just remember to physically put my deer tag on my deer before I butcher them. Apparently, someone working for the state of MI decided to resurrect the old DNR warning and not just give me the standard $1000 fine, but decided to UP-CHARGE me with "poaching" and ordered that I be thrown in jail for 10 days, a $5,000 fine, multiple misdemeanors, confiscate all of my guns, and revoke my hunting privileges for 6 years!!!
It is absolutely clear that the absurd charges against me, the 30-month delay, and the timing of our lawsuit against gov Whitmer are all extremely unusual and compelling evidence of harassment.

2) The State of Michigan smeared my professional reputation by sticking a label of "substandard care" on my PUBLIC medical license record!! The documents provided to support this horrible designation, and reason for such drastic measures was "failure to update my mailing address". This unfounded smear against my medical license has hurt me personally and professionally. Patients of mine have transferred OUT of my office because my public medical license now shows I've been "convicted" of delivering "substandard care". The state even BACK-DATED this event to "1/22/19", which is also completely made up.

3) The state of Michigan on 5/19/20 opened a formal investigation against me after they say that they received an "anonymous" tip that I am practicing medicine under the influence of marijuana and alcohol!! ABSOLUTELY INSANE!! First of all, I do not drink alcohol, and I absolutely do not smoke marijuana! The state of Michigan then demanded that both me and my WIFE hand over our entire personal medical records to the State of MIchigan!! This is a COMPLETE violation of our rights and our privacy! When I refused to do so, the State of MIchigan informed me that I will be charged with even more criminal acts for "obstructing an investigation". So the State of Michigan is not only trying to intimidate and threaten ME, but now they are also trying to threaten and intimidate my WIFE!! This is absolutely a criminal abuse of power. Also, it was extremely embarrassing to me that the State of Michigan held formal interviews with my employees to question them about if I have ever shown up to work high on marijuana or drunk on alcohol. It was a terrible personal smear against me. ALL of my employees stated emphatically that I have never been intoxicated at work, and informed the state that I also do not even drink alcohol or use marijuana products.

4) The state of Michigan performed a "random" inspection of our office on July 20th. I spoke with the inspector who came to our office, and he acknowledged that the state really has not been performing inspections the past 4 months due to the pandemic, which makes the timing of this inspection very suspect to me.

5) On August 26th we were notified that my businesses are being audited by the state of Michigan.

6) On August 27th the State of Michigan ordered CPS to perform an EMERGENCY “Welfare Check” and interrogations of all 3 of my children because they claim they received an “anonymous tip” that I have “dangerous weapons” in my home.

As you can see, gov Whitmer has been going out of her way to harass me personally and professionally ever since filing the lawsuit against her in May. She is using her power to harass, smear, and discredit me and my family. She is using her power to inflict emotional and financial trauma on me, my wife, and now my kids. This is wrong. It has been terribly stressful, it has cost me many thousands of dollars in legal fees to counter the attacks against me. I have missed days at work and both me and my wife, and now my kids, are extremely distressed [END post]

This is not out of character for the governor during this year of her autocratic dictatorship, she relentlessly pursued 77-year-old barber Karl Manke using multiple tools at her disposal for Manke trying to keep food on his table and do what he loved safely for people that needed his services.  Perhaps if Warnsholz or Manke ran abortion clinics and gay swinger's clubs respectively, they would avoid the wrath of Whitmer, since she has approved of these operating throughout the pandemic.

[AnxiousGuy]

Again.  I have never filed any claims against you or your clinic on Healthgrades or with the state.  I am a responsible adult sharing another side to the story people should look into.  I am not James and do nothing to hide my identity.  I have no reason to do that,   

[AnxiousGuy]

you obviously make unfounded claims like your tracing of my identity and accusing me of doing "dishorable things" that are not accurate. How else am I supposed to feel about you now.  Solidifying my thoughts on your mental state.  

[AnxiousGuy]

You also admitted in a public setting that you are attempting to hack my browsing history.  Add that to your list of problems.  I will be forwarding this chat to the governors lawyers.  

Have a nice day SIR!!!!!

[XLFD]

Jordan, 

How do you think court went earlier today for you?  

[Jordan Warnsholz]

Hey XLFD,
I think the oral arguments went really well yesterday. Our legal team made a strong case based on the laws as they are written. Whitmer’s legal team seemed to struggle to present a coherent assimilation between her emergency orders and written law. We feel confident that a ruling will be made in our favor. The frustrating part in all of this, however, is that any ruling could take up to 60 days to declare. But we will keep our fingers crossed that a response will come quicker than that!

[XLFD]

Because it was being broadcast on a medium I subscribe to, I was following the other big MSC case the legislature had with the governor, it looked as if the justices were asking some of the right questions to Whitmer's attorney, because they didn't seem to have the right answers.  I can imagine there was some overlap between the two cases, both involving the powers of the governor and whether the law allows her to retain power indefinitely. 

It's always hard to predict how a supreme court will rule, but I can't see them doing a split decision on these two cases, either the plaintiffs will prevail or the governor will.  I am cautiously betting on the plaintiffs, because they have the better arguments by law (in my opinion) and because I would hope that the justices want to restore order, chaotic though it sometimes is.  Hope you see a favorable ruling by the month's end.

[Jordan Warnsholz]

When was the Ludington Torch created? This looks like a great forum to see what’s really happening locally and within our state.

[XLFD]

We have been around since 2009 as an alternative source of local news to the Ludington area, with some forays into state and federal politics when it affects our area or our individuals.  In our twelve years, we have done our share of investigations, litigations, and truth expeditions, primarily with our city government.  Feel free to share updates on your case and any comment on other topics that may interest you.  Start a forum post if there's an idea you want to champion or a problem that needs fixing.

[Willy]

You are being modest X. You have single handidly saved Ludington from sinking in the muck of political corruption. The sad truth is that there are people like Whitmer in every city, town and village and left unchecked will act like tyrants. This is why I have so much respect for Jordon Warnsholz. He stepped forward and put his reputation on the line along with his financial assistance for his patience and the lawsuit. I thank you both. People like AnxiouosGuy are obstacles to freedom. Funny how AG's initials are the same as another State officials job title who also happens to be a tyrant.

[AnxiousGuy]

That's a pretty comical image. The article is about a guy looking exactly like that on Fox and Friends because he runs a bad business and is now starting to face consequences for his actions.  His past suspension and recent complaints warrant an inspection and his business practices warrant an audit.  If he has nothing to hide and the inspections come out clean and he can rub it in everyone's face.  I will be the first to admit I am wrong.  Have you ever been able to do that?  

I am definitely not an obstacle of freedom, I am just not into cults  

[Willy]

AG. Here's the problem. We have an out of control Governor acting like she is the queen of hearts and the people of Michigan are her subjects. We all know she is controlling the the people by using Covid19 for political purposes and that many people have died because of her executive orders. There are brave people who are trying to wrest control of our State from her clutches but being the radical leftist that she is, that will never happen  until either she is defeated in court or the Legislature straightens out the laws regarding her oppressive control.

Now comes you. Instead of you seeing Mr. Warnsholz as a person who is trying to help free the State from Whitmer's oppression and maybe you trying to support Mr. Warnsholz's efforts, the first thing you do is lunge for his throat and attempt to tarnish his reputation. I'm not buying it AG and I don't think many people will. So, let Whitmer and her minions know there are millions of people who are ready for her to move out of the Governor's mansion with her new 1.1 million dollar fence. I will gladly supply the moving van and equipment.

[AnxiousGuy]

I did not lunge at anyone's throat, I simply shared an honest experience and shared other possible scenarios to explain some of his misfortunes.  If you actually read my post I gave him the benefit of doubt about the most important charges (HIM AS A PERSON).  The point of my post was to get people to think more about everything and not jump to conclusions that fit their personal wants and beliefs.    That obviously hasn't happened.  I have started working a list of questions about his post that don't make sense but probably wont waste my time.  I mean he lied in his reply and everyone still believes him.  About like going down to the breakwater and talking to the seagulls about their pooping habits with this group.