They Get It,
She Doesn't

10/4/07

Many in town expressed disbelief at the state's feeble attempt to fix the budget mess by raising taxes with no promise of cutting expenses dramatically.  The Detroit News calls the new tax plan "one of the most unfair and foolishly crafted pieces of legislation ever to come out of Lansing."

Fortunately our local lawmakers saw through the governor's veiled threats and her catering to special interests. Both Senator Nancy Cassis and Representative Craig DeRoche voted "no" to the new tax nonsense and held firm in their beliefs. Kudos to both - that's exactly why we elected them, and why we have elected them many times in past too.

Michigan's population and businesses have been declining while state government keeps growing. Add more taxes and expect more people and business to come to the state? Wrong.

Increasing taxes is yet another short-term fix to a long-term problem.  What is really required is for most government agencies in Michigan to cut back. But instead we are cutting back in the wrong areas.

Dollars for education, law enforcement and roads have been not only declining, but in many cases are being misallocated. That's why you are far more likely to see a state trooper in the U.P. than in Detroit. You'd think we'd put the police where the crime is, especially since we have have two of the nation's most dangerous cities (Detroit and Flint).

Our local roads are another example. Businesses continue to locate into our area, but Grand River and Haggerty roads are a disgrace. Meanwhile, the state merrily repaves roads to nowhere in northern Michigan where there is little or no chance of economic growth in the next century.

The real issue? Our Canadian born, Berkeley educated governor just does not understand Michigan and probably never will. That's why she's selling the state out to foreign countries every chance she gets, all the while ensuring Michigan remains at the bottom of nearly every list nation-wide.

We the People are pleased that our local law makers understand the Great Lakes State, and understand how things should be done. We're pleased we have the representatives in Lansing who have the common sense.

Perhaps we can get the governor to allocate some of her new tax dollars for Economics 101, and then she could take the class!

p.s. - 2007: the year of the never ending summer.