Democratic Edge

Democratic Edge is back in action! Wow… I can’t believe that I have managed to neglect this site for a year. So much has been happening that updating the blog has been the least of my worries. It all started with the attempted recall of Representative Robert Dean and than Speaker Andy Dillon. Once we successfully squashed those efforts… it was regular campaign season again.

Then the whirlwind pace of a Presidential election on top of everything else going on and the next thing you know… I practically forgot that the blog existed. Abbasse was going to keep up on it in my absence… but I think he got bored and gave up!

Look for daily posts to return!

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To prevent a repeat of the current mortgage mess, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday that the central bank would issue new rules next week aimed at protecting future homebuyers from dubious lending practices. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25582478

Call me curious, dubious, suspicious or any other “ious” but please, whatever you do, call me “concerned with the direction of American lending and investing practices”.

This mornings news is stuffed full of supposedly good prescriptions for America. The NY Times is running a story by Stephen Labaton, “Accounting Plan Would Allow Use of Foreign Rules”.
Another way of saying, lets dumb down more U.S. lending / investment laws so lenders/investors may legally scam billions more from American’s.

James D. Cox, of Duke University states in the article, “We would not for a moment tolerate having American auto safety standards set by China or India,” he said. “Why should we do it for financial safety standards? There has to be some accountability.”

Labaton went on to state, “..enforcement practices is fraught with problems and would dilute American securities laws, generally considered to be the most protective of investors in the world. ”www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/business/05sec.html?th&emc=th

So why would Treasury Secretary Bernake on one hand, claim to increase auditing practices on US Lenders and then SEC Chairman, Chris Cox want to reduce or lessen the audit procedures of American investors. I call this a playing both sides to the middle, you know, “good cop / bad cop” all with the intentions of making a good appearance to be doing something (Bernake). Then Cox is telling us it “OK” to lessen or reduce our American Investment Standards. All the while, under the table, they are both exchanging a handshake about how they “fooled the American Public again”. At American Taxpayer Expense.

Didn’t we learn the from the last incident with Bear Sterns. Many like to say that the Bear Sterns matter was not a failure on the part of Sterns. They make such silly statements as “Sterns…never ran short of capital. It just could not meet its obligations”. Well, if they had the capital, why could they NOT meet the obligations? Because, they were playing a “shell game” and they got themselves caught (Due to OUR Auditing Practices Policies). They were borrowing from one group and when the debt became due, they borrowed from another to pay the previous lender off, etc, etc, etc. Standard American Auditing Practices understand this method of concealing financial activity. Our Auditing Procedures are our defense against lending / investing practices that deceive and cost ONLY American Taxpayers.

These are very serious issues. Senator Levin spoke up with the usual comments about safeguards and “weaken the pressure for credible oversight”. However, if we do not have a Senate and House Legislature that stand up to these affronts to American accounting standards, then our country will be swept away in a manner similar to the great civilizations that collapsed before us.

I began writing a new post related to some economic issues last evening and thought I would wait until this morning to complete. I happened to check the news from overnight and this article popped up. It sums the economic issues of the day, week, month, and year better than what I had prepared. I thought why be redundant. Please take 3 minutes and judge for yourself. I could have added some numeric strength to this but, I even became depressed. It seems we have so many problems that our leadership does not know where to start.

I have a novel idea. How about we start with an economic stimulus that will create JOBS in Michigan, grow our businesses with REAL and TRUE Business tax programs that generate growth and expansion?

Why not hold REAL and TRUE hearings on health care that work toward solutions as opposed to being divisive and harmful to the States citizens?

Why not hold REAL and TRUE Environmental hearings that will generate JOBS, PROTECT Michigan’s ecological landscape and that will generate more Tourism and taxable revenue?

I could go on, but I think the Governor has been asking for these to take place as she is the only one I have heard about that is out SELLING Michigan. I applaud her efforts, but it appears that she has been fighting to just keep Michigan “job neutral”

“..an Associated Press / Ipsos poll says a barrel scrapping 17 percent of people surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction.”

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080622/Out.of.Control/

It does not matter how much we talk about it, which it seems that everyone is, but Michigan is in a “Recession” and the rest of the country is just catching up with us. A lot of talk but very little is coming out of the Michigan Legislature to HELP Michigan. Again, a great deal of talk but I have not seen anything on the table such as a new tax formula, structure or method to attract commerce other than what the Governor has been doing.

Take a read of the “MSNBC” article and you will discover, if you have not already, that we are in serious economic distress as a nation. We have been discussing this for quite sometime and I have listed some of the discussions for you to look over.

What worries me is that we have a candidate that has stated publicly that “economics” which means “fiscal management” is his weakest area of governmental knowledge. In fact, that statement scares the bee-jeebers out of me. The other thing that bothers me is that so many American’s are disgruntled that they make claims that they will vote for this candidate or that candidate based upon some matter that really will not matter at the end of the day. Why? Simply stated, “If American’s and more importantly, Michigander’s do not have jobs, health care and assets, nothing else will matter.

We must, as State, cease and desist with this “partisan” banter and legislators must stop with the “I want credit” for this or that and WORK to get good legislation passed. If we do not start legislating in Michigan’s best interest to GROW our state, we will collapse with the rest of the nation.

“The number of Americans out of work grew by 861,000 in May — to 8.5 million workers. The sent the jobless rate to 5.5 percent in May from 5 percent in April — the biggest one-month jump in 22 years.”

“It’s a technical argument,” said Zandi. “For the average American, this is a recession. They are worth less today, their purchasing power is lower — this is a recession. That’s why consumer confidence is as low as the early ’80s.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24993743/

Look at these postings on DemocraticEdge.com over the past year.

9 months, Then and NOW
The Keating 5?
Which Crisis?
Top of the Monday Budget to you, is it “good or bad”

“I have reviewed dozens of photos and video clips of Sen. McCain and cannot find one where he is wearing a flag pin. Why hasn’t the media asked Sen. McCain why he doesn’t wear a flag pin?”

At a breakfast meeting this morning a friend asked, “[w]hat is it with Obama? Why doesn’t he want to wear an American Flag on his lapel?
I asked, “where does it say you must wear a pin to demonstrate your patriotism?”
We are both Veterans, we both teach. I then asked, “Do you wear a pin ?”
“No, but if you want to demonstrate…”
Demonstrate what? Because someone wears a “pin” that makes them more patriotic, more electable?…more…?
Is it too late? Is this what America feels is so important?

I feel deeply that Michigan needs an improved Economy, more jobs, more commercial enterprise, better health care, a super education rather than an OK education, help for our senior citizens to assure we do not force them into “senior poverty” after doing so much to improve our lot in life, I feel they all deserve better, Don’t you?

To my surprise, I happened across this topic while doing some research with my daughter on Sea turtles in the Palm Beach Post. Please read on…

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/opinion/epaper/2008/05/14/wednesdaywebletters_0514.html

A tremendous amount of discussion in Washington and Lansing is underway regarding a “Gas Tax Vacation” for summer travelers. Great idea at first thought. Republicans from far and wide are jumping all over this thought. Interesting that Republicans have consistently stated that, “we MUST CUT TAXES” no matter the consequence. Fiscal Responsibility requires prudence of thought, understanding of simple economics such as, “no infrastructure equals loss of commerce and zero attraction of new commerce, loss of tourism dollars.

“FISCAL Impediment” on second thought is another way to view this.
Why you might ask? No matter the amount of the tax, a gas tax vacation will save everyone a few vacation dollars no dispute. What many forget is that these are the funds to “maintain” our roads and, hopefully improve them. Has anyone looked at our roads lately? They are not in very good condition and are not attractive to tourist traveling through our state and they are not attractive to new or potential commercial enterprises that might locate in Michigan. This is pretty straight forward I think.

Another viewpoint is needed however. Let us use a little conjecture. Assume that Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana do not offer a “Gas Tax Vacation”. Where do you think they will be visiting? On one hand, good for tourism, and tourism business. On the other hand, bad for roads, loss of taxable revenue which was one of Gov. Engler’s big deals when he touted the INCREASE in Sales Tax to 6% from 4% for a way to get Proposal A through. You remember that TAX INCREASE don’t you? The one that would fund Michigan Education, promise Michigan Students a great future and education, keep our well-trained students in our state and from leaving for better PAY somewhere else.

It has been discussed that we could absorb the loss in gas tax revenue from the surplus, remember the one that they found after last years Budget Battle? Yes, that is the one. Why would we not apply that to our education programs, jobs programs, or health care programs? I have a novel idea, let us apply the surplus dollars to “Revenue Sharing” or “more” Police and Fire positions to protect our neighborhoods, schools and homes! We have lost far too many of those positions.

The Republican Dominated Legislature from 1994 to 2006 had slashed our state budgets so severely that we are no longer able to consider entertaining such an idea as a gas tax vacation.

• Under Republican leadership, Michigan has been in a severe state of decline for many years. Not just the recent past few.
• Our Auto Industry has been in severe decline because of dramatically unfair global trade laws that discriminate against our own nation and these were approved by our own congress and the administration
• Under both Bush administrations, the State of Michigan demonstrates the highest of unemployment levels
• Michigan Mental Health Programs are screaming for help
• Prisoner costs for one year average $18m to $36m+ per inmate, in a large instance, even exceed the average Michigan family income
• Prisoner costs exceed the level of per pupil costs in our schools
• health care is not an option for many
• Michigan Home Foreclosures were already a serious and out of control issue in 2006

The Gas Tax Vacation could have been a good idea, but it is not economically sound at this time. It is time for Michigan Citizens to demand a return to “Fiscal Responsibility".
It is not fair to take money from those protecting us such as; police and fire services and then give financial benefit to others from another state and in-so doing, provide further infrastructure damage to our already fragile road system.

Michigan Supreme Court’s 5 to 2 ruling on the marriage amendment upheld.

“The state Constitution’s “Marriage Amendment,” approved by Michigan voters in November 2004, states that “the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.”

I certainly do not understand where this statement explicitly states, Commercial Enterprise or Employer’s shall not provide health care for employee’s significant others should they so choose. Chief Justice Clifford Taylor is simply legislating from the “Bench”. The Chief Justice has fallen from the tree in this matter of jurist prudence.

This in first appearance is a classic case of “Judicial Activism” which is exactly what President Bush claims has occurred during his Presidency.

On Second Appearance, this looks like strict “party line” voting of the Michigan Supreme court, which further demonstrates and supports “judicial activism” through party loyalty. Also, this could be construed as a reimbursement.

On Third Appearance, this looks like flat out discrimination against a particular segment of our Michigan Society. I have strongly opposed many things, and this decision is one of them, but our constitution is very clear.

The Constitution of the United States of America

Article IV, Section 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.

Having combed through the constitution, the commerce clauses and the Michigan Constitution, I find no validity to the Justices explanation where the recognition of marriage and the willingness of employers or Insurance Companies that wish to provide benefits to significant others is found in this Constitutional Amendment.

As Justice Scalia stated,

“.. And so do laws change. Because values change, legislatures abolish the death penalty, permit same-sex marriage if they want, abolish laws against homosexual conduct. That’s how the change in a society occurs. Society doesn’t change through a Constitution,” Scalia argues.” http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/24/60minutes/main4040290_page2.shtml

In descent, Justices Kelly and Cavanaugh wrote, “it is a perversion” to read into the constitutional amendment an extension into health care benefits.

Our nation and state are in serious peril…

Retirement savings are quickly disappearing or have earned meager returns. Wages have been eroding and if lucky, stagnant in some sectors. Health care costs are projected to rise at least by 9.9% in 2008. 2007 increases averaged 11.7%. Petroleum prices have nearly doubled in the past year. America’s National Debt is a staggering $9.37 Trillion Dollars. It is very interesting that our national Inflation Rate for 2007 was reported at 2.85%. Does anyone see an odd picture here? The picture that I see is the rape and pillage of the disappearing American Dream.
In general, America’s small businesses have sustained zero economic growth; Corporate America on the other hand has consolidated, forging new alliances, new profit forms by using such chicanery as “off statement reporting” (which means they leave debt off the financial statement) creating multiple “dummy” corps without assets to avoid legal suits while knowingly depriving customers or purchasers of products with sub-standard product or services. Created Off-Shore accounting systems to Evade /Avoid paying American taxes while benefiting from US Government contracts or simply doing business in America.
What I observe is reward after reward taking place for Corporate America’s wealthy, inclusive of massive tax relief for the highest earning groups, while working families are made to feel legitimized by Reaganesque trickledown economics and governmental taxing charades.
The pie chart is the same, however, America’s slices are getting real small and Corporate America’s are becoming mammoth. America’s CEO real wage is approximately 350 times that of the average American worker.
Corporate oil profits have well, read for yourself:
“..an oil field that was profitable with oil selling for $20 a barrel is much more profitable with oil trading around $60.
That’s left the industry with a happy problem – what to do with enough cash to fill a supertanker. Many publicly traded oil companies have been busy buying back their own stock, which helps drive up the price of the rest of the shares left on the open market. Since January 2002, stocks of major oil companies have gained 88 percent; during that period, the Standard and Poor’s 500 index has gained less than half as much.
Oil producers have also given investors a raise by gradually increasing the dividends paid out to shareholders. And they’ve paid down their debts to record low levels. ExxonMobil, for example, is virtually debt-free -– with a cash pile of more than $25 billion.” /www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8646744/
Certain Economists have avowed America is in an “official economic recovery": This Economist has vigorously argued the opposite. American poverty has increased each year since 2000, our national debt has increased on average of $450 billion per year since 2000 . (27 Sep 00 - President Clinton Announces Another Record Budget Surplus (CNN), 3 Nov 04 - Administration pressures Congress to raise Debt Ceiling (Boston Globe)
Approximately 49 million American’s are without health care coverage. Think of this, ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, DL, have a combined population of approximately 15 million. Do you think New England would have health care on the ballot in every election until this problem was resolved and resolved efficiently? I think it would take one election, two at most or elected officials would be gone. With 49 million scattered around the 50 states, elected officials can blame each other and the American population will say it is other legislative leaders fault but not their own. The citizens must look at voting records and determine if elected officials are legislating to protect their constituents or legislating to protect their lobbyist interests.
As corporations consolidate, so do jobs. Fewer jobs equal a poorer American nation, a poorer nation means a debtor nation, a debtor nation leads to collapse and ruin. America will not collapse because of sex, drugs, risqué behavior, gay lifestyles or any of that Conservative dribble. America will collapse because of corporate greed, an administration that refuses to uphold fair trade policies, an administration that refuses to uphold our constitution and administration that is fraught with self greed.

Massachusetts 6,449,755, Connecticut 3,502,309, Maine 1,317,207, New Hampshire 1,315,828, Rhode Island 1,057,832, Delaware 864,764, Vermont 621,254, = 15,129,459

www.treasurydirect.gov/

The recall efforts against Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) have officially fizzled. The Dean campaign was notified early this afternoon that the Kent County Families for Fiscal Responsibility / Taxpayers to Recall Robert Dean have given up on their failed recall efforts.

As I predicted publicly at last months Kent County Democratic Party meeting, the recall would end shortly after April 14th. April 14th falls 90 days after the Jan. 15th Primary Election day… the day in which the Recall effort paid big money to recruit and hire petition gatherers.

While Jeff Steinport of the KCFFR would not release the numbers on how many signatures they collected during their 90 day window… the Dean campaign has it on good authority that the Recall effort collected nearly 1000 signatures - a far cry from the 8700+ needed. In fact, 700 of those signatures were acquired on Jan. 15th. Since the 90 day window has extended beyond Jan. 15th, the KCFFR was left with less than 200 usable signatures.

As for Steinport’s comments to the GR Press,

“Unfortunately, we’ve had to suspend the campaign,” Steinport said. “It was too difficult in the winter. We didn’t have enough time to collect the signatures we needed.”

Get real… it was cold for us too. We didn’t whine and complain that we couldn’t get our job done. Nope… we were out there in the same cold as Steinports folks. And guess what, Dean’s supporters weren’t getting paid to be there like the signature gatherers. They were out fighting for what they believe in.

As for Steinport’s claim that they didn’t have enough time. Maybe the Taxpayers to Recall Robert Dean organization was not very organized.
Get real… it was cold for us too. We didn’t whine and complain that we couldn’t get our job done. Nope… we were out there in the same cold as Steinport’s folks. And guess what, Dean’s supporters weren’t getting paid to be there like the signature gatherers. They were out fighting for what they believe in.

As for Steinport’s claim that they didn’t have enough time. Maybe the Taxpayers to Recall Robert Dean organization was not very organized.

This failed Recall effort has done little more than solidify the strength of Representative Robert Dean.

Welcome back from another exciting Spring Break. We hope everyone was safe and returned in good health.
You may recall that on April 1st the 5 major oil executives went before congress to explain, for lack of a better term, why oil prices are so high and to further explain the gross profiteering of over $120 billion this past year alone. In addition, they were quizzed on the lack of renewable energy investment to which they stated they had reinvested over “$3.5 billion.

Interesting that General Motors has been in financial difficulty for the past decade, however their commitment to hydrogen fuel-cell technology has brought them to the forefront of new energy self-sufficiency. They promised a hydrogen fuel-cell to be on the market by 2010 and it appears they will be successful.

It is also interesting that the oil companies have been spending a great deal of time advertising how much they are doing to bring renewable energy sources to market. I have observed over 15 of these commercials each evening during prime time over the past week alone.

“Our earnings, although high in absolute terms, need to be viewed in the context of the scale and cyclical, long-term nature of our industry as well as the huge investment requirements,” said J.S. Simon, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil Corp., which made a record $40 billion last year.”

I also noticed that gas prices spiked after the hearings and continued to rise through spring break. Is this to “be viewed in the context of the scale and cyclical, long-term nature of our industry” or simply “price gouging/profiteering” at the expense of the American Public?

The Masters begins today. The Masters is the first of four Major golf events of the year. Visit www.masters.org for live scoring. Gary Player is participating in his 51st Masters. You can also watch on ESPN and CBS TV stations. Consult your local listings for times.

10 Facts Michigan Citizens Need to Know About Michigan’s Fiscal Crisis was provided earlier this year. We hope you will review and recall the last ordeal.

The Michigan Fiscal Responsibility Coalition believes that
the more facts people have, the better they will understand the decisions
being made in Lansing by their elected representatives.

Follow up:

1. Michigan has cut its general fund budget by 40% over the last six years.
The state’s general fund budget - the only piece that the Governor and
Legislature have any real control over - today is 39 percent smaller,
adjusted for inflation, than it was in 2000, when John Engler was Governor.
It’s 41 percent smaller than in 1989; it’s 47 percent smaller than in 1978.
This despite a steady increase in Michigan’s population.

2. Michigan’s political leaders don’t control a $40 billion budget. In
reality, the discretionary part of the state’s budget is $8.27 billion -
after inflation, that’s lower than it was in 1973. The rest of the budget
includes spending on roads (gasoline taxes are automatically earmarked for
roads), on Medicaid (federal pass through money primarily) and the school
aid fund (set in the constitution). When people say the state’s overall
budget has increased, they are right - but that entire increase has been
driven by an increase in Medicaid spending financed by federal tax dollars
to care for the poor.

3. Michigan is not a high-tax state. Michigan’s state and local taxes -
business and individual combined - are below the national average.

4. Low-tax states tend to be poor states. Of the 10 poorest states,
measured by per capita income, all have lower taxes than Michigan, according
to U.S. Census data. Of the 10 most prosperous states, only two have lower
taxes than Michigan - and one of those, Colorado, recently approved revenue
enhancements.

5. College education = prosperity. States with the highest percentage of
their population with college degrees are the states with the highest per
capita income. That includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and
Maryland. States with the lowest percentage of their population with
degrees have the lowest income. Those include West Virginia, Arkansas,
Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Louisiana. Michigan is 34th in the
percentage of its population with a degree.

6. Cutting state spending means cutting local government services such as
police and fire protection. Michigan’s revenue sharing system means local
governments suffer when the state budget is cut - and they have limited
ability to raise taxes to make up those losses. In recent years, state
government has cut payments to local governments by more than $2 billion.
As a result, Michigan today has 1,600 fewer law enforcement officers and
2,398 fewer fire fighters than in 2001 - when terrorists reminded us of the
need for vigilance and preparedness.

7. Cutting state health care funding doesn’t really save the state of its
families’ money - it just drives up health insurance premiums, eliminates
good jobs, and worsens the health of Michigan’s residents. Today about $730
of the health insurance premium paid by a family of four covers expenses run
up at hospitals by uninsured persons. Every time the state cuts payments to
hospitals and doctors, that figure increases.

8. Michigan’s budget problems are largely due to tax cuts, not economic
problems. State government today takes a far smaller piece of each Michigan
family’s budget than in 2000. That year, state government expenditures were
right at the Headlee constitutional limitation, which says the state cannot
spend more than 9.49 percent of the state’s personal income. Today, after
adjusting for Proposal A, we are $5.2 billion below that limit, thanks to
tax cuts, and we are spending just [an amount equivalent to] 8.0 percent of
the state’s personal income on state government.

9. Michigan state government employment today is far smaller than it was
just six years ago. Today state government has 52,259 employees. In 2000,
under Gov. John Engler, we had 61,493 employees. We have fewer workers
today than in 1978.

10. Michigan citizens believe investment is the key to economic growth. A
recent poll conducted for the Michigan Fiscal Responsibility Project found
61% of respondents agreeing that after four years of cuts to police, fire,
roads, higher education and health care, we can’t afford to cut taxes more.

For more information, visit www.mitaxtruth.com

I normally do not cross post stories, however, in the defense of fellow educators, students and parents, I believe each and everyone of you should read for yourself the rantings of one of our State Senators, his beliefs and the impact he carries in chairing the Senate Education Committee.
I for one am throughly appalled.

This post has been removed. The post was an attempt at satire from another blog that failed miserably. We were unaware that this purported writing was satirical in nature.
We at DemEdge apologize to our readers for sharing this information.

by- Al Abbasse

I have argued for many years that our public school system has been under attack. I have written many articles addressing the shortage of funding and poorly written legislation that was to supposedly improve our Public Schools. The Republican dominated house forced legislation upon Michigan citizens and allowing our public treasury to fund in essences private schools of choice, (just my opinion) to the tune of over $500,000.00 per year.

Which leads us to “All Children Matter”, a Michigan based PAC (political action committee) which has roots to Dickie DeVos and his wife Betsy. Mr. DeVos one of the founders (2003) had to drop all ties when he chose to run for the Governors office in 2006. It appears that Mr. DeVos appointed Mrs. DeVos (former Michigan Republican Party Chair) to take over the reins of the National PAC.

Why do you care about this? Let me share what happened yesterday; The Columbus Dispatch reported, “A record $5.2 million fine was levied yesterday by the Ohio Elections Commission against a pro-charter-school group that helped elect Republicans across Ohio in 2006.”

The Bi-Partisan O.E.C. voted 5-0 to levy the fine for contributions that exceeded the maximum of $10,000.00 by a PAC. The O.E.C. went on to say that, “..normal cases don’t exceed campaign contribution limits by $870,000. Commission members said the fine had to be triple the amount of the illegal contribution, and they fined All Children twice – $2.6 million for making the contribution in Virginia, and $2.6 million for accepting it in Ohio.” Virginia law allows unlimited contributions and also allows corporate contributions.

The PAC portends to have a winning record of seating 121 candidates against 60 losses in 10 different states. Those candidates being pro-charter of course.

All Children Matter (ACM), is managed by Executive Director Greg BROCK. They are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and by design to support public officials throughout the country who are focused upon the issue of expanding Charter schools throughout our nation.

One of the looming questions to the citizens of Michigan is, were any Michigan Candidates compromised by the leadership of this organization?

We have a Housing crisis, credit crisis, job crisis, Michigan continues to be in a budget crisis (even though they are claiming to be playing nice),our Michigan primary votes do not count, Secretary Paulson wants to relax the financial oversight by congress, re-write the rules of “accounting standards” (in essence) and place that responsibility under the control of the Federal Reserve and on top of that, the Unemployment numbers are climbing again.
Unemployment filings are over 400,000 for March. The national unemployment rate is anticipated to exceed 5.0% which very well could push Michigan over the top. Michigan is highest in nation at a current 7.1%. The current trend could put Michigan at 8.0% by mid year if we do not start selling the virtues of Michigan and get our taxing issues under control. We must have a better taxing system, a more equitable taxing system in partnership with commerce not on the backs of Michigan citizens. Fair and just taxation means all parties sharing in resolution, and equality of taxation methods. It does not mean JUST the states citizens as one of the parties implies.
How is that for a synopsis of what is going on? I have not even gotten to the multitude of other state and national matters, let alone the global issues yet. Doesn’t this sound insurmountable?
I have been paying close attention to our legislators. I keep hearing, “we are exploring that issue, we are investigating, we are evaluating". I for one am tired of hearing “we are” and nothing of value being accomplished all the while watching our state flounder. The Governor has provided many options but the Republican legislators continue to battle her every effort. It is time for them to step up to the plate with something other than “cut, cut, cut". Michigan’s legislators should be worrying more about the state and her citizens rather than their political parties agenda.
So which Crisis? Working the old fashion way works for me. Finding a solution to the biggest problem will cure the most ills and demonstrate progress. How about getting Michigan citizens back to work! A working community has less crime, more economic resources, supports the local economy and provides a better education. Think about it, working societies have stronger economies, less crime and working budgets…..