So, stop me if you’ve heard this one before:
“When you look at the last four years, we hardly did anything for working-class families as far as tax relief.” – Michigan State Senator Jack Brandenburg – January 2015 (from today’s Detroit News)
“What do I look like, an ATM machine here?” – Gov. Rick Snyder, September 2013 (AEI speech)
Ummmmm, yeah.
{And if wishes were horses, we’d all be eating steak. Continued after the fold}
I’m honestly not sure what brought this on, but apparently the Michigan republican Party either just had an epiphany regarding just how popular they really are here in Michigan or someone’s 2015 New Year’s Resolution is to make a name for themselves a little early this year.
Yes, we’ve been told that the current crop of recently elected Michigan Legislators will finally stick to principles and get the job done.
To be honest, I’d really like to see that.
But, I’ve also heard that very same sales pitch before (going back at least several decades, in fact), and have been very disappointed by the outcome each and every time.
And just to be clear here just on the odd chance that someone is a little confused on where I stand on this; I’m not one of those foaming at the mouth “progressives” who are bemoaning the laundry list of other tax cuts passed in recent years like the MBT & PPT. And anyone who does think that clearly has not actually read what I have written here previously!
I get that putting more money back into those entities makes perfect sense if your goal is to get Michigan’s Economy running at full bore again.
Conversely, the same thing also holds true for Michigan Taxpayers as well. A fact recently reinforced by the recent good news at the pump.
If turning Michigan’s Economy around is actually your goal, remember this: Michigan Business Owners AND Michigan Taxpayers can make far better choices regarding where to spend the money that THEY HAVE RIGHTFULLY EARNED far better than any Lansing Politician, bureaucrat or lobbyist.
We have also made difficult choices in the past when it comes to prioritizing the spending in our own budgets. A Cracker jack accounting whiz like Snyder should easily be able to do the same.
So what’ll it be?
Status quo or something new?
(12)Nuh Uh.
(0)
It makes little difference if taxes are raised or cut if those managing said funds are not brought under heavier scrutiny, control and consequential action. Changes in administrations are not bringing wholesale changes in leadership, personnel, contracts or reform of any kind due to even marginal political parties opposing 'government as usual' refusing to vocalize even the simplest of strategies to change them.
Cutting taxes so that we can (re)take control of our own money is the goal.
Our children would probably offer that with billions in unfunded (cough) 'liabilities''..a state devoid of leadership at all levels..infrastructure crumbling..terrorists/illegal aliens/drug cartels in our midsts..an educational system out of control and no confirmation from 'grey hairs' that they (and they alone) are responsible for this mess through shared sacrifice of any type..perhaps 'cutting taxes' is not 'their' #1 priority at the moment.
"..OK kids, this is the plan. We need a part-time legislature to fix YOUR full time future problems that we couldn't even 'verbalize' solving by so much as 'beginning' to name who needed to be booted out of state government employment/contractual agreements and who didn't (legislators excluded). Next, were going to make certain that if you DO find somebody to represent you and your now pitiful lot in life (by some miracle) who is blessed with the fortitude to stand up to the corruption that we have long fostered with our apathy...you need to term limit their ability to actually HELP you fix the mess that we have excreted on your dreams to stay and live where you were raised..."
I guess that if I'm a kid I'm saying.."forget about tax relief..why don't you old farts simply go to 'war' for us (now)...and ferret out all the graft/corruption that frankly only YOU can identify through 'familiarity'' with the system that YOU built..and quit glossing over 'the hard stuff' involving getting in people's (often your 'friends') faces...just to squeeze an extra buck from that purposely failed system before (or during) retirement?
When our 3rd parties are half in bed with the establishment by their very refusal to ask for the heads of those who the establishment continually protects...it is very difficult to rally supporters who resemble anything but former (closet) establishment types not so interested in liberty, freedom or the Constitution...if it means losing their own heads in the process.
Don't get your hopes up or let that R behind his name fool you. Governor Snyder is a big tax and spend progressive. Hang on.. we'll see him let his hair down during these next 4 years. Unseen before liberal bender.
Detroit Free Press reports:
"The $225-million runway that Detroit Metro Airport added in 2001 was expected to last for 30 years, but cracks and flaws in the concrete that started to show just three years after it opened have posed risks to safety and are forcing a costly reconstruction.
It's just one example of an epidemic of road and other projects with weak concrete failing before its time in Michigan and across the country, posing safety issues on roads and at some airports."
More on the latest demonstration of civil engineering prowess in Michigan:
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/01/04/airport-needs-rebuild-million-runway/21236323/
MDoT already testing their lies for May 5th.
Status quo or something new, you say? Don't hold your breath state-wise or nationally... Team R is satisfied with maintaining seats at the trough alongside Team D.
F**king tax and spend thieves. Both. Party's.