Mine have gone up almost 23% this year, while property values tank.  This is a Union, blue-collar state.  You would think Democrats would work hard at keeping votes, blue-collar jobs, and most important, incoming tax revenue by giving manufacturing HUGE tax breaks.  Is it possible?  Sure it is, example in the non-manufacturing is Quicken Loans.

Sell the property for $1 dollar, I believe a 20 year tax break, and some other nice bennys so the City of Detroit can collect taxes from each and every employee of Quicken Loans.  However, while Granholm travels European countries, begging firms to bring 70-300 manufacturing jobs to Michigan, while getting significant tax breaks in return.  Sounds odd doesn't it?  Michigan's history is rich in GM, Ford, and Chrysler.  Instead, can't she give breaks to the current manufacturing work force?  NO.  A socialist doesn't think in these terms.  She will disenfranchise her own base over 70 jobs.

Yet Dems don't think in these terms.  Democrats need to be taken care of.  Gov't will solve all the problems and wash the hands when dirty.  This is why this article brought a CFL (a compact fluorescent light for those enviro nut jobs since standard halogen bulbs are next to be taxed) over my head.  Two main points, Michigan has lost 430,000 jobs since 2001.  Yes Granholm is not to blame, however, as a "leader" (using that term ever so loosely), she needs to make rounds to all major firms in this state, give incentives to residents (tax cuts, tax credits, no sales tax days to name a few).  I don't see this happening.  I suspect a 8% to 9%, possibly even 10% unemployment come this time next year.  Double digit numbers is sad yes.