Also remember that the State of Michigan's budget is about $42.8 Billion (look here for growth http://www.migop.org/GranholmSpendingGfx.jpg )  and growing (faster than people leaving our state).  People have told me "I don't get into politics" ...... My answer to them is ....We make an income and are taxed on our salaries, what we buy, what we sell, our homes, when we die, ..... the government collects all these taxes from everyone(numbers above) and "decides" how to best to spend it in our "in our best interest".  I would say we have a duty as American citizens to understand how this is spent and raise our  voices to make sure it is prioritized, budgeted, and spent properly and efficiently.