As for my definition?

Agreeing with me on every issue. I don't expect that, but I do expect certain boundaries.

My top three:

Do they support the concept of limited government?

Do they support the concept of individual responsibility?

Do they support the concept of fiscal responsibility?

Not a very difficult criteria to follow.

Sadly, he failed all three criteria in this instance.

I don't recall reading anything in this year's budget that was curtailed or reduced.

I don't recall reading anything where individualy legislators took responsibility for the budget mess. As a matter of fact, they stuck us with the bill for spending money like a drunken crack-head given carte blanche.

And as for fiscal responsibility?

Oh, please.

Secondly, we're in agreement that Michigan Government has a structural defecit problem.

Third, the two issues are interrelated.

This is a start.

And for the record, I also don't disagree with focusing some energies towards improving the overall climate in our state by contacting our elected officials.

Unfortunately, the area in which I reside is heavily democratic leaning. I'd have more luck talking to the wall, than to convince my soon-to-be-outgoing rep. and senator to vote for Right to Work.

I did communicate to them (repeatedly) that last year's tax hikes would be bad for the state, especially given the status of the economy. Sadly, I'm hearing about them doing some serious verbal summersaults regarding "fixing" the MBT issue that's messing this up more than they should.

But what I feel should be done is some "right-sizing" of the budget (no pun intended).

From the Jan/Feb 2008 Mackinac Center "Capitol Confidential":

"Ten of 17 budget bills for fiscal 2008 spent more money than was enacted for those same budgets in fiscal 2007. The total additional spending over 2007 enacted law represented by these 10 bills was $1,470,045,900. The amount of this total approved by each lawmaker is listed below."

Ball (R) $1,332,045,900
Nofs (R) $1,103,045,900
Ward (R)* $1,219,835,000
Wenke (R)* $120,000,000

*Ward did not cast a final passage vote on two of the 10 budgets examined here. Wenke missed eight of 10 votes.

"Speaker Dillon has done an excellent job under extremely difficult conditions," said Rep. Richard Ball, R-Laingsburg. "This recall is extremely inappropriate ... an effort to legislate by intimidation." The law says in sec 8: Laws shall be enacted for the recall of all elected officers... Rep Ball calls this law intimidation, that makes him a clown. Clown!

According to my dictionary, I take exception to your interpretation of abuse and my use of the word clown, regardless of excess.  

Abuse = To use wrongly or improperly; misuse...

Clown/clownish  = A buffoon or jester who entertains by jokes, antics, and tricks in a circus, play, or other presentation.  One who jokes and plays tricks.

I agree with you in that I'm entitled to my opinion.  In my opinion it's (very clownish) to reason with circular thinking.  That's not reasoning or dialog, it's an antic, and trickery.

It's a bit old fashioned perhaps but I rather like how it was put by Francois Duc De La Rochefoucauld: "Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that have not wit enough to be honest."  Perhaps one may think I "should" have used the word fool for better effect and description.

Aside from all the distraction, the point (see salient) is that it's not helpful (and in some cases illegal) to start at the end rather then the beginning: exceed funds and correct by stealing from others.  Again, unsophisticated and simple: stick to budget. Like (us) regular folks. Frankly, (imo) it's extremely modulated to use the terms found on these forums and none are "bombs" that rise to your level of policing.  Hat tip: Nick does a great job and is extremely liberal in allowing all voices.  Suggested reading (see RIGHTmichigan): Any dictionary with the words grateful and respectful.  

Some may think it "bitter" to expect our elected officials to have the "guts" to stay within a budget.  Then there would be no need to put in a Fix.  The correction is to not spend what one doesn't have.

BassAckwards is to grow debt irrespective of revenue at time of spending.  In my little world I could be arrested and/or fired for that.

In summary, I don't respect your opinion but I respect your right to have it. I respect that these forums don't demand that you be right.