The sad part of this is that Democrats are not alone in this.  At least one of the 4 Republicans on the charter commission appears to be joining the effort to hike everyone's taxes.  The handout that was prepared for the February 19th Finance/Budget Charter SubCommittee was drafted by Republican Gary Anthony, after he consulted with the county finance director, David Diegel.  

In the document, Anthony lays out the case that despite the current rate of 4.2 mills, the new county millage rate should be reset to 5.19 mills.  He says that he wants to make sure that the county has enough revenue well into the future.  I guess we can officially label Anthony as an official RINO.  Conservatives do not worry about guaranteeing that government has enough revenue.  Conservatives want government to be small and efficient, not large and bloated.  And Anthony was elected by one of the most conservative areas of the County.  Not only has he betrayed his party, but he has also betrayed his constituency.

But, I imagine for Diegel, Anthony just has to be a dream come true.  They have a Republican that will help them pass higher taxes.  Ya see, Diegel used to be the campaign treasurer for Fmr. Congressman David Bonior.  We all remember him, right?  No taxes were high enough or personal freedom less important.  These days, Bonior hangs out with more Socialists and Communists than he does with even Democrats.  So, Diegel finally has a Republican that will work him to carry out the Bonior agenda.

Prepare yourselves that if this charter passes, Ann Arbor will have a partner in the People's Republic of Macomb County.