There are real costs not only to the budget, but other issues on how Michigan would be forced to reconcile its books in a manner that is fitting the federal model. Sections of the bill which change how we do business, sometimes using mandate as key words, other times using "incentives," as seen below..

Section 10202. Incentives for States to offer home and community-based services as a long-term care alternative to nursing homes.

Which is code for "eliminating privately owned nursing home facilities in the states, with federally approved state run facilities"

Or ..

`SEC. 2793. HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER INFORMATION.

(c) Duties- The office of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman shall--

      `(1) assist with the filing of complaints and appeals, including filing appeals with the internal appeal or grievance process of the group health plan or health insurance issuer involved and providing information about the external appeal process;

      `(2) collect, track, and quantify problems and inquiries encountered by consumers;

      `(3) educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities with respect to group health plans and health insurance coverage;

      `(4) assist consumers with enrollment in a group health plan or health insurance coverage by providing information, referral, and assistance; and

      `(5) resolve problems with obtaining premium tax credits under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

`(d) Data Collection- As a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a), an office of health insurance consumer assistance or ombudsman program shall be required to collect and report data to the Secretary on the types of problems and inquiries encountered by consumers. The Secretary shall utilize such data to identify areas where more enforcement action is necessary and shall share such information with State insurance regulators, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Treasury for use in the enforcement activities of such agencies.

I am sure I don't need to spell out the issue here.. do I?

Let me be clear..  this is a mere sampling.  I won't go into section 5210, where the bill creates a "ready reserve," that is accountable to the executive office only.  (A health army.. no kidding) This bill is riddled with such things.

Timing is everything. And in the spirit of returning to the original point...

Our future may well have one of the gentlemen mentioned at the top running the state.  The choices they make on how we move forward with our economy is important, and a $500 million hit is something that would be hard to bear even in good times.  But it is hardly THE important issue at hand.  The question of constitutionality is the most important one. Either you support it, or you do not.  Bouchard's comments undermine the AG's actions when he should be standing behind him.  

This country is at a crossroad.  One path leads to a complete dominance by federal authority over the states, and the inability to ultimately say "NO" when confronted with unconstitutional mandate. The other path asserts the will of the citizens of Michigan to retain their independence as a FREE people.  

Bouchard appears to support taking the former, suggesting that we would not win a constitutional battle anyway, and that it will cost the state money to pursue such action.  Yet his suggestion of "holding" the money FROM the feds would hold up?  I hope he can clarify his stance on how such action would be superior to settling the issue once and for all.

Ultimately, we now face a series of challenges that if not fought immediately and with passion, will bring us further away from the intent that our founders had of a truly free and independent people.  How we have gotten so far down this road in the first place is measured in capitulation and political correctness.