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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    State of Dismay


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Thu Jan 20, 2011 at 10:28:17 PM EST
    Tags: Governor, Snyder, Michigan, State of the State, Lansing, MEDC, DRIC, Boondoggle, Brewer, Democrats, Republicans (all tags)

    Someone's been drinking the 'Donkey Dew..'

    I wanted to get this out earlier, but have been slammed with other responsibilities.

    Last night left me a little disappointed.  Perhaps if Republicans do not understand now, they may never. Though there might be time for redemption, (success)it will not come as the result of what was said in the Governor's state of the state speech.

    Regulars will note my early opinions on Mr. Snyder prior to his becoming our nominee.  It was not at all flattering, and raised points questioning the involvement of Snyder's business interests with those 'government' incentives created by the entity HE in fact had a hand in creating.  As a businessman he did what was necessary to make his business survive, thrive, etc.. And had little problem disassociating any negative effect on those other businesses that pay taxes, from the government corporate welfare system known as the MEDC.

    Snyder carried forward into the 2010 cycle a message that "Lansing has to stop picking winners and losers", yet as recently as 2007, his own business enterprises were still milking our cow...  Using the only teat that wasn't spouting dust.

    How is it that one does that?  In a strange Jedi Mind trick application, citizens of Michigan are made to believe he will be stopping the choosing of business success, yet it is actually expanding the process in which it is done.

    "Pay no attention to that sucking sound, there is no cash vacuum, there is nothing to be concerned with."

    Sadly, he probably thinks that government has a place being your partner in business.  Its all he has ever known.  I can imagine that for a person growing up in the mob, extortion and encouraged 'partnerships' are seemingly normal as well. "Whadda you mean you ain't gonna buy our insurance!? Everybody buys our insurance!  In fact ol Saul over there across the street buys it, and he'll prolly be around longer than you!"

    Which should ring the alarm bells for anyone who wants an open and honest government.

    Then there is "Seed Money.."

    Where specific players have the ability to dole out large amounts of (cash) encouragement, comes the high probability that certain players have the ability to profit from it.  As the trials for the self enriching former Mayor of Detroit have begun, and the way in which he profited is being explained, we miss the true cause.  We fail to connect the dots to the very same opportunities Kilpatrick had, and those that come with government plans such as the MEDC or 21st Century Jobs fund.  The power of distributing taxpayer dollars is enticing.

    This is NOT to say the operators of the fund are automatically corrupt, but rather they should be automatically suspect.

    Indeed, that part of the corporate welfare system has not been cut, but is apparently going to be expanded to other areas 'forgotten' by our previous administrations.  Agriculture looking for its slice of the pie will have winners chosen by such processes, and have losers made by default.  Folks in my neck of the woods might rejoice in such possibilities as state funded expansions of their farming operations, while folks elsewhere pay the bills, in higher taxes, and a hardened competitive environment. And even those who receive the upfront gratuity might find they will have a business partner with garlic breath, and who also does not remain silent for very long on HOW their business is run.

    And this is being set up all while declaring OTHER regulatory practices obsolete..  Classic.  A bone thrown, that looks 'Republican'  With.. ..tags.  What an odd place to start.    There had to be a good thing in the speech however, right?  Perhaps it was to eliminate the MBT?  Great! In that the citizenry decided the SBT was supposed to go away and NOT be replaced by a more complex business tax, its about time.  Even with the 6% corporate tax, we will be better off.   Thanks for doing your JOB.

    In the meantime..

    Expansion of government under whatever guise, is expansion of government.  The Mackinac Center's Michael LaFave has broken down and pulled out the expansions and limitations directly.

    Gov. Rick Snyder, 2011

    Proposed expansions: 9

    Proposed limitations: 3

    Proposed 2011 Expansions

       1. Replace Michigan Business Tax with 6 percent net corporate income tax.
       2. "Build a system" that encourages annual physicals for every person and promotes healthier lifestyles.
       3. Use a statewide network to connect businesses with job seekers.
       4. Offer a statewide job posting service for companies that expand, locate or start a business in Michigan.
       5. Create an Office of Urban Initiatives.
       6. A new initiative to encourage immigration for people holding advanced college degrees.
       7. Lift restrictions on 21st Century Jobs Fund activities.
       8. Increase Pure Michigan funding.
       9. Support a new taxpayer-funded bridge between Detroit and Windsor.

    Limitations

       1. Stop efforts to create regulations on ergonomic standards.
       2. Eliminate the "item pricing" law.
       3. Eliminate the Michigan Business Tax and its surcharge.

    The only disagreement I might have with LaFaive on this, is listing the replacement tax as an expansion.  Though it would be interesting to see how a 6% net tax is calculated on a corporation that pays out its proceeds as income to the owners.  Lack of surprise from this seat.

    However, the remaining expansions REEK of progressivism.  Build a system to encourage Physicals?  Urban initiatives?  Destroy an established Michigan business to create 'new' jobs?  Hello Johnson, Carter, and a new era of great societies!  These aren't "business" solutions.  They are progressive era government partnering solutions that have been tried and have failed miserably already.  It appears there is little new and innovative brought to the table, and short of some hard core cuts in other areas we will be facing higher taxes under this governor.

    All while the cheers of his following sycophants on facebook encourage even more.

    Snyder, on his facebook page says:

    "Rick Snyder For Michigan What did you think of the State of the State? Be brutally honest."

    ok.. I was...  I had to give him credit.  In fact, it seems genuine enough, and in all likelihood he would really like to see legitimate feedback.  And then looking over the responses, I realized it would be impossible for the Governor to get an accurate response.  Given the nature of the forum, a facebook FAN page how could 'brutal' be a part of it.   Especially when seeing comments like:

        " Love the dashboard, concrete ideas and plans!"
        "Excellent! Very on point!"

    Really?  The only Concrete I could see was the boots filling for each taxpayer..  And on point?  Vague at best.

    But hey, seeing all of those former 'liberals' giving him an attaboy just tells me he is a bridge builder.  Oh yeah..  Apparently for real.

    Somehow in the midst of this speech he was apparently 'winging' he found the most head turning object liberals love.  The DRIC project.  The boondoggle of boondoggles guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on the future taxpayers of Michigan.  While telling us it isn't going to cost Michigan taxpayers, he fails to recall where the money the Feds have comes from too.  Destroy a private company to make a publicly promoted one work.  Awesome idea.

    And his new supporters from the other side think so.  Including Mark Brewer who said

    "Eighty percent could have been written by Democrat," he said. "Health care, education, P-20 education, the DRIC, his urban agenda. They're all things he'll find support for among Democrats. His problem will be with his own party."

    Imagine that..  I agree with Brewer.

    But its worse.  Its that 'making the Republicans look bad' problem all over.  As we will see, there will be a number of normally hard case conservative Republicans who will doubt their own convictions when faced with the governor's agenda.  Because he is currently the standard bearer, he must be doing it right, and anyhow it is logical to assume they will get their conservative platforms enacted in turn... right?  Hopefully the courage to stick to principles will carry our new state legislators beyond the same sad story being presented by what appears to be Jenny-II.

    I leave you with a cautionary note to those Republicans so afraid of losing that glowy wonderful feeling of having all the branches run by Republicans.  You may not have what you think you have anyway.

    Unless Jase Bolger can get that 'right to work' legislation placed on the Governor's desk, and he signs it, we will face an uncertainty whether there has been an administration change at all in Lansing.

    < 30th Anniversary of Reagan's Inauguration | Maybe I should have done more? >


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    Uh oh... (none / 0) (#1)
    by jgillmanjr on Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 09:10:59 AM EST
    I guess I'm not feeling so bad voting for Ken Proctor...

    • Me neither by Corinthian Scales, 01/21/2011 11:05:28 AM EST (none / 0)
    As I posted elsewhere . . . (none / 0) (#2)
    by Kevin Rex Heine on Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 10:06:51 AM EST
    . . . expansions # 3 and # 4 would be re-inventing the wheel.  A statewide network already exists to connect businesses with job seekers, and a statewide job posting service already exists for companies that expand, locate, or start a business in Michigan.  It's the MICHIGAN TALENT BANK . . . Governor Snyder might have instead advised that businesses check the damn thing out.  (My guess is that he's never actually tried to use it.)

    Jason, it's not as if.... (none / 0) (#3)
    by KG One on Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 10:07:27 AM EST
    ...others were not warned about voting for Snyder ahead of time.

    The fact of the matter is that the deed is done, and we're stuck with him until 2015, or until he does something so completely stupid that he'll get recalled way before then. If/when that does happen, we ought to throw in Calley for good measure.

    The most damning argument against Snyder is when a snake like Mark Brewer of all people complements him on the content of his speech, then you know you've really got a problem with where he really stands.

    Agreeing with one or two things, okay that's reasonable. Three of four, now we're getting a little spooky here. But eighty percent, just face facts: To those who've voted for Snyder simply because he has a "-r" after his name, you've been punk'd!

    Just to make things clear here, I'm not calling to recall Snyder. He hasn't even been in office for six months yet, so any call would be a moot point anyway.

    But remember, he still cannot do anything without the legislature.

    There is nothing keeping people from calling, e-mailing and just plain old dropping by their reps office to let them know where you stand...and that you do vote.

    Unfortunately, Mark Brewer is On Target (none / 0) (#4)
    by Corinthian Scales on Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 10:11:25 AM EST
    Word.  For.  Word.  Actually, reading what Snyder said has more value than the stage performance.

    We have a government sector with an unsustainable financial model. This mortgaged our children's future with over 54 billion dollars in pension and benefit liabilities. We have far too many young people who are not leaving school with the education they need to succeed in the future. We have an economic climate - it has left too many people unemployed, underemployed or forced to leave the state. Particularly our young people.

    Okay, Rick mentioned the 800lb. gorilla in the room.  Unionized gummint workers, but never mentions actions to correct the problem.  And, we somehow have, as Snyder alleges, all these functional illiterates churned out of our high schools and colleges that are a problem.  Then he states that they're leaving the state.  As I recall reading figures on here somewhere not that long ago, 46% of all college grads are leaving this state not because they're "not leaving school with the education they need to succeed", it's because nobody in their right mind would create a business in this state and those that have a business were too fleeced by Lansing and can't afford to hire.  Sipping ahead...


    We will not dwell on the past or the depth of our problems. The focus will be on agreed-on action, implementation, measuring results and continuous improvement We will not continue the fighting that resulted in rhetoric and paralysis.[Stop]

    I agree to a point.  Can't change the past, so why live in it.  However, Rick played the latest buzzword, "rhetoric" to minimalize any opposition to his agenda.  The message was sent that if you don't run with his centrist/left leaning plan in his head you may face smearing or more likely, Ricks fall back during his campaign, dismissal, in the press by his surrogates.  Speaking as just a lowly voter, Rick can go f#@% himself.  I don't like his agenda already, and now I sure as hell don't like the Governors Office telling me how to think and how I must toss my Conservative beliefs in the gutter because that is just eeeevil "rhetoric" that is paralyzing.  Bullsh!t.  Rick better start dropping headlines that have "agreed-on action" of some of us "slash and burners" or the MI-GOP can kiss my vote goodbye as long as I live in this state.

    Let me start with a new concept. We are creating a means by which to actually measure Michigan's progress. I find it curious that we've had State of the State addresses for decades. Yet I don't know of one where we actually had a report card to gauge our success.

    Good God!  The Dashboard.  WTF?  The gimmickry of a Ford Motor Company quarterly Pulse Survey?  Look, if this is the kind of nonsense people in Michigan need in government to feel good, then I can understand why Gateway used cute little Cow Boxes to market their inferior product.  The bottom line of judging any administrations success is employment vs. those mooching off the gummint teat and how much gummint has taken from the workers that pay for the moochers through coercive taxes.  Grading expanding collectivism is merely like pushing a string.

    We will present a two-year budget. The first is the legally required budget, the second's for planning purposes. Having a two-year budget will force tough decisions.

    {Yawn}...  That'll work for the first budget.  After that, it'll all depend on his discipline to hold true to that plan for better or worse.

    The old approach let the bureaucracy and special interests control the agenda too much.

    **cough*MEDC*cough* uh, hum... **cough*U of M partnerships*cough*...

    We need to insure the citizens are getting value for money. We need to show results for real people. Our budget will include the elimination of the job-killing Michigan business tax and replace that with a 6%... Thank you.

    Thank you?  A lessor job-killing tax replaces Brian Calleys' massive job-killing tax and this is a success?  Hogwash.  Where's the budget cuts?  The MoleRattler expanded our budget a billion dollars a year in creating the MBT.  Where are the cuts to finally eliminate the tax?

    We will also task our executive group on people with vigorously pursuing improvements in our health care system in terms of cost, quality and access.

    Ah, the Liberal Utopia.  Look for your taxes to increase somewhere.

    On our urban challenges, we are working in a partnership to create a new office in the executive branch. The governor's office has traditionally had a Detroit office, but we will do more. Thru this partnership, we will create an Office of Urban Initiatives to proactively address issues in Detroit and the rest of the urban areas.

    WTF?  Create a whole new goddamn branch of gummint?  Talk about nibbling around the edges of a problem.  I can't wait to see how much this is gonna cost everyone else in the state to play Feng Shui with the deck chairs of Michigan's Titanic.  Detroit's chocolate Anderson Cooper is already skeptical...


    Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh said he was pleased Snyder plans to create an executive Cabinet post for urban issues but he said he is concerned the governor called for a new system of state and city revenue sharing that would reward municipalities that consolidation services with other communities and adopt other efficiencies.

    "Revenue sharing, that really could hurt if that's not done the right way," Pugh said.

    ROFLMAO!  Pugh, it's been a one-way mooching street since the days of Milliken in Office.  It's about time to tighten your belt's in Detroit.  Oh, wait...

    We will establish an exciting new initiative to encourage immigrants with advanced college degrees to come to Michigan to live and work. I've asked the Department of Civil Rights to work with the MEDC in this effort. We need to be a place that openly encourages innovators and entrepreneurs to come to our state. The evidence is clear that advance college degree immigrants make a tremendous difference in creating a positive economic activity environment that benefits us all.

    To give you some additional background: For example: About half of the startups in Silicon Valley have a foreign national as a founder. Immigration made us a great state and country. It is time we embrace this concept as a way to speed our reinvention.

    Foreign Nationals?  If that isn't a goddamn slap in the face to every taxpayer in this state and nation.  And, Silicon Valley?  That bubble burst a long time ago.  Matter of fact, the whole state of Mexi, err, California is on the verge of a bankruptcy that is gonna make Spain look like pikers in comparison.  And, if that isn't picking winners and losers... I've got this bridge I'd like to sell you.  Oooops!  Snyder did that too.  Oh!  At "no cost to Michigan taxpayers" too.  Dat's right, Snyder is using Obamas' stash for the DRIC.  God help us.

    Michigan 's 1970 vintage item pricing law is exhibit A. Revitalizing our economy demands that we should weed out needless regulations that cost consumers and throw up barriers to competition. Michigan is only one of two states that requires almost every item on the store shelf to be individually labeled with a price tag. In today's world of scanners, bar codes and automated inventory systems, we are simply placing an undue burden on retailers and consumers. A recent economic study that said requiring these stickers over other forms of marketing costs our economy over $2 billion a year. That's no bargain. It's bad for business, it's bad for consumers. Let's embrace technology that saves consumers time and money while still protecting them. Let's make item pricing one law that's out of stock.

    Mmmmmm, not so fast Nerd boy.  I happen to agree with Mrs. Dzwonkowski.  I can't tell you how many times I've caught the bar code price being different from what is marked on the self, the product or sale items, and oddly enough the bar code always is a higher price.  Now that verification needs to be removed?  Bullsh!t.  The herd may think computers are the end all be all, but I want indisputable hard copy.  Removing this law allows stores to more easily play the gas station game of jacking around pump prices of the gas that they already paid a price for, on the expectation of what their next shipment might cost.  It's a shell game.

    Today I asked the Legislature to make an important step that will enable agriculture to thrive. In addition to making agricultural processing eligible for 21st Century Jobs Fund, I'm requesting that lawmakers strengthen the Michigan Agricultural Assurance program to make it a seal of assurance so that farmers who run environmentally sound operations can be protected from unnecessary regulations and frivolous lawsuits.

    Really have no objections with freeing farmers from additional regs and suits.  The following I do...

    Sixth, I urge the prompt passage of a capital outlay bill that implements the recommendations of the Natural Resources Trust Fund. From the greatness of the land and the resourcefulness of the citizens of the Upper Peninsula to the unquestioned beauty and economic engine of the Great Lakes, natural resources and recreation have always been among our strongest areas. The Fund's board of trustees has recommended 117 recreation and land acquisition projects totaling $100 million.

    These projects will positively impact every corner of our state, from Iron County in the Upper Peninsula, to Traverse City , to Luna Pier in Monroe County. Also included is a significant expansion of the William G. Milliken Park on the Detroit riverfront.

    Abso-fugging-lute bullsh!t.  How much more money is gonna be funneled into that abject failure of a Liberal social experiment City before it's enough?  And, when was it a brilliant idea for gummint to get into the real estate business?  For chrissakes, the House Republicans are trying to sell off some of the land grab that BJ Clinton went on to reduce our national deficit (see: Sell excess federal properties the government does not make use of. $15 billion total savings.) and Snyder wants to spend a $100 million buying more while running about $2 billion in the hole?  F#@%! Me!  That's long-term insanity.

    The seventh item is international trade. To achieve success in today's world, it requires that we look beyond our borders. We must open ourselves to the promises and potential of the global marketplace. We must increase exports from Michigan farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs.

    Last year, Canada was the top market for our products.[stop]

    Yada, yada, yada.  Nibbling at crumbs, again.  Historically, trade with Canada has been a loser.  More of our money leaves the State of Michigan to Imports than any so-called gains from Exports as it does nationally.

    Global demand for our ports of entry is expected to increase steadily with no signs of slowing.

    Oh?  Is that because of Corporate Offshoring?

    To satisfy growing demand, we must move forward towards building a bridge, a new bridge from Detroit to Windsor, The Detroit River International River Crossing.

    Ah, the NAFTA Bridge.

    Now I ask you to forget everything you heard in last year's debate regarding the proposed Detroit River International Crossing. We will present a totally revamped and highly attractive economic development proposal including a recent agreement from Washington.

    Forget everything?  It's no different.  Taxpayers are gonna pay for this boondoggle.

    Private sector investment will be used to build the bridge itself. Canada has generously offered $550 million for the construction of the U.S. portion of the road system to connect the bridge - part of the public-private partnership for the entire project. Their investment will be fully recouped from toll revenue. During a visit last week to Washington, ... a unique agreement with the Federal Highway Administration to use the $550-million investment in our infrastructure towards the matching funds required for all federally funded highway projects across our state.

    Poof!  PFM!

    And I assure you that Michigan taxpayers will not take on any debt related to this project.

    And I assure you that if you watch Snyder long enough... a monkey will fly out of his ass too.

    Well, that's it for now.  This really is about all I can stomach in one setting.

    More to come later...


    Correct (none / 0) (#5)
    by grannynanny on Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 10:17:32 AM EST
    We need to hound our elected state officials until they get the message - no more spending - lots of cutting and stop with the bull$shit of saying police and firefighters will be the first to go.  We don't buy that old whine anymore.

    There are plenty of places and departments that can be slashed.  There are plenty of places and departments that can be privatized.

    So hound those scoundrels who professed their undying commitment to constituents and make them do their jobs.  That will make or break the nerd.

    That said - like they say at the U of M hockey games to the opponents who commit a penalty (Snyder) You just suck! You just suck!

    Thanks all (none / 0) (#10)
    by Rougman on Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 09:01:32 PM EST
    I've been out of state working for several days and have been unable to keep up with the Michigan political scene.  These links and comments are great references and provide a lot of food for thought.

    But, I sure wish CS would stop beating around the bush and tell me what he thinks.  I quickly tire of having to read between the lines.

    • Awww.. by JGillman, 01/21/2011 10:58:18 PM EST (none / 0)
    J Gillman (none / 0) (#12)
    by grannynanny on Sat Jan 22, 2011 at 09:46:35 AM EST
    Don't be offended - but I think I am going to back Scales to run against Stabenow instead of you!  You are welcome to run against Levin though!!!

    I see (none / 0) (#17)
    by grannynanny on Mon Jan 24, 2011 at 04:35:40 PM EST
    where Saul Anuzis is considering a run against Debbie Doo-Doo.  But I would prefer Scales!

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