Governor Granholm is at it again. Here’s a person who never passed an opportunity to spend, does not understand the term “fiscal responsibility” and cannot miss a chance to raise the rates. She actually believes that the people of Michigan have such short memories as to think, the state was a wreck before she took office. None of the present mess is a result of her administration, BALONEY. Michigan was in the black before her first term, but when you spend and spend, and give tax generating property away for pennies on the dollar to foreign companies (Toyota), what did she think would happen? When you go jet setting across the ocean, is it any wonder that companies leave the state while she leaves her responsibilities at the boarding gate? (CoAmerica and VW)
In today’s Monroe Evening News, there were several AP articles posted on page 7A. One headline read, “More budget cuts to come”. The only cut announced or presented briefly was a mere mention of prison overcrowding at the very end. Most of the article defended the recent tax increases. Does anyone really believe the spin, that the new taxes will only cost the average income family $1 a week? The piece mentions $440 million in cuts, but fails to say that it all came from one slash at the teacher’s medical benefit plan. She believes that part of Michigan’s problems come from overcrowding at the prison levels, boo hoo, the state is tough on crime. Would you rather live in one of these states where they allow convicted illigeal aliens back on the street to drive drunk, kill and rape again? Child rapists get bail? Maybe L. Brooks Patterson was right in his assessment last month in reaction to these proposed “get out of jail” programs. Instead of letting thugs out, either trim the fat in the system, or outsource to private companies. Those are your two true options, not get out of jail cards.
On the section where it said, “Voters still might get a chance to weigh in on new state taxes” Talk about misleading, before I started reading, I was thinking there would be issues on the next ballots about repealing these new taxes passed last week. Nope, it would just give you and I, a chance to vote on future tax proposals. The upshot of it was now Lansing wants to raise the sales tax when we go to the store(s) from 6 to 7%. Thats 70 bucks on the thousand, 700 on ten grand, and on a $30,000 vehicle, $2,100!
Finally we get to where this Axis of Taxes, centers on us, the fisherman and hunters of Michigan. Did you really think that the good Governor would forget about the license rate increases she tried to backdoor us with last spring? This time they are even higher than the last proposal. The DNR, with the politically appointed head, wants to go from $15 to $30 bucks for your fishing, archery, small game and firearm licenses. The article mentions gun and bow deer tags, but it will apply to all who enjoy Michigan’s resources. A 24 hr fishing liscense will more than double from $7 to $15 dollars for residents. This has got to be a typo, but it says that nonresidents will go from $150 to $300, in the same sentence with containing the one day fee. Regardless of this mistake, you can expect a big shot in the wallet if you come from out of state. Now the license to fish costs what 40 something, look for at least another $25 to get added on. If you want to come to Michigan to hunt deer, that fee will go from $138 to $165. You want more revenue from the fisherman and hunters, get more people involved. Encourage the outdoor groups and local clubs to come into the schools for programs designed to encourage kids to enjoy the outdoors like their grandparents did. I gurantee that it will not cost the state a dime, these groups live for getting the next generation involved in hunting and fishing. Add it up, more folks that fish and hunt, means more money, even at the standard rates we enjoy right now.
So add it all up, higher taxes passed, higher taxes proposed, and license fees jacked up. The state is in decline, instead of trying become more attractive to outside businesses and bring in the bucks from tourists and outdoors type folks, all these proposals scream, “Stay Away!”. We are not living in Canada, where Gov. Granholm was born, and the folks need to stand up and shout out, “We don’t do Socialism here!”.
If there is a recall movement, let it focus at the top. I would be willing to stand in line and be one of the first of the 950,000 needed to oust the Governor. Even the cost of a new general election would be cheaper than seeing her finish out her term in office. Kate Ebli and Kathy Angerer should be feeling some of the heat too, for their part in the mess last weekend. I for one, applaud Randy Richardville for standing firm in his convictions, and actually listening to those who elected him into office. This is one case where listening to your party should have come second, to the voices coming from your own neck of the woods.
You don’t have to belong to a fringe group, like the Governor claims, to be this upset with the way things are being done in Lansing, by our elected reps.