As of this writing, the fate of the free world is precariously sitting atop a pinpoint — one bad gust o? wind and evil will prevail over goodness. Well, maybe that’s a little melodramatic. Yet as I write, folks in Lansing are still trying to look good to their favorite special interest groups.
I don’t think they are working on the state’s 2008 budget or what to do about the $1.8 billion hole in said budget. And if they can’t come to agreement — gulp — Gov. Granholm will have to — sob — shut down state government, or in her words, ‘Life as we know it ends.? (Okay, she didn’t say that, I did.)
Though it has been going on all summer, the rate Republicans and Democrats are slinging insults has reached fever pitch levels. The spin machines have been shifted into overdrive and if something doesn’t happen soon the machine is going to throw a bearing. Somebody’s gonna? blow a nut. A screw will come loose and everything will come to a screeching halt.
It is sad, that the only thing we’re getting out of Lansing is that old black magic called partisan politics. All the press releases we get here at the office are all of the same tone. Republicans are ‘outraged? by the Democrats. Democrats are ‘stunned? by Republicans.The verbiage we get from Lansing goes like, ‘Staying true to their record, House Republicans today refused to invest in Michigan’s future by voting against blah, blah, blah that would have protected funding for children, schools, seniors and public safety blah, blah, blah .?
The release should have said, ‘Republicans — haters of children, teachers, old folks and law enforcement. All of Michigan’s ills can be laid at Republicans? feet.?
That press release did not help solve anything. Republican releases are not much better. It is no wonder that life in the mitten state sucks. Nobody we elect really cares about the state or the residents residing here.
Sadder than the partisan name-calling, are some of the ‘reforms? being suggested by our elected officials. We were faxed 15 proposals from the House of Representatives, labeled ‘reforms,? with a total ‘long-term? savings of $605.6 million. Read some of these and tell me you have a warm, fuzzy feeling about the brain-trust leading our state.
Of the 15 reforms, there are two studies proposed and one ‘Commission on Government Efficiency? created. When I read the word ‘study? I read, ‘stall for time and spend taxpayer money whilst spinning wheels.?
House Bill 4346 ‘requires the Department of Education to study the impact of consolidation on school districts.? And, if one study is good, two is better. HB 4592 ‘requires school districts to conduct a study to determine if similar services can be consolidated with other districts.?
The great thing about HB 4592 is that local school districts get to pay for a study of losing local control. That’ll save the state a ton o? cash.
Get the next two bills . . . HB 4799 & 4800 will ‘amend the State Employees? Retirement Act to freeze pensions benefits for retired state employees and public school employees who become re-employed by the state.?
Which leads me to believe me there is a problem with folks retiring from state employment, collecting their pension and then going back to work with the state while still collecting a pension. Can there be any doubt in any sane person’s mind that state employees have had it too double-dipping good for too long?
Another proposal would ‘establish professional purchasing programs? (which means they must currently use unprofessional purchasing programs).
Representatives threw us a bone with HB 4580 — which removes lifetime health care benefits for legislators. The great part of this bill, if signed into law, would not effect this group of legislators — only the ones elected after Jan. 1, 2007.
The House also introduced a resolution requiring state government to perform independent audits — which means now all audits are dependent on something. We just don’t know what and that’s the scary part.
After reading these ‘reforms,? I come to one conclusion: Michigan sucks because our elected officials and bureaucrats have made it so. And, now as the ship sinks, like rats they are all jumping to try and undo what they let happen in the first place.