Dillon's disciples drinking the Kool-Aid

This isn't constructive (4.00 / 1)

It's one thing to disagree with Speaker Dillon and House Democrats who are on the hook for some very tough decisions in a very tight time frame.

Calling your representative is good. Giving them your opinion on how to proceed is fine.

But the anger, name-calling and questioning of motivations is something more suited to RedState.

Andy Dillon is an oh-so-convenient punching bag right now, but what happens this time next year when all these angry words are seized upon by the Republicans and used as talking points against these elected Democrats?

Remember, decisions made in this budget are inherently temproary. Next year we're going to be in the exact same situation, only there won't by federal stimulus dollars to cushion the blow...and it'll be an election year.

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by: helzapoppn @ Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 12:09:42 PM UTC

Matter of opinion (0.00 / 0)

The reason we are having enormous problems right now is that we do not have solid progressives working for our state -- the kind of people who'll put principle ahead of the personal, the kind of people who sincerely believe and understand that their oath of office to defend and protect the people of this state requires more than hacking away at a budget.

And we have far too many electeds who are willing to compromise the health, education and safety of their constituents because they are aiming at their next gig, not doing the job they are getting paid nicely to do right now.

Would you rather I was more focused and targeted and named those people who are sucking up to Dillon because they believe they will be named to an administration role or a judgeship if Dillon should happen to get elected governor?

Because that's also going on right now. Our kids are nothing more than numbers and bargaining chips in this game of political checkers.

By the way, we have another dead child in Saginaw, the second in a week. This time a 6-month-old baby shot to death. How do you think the projected revenue sharing budget  cuts of 12 to 13% will prevent more of this kind of collateral damage? Will fewer police help? Or have we finally cut enough police, measured only by little bodies?

But I'm not supposed to name names because accountability isn't politically correct.

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by: Rayne @ Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 12:46:31 PM UTC

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My bad -- baby recovering (0.00 / 0)

Was told the baby had died after the shooting, but I see the news says the baby is recovering.

Which of course means budget cuts should forge on ahead without any accountability...right?

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by: Rayne @ Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 12:54:38 PM UTC

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I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to learn that we elected politicians... (4.00 / 3)

Amazingly, turns out our elected Democrats are, in fact, human beings with ambitions and agendas, tackling a complex set of divergent needs and constituent demands, knowing full well they'll anger a lot of people no matter what they do.

If you want to be Diogenes, wandering the corridors of power in Lansing searching for "solid progressives" who meet your Platonic ideals, that's your lookout.

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by: helzapoppn @ Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 14:29:04 PM UTC

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What to expect (4.00 / 1)

Keep in mind that there are a number of different revenue proposals and numerous appropriations bills.  I doubt you will see House Democrats voting for any of these proposals in a solid bloc.  Instead, you will see members voting their districts; the people who elected them to represent the combined interests of each district.  Regardless, we will once again see House Democrats taking the tough votes for both cuts and new revenue to achieve a balanced budget.

Many of the legislators mentioned above, particuarly Dillon, are the same ones that weathered recall elections over the past two years.  On the other hand, two years ago many House Republican refused to support any new revenue but then turned around and voted for the budgets paid for with that revenue.  This year, House Republicans have indicated that they won't support any new revenue?  But will they be consistent by voting for deep cuts to education, corrections and revenue sharing which would seriously jeopardize public safety?  Instead of targeting Democrats, perhaps instead you focus on House Republicans who vote "no" on the Corrections, K-12, and General Government budgets yet who won't support new revenue.

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by: Brady @ Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 13:16:30 PM UTC

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I think we SHOULD be angry (4.00 / 2)

These people have been elected to do a job, and they are paid rather handsomely to do it.  They're playing games with the budget right up until the deadline (AGAIN) and whatever crazy plans they come up with at 2 a.m. will no doubt be repealed in the cold light of day, a la the business tax fiasco 2 years ago.

They're willing to cut an already tattered safety net to shreds, and balance the budget on the backs of children, the elderly, the sick and the poor. They aren't willing to consider a tax on beer, chewing tobacco, bottled water or a host of other non-necessary items.  

So you're right -- these decisions are "inherently temporary." Problem is, an awful lot of short-term damage cam be done when a nursing home closes, a clinic has to turn away Medicaid patients, or a social worker can't get to a child in need... and it can be tough to undo.

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by: kelster @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 00:43:41 AM UTC

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A Senate Full of Dillon Kool Aide Drinkers Would Be Worthless (1.33 / 3)

It would be a serious waste of money to contribute to the Senate Democratic Caucus or any other group if the money could benefit any of the Dillon Kool Aide drinkers. The one thing worst than Republicans is Republicans masquarading as Democrats, like Andy Dillon, just to get elected. A Senate with Dillon's clowns will just turn on the people whenever the going get tough, just like their leader. One Manchurian Democrat is enough, we do not need a Senate full of them.

To matter politics needs to be about implementing good public policy, not just getting enough Dems or Repubs elected to organize a chamber. A pox on all the feckless politicians who lack the courage to follow through on the promises that got them elected.

Someone following the votes should post all the names of the Dirty Dillon crowd so everyone knows who is trash.  

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by: Elliot @ Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 23:28:45 PM UTC

Senate Dems deserve our support (4.00 / 1)

"It would be a serious waste of money to contribute to the Senate Democratic Caucus"

Again, I call troll.  The only people this comment benefits are the Senate Republicans.

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by: Brady @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 02:39:41 AM UTC

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So We Are Supposed to Support People Who Do Not Stand Up for Principles We Believe In? (2.00 / 2)

You sound like a Dillon Kool Aide staffer. I will raise and give money to individual Senate candidates so no money is diverted to the benefit of Dillon lemmings who go along with the betrayal of Michigan. Caucus contributions can be used to help anyone and after the last month that just does not work. If Senator Prusi is able to deny immediate effect to the Bishop/Dillon budget bills, his caucus will not suffer. But the House members who supported Dillon and think they should move to the Senate are delirous. After the smoke clears someone needs to post their names.  

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by: Elliot @ Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 09:30:42 AM UTC

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