Treating the symptoms rather than the disease

Is there even a reason to have a budget? (0.00 / 0)

None of these proposals will hold. This, and every states, tax receipts have fallen off a cliff and will continue to do so unless the Obama administration puts people back to work. With a real unemployment rate of over 20 percent, how does anyone think the state can fund anything?


"Stop the looting and start the prosecuting."

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by: jsalera @ Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 20:57:28 PM UTC

What happened to the Senate Democrats today? (0.00 / 0)

That new doctor tax...err, I mean doctor 'revenue' (or whatever you guys prefer to call taxes this week) was put up for a vote in the state senate today. It got FOUR votes!

Lots of senators bitching about the spending cuts. Four senators actually willing to hike taxes.

Maybe Bishop isn't just being a loudmouth. It appears that he is correct - there isn't support in the senate for tax hikes from either party.

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by: leondrolet @ Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 21:29:49 PM UTC

Answer (0.00 / 0)

Press release from the Senate Dems...

LANSING, Mich.  - Today Senate Democrats opposed a surprise political maneuver by Senate Republicans on the so-called "physician's tax" because the Majority allowed no serious debate or amendments to improve the legislation.

"This is exactly the kind of gamesmanship that has created our budget mess and rightly ticked off the public, and we're not going to be a part of it anymore," said Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming). "Our caucus has consistently offered solutions that could be worked out through honest debate and compromise, but the Senate Republicans seem completely unwilling and unable to meet anyone halfway."

Without any prior announcement or discussion, the Republican Majority called for a vote on an expansion of the Quality Assessment Assurance Program to physicians as it was approved in the House. Democrats pointed out that following a recent extensive hearing on the subject, a number of suggestions for improvement were discussed, yet the Majority allowed for debate or action on none of them today.

"All this does is further erode the public confidence in our ability to work together or get anything done, and that's a shame," said Senator Mickey Switalski (D-Roseville) a sponsor of similar legislation who had been involved in negotiations and personally offered numerous times to work on a compromise. "This kind of maneuvering just sets us further back in the process and they know it."

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 22:02:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It was the same legislation that was approved by the House (0.00 / 0)

There always will be the excuse, "It wasn't perfect, so i opposed it."

This was a chance to prove that support was there for a tax hike - even if it wasn't perfect enough. And the support was not there.

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by: leondrolet @ Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 22:14:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If you read the press release... (0.00 / 0)

The press release said that stuff has come to light since the House passed it that could have improved this, but no one was given a chance to offer amendments or debate the issue.  It was a political trick by the Senate Republicans designed to undermine the docs' tax.  By the way, that tax would help poor people gain access to health care.  So, you're now officially on the side of opposing providing poor and old people with access to health care.

Nice going.

By the way, I understand that WDIV is hyping a story featuring your new best bud Mike Cox for tonight's broadcast.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 22:24:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

"improved it"... (0.00 / 0)

...or "salvaged it"?. Was it a disaster when the Dems passed it in the House? Was it even "acceptable"? Is the perfect the enemy of the good?

What a cop-out! They are simply hypocritical cowards, Eric.

Oh, and yes, Anyone who opposes any tax hike hates all puppies and children and wants everyone to immediately die in agony. Only the government class can save people.

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by: leondrolet @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 01:27:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Leon Drolet=failure (4.00 / 1)

Have you managed to get a job in the private sector yet?  Sadness that this is not yet the case, because those of us who've live most of our lives in the private understand what a bullshit peddler you are.

I could offer rebuttal to this ... yet, why?  Most normal persons recognize the role that conference committees play in crafting intelligent legislation. Things as proposed often require update and amendment once exposed to the powers of debate and scrutiny.  Today's vote was less an indictment of the need for extra revenue to balance the budget than a recognition that the best ideas were not represented.  Sadly, when your best idea is nothing more complex than that taxes should under no circumstances be raised, today would appear to be some kind of sorry victory.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 02:17:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hahahahaha!!!!! (0.00 / 0)

Figured that you would cop-out,too with your "no rebuttal". Then, of course, resort to personal attacks (and working for the taxpayers Alliance IS a private-sector job. None of the $$ is confiscated from citizens through taxes).

Hmmm...somehow Switalski, Cherry, Buzz and one more senator DID have the courage to vote for the doctor tax. Were they wrong? Stupid? What?

Don't bother to respond. You are better at personal attacks than logical rebuttals. Stick with what you do best.

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by: leondrolet @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 14:44:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

... (0.00 / 0)

You aren't anywhere within 500 nautical miles of the private sector.  You're in the "professional parasite" sector, which means you go out and grub money from people so you can remain relevant to the public sector.  The two are vastly different things.  Again, those of us who've held jobs in the private sector know exactly what separates the kind of work we do or did and what you have built a career out of.

I would answer you with a logical rebuttal if one were warranted.  You clearly understand that what Mike Bishop did yesterday was a political stunt meant to make everyone think that there is no mood in the state Senate to raise taxes.  Yet, for reasons known only to yourself, you show up here and attempt to hold a "logical debate" about it. I'll once again revert to pointing out that you've never held a job in the private sector.  Only someone who's entire career is built around politics conflates time-wasting bullshit with actual work.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 14:56:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hmmm.... (0.00 / 0)

maybe you are right.

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by: leondrolet @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 14:59:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

moron (0.00 / 0)

bishop is a moron and if he had live under his party's rules in the "free market" he'd be holding a paper cup out of his carboard box and asking people for a few pennies for a cup of joe.

useless. stupid. moron.

what a complete waste of space.  

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by: healtHcareforall @ Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 00:06:02 AM UTC