Republican Legislators need to Sh*t or get off of the pot!

So they just rejected it out of hand, in total? (4.00 / 3)

They've got a lot of nerve, if you ask me.  They need to come up with some ideas of their own so a compromise can be worked on.  They can't do this to the people of this state -- I'm sure they're hoping everyone will blame it on the governor, not them, when this is all really their fault for repealing the SBT without having a plan to replace it.  Of course, losing the SBT wasn't our only problem.

If they're not going to try to help solve the problem, they become the problem.

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by: SharonRB @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 21:05:36 PM UTC

LANGUAGE (0.00 / 0)

  Not to be Mr. Diary Cop, but can somebody please (consider) edit(ing) the title of this diary? Children might read this thing. Thanks.

  (I know Daily Kos tends to discourage diaries' having naughty titles...)

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by: David Boyle @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 21:15:10 PM UTC

If you want to set a different tone at (4.00 / 2)

Michigan Liberal then exists is most other political blogs, and it is the owners/groups preference, I will gladly cooperate.  But, Daily Kos doesn't care what you put in the title unless it begins with F.  Kids?  I don't know about the kids you know, but the kids I know can handle this word and a lot more.  Since Kos now has Michigan Liberal linked, and this site will get a lot more traffic from blogs that are much more language casual, will this then become an issue here?  I hope not.  If no swearing is allowed at this site, it should be posted or prohibited by software as many sites do.  The point is for Michigan Liberal and the people here to change the political landscape in this country.  Our state is in trouble and the Republicans are just plain asses.  I hope we stay focused on the issues at hand and not the language.  I would like to know what the proper  protocol is for this site.  Anybody?

 

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by: dkmich @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:03:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

my understanding (4.00 / 1)

I don't want to speak for the operators of this site, but my understanding (based on some of matt's previous posts) is that profanity is O.K.  All the kids I know are familiar with much more... vivid... language than this.

Check out my mediocre blog.

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by: nirmal @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:52:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hm (0.00 / 0)

  DKos mentions, "17. ...Also, while this site doesn't prohibit profanity, please think very carefully before using any curse words in a diary title.'

  Can Mich Liberal afford to look overly bad or unprofessional? Hm.

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by: David Boyle @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 23:32:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Language... (4.00 / 2)

There are times when nothing gets your disgust or righteous wrath across like a well-placed act of potty mouth.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:07:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I his idea and thought it was great. Why didn't she listen? (4.00 / 1)

I have always favored economist, Albert Abbasse's ESTREP plan on which he campaigned for State Senate.  Abbasse's plan sought to replace the SBT with a 1% flat rate on all revenues for all businesses equally.  This plan would have saved businesses 2.9% of their tax burden and replaced all of the income lost to the repeal of the SBT and would have generated additional income for the state to enhance and spark growth and to bolster education by bringing back vocational education to the High Schools.

On DailyKos she said,  "we need a bipartisan effort" to resolve the problems in this state. I can't believe Granholm still believes in fairies.  These centrist, triangulating Democrats really need to learn that a bat works better.  The 06 elections where Tester, Webb, Brown and a whole host of fighters kicked butt apparently didn't teach them a thing.  I can't believe was a mess our government is in at both the state and federal levels.  Shame on them all.

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by: dkmich @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:09:12 PM UTC

The merits of Abbasse's plan (0.00 / 0)

As stated, it would generate more revenue.  As Abbasse's campaign manager... we met with the Michigan Chamber to present the plan to them. (As you must know... the Michigan Chamber is an arm of the Michigan Republican party).  The Chamber was intrigued.  They liked the plan and believed that it would work.  They just didn't like the way that it would create a small surplus.  They said, "If 1% creates additional revenue... why not look in to something more like .6% or .7%".  Therefore... as I mentioned earlier.  We need something on the table that can be discussed, negotiated, and compromised to fit the needs of Michiagn.  These one-sided Repuglicans don't seem to be very interested in dialogue.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. - Thomas Jefferson Democratic Edge

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by: JWinston70 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:44:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

She should have taken his plan (0.00 / 0)

and then declared war on the piggy Publicans.  Ladies and Gentleman, they want to take away your child's education for a bigger tax cut for their friends.  They want you to pay for car repairs from neglected pot holes so they can give Bloomfield Hills CEOs a bigger tax cut.  They want to take away your health insurance to give Scamway a bigger tax cut so DeVos can outsource more jobs.  Molly Invins said it.  Tester, Webb, Brown and a host of others said it.  Democrats need to make this a war between the greedy haves/have mores vs. the middle and working class.  It has to be a populist message, our message.  If we allow the Republicans to control the debate, and she is (tax cuts and gays), she will (we will) continue to lose our jobs, schools, health and everything else to the have mores.  They never have enough, and they won't be satisfied until they can take ours.  Granholm, Phil Powers and all the rest have rolled over and given in.  As I said, if this can sell in Montana, it sure as hell can sell in MI - not to mention it is true.  Granholm needs to get a bat and dump the DLC.  I couldn't believe she brought Clinton, Mr. NAFTA welfare reform put those damned welfare babies in their places but never touch a dime of corporate welfare, into MI to campaign for her.  Granholm is DLC, tepid, and that is her fault.

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by: dkmich @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:21:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The necessity of bipartisanship (4.00 / 1)

is dictated by the makeup of the Senate. I don't know what happens in the event of a tie vote, so I'm assuming she needs two Rs minimum to join w/ all the Dems. That's the reality, so I don't think you can fault her there...

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by: discomoose4 @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:06:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

She needs to toughen her rhetoric and make them (0.00 / 0)

accountable.  We need to turn the Senate blue, and I think it is her fault that it isn't.  If a populist message sells in Montana, you can't convince me it won't sell in Michigan.  We just need Granholm to dump the DLC consultants she works with and to go pick up a bat. 

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by: dkmich @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:09:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

couple things (0.00 / 0)

- how is she responsible for us not taking the senate?  forgetting for a moment that she was in a very competitive election of her own, it's tough to attribute winning or losing a seat to any single factor.

- also, my understanding is that gov. granholm differs from the DLC in some key areas, such as trade policy.

this fiscal crisis needs to be solved soon, and if it takes a "bipartisan" compromise to do it, then so be it.

that being said, i probably wouldn't use the term "bipartisan" over at daily kos :-P

Check out my mediocre blog.

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by: nirmal @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:33:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think she might have had an easier race and (0.00 / 0)

longer coat tails if she had and would get tough on the tired old "tax cutting" and "ewwww gays" routine of the Publicans.  It is so old, so untrue, and so tired.  She is busting butt to bring jobs and companies to MI, and she is doing a good job of that.  She has worked magic with the budget and deficit.  I have no clue how she got as much out of it as she did.  I give her credit, lots of it, for going after cuts first.  But now, there isn't anything left to cut, and the mess this state is in isn't her fault.  It is the fault of the deregulate, free market, tax cutters that have been in power for the last 26 years.  Look around.  Are we better off now then we were before?  What have they accomplished with their bull shit?  Nothing, nada, they are destroying the economic, military, and social fabric of this country.  They need to have it branded on their foreheads.  I just think she needs to do a much better job of squaring off and making them responsible for what they are and did.

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by: dkmich @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 22:06:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Senate Caucus is to blame for losing the Senate (0.00 / 0)

The Senate Caucus, Mark Schauer in particular is most responsible for not taking the Senate.  In a time of a great Democratic wave... Schauer, et al picked their favorites out of the gate and did NOTHING and I mean NOTHING AT ALL to help those who weren't the chosen few.  They put all of their eggs in to certain baskets and ignored the rest. They blew a lot of money early off by backing the wrong candidates... then backing out of their races leaving a vaccuum.  The caucus is either with you, or not, period.  If you aren't a targeted candidate, they won't even return your calls, let alone give any non-monetary support.  Granholm is not responsible for losing the Senate... blame the caucus gurus Schauer and his COS Ken Brock.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. - Thomas Jefferson Democratic Edge

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by: JWinston70 @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 13:56:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Stop plowing the roads (4.00 / 3)

I say the frivolous stuff, like plowing roads, be stopped now - especially those leading to Lansing.  :)

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by: jimwhitaker @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:16:53 PM UTC

Yes! (0.00 / 0)

lay off all the police and fire fighters. We don't need other emergency vehicles such as ambulances either.

Get rid of those folks who work at the water and sewage treatment plants too.

It won't take long for people to die off. Then we won't need our schools.

No citizens. No need for services.

End of problem. < / snark

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." The Importance of Being Earnest, Act I, Oscar Wilde, 1895

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by: Cordelia Lear @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 00:23:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Honest to God.... (0.00 / 0)

The Republicans in the Michigan state legislature (and probably some weak-kneed Democrats if the truth is known) have to get mugged while their house is burning down with no water available before they GET IT.

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by: jimwhitaker @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:40:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

How about we make the state (0.00 / 0)

legislature volunteer.  Let's take their wages and eliminate their benefits.  Afterall, they are such upright and independent citizens they shouldn't have to get paid to do their duty to their country and their state.  They should all be volunteers.  Isn't that how they want the poor to get fed, housed, clothed?  Volunteers, a 1,000 points of light. Let's start with Bishop and his cronies. 

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by: dkmich @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:24:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They'll be fine... (0.00 / 0)

my old state rep. had a pension from Ma Bell coming in along with the $80k and other various benefits for her part-time legislator job.  Its nuts.

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by: jimwhitaker @ Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 07:52:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I've got a name for Senate Republicans (0.00 / 0)

The DeVos Robot Army.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

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by: Hy Dudgeon @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 22:56:08 PM UTC

Let the State shut down. (0.00 / 0)

I believe the ball is in the Govs court.  Shut the State down and blame it the repubs in a blazing PR campaign.  I think the Gov needs to make a stand.

We need more progressive taxation as I've said in other post.  The Gov needs to get tough.  Liz Boyd needs to get her PR hat on and start pushing back hard.  These righties understand nothing except meeting force with force.  You cannot reason with them.

If the State police shut down blame the repubs.  If prison guards aren't getting paid, blame the repubs.  The things you attack for cuts are things repubs like most amd thats law and order.

Granholm is termed out.  Why not play super hard ball?

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by: northof55 @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:36:06 AM UTC

I love it. This is a big bat! (0.00 / 0)

Granholm will never do it, but I wish she would.  She could allocate state revenue sharing to the locals on a formula that is based on population and income. That ought to take care of the red voters in this state.  They want everyone to go it alone, well how about them first.  Granholm will never do it because she is too timid.  We need a Dem with some spine, and she ain't it.  Problem is, there is no time.  The fed told us 10 - 15 years ago that they intended to eliminate manufacturing in this country.  Money should have been stashed away for this day.  Instead, Engler ripped us off and give it to his Republican friends; and Granholm just keeps saying to those same criminals, please, help me like they give a damn.  I hope there is a Dem in the wings to replace her that is not DLC, kumbayah, and capable and willing to kick some Republican ass. 

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by: dkmich @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:35:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I guess they don't like the troops, either.... (4.00 / 1)

Under Granholm's budget plan, Military and Veteran's Affairs' budget was going to go up by 4%.  There were only four other services that were getting a bigger increase.

The "two-penny" tax could have not only brought higher revenue to our schools and local services, they could've also helped Michigan Reserve Components get quality training that could save their lives in Iraq.  It could also ensure that our vets get better care.

But I guess they don't care if a Michigan National Guardsman comes home with his leg blown off due to a lack of training, and then gets shafted by the VA for lack of funding.

Fuck you, Republicans!  With a big rubber dick!

(And I don't care who sees that.  Fuck them all)!

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by: djtyg @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:29:06 AM UTC

Happy Birthday (4.00 / 1)

my friend!

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." The Importance of Being Earnest, Act I, Oscar Wilde, 1895

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by: Cordelia Lear @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:10:28 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

If they don't personally benefit (4.00 / 1)

from the money, they don't give a damn if they take it out of the mouths of veterans, children, old people, sick people, or the dying.  This group is the poorest excuse for a human being that I have ever seen.  If there is a god, they are why he created a hell.

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by: dkmich @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:38:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Back on the subject (4.00 / 1)

As I was reading the comments, it was a little saddened to see the side track onto the use of language in what was supposed to be a discussion of hardball. I'm glad it got back on point.

It is time for the Governor to get really tough--if she doesn't, and doesn't do it soon, she will lose her last term in it's first six months and be totally ineffective for the next three and a half years.  Yes, she needs to start kicking some butt and taking names, and when she has the names of those who are obstructionists, she needs to let everyone know who they are. 

We need leadership in the Governor's office now more than ever before, but I am afraid we will get study groups and feel-good instead of that leadership.

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by: oldwarden @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 14:27:27 PM UTC

There is more at stake than the next 3.5 years (4.00 / 1)

You are correct to point out that if the Gov. caves to the Repubs now, she will empower them to continue to bully her and her authority over the remainer of her term. The future beyond Granholm is also at stake.  If our Democratic Gov. ends her term weak, it will open the door for attacks by the Repubs in the next gubernatorial race.  Dems will painted as weak and ineffective.  (across the board, not just the Governor)

I am a HUGE Granholm supporter, I believe in her implicitly.  But you really put your finger on the pulse of this issue.  She needs to take a stand and put the 'naysayers' in their place.  She needs to call them out, not as 'naysayers', but as the 'obstructionists' that they really are.  Playing politics with the future of our State at this critical and fragile time is going to be a death-blow to Michigan families, children, and businesses. 

Play hardball Gov.  Shut it down!  Send all available funds to the cities and townships to help them survive under local control- then shut down the state until we have a fair and equitable budget!

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. - Thomas Jefferson Democratic Edge

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by: JWinston70 @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 15:15:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Shut it down (4.00 / 1)

I'm glad to see my shut the state down idea has touched a nerve. I believe this is the Govs only option at this point.  She must get tough and call out the rethugs, the state chamber and Mackinaw Center and portray them as the out of mainsteam nuts they are.

I agree with a post above that talked about making sure loacls have their revenue sharing. I agree totally.  Locals are cutting fire and police.  Some large cities have cut staff by 1/3 and some city managers are getting bonuses for cutting the budget.  While some cuts are warranted, this has gone to far. 

Oh yeah, the three billion the Govs cut from the state budget the last four years, that came directly from revenue sharing.  Revenue sharing to cities, villages, township and counties has been over three billion dollars.
Counties haven't received a dime in revenue sharing for three years.

This must stop.  If there is any government that is more efficient it is local.  I work for a local and it is a well oiled machine.  The only problem is the state and federal mandated paperwork, especially when compared to the private sector.  There is a report for everything.

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by: northof55 @ Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 21:09:08 PM UTC