Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Good News for Michigan - Drolet Fails Again

This is good news for Democracy and for the rule of law. The far right wing fringe in Michigan failed to get enough signatures for their frivolous recall petition for House Speaker Andy Dillon. Their attempt to disrupt the state legislature would have been harmful to Michigan, especially at a time when we need constructve progress, not chaos from some angry extremists who don't understand how taxes or economies operate.

Drolet and ilk, such as far-right radical Grover "drown government in a bathtub" Norquist, are a group of anti-tax zealots who offer only criticism and negativity and present no solutions of their own to the many problems faced by the citizens of Michigan.

All they have to offer is exactly the kind of minimalist, ineffective government we saw respond to Katrina.

They have a very narrow, ideological view of taxation that is not based in reality or pragmatism. They obviously do not have the best interest of the citizens of the state at heart because they offer no constructive solutions to any of the real problems we face, such as record layoffs and foreclosures.

On the other hand, Andy Dillon has been instrumental in the bill earlier this year which created 29,000 new jobs by investing in Michigan and brought the movie industry to Michigan by offering the best incentives in the nation.

What people like Drolet and Norquist do not understand is that taxes are merely the mechanism by which government generates revenue and that governments are non-profit, so if they really wanted to lower taxes they would offer meaningful ways to lower costs so we can cut spending and thereby legitimately and responsibly lower taxes.

The sad, inescapable truth is that Leon Drolet is more interested in pushing a failed ideology than in helping the citizens of Michigan.

2 comments:

WCTaxpayers said...

It must be dark where ever you have your head. Do you really think they they have been doing a good job in Lansing. I can not even believe that they are reading the bills they have been voting on.

You are certainly ranting. But the legislature has been doing more to drive business out of this state than to bring business in to this state. Don't take my word, look at the data. You may think I am part of the lunatic fringe, but I consider myself as part of the rational realists. Maybe you can explain the exodus of people out of Michigan. For every one that moves in two move out.

Rose Bogaert, Chair
Wayne County Taxpayers Association

The Sarcastic Cynic said...

Thank you for the comment Rose,
Unfortunately I don't think you understood the point of the essay.

Of course I don't think everyone in Lansing is doing a great job but I do think there are some good things happening, such as the investment in Michigan, which there needs to be a lot more of, and the movie industry coming here. That is going to create a lot of jobs in the long run.

Businesses are leaving Michigan because all our talent is leaving and our infrastructure is crumbling. Our schools are too expensive and what jobs we do still have here have seen their wages fall significantly over the last 8 years. Macomb County just had to cancel repairing several bridges that have been in desperate need for years.

This anti-tax obsession Drolet and his followers are pushing is based on ignorance and is hurting Michigan.

Taxes are not our enemy.
Taxes are the dues we pay for membership in a civil society.

It is very simple, if you think taxes are too high, then find somewhere that we can cut expenses.

Cutting taxes without cutting spending is irresponsible and dangerous. That is what Leon Drolet and his ilk are known for.

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