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It's hard to wrap your mind around the devastating blows the state of Michigan has been taking, but this may help put things in perspective: The state just canceled $740 million in (badly needed) road work because it doesn't have the money to match federal highway spending. The math isn't all crystal clear from the Detroit News story, but at one point it's mentioned that the state stands to lose $576 million in federal money, which will be distributed to other states. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
So here's the obvious solution: We raise a couple hundred million in taxes, and the feds send over half a billion dollars our way, which we can spend on good jobs for Michiganders, improve our infrastructure, attract businesses and so on... Seems like a NO BRAINER, right? It's like getting those matching 401(k) dollars from your employer: You tighten your belt somewhere else in order to get all the matching money that's on the table. Only a fool would be so penny-wise and pound-foolish as to give away that kind of free money.
Unfortunately, Michigan has just such a fool. Now, I understand that Republicans have a deep feeling that we shouldn't raise taxes. Ever. Under any circumstances, including war or economic catastrophe (because those are the present circumstances). But doesn't this seem like it would be money well spent? Not so, says the top Republican in the Michigan Senate -- a man worried, as always, about winning elections rather than putting food on your table. Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop says, "Citizens have been clear about not paying higher taxes in this economy."
Hey Mike: Get the money. "This economy" desperately needs this work and this sort of federal investment. There are few better ways to invest the taxpayer's money than in some modern roads. We're all fed up with Michigan's crappy highways, and they drive away vital investment.
Discussing this story with my friend Sue, she tells the story of Gov. Jennifer Granholm bringing in a CEO who was thinking of moving his company to Michigan. As the story goes, they pick him up at the airport, but before they get to the meeting he says, "I've seen enough. There's no way I'm moving my company to a state with such awful roads." Is the story true? I dunno, but it sounds about right to me.
Friday, June 05, 2009
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6 comments:
Your argument makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, you are up against fools who claim that taxes are evil and the government is bad and you are a communist.
I could not agree more with Scot's comments concerning taxes (a few pennies on a gallon of gas), for new jobs and better roads. What a deal. It just shows that republicans care more about an ideology than the welfare of the State and its people.
When times were good and big John decided to cut taxes (which was not hurting anyone) I thought that was dumb.
I agree with both those people above me. And with you, by the way.
Irish Mike - you are right - it all comes down to ideology. I don't know how you can change someone's ideology. Is it impossible?
RE: paragraph 2. You are right about taking advantage of 401K matching funds. That way,after you lose your job or have another extreme emergency, you can get the money "YOU" saved and the company has paid the penalties for taking it out to feed your family. Actually we should keep it in our mattresses so our children can throw it in the trash. Another question. Why should anyone worry about putting food on anyone else's table? Isn't the goal of life to see how much you can accumulate? And what's the use of anyone who fails to do that or plays the grasshopper who fiddles all day?
Michigan has many fools that have helped us get to this point. Has Granholm really made an honest effort to raise the taxes that the state needs. Before I would cast blame at the opposition leader for blocking taxes, I would blame the Governor for not leading the charge.
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