[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by virgokid1

Who thinks that Michigan is ready for a conservative leader, perhaps lowering taxes, giving businesses better incentives to stimulate growth, cutting back on the welfare system (other than healthcare I mean), increasing revenues in smarter ways, etc?

Lowering taxes!? Taxes need to be raised, not lowered, especially because they have been less than inspired about coming up with "smarter ways" of raising money. (Since when does government make money any other way than by taxation?) A one-percent sales-tax increase would kill the budget deficit completely.

And the cuts she's been making have been both brutal and ludicrous. The state reform school for boys is down to 150 inmates and is about to be reduced again by half. When they laid off 49 line staff in February, they let 30 sex offenders out on the sidewalks. But the place still has 2 school principals, 7 directors and 13 program directors, all secure in their jobs. That place is built to hold 500 kids.

[TaxBait]

Originally Posted by Andre5140

I agree. I'm too young to remember, but weren't the Carter years as bad as this???

Yes, mortgage interest rates were as high as 18%.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by Driller1

What ever happened to personal responsibly? Live within your means, in good times save. In hard times cut some more. Anyone on the INTERNET complaining does not have a problem. They have INTERNET and time to complain. Can't get a good job? Get two or three bad jobs, I did. I worked three jobs for a long time, then decided to start my own business. It is not for everyone but, if you look there is always an answer.

That's easy to say if you're out of work for six months. I know plenty of people who were out of work for TWO YEARS or more. One guy I know got downsized out of his job, found NOTHING for the next 2.5 years, and only got that at last because he borrowed $8,000 from his folks, got totally retrained in something new, and then only got a job in another state. He drives to Indiana every week. They only survived because 2 days before the layoff, his wife started her own business which has done fantastically, in Michigan's biggest growth industry: criminal justice.

No, wait. They just closed one of the prisons, too, didn't they?

[jimdhen]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

Lowering taxes!? Taxes need to be raised, not lowered, especially because they have been less than inspired about coming up with "smarter ways" of raising money. (Since when does government make money any other way than by taxation?) A one-percent sales-tax increase would kill the budget deficit completely.

And the cuts she's been making have been both brutal and ludicrous. The state reform school for boys is down to 150 inmates and is about to be reduced again by half. When they laid off 49 line staff in February, they let 30 sex offenders out on the sidewalks. But the place still has 2 school principals, 7 directors and 13 program directors, all secure in their jobs. That place is built to hold 500 kids.

Let me ask when people don't have enough money, they cut back on spending right? Or do they go stand out front of their house and demand more money from passers-by because they don't want to cut back their standard of living? The State needs to do the same thing. MI can't have what it was used to so forget it, and get their hands out of my pockets shaking me down. Think they don't have enough money to spend? Donate more of yours to Lansing. That mentality is the mentality that has nearly bankrupted MI. Always wanting someone else to pay the freight. Find me one example where it ever worked.

[rutha1105]

Originally Posted by jimdhen

Let me ask when people don't have enough money, they cut back on spending right? Or do they go stand out front of their house and demand more money from passers-by because they don't want to cut back their standard of living? The State needs to do the same thing. MI can't have what it was used to so forget it, and get their hands out of my pockets shaking me down. Think they don't have enough money to spend? Donate more of yours to Lansing. That mentality is the mentality that has nearly bankrupted MI. Always wanting someone else to pay the freight. Find me one example where it ever worked.

That's a good idea!! I think I'll go install a toll booth out by the mailbox so people can learn what it's like to live on the East Coast!

[deslok]

From my experience, when interest rates were lowered a few years ago, many people bought cars, and houses that could not normally afford to do so. These same people were living beyond their means to take advantage of teaser rates. These same folks would hardly pay the kind of money in taxes if they were increased, that someone making 50 or 60 thousand would pay. A tax increase penalizes the few people here that are fortunate enough to have jobs, and unfairly helps out the folks in the lower income brackets making bad decisions. Perhaps if taxes are kept low and we have a government in place able to bring in new businesses to MIchigan, those same low income folks will have the benefit of doing what everyone else does, pay taxes.

[goat]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

Lowering taxes!? Taxes need to be raised, not lowered, especially because they have been less than inspired about coming up with "smarter ways" of raising money. (Since when does government make money any other way than by taxation?) A one-percent sales-tax increase would kill the budget deficit completely.

And the cuts she's been making have been both brutal and ludicrous. The state reform school for boys is down to 150 inmates and is about to be reduced again by half. When they laid off 49 line staff in February, they let 30 sex offenders out on the sidewalks. But the place still has 2 school principals, 7 directors and 13 program directors, all secure in their jobs. That place is built to hold 500 kids.

Trust me, Michigan's Govt/Budget has plenty of Pork to throw around. They'll cut what the public needs, but never what special interests want.

Matter of fact, Michigan's House will vote on allowing Illegal Aliens to get in-State Tuition.

Yeah, times are tough Mr. Taxpayer - tighten your belt.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

That's easy to say if you're out of work for six months. I know plenty of people who were out of work for TWO YEARS or more. One guy I know got downsized out of his job, found NOTHING for the next 2.5 years, and only got that at last because he borrowed $8,000 from his folks, got totally retrained in something new, and then only got a job in another state. He drives to Indiana every week. They only survived because 2 days before the layoff, his wife started her own business which has done fantastically, in Michigan's biggest growth industry: criminal justice.

No, wait. They just closed one of the prisons, too, didn't they?

Thanks, you made my point. Your friend was responsible, retrained and has a job. Good for him!
Just a note: There is openings for 180 MDC jobs in the UP.