Newspaper readers, take note of the fine print: What Michigan averted on October 1 could likely happen again on November 1.
I had to explain to a couple friends that October 1 didn't end the budget crisis in this state: they only agreed to a one-month extension of the current teetering budget.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon are taking much of the heat from this. There are some fledgling recall campaigns being organized for at least five state congressional people. At the center of the rhubarb is how to close a billion-dollar deficit without making cuts to their special interest groups.
The newspapers won't tell you that. They won't mention the groups. Maybe they don't need to, because the average Joe knows what's going on better than some of these staff writers let on.
Criticism runs the gamut. But one point they cite, now more than ever, was the term limit package voters approved several years ago. I for one was a term-limit supporter at that time. Too many career politicians in the state, too much cronyism, too many people voting for them time & again because of name recognition... voting based on past service to the state, not thinking about their current rate of service.
However, the term limit system has had a few elections to flow freely. And people are now pointing out that those on the House and Senate floors lack the experience, the authority, or the respect from their peers to muster an acceptable budget package without shrouds of doubt behind them.
Who are some of the dinosaurs still lurking? Not on a state level, but U.S. Congressman John Dingell still resides on Capitol Hill. Opponents running against him used to call him "Bigfoot". He was their main target of their campaigns to get term limits imposed. There's been a Dingell in Congress forever, they said. The call for fresh blood was obvious, and the state citizenry bought into it.
Now, Dingell looks wise compared to some of the people from Michigan. On a personal note, he even helped Jenni greatly, dealing with a corrupt social worker who was denying Jenni the services she deserves and needs. With an Andy Dillon there in Dingell's place, would the same thing have happened?
It's been said that the people in state politics now don't have a backbone and cannot vote their clear conscience. They have to rely on a state prototype that's no longer effective. They can't get out of the shadows of their predecessors, so they vote likewise to continue the tradition.
Michigan's government, as a result, looks very weak to us, and to the nation in general. The union consists of 49 states plus Michigan, according to one survey I read.
If they were laughing October 1, there'll be sides splitting all over the place on November 1.
Think of the state of Michigan and its citizens for a moment, folks. The citizens, NOT the companies.
And save us from final damnation on November 1.
