Posted on Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 10:32 a.m.
Gov. Snyder's policies aim to destroy Michigan's middle class
By Letters to the Editor
How can this newspaper casually put articles about the Volt and college sports on the web page when this state is about to be overtaken by Gov. Snyder and his Republican henchmen?!
Where’s the coverage? Oh, I forgot … you endorsed Snyder. So, you probably agree with his policy changes. Right? The ones that go far beyond fixing the budget and are aimed at destroying the middle class and establishing the Republican brotherhood as the guardians of the state.
Snyder is on the verge of setting himself as a dictator (think about it before you snicker) and you’re doing little to provide your readers and the citizens of the greater Ann Arbor area for the in-depth coverage this situation demands! Brian Callaghan Tecumseh
Comments
picabia
Sat, Mar 19, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
Republicans are always talking about less government, but the EFM thing is a big government solution. Giving an emergency manager the power to cancel contracts? If Democrats tried something like this, Republicans would scream to high heaven. Republicans don't like Big Government except when they like it.
Townie
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 11:07 p.m.
Shared sacrifice in action... If you want to see who Gov. Snyder picked as winners vs losers see this summary by the Michigan League for Human Services: <a href="http://www.milhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/FactSheetAllPainNoGain.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.milhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/FactSheetAllPainNoGain.pdf</a> The rich get richer and the poor get poorer -- no doubt. More wealth concentrated with fewer and fewer people who will have more and more influence with campaign contributions. And the corporations will be able to spend more to keep their money as well (helped by the billionaire Koch Brothers).
JSA
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
It appears the left wing fringe is well represented. What is it you don't understand about "THERE IS NOT MONEY"? We have had 8 years of a Democratic governor that did nothing but pay off her cronies. Remember the state police headquarters in Lansing, how about "cool cities"? She did nada to fix the structural problems with the state's budget. From reading the responses as far as I can see people believe that the public union employees are the states middle class and no one else. This is a governor who actually has a plan and is trying to enact it upon assuming office. Will it work, I don't know but I waited 8 years under Granholm and she never did have a plan.
Subroutine
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
It's interesting to me how everyone seems to realize that changes need to be made to fix our current situation until they discover that those changes may have some effect on them personally. "We all need to make changes and sacrifice to fix this! Oh.. wait.. you meant me too? I thought you just meant all those other people.."
Monica R-W
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
Here is the situation with 'Nerd' Governor Snyder. When you raise taxes on the middle class and Seniors at the expense of giving funds to his rich business buddies, that is not going to fly over well in this state. Snyder has been in office for less than three months and in a growing number of people eyes he is a sellout and at worse, refused to stand by his words during the election.....kinda. See it's kinda because he did not tell most of the people of Michigan really ANYTHING about what he would or not do if he was elected Governor. Instead, a number of people fell into the stick marketing campaign of the 'Nerd" with its' version of classical music that reminded them of good memories of watching U of M Marching Band on a Sat. at a game in the fall months. You know, that good, jolly feelings level with the silent thoughts, 'everything will be fine', 'he got this' filled potential voters minds, but he did not say much of anything. Heck, Snyder barely debated his opposition Virg Bernero. The one hour debate was at best a JOKE, where Snyder gave spun answers which never really told voters nothing.....you know, like CEO speak, or Wall Street Analyst's, Quarterly Report calls....you should know the drill. Sadly, many Michiganders did not. Snyder's for this part, did not waste anytime with transforming Michigan Government to what his rich buddies....including the Koch Brothers on the back end, wanted to see. A little known fact is that IF the tax budget is passed, Snyder and company has placed a small but serious line item appropriation in the bill for $100 which would nullify placing a citizens referendum on the ballot, for residents can petition for a up or down vote on the measure, passed by the legislative body. Why is this necessary to take away citizens rights to reform actions a majority does not agree with....I don't know but Snyder is creeping dangerously close in an attempt to end ONE MAN/WOMAN-ONE VOTE that is in the Michigan Constitutional Law.
pseudo
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
There is so much mis-information in these comments its killing me. New EFM Law...: The governor can declare a municipality or school to be in danger of a crisis at any time they see fit. Got news - that a very broadly law AND it gives huge latitude for gop-types to go after the cities in this state to put them under the control of a single unelected person who doesn't live in the city that they will decimate. That is amazing. The state is not broke. not at all. The conflict here is over a budget gap and how to spend the money it takes in. There are various ways to do this. The problem I am seeing is this: by a) shifting taxes onto poor people and senior citizens doesn't create a single job. b) our business tax situation wasn't that bad compared to the other states and we've drastically cut business taxes under Engler and it brought NOTHING to the state. c) by drastically cutting school funding at all levels, this will make it more difficult for this state to produce people with any kind of reasonable education - which is what I see at a huge issue in attracting businesses and employers to this state examples below: "To my employees, I have chosen to move our facility to Michigan where I pay very little in taxes. Your pensions will be taxed if you retire there, You will pay a reasonable income tax but the roads aren't repaired and the cities are all under unelected leadership and stripped of services. The public schools are atrocious and the poor are now more desperate than ever before because now they are actually starving, Ready? Who's with me?" -or- scenario #2 "Hi Mr. Governor, I am looking to potentially expand my company in your state. How fast can I attract and retain people with solid 4 year degrees? And families? Where can they get a solid public school education or should my people just plan on paying for Green Hills, or some other private school? Where are the roads repaired? Where is it safe?...
walker101
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
As if the Democratic brotherhood has done any better. Maybe you shouldn't of retired with a limited fix budget considering the cost of living increases about every year,(poor planning) all politicos' are fairly rich regardless of party, and maybe it his personal agenda, just like the Anointed one said "we need a CHANGE".
Pizza Man
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
I heard Rick Snyder say that everyone has to sacrifice in his budget. He said that his sacrifice is that he is going to pay himself $1 a year as Governor. He is a multi- millionaire. This is not a sacrifice! For him to feel the pinch he would have to give the State a Million Dollars or so a year for him to "feel the pinch". All I hear is about the middle class. What about the lower class who don't have a voice? Everyone is worried about the Middle class, who might have to cut back to 3 weeks of vacation instead of 4 weeks this year. What about the people that are just scrapping by?
DonBee
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
He did not have to run, he did not have to spend his own money to get the job. He did it because he thought he had a better idea. He will end up poorer when he is done than when he started and he gave up the ability to make more money with startups during his time in Lansing. He is probably forgoing income in the $1 million range from running his venture firms. What are you giving up Pizza Man? How are you helping the state or your community?
1bit
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 6:43 p.m.
Who cares about how much money he has? Does that make your opinion better than his? The people who are "just scrapping by" are largely unaffected by the budget proposal. In fact, by keeping Medicaid at its current funding levels, the budget is helping the poorest among us.
John B.
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.
Everyone has the power of the vote. One man/woman, one vote. Remember that, and vote, vote, vote. Our voter turnouts tend to be pathetic in this country, in general. That should stop. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain, in my opinion. You can also recall politicians. I suspect you will see about a half-dozen or so recalled in Wisconsin, for example, where yesterday they had the largest pro-Democracy rally there so far (about 100,000 people in Madison).
ChrisW
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
Funny how there was no national outrage when Gov Granholm took over Benton Harbor. It only becomes dangerous when the *other* party exercises that same power. Note that Engler took over Highland Park as well, so the notion that this is somehow a dangerous new power is simply wrong. It is a warning to cities to get their financial houses in order, though. And unless we can stem the tide of jobs and people away from Michigan, the whole situation is only going to get worse.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
Pay attention carefully, ChrisW. The examples you cite were under the old law. The new law is radically different and anti-democratic in its provisions. The analysis prepared by the House Fiscal Agency make this clear. Try reading it. Good Night and Good Luck
Top Cat
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
All the defenders of the stagnant quo in Michigan can cast stones all they like but they have no plan and no remedy. They offer nothing to those who cannot find work.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
What evidence is there that the current EFM law does not work? Good Night and Good Luck
Brian Kitchin
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
HELLO? The State is BROKE. Politicians kept giving Public workers the best perks to get votes. Your entire Contracts were based on coercing officials. The free rides over baby. I'd cut your pay 35%. Don't like it? Tough. Try a job in the real world where you actually have to produce. Short of firemen, cops and correction workers the rest are free=loaders. Know firsthand. So quite your crying.
Michael Schils
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
I assume that since you claim to know "firsthand" that all public workers are " free=loaders" then you must be (or have been) a public worker, else, how would you know? Are you implying that the contracts for the firemen, cops and correction workers are not subject to the same coercive "perks for votes" you accuse the other public workers of? Or did you not intend to imply such? (Note to mods: I'm videorecording my computer screen as I post this comment and I will upload it to YouTube if you censor me.)
DonBee
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
Much of the middle class is made up of small and independent business people. The changes to the taxes favor exactly these people. Equalizing what they pay in taxes with union and non-union employees. To my knowledge few employees create new jobs, the small business folks do. As to the Emergency Manager Bill, you still have time to get changes into it. Work with your congress person. I doubt that the specific language came from the Governor, it probably started elsewhere. Blame the governor, sure that's fair, and then let's blame him for all the spring potholes and the March snowstorms too, after all he is the Governor. As to the budget, I doubt it will survive contact with the State House and Senate. Get your letter writing pens working. Then you always have the option of petitions to change things, but changing the state constitution. It could have been worse, we could have a Constitutional Convention running right now or live in Wisconsin.
HaeJee
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
"Much of the middle class is made up of small and independent business people." You mean business owners......... and I disagree with you. Middle class tend to make approximately 25,000 to 100,000. If you include the upper middle class, that figure goes up to around 250k. Majority of middle class includes blue collar workers AND professionals. You CANNOT convince me that there are more middle class business owners over electricians, teachers, police officers, professors, engineers, nurses, heating and cooling techs, family doctors, family dentists, etc. Business owners may include a few owners, but what about the hired executives, middle management and professionals that are middle class? I hate to break it to you, but the "real" business owners in our state are NOT middle class, but extremely wealthy. This tax break for the business owners will make them wealthier and the real middle class "working group" carry the burden. As an independent voter, I don't know what is more Republican you can get than what Snyder is proposing.
DonBee
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 1:32 a.m.
Not true Vick, it is not a contradiction at all. According to the small business administration there are over 750,000 small businesses in Michigan with more than 1 million owners working in the business. Additionally more than 450,000 people are independent contractors who do not have the legal paperwork to be a business, but operate like one. There are roughly 3.9 million folks that are employed in Michigan. So small and independent businesses account for 1.4 million people as owners in the business. In addition of the roughly 750,000 small businesses, roughly 1/3 have employees beyond the owners. So if they each have 1 employee they account for another 250,000 jobs or about 1.6 million of the total jobs in the state. While it is not most, it is a significant percentage. The estimate of only 1 employee is probably low for the 250,000 businesses with employees. Given the demographics of the state (about 2.1 million households between $25,000 and $100,000 a year in income) - I would say small business probably makes up a large percentage of this group. Oh, and of the 3.9 million folks in Michigan that are working, over 500,000 work for some unit of government. So each private employee is supporting about 1/8 of a government worker. (these statistics are available at: <a href="http://www.uscensus2010data.com/26-michigan-employment-statistics-and-income-demographics)" rel='nofollow'>www.uscensus2010data.com/26-michigan-employment-statistics-and-income-demographics)</a>
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
You both are correct--it is chicken-and-egg. People buy good/services from blurrinesses who employ people who buy goods/services. On their own, purchasers do not create jobs, but businesses will not create jobs unless they are convinced it will lead to more revenue from sales. It is impossible to tease out the start point of that cycle. Good Night and Good Luck
DonBee
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
No Johnnya2 - Employees create demand. If there is no business to service the demand, it goes unfilled. Businesses create jobs, they also create new categories of demand (e.g. at one point in time no one knew they needed an iPod or a Cell phone). Demand does NOT equal jobs. Demand does make it possible to create jobs and sustain them. There are many things I want that I cannot find locally. No local business supplies them. So I have demand, but I have not created jobs, at least not locally. Food safety is a Federal requirement. Most food inspectors and chemists are now paid for the food companies. Inspectors are stationed at factories that pay for the inspector to be on site. I never indicated that police and fire are not important, nor that we should not maintain roads. So, don't put that spin on my post, please. As to issues with the government, take a look at the front page of the Detroit Sunday Paper. That is a real problem and it is your tax money going down the drain.
johnnya2
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
"To my knowledge few employees create new jobs" This is a blatant lie. Employees spend money at places like Buschs which then hires new people. DEMAND for products (by employees) creates jobs. Not tax policy. This is simple supply and demand economics. When you take away money from employees, they spend less. This creates lower demand for the products. Here is a basic idea for you. Those who think lower taxes create anything, then why aren't you for ZERO taxes. You can pay for EVERYTHING you use on your own. You want police and fire protection. Go hire your own people to do it. You want roads. Every road is now a toll road. You want food safety, go ahead and hire a chemist to make sure the food is good BEFORE you buy it.
Chip Reed
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
At least the governor gets along with the mayor of Detroit. Maybe I'm too cynical, but I always thought that this is what Republicans DID. They just want poor people to work harder. Unfortunately, their model seems to be Europe of the Middle Ages. Not a good time for the middle class, I'm afraid.
Ignatz
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
It's human nature to desire a stongman who will cure our ills. In the last century, that desire gave power to people such as Hitler and Mussolini. Their nations were in shambles and they showed a propensity to right the ship. Even with the fall of the Soviet Union there are throngs who pine for the good old days under Uncle Joe Stalin, who at least provided some kind of employment, when he wasn't slaughtering his citizens. These types thrive because of our inability to compromise and do what's best for we as a people. Private interests take precedent and individuals are out for their own gain. Instead of the electorate taking the time to study what the situation really is and take steps to correct it, people take the easy way out and look for the quick fix, the strongman. Americans have, for the most part, have been able to avoid the extremes of this in our short history. The wealth of the land and sometimes lack of global competition usually provided ample opportunity for all. A strong middle class was allowed to form without too much bloodshed because the rich were satisfied with what they reaped. With our overall wealth declining, there's less to go around. The upper class does not want to share this smaller pot. They are able to convince many others to run to their cause. They place red herrings before us. We know them as "create jobs", "America, love it or leave it", "send the immigrants back home" and many others. Get used to people like Rick Snyder, who, at worst, is strongman light.
1bit
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
And Godwin's Law proves itself once again...
lkelliot
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
I did not vote for Snyder because I felt that as a Republican, he would only look out for the rich and so far it has manifested itself that way. I totally agree with Edward Morrow's ghost's post about the situation. I wonder how folks who voted for him and his cronies are going to be when their tax refund from the state is lower starting in 2013 because of Snyder's elimination of the earned income credit for Michigan tax returns. It amazes me that people vote for politicians(Republicans) who do not give a damn about them unless they are rich and conservative and then whine about it when these politicians pass legislation that hurts them in their everyday lives. Take care and Go Blue! both Men's and Women's basketball teams in the NCAA Tournament(Hopefully).
Basic Bob
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
If Snyder gets support from the legislature, it will actually save the middle class. See, I can make a statement without supporting it with facts! The Emergency Financial Manager bill should only apply when there is a real emergency. So perhaps it will never (or rarely) impact anyone. An alternate response from the state would be to refrain from appointing an EFM. Allow the struggling city to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, and then invalidate all the employee contracts. Does that work for anyone? We will have complete disruption of public services: water, sewer, police, fire, trash collection, snow removal, and street maintenance. The net result would be the flight of all middle class people to places where these services still exist, plummeting real estate prices, foreclosures, failing schools. How would this be superior to giving an EFM additional authority?
johnnya2
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
Because the reality is that won't happen. Any city in that situation would be REQUIRED to have a hearing before a judge and make their case. This bill puts the power in some APPOINTED person at the governors whim. Bankruptcy is a LEGAL procedure. The problem is the STATE sets the rules on what a LOCAL government can and can not collect in revenue, then takes away the revenue sharing that was promised for the 50% hike in sales tax. It has not happened. Snyder could propose a budget with zero dollars for anything. I suppose he could get the population of the prisons to do the work for pennies per hour. We know that is how he ran Gateway, why should we expect anything more from him running the state. By the way, how is Gateway doing these days?
Alan Goldsmith
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Dude, guess you aren't a regular reader of AnnArbor.com. This is all par for the course and expect to find out that Snyder actually OWNS the newspaper after all the kiss kiss journalism over the past few months. This isn't a newspaper, it's a PR rag for the Governor and his political party.
Cash
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Good comments, Brian. Thanks for a breath of fresh air at the website that has become Rick Snyder's campaign site, in my opinion.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
OK, I'm no fan of the governor. But "destroying the middle class"? More than a bit hyperbolic. On the other hand, the letter writer is correct in his assessment of the EFM bill, to which I think he is referring when he claims (again, a bit hyperbolically) that the governor is setting himself up as a dictator. The bill is EXTREMELY anti-democratic and ought concern everyone, no matter their party, given its anti-democratic provisions. But the lemmings keep marching toward the cliff. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Don't like "anti-democratic"? The bill allows the EFM to remove elected officials from office and for the EFM to be a company, not a person. What would call a law that did that? Good Night and Good Luck
Will Warner
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
Ghost, I'm glad to know you can recognize hyperbole when you see it ;)
mercury69
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
Governor Snyder isn't joking around. This has nothing to do with our state budget, but his own personal agenda. His latest bill will shift control over every city in Michigan to him!! Please, Please watch this video, regardless which party you associate with!!! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUpO1QFMDtM&feature=autofb" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUpO1QFMDtM&feature=autofb</a>
DonBee
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
The sky is falling, the sky is falling!
zip the cat
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
Being retired and on a limited fixed budget I voted for this liar. Never,ever again will I vote for any rich politician, period