Naysayers (Republicans): investment is not a ''permanent fix''

The Naysayers -- and I do mean Republicans -- sure are thick on the empty rhetoric. From today's South Bend Tribune:

On the House side, state Reps. Neal Nitz, R-Baroda, and Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers, both took shots at Granholm's tax hike proposals.

"Taxing our way out of the current budget crisis is not a permanent fix. We need to focus on reforming government bureaucracy to create a smaller, more efficient government," Shaffer said.

Let me repeat: State Government is the smallest it's been since the 1970's. State Government is the smallest it's been since the 1970's. State Government is the smallest it's been since the 1970's. State Government is the smallest it's been since the 1970's. State Government is the smallest it's been since the 1970's.

Hit the point home yet? We sure can make the government smaller, but I doubt we'll make it more efficient.

The concept of public investment wooshes over the heads of Republicans like Rick Shaffer. As the Governor said in the State of the State: the naysayers are already against any plan from the Governor before they've even read it.

Increasing revenues isn't a "permanent fix?" Neither is cutting the budget to Bostwana GDP levels, boyo. We need quality roads, neighborhoods, schools, prisons, and police. And we need revenue to do so.

Tom George is So Creepy.

Yesterday in the State of the State, Gov. Granholm spoke to the true nature of being a citizen: investing in human capital. Investing in our quality of life. Investing in our fellow man. You can't put a price on the quality of our beautiful state, no matter how appealing that extra $100 may sound to put toward a Kelly Clarkson concert ticket. Nirmal has the transcript. Cat points to the best part. LiberalLucy brings out the heart. So I'm left with talking about the... republicans.

After the DY-NO-MITE address from the diva herself, what titan would the Republicans pull out to attack such a magnificant, uplifting, and timely speech? No, not Tim Skubick, though I'm sure he'll give it the ol' college try this Friday. It's TOM GEORGE M.D., R-Kalamazoo.

Tom George is so creepy. From the big eyes, to the placard-reading voice, to the homospiciou-- nah, I won't go there. CREE-PY.


I mean, like, really. No, really. Like, no.

Tom George asserts us the Republicans have the "best plan" to replace the Single Business Tax. You know, that tax they unnecessarily aborted? Good thing you have a saucy M.D. after your name, Senator -- if those dirty "public" Universities get their funds cut, we won't have many students going through the U of M for the same end.

But now that people decide that having a police force and good universities is a good thing now we're ready to offer the "best plan" for Michigan! You sure are ready to "act now," eh Georgie? Because, he says, the Republicans are ready to "act now" -- just like they were ready to "act now" to blow $2 BILLION dollars into our state budget all in the name of glory glory 2006 Gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos.

And, rest assured, the Republicans are ready to cut "unnecessary government spending." Even as Gov. Granholm is operating with 30% less revenue than Gov. Engler in 1999. I hope the Republicans will "ACT NOW," cut taxes, and alter the "Welcome to Michigan: The Great Lakes State" signs with "Welcome to Michigan: Everything Under $1, or Your Money Back! Watch for the Potholes!"

But what really made it so magical was the brilliant peace of political posturing that is: "[Senate Republicans will work in] the spirit of cooperation and partnership." Yeah. Call me "Debbie Downer" but I'll beieve that as soon as my boyfriend and I can rent out Tom George's house as our own personal gay Bed & Breakfast. Partnership? Cooperation? Of course. I guess miracles can happen: after all, gay prostitute and crystal meth enthusiast Rev. Ted Haggard was "cured" of his homosexuality after 3 weeks of rehab. So why can't Republicans turn the other cheek?

No way, Jose. I'm not buying what you're selling. You made your bed with 50% cotton 50% polyester sheets, now lie in it. Invest in our citizens, or invest in your bottom line. Invest in our education, or get that tax credit to send your three darling children to the best private schools money can buy. Invest in 21st century technologies, invest in our roads, invest in our boys in blue and red, or get the hell out.

We don't need any naysayers with your fork-tongued double speak on "cooperation" or "partnership." You wanted to blow $2billion in the state budget, you wanted to cut government, you wanted to cut services, and you got it. No more. Gravy train's over. So take your grossly green-screened scarlet red background and your cuecards to somewhere where people will lick it up like a box of krispy cremes.

It's time to fix the mess you started. It's a new day and a new Michigan. We're going to tighten our belts and pull through. Time for "Senate Republicans" to do the same, or wait for the swift kick in the butt come 2008.

Deeper and Deeper and Further She Goes.

Michigan House Rep. John Stahl's very own 101st Fightin' Keyboardist thinks that the best way to get out of a hole is to dig deeper.

Luckily for her, she had a very special defense for her very special comments:

Secondly, if you want to talk about what I was doing on my computer at work why don't you drive down by the House Office Building and see your fellow liberals taking multiple smoke breaks and hanging out at beaners.
[...]
Or check Jenny G's administration to see how many of them take smoke breaks everyday or get on their computer to do a little shopping. At least what I am doing on my computer is fighting for mine and other constituent beliefs and laying to rest whatever misinformation they may receive from visiting your web site, thus that is part of my job.

Amazon.com = smoking break = accusing the left blogosphere that abortion is a secret plan to commit genocide of African Americans, and harrassing Michigan citizens for their political beliefs. Got it.

At least we can take a big sigh of relief that Jamie Hope is "fighting for her beliefs" on our dime rather than committing the evil crime of taking a cigarette break. Or supporting Michigan business at a local coffee shop. Beaner's is a Lansing, Michigan headquartered and founded business, you know.

... And people wondered why Gov. Granholm and the Republican State Legislature weren't BFF in her first term.

Check it all out via LLP.


So for Jamie Hope, I doth offer this song to her in tribute:


Madonna: "Deeper and Deeper"

When Angry Republican Staffers Attack the Blogosphere!

With winning statements like this...

Some states are considering actions that would go beyond the boundaries of Medicaid. As noted above, a Michigan bill would require a prescription for all sales of emergency contraceptives. HB 5311 was introduced in 2006, and its chief sponsor, Rep. John Stahl, hopes to advance the measure in 2007, said Jamie Hope, Stahl’s staffer. The representative’s biggest concern is that pedophiles will obtain the drug OTC and give it to underage girls in order to prevent their becoming pregnant, she said. “It’s going to give predators another avenue to carry out their crimes,” she said. “We’re just trying to protect our women and children.”

Source: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/shn/2006/sn476b.htm

... it's good to know that there are very sensible staffers to speak for very sensible policies. And by the italicized sensible, I don't mean Mr. Webster's plain-jane definition. I mean the exact opposite.

Jamie Hope. Staffer to Republican MI-House Representative John Stahl of North Branch (Lapeer County). She's such a champ -- if emergency contraception doesn't require a prescription, then predators will molest more girls! Man, she must have just been spinning in her heels over that flawless pearl.

But Jamie Hope doesn't just have an axe to grind with her archnemeses logic and reason: she has a new enemy! The Michigan Blogosphere.

LiberalLucy has a bit of Ms. Hope's comments to share with the world. Comments the staffer left on work time from a government building. Rep. Stahl -- it's all about the company you keep, neh?

Get over to LLP and read the low-down. It's the latest gem of the week! I'll give it Ruby status. A rosy red ruby for rosy, red, republican antics.