The Governance You Deserve

After reading the Detroit News article about stalled bills in the divided legislature, I'm convinced that both parties' mindset is the same: the government needs to micromanage the economy in order to save us from our one-state recession--which, I think, we can properly term a depression. Here's a portion:

When the House in December voted to ban smoking in Michigan bars, restaurants and many other workplaces, the bill was assigned to a Senate committee where legislation typically goes to die.

Many Republicans said it was just more regulations on businesses during a time of economic hardship, and that the free market already is creating smoke-free workplaces. Senate Republicans could soon introduce legislation that would provide incentives for restaurants to go smoke-free, Marsden said.

The House last year passed a bill that would raise the landfill dumping fee from 21 cents a ton to $7.50 a ton. Democrats say it would discourage Canadians from shipping trash into Michigan. But Republicans oppose the bill because the same fee would be charged to Michigan businesses and residents. Senate Republicans have countered with bills that would increase inspections, limit the dumping of some materials and promote recycling.

So the Dems want increased fees for trash dumping and bans on smoking in private establishments. The GOP wants increased regulation on trash dumping and incentives (I can only assume those would be tax breaks or other financial incentives) for recycling and making restaurants smoke-free. MAN these are exciting differences; which kind of government intrusion you want? Republican, or Democratic?

Only one problem, boys: this downward slide has been caused by government interference. Our laws require employees to be unionized, so unions have absolute power over employees whether the workers agree or not. The unions have extorted massive wage and benefit packages that the Big Three went right along with. Now the government is making it worse with increased regulation, (in some cases) increased taxes, and picking favorites with targeted subsidies and tax breaks. (That last item is particularly nasty; governments have an awful record picking which industries to invest in. That's what we have, you know, private investment for.) Whether through Democrats or Republicans, that doesn't look to change anytime soon--but I know which party gives us the better chance.

It's simply vital that we pass a Right to Work law or constitutional amendment and that we reduce state spending. Michigan can be salvaged yet, but it won't be through inept government micromanagement.