There's battle lines being drawn

A couple of thoughts have come to me over the past few days, mostly as I ponder what the good union people of Wisconsin are doing for us, and I think both of them say a lot about what is wrong with republicans, what is wrong with the tea party, and what America needs most: an all-out, no holds barred, class war.


The first is the sheer audacity of conservatives when it comes to how much money people make for the work they do. It amazes me how they will scream public sector workers are overpaid at $40-50,000 a year (if that much) for giving our children an education, keeping us safe, plowing our snow covered roads, and putting out our fires, but when it comes to ending tax cuts for the wealthy, well, you know, $250,000 a year just isn't that much money (aside: what the motherfucking fuck?). How long before the MSM points out (a good guess would be never) the obvious: republicans think it's good for people to not have jobs and to be paid as little as possible. If you are not among the wealthy elite, they do not care if you live or die. Period.


The second has been over who is helped by raising the retirement age--because it's certainly not those of us who are ready to retire fucking yesterday. Frankly, it's dawned on me that what raising the retirement age actually should be called is the Wal-Mart Greeter Movement. Because that is the only constituency that is going to be helped by raising the retirement age--very few people in their late sixties are going to be working construction jobs, picking up trash, or laying asphalt. Very few industries are going to continue to pay the kind of salaries that forty years of experience would require. Ergo, the only jobs that will be around for people in their late sixties and early seventies will be door greeters and cashiers. Excitement city--but don't forget the minimum wage pay rate (federal--$7.25)! Woo-fucking-hoo.

The assault on the middle class (and even more, the poor) has become a tidal wave (and teaches us all too well the importance of thinking through the ramifications of your vote before you vote--exactly what were the republicans plans for creating jobs...oops, there weren't any!):

1) Campaigns for right to work laws (a misnomer if ever there was one) have increased despite the fact that a) median weekly wages have fallen for high school and college graduates, when adjusted for inflation from 2000 to 2009, and b) of the top ten states for average wages one is a right to work state, and of the bottom ten, seven are. Right to work laws help us how?
2) This is how far off the deep end the republican party is: they want to roll back Child Labor Laws. Seriously--the abuse of children by corporations is one of the most egregious stains on American history, and these idiots want to fucking return to it. One can only guess that rolling back the laws ending slavery is next on the republican agenda.
3) American businesses no longer need nor care about American workers--shipping jobs overseas means corporations can force American workers to work for less. The powers that be are increasingly forcing on us a service economy, and as anyone who has ever worked in the service industries can tell you, the pay is shit. How long before we have had enough and realize that just having a job isn't enough and that we want to get ahead, too? My guess is not long.
4) The weakening of our democracy. Paul Krugman channels Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine to explain Scott Walker's actions in Wisconsin: "Right wing ideologues exploit crises to push through an agenda that has nothing to do with these crises and everything to do with imposing their vision of a harsher, more unequal, less democratic society." Bob Herbert laments a system where our government representatives are more responsive to corporations and the wealthy elite than to its average citizens and how this is corrupting our democracy. It can seem a bit frightening...

...but being a good Liberal, and the antithesis of conservatives and republicans everywhere, I will not live in fear. Wisconsin--and I have no idea if we will win or not, though I'm guessing not--shows that we're ready to fight back and that there are plenty of people who are seeing unions in a new light. Mark Sumner, in a spirited defense of unions, wrote this: "Union is not just a means to oppose tyranny, it is the only means." Dean Baker wrote a nice piece about how Liberals need to start reframing the economic debate--and a good beginning would be to constantly refute the republican argument of government vs. the free market; republicans use the government just as much as Democrats to get what they want--mostly to distribute more and more income to those who already have the most. And as we're seeing in Wisconsin, Republicans are overreaching--it amazes me on a daily basis how horrifically tone deaf republicans are about their victories this past November. People wanted jobs, not bullshit. Bodes well for 2012....

But the most hope of all comes from us--what we're seeing in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and sure to spread is people power speaking truth to power. In the Bob Herbert column I noted earlier, Herbert recalled words Howard Zinn spoke to him shortly before Zinn's death: "If there's going to be change, real change, it will have to come from the bottom up, from the people themselves."

Get the troops ready.

Peace,
emaycee

Where's Obam-o?

In Madison, Wisconsin over the last couple of weeks, we've seen real political courage--in the form of 14 State Senators hightailing it to Illinois to stand up for the rights of working people to collectively bargain, and standing up to the Koch brothers paid for governor, Scott Walker. We've seen Democratic Party core constituencies like labor, women, and the young marching in the streets--all over the country--fighting for progressive values and for the working people of this country so that they don't lose their piece of the American dream. Move.On, True Majority, Rachel Maddow, The Daily Kos, Digby, The AFl-CIO, Lawrence O'Donnell--so many Liberal organizations and spokespersons that I can't even remember them all are reporting and supporting the cause. Hell, even foot in mouth disease Biden managed to have some kind words for unions today. Notice anyone missing? As usual, the gutless wonder, President Obama has gone MIA. Thanks for nothing, once again, Barack! Peace, emaycee

Picking winners

Well looky here--GM, that government backed corporation, showed its first profit since 2004 and its hourly workers will be getting $4000+ in bonuses. See what happens when the government gets involved? Middle class families actually make a little money and get their chance at the American dream.

As Brian Dickerson points out, republicans want no part of government picking winners and losers in the business world--as long as they get to choose the winners. Like Big Oil. And what do the poor and working class get out of the republicans largesse to Big Oil? Fucked out of their hard earned dollars.

You decide.

Peace,
emaycee

Michigan's defining moment

That would be Gov. Snyder's description of his new budget unveiled over the last week. It would also be my description of Gov. Snyder--for all his posturing, he's just another republican. And guess what? Democrats and Independents are beginning to see the light (i.e., they were hoodwinked). Ah, yes, Snyder's budget--a change is gonna come, that being the chance for Michigan to become the next North Dakota. Who wins? Corporations--to the tune of a $1.2 billion reduction in their taxes which will create zero jobs. Who loses? Everybody--and I mean everybody--else. Retirees will now pay a tax on their pensions. K-12 education loses 4%, universities 15%. State employees will pay more for their health benefits. The poor will lose their earned income tax credit--widely recognized as one of the most successful programs for reducing poverty. This is Snyder's idea of "shared sacrifice": CEOs, corporations, and their shareholders get a free ride; the poor, the middle class, the working people of Michigan--the burden once again falls on their backs. Hey, Gov. Snyder: Fuck you, next idiot please! Sidenote: prouder than ever that I voted for Virg Bernero.... I can't say I'm really surprised--or disappointed--by Snyder's actions. I expected nothing less from a republican, especially one who was once a CEO. I shouldn't be surprised, as Liberal analysis in the Free Press is comparable to the zestiness of rice pudding, but Rochelle Riley's column on Snyder's budget was utterly and completely pathetic. Somehow Riley has bought into the conventional wisdom (a misnomer if ever I've heard one), that somehow this is an "adult" moment, that Dudley Do-Right Snyder is using this as a teaching moment, that somehow the "budget crisis" should take priority over all else, even job creation. What a complete and utter moron--thank fucking God she wasn't around when FDR was bailing out America from the last doomsday crisis created by Wall Street, or we'd still be hovering around 20% unemployment and half the country would be Hoovervilles. Want to fix the budget crisis? PUT PEOPLE TO FUCKING WORK! And the way you do that--because God knows businesses aren't going to do it--is for the government to spend money. Lots of it--on aid to the poor, on education, on infrastructure, on tax credits for new industries, and on more state employees. Here's to Snyder's plan--and the tumbleweeks soon to be tumbling down Michigan's more and more deserted streets, and the little Snydervilles popping up all over the place for those without the resources to get the fuck out. Peace, emaycee

The truth will out

Any bullshit that the tea party is about average Americans taking back their country can pretty much be put to rest by their appearance at the rallies in Wisconsin. From all accounts, a whopping 2000 people showed up (versus 70,000 to 100,000 rallying for the working people in this country) to be toadies for the corporations who received tax breaks at the expense of decent wages and benefits for the middle class, and so that wealthy elites like the Koch brothers (who are funding the assault on America's middle class) can have even more billions at our expense. The tea party is all about the benjamins--making sure that the rich have theirs and the rest of us don't. Thanks, but no fucking thanks. Peace, emaycee

The change in my pocket

Every few years a single comes along that literally makes me snap my neck--"what the fuck is that sound all about?"--and makes me remember why I devoted such a huge chunk of my life to music. Since 2000 I recall that reaction to the White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl," Bright Eyes' "Lua," Outkast's "Hey Ya," and Kanye West's "Jesus Walks." This century has another: Cee Lo Green's "Fuck You." (And what joy I get from being an independent blogger who is able to actually type out the world "fuck" instead of creating a grawlin--F#$%--like the MSM must.)

Peace,
emaycee

Short Cuts

A great song once said, "There's something happening here...." My new standard for op-ed pieces is two-fold: first, is it more in depth than the blather I'd get from my neighbor or some other idiot on the streets, and second, is it a piss poor attempt at humor by a writer who's not naturally funny. This piece on "budget-speak" by Wonk from the Free Press fails fucking miserably on both counts. The truly sad part? I paid money for this "analysis." Trite and lame are the best adjectives to describe. The Free Press continues its lovefest for Gov. Snyder--seems the poor little guv just can't get everything he wants because of that awful meanie "politics." Seems to me, though, that the very practices they are lamenting were indeed quite wise checks and balances put into Michigan's constitution, much like the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution, to prevent the kind of unilateral, fuck over the rest of us (cuts to state employee benefits and wages, ending item pricing laws at the expense of jobs) changes Snyder wants. I particularly loved the title of this companion piece: "Snyder powerless against powerful agency." And thank God for that, since it seems the Michigan Civil Service Commission cares a lot more about folks like me and my family than Dudley Do-Right Snyder does. Seems Candace Miller, Michigan's Republican U.S. rep from the 10th District, was recently named the Great Lakes Legislator of the Year by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. This prestigious honor is roughly equivalent to winning the "I Didn't Eat My Boogers After Picking My Nose Award," presented annually by the National Hand Washing Foundation. How do you really fuck over the residents of Michigan? By moving ultraconservative Maura Corrigan from the Michigan Supreme Court (she never met a corporation she couldn't fellate) to the Director of the Michigan Department of Human Services (new motto: "We'll care for you like the Donner Party cared for its members!"). Seems Ms. Corrigan doesn't believe college students are entitled to food stamps and as an argument she uses the time-worn republican fear tactic--"People are cheating the system!" As proof, she offers...nothing. What's really sad is that while other nations are smartly building their nations' future by offering free college educations to their students (Germany, France, Ireland, India) we're sending ours into indentured servitude with humongous loan obligations, and trying to scare people over pennies. Penny wise and pound foolish is not likely to make for much of a future in America. The Detroit News continues its assault on the middle class by encouraging the republican (another group that hates the middle class) led legislature in Michigan to bypass the Michigan Civil Service Commission and screw over the working people of Michigan again by cutting wages and benefits, all the while creating lawsuit after lawsuit that we can ill afford. Brilliant analysis, guys! Nolan Finley continues his quest to turn Gov. Snyder into Michigan's own version of Ronald Reagan by rewriting history before it even fucking happens! No, Nolan, the lovefest for Snyder will be ending because Democrats and moderate independents are beginning to realize the emperor has no clothes, i.e., that Snyder, despite his claims to be oh so different from every other politician is, after all, just another republican. And to close it out, kudos to the Free Press for getting at least one thing right this week: this piece which tells us the stunning news that low taxes don't promise economic viability. It's the little things, I tell you.... Peace, emaycee

On Wisconsin!

These things don't usually end in our favor (or if they do, we usually end up with crumbs), but still, it's 10:30 in the evening and I'm watching The Ed Show, and thousands, literally thousands, of working men and women in Wisconsin are still rallying to protect middle class jobs, middle class wages, middle class benefits, and our standard of living. And fourteen courageous Wisconsin state senators are on the run to keep the state from enacting draconian cuts to middle class pay, to middle class benefits, and to the right, the fucking right, to collectively bargain and belong to a union. Man, we liberals fuck up as much as we do good, but when we do good, we really do good. How can you not be proud of our agenda after watching the people of Wisconsin rally for the common good? Not for the wealthy. Not for the corporate elite. For all of us who actually work for a living. All of us. Here's to hoping Wisconsin turns into a crescendo for turning the tables on the motherfucking wealthy elite.... Oh--Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker, is a toadie tool (probably a hall monitor when he was in high school--you know the type). Workers of the World, Unite! emaycee

Nothing to see here

You have to give them credit--when something works, conservatives go back to it again and again. And nothing works for them like fear, which the Detroit News uses amply in its editorial on Judge Roger Vinson's recent wholly corporate/Koch brothers paid for decision declaring Obamacare unconstitutional. This is their close to the piece: "Interpreting the Constitution to allow it [Obamacare] would mean Congress could do almost anything it wanted." I'm not a scholar on the constitution, but this is your usual conservative total bullshit. In the first place, the Commerce Clause is going to restrict what Congress can do merely by the fact that not everything we do as humans is commerce (Congress couldn't mandate that we all wear nothing but red clothing, for example). And second, I'd make the case that Congress actually can make any law it wants by getting a majority of votes in both Houses and the President to sign it. It doesn't mean that Congress will--using the example above, those of us who like to wear blue, green, and yellow clothes aren't likely to vote for their re-election. And we're likely to make a huge stink about it. A loss of votes and bad publicity are not outcomes that any congressperson wants. Of course, I shouldn't complain too much--this could be one of those "be careful what you wish or you will surely get it" moments: the public option is definitely not a constitutional question. Peace, emaycee

Good, God, no we don't...

The headline from old Nolan, "We need another Reagan." Unfortunately, he didn't complete the throught, which should have been "...like we need ten inch needles shoved into our nostrils and up through our brains." Another Reagan? What the motherfucking fuck? Why--hasn't the standard of living for the poor and middle class fallen enough? What--corporations don't screw us out of enough pay and benefits? Really--the gap between rich and poor isn't large enough yet? Bob Herbert hit the nail on the head: Reagan's true legacy is the lasting damage done economically to the poor and middle class. And it all began with his firing of the air traffic controllers in 1981--it emboldened corporate leaders who proceeded to get more and more and more money while their workers watched union influence fall with their wages, their benefits, and their well-being. The best thing that can be said about Ronald Reagan? That he's currently rotting in hell where he belongs. Peace, emaycee

One of these things is not like the other

There isn't much I can add to this impassioned piece by Digby about those who complain about the Democratic wing of the Democratic party (us nasty little Liberals), but I do have a couple of points....

First, blurring the lines between what the Democrats represent and what the republicans represent is an affront to everything the Democratic party has accomplished over the last eighty years--from Social Security to Medicare, from Civil Rights to the Voting Rights Act, from the Minimum Wage to Healthcare Reform. America--and the Democratic party--has succeeded because we looked out for the poor, the working class, and the middle class. Any deviation is either chickenshit or idiocy and neither should be rewarded.

Second...can anyone imagine a republican suggesting the same about the radical right? No, because they're not stupid--the radical right donates the most money, works to get out the vote, and, most important, actually votes. Pissing off the left is going to result in less money, less GOTV efforts, and less votes; it's as productive as drilling holes in the bottom of a boat to help keep it afloat. Frankly, Pelosi needs to tell the blue dogs to sit down and shut the fuck up--their influence has cost us good programs, weakened the party, and we're better off without them.

Peace,
emaycee

Rising from the ashes

I used the motto for the city of Detroit at the top of this blog ("We hope for better days; it shall rise from the ashes.") because I thought it described Detroiters and Michiganders, and their attitude, perfectly. Much the same can be said for this ad--props to Chrysler for pushing the envelope--which captures Detroit (and Michigan) perfectly. Yes, it's grim at times, but it's real and hopeful, and shows what not only Detroit and Michigan do best, but what America does best: we build things.

I'm not a native, but after nearly ten years living in the "Detroit suburbs," I can honestly say I love living here as much as anywhere I've ever lived. Despite the miserable winters, this is a beautiful place, with lots of green and a lake around every corner. And the people are decent and down to earth as any I've ever met.

It's been a miserable last ten years here--the state has hemorraged jobs, the standard of living has plummeted, but still we keep pushing forward, and I think the Chrysler ad nails that spirit. Here's hoping it's the first of many good blessings to come Detroit's way.

Thanks to the Free Press for their buzz kill in this editorial--standard crap about personal responsibility, living up to our potential, yadda, yadda, yadda (though I was somewhat surprised to hear the Free Press say Detroit doesn't have "an image problem"--really? and beans won't make you fart). The Chrysler commercial was a bold statement and solving Detroit's problems will take bold ideas and actions--not trite platitudes.

Peace,
emaycee

Handbags and gladrags

Ends and odds... God I Hope Not, Dept.: You can't see it in this link, but in the print edition the subtitle to the article states, "Employers like flexibility, lower pay rates; workers happy to have a paycheck." Apparently, contract jobs are a real growth industry--and what's not to like, other than everything, about lower pay rates (usually 10% less) and less job security? And as long as we're just "happy to have a paycheck" I'm sure the downward spiral will continue. Sun Can't Shine on the Same Dog's Ass Everyday, Dept.: Every now and again, Old Nolan gets one right. For those not in the know, Mark Brewer is the chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party--the chairman who lead Michigan Democrats to historic defeats this past fall. Unfortunately, thanks to a party in disarray, Brewer is about to be re-elected to his post so he can lead us to further humiliating defeats in 2012. Unlike republicans, who canned Michael Steele despite historic victories this past fall because they rightly viewed him as a liability, the Democrats once again bow to chickenshit and saddle us with a radical republican government for years to come. Note to the Michigan Democratic Party: the check, so to speak, is in the mail (i.e., don't call us, we'll call you). Be Careful What You Wish, Dept.: Sorry, but I can't work up a lot of sympathy for the News' complaint about the Civil Service Commission recent decision to extend state workers' benefits to a roommate as a way around specifically designating benefits for a domestic partner because Michigan can't "afford" it. The Defense of Marriage Act wasn't enough--the bigots had to take away benefits for domestic partners, too. And sometimes, those fighting for fairness have to take matters into their own hands, much like Harry Truman did when he integrated the military in 1948. My guess is, had they left well enough alone, the citizens of Michigan would only be paying for domestic partners--now we get to pay for boyfriends, girlfriends, and just about anyone else a state worker can get under their roof. At least it's for a good cause.... It's a Fucking Car, Dept.: My absolute least favorite commercial these days is the one in which we're lead to believe you'll never forget your first Subaru, and your love of a woman is a distant second. CUE WRONG ANSWER BUZZER! A car is a fucking piece of moving metal; a good woman is a marvel and a treasure. And for the record, there's no beer on this planet that's as good as a good woman, either. Say It Ain't So, Dept.: While I can't say I'm surprised, the White Stripes, it was announced this week, have called it a career. One of my favorite bands of the last few years, always intriguing, great tunes, a band that makes Michiganders not have to be completely embarrassed by Kid Rock and Ted Nugent (okay, okay--Bob Seger, Motown, and Eminem do the same)...but the thing I'll always remember about them, is that shortly after my cooler than cool daughter introduced me to them with a copy of White Blood Cells, in which I fell in love with a song called, "Fell in Love With a Girl," I actually fell in love with a (beautiful) girl, and she's still mine. Good times.... Peace, emaycee

Ahem, Part II...

Seems a short while back I happened to mention that the reports of Sarah Palin's demise were a bit premature--and I'm not the only one. Jake McIntyre of the Daily Kos notes several of the points I, too, noted: the Tea Party's love for her, her ability to raise plenty of money, and the overall weakness of the field. When you're hot, you're hot... Peace, emaycee

Ahem...

In the immortal words of Alvin (yes, the fucking chipmunk), not to toot my own horn, but beep-beep-b-b-b-b-beeeeeeppppp....

Earlier this week, I mentioned that it seemed a bit premature to be anointing Gov. Snyder St. Rick of CEO--that sure enough, he might just be a plain ol' republican politician with his meeting with "business leaders" on state employee wages. While I wouldn't say either Brian Dickerson or the Free Press have ended Gov. Snyder's honeymoon just yet, Dickerson at least points out that the Governor needs to be careful if he wants to keep his above the fray persona intact, while the Free Press pretty much says what I said: the numbers do, indeed, lie. This was also pointed out by Meteor Blades in the Daily Kos, and, two days too late, by Chris Christoff in the Free Press. Problem is, these pieces were all after the fact, and what most (not so thoughtful) people will remember is the $87,000 state employee wage, not that it was wrong.

If memory serves, it seems once I heard tell someone mentioning to beware of a wolf in sheep's clothing....

Peace,
emaycee

Glad all over, part II

I have no idea what Zach Wahls political persuasion is (though I might have a guess), but after watching his speech before the Iowa House of Representatives on letting the voters of Iowa decide whether his two Moms should be allowed to marry, I can guarantee you there is only one political persuasion that watched it with joy. That would be the political persuasion that believes American will grow on love, not die on hate; the one that believes in tolerance, not bigotry; the one that believes in freedom for all, not freedom for some; the one that believes America's best days are still to come, not already behind it. Ahem...that would be the Liberal persuasion, of which I've been a proud, card carrying member since 1975. 

Peace, 

emaycee

Glad all over, part I

Bet you thought you were done with all the SOTU talk--not so fast, bub.... I'm not naive enough (but I am, as always, hopeful) to believe that this SOTU address by one Nicholas Ruiz, a congressional candidate in Florida, will ever get much traction, but still it makes me a tad more optimistic for America's future that there are Liberals out there who are still trying to change the narrative. It may only be words, but when all we're hearing about is the horrors of government spending, it sure is nice to hear someone call it (paraphrasing) "America investing in its citizens." Liberals? Fuckin'-a is what I say.... Peace, emaycee

Perdidors

Unfortunately, it's not the idiot and liar who touts the same tired ass republican talking points on Healthcare reform ("Socialism!" "Death Panels!") in the Free Press' new weekly point/counterpoint column featuring Dem Jill Alper and conservidiot John Truscott. It's us, the fools who continue to subscribe to the Free Press and instead of cutting edge opinion get lame ass blow jobs to the tea party and its village idiots. Truscott and his lame ass platitudes was the best they could do? Really? Good to see that the Free Press is just like any other corporation: decided lack of leadership, pandering to the lowest common denominator, and profit at the expense of integrity. Kudos! Not to be outdone, the Detroit News had its usual "gee, how far up corporate fanny can we get our noses" piece this week concerning Obama's call for more careful monitoring of corporate regulation. Never mind that corporations are enjoying record profits or that (with the possible exception of Elizabeth Warren's consumer commission) the Obama administration's corporate reform had all the force of a gentle poke in the ribs--there's too much of it. Their idiocy would be kind of a melancholy funny were it not so anti-working class American. Less regulation will not result in either more jobs or better pay. The one thing it will do, though, is allow corporations to laugh all the way to the bank over how they suckered in conservidiots to do their bidding for them with nothing--zip, zero, zilch, nada--to show for their bidding. Peace, emaycee

Same as the old boss

Post title in honor of the beautiful boy's beautiful obsession with the 'oo....

Oh that Rick Snyder--Michigan's new guv is just so peachy. Brian Dickerson seems to think that Snyder's Michigan Dashboard (supposedly to provide a metric to those issues of the most importance to Michiganders) is a real game changer (hell, he wrote about it twice--thinks Obama should do it, too). He's either naive or incredibly dense to believe that a) this isn't a political idea (there's a sop to just about every political stripe), b) the Snyder administration won't spin the numbers to put itself in the best light (as will his republican cohorts--"Too bad poverty's still above the national average, but look what we did on obesity!"). or c) that any more than a handful of Michiganders will ever look at the damn things. Exactly how this helps our biggest problem--a lacks of J-O-B-S--is a mystery.

Old Nolan seems to think that the powers that be threw out the (political) mold after Snyder's entrance into the political world. Because Snyder threw a couple of crumbs to the left (education from pre-school to college--why this isn't an issue supported by both parties shows how irrelevant the republican party is--and the fighting obesity challenge), he's just, you know, dreamy. Puh-leeze--had a Democrat done the same old Nolan would have his panties in a twist about how little respect the Dem had for republicans. This thread that somehow Snyder is different from other politicians is bullshit: Snyder is a republican through and through and is hell bent on continuing the destruction of the middle class and the further enrichment of the wealthy elite. This piece is all you need to see: Snyder speaking to "business" leaders about how overpaid state workers are. Why isn't he speaking to a group of state workers about this (hint, probably not a friendly crowd)? The pay of state workers is not, and never has been, the cause of Michigan's budget problems. A lack of good paying jobs is. What Snyder is saying, in essence, is that because Michigan's corporations can't create good paying jobs, not only do Michigan's poor and middle class have to have a lower standard of living, they also will be receiving less governmental services. This is a republican goal. My guess, though, is that Snyder's main reason for his speech to Michigan "business leaders" was to get out this figure (which by the way, is completely misleading): that the average wage of a state worker in Michigan is roughly $87,000 (supposedly 55ish in pay, 30ish in benefits). One can see this figure being used in countless editorials, letters to the editor, and right wing radio (amazing that conservatives will tell you, when it comes to tax cuts, that $250,000 a year isn't that much money for a family, but when it comes to state workers, $87,000 in wages and benefits is overpaid) , but never debunked the way it should be. To wit: the average wage at the store I work at is approximately $18,000; less than one third of the people who work at the store make as much or more. The average wage is greatly skewed by the vastly superior pay of those at the top. Snyder's aim is to get that $87,000 figure out there (especially in a state with 13%+ unemployment) to try and win the spin, regardless of its accuracy. This is a republican tactic.

You can paint a turd gold, but it doesn't become a gold ingot. It's still a turd. Much the same can be said of Rick Snyder and his aims.

Peace,
emaycee

January, we hardly knew ye

While I am sure there were many areas of the country where the severe weather prognostications of the past few days were correct, southeast Michigan was not one of them. The fun part (he writes, full of cynicism) was watching the local newscasts scramble to keep this some sort of important news story, when truthfully, it wasn't. Twenty inches of snow in Chicago is big news; eight or nine in Michigan is not. The highlight, though, was watching the idiot reporter from Local 4 get out a ruler at 4:30 this morning (roughly nine hours after the snowstorm began) to show us that four--that's right, count 'em up, four--whole inches of snow had fallen overnight. In Michigan. Not Georgia. Not Alabama. Michigan. In other breaking news, water is wet, the sky is blue, the sun will rise tomorrow, the Pope is Catholic, and local newscasts will rot your brain. Peace, emaycee