You Just Gotta Love These Guys

Today in Michigan, the Republican State Senate announced that it would not support Governor Granholm's proposed 2% tax on certain services. The tax, combined with spending cuts or $171 million, was intended to close the almost $3 billion state budget deficit. This was not Granholm's first attempt. She has already trimmed more dollars from Michigan's budget than any other governor in the state's history.

The Republican response to the deficit comes right from the GOP playbook circa. 1980:

• cut $14 million from adult foster care services,
• a 1% cut in Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals,
• a $14.7-million reduction in subsidies to local bus services
• cut $7 million in subsidies for programs to help recently released prisoners; and
• a $34/per student reduction in state aid to schools
• cut $21 million from the Community Mental Health fund

The Senate alos refused to look at increass in liquor or cigarette taxes proposed by the Governor.

So let me get this straight. Instead of me paying an extra .40 on a $20 haircut, we are waving the budget ax at people least able to fend for themselves.

Mind you, if you ever suggested the unfairness of this proposal, they would accuse you of fomenting "class warfare."