For those of you who don't live in the great state of Michigan,
The economy here has been a little depressed.
With the downsizing of the auto industry, we've lost thousands of jobs over the last
dozen or so years. As a result, revenue to the state is down.
So facing an enormous budget deficit, Gov Jennifer Granholm and the legislators haggled for 7 months trying to balance the budget, with Democrats wanting to raise revenue, and the Republicans wanting to cut services. And with our constitution saying the state cannot operate without a balanced budget, of course nothing got settled until the midnight deadline.
So........ they decided to raise the state income tax, from 3.9% to 4.35% and add our 6% sales tax to some services. Now this is where it gets ridiculous!
Here is a partial list of the services to be taxed.
• Astrology
• Baby Shoe Bronzing
• Bail bonding
• Balloon-o-grams
• Dating services
• Social escort services
• Fortune-telling services
• Numerology services
• Palm-reading services
• Party-planning services
• Pay telephones
• Personal fitness trainers
• Psychic services
• Rest-room operation services
• Shoeshines
• Singing telegrams
• Skiing
•
As you can see, they seem to be grasping at straws to raise some revenue. Are there any Pay telephones left? Do we really have that many Fortune-tellers?
And Baby Shoe Bronzing?
Of course, they'll tax skiing, but not golf. That's where the lobbyist and legislators make their deals!
Oh, and it gets better!
They also managed to reduce benefits for future teachers, to bring them in line with the reduced benefits the State employee's now get and the new auto workers.
BUT!
They managed to over look THEIR future benefits.
After only 6 years of service. Our illustrious legislators receive full pension and full health care for LIFE!
Now is that just unbelievable or what!
They are nothing but a bunch of self serving cretin's!
Okay, I just needed to vent. I'm better now. At least they're not taxing haircuts.
Not yet anyway.
The economy here has been a little depressed.
With the downsizing of the auto industry, we've lost thousands of jobs over the last
dozen or so years. As a result, revenue to the state is down.
So facing an enormous budget deficit, Gov Jennifer Granholm and the legislators haggled for 7 months trying to balance the budget, with Democrats wanting to raise revenue, and the Republicans wanting to cut services. And with our constitution saying the state cannot operate without a balanced budget, of course nothing got settled until the midnight deadline.
So........ they decided to raise the state income tax, from 3.9% to 4.35% and add our 6% sales tax to some services. Now this is where it gets ridiculous!
Here is a partial list of the services to be taxed.
• Astrology
• Baby Shoe Bronzing
• Bail bonding
• Balloon-o-grams
• Dating services
• Social escort services
• Fortune-telling services
• Numerology services
• Palm-reading services
• Party-planning services
• Pay telephones
• Personal fitness trainers
• Psychic services
• Rest-room operation services
• Shoeshines
• Singing telegrams
• Skiing
•
As you can see, they seem to be grasping at straws to raise some revenue. Are there any Pay telephones left? Do we really have that many Fortune-tellers?
And Baby Shoe Bronzing?
Of course, they'll tax skiing, but not golf. That's where the lobbyist and legislators make their deals!
Oh, and it gets better!
They also managed to reduce benefits for future teachers, to bring them in line with the reduced benefits the State employee's now get and the new auto workers.
BUT!
They managed to over look THEIR future benefits.
After only 6 years of service. Our illustrious legislators receive full pension and full health care for LIFE!
Now is that just unbelievable or what!
They are nothing but a bunch of self serving cretin's!
Okay, I just needed to vent. I'm better now. At least they're not taxing haircuts.
Not yet anyway.
wow, i say run for office!!! geez...
ReplyDeleteThe hypocrisy of legislators appears to be universal - to cut services to the needy and the deserving while not touching (or even more offensively) *increasing* their own perks and bennies! It's not just in Michigan!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, one of these days the pressure cooker is going to explode.
The economy here has been a little depressed.
ReplyDeleteWell, my friend... There is the quote of the year! Or is that the understatement of the year...
Anyway, why aren't haircuts taxed along with shoe shines (who the heck gets a shoe shine anymore? everyone I see is wearing flip-flops...) I know that haircuts were originally on this agenda. Ms Granholm's personal stylist must've said, "miss thing, if you do that I'll never touch up your roots!"
I think we should impeach everyone and make *their* pay cuts retroactive. Politicians always do stupid stuff like that while making sure Their lifestyle never changes. :/
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me like it was mostly smoke and mirrors.
Blah to them all. >:{
*Hugs*
Sis
Wow, different country same shh... er... I mean stuff! Worse here, they do tax haircuts, 14% on the cost of a hair cut.
ReplyDeleteSteven.
I love Michigan but I hate our economy right now.
ReplyDelete@anon (Sis): I hear there are recall petitions circling around. I have yet to see one however.
ReplyDelete@Wayne: Not only do they only have to serve 6 years (granted, there are term limits) but they can also get multiple pensions from multiple offices. Off the top of my head Gov. Granholm gets two for being the governor and the attorney general.
Maybe I should reconsider my decision to stay out of a political career.