Michigan - Controlled by the People or by a Dictator?

I've been a Michigan resident for over 34 years. Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of talk about Governor Jennifer Granholm shutting down state services and jobs in the state of Michigan.

If this happens over 35,000 state employees will not be returning to work next week. This could mean even more crippling news to a state that is already suffering with its economy.

Granholm is refusing to sign a temporary budget deal offered by legislators that would allow more time for key agreements to be reached. She wants the state to agree for residents to pay higher taxes for education, public health and other programs. Thus, trying to cure the state deficit.

In my opinion she has run this state into the ground and is only making matters worse.

The people of the state of Michigan can not afford any more tax increases. To me it seems likes a vicious cycle that there is so much unemployment and now those who do work and don't make much will be taxed so much they cant afford to work.

If the state closes on Monday October 1, 2007, many departments will be affected and it goes way beyond that. This closure will affect every Michigan resident also.

The Secretary of State will close all offices and no on will be able to obtain new vehicle licenses and plates. Renewal of expired plates will also not be available. But rest assured if you are pulled over by a police officer, you will be ticketed and cited for not having proper tags on your vehicle. This really does not make sense, but hey it's the government they can do whatever they want. I sure wouldn't have a say in it.

All road construction on Michigan roads will come to a screeching halt. Good for some who hate dealing with it on the commute to work, but bad for the families who will go without a paycheck at the end of the month, therefore continuing a circle of more debt, economic failure and unemployment.

Liquor sales will stop and this will affect stores revenue and also restaurants who serve alcohol, thus making more businesses lose money and inch themselves closer to a pitfall of failure and financial disaster.

Michigan relies heavily on its lottery, the money from lottery helps Michigan's schools which is in the most need of help at this time. If the Legislature doesn't pass this deal Lottery tickets will stop also.

Michigan ranks second in the United States for poor economy and Unemployment, second only to Mississippi, even Louisiana is doing better than we are and they still have a ravaged state from Hurricane Katrina.

Truth in fact I feel Michigan is one of the most beautiful places to live in this Country. Now things just seem to be crumbling apart. Something needs to be done now and the right decisions have to be made by the people for the people not by some controlling know it all dictator.