October 8, 2002 - Granholm - I do not want to raise a single tax

Back in the rosy nearly-post-Engler days in Michigan back in October 2002 there was a debate between Jennifer Granholm and Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus. When asked whether or not they would raise taxes this was Jennifer Granholm's response -

I do not want to raise a single tax, except for one - to make sure there is parity between the diesel tax and the gas tax.

I guess Posthumus had Granholm pegged when he responded to her above statement with this -

The question was 'will you raise taxes?' and what my opponent said was, 'I don't want to raise taxes,' not, 'I won't raise taxes.

Anyone surprised that our taxes are going up in Michigan?

One more thing. This is a quote on the Michigan.gov (official state website mind you) from March 30, 2006 and you can read the entire article at www.Michigan.gov -

Republicans have made their intentions clear: They intend to raise taxes for Michigan families by $800 or gut education, health care, and public safety in order to finance a tax cut for business,” Granholm said.

Our plan was revenue neutral and would not raise taxes on Michigan families nor force draconian cuts in education, health care, and public safety,” Granholm said. “The differences between us are striking.

I would say the difference between Jennifer Granholm at pre-election time and Jennifer Granholm at post-election time are striking as well. Remember when the first President George Bush said "No new taxes!" during his campaign? Just thought I would point out that this isn't just a Democrat or Republican thing - it's a politician thing.

Granholm faces angry audience at Southfield town hall meeting

In case you didn't know, Jennifer Granholm is touring the state this week holding town hall meetings so she can find out what Michigan residents are saying and thinking about our state's economy. Just as she is kicking off the town hall meeting week Comerica announces that they are moving their headquarters out of Michigan and down to Texas. Ouch. Talk about unlucky timing.

Well, it is no surprise that Granholm faced some angry (and justifiably so) folks in Southfield. She can expect plenty more of those at all of her other stops across the state.

Here are some of the comments dealt to her (via the Detroit Free Press):

"Why don't you use your emergency powers to declare a state of economic disaster?" asked Jerry Goldberg, 56, a Detroiter who belongs to an activist group that wants the state to step in to stop foreclosures, utility shutoffs and other bad news for residents.

Leticia Hall, a 30-year-old mother of two from Detroit who said she has been out of work for six months, said she wants a job or at least some help when her unemployment checks end next month.

It is also no surprise that most people are not happy about Governor Granholm's proposal of fixing Michigan's budget crisis - raising taxes. Who wants more taken out of their pocket when they are already feeling pinched?

Don't forget that you can vent your frustrations and place your vote on Jennifer Granholm's job performance as Governor of Michigan at www.squidoo.com/bestofmichigan/. So far a few votes have been cast and the overwhelming majority is "Throw her out before things get worse."

Place your vote on Governor Jennifer Granholm's job performance

I have added a new poll to my Squidoo Lens - Best of Michigan that asks a simple question. Has Jennifer Granholm done a good job running our state? You have two choices - either yes or no. None of that "undecided" garbage that a typical poll contains.

Vote today at www.squidoo.com/bestofmichigan.

Anyone else get inundated with political phone calls over the weekend?

The final push being made before tomorrow's election reached a maddening level over the weekend. Supporters and opponents of the various proposals on the ballot made their voice known to me numerous times over the weekend. Of course, the gubernatorial candidates had the loudest voices of all with their automated phone calls. I am sure there must be some legal loophole that allows political phone calls to be made without regard to the Do Not Call List. Apparently political phone call advertisements do not fall under the category of "telemarketers" as they are not technically selling anything to you. But aren't they?

They are trying to "sell" you on the benefits of tossing your vote their way. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I tend to view these calls as sleazier than other telemarketing calls.

I am just thankful that after tomorrow there will be a reprieve from the radio, television, mass mailing, and phone call advertisements from all of these politicians and political organizations. That's an early Thanksgiving gift I guess.

Won't that make you thankful?

Thoughts on the third Granholm vs. DeVos debate

It is hard to adequately state my displeasure with these three debates fights that took place between Governor Granholm and her challenger, Dick DeVos. What a waste of time for the great people of the state of Michigan. Neither candidate did anything to solidify their positions on the economy, taxes, or education. While DeVos has done essentially nothing (in my eyes) as far as presenting a fact-based solid plan for Michigan's recovery you have to ask yourself a simple question in regard to Jennifer Granholm. Are you better off than you were four years ago?

You see, this is why voter apathy is so high these days. The negative campaigning and the mud-slinging debates make voters decide to not cast a vote at all rather than vote for one of the two major party candidates.

Granholm has the 8-9 point lead in the polls but is it because she has done such a good job or is it because DeVos has not done anything to garner our votes?

Read what the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press are saying about the debate.

Round 3 of the DeVos versus Granholm debate tonight

Governor Jennifer Granholm and her Republican challenger, Dick DeVos, square off tonight in the third and final (thankfully) debate. The first two debates have been an exhibition in good old mudslinging while not exactly swaying potential voters with their political rhetoric. Will either candidate present a detailed, fact-based plan for turning Michigan around? Judging by the previous debates and the heated war-of-words I would have to say - no.

I just wish that the two of them could set aside the rhetoric and provide the answers that Michigan voters are looking for. I don't care what Granholm has or has not done. I don't care what DeVos says needs to be changed in our state. I just want solutions, not more problems.

Here is my wishlist for tonight's debate:

• The number one issue in Michigan is the economy - I want specific plans from each candidate as to how they intend to turn Michigan's economy around for the long-term future.
• Taxes - how can DeVos throw out the SBT and keep necessary government services at their current levels? I think all of Michigan wants the answer to that, not just Jennifer Granholm.
• I want Governor Granholm to quit harping on the previous administration (John Engler) and blaming them for our current economic plight. If she would take ownership of our state's troubles and come up with a specific plan I think she could get back above a 50% approval rating and run away with the election.

Unfortunately, based upon the previous two debates I do not see any of the above three items being addressed with specifics.

Read what the Lansing State Journal is saying about Jennifer Granholm and Dick DeVos.

Watch the debate at 8pm tonight via the Detroit News' website.