The Who......

What was it The Who sang?  "Meet the new boss.  Same as the old boss."

That appears to be the case with Proposal 1 coming here in Michigan; the election is Tue.  Proponents claim passage will "fix the roads."  Nobody argues that Michigan's roads aren't in need of massive "fixing."  But despite all the propaganda, and that's what it is, propaganda, I can't see voting for the proposal.

Let's start with this proposal would amend the state constitution, always a chancy move.  It would increase the sales tax and gasoline taxes.  Far less than half of the money raised (I guess I've heard $1.7 billion??????) would actually go to repairing the roads.  Further claims say the average tax increase for Michigan residents would be about $200 a year.  I think that's quite disingenuous; one must also consider residuals.  My guess the increased burden would be twice or three times that, at least.

But The Who bring me back to what's most unappealing with all of this.  These folks in Lansing want us to trust them with more of our money.  But they've never come clean on a number of questions.  For instance, the governor claims Ohio, right next door, spends more than $1.3 billion more on its roads than we do here in Michigan.  How can that be so when Michigan taxes are higher than those in Ohio?  Also, if the tax increase would raise about half a billion dollars for the roads, why can't a state budget of almost $60 billion find the money for fixes?  Also, since the governor took office, state spending has increased, what?, almost $5 billion.  Why didn't that money go for the roads?  And, if, as proponents claim, the roads are so vital to Michigan, why weren't they a priority in the budget?  Why were they allowed to deteriorate so much?

"Meet the new boss.  Same as the old boss."  No thanks, I won't vote to trust more of my money to those who have shown an inability to spend it wisely.  Finish the song, "We won't get fooled again!"

The same goes for a local school election, a millage of sorts.  This is a second go-around of sorts for this money grab.  Last August it was soundly defeated.  This time, though, the rate is doubled for twice as long.  So, do the math!!!!!!  Again, in the same vein as the state and Proposal 1. I won't vote for this.  I am supposed to trust people who've unwisely spent money in the past??????  What?  Have they had some sort of awakening?  Let's go back the to the $43,000 bonus given to the superintendent.  I know, I know.  As one board member told me, "It wasn't a'bonus,'"  It was a contractual "performance incentive."  Right.  As I told her, "If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, walks like a duck, you can call it a chicken all you want.  It's still a duck."

BTW, it looks like ObamaCare is going to cost me at least another $700-800 this year.  So, in two years, it's taken more than $2000, that's additional, out of my wallet.

From the world of sports, more signs that the Apocalypse is near.  The U of Michigan offered a football scholarship to some 8th grader in Florida!  And, the first pick of the NFL draft was apparently a guy who's been accused of sexual assault.  I guess no charges were ever filed, but the wagons sure circled down there in a hurry.  But, hey, after all, this is football, the NFL!