By Barry Hastings
What a state we live in. In
a few (long) years, our Michigan has drifted (and been driven by political Gerrymandering) from a strong, progressive economic power, to a state where one in four children goes hungry every day, and the state legislature is ever on the cutting edge of regression and repression.
“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you,” is a motto with little, or no, meaning to most of the people who live here today.
It makes me wonder if Michiganders want our state forever on the heel-dragging edge of history. I assume they must, because we’re living it every day. It’s fueled by pretentious GOP twerps and twits in legislature and (worst twit of all) governor’s office, denying any responsibility whatsoever for everything from roads and highways, to huge (growing) numbers of state citizens falling further behind each day.
Republicans and their apologists/supporters point out they’ve presided over reduction in unemployment numbers, but always fail to note most of the new jobs are of the low pay, few (if any) benefits variety, taking people off unemployed rolls, but doing little or nothing to improve family quality of life.
A recent Mlive Media Group editorial opens with the statement, “It was a banner week in the Legislature’s apparent crusade to turn Michigan into a backwater of intolerance and (emphasis added) an anti-economic development state.” The editorial referred to the legislature’s last week before summer break as, “the near-frenzy of scorched-earth policies approved in both chambers,” and questioned, “What has happened to our moderate Governor?”
It also recalled an MLive Media Group endorsement of Herr Schnieder last November, in which they said it was time for him to, “start acting more like a Chief Executive Officer than a Chief Financial Officer.” The piece went on to state, “We called on (the Governor) to address critical policy issues, and better represent the whole state. He failed those expectations.”
The compilers went on to list Snyder’s failures. “Snyder failed 13,000 (Michigan) children in foster care by limiting their access to loving and stable homes when he signed the ‘religious objection’ adoption bills. He (also) failed same-sex couples who are ready, willing and able to provide homes to those needy, and often troubled children.”
The editorial noted the bills were, “clearly aimed at same-sex couples, they will also allow faith-based agencies that receive state funding to turn away people of other faiths, unmarried couples, mixed race couples – (or) anyone who doesn’t meet their standards. It amounts to state-sanctioned discrimination, and is intolerable.”
The Governor failed all Michigan citizens, the piece continued, by painting Michigan, “as a state that supports bigotry.” The editorial board made clear their belief that, “Businesses and families looking to locate in a progressive state certainly will not choose Michigan.” It described the GOP controlled legislature as being “hell-bent on catering to the fringes,” of the Republican party.
Far worse, the editorial continued, is a “streak of cruelty,” exhibited when they passed a bill (signed by our moderate Governor) allowing the state to remove needy families from rolls allowing cash assistance to poor families, “if just one child is chronically truant.” (It kind of sounds like, “Let them eat cake,” to me.) And as part of the GOP plan to raise funds for road repairs, under House Speaker Kevin Cotter’s tutelage, voted to raise taxes on the working poor by eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit. The House, according to MLive editorial writers, also continues to, “push the irresponsible idea that we should count on ‘revenue growth’ to fund road repairs, rather than work toward a new revenue stream.”
In addition, the senate has passed a bill micro-managing how schools teach children about both state and national constitutions — concentrating on religious aspects of the documents. The editorial continues noting, ‘We have crumbling roads, struggling schools, and an economy still near the bottom. (Senator) Meekhof’s priorities are eliminating the film office, removing local control of wages, and pushing religion in the (schools) curriculum.”
In defeating Proposal I in May, voters told the legislature to pass on their (annual) summer vacation, and find a way to repair what was once (under both Democrat and Republican government), one of the finest road networks in America, and do it by means other than stealing funds allocated to schools, towns, cities, villages, counties and the poor.
“Instead,” the editorial’s writers say, “We’ve seen a non-stop display of intolerance, anti-progress, and anti-economic development sentiment, and a willingness to trample opposition — while ignoring pressing governance and policy issues. And Snyder is signing these bills as fast as they hit his desk.”
ISIL halfway to goal of victory in Syria, Iraq
On another note, I recently found an interesting article by John McLaughlin of the Washington Post, outlining four circumstances which could contribute to a victory by ISIL in Iraq and Syria. To my eyes, it seems they’re half-way home.
First, opponents of ISIL would fail to marshal a force sufficient to take them on in man to man combat, since aerial attack is failing to stem the tide. Hedaims Iraq is not up to the task, and won’t take steps to become able to do so. He says it’s highly unlikely Americans will pick-up the leadership banner, and regional powers haven’t the experience to do so successfully.
Second, ISIL forces would have to gain control of Baghdad, and considering their complete dominance of Anbar Province (where so many American boys uselessly died during our invasion, and many more in the failed ‘Petraeous Surge), would bring them close to realization of their goal.
Third, if Iraq continues to unravel at edges and seams, and fails to unite Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. All three parties despise and distrust one-another, and show little, if any, interest in building trust or working together.
Fourth, if Iran fails to take on larger responsibilities for defeating ISIL. Iran is assisting Iraq in the fight, but not with decisive power.
McLaughlin says these harsh realities and bad options have all but “paralyzed policymakers” in the U.S., and among regional allies.
Sleep tight.
