Sunday, February 04, 2007

The Gloves Start to Come Off

Last week a trip to the Northern Lower Peninsula awakened the inner tree-hugger in me. It's not just about enjoying hearing birds chirp and watching the grass grow green. It's about realizing that our state's got to get our priorities straight if we're going to dig ourselves out of the mess that began with Engler & Co. nearly 12 years ago, and has snowballed with the downfall of the The Big Three.

The Republicans are screaming for Governor Granholm's head, and dancing the "Democrats Raise Taxes" jig, all the while failing to provide any type of real solution. How convenient for them. Lose the election, retreat to their corner to lick their wounds and play the ol' blame game.

God forbid that DeRoche, Bishop and Saul actually get real results. Giving credit where it's deserved, kudos to Anuzis for actually admitting that even his own party people are sick of his stuff.
I received several emails in response to my commentary yesterday. Most were supportive and/or in agreement. However, a Republican Mayor from west Michigan wrote me concerned that “my rhetoric” was not helpful to “fixing what needs to be fixed” and that I was more interested in “political posturing” than dealing with the situation.

I'm sorry, but did someone just miss a bit of a wake-up call?

So, whilst our over-paid Senate Republican leaders attempt to lead the state off the nearest cliff without bothering to listen to the 10 million of us who sign their paychecks, this tax-payer would like to focus a little more on what we can really do to get our state back on track. Our Democratic leaders have a fight on their hands, and we need to support them. But that's not where our civic responsibility ends. There's plenty we can do on our own to help our state get back on track. There's also a lot that we need to do to make sure it stays on track.

So while many will wrap themselves in a flag and claim that their hooting and hollering is helping the state and the nation, this liberal is going to try something new - being proactive. Let's roll up the sleeves, get serious, and go to work. It's our state, and we need to fight for it.

Stay tuned...

2 comments:

Cathleen said...

Saul? Our Saul admitted that?

* thud *

My hope is that the Pubs will get it together and "do the right thing" in the end, but I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot of crying about it first.

I wonder if this will further expose the rift in the Republican party- there are those that are tired of the "cut taxes" rhetoric and extreme social positions.

The moderates need to get back in control. Only then will I stop throwing stones.

LiberalLucy said...

I'm not going to disagree with you that the moderates need to get back in control of the GOP.

We need to keep calling them out on the carpet for all their rhetoric and unfounded lies, but we need to do more than just make noise, we need to get stuff done, otherwise we're no better than they are.

Tell you what - you keep making noise since you're good at it, and I'll lead the fight to get stuff done. Together we make a good team. :-)