Author Archives: jimvote

Forced Common Sense

Posted on by jimvote
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- Jim Vote, 2008 MCPP Intern-

With the many, many, many problems facing our state, I’m so glad that our legislators are spending time worrying about how fast I drive.  (Speed Limit Idea Said to Save Gas- Freep 07/03/08) Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi is presenting this bill in an attempt at forcing conservation of precious “disappearing” fuel resources.  One problem: it doesn’t work.  Motorists drive as fast as they want, regardless of the speed limit.  State police representatives can vouch for this, and the only thing a lower speed limit creates is a surge in ticketing.  The State Police and intelligent citizens don’t want this.  We all know gas prices are high.  Common sense tells us the slower we go, the less gas we burn, and the better mileage we recieve.  Rep. Vagnozzi may be used to staying in the slow lane, but it’s unfair to expect the rest of the state to follow suit.  Paying for gas more frequently is the price of driving fast, and while it can be costly, let’s keep the choice up to the citizen.

Partisan Politics at Its Worst

Posted on by jimvote
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Jim Vote- 2008 MCPP Intern

 

While conducting some research recently, I came across this candid document on a UAW web site:  “Government Reform Proposal to Help Democrats.” It gave me a laugh, and I brushed it off, given the lack of sources and the overtly partisan nature of the presentation.

 

But now this proposal is gaining strength, and according to the Detroit Free Press, it will probably be on the ballot in November (“Voters may be asked to downsize Lansing”).  There are so many things wrong with it that I’m not really sure where to begin.  We’re all for ”right-sizing” and reforming state government, but the blatantly partisan nature of what this measure does to make that happen in disturbing. The redistricting provision, for example: A truly fair way would  be to have a Senate with a representative from every county, and a House that is districted based on population, not along partisan lines as proposed by RMGN. Yes this would create a larger Senate, but at least it would be fair and reasonable. 

 

The proposed Executive Branch cuts appear to be a response to the absence of a strong candidate to succeed Gov. Granholm.  The cuts in the Judiciary are a blatant response to the strict constructionist court Michigan currently enjoys.  The only “non-GOP” Justice position proposed for removal is a new appointee of the Bush Administration who is moving to the federal bench anyway.

 

Partisan politics has its place, but restructuring state government to play this game is wrong, regardless of who’s doing it.  Taking advantage of an angry and defeated population is unprincipled.  The truly scary part is that this proposal really could become law.  Michigan’s population is angry, but if their backlash assumes this form it will do nothing to solve the state’s real problems.