The Crested Cowbird: The Mackinac Center State Bird

Cowbirds are very clever and naturally devious birds, they lay their eggs in other bird's nests and then as those eggs hatch and the young are born, some other bird gets the responsibility and intensive task of providing for the Cowbird's young. And so it is that metaphorically, the Mackinac Center has laid its "eggs" in Snyder's agenda nest by means of its total access to the Detroit/Mackinac News' editorial pages and the MacCen's other open access to numerous media outlets, conservative pundits, and news chains across Michigan. As is the Cowbird mode, Mackinac Center awaits its Cowbird outcome.

Yesterday (January 20, 2011), we heard the piercing cry of the Cowbird in this blog (Michigan View):

"While recognizing what he called the state's 'unsustainable financial model,' SNYDER NEVERTHELESS SUGGESTED PROGRAMS THAT REQUIRE MORE GOVERNMENT.(emphasis added)

"{Snyder} proposed a new government 'Office of Urban Initiatives' in Detroit and two other locations, and a new Michigan Economic Development Corp. board member for agriculture.

"Though he gave no specifics, Snyder proposed an expansion of education emphasis to begin at the prenatal phase - sperm and egg? - and continue throughout life. And he suggested a government "system" to step into our private lives on health issues like smoking and obesity, hardly the platform of a staunch conservative.
"While Snyder touched on many issues in an address that had an overall uplifting feel to it, he also failed to mention plans for key issues such as film credits, early prison-inmate release, energy policy and the stated goal of House Speaker Jase Bolger to begin discussing right-to-work legislation.

"Of course, all this emphasizes the enormity of the job facing the new governor, who continues to come across as anything but a typical politician." Frank Beckmann,('Gov. Enigma' brings new era to Michigan's politics, 1.21.11)

Perhaps Frank should encourage the Mackinac Center to migrate-franchising their "gripe away government" method of operation, "taking-it-to-government" to other states.

The Enigma: Let's see if Crested Cowbirds have a wider range and can con naive natives birds elsewhere, who don't mind raising and supporting the Cowbird's greedy offspring.


Original Post.