It is as though the elite/high society passengers and crew on the  Titanic were ideological  "true believers" convinced that that ship,  like Michigan's ship of state,  is  "unsinkable" no matter what kind  dangers or sea condition the ship faces. 
The big shots  announce that  there is "no danger" just trust in their navigation and professional  judgment, and proceed to pass around the Champagne casks and  party-hardy.  They  play "Happy Days Are Here Again" as they arrogantly   ignore the blind leadership of the Captain and believe the ship will  survive any harm they or the ship can encounter.   Just stick to the  outline we have published sings out the Nerd, Michigan has entered the  final chapter of the "Engler Revolution."
As this day unfolds the bubbly will be flowing over at the Mackinac  Center.  It's there unbelievable day of triumph   The "againer geeks"  have succeeded in bringing down Michigan.
The Party is on.
First Mate Frank Beckmann reports from the engine room: "...business  leaders who have been briefed on the preliminaries call it a  night-and-day difference in approaching Michigan's budget issues and  economic environment. They complimented the candor and even courage of  the administration to off what they termed "BOLD AND DRAMATIC" CHANGES  that stand in stark contrast to what one business leader called the  "anti-business" environment in Illinois.
'But these business leaders told me they're not surprised since the  administration is led by Snyder (experienced CPA-CFO-CEO) and Lt.  Governor Brian Calley (pro-business banker and ex-chair of Tax Policy  Committee), who is taking the lead on a lot of the policy discussions.
'In the end, this will be a controversial proposal that will  challenge conservatives to live up to their stated beliefs. But it's a  grown up plan that's developing and has business leaders excited for the  first time in recent memory over what state government is actually  doing to stimulate business growth."
As this radical ignore the culture and the quality of life  "navigation plan" their ideology has brought us to clash with "icebergs"  of public resistance and anger.
True to the timeless tragedy:  The common man, the working families,  locked in steerage-the bowels of the sinking ship of state-won't be  offered life boats.  After all if the boat sinks, the myth goes, IT'S  THEIR SOCIAL WEIGHT THAT TOOK IT DOWN.
Up on the promenade, it's Mackinac Center dancing jigs and giving high 5's all around!
Here's the MacCen score card, print it out and check off each item  (hole in the hull)  as the MacCen Grinch geeks pop another magnum:
1.) Eliminate the Michigan Business Tax- replace the money it raises with cuts in government spending.
2.) Pass Right-to-Work legislation. There may be no greater single economic development policy that Michigan could adopt.
3.) Rein in the Department of Environmental Quality. (Maintaining  Michigan's high standards, means businesses) "won't be doing business or  creating jobs in Michigan, period. It's a 100 percent tax rate."
4.) (Stop) the state promising millions of dollars in targeted tax  credits or subsidies to slick operators in sexy industries who promise  to "create" jobs.
5.) Bring public sector employment benefits in line with the private  sector (Using the tools honed and revised by MacCen as to that "private  sector" benchmark is.)
6.) Make public pay equal to "private" pay: Michigan Public vs. Private "hourly" compensation.
7.) Resend Gov. George Romney's signing of the Michigan Public  Employment Relations Act, eliminate collective bargaining for public  employees.
8.) Cut state government work force
9.) Change state revenue-sharing formula
10.) Let private firms run some prisons
11.) Eliminate the earned income credit
12.) Allowing for income tax exemptions for government retirement  benefits, including  pensions and proposed extension of those exemptions  to private sector pensions  is  "unfair" as viewed by LaFaive.
The Mackinac Center has recommended hundreds specific ideas to save  the state more than $2 billion a year. Most of them involve getting  government out of certain activities, or eliminating costly privileges  to certain groups. "101 Recommendations to Revitalize Michigan."
Michael D. LaFaive: "The solution to Michigan's problems is simpler  than (people) are willing to admit." 
Do it our way!
Interpretation:  Just do as my Mackinac Center dictates you must.
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