Posted on 09/07/2010 1:29:49 PM PDT by MichCapCon
I have argued here before that government "economic development" programs that pick winners and losers for selectively distributed "incentives" are in reality political development programs. A fine proof of this assertion was a PR stunt a few years back from Michigan House Republican leadership on a factory floor in Lansing.
The event's press release headline read, "Republicans Vow: We Will Fight for Every Michigan Job"; the text described how their multi-point "economic stimulus plan" would create jobs. It consisted of a smorgasbord of new and existing discriminatory tax break and subsidy programs.
Unfortunately for the caucus, then-Speaker Rick Johnson's office accidentally faxed the Mackinac Center an associated internal strategy document with columns that listed the programs to be created or extended, followed by ones indicating the "political value" and "press value" of the idea.
Totally missing was any mention of the economic value of the programs. In other words, the purpose of the exercise was to create the illusion of "doing something" about the ailing state economy, not to really do something.
(Excerpt) Read more at michigancapitolconfidential.com ...
MI ping
Obama’s Labor Day Road-Rail-Runway program is another example. Anyone who thinks this is about R-R-R or about jobs just doesn’t understand the Illinois bipartisan combine.
Rahm knows that next year Obama will have to seek bipartisan support ... the kind we know here in IL. Bipartisan Combine Republican and Denny Hastert BFF Ray theHood was brought in specifically for this purpose.
It is the role of theHood to find the price os a mayor or county board and buy the support of their local organization for a combine member engaged in a close race in November. A mayor can often control a thousand votes. Buy three mayors and you have bought a close election. After the election it is the role of theHood to buy the support of combine members ... and suck knew members into the oldest profession by promising projects in their district ... or for their family member or business partner.
That is theHood way, the Illinois way.
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