Freep This Poll: Rick Snyder's budget proposal spurs debate: Is it fair?

AnnArbor.com ^ | April 3, 2011 | Nathan Bomey

[CreviceTool]

The crescendo of complaints about Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget — which infuriated a mass ensemble of groups throughout Michigan — sounds a common theme. By most accounts, people seem to agree that “shared sacrifice,” as the governor has put it, is fair and necessary to help Michigan establish a sustainable state government. But few can agree on the definition of fair. And there has been little agreement on a better alternative.

[CreviceTool]

Gov. Snyder wants to lower the business tax rate to spur the growth of new business in Michigan.

[cripplecreek]

For the michigan pinglist.

[cripplecreek]

By most accounts, people seem to agree that “shared sacrifice,”

Except for the parasites who think we should share even more of their burden.

[cripplecreek]

Poll to FReep (Michigan Budget cuts)

[onevoter]

My one and only problem with Snyder’s proposal is that he wants to take away from K-12 schools and give to universities and colleges. His proposal is that we consider the money to fund schools as, not a K-12 issue but a K-20 issue. The fact that he is a Univ of Michigan professor should have been a warning since U of M is so liberal that it is over the top. I am not a teacher but I live in a small town and see our school struggling, while just in the last five years, colleges and universities in the state have increased their administrations (and administrative costs) by 50 percent - all the while raising tuition rates. Cuts to public schools are one thing but cutting public schools in order to give to colleges and universities is something else altogether. Colleges and Universities should not be entitled to education tax dollars.

[Debi911]

Exactly! But I still think there are so many things the Governor could cut, we have so much welfare fraud, so many depts that we don't need.

Govt in Michigan needs to be leaner, and butt out of our wallets. We already pay enough.

What I don't understand is the diff in taxation on 401k’s and pensions. Personally I think when you finally become a senior after working all of your life, and paying taxes, the govt should get none of that money. But 401k’s are taxed once you start taking from it.

So this just confuses me to no end. One is company paid (pensions) and one is self sacrifice (401k). Why are they any more special?

[cripplecreek]

But he’s also cutting some 15% of the funding from universities. My uncle expects to lose his job teaching at UofM. Fortunately he’s pragmatic about it.

[magslinger]

MIping

If you wish to be added to or removed from the Michigan ping list, please post or FReepmail me.

[CreviceTool]

***HAVE TO LOVE HOW LIBERALS CALL IT INVESTING***

Cutting taxes has pulled even at progressive headquarter city, Ann Arbor:

es. Snyder’s budget is fair and spreads the pain.
403
Yes. But the business tax cut and pension tax increase are too steep.
194
No. We should be investing in cities and education, not cutting.
406
No. Wealthier citizens should pay more because they can afford more.
407

[CSM]

“So this just confuses me to no end. One is company paid (pensions) and one is self sacrifice (401k). Why are they any more special?”

I have the same questions and the only answer that I can come up with is that pensions are generally what union members have as a retirement plan and 401K’s are generally white collar workers...at least historically. Now, I think that it is mostly limited to the UAW and gov’t workers....

[dynachrome]

Thanks, Cripplecreek! A poll from Ann Arbor, MI, which is like Sanfransicko, but with more snow.

FREEP THIS POLL ***PING!*** FRmail me if you want to be added or removed from the Fearless Poll-Freeping Freepers Ping list. And be sure to ping me to any polls that need Freepin', if I miss them. (looks like a medium volume list) (gordongekko909, founder of the pinglist, stays on the list until his ghost signs up for the list)

[TheOldLady]

There is no shortage of idiots in Michiganistan.

* Yes. Snyder’s budget is fair and spreads the pain.
437

* Yes. But the business tax cut and pension tax increase are too steep, and I want more socialism than that.
200

* No. We want more money for our failing schools and cities that don’t get any better no matter how many rich people we rip off nor how much money we pour into them.
414

* No. Socialism, fascism, and communism are the only way to go, and the filthy rich should pay more because I think they can afford more, the greedy bastids.
413

[cripplecreek]

Well it is an Ann Arbor paper. LOL

[TheOldLady]

Yes, that’s the reason for the plethora of idiots, LOL!

[cripplecreek]

We import idiots from outside the state.

[Cheerio]

According to Michiganders in the poll, they want to “Invest in education”, a favorite of the lefties. We sure get a lot for our “investment in ed” don't we!!!! turning out little brains full of mush, but they sure know how to vote “D”.

[absolootezer0]

how much “sharing the pain” are our legislators doing?
how about their staff?
governor’s appointees?

[cripplecreek]

Part of our problem is a glut of universities. That wouldn't be possible if they were teaching useful skills but they choose marxist indoctrination instead.

Take a look at the "We Are One" teachers toolkit being used in colleges and high school classrooms across America.

Teachers toolkit (pdf)

Included is a student pledge form.

AS A STUDENT who believes in acting collectively and who supports workers’ right to bargain for good jobs and a better life, I am interested in doing one or more of the following (please check all that apply):

I want to connect with the union movement on my campus or in my community.

I want to help organize a teach-in like today’s for others on my campus or on a different campus.

I want to support workers’ organizing and collective bargaining struggles on my campus and in my community.

I want to learn about the AFL-CIO’s Organizing Institute programs. Please e-mail me information.

I would like to become a member of Working America, the community and student affiliate of the AFL-CIO. (www.workingamerica.org)

I would like to talk to someone about becoming an organizer for Working America.

[CreviceTool]

Sanity prevailed in liberal A-squared:

Final results
Yes. Snyder’s budget is fair and spreads the pain.
516
No. Wealthier citizens should pay more because they can afford more.
503
No. We should be investing in cities and education, not cutting.
493
Yes. But the business tax cut and pension tax increase are too steep.