And speaking of that remarkable free market intrusion, the Detroit News has a report this morning on the potential of a Presidential veto over some intergovernmental oversight issues.  It's got the normal platitudes from Michigan lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats saying that the radical new fuel economy spike is a rotten deal but the best they could do, that the Big 3 only support it because it could be so much worse... the usual.  But then there's a couple of very interesting paragraphs detailing Senator Debbie Stabenow's response to her Democrat colleagues attempts to kill the domestic auto industry.  

(Stabenow) also said she had won support for $700 million in consumer tax incentives to buy advanced technology vehicles. She was still negotiating for up to $1.8 billion for manufacturing tax credits and advanced battery research.

Stabenow spoke with Pelosi on Sunday night about the need for auto incentives to be part of the final package.

To which I respond, so?  Why?  Do tax incentives and tax credits do something and if so what?  Wait, you mean that if you tax a business less they'll do more on their own?  That lowering rates increases business activity?  

Well that just plain doesn't make any sense, does it?  Here I'd been hypnotized by the Michigan House Democrats and the Governor, thinking that tax increases didn't hurt business... that to make a positive difference in this world you have to RAISE taxes, not cut them.  Stabenow didn't get the memo I guess.  Time for her to come to MDP HQ for a stern talking to.  

I'll have to go set-up my google alerts right now so I don't miss the thousand posts in the regressisphere sternly criticizing the junior Senator for having the audacity to put big business first.  I'm sure they're already typing furiously at their keyboards.

And while they're at it they're probably commending a certain Republican lawmaker for going further than any of their own blue-idols in trying to cut one area of government spending.  The Saginaw News reports that Representative Ken Horn will today introduce legislation not only asking for lawmakers pay to be slashed by five percent but asking the body that officially makes those decisions to convene a year ahead of schedule to make the change NOW.

State representatives and senators collect $79,650 annually, among the highest pay for legislators in the nation.

Lawmakers should set an example by taking a wage cut, especially if the state approaches labor unions next year to reopen contracts, Horn said.

"We are looking at a deficit for the 2009 budget already," he said, projected at $500 million to $1 billion. "This is a very real example for all of our department heads and all of our state employees that we are very serious about fixing this budget."

Horn estimates the action would save $600,000.

If that isn't a reform we can all get behind I don't know what is.  It'll be interesting to see how Horn's bill gets treated on the House floor.  Here's hoping Andy Dillon doesn't kill it on sight to protect his own pocketbook.