Today's headline in the Detroit News didn't seem to answer the question as the words "Tax Hike or School Cuts" glared above the fold.

Then, I realized that William Jennings Bryan had it right.  I spent last week reading a biography about him and the things that struck me were that he wasn't afraid to be religious and he stood up for his principles regardless of their popularity.  

He was known throughout America as a great lecturer "who could really rally a crowd" (sound familiar); however, he didn't just claim to be "from the people" - he really was a populist at heart and in his actions.  

So, it really struck me when he was quoted as saying "he (the governor of Nebraska)has so long been supported by taxation that no other method of relieving distress really occurs to him".

This quote has been running around in my head for a few days now because it sounds so much like our current governor here in MI.  I find it ironic that Bryan - a forerunner to FDR, a man who ran on the Democrat ticket for president three times - could accurately assess the corruption that overtakes people once they've been in public service for a long period of time.

Since graduating from Harvard Law, Ms. Granholm has built her lifestyle on the backs of taxpayers.  So how can we expect someone who has always worked for the government to solve the biggest financial crisis this state has seen since Jim Blanchard?

Let's look at Ms. Granholm's career.

In 1987, Granholm began her career in public service as a clerk for U.S. Judge Damon Keith on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. (After graduating from Harvard Law)

In 1990, Granholm became a federal prosecutor in Detroit.

In 1994, Granholm was appointed Wayne County corporation counsel.

In 1998, she was elected the first female AG

In 2002, she became MI's first female Gov.

So, for nearly 20 years - her salary at the federal, state, or local level has come from taxpayer dollars.  And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize how corrupt the Wayne County government is.  

Naturally, she doesn't want to see her income decrease as Michigan struggles through these financial times.  

None of us do - however, tough times call for tough measures by everyone.  Not just the "regular" people.  I know I go through my budget nearly everyday to make sure that I've got money coming in so I can pay for what's going out.  

Why is it that our government officials can't utilize this basic concept?  I know that there are leaders like Mike Bishop who aren't afraid of making the tough choices, but they seem few and far between.  

Most of our citizens have watched their take-home salaries purchase less and less over the past couple of years.  Between increasing gas prices and increasing food prices, we don't have the extra money to pay more taxes.  How many more people do you want to foreclose on their homes, Ms. Granholm?

It's never been about serving the public. It's about her personal ambition and wealth.  How else can you explain her behavior and her "threats"?  How else can you explain her desire for more and more tax dollars?  She's fighting for her income - not for Michigan.  How else can you explain the sheer inept handling of our economy?

When comerica gives the state the finger - you should get a lesson from it.  Not just respond in the same old "I'll go anywhere to get jobs here" way.  Obviously, people aren't buying the speech anymore.  

However, in the end - Comerica doesn't pay her salary.  You and I and our neighbors do. She just wants to get her hands on more of our cash because she thinks it's hers already.  We poor saps haven't figured that out yet - which is why she's ticked.  She thinks she can scare us out of our money.  The trouble with that is that we are already scared of losing our money and more of our money is going out even without her tax hikes.

So, I have to ask - where does she think people are going to come up with more money when they don't have anything to give?  

State law doesn't prohibit people from paying MORE in taxes if they want to make an extra donation.  So, Jenny - why don't you pay the government more money so it can work?  Why don't you get together with Sens. Levin and Stabenow and hold a great big democrat fundraiser and donate the money to the state?  Show us how to be truly compassionate in words AND deeds. Show us all what real democrat leadership is all about!

Better yet, why don't you start wearing a special ribbon around the state showing that you really care about the economy and encourage people to give freely out of their own pockets to the state before you force people to give through government mandates.  Honestly, two-cent Jenny, I don't believe you feel my pain.  I so desperately want you to feel my pain and get all those horrible creditor calls - then, maybe, just maybe - you'll get an idea as to why we - as taxpayers - don't want to pay money to the government.  We have trouble making our ends meet without another government mandated tax increase.  (or should I say "revenue enhancement")