Everyone and their brother... and their brother... and their brother... and even yours truly... has written about courage and leadership as of late. And with good reason. Their is a definite dearth of leadership in Lansing. It starts and ends in the governor's office.

This isn't just about this governor. She certainly hasn't been an effective leader - as folks from both the left and the right have pointed out. But, more broadly, it's an obligation that comes with the office. In a time of crisis, such as this, the people expect the chief executive to step up to the plate and deliver.

Granholm is nowhere near the plate. She's either charging the mound like a mad woman or kicking dirt at the ump like a 3rd base coach. Or just sitting in the dugout refusing to play at all.

I once, long ago and far away, described this governor as Veruca Salt of Willy Wonka fame. She wants it - and she wants it now - and she'll have it no other way but her own.  Can anyone really look at the current situation and see it any other way? She will not give one inch without getting a tax hike of the size and scope she demands.

If not, after all, people will die. Schools will close. Bodies will go unburied. Life as we know it will cease to exist.

Which brings us back to solutions. Michigan is still losing jobs - like no other state in the nation. Michigan is facing a budget deficit - like no other state in the nation. Michigan's credit rating is sinking faster than the Titanic - like no other state in the nation. Families are fleeing Michigan faster than practically anywhere else, save New Orleans.

But we know these are our problems. Even this incompetent governor understands the problems - at least to an extent. Her genius investor lacky Andy Dillon certainly does.

We're dealing with a causal chain. Michigan has fewer jobs, fewer employers, fewer businesses and fewer residents. The firms that are left are making less money. The families that are left are suffering from unemployment and belt tightening.

All in all, there is less money in the system. And that means there is less tax revenue.

Fewer jobs mean lower tax revenues. Viola! - who would have thought it? - Michigan's problems are connected.

So what "solution" does Granholm bring to the table to address this? A massive income tax hike (I'd give you a percentage, but they just can't decide how massive they want to make it) paired with a 9% spending increase.

If enacted, this would truly be a 1-2 knockout combination. It would knock the last employers and families out of Michigan. Shut the doors, turn out the lights - it's over.

That is - in all seriousness - how important this fight is. We must - for the sake of Michigan - win. A higher income tax rate will be devastating for this state, for its families, and for its future.

It is the wrong approach. It is a short-sighted approach. It is a failed approach.

Sounds like a real sound "solution" to me.