Weather Change

We woke up this morning in Michigan and most of the state was 60 degrees(f), that's strange because it was just 19 degrees(f) the day before. Well I don't know about you, but that sudden weather change does crazy things to my sinuses so I had to double-up on Allegra, nose spray, and Tylenol. It made me think of this song in the video below.

LAKE FACTS

How much do you know about Michigan and our Lakes? After reading an article in the July 29, 2007 edition of the FreePress by writer Ron Dzwonkowski, I now know a lot more! Check out excerpts that I found interesting:

• The generally agreed-to estimate of the number of inland lakes in Michigan is 11,000.
• If somebody tells you to "go jump in the lake," in Michigan you are never more than 6 miles from one.
• In area, Lake Superior is the world's second largest. The other four Great Lakes ranked in order by surface area: Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario.
• Two of northern Michigan's largest and most popular inland lakes are Houghton and Higgins. They sit between U.S.-127 and I-75.
• Michigan's three largest inland lakes are: Houghton, Torch and Charlevoix.
• Walled Lake got it's name from earthen buildups that may have been from waves and ice that resembled walls around parts of the lake.
• The drop in water level at the Soo Locks for ships coming down from Lake superior into the lower lakes is 21 feet.

You can read the complete article at http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707290545

Luxury Tax Response from Gov.Granholm

If you remember a little while back(Tuesday June 26th) I sent an e-mail to Gov.Granholm regarding a Luxury Tax on sports and entertainment tickets, and below is the response I was sent from her office. Go to the bottom of the response for more comments.



Dear Mr. S(aka- Pvt. Gump):

Thank you for contacting Governor Granholm’s office. Your email in opposition to increased taxes on tickets to sporting events and other entertainment venues has been received and read. The following is the Governor’s response on the issue:



“To resolve the unprecedented fiscal crisis facing our state I have been working to enact the plan that I introduced in my State of the State address and in the budget I submitted to the Legislature. It is based on a balanced approach that combines additional cuts in government spending, with reforms that reduces the cost of government and new revenues. Through this approach, we could invest in the things we need to bring jobs to our state and avoid the deep cuts to education, health care and public safety that would jeopardize any chance we have for economic recovery.



Since offering this plan, I have eliminated the approximately $1 billion shortfall in our current budget, which resulted in cuts to every department of state government. In addition, I was able to reach agreement with the Legislature to replace our Single Business Tax when it expires at the end of the year. This prevents adding $2 billion to our $1.8 billion deficit in the Fiscal Year 2008 budget and gives Michigan a competitive business tax that will make it easier to keep existing jobs here and attract new investment and jobs to our state.



As these most recent spending cuts and the $4 billion in deficits I resolved in my first term indicate, I am willing to make tough choices to balance the budget. However, I reject a “cuts alone” solution to the deficit because it would result in severe funding reductions to schools, health care and our police and fire departments. Without new revenue and cost cutting reforms, we would give up any hope of economic recovery for our state.



The Legislature is entertaining numerous proposals about the best way to generate revenue, including a tax on high-end discretionary services. While I believe that new revenues must be part of the overall solution to our budget deficit, I cannot predict with any certainty which of these many proposals for new revenue will become legislation that reaches my desk. I will keep your views in mind as negotiations over the Fiscal Year 08 budget go forward.”


Again, thank you for your correspondence to the Governor’s office.


L. S., Assistant to T. G.
Constituent Services Division
Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm


Did the Governors office just tell me to F-off, because it just sounded like it!? You will keep my opinions in mind, sure you will.

Where the state gets the money is important and a concern, but my point was and still is "Do not tax our free time recreational outlets." Hell, we have to work more hours or more jobs just to provide for our families, which means less time with them anyway so dumping a state tax on top of that is an insult to an already injured situation. This is the same old issue of an elected official telling the general public to get bent and deal with it. Its sad that we have to put up with this low level Dictatorship type governing.

So in closing I want to say sorry to local sports, I can not support you anymore due to being taxed to death by my State Government and basic lack of fiscal responsibility.

If the above is the best our State can do maybe we need to look for outside help.

Sports Gifts

I was inspired by a gift from my brother this past weekend. I am the proud owner of a U of M Maize and Blue Golf shirt(XL...to hold in all of this lovin). Start doin your homework gang, the college season is just around the corner, and as an avid U of M fan we will have lots to talk about.

The link below is the new network dedicated to the Big Ten Conference. This link in particular is for Michigan's up coming season, and the standout athletes we will see. To use the link you have to copy and paste it into your browser...or just go to the www.bigtennetwork.com and click on the U of M specific logo.

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/video/popup.asp?ID=13