Over at Mlive.com, Susan Demas has written a sarcastic, caustic look at the hypocrisies that surround the reaction by Republicans and Tea Partiers to Gov. Snyder’s budget.
Demas’ overall conclusion? “Lesson learned. The only time raising taxes is bad is when Democrats are in power.”
Demas, a political analyst for the MIRS newsletter in Lansing, got fired up after experiencing the poorly attended Tea Party Tax Day rally at the Capitol last week.
She makes a good case that Snyder’s tax hikes on individuals are far more burdensome than anything ever proposed by former Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm. Yet, the Tea Party celebrates his budget. The rollback of the Granholm income tax hike of 2007, which was treated as a disastrous move by conservatives, has been halted by Snyder. But the Tea Party gathers to tacitly express approval.
Demas also takes shots at Budget Director John Nixon, formerly of Utah, for brushing aside concerns about cuts for universities. And she takes on a venemous tone when referring to one of Rep. Pete Lund’s trademark snarky remarks, which he made while commenting on the pro-union turnout at the previous rally.
Then she suggests that north Macomb County is a place where hatred for Granholm trumps all – even tax hikes.
Here’s part of what she wrote:
“Only 300 folks bothered to show up, in spite of the fact that Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed far bigger tax hikes that Jennifer Granholm ever dreamed of.

“Not even Fox News superstar Dick Morris (best known for hating on Hillary Clinton and sucking hookers’ toes) and GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain (best known for pledging never to hire any Muslims in the White House) could turn angry right-wingers out. Nor could Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Attorney General Bill Schuette.

“Days before, organizers at Americans for Prosperity were feverishly downplaying expectations, as is the norm for staged political events (that are) not outpourings of grassroots furor. Michigan Director Scott Hagerstrom estimated about 1,000, maybe 1,500 would show.

“They knew they’d be outnumbered by the pro-union rally the day before when the main attraction was Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, the guy that barely cracked 40 percent against Snyder.

“And indeed, at least 4,500 turned out that day (although sniggering Rep. Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township, announced it looked more like 3.5 million when he was passing by). That’s in keeping with Budget Director John Nixon, who laughed at a group of college students protesting higher education cuts weeks before.

“Stay classy, guys. And just remember — not every place in Michigan is as blood-red as northern Macomb County and Utah. If Democrats actually show up to vote next time — a distinct possibility with President Obama on the ballot — you may not find things quite so funny.”

Read my next post to find out what Demas had to say about Leon Drolet and his sidekick, Mr. Perks.

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