Hello tax increases.

Well, that didn't take long.

Showing her disdain for anything that would actually promote the growth of business in the state, Governess Granholm is urging the State legislature to resurrect the Single Business Tax or a replacement for it.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Lawmakers who did away with the state's main business tax earlier this year should be the ones to come up with its replacement before they adjourn in December, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday.

The Democratic governor said the Republican-led House and Senate have three weeks remaining in the legislative session to craft a replacement for the tax, which brings in about $1.9 billion in annual revenue.

...

Some GOP lawmakers have said they want to see an overall cut in business taxes. But Granholm says any new tax structure must replace all the money now coming in from business taxes, including around $1.75 billion from the personal property tax.

Hooray. I am so glad she was reelected. It's okay if we cut taxes, but we have to create another tax that will bring in the same money under a different name. Sounds like the democratic way.

Here's an idea, once businesses see the business friendly climate in the state, they move here. They hire people. Those people pay income taxes. You get more revenue for the state, and less of a tax burden on individuals. Yay! Too bad Granholm won't allow that to happen.

A legend died today.

Glenn E. "Bo" Schembechler passed away today at the age of 77. To countless University of Michigan Wolverine Football fans he was a legend. He defined UM football for 20+ years.

A summary of his career at the University from wikipedia.

Schembechler became Michigan's 13th head coach after the 1968 season, succeeding Bump Elliott. At Michigan, Schembechler became one of the college football's greatest coaches. He won a school-record 194 games, lost only 48, and tied five for a winning percentage of .796. His teams never posted a losing season. In Big Ten Conference play, he had a record of 143-24-3 for a winning percentage of .850. His Michigan teams won or shared 13 Big Ten titles and made 10 Rose Bowl appearances. Schembechler led the Wolverines to a total of 17 bowl games in 21 years, placing him ninth in all-time bowl appearances. Schembechler was voted national Coach of the Year in 1969 by both the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America.

Go Blue!

Win it for Bo, boys.

Oh Deer...

I think the biggest question would be this: Why is this national news?

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Michigan (AP) -- A plastic jack-o'-lantern meant for collecting Halloween candy is threatening the life of a small deer that frequently visits a gated community.

The fake pumpkin has been stuck on the animal's snout for at least several days. It appears to be snagged on the young buck's ears or horn buds and is keeping the animal from eating and possibly drinking.

...

The bucket also would make it much easier for hunters to see the animal when the state's hunting season begins Wednesday.

Thanks AP for your brilliant reporting. Can you say Pulitzer?

I seem to be missing the story about how Charlie Rangel managed to insult the entire state of Mississippi, which by the way is a fine state. At least he didn't say "Macaca."

Thanks CNN. I bet even the Daily Show covered that one.

In other news, I think Hugo Chavez has been spending a little too much time at DailyKOS.

I wonder what Pat Robertson thinks about that.

Luke 4:12 comes to mind.

And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

I don't understand these "snake-handler" churches. Sure God loves you and will protect you, but you shouldn't test Him.

I'm personally opposed, but....

I will do anything in my power to increase access to abortion.

The old robot axiom comes to mind: "Does not compute."

Please vote pro-life today!

Added Bonus: Granholm is endorsed by Triangle Pride PAC.

Seriously, People

Do you want 4 more years of this?
(Jenni Granholm in 1977)

via here via here

The Pope Endorses Dick DeVos (sort of)

Ok, not directly, but sort of. Boldness added. the Pope did not yell these things.

Pontiff Lists 3 Principles for Christians in Politics
Defense of Life; Recognition of the Family; Freedom of Education

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI insists on three non-negotiable principles for the Church and Christians in public life: protection of life, recognition of the family and freedom of education.

The Pope highlighted these principles in an address today to some 500 parliamentarians of the European Popular Party, who are holding a congress in Rome.

In his address, in response to the greetings of Hans Gert Pöttering, president of the parliamentary group, the Holy Father began by pointing out the right of religious parliamentarians to express their principles in a democratic society.

"When Churches or ecclesial communities intervene in public debate, expressing reservations or recalling various principles," he said, "this does not constitute a form of intolerance or an interference, since such interventions are aimed solely at enlightening consciences, enabling them to act freely and responsibly, according to the true demands of justice, even when this should conflict with situations of power and personal interest."

Benedict XVI said that the focus of public interventions by the Catholic Church "is the protection and promotion of the dignity of the person and she is thereby consciously drawing particular attention to principles which are not negotiable."

The Pope spelled out these principles thus:

-- "protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception to natural death";

-- "recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family -- as a union between a man and a woman based on marriage -- and its defense from attempts to make it juridically equivalent to radically different forms of union which in reality harm it and contribute to its de-stabilization, obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role";

-- and "the protection of the right of parents to educate their children."

Common to all

Benedict XVI clarified: "These principles are not truths of faith, even though they receive further light and confirmation from faith; they are inscribed in human nature itself and therefore they are common to all humanity."

"The Church's action in promoting them is therefore not confessional in character, but is addressed to all people, prescinding from any religious affiliation they may have," he said.

This task to defend the fundamental aspect of human dignity, should not only be carried out by the Church, the Holy Father continued.

In fact, he said, it "is all the more necessary the more these principles are denied or misunderstood, because this constitutes an offense against the truth of the human person, a grave wound inflicted onto justice itself."

So there you go. Three non-negotiable bits of public policy are listed for you. Dick DeVos is on the right side of all three of those. Jennifer Granholm is not. Please consider voting for Mr. DeVos, and praying for his election. Pray also that God may lead him to making life-affirming decisions while governor.

Zuccheto tips to The Catholic Knight, Catholics in the Public Square, and the ever useful Zenit.org.