Video: Highland Park liberals pray for more taxpayer dollars

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7

Unfortunately for the liberals that infest the political ruling class in Highland Park, they did not humble themselves nor did they turn from their wicked ways, but instead prayed to a golden calf for more taxpayer money and took pot shots at Gov Snyder for trying to right the ship. The video report:

Exit question: how many of these community organizer types secretly prayed to Obama as their god? From a prior post: Video: Community organizers PRAY to Obama (no joke!)

False gods deliver no one.

Pure Michigan Video Spoof: Detroit Tigers

Another in a line of these that I have posted:

Previously:
Pure Michigan Video Spoof: DEMF
Pure Michigan Video Spoof: Monsoon Season
Pure Michigan Video Spoof: St. Patrick's Day
Video: More 'Pure Michigan' Spoofs
Pure Michigan Video: Winter Virgins
Video: Even More 'Pure Michigan' Spoofs

Video: Pure Michigan - Pure Pothole Hell
Video: More 'Pure Michigan' Spoofs
Video: 'Pure Michigan' spoofs that are going viral on YouTube

It's some kind of a record! MI elementary school teacher pulld over with a BAC of 0.4

The worst part? She had kids in the car with her:

They say she was slumped over the steering wheel of the SUV. Two children, ages 2 and 4, and a party cup half full of vodka were found inside the vehicle.

The video report:

"IT'S GOING TO BE SOME KIND OF A RECORD!"

Detroit Free Press commentary: Emergency manager law undermines principles of democracy. But forced unionization without a vote does not?

It's ironic that those associated with the Democratic Party despise the democratic process unless they are in charge. We already witnessed the absurd spectacle of Democratic Party Senators from Wisconsin, and Assemblymen in Indiana, flee the state and hole up in Illinois for the specific reason of subverting the democratic process that is their namesake. Here in Michigan our own minority State Senators from the Democratic Party threatened the very same thing if they didn't get what they wanted: Irony: MI Senate Democrats threaten to subvert democratic process, blackmail RINOs. So it's quite ironic how their supporters are coming out against the emergency financial manager law here in the state under the auspices that it somehow subverts the democratic process (isn't that what bankruptcy does in the real world anyway?). in The Detroit Free Press: Emergency managers undermine principles of democracy

Around the world, people are demanding democratic accountability from their governments. Many of those crying out the loudest are people with very few resources, whose countries are facing deep and painful economic woes. No one who values democracy would suggest that just because they are poor, these heroes have no right to self-rule.

Yet here at home, some in our state have given up on democracy -- despite being elected officials themselves. And evidently they believe that those with the fewest resources need democracy the least.

Earlier this year, our state government passed Public Act 4, the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act, which establishes a new form of local government: government by decree, with citizens ruled by an unelected official.

The law gives the governor "sole discretion" to appoint and oversee an emergency manager for any city, village or school district in the state. EMs, once in place, can sell off public property and shred all municipal contracts, including union contracts. They can dismiss all elected officials, charge the local budget with hefty salaries for themselves and anyone they choose to hire, and even dissolve the local government entirely.

So pretty much the same thing a bankruptcy judge would do in a bankruptcy proceeding. The last paragraph above is deceiving especially in this quote: "an emergency manager for any city, village or school district in the state." The Governor can do no such thing. The city, village or school district must be in financial peril. As in bankrupt because of dreadful mismanagement by Democrats and their union cohorts. What's another option? They don't have one. And believe you me this has to do with only one thing - union contracts. Which bring me to this:

It's an ultimate irony that in a state that forces people to fund the Democratic Party by laundered money via union dues forced from them as a condition of employment sans any vote of the membership, that these union supporters would use the notion of the democratic process being subverted in arguing against financial managers righting bankrupt public entities.

MI MSM: Entitlements are responsible for economic growth or something

This from Rich Haglund (formerly Granholm's very own personal lemmiwinks): Government program cuts threaten economic recovery in Michigan, U.S. He does lay out how bad the entitlement problem has become here in Michigan and nationally:

In Michigan, $2.32 of every $10 in income came from what economists call transfer payments: jobless benefits, food stamps, Social Security, Medicare, disability and other government programs.

And Michigan was just one of four states that saw income from government payments grow at least 5 percentage points since 2007, Moody’s says. The others: Arizona, Nevada and South Carolina.

Even more troubling, the entire growth in Michigan’s personal income since 2006 came from transfer payments — an inflation-adjusted $23.2 billion, according to an analysis by University of Michigan economist Don Grimes.

Income from wages, salaries and self-employment fell $22.2 billion.

But now with the coming debt ceiling artificial deadline of August 3, welfare is threatened. Not wanting to raise the debt ceiling is the GOP's fault don't you know. Plus the GOP instituted new legislation here in MI decreasing the government handouts. In Haglund's world, that's a bad thing. Here's one thing he neglects though, and it's a whopper: Flashback: Harry Reid 2006 AGAINST RAISING DEBT CEILING: Public Debt 'The Greatest of the Dangers to be Feared'. Oh, but there's more: Flashback: Obama 2006: “America Has A Debt Problem And A Failure Of Leadership,” Voted AGAINST IT! And this one for the road: Every single Democrat Senator voted against raising the debt ceiling in 2006. What say you to that, Haglund?

UPDATE: An editorial from The Detroit Free Press: Tough times make stricter welfare rules unfairly harsh. Are these guys still running Journolist?

MI MSM: It's unfair to make people that pay no taxes actually pay taxes

After Democrats were thrown out of office at all levels here in Michigan due to their dreadful mismanagement, the GOP came in and started cleaning up the mess. Part of that cleanup was in the tax code where pensioners were paying a collective zero in taxes. Cutting checks to people because they happen to own a house was also reduced. In typical fashion, those that hold the microphone in the establishment media call this unfair, as if they have cart blanch over what that means. Peter Luke is one of those class warfare liberals: Michigan's sweeping tax changes affect just about everyone, but maybe not equitably. A couple of snippets:

A couple with three children making $110,000, for example, will absorb a tax hit in 2013 of $190, $549 less than the aforementioned couple making half as much.

Or take a retired couple born after 1952 with $53,000 in income and a $4,000 property tax bill. Next year they lose their entire homestead credit and will pay income tax on every dime of their pension. It adds up to a $3,130 tax hit.

That couple earning $110,000 isn't getting a better deal as Luke is making it out. Fact is, they're already paying far more in taxes. The couple making $55k that he mentioned before essentially was getting a check back from taxpayers for owning a home. For some reason that I can't think of. Nor can Luke. Nor does he even try. The details are apparently unimportant.

And that retired couple? The take the so-called 'hit' because they used to pay an income tax rate on their pension of exactly ZERO! Was a heck of a deal while it lasted, no? In the  minds of liberals, it's unfair to make those that pay no taxes actually pay into the system that they are the biggest users of, while those at the higher end still producing are relatively punished in being forced to pay into a system that they neither use nor need.

Personally, I would have preferred a flat out consumption tax and zero income tax for every Michigander, but the changes in the tax code this year make it better than it has been before, not worse.

Your tax $$$ hard at work: MI School District illegally uses school alert system to make robocalls to recall Gov Snyder

Yes the school district apologized for it, but the damage is done nonetheless. From Michigan Capitol Confidential: School District Admits 'Big Mistake' Over 'Get Rid of Snyder' Phone Alert

A public school district in Michigan has used its phone alert system to point voters toward the recall effort against Gov. Rick Snyder. In early June, shortly after the Snyder recall reached the petition-gathering phase, the alert system for Lawrence Public Schools sent out the following robocall to residents of the district:

“This is a message from the Lawrence Public Schools (inaudible) alert system. This is an informational item and not directly associated with the school. Concerned parents interested in cuts to education . . . we're here to inform you that there is information about the problem. Also, be advised that there is a petition to recall Governor Snyder. If you want, stop by Chuck Moden's house right by the school June 7th/8th between 3:30 and 4:00 pm. Thank you. Goodbye.”

To listen, click here.

The school alert system is used for special announcements, such as school closings due to snowfall, lock-downs or other school-related information. In such situations, the robocalls go out to “alert” residents of the district about a special circumstance that is taking place. Though it is uncertain without an official investigation, use of the system to advance a political endeavor, such as the Snyder recall, appears to have been a violation of the state’s campaign finance law.

That's putting it as mildly as possible. Behind this is the Michigan Education Association (MEA) that has publicly made it known what everyone knew it was doing privately - pushing for the recall of Gov Rick Snyder. Does it not bother anyone that an organization that is funded by laundered taxpayer money via forced unionization, and subsequently given to the Democratic Party either directly or indirectly, is using their bounty to recall duly elected representatives and the Governor for simply looking out for the taxpayers best interest? Who works for whom exactly? HT: Instapundit

Mackinac Center Video: Freedom to Work: A New Right-To-Work Effort in Michigan

I still don't understand why forced unionization has not been ruled unconstitutional. It violates in totally any notion of freedom of association. During the recession, did you know that the top 5 states for growth were all right to work (where by law one cannot be forced to join a union)? Texas gained 750,000 jobs in the last 10 years while Michigan lost about as much. And this the drive for a right to work law here in MI is underway:

A grass roots coalition called "Michigan Freedom to Work" held a news conference June 30, 2011 at several locations around the state, including Lansing, MI. Several union members and others gathered in the Capitol building to announce their new coalition and plans to push for legislation to add Michigan to the list of states that have enacted Right-to-Work laws. These laws allow workers to choose whether or not to join a union at their place of employment.

About time:Detroit Suburb Drops Charges Against Woman For Growing Vegetable Garden

An update on government over-regulation gone awry: Good grief: MI Woman Faces Jail Time for Veggie Garden. Oak Park resident Julie Bass made the mistake of daring to grow a vegetable garden in her front yard, that landed her under the foot of the ruling class wielding vague regulations as to what she could and could not do with her own property:

Julie Bass of Oak Park Faces Misdemeanor Charge for Vegetable Garden: MyFoxDETROIT.com

She was to face a jury trial and ultimately jail time. But like cockroaches scattering when the lights go on, the bureauweenies scattered when the news went national: Oak Park Drops Charges Against Julie Bass and Her Vegetable Garden

No possible jail time for Julie Bass after planting a front yard vegetable garden. The City of Oak Park has dropped the misdemeanor charges against her.

Bass was facing a possible 93-days in jail for planting and not removing her front yard vegetable garden after she received a ticket for a misdemeanor violation. (see Alexis Wiley original video report)
 
Bass's story has become an  internet sensation with thousands of people across the country chiming in support for what many perceive as a violation of personal freedom.

A petition drive, Facebook page and blog worked in tandem to gain notoriety and perhaps force the city to change its mind about the ticket.

Bass's case was headed to court before today's announcement that the charges were dropped.

Bass called the City's bluff. They blinked. This time. But they sent her another ticket for having unregistered dogs. When you get on the ruling classes bad side, they will come after you for anything they can no matter how petty. When is a bureauweenie with a measuring stick going to come around and measure the height of her grass? Property rights are all but dead. Regulations are written up and are so numerous and so vague that anyone can torture you to death with selective enforcement of any number of them. A video that went with the story:

Oak Park Drops Charges Against Julie Bass and Her Vegetable Garden: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Example of how government metastasizes: Troy, MI to ask residents for tax increase for THIRD time! Supporters threaten book burning if tax not passed

As I wrote a few months ago (Example of how government metastasizes: Troy, MI): One mechanism bureaucrats use to metastasize government is to peel off essential services and dare taxpayers not to fund them at the ballot box. Police and fire departments have their own millage rates, peeled off so that the central city government can grow but claim they are doing no such thing.  This is how it works: say your city is whatever size it is - 100%. They peel off 10% of their budget in the form of an essential public service like Fire or Police protection which now becomes it's own separate entity on paper and on ballots. Meanwhile the city that should be 90% grows to 98% and claims a 2% cut while it really grew 8%. If you add the 98% city and the 10% service, the taxpayer is on the hook for 108% as city bureaucrats pat themselves on the back for right-sizing government. It's a shell game and Troy is playing it.

Earlier last year, Troy residents rejected a tax hike to keep the library open after the corruptocrats that run the city tried to use it as a human shield for tax increases. It failed. What to do? Metastasize the government by peeling off the library as its own millage request. On the ballot November 2 were FOUR requests for the same thing - a library tax (Repudiation: Troy, MI residents dump 4 millage requests for THE SAME THING, keep government from metastasizing). It went down in flames. But hey - third time's the charm! From The Detroit News: Group promises to burn books if Troy closes library

It's an odd way to support a library tax — threaten a book-burning party if the measure fails.

But some lawn signs popping up around Troy are doing just that, promoting questions and criticism of the group behind the effort.

The signs started appearing in city neighborhoods earlier this month. A line on the signs indicates they were paid for by an organization called Safeguarding American Families (SAFE).

The group registered with the county on June 20 as a ballot question committee and supporter of the Aug. 2 millage. A box indicating opposition appeared to be scribbled out after it was checked.

...Residents will vote on a 0.7-mill tax levy that would provide dedicated funding to the library for five years. If the millage fails, the library will close on Aug. 5.

SAFE promises a book-burning party the same day the library would close. In addition to yard signs, SAFE has T-shirts, mugs and a Facebook page dedicated to the campaign.

And the story of how the city government is trying to metastasize:

...The Troy City Council cut funding for the library and its nature museum in May 2010, saying the city was facing a projected $2.2 million budget deficit and could not afford to operate the library from the general fund.

But can still afford to pay its union employees quite generously, including Cadillac healthcare and generous pensions allowing the employees to retire in their late 40s with full benefits at taxpayer expense.

Residents twice voted down similar proposals last year. Organizers convinced the city to again put the issue on the ballot.

And if the 3rd time fails, they'll put it on the ballot a 4th time. And then a 5th, etc ad infinitum until they fleece Troy residents for more of their hard-earned income in the middle of the Obama depression. Yeah - that'll help.

Related: Typical: As budgets get reduced, public sector pensions and benefits preserved while police and firefighters are cut

Result of DUMB decision: SMART bus driver, dispatcher suspended for denying ride to breast-feeding mom

I guess this really worked: Video Report: MI breastfeeding moms stage protest in response to mom being kicked off bus

From The Detroit Free Press, the consequences of an ironically dumb decision: SMART bus driver, dispatcher suspended for denying ride to breast-feeding mom

The SMART bus driver who told a Taylor mom she couldn’t breastfeed on a bus in late June was suspended for five days without pay, and her dispatcher was suspended for three, company officials said today.

The two employees were punished for not following company policy and for using profanity after Afrykayn Moon, 32, said the driver tried to keep her from boarding the bus while her then two-week-old son was nursing.

She said the driver refused to drive the bus until the child was done breastfeeding, and had security guards try to remove her.

You know, those two bumps do have a real purpose other than looking good.

Report: Unwed births up in Michigan. Detroit Free Press' Solution: Taxpayer-Funded Abortions!

Bad news:

The rate of births to unmarried women has risen in Michigan, particularly among single mothers in their early 20s...

More from The Detroit News: Troubling birth news

Fewer teens are having babies in Michigan, but more single women in their early 20s are, according to the Right Start in Michigan report, released earlier in the week. The annual report looks at births in Michigan and is put out by Kids Count with the Michigan League for Human Services. In the past nine years, births to single mothers have increased 20 percent. The report also found that 60 percent of births to women between 20 and 24 were to single women. In 2009, births to unmarried women accounted for around 40 percent of all births. These are troubling numbers and don't bode well for the future of these women and children — nor for Michigan. As the reports says, women who are not married when they give birth are likely to remain single and live in poverty. That's no way to raise a family.

But the Detroit Free Press has a solution, and it has nothing to do with honoring marriage which is the opposite of what liberals have been doing. The solution? Why taxpayer funded abortions of course:

But he has not pushed back against a Legislature intent on slashing funds to provide family planning, paring back unemployment benefits and taking other steps that hurt people in poorer households, and children in particular.

What I highlighted is the drive to defund Planned Parenthood. PP does not decrease unwanted pregnancies. They just kill the babies.  Along those same lines, from The Grand Rapids Press: Michigan's sharp rise in births to unwed moms means 'a lot more children growing up in poverty'

...The league calls for more family support services, support for Medicaid, access to family planning and a recognition that women's health is key to infant health. Zehnder-Merrill decried state budget cuts that have reduced teen pregnancy prevention services, family planning and cash assistance programs.

In other words, more abortion and more welfare. Welfare by the way is exactly why especially black families have been decimated - the father was replaced with Big Government. Oh - did I mention that Planned Parenthood's condoms have the highest failure rate of any condom as listed by the CDC? They only wish to control population by murdering babies, not by preventing pregnancies in the first place. Giving them more money will make the problem worse, not better.

Not funny: Planned Parenthood host fundraiser... at comedy club!

After all, what's funnier than tearing a baby apart limb from limb in the place where they are supposed to be most safe? How did this fundraiser start off? - 'But really folks, I love unborn babies... with barbecue sauce!' BA DA BING! From The Detroit Free Press: Dueling protests play out at comedy show benefit for Planned Parenthood

After a long afternoon of heated protests between abortion-rights supporters and opponents, a comedienne entertained a packed house in Pontiac on Saturday night on topics of politics and women's health.

Lizz Winstead, co-creator of "The Daily Show," performed for about 375 people at the Eagle Theater, talking mostly about politics, including sex scandals in Congress.

Her shows are benefits for Planned Parenthood affiliates. An estimate of how much was raised was not available.

...Winstead said she chose to support Planned Parenthood because she has used its services. She said she got pregnant when she was a teenager and had an abortion. She said she hoped that by sharing her story, other women would be comfortable sharing theirs.

People that do horrendous things, like Ms Winstead, come to terms with it often times by trying to convince themselves they have dome nothing wrong.  Who of note was there to laugh away baby butchery? Why our own US Rep. Gary Peters (D) who thought making funny on a mountain of dead babies was so awesome was later quoted as saying 'it was better than Cats!' He thought so much of it that he promised a live abortion at his next fundraiser, complete with the abortion doc in a clown suit. It's a shame the GOP aborted his district though. And this was the last part of the freep piece:

After the show, someone hit a poster held by a abortion-rights opponent that had a picture of a dead fetus on it. That led to a verbal argument in which police intervened.

What's a little assault amongst pro-aborts anyway?

UPDATE: At the beginning of The Lord of The Rings, when the hordes of orcs were rampaging through the countryside, 'there were those who resisted.' In that spirit, a pic of some of the protesters:

Killing babies is definitely not funny.

UPDATE #2: Three Louisiana abortion clinics cited for failure to report child rape

Three of Louisiana’s seven abortion clinics have been cited by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals for failure to report suspected child rape.

The LDHH complaints against Causeway Medical Clinic, Delta Clinic of Baton Rouge, and Gentilly Medical Clinic for Women (now shut down) were revealed in court documents filed June 15 by LDHH, the Louisiana Attorney General, the Louisiana Department of Justice, and Alliance Defense Fund to dismiss a 3rd* lawsuit waged by 5 Louisiana abortion mills challenging  Act 490, a law passed in June 2010 to enhance abortion clinic health and safety regulations with a “zero tolerance policy” for certain infractions.

Two of those clinics were among those reprimanded by LDHH for failing to report suspected child rape to authorities, as mandated by law.

Time to have another fundraiser in a comedy club!

Good grief: MI Woman Faces Jail Time for Veggie Garden

And here I thought Michigan had a right to farm law. From MyFox Detroit: Julie Bass of Oak Park Faces Misdemeanor Charge for Vegetable Garden

"The price of organic food is kind of through the roof," said Julie Bass.

So, why not grow your own? However, Bass' garden is a little unique because it's in her front yard.

"We thought it'd be really cool to do it so the neighbors could see. The kids love it. The kids from the neighborhood all come and help," she said.

Bass' cool garden has landed her in hot water with the City of Oak Park. Code enforcement gave her a warning, then a ticket and now she's been charged with a misdemeanor.

"I think it's sad that the City of Oak Park that's already strapped for cash is paying a lot of money to have a prosecutor bothering us," Bass told FOX 2's Alexis Wiley.

"That's not what we want to see in a front yard," said Oak Park City Planner Kevin Rulkowski.

and of course it boils down to vague language that allows bureauweenies to decide which citizens to go after with their collective power:

Why? The city is pointing to a code that says a front yard has to have suitable, live, plant material. The big question is what's "suitable?"

Suitable of course means you do what they want you to. In what can only be called an absurdity, a jury trial may be coming up over this issue. A video report:

Julie Bass of Oak Park Faces Misdemeanor Charge for Vegetable Garden: MyFoxDETROIT.com

HT: Gateway Pundit

Awesome: Cops text message fleeing suspect, he gives up

Technology sure as heck has changed a thing or two in recent years:

A negotiator was able to get a standoff suspect to surrender by sending text messages to him as he sat in his SUV, threatening to kill himself, police said.

The video report:

Heh: Demand for concealed weapons being driven by women

From transterrestrial via Instapundit: The Demand For Concealed Weapons In Michigan

…is being driven by women:

Most women would not have thought to carry a gun even five years ago, said Andrea Durhal. When she became a National Rifle Association certified instructor eight years ago, her classes were mostly men. Recently, women have started to fill her classes.

It took a few years for women to get over a fear of guns and take responsibility for their protection, she said.

“We’re being victimized; we’re being raped. The crimes are getting higher and the police departments are less and less,” she said. “People are realizing now that they need to be their own security.”

There’s a very interesting graphic there. The highest percentages of women getting permits is Wayne County (Detroit) and Barry County (Grand Rapids). I would have thought that Genessee (Flint) and Oakland (Pontiac) Counties would be equally high, but they’re slightly less. I wonder why?

The video that goes along with the story:

And the aforementioned graphic:

UPDATE: I posted the wrong graphic above. Here is the correct one:

Good news: inmate suing state over porn ban in prison

We have gotten to the point now that prisons are a more comfy place to live than the outside world. Cable tv, computer access, air conditioning, 3 square meals a day, etc. Only thing missing for some is apparently access to porn. From The Detroit News: Macomb Co. inmate suing state over porn ban in prison

A Macomb County inmate is suing Gov. Rick Snyder and the state, claiming he is being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment because jail rules ban pornographic materials.

Kyle Richards filed the five-page handwritten lawsuit June 10 in U.S. District Court in Detroit. He wants a judge to let inmates possess erotic/pornographic materials along with personal televisions, video game consoles and radios.

"Such living conditions have been used as a method of 'psychological warfare' against prisoners, in order to both destroy the morale of inmates and break the spirit of individuals," Richards, 21, wrote in a court filing.

The civil rights suit is the latest in a growing string of complaints filed by the Fraser man since last year in federal court. Federal judges have dismissed more than three of the cases, labeling them frivolous.

Believe it or not, MI prisons DO allow inmates to possess porn with a few exceptions. Playboy and Penthouse magazines are allowed. But depictions simulated rape, bestiality and sadomasochism is forbidden. Apparently that's cruel and unusual punishment. How much you wanna bet that there are actual federal judges that would indeed agree with such an absurd assertion. More background:

In legal filings, Richards says he suffers from chronic masturbation syndrome and severe sexual discomfort, which he labeled physical ailments caused by living conditions behind bars.

I wonder if he read about this: Judge Grants Right to Masturbate to Internet Porn at Work. By the way, do you know that pedophile sex predators are given Viagara in Britain?

Sears to leave People's Republic of Illinois to Michigan over high taxes

And it will take 5,000 jobs out of Illinois and bring them to Michigan. Over at MLive over the weekend: Report: Two Metro Detroit cities possible locations for new Sears headquarters, 5,000 jobs

One of the nation’s largest retailers could start calling Metro Detroit its new home.

Sears Holdings Corp. – headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Ill. – is considering a move, and two cities in southeast Michigan - Dearborn and Southfield - are possible locations, according to reports.

June 24, The Detroit Free Press: "A package of incentives worth at least $50 million is being offered to Sears to relocate its headquarters and some 5,000 jobs to metro Detroit, two sources familiar with the talks said Friday.

"Two potential sites in Metro Detroit are being offered to Sears. One is Regent Court, a Ford Motor office building on Ford Road in Dearborn. The other is the former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan complex on West 11 Mile Road in Southfield, which is on the market as BCBSM moves employees to downtown Detroit."

The newspaper, citing unnamed sources familiar with the issue, said both Wayne and Oakland counties, as well as the Michigan Economic Development Corp., are participating in the attempt to lure Sears.

Just a few months before this: Caterpillar threatens to leave People's Republic of Illinois over high taxes. And that followed the suicidal tax increase: Illinois Democrats raise income tax 67%, business taxes 46% to protect union pensions, benefits. It cost a lot of business, but the unions got what they wanted:

Good grief: Progressive group complains middle class is disappearing because guy with degree in family studies can't find job, newspaper reports it for some reason

Progressive groups in Michigan unintentionally make a heck of a case against progressive policies in this state after 8 years of Hurricane Granholm:

Michigan’s middle class faces a bleak future, a report released Thursday by three progressive policy groups concludes.

Lansing-based Progress Michigan and the Michigan League for Human Services, along with the Washington, D.C., office of the political advocacy organization Demos, said that Michigan is plagued by a lack of good jobs, high unemployment, falling earnings, declining access to benefits, high costs for education and raising a family, and diminished economic prospects for young people compared to 30 years ago.

It is of course the predictable result of liberal policies as we have seen over the last 8 years. But the kicker comes at the end of the article where the Macomb Daily, for some unknown reason, not only runs the story but sees fit to add this as evidence:

To highlight the report’s conclusions, the conference call also included remarks from 27-year-old Aaron Quinney of Lansing.

Quinney said he graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 2008 with a degree in family studies and has “no consistent job and a lot of school debt.

“Today I sit here unemployed, still looking for work,” he said.

"Family studies?" The heck? Shouldn't the guy have became a community organizer by now? The whole crummy article was ironically written by one Charles Crumm. Related: Crowder Explains: Middle Class NOT Shrinking, Just Whining