Comments on: Leadership Lessons from Governors Past http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:51:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: John Hicks http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/#comment-600 John Hicks Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:13:18 +0000 http://69.5.25.110/blog/2007/04/13/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/#comment-600 There is far to much finger pointing and blaming in Lansing and Washington. We are told by our governor to suck it up when we complain about tax increases. Lansing and Washington democrats and to many republicans seem to think that they produce revenue. They really do not understand that they do not produce a penny, they only transfer money. The only reason for a tax increase today is to expand government. It has no other purpose. Therein lies the fundamental difference between the right and the left. The left seems to think it is governments responsibility to solve all problems. The larger the government the less efficient it becomes. The real problem we face is voter ignorance and apathy. Too many vote based on the latest TV ad or sound byte, not having a clue as to what the important issues are or choose to not vote at all. The dumbing down of America continues and both parties deserve recognition for this. There is far to much finger pointing and blaming in Lansing and Washington.

We are told by our governor to suck it up when we complain about tax increases. Lansing and Washington democrats and to many republicans seem to think that they produce revenue. They really do not understand that they do not produce a penny, they only transfer money.

The only reason for a tax increase today is to expand government. It has no other purpose. Therein lies the fundamental difference between the right and the left. The left seems to think it is governments responsibility to solve all problems. The larger the government the less efficient it becomes.

The real problem we face is voter ignorance and apathy. Too many vote based on the latest TV ad or sound byte, not having a clue as to what the important issues are or choose to not vote at all.

The dumbing down of America continues and both parties deserve recognition for this.

]]> By: Barbara M. Skidmore http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/#comment-551 Barbara M. Skidmore Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:33:58 +0000 http://69.5.25.110/blog/2007/04/13/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/#comment-551 After reading many of the suggested ideas for change I am not pleased. We need real nitty-gritty changes. Very visible, very understandable changes. This will get the public's attention. I was a public servant of the "Blanchard Era". I felt it was an extension of the Milliken era. We were very hands on, out in the field people, really helping, really solving things, within our funding limitations. I left State government about 15 days into Engler's second term. I just couldn't stand it anymore. The lies, corruption, poor service, decisions, it got to a point that I could no longer violate my personal values, morals or professional ethics. Why don't we seriously look at how services are delivered ? Reshape and rethink our priorities. You know, folks are folks. After reading many of the suggested ideas for change I am not pleased. We need real nitty-gritty changes. Very visible, very understandable changes. This will get the public's attention. I was a public servant of the "Blanchard Era". I felt it was an extension of the Milliken era. We were very hands on, out in the field people, really helping, really solving things, within our funding limitations.

I left State government about 15 days into Engler's second term. I just couldn't stand it anymore. The lies, corruption, poor service, decisions, it got to a point that I could no longer violate my personal values, morals or professional ethics.

Why don't we seriously look at how services are delivered ? Reshape and rethink our priorities. You know, folks are folks.

]]> By: Roderick M. Martin http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/#comment-161 Roderick M. Martin Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:07:27 +0000 http://69.5.25.110/blog/2007/04/13/leadership-lessons-from-governors-past/#comment-161 The above article may be five months old but it still pertains to the current crisis in the legislature. Neither party wants to be the first to show real leadership by doing what is necessary and that is to cut spending and raise taxes. Legislators are worried about being elected again and are afraid to reach across the aisle and forge and work in bipartisanship for the citizens of Michigan. Where are the Bill Millikens that worked as legislators and later as Governor to work with members of their own party as well as the other party? Bill Milliken always reached out and took great political risks such as recognizing the role that Detroit had to play in Michigan and our nation. He never worried about the next election but rather worried about accomplishing what was best for Michigan. The only answer to the current crisis in Lansing is to take a page from the Milliken years and that is to listen and agree that both sides have to be willing to give as well as meet the public and share why their joint actions are what is best for Michigan. The above article may be five months old but it still pertains to the current crisis in the legislature. Neither party wants to be the first to show real leadership by doing what is necessary and that is to cut spending and raise taxes.
Legislators are worried about being elected again and are afraid to reach across the aisle and forge and work in bipartisanship for the citizens of Michigan.
Where are the Bill Millikens that worked as legislators and later as Governor to work with members of their own party as well as the other party?
Bill Milliken always reached out and took great political risks such as recognizing the role that Detroit had to play in Michigan and our nation. He never worried about the next election but rather worried about accomplishing what was best for Michigan.
The only answer to the current crisis in Lansing is to take a page from the Milliken years and that is to listen and agree that both sides have to be willing to give as well as meet the public and share why their joint actions are what is best for Michigan.

]]>