If we could look into the future and learn the outcome of our decisions before we implemented those decisions, would we do so? If we did see the outcome, would we persist even if the outcome was not desirable?
We have just that opportunity, as a state, before us today. We can see the outcome of following the path we've been following and we can see it in time to avert the same consequences...if we are willing to do so. The Wall Street Journal offered us the opportunity this morning.
Michigan is the example. Tax increases are the path that was followed. Dire consequences are the result.
Governor Granholm, a second-term Democrat, shut her state down last year until she got her wish of increased taxes. Her tax increases were supposed to raise another $1.3 Billion in new revenue that Michigan could 'invest' in social programs, and to lure new businesses to the state.
The outcome isn't what she envisioned. Michigan's revenue is down by one-third from what had been expected. Tax collections are falling further and further behind as people lose jobs and as property values fall. Michigan is actually in a recession unlike what the mainstream media would have you believe about the country as a whole. Of course, Michigan's Governor blames everything but her tax hikes for this dilemma.
Michigan's unemployment rate is now at 6.9% far ahead of the country and its neighboring states. Michigan ranks 4th in the country in terms of declining property values for homes. Two families leave the state for every one family that moves in (which is virtually what is now happening in Wisconsin).
The only thing enjoying growth in Michigan today is government according to the WSJ editorial.
If even more convincing is necessary, just take a look at Texas. Texas has been following the opposite course and has arguably the most vibrant economy in our country today. New businesses are streaming into Texas and unemployment rates are less than 4%. Tax rates have been reduced and good things follow.
So, we do have the opportunity to look into the future and see the outcome for Wisconsin...if we're willing to do so and if we're smart enough to believe what we see.
Our state's elected officials need to pay attention, and they need to pay attention from this day forward if we are to avoid the same future. We must cut spending. We cannot mortgage our future by borrowing money like there's no tomorrow...if that continues, there may not be a tomorrow, at least not a fiscally-sound and affordable tomorrow.
Wisconsin is in the midst of its own budget woes; we watched the 'special session' that was called to deal with those issues. There was actually nothing 'special' about those sessions. When Governor Doyle seems a better tax cutter than the Republicans, then there was nothing 'special' about the session.
This started with the headline, "If We Could Look Into The Future, Would We?" I fear that the answer is no, unless us citizens begin to demand different outcomes.
