From time to time you may get posts from me simply ranting about topics that I simply can't believe could possibly be comtemplated by our so-called government. Part of it will be ranting, the other part is FYI. It has been brought to my attention that Michigan's so-called Governer has introduced a bill that will tax all services in the state of Michigan. While I still need some clarification on the topic, my understanding is this:

All service oriented businesses in the state of Michigan are to be subject to a form of sales tax. That is to say, go to a mechanic, pay sales tax; call a plumber, pay sales tax; use an accountant, pays sales tax; set up an internet site, pay sales tax.

I'm sorry, but its not bad enough that Governer Jenny in her 4 1/2 years has increased the gas tax 4 times; its not bad enough she has increased the tobacco tax 4 times, its not bad enough she has increased taxes on liquor 4 times; its not bad enough she has pulled forward our winter property taxes, making us pay them 6 months earlier than they are due, completely screwing up our mortgage escrows and forcing the banks to over estimate the tax liability and tying up money we need; and its not bad enough she has levied a tax on just about anyone who gets a speeding ticket in the State; But for %$#^ SAKE, now she wants to include the service industry in the sales tax scheme?

At what point does it end? At what point are people going to say that the only thing that this Governer has accomplished is the successful taxing of just about every activity within the borders of Michigan; commercial, professional, personal, social. How exactly are we suppose to make a living anymore? This goofy Governer of ours wonders why people are leaving Michigan by the truck load. Go to our neighboring states where gas prices are generally $ .15 cheaper; where ciggarettes are still less than $4.00 per pack; where winter taxes are, imagine this, paid in the winter and not in the summer, where you can get a speeding ticket and not be forced to pay and additional fee to the State beyond the speeding ticket fine itself. Where you can call a plumber to fix your leaky faucet and not get charged an additional tax on the service. How is anyone at the begininning of their career expected to make any sort of living anymore. Everytime you turn around -there's the State with their hand in your back pocket taking your wallet out. Like it our not, Michigan's government is just ridiculous. In the midst of one of the worst economies in 30 years, it wants to pass more taxes. This was Governer Jenny's grand business plan to save the state? Tax the $%#& out of the middle class to the point where even I now am considering moving out of this state. What ever happened to government budgeting; government cut backs; Bond issues, tax breaks for the people to increase business activity, etc. - you know, those traditional tools used to help a stuggleing government pull out of a recession.

Instead what do we get, a Govener who sees recession as a bull's eye on a target and aims to hit the center of the $%#& thing. They wanted to impeach Clinton for getting oral sex from some chick. Personally, I could have cared less. I say you want to impeach somebody - Impeach the ridiculous people that think taxing people who are already struggle is a solution to fix an econmy whose people need an insurgence of money -not the damed government.

So, get ready, all of us that are lumped into this so-called service industry sector may very well have to start a monthly sales tax withholding account. Which, by the way, if you use an account to manage for you, you will have to pay her or him sales tax on the transaction.

These are just my two cents, and you do not need to agree with them.

The next installment of this rant shall be issued when Governer Jenny attempts to enforce a tax on the homeless for sleeping on state owned sidewalks.

Service tax is not new. In fact many states have a service tax. The difference is that many states only impose the services tax on certain services. Many expensive services are exempt from the tax (like doctor and lawyer fees).

Michigan has a huge budget deficit and therefore, is in need of an income source. Also, Michigan's Single Busines Tax is being repealed and there is no new business tax to replace it. So, lose one tax and gain another.

As you say "Cupcake" has some real problems with the budget and her only option is to make more money for the state so that it can keep spending the way it does.

Michigan is losing jobs, its educated workforce and its property values for sinking. So, to spur the economy Cupcake decides to enact a new tax.

Maybe Cupcake should concentrate on eliminating the Government fat and waste, and come up with a real plan to replace the corporate tax structure in MI rather than taxing individuals to death for basic services.

I cant believe that Cupcake beat De Vos. Then again, i cant believe that Kwame is in office again. I guess the majority of voter like this mess!