The words of Andy Dillon, the words that at one time gave us such great hope and confidence, now seem to mock us for having faith that the House Democrats would rise to this occasion and stand up for the people of this state. The feeling of betrayal is running deep out here amongst the base, amongst the people that worked so hard to get those Democrats there in the first place, and ultimately, the responsibility of those words rests in the hands of Speaker Dillon.
This is it. Tonight is the ultimate test.
Lansing can play all the inside games it wants. The pundits, the advisors, the posturing, the maneuvering, the endless guessing as to who would ultimately receive the blame when this all goes bad (quick answer: mostly the Legislature), all of that means nothing out here to us on the ground.
You see, out here, public perception is shaped by the mass media. You would think that the Democrats would get a clue about that one of these days, but judging by the actions of the past week, it seems they are wrapped in their own little world down there and are oblivious as to how this is playing to the folks who only have a few moments to spend watching or reading the latest news- and that picture is pretty dismal indeed. With the Democrats controlling 2/3 of the branches of government, they look like they are being owned by the minority Republicans.
Sorry, that is the truth, and there is no denying it.
Here is a little sample of what is being said about Andy Dillon and the House Democrats. Let's start with today's Freep- they do a good job at showing the overall picture, but a lot of this is directed right at the House.
Spare the good people of this state the defensive rhetoric about how hard everyone's working, how tough this is, how much somebody else is to blame. If you spend endless hours trying to balance a relatively simple equation and can't do it, you've failed. If you can't make the case -- or close the deal -- to get the votes you need, you've failed. If you've let the demagogues and fearmongers and bullies prevail over responsible government -- and basic math -- you've failed.
Failure is a word that comes up frequently throughout most news stories, and Dillon and Granholm are taking the blame for the 10 Democrats that, for whatever reason, seem more intent on keeping their jobs rather than back their colleagues and do what everyone knows is the logical and moral, yes moral, choice here.
With a new fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, the most basic job of the governor and Legislature, adopting a balanced budget, is not done because too many legislators are too afraid of not being elected again or too stubborn or too conniving to act in Michigan's best interest. And Granholm and the legislative leadership are unable to convince them to move. House Speaker Andy Dillon has struggled to even muster a vote on critical issues.
There it is, Granholm and Dillon taking the heat. Why? Because of what has happened in the House this past week, the leadership now looks suspect in the eyes of the public. The CW becomes "they can't deliver", and that spreads to the entire Democratic Party.
Need more? Apparently you do.
We could dig up all the news stories from this week and paint this picture, but let's just stick with these two. It's pretty representative of what is going on. From Friday, a comment that should have been two diaries, the Freep again.
House Democrats today again failed to rally enough votes for an income tax increase to help resolve the state's budget crisis and a looming $1.75- billion deficit.
-snip-
For three days last weekend, House Democrats tried unsuccessfully to pass a 4.6% income tax rate, which would generate almost $1.2 billion in additional revenue.
Failed. Unsuccessful.
Exhausted and frustrated House Democrats cleared the voting board at 7:30 a.m. today after trying in vain to pass an income tax hike for 8 1/2 hours Thursday night and this morning.
This latest failure to resolve the state's $1.75 billion deficit edges the state ever closer to a partial shutdown and leaves the House with an uncertain role in the budget-balancing process. The House adjourned shortly after 8 a.m., and it was unclear what the next move would be.
Trying in vain. Failure. Uncertain role.
Not going to bother to cite all the articles where it points out those Democrats are just trying to save their jobs. There are too many.
Where are the House Democrats looking good here? Do they think they are actually protecting any seats when this is what is being said?
No. They look weak. They look like they are playing politics. They look like they would sacrifice this state in some convoluted effort to save their own hides.
All week we have had the rug pulled out from under us out here. Last Sunday, Paul Condino told us the Democrats were prepared to act alone. They did not. Thursday, about the same thing. "We have a deal". We wake up to the words "failure".
Speaker Dillon also said this at one time-
I still may have to move the solution on a party line vote but at least it will happen after we gave ourselves every chance to reach a compromise and the public a chance to learn of the severity of the financial crisis.
Well, Andy, that time is now. Time to put the money where your mouth is. Or the public never believes you again. The talk on the street is "the Democrats have failed".
We have learned the consequences of a shutdown. We have learned what the term "draconian cuts" would mean to this state. Anyone with one lick of sense in his or her head knows that we need this revenue. Even the Detroit News says so.
Truth is, you have a majority. Truth is, you are calling the shots here. You can't pin this on DeRoche again. The Republicans, according to you, have gone back on every deal that you claim they have made. At this point, you look like a fool for trusting them. Mike Bishop is going to take control of the whole thing. The guy who lied about a deal will win the ultimate battle, and you will be tagged with the word "failure".
The Democrats are going to be perceived weak, conniving cowards who let us all down again if this doesn't make it out of the House tonight.
The Democrats, at this point, are making Republican obstruction an easy task.
Now, the efforts to solve the problem are being tied up in the 2008 election, when Republicans seem to think they can regain control of the state House by refusing to raise taxes, even if the ship of state runs aground as a result.
And the Democrats also will own any consequences of the cuts that the Republicans will force on the vulnerable people of this state. You see, last year, after endless cuts to the DHS that they insisted upon, they took the victims of those cuts and put them on posters and tried to tag Granholm with their deaths. Yes, they are just. that. evil.
They will do the same to you, and all the Democrats who vote against this, unless you make it impossible for them to do so.
You can stop this tonight, and it has to be done immediately. Get those votes up on the board first thing. You can't go to another all night marathon. Action must be swift, firm and decisive.
On a personal note, I had a long talk with one of Robert Dean's constituents yesterday. Dean has lost his vote. Says he will vote for the Republican next time around. So, if you think that you are doing any of those vulnerable Dems a favor, you are not. You might cost them their jobs.
He has had enough of the endless promises from the Democrats.
So have I.
I tried having faith in you and the Democrats. I've worked very, very hard all year long to stand up to Mike Bishop and the Republican bullies.
A lot of people out here have put great effort into this battle.
Do not make our work in vain. Do not take us for granted. Do not betray our trust.
Do the right thing, here, now, tonight. Please. Or face the consequences of an enraged Democratic base and a media that is more than happy to lay this at your feet.
This is it, Speaker Dillon. No more excuses.