Michigan Votes Forum

What? More of our tax dollars to be used for the nobility?  Have you put your lives on the line as they have in our military, or as the police and fire-fighters have?  Most of the time you are busy serving us and our wallets up instead of truly serving the people and the State and Federal Constitutions' that you have sworn an oath to uphold! 

The MichiganVotes headline (or caption) for HB 4229 is accurate, but has a tabloid aspect to it.

My first reaction to this proposal was “no way!”

Then I read the MichiganVotes summary, which I also confirmed as reflecting the actual content of the bill.  I changed my mind.

I have not always (if ever) been thrilled by the great performance of the people we’ve sent to Lansing from our State Senate and House districts.  In fact, I have been deeply angered by some of their antics.  Nonetheless, I do respect their offices and their willingness to serve.  

Providing a state flag to the family of a deceased legislator, and a State Police escort for his/her funeral is a low cost courtesy to respectfully recognize the public service these people have done in our behalf.

Yes, the timing of this proposal is inept, but I support HB 4229.

It's not an appropriate use of tax dollars.  After all, they've recieved fair compensation.  I would think they have bigger fish to fry considering the blundering they've done over the past 8 years.

 These idiots are mostly responsible for the mess the State of Michigan is in.  Along with the Governor they want to INCREASE THE GAS AX every time the price of gas increases.!!  They are OUT OF THEIR FRIGGING MINDS.  The reason that the GAS TAX revenue is decreasing is that NOBODY CAN AFFORD GAS AT THESE HIGH PRICES!!!  Increasing he GAS TAX is the same as screwing the citizens right after the get raped by the GAS COMPANIES!!  We have some of the worst roads in the Nation because these IDIOTS allow extreme weights for trucks on our roads.  Lower the maximum weight limit and GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY POCKET!!!

Then they want to get a MILITARY FUNERAL????  What the H-LL have the done to deserve that HONOR?  NOTHING!!!!!!  Enough is enough!!!  Everybody should watch and see how their representatives in the Legislature vote on this bill.  If they vote FOR IT DON'T VOTE FOR THEM!!  We don't need that kind of IDIOCY I LANSING!!!

 i would imagine that there is a funeral home out there somewhere that would be happy to privately contract to provide those services at a nominal fee, paid for by the legislator himself, if that is what the legislator wishes. i do not believe that it should be incumbent upon the citizens of this state to provide the trappings of respect, earned or not.

When did our representitives decide that they don't work for us.  That they deserve honor after all the money they get paid and perks.  It's time to put a stop to all these perks!  When they are out of office the health insurance should be done.  And for retirement they should get 401K with a 4% match like the rest of us hard working tax payers. 

 Another waste of MY tax dollars.  Why not buy their coffins too?

 NO MORE TALKING< NO MORE BS - GET THE TEA PARTIES GOING AND GET THESE IDIOT LOSERS OUT FOR GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Have them SAVE for the cost of their flag before they retire or let their buddies pay for the flag.

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The legislators deserve this courtesy for their public service. This bill merely provides a flag and state police escort at their funeral. They deserve that much just for being the brunt of the abuse foisted on them in this forum.

 gypsy - you must be kidding us!  Credit is given where credit is due and many of us give kudo's to those who introduce responsible, constitutional legislation.  Our representatives earn more than their average constitutuent.  They do not need to have our tax dollars going to pay for a flag and a police escort for what they can well afford.  They are not putting their lives on the line like our police, fire, and military personnel. 

Too many of them - once they are elected adopt the ideology that they now above the common man that elected them.  They need to get back to reality and realize that they have been elected as "public servants" not nobility.   

You can do all the idolizing you want and volunteer and individually chose to pay for their flag and escort, but don't mandate that the rest of us pay for this frivilous, unnecessary expense and burden on the taxpayers.  Too many people are worrying about whether they can afford their child's shoes as well as their gas bill.  You must be at least a relative of a politician to back up this proposed taxpayer expense. 

If the taxpayers had to pay in seperate checks for all the expenses that government places on them their would be riots in the streets --because their would become an eye opening awareness of all the waste and abuse of our tax dollars.

What they deserve is a kick in the pants and to go get a real job. I will make an exception and buy the feathers if you will supply the tar.

This is in reply to SaneMichigander:

You must be one of the leaders who is trying to get this bill signed into law. What makes you think that you are so special?

You are lucky to have a job unlike millions of us who don't. Nobody is forcing any politicians to work for the government, so if you can't take the "so-called" brunt, get out and let someone in who will do what they were elected to do!

I wish I had a job as cushy as these arrogant egotists. (This certainly doesn't apply to all of our leaders because we do have some who serve the people; but they are outnumbered.)

On 3/10/09, I sent the following email to the representative who proposed this bill:

I would like to know why you feel that you and other representatives should be entitled to state police escorts at your funeral.

Don’t you realize that our whole country is crashing due to mismanagement of our “LEADERS?”

You were elected to represent the people in your district - not to represent yourself.

You should be researching ways in which to help your people instead of wasting taxpayer money to exhibit your power and to boost your ego.

You need to start thinking about your constituents instead of me, me, me!

This was his response from the same day:

I have received your email of 3/10/2009.  I am responding to you because I disagree with your position on my bill. 

First of all, a careful reading of the bill will indicate that a state police escort would be provided upon request of the widow or surviving member of a legislator who passed away.  The state would also provide a state flag to the widow or surviving family as well, in recognition of the service rendered to the state by that individual. 

Secondly, public service is an honorable profession and the individuals who serve in our government are good people.  While you may have trouble with aspects of my bill, the intent is genuine and NOT SELF SERVING.  This is not about my power and ego and it is NOT a waste of taxpayer money. 

Fortunately, we do not have legislators dying every day and the cost for this would be very minimal and a small token of appreciation for the services rendered to this state and its people. For the grieving family, it  would be a small comfort for them to know that their loved one's service to our citizens was remembered and acknowledged.  Our legislators are a part of our state's history and we should all be thankful for their service. 

Remember, I am a taxpayer, a home owner and a voter just like you.

Thanks for contacting me--even if we disagree.

Rep. XXXX

Sure, it may be just a small amount of money, but all of the small amounts of money that our wonderful leaders spend adds up to trillions!!!

Another thing is that most of the unemployed people of Michigan are just as much "good people" as they are. We must pay our own funeral expenses and most of us suffer severely more than they do at the hands of our employers!!!

 they wouldn't be the brunt of the abuse if they didn't deserve it. if you think they deserve a flag and a police escort, pay for it. don't force others to.

Our legislators are the 2nd highest paid in the country.  They receive more than $79,000/yr plus $12,000 expense money that does not have to be itemized or approved.  They can get (and usually do) a raise each year simply by not voting against it.  They work less than 100 days a year.  After working six years they receive a very healthy pension and health care for life.  What a deal.  Why would I want to pay for a state flag for that?  Or a police excort at my expense?  This should be a civic duty occupation on a part time basis like the rest of the country.  We are one of a handful of states that have full time legislators.  Complain about what auto workers make?  Try figuring the hourly wage of our legislators.

The proposed "funeral benefits" for legislators are modest measures -- a State of Michigan flag and a State Police funeral escort, if requested by the family.  It is a small gesture of thanks for public service, and entirely appropriate.  

Despite its awkward timing (in a period of economic difficulty) this should be a non-issue and the bill should breeze through the legislature to become law.

 

Sadly and pathetically this “House Bill 4229,” was introduced by Representative Fred Durhal, a Democrat from Detroit.  In short, this law, if passed, would suck more of the taxpayers’ hard earned money and pay for unneeded State Police escorts at the scene of a deceased politician’s funeral.  It isn’t enough that politicians while alive, cause financial grief for the taxpayer.  Now, they have found a way to stick it to the general public even after they have finally passed on! 

I firmly believe that our Michigan legislatures are paid enough for their "services."  They rank towards the top paid politicians in the country.  Their benefits, I am sure rank better than most in the private sector.  This bill illustrates the arrogance of politicians to keep extorting from the very people who fund their livelihoods.  It is an insult to Michigan taxpayers, forcing them to keep shelling out their tax monies when this state needs to balance its budget. 

 Oh yeah, some real heros they are. They are paid well for their "service". What a joke! How about a New Orleans type funeral complete with paid bands, marchers, wailers, white horses etc.

The timing of this bill is terrible, of course, but what it asks for is reasonable and very proper.

In fact, I am appalled that the simple and inexpensive courtesies this bill provides for -- a State of Michigan flag and State Police escort at the funeral, if requested by the family -- have not in the past been extended to the families of deceased ex-legislators.

Whether I agree with their "politics" or not makes no difference.  I do respect the offices legislators hold, and the services they perfrom.  And in death, I will show the simplest common courtesy of not begrudging them a modest participation by the State in their funerals.