Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on September 12, 2007, to authorize a one-month “continuation” or interim budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2007, equivalent to 1/12th of the current year appropriations for all state departments. The measure was introduced as a contingency in the event that no agreement is in place by that day to close a gap of approximately $1.7 billion between desired spending and expected revenues in the current and upcoming fiscal years. In addition to the amount they would get in October under current law the bill also authorizes $164.5 million from FY 2006-2007 appropriations to colleges and universities, the disbursement of which was pushed into the following fiscal year as part of the deal to borrow and postpone disbursements to avoid spending cuts in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 budget. When the bill was introduced no progress had been made in negotiations between the Democratic House, Republican Senate and Democratic Governor to close the gap between desired spending and expected revenue

The vote was 20 in favor, 17 opposed and 1 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 329 at Senate Journal 87)

Click here to view bill details.

Senator Cherry's statement is as follows: I voted "no" on this budget because, first of all, I believe that it is a breach of my oath of office to pass a budget that is out of balance. This continuation budget does not have the revenue that it needs to sustain services. It doesn't have the revenue that's needed to sustain services for public safety, for public health, for public education. It means that ultimately we have to provide even more revenue to make up the difference. I believe it's time to solve this problem and to not operate on previous budgets--budgets that were not created by this body, but by other former bodies like our previous leader and appropriations chair. This is a budget based on another legislature. I believe it's important to pass a budget that has adequate revenue and does not result in layoffs. This continuation budget does that. It does not protect our children. It does not protect our mental health patients. It does not protect the public. It does not provide for safety in our communities.

Senator Thomas' statement is as follows: I agree that we need to keep the rhetoric in a place where we can continue to work and continue to talk and continue to do the business of the state. Frankly, I don't feel that the rhetoric may have been somewhat sanctimonious on both sides of the aisles today. Surprise, surprise. However, I want to take the Majority Leader at his word that it's time for all of us to get into the game and to move forward. But at 5:28p.m., I read a report that Bishop lays out 4.3 percent income rate plan and it's non-negotiable. Well, if I'm to get into the game and get into the discussions and to start having this, I can't have it non-negotiable! I voted "no" on this because I don't believe that we're there at that non-negotiable stage. I want us to have a real discussion, and having a continuation budget passed today, even if it's laying the framework, does not take us down to a place where we can continue to have those discussions. I don't want to set the table back and I've been one of the folks who's been always willing to talk about anything. However, it's not in the interest of this Legislature to lay down such ultimatums.

Senator Jacobs' statement is as follows: Mr.President, I rise to strongly object to even remotely considering the idea of a continuation as an answer to our current crisis. The idea of a continuation as a solution is preposterous, shortsighted, and ludicrous. It would almost be laughable if we weren't talking about the health and safety of Michigan's children, families, workers, and seniors. I'm already ashamed and embarrassed that here we are 14 days before the deadline, and now some members of this chamber want to abdicate our responsibility. We've had more than seven months to solve this current dilemma and we've only accomplished delays, inconvenience, and public disdain. Nobody trusts us, and we think the public will extendterm limits, think again. We have inconvenienced almost every single school district in Michigan. We've inconvenienced higher education institutions all over the state of Michigan. If the goal is to shut down government, then a continuation budget will most certainly accomplish this. It will paralyze this entire state by preventing public education, public safety, arts organizations, social service agencies, counties, cities, municipalities, colleges and universities, and any other entity that depends on state funding from moving ahead with plans and services. But we can no longer paralyze the state because some legislators are paralyzed to do the right thing. We can no longer be paralyzed with threats of recall or paralyzed about winning or losing the next election or the Governor's seat. A continuation budget will create a bottleneck of gigantic proportions. I cannot vote for this type of budget and I want no part of it.

Senator Prusi's statement is as following: Mr.President and Senate colleagues, my colleague from the 14th District pretty much laid it out. I don't think she went far enough when she only labeled it as "inconvenience" and that we've inconvenienced the institutions that are relying on us to do our jobs here in Lansing. I think that passing a budget that merely moves the problem off for one more month is merely one more month of gridlock and deadlines and lack of action. There's no great mystery to what's happening here. There's no big dilemma. We know what the problems are; let's not paper it over; let's not pretend we don't understand what's going on here. Our fiscal agencies of the House and Senate have laid out what the problem is. We've got numerous solutions in front of us. I think the time to act is now and the time to act is soon. The people aren't going to stand by and watch us do this Kabuki theater for another month. We need to get busy and do the work that we were sent to Lansing to do. This doesn't really make us look good in the public's eye. This doesn't really solve the problems that we're sent here to confront. It simply shoves them down the road and lets the media have another field day with the lack of action here in the State Legislature. I won't be a party to it, and I won't support it. I would encourage you to vote "no" on this, and let's just figure out what of the solutions we've got in front of us works best and get busy and put that in front of us. Let's see whether you want to do it through all cuts, whether you want to put some revenues in the pot, and whether you want to protect the health and safety of the state of Michigan. Or do we just want to play some games here. I would encourage my colleagues to vote "no."

Senator Pappageorge's statement is as follows: Let's understand something: If we came to an agreement today on how we ought to proceed with regard to revenue, reform, and cuts, it is questionable whether we could put the necessary rules in place to pay our bills during the first week of October. Let me say that again. We have bond payments that have to be made on, I believe, the 6th of October, and if we default on those bonds, it will take us decades to get our credit rating back. So the idea that we are proposing this just to avoid a decision is incorrect. Let me say that again--it is incorrect. It is imprudent not to be able to pay bonds the first week in October, and if we don't pass this today, there is a good chance we will default on bonds the first week in October. That's why we need to pass this today. Now, for those who keep asking when are we going to talk about revenue, those are the same folks who are coming to me saying we want you to do the revenue. I am already taking hits for cuts; those of you who want revenues increase, take a hit, stand up, put something on the table, and we can proceed.

Senator Switalski's statement is as follows: It is true, as the prior speaker said, that if we got an agreement today, we would probably need a continuation budget in order to implement that solution. So at some point, a continuation might be necessary, but human nature being what it is, a continuation now would lead to legislators saying that we have a month, there is no rush, no urgency, let's take our time and do this right. Well, every day we go past October 1st without a solution, we go further into debt, and it makes the solution more difficult. If there was an agreement on a solution, we would have a unanimous vote for continuation, but we don't have that agreement, and we can't have a continuation until we have an agreement. So I think we see this differently. I know there is going to be a division here, so let's keep our focus on the solution we want to reach.

Senator Cherry's statement is as follows: I also rise in opposition to this bill and to the continuation budget as presented. This budget starts out without adequate revenue to protect the public. With this budget, we are laying off police officers. We are not making our payments to public schools at the level we should be. We are not protecting the public health as we should, not providing services to community mental health patients, not providing services to people in psychiatric hospitals, and not protecting the safety of our public. It is because this budget is just a continuation of the current budget when we don't even have the revenue for a full year. So, in and of itself, this continuation budget does not protect the public. I want to protect the public, and I think that we should be taking the action necessary to do that. We need to make sure that we are providing services to the level that is necessary and to the level that our citizens expect. This continuation budget does not do it, and I oppose it and I urge members to oppose it also.

Senator Jelinek's statement is as follows: This is a continuation budget, which means it equals the same services that we are seeing today for the next month. The continuation budget is the only responsible thing that we can do today. Even if we pass agreements, revenues, cuts, or whatever, the signatures must all be done within the next 10 days in order for the effect to take place. The process just doesn't move that fast. This continuation needs to be in place to maintain programs, even if agreements are reached beforehand. It already has been stated how dangerous it is to put off proper payments. We must pass this bill today for the assurance of this state's continuation. We must pass Senate Bill No.772.

Senator Schauer's statement is as follows: Colleagues, this is gut-check time. We've used that sports analogy a few times here, many times during this fiscal year. Let's be clear, colleagues, a vote for these continuation budget bills on September 17, with two weeks left in the fiscal year, is an admission of failure. With two weeks left, colleagues, in our fiscal year, it's a surrender; it's waving the white flag. Worse yet, we don't even know what's in these budget bills. Apparently, the majority is interested in appointing a ten-member committee to decide what you are actually putting into this one-month continuation budget bill. But, all of that aside, we don't need to pass these continuation budget bills today. We should do our work. What we're doing here today is sending a terrible message to the rest of the world. We're sending a terrible message to Wall Street. We're sending a terrible message to everyone who was already looking at Michigan in the struggles that it is facing. I oppose voting on extending this dilemma, which is actually what a continuation budget would do. We have the ability to move a comprehensive plan, including revenues, out of this chamber today if we wanted to. We have as Democrats stepped up to the plate and we have introduced revenue bills that we could take up today to help solve this problem. Now all it takes for us to solve this problem is the guts to put up the tough votes. This is not a tough vote here today. We should exhaust all the other options and let's show some real leadership before we pass the buck once again. It has been said by some of my colleagues on this side of the aisle that if we have to do a continuation budget--and this is in contrast to the previous speaker--it shouldn't be the first thing this chamber puts forward. It should be the last and only thing done if the overall fix has been determined. Once we've solved this problem in a comprehensive way in the next two weeks, and if a some sort of stop gap continuation is necessary to pay the bills, I would expect that my caucus would be willing to support that. But, however, my constituents didn't send me here to keep dodging the tough decisions and I'll bet that yours didn't either. They didn't have that in mind when they elected you. I would urge us all to take a dose of common sense and avoid a vote here that is mere window dressing; that makes it look like we are actually doing something to solve our budget problem when, in fact, we are punting to a later date. In fact, this would be reward for bad behavior. I would urge a "no" vote on both bills.

Senator Whitmer's statement is as follows: No, no, no, no. Do I sound like I'm talking to a child? I feel like I am. Another extension? Oh, we're going to go on spring break; we've got plenty of time. That's what I heard back in March. We're going to take off the summer. We've got lots of time. This is the opening of the budget--all this time. Now we're saying, oh, we just need an extra month. Another extension? We're two weeks out from a government shutdown. Can you think of not only the signal that sends to not only Wall Street, but to the whole world. Michigan government can't put a budget together. The Legislature doesn't know what to do. We don't have a solution. We're two weeks out from a government shutdown. I don't care about government, but I care about the kids in our schools. I care about the people who rely on health care, the poor, the sickest people among us. I care about higher education. I care about public safety, firefighters and police officers, and safe streets and safe neighborhoods and communities. That's what I care about. I listened all weekend as the House deliberated. I listened to the House Republicans say, "Let's not act until Monday because the Senate Republicans are going to come in with a plan." This is the plan? This is the plan, the comprehensive plan? Now you've said over and over again we're going to get the budget done. Well, it's not done yet. This isn't the solution. This is another delay. It's irresponsible and it's a simple short-term gimmick. Another extension. What are you going to do three weeks from now that you can't do today? We're going to force an even greater income tax because we're putting off these decisions. This proposal doesn't work. It's a continuation budget and we're continuing to build in the deficit of last year that we still haven't solved. This proposal does not work, and it's putting in jeopardy public education, public safety, health care, and higher education. We need to stay and finish. We need to stay as long as we need to. We need to show them that we have more to offer, that we can stay and roll up our sleeves and do this work, and do this job even if it means you don't go to Mackinac Island next weekend. I, for one, will not support this continuation budget right now because I know that this is short-term and irresponsible, and we owe the people of Michigan better. I ask you not to support this continuation budget and stay and get your work done.

Senator Cropsey's statement is as follows: Did I understand the previous speaker correctly, that she is canceling her vacation to Mackinac Island next weekend? Ok, all right. I've been in this body years ago. I'm in it now; been in the House years ago, and I'm in it now. Sometimes the logic just fails to escape me on what people are thinking. The Lieutenant Governor, over the weekend said this, "Technically, they've gone beyond the date in which you can administratively implement a budget agreement." Basically, saying we've got to have a continuation budget. Then all of a sudden people, including the Lieutenant Governor, saying, "But the Governor will not support a continuation budget unless there is a whole budget agreement." So let me get this right. You guys want to shut down the government, and yet, you say, "Oh, but we want to make sure people are protected." Well, if the state troopers don't get their money, do you expect them to go out there and to do this service for nothing? Give me a break. You can't have it both ways. Do we need a continuation budget? Yes. The Lieutenant Governor recognizes we need a continuation budget. Everybody knows it. Why do we need to put this through now? We have a constitution of the state, and the Constitution says that bills have to lay over for at least five days before they can be taken up and voted out of that body. Now we need to at least get a vehicle bill over to the House of Representatives so that they can also deal with this issue because if we don't, we are going to run into a five-day problem. Now if you want to sit here and just be a naysayer and vote "no," and say, "We want to get the problem solved, but yet we don't want to see government shutdown, but yet we're going to vote "no" so that government can shutdown." That doesn't make any sense to me. I just fail to see the logic. Has this been done before? Oh yeah, it's been done before. Interestingly enough, it was done before when the Democrats controlled the State House of Representatives, just like they do today, done back in 1980 when RepresentativeBobby Crim was Speaker of the State House of Representatives and the Democrats controlled the State Senate at the time too. Bill Faust, I believe, was the Majority Leader in the State Senate. Lo and behold, at that time instead of just 30 days' continuation budget that is being proposed here, they had to go for three months continuation budget. Now I guess I'm being optimistic that maybe the Democrats who control the State House will come up and say, yeah, they will finally get their act together and get a budget done within the next 30 days. Will they? Boy, I don't know. I sure hope they do. Everybody knows we're going to have to have a continuation budget. People who know the Constitution, which we are all sworn to uphold, know that we have a five-day problem. We've got to pass this. You know it. We know it. Let's get on with the business. By the way, I don't plan on being at Mackinac next weekend.

Senator Cassis' statement is as follows: Today we have an opportunity to act, not just talk. The worst thing that could happen is for the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and, yes, even some of my Democratic colleagues here in the Senate to push our state over the precipice into a shutdown. I, for one, reject that strategy. While a negotiator recently on the Michigan business tax, I witnessed eight persons come together and find a way to compromise. Unfortunately, this last weekend, we witnessed a breakdown, a paralysis of that process in the House. On this side of the aisle, we will become part of a budget solution. We hope that you will all join us and not continue to be part of the problem and the rhetoric that goes along with the problem. We have to do a continuous budget right now. We have no other choice in order just to meet our responsibilities and obligations in October. Say "no" to a shutdown. Say "yes" to put in place a comprehensive plan this week.

Senator Basham's statement is as follows: I was going to say something light to change the mood here in this chamber; something to the effect of the Lions are on a winning streak, and finally, the University of Michigan is on a winning streak, and we should get on one too. But, you know, hearing my colleagues go make comments from the other side of the aisle--by the way, you do have the majority in this chamber. You can pretty much pass anything that you want to pass in this chamber and you can lead. You don't have to wait on the House to lead. You can lead also if you desire. You can listen to all of what my previous colleagues have said about we would pass a continuation budget if we had an agreement. But you left that part out when you were talking about you guys. There was also some mention about the State Police and my colleagues--I have been working some of the issues with my colleagues across the aisle dealing with the State Police and 9-1-1 systems and even thought I might not agree with what is coming out of the House with those particular bills, Senate Bill Nos. 410 and 411. I agree that they are at least trying to fund the State Police and their programs. I have not seen any funding for the State Police coming out of this chamber. If you talk about funding it out to the general funds, I haven't seen any proposals coming out of this chamber talking about funding the State Police. You talk about public education and public safety, yet you are talking about cuts. You control a majority in this chamber. How can you cut $1.8 billion out of the state's budget when the Governor has already cut over 10,000 employees and she has cut over $3 billion. We have actually cut to the bone, and that pig out in front of the Capitol should have the rear leg removed and its ribs removed because, quit frankly, this pig is not fat anymore. This pig is down to bare bones. So, my colleagues, I ask you to listen to everything that goes back and forth across both aisles of this chamber and not get the rancor up as high as it is in the House to sit down and lead and give us a comprehensive budget that we can vote on. Sometimes I am glad that I sit on policy instead of appropriations because I am sitting here waiting to vote and make some tough decisions. I have yet to see those tough decisions in front of me. So give me those tough decisions and let me do my job and push a button to support revenues for this state that it so sorely needs.

Senator Bishop's statement is as follows: I've been here now for--this is my second term. I had a chance to serve in the House as well. I'm very concerned at the direction that we've gone. Just the tenor of the discussion today is troubling to me. To be called a child and to have egos drive a really one-sided, very silly objection to something that all of us realize has to happen today. It's a reality; we've run out of time. It's not our fault. We're trying to get the things done. We're waiting for the House to get things done. They spent the whole weekend beating each other over the head. Nothing was done. So here we are. We're a couple of weeks out from our deadline. Even if we were to come up with a solution today, there is no way that we could get the job done in time to firm it up by October 1. So here are your options: You can sit on your hands and do nothing and complain, which you've become very good at, or you can actually do something. Our option today is to put a continuation budget on the table that will allow us to move things forward and give us that relief valve in case we need it. You all know that we need it. This is not a partisan issue. This is about getting the job done. If you look at your oath of office, in Article XI of the Constitution, you'll see where it says--all of you took this oath--"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitutions of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office." Then if you look at Article IX, Section 28, where it specifically says that no expenses shall be made by state government without an appropriation. So here we are, we're reaching the point where our state departments have no appropriations and what we're telling them is that they have to shut down their operations. I would argue that that is a breach of your oath of office. If you want to be political about that and if you want to stand up and complain in a political posturing manner and continue down this path just like the House did this whole weekend, then go ahead and do it, but we're going to ignore that and move forward. You know full well that we need to do this. Stop the complaints. Stop telling us what you don't want to do and start participating in the future of this state. I heard someone say, "No, no, no" yesterday. That's all they hear. All the reforms that we have put up so far have been "No, no, no" from that side. We've passed every single one of them with Republican votes. That's the resounding response that we get is, "No, no, no." It's about time that you participate in the solution and not be the problem and obey and live up to the oath that you took to the Constitution of this state. Let's get this job done.

Follow this link for how you can cut $1.9 billion. http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=8798

Do not let the threat of a governmental shut-down scare you into abandoning the principles that you were elected to uphold. YOUR CITIZENS CANNOT AFFORD A TAX INCREASE. THE BUDGET MUST BE CUT TO MATCH EXPECTED EXISTING REVENUE. If that means that we shut down the government, so be it. Hang in there! Don't quit.

unnecessary. shut down the frivolous. shut down the unneeded. shut down the unwanted. there are too many things this state has gotten itself into that it shouldn't have. things that deprive it's citizens of the blessings of liberty for itself and it's posterity. start by cutting those. it's not the state's job to insure the people's health, it's the people's job. it's not the state's job to protect the people from themselves, it's the people's job. it's not the state's job to dictate which business shall flourish and which shall wither, it's the people's job. it's not the job of the state to give to those who are needy, that's the job of the charity of the people. cut the programs that do these things that the state is not supposed to be doing in the first place, and the state will prosper.

Wake up, stop holding the citizens of Michigan Hostage to your stupid politics. You were elected by the people FOR the people. Raise the income tax, make appropriate cuts and pass a budget. Your current actions resemble those of treason.

raise taxes. i can't raise my income. learn to live with what you have. if you must cut programs that offer no good to all the people, then by all means, cut them. if you must fire people who offer no good to all the people, then by all means, fire them. if you must stop giving to those who have no business taking from the state, then by all means, stop giving to them.

Stealing more of OUR MONEY to support the bloated goat in lansingistan is treason. The best we can hope for from any government is deadlock, shutting it down would show everybody how little they really do with all that money they steal from us. They would never let this happen because the sheeple may wake up.

If the members of the Michigan House and Senate would stop acting like a bunch of 5th Graders playing "I got you last" they might be able to get some work done. Hey Democrats - The solution won't be all Tax Increases! Hey Republicans - The solution won't be all Budget Cuts! Why don't you all wake up and smell the stuff you're shoveling? Stop bickering like a bunch of children and get some work done! You people are an embarassment and a glowing example of why Michigan needs a part time legislature.

Stick to your guns. There is plenty of waste to cut. If the government shuts down, So What. Maybe they will see the light. Keep up the good work and DON"T BACK DOWN.

Frankly, I wish they would let the government shut down. Our local and County sheriff department will provide more than enough police protection. Our roads will be maintained by the County. Most of the rest of the stuff the State pays for is frivolous. Let it shut down for a month and see how much we all suffer. Let it shut down for two months and we'll be able to see what we really need to function. Don't give up the fight...no tax increases!

Get rid of JG and see how much better we all are!

We need to get rid of you. Today, you need to be team player and you are not. You also are not good for the State. The first order of business should be to cut all of your salaries!!

You have had enough time to work on this. If you worked in the private sector, you would all be fired, and you should!!!

As a parent and registered voter, I'm tired of the bickering and finger pointing. The problem must be solved and it must be solved NOW. Regardless of political party, a solution must be reached and implemented as soon as possible so we can move forward. Putting it off by passing a continuation budget is no less insulting to the hard working people of this state than simply calling in sick. We elected you to get the job done! Higher taxes are not the answer to balancing the budget either. It's been said, "I cannot raise my household income"--never more true! Struggle as I may, I have to find a way to pay mounting monthly household debts. A *third* job may be required of one of us. There isn't enough money for ANY vacation in my household (and hasn't been for a while), we already live modestly, pay outrageous co-pays and health care premiums (for a healthy family), don't get therapeutic massages subsidized by our insurance, already endured both pay cuts and retirement funding cuts, and still have to make do with what we've got left over--all while hoping we don't lose our jobs! Take some of the suggestions posted or get creative with your own, but balance the budget without raising taxes or further harming our schools. It would be interesting if voters could 'elect' which benefits or programs to cut or eliminate. Please realize the people of our state can't afford to give any more as the solution to this problem.

Don't give them permission to put the households of Michigan further into debt with a tax increase. Our state is starting to experience a mass exodus (of both people and businesses) and mounting our debts by reducing our income further will only put more Michigan families in worse crisis than the existing budget shortfalls.

I couldn't agree more. No tax hikes. The people of our state are drowning in debt created out of the current political climate that has lived on overspending and resulted in stagnant and/or reduced incomes. No more are the struggling families a result of living beyond their means, but rather just trying to survive.

Count the school districts in this state. Regular Ed and Intermediate School districts. They have so many administrators making over $100,000 a year plus perks, priveleges and expense accounts. I think their are over 1,000 of these districts with each one paying a minimum of 20 administators!!!! This is where cuts need to be made! People with no student contact time! Paraprofessionals make less then $21,000 per year many with no benefits watching around 30 students. The teachers have to pay part of their insurances! But oh no! not an administrator! they just keep cashing in on our dime and expect us to live on less etc.

Quick math, it would give state an extra 50 million maybe tons more if they capped school administrator pay to 120 percent of teacher pay! We should ask our legislature if they look into this.

The teachers didn't want that law to pass that would make all school spending easily available.

Let's pretend our government is contracted. If they can't do their job in the time alloted, then they should have to finish it without pay! Shut them down. Make the decision makers work without pay until they can make up their minds. 8 months should be enough time, why now do they need more time? They can cry about it all they want but they haven't done their jobs in my eyes.

I have personally been in Lansing a couple of years ago, and saw first hand how our state runs. We pay you 6 figures a year to do what? stand around talking, laughing, sitting on a phone, and running back to push a button?? wow, I can do that! Why dont the people in Lansing take a pay cut, and live like the rest of us in the state of Michigan, where we have the highest unemployment rate! check to check! Dont put new taxes on us! 90 percent of our state cant afford it, and still support our families.! Shutting down the state is not the answer, we pay your bills, so do your job! No new tax hikes!

Before shutting down the Secretary of State office, maybe the State of Michigan should consider selling its rest areas and welcome centers. This is prime land that would be put to better use by the private sector.

Maybe the budget wouldn't be a problem if the governor hadn't authorized a new State Police headquarters for 106 million when nobody asked for it or needed it. It's quite the coincidence a friend of hers got the contract and it was never bidded out.

How she got back in office is amazing. This whole state is going down the crapper do to her. However she is making a nice hunk of money!

"Raise the income tax" Be charitable with your *own* money, please.

The Canadians would like to take the over United States of America. Now, Canadians are civilized, clean living, and intelligent. They are not terrorists. They do not have camps set up in order to train terrorist and other horrible things. Oh no. Not the Canadians. Instead, the Canadians have camps to train politicians. Young upstart Canadian lawyers join up with these camps in order to learn how to take the USA down. Since this Canadian takeover is a relatively new endeavor, the Canadians started with the great state of Michigan because it is so close to Canada. They groomed several young people, and then sent them off to try to become governor of Michigan. It worked! With the help of thousands of Canadians, disgusted as Michigan residents, the Canadian governor Jennifer Granholm was elected to lead our state. Now, please, this is JUST a conspiracy theory, one I made up myself, so don't become offended when I tell you that one of the Canadian goals was to close all the auto factories here because they were tired of the pollution that has been billowing out of those factories and polluting their country for years. After the factories closed, the residents of Michigan began their great migration, with thousands of people forced to move out of the state in search of new work; which was, of course, exactly what the Canadian government had hoped would happen. Slowly, the people are moving out, and soon, the state will be completely evacuated. This is step two, of the great Canadian take over. Step three is the total closing down of the State of Michigan. I don't really know why no one but me has pointed out the fact that a Canadian person wants to shut down the State of Michigan and no eyebrows have been raised in suspicion. Clearly, the State of Michigan shutdown was all part of a master plan, devised by the Canadians. After everyone has moved out of Michigan, and the state has shut down completely, there will be nothing left for our governor to do but to gift the great state of Michigan to Canada. Soon, according to this theory, the next governor of Ohio will also be a Canadian. Following in the footsteps of the Michigan governor, Ohio will soon be evacuated and then shut down as well. State after state will follow suit and the great Canadian takeover will be well underway. The Canadians are a brilliant people. Their plan is a non hostile takeover of this country. Soon, their empire will spread to include all of North America. Eventually, we will be backed into a corner, and we will have to surrender, or else continue to flee southward. You might as well just give up now, throw in the towel, and swear your allegiance to our neighbors of the north. That's what I'm gonna do. I'm even practicing the Canadian National Anthem. It goes like this. I think everyone should start memorizing it: O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.