Changes needed if Michigan is to stop economic decline
Tom Watkins
To remain competitive on a world stage, Michigan and America need to change. But the power forces that benefit from the status quo are applying the brakes to necessary change.
Those "remain as is" forces cut across the spectrum from conservative to liberal, wealthy and working class, private and public sectors.
As the budget battles intensify, the question of who should pay and who will benefit seem akin to fixing targets on the backs of various constituents.
"We have ours -- don't touch it" has become the rallying cry. But back when "we got ours," Michigan and America were in much different places.
Today Michigan is no longer a wealthy state. Our per capita income has slipped to 37th in the nation with nearly a million fewer citizens working. And those who ARE working, are taking home less wages and benefits.
Simply considering what has transpired in Japan, and the Middle East these last several weeks, it sure seems that the world is like a kaleidoscope -- full of constant and unpredictable change -- man-made and natural.
Maintaining the status quo as if nothing has changed, when everything has changed, is insane. We must recalibrate to a new normal.
The country needs sensible energy, foreign/domestic security and budget policies. We desperately need an investment strategy that addresses our decaying infrastructure, and investing in research, development, education and innovation to compete globally. Yet it seems the best our "leaders" can produce is a continuation budget resolution that ducks the tough choices required to get our country's budget in order.
In Lansing, we need to stop pretending and spending, complaining and blaming, and find ways that address the long-term structural budget deficit that remains an impediment to future development. For far too long, our political leaders have been attempting to rebuild our state on a foundation of floating clouds. The sooner we reach a solid foundation the quicker we can get our state working again.
Change happens even as our leaders vacillate and pander.
Michigan is a state in decline. If we do not change we will continue this downward trajectory.
Clearly, one might have policy differences with Gov. Snyder's budget offering. However, it does stop the historical budget game playing that has anchored Michigan to the past while providing a path to the future.
I say to those opposing Gov. Snyder's budget: Provide an alternative -- one that spends only what we are willing to tax ourselves for and a sensible roadmap to job creation.
Polling data seems to suggest that Michiganians are willing to tax themselves to provide more state services. I have yet to see any data that suggests we want more taxes to protect the status quo -- that has not taken us where we need to go.
To those who think a tax hike is the solution for what ails us - bring it on! Where is the legislation and statewide referendum to place a tax hike on the table? I hear the talk -- I just don't see the walk.
Let's stop falling as a nation and state and reach a realistic and solid foundation to begin the necessary rebuilding.
What is taking place in Washington and Lansing is not a dress rehearsal, it's the beginning of the final act that will determine ours and our grandchildren's fate. Let's begin leading change.
Like it or not, the curtain is coming down.
Tom Watkins is a U.S./China business and educational consultant. He was Michigan's state superintendent of schools from 2001 to 2005, and president and CEO of the economic council of Palm Beach County, Fla., from 1996 to 2001. He can be reached at: tdwatkins88@gmail.com
Comments
Carl Manheim
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 6:57 a.m.
We don't have to take this conservative crap anymore. Snyder's budget is designed to steal from seniors and children and give to businesses. It will have a devastating effect on the economy. Jobs will be lost. Businesses will just pocket the extra tax handouts. They won't hire any new people, because Snyder's budget won't create demand. Business only hire new people when there is a demand for their product and services. Firing state employees leaves less money in the hands of consumers. Demand will go down. Taxing seniors leaves less in their hands. Demand goes down. Seniors move to other states. Snyder is not stimulating the economy he is killing it and giving wealth away to people who won't spend it. They will send their children to private schools. Meanwhile Michigan young people won't get a good education. What kind of business will come to Michigan with an uneducated work force and crumbling infrastructure. Under this sort of conservative "enlightenment." Michigan will become one of the poorest states in the union. The citizens need to get rid of Snyder and his policies as fast as possible and build the economy the right way.
DonBee
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
Obviously you watch MSNBC. If you read the article in the Detroit News on what the budget changes are, you would not be saying this.
5c0++ H4d13y
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
Soak the rich. It worked out so well for New Jersey.
snoopdog
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 1:03 a.m.
Right on Tom, you are a voice of sanity in an insane world. You should run from President, I would gladly cast the first "YES" vote ! Unfortunately, you speak the truth and you don't pander to special interests so you could probably never win. Good Day
David Briegel
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
He doesn't say anything! Which is probably why you are confused. Or not.
tim
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
The most important thing for a parent is to raise their kids properly. The article suggests that if you don't like Snyder's proposal then provide an alternative ----- I don't have one but I can tell you this- if he lets the school fall into disrepair the responsible thing for a parent to do is to find employment outside of Michigan- and that is the direction Snyder is headed.
belboz
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
How about some specifics... We need to stop asking the government to lead the charge. It is entirely in the hands of the consumers. If the people of Michigan were truly interested in changing our states economics, there would not be one foreign car on the road. Who are buying Mercedes? VWs? Lexus's? Honda's? List the cars made right here in Michigan, but US companies, and that is all people should be buying if the economy is truly your number one priority. If you are a teacher and don't want benefits cut - don['t drive that Subaru. If you are a policeman and don't want to lose your job - don't drive a Honda. If you are a citizen and don't want to see your home values decay as jobs leave the state - don't drive a VW. People sure seem to want everyone else to fix the problem. How about we try and fix it ourselves. Articles like this are really not very inspiring. Just a regurgitation of empty statements that have been repeated for the last 200 years.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.
what we need is a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage. The way to do it is easy....I mean hard.... we need to move forward....I mean not look backward.....The past isn't the future because one happened and the other didn't. Am I making myself clear? We need to be willing to raise taxes on somebody or other and lower taxes on the others so the state will have more or less money. Your either with me or you aren't. Its that simple...or complicated take your pick.
David Briegel
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.
I'm still laughing! Hilariously!!!!!!! Good One!
johnnya2
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
This was an exercise in mental masturbation. Change is needed ALL THE TIME. Change is inevitable. There have been people complaining and trying to change things since the beginning of time. The current problem is the change being proposed by the governor is not GOOD change.
joe.blow
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
Your article doesn't make sense, you have random statements that do not convey a point. What are you trying to say?
northside
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
No matter who holds office Tom Watkins is always there to suck up to them. "Those 'remain as is' forces cut across the spectrum from conservative to liberal, wealthy and working class, private and public sectors. " Are you kidding me? Wealthy conservatives are in heaven right now. Their dreams of gutting the public sector are finally being realized. Meanwhile wealth is concentrated at the top to a degree not seen in a hundred years. The sacrifice is only being shared by the poor, working, and middle classes. The wealthy are exempt.
MjC
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
And this is all news to who? Michiganders have been shouting "change is needed" for about ten long years now (if not more!). We voted Snyder in, and we want the change. But no elected representative should be surprised that the voters also want to debate - and be heard - before those proposals for change are activated. The curtain is not coming down us for we have never stopped pulling it on up.
DonBee
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
Most of the time I disagree with Mr. Watkins. I disagree with most of this article. What I do agree with, is if you don't like the budget proposed, propose a realistic alternative. Don't think that you can magically get money from the "Rich" or from "Businesses" With 20,000 more people working for the local and state government than there were in 1997 and almost no change in residents or K-12 students, we are on a track to chasing more folks out of the state. Don't like Snyder's budget, propose something that fits inside the revenue of the state.
David Briegel
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
Just another exercise in self flagellation!
zigzag21
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
I was hoping this article was going to come to the table with some concrete ideas.
Townie
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
And the point was? Mr. Watkins should run for office -- no specifics, no detail, in fact no proposal about changes. Just that changes are needed. Wow; caught me by surprise with that one. Just doom and gloom and not even attempt to answer his own question.