Category: Current Events

Gov. Snyder’s Budget and Tax Proposal

In February Michigan Governor Snyder, in his budget, proposed to raise much needed revenue through increases (called “adjustments”) in personal income taxes amounting to $1.7 billion dollars. This “adjustment” to personal income taxes (tax increase) is necessary, says the Governor, because Michigan is in a financial crisis and faces a significant budget deficit, and we must make “shared sacrifices,” which…

Being Forced to Buy Insurance Is Like Being Forced to Buy Broccoli

On Jan. 19, I heard a politician on NPR compare the individual mandate to purchase insurance coverage to being "forced to buy broccoli or join a gym." This "individual mandate" is an important provision of the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act, which all Republicans in the U.S. House voted to repeal this week. I pondered this. Yes, buying and…