Michigan Poorer; Lansing Richer

Yesterday the U.S. Bureau of Census came out with some rather startling statistics. Here are just a few of them:

• Michigan's median income is now $47,950, a decline of 1.2% from the 2006 level of $48,576.
• Michigan's poverty rate is up 14%. (And the state's first ever "Poverty Summit" is scheduled for Cobo Hall on November 13.)
• Detroit is now ranked as the most impoverished city among large urban cities, with 1 of every 3 people living in poverty. (For a family of four, that means an income of $20,650.)

Yet at the end of last year our lawmakers -- lead by Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and Governor Jennifer Granholm -- imposed an 11% increase of our income taxes and a skyrocketing increase of taxes small businesses pay, increases for some of 400%, 800% or 1,000% over last year.

And -- if that wasn't bad enough -- these same lawmakers had the gall to increase the legislative budget 7%. From this budget come salaries such as Dillons -- and his is now $106,650.

There's something terribly wrong with this picture. Our very representatives who claim to fight for our best interests are only lining their own pockets at our expense.

The state's leadership is clearly out-of-touch with the everyday people of Michigan. It's time to change that. It's time to send people to Lansing who understand Economics 101 and who have compassion for Michigan's people.

And with your help, I will be one of those people to make that change.