The title speaks for itself. I’m very much a Michigan patriot.
American government is designed to accomodate disagreement, though the tension often makes folks uncomfortable. What we need, sometime soon, is a civil discussion about what Michigan’s government is for, how we get to that point, and what tax structure we need to support that effort. The (less-than-complete) success of the Michigan budget efforts demonstrates that it’s not necessary to continue talking past each other just because we’ve been doing so in the past. Discussion isn’t helped when each side caricatures the other’s positions. The habit many have of simplifying and dismissing the other party’s position is really poisonous to the civil culture. It’s time we stopped, and started finding solutions.
Filed under
Mitten State
Politickin'
Posted on
June 29th 2004
For over a century, this grain elevator was the main reason for Mulliken. This railside complex was the farming community’s touchpoint with the larger world. They’d come to buy seed before planting, then return to sell the grain they’d grown from the seed. This routine made for an interesting, seasonal parade of vehicles on Potter Street. July’s winter wheat harvest was a particularly busy time; trucks, tractors, and trailors would line Main Street day and night as the farmers and staff would struggle to get the grain from truck to hopper.
Filed under
Mitten State
Picture Show
Yarns and Tales
Posted on
June 18th 2004
