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Steve Markel Withdraws, Gives Support to Sean Mullally

Thanks to all my supporters, but the reality of a too-crowded race has forced me to withdraw. There are some "not-so-democrats" runing as democrats in the primary race. It is more important that Sean Mullally, an individual who repesents the real values of our Democratic party, wins this race. If I were to continue as I have been, there is a chance an "elephant in donkey's clothing" could win the primary election. Therefore, I have given my full support to Sean.

Sean Mullally's blog entry on this event can be found at http://networkedblogs.com/5CiCO.

Taxes

One does not have to look far to see how our taxes have been wasted and corrupted by big government. I fully support and seek to create initiatives to eliminate this waste and corruption. The current solution of balancing the budget by making cuts has turned cuts into amputations. These across-the-board cuts in government have threatened our fire and police protection; hindered state, city, and county services; slowed bridge and road repair; and jeopardized the quality of education for our children. We can't afford amputations of public protection, educational opportunities, and local city and township services.

Taxes are a burden? Taxes punish those that are successful? Taxes hinder business growth? Taxes lead to a socialistic society? Taxes provide fire and police protection. Taxes provide a public education for our children. Taxes build roads and bridges. Taxes provide vital government services such as the Secretary of State offices. Taxes create enjoyable national and state parks and forests. Taxes monitor the safety of our air and water. Taxes provide testing to keep our food and prescription drugs safe.

Some characterize taxes a necessary evil. I believe that taxes are the price we pay to live in one of the most successful and progressive societies in human history. For those who wish to eliminate taxes, I suggest you look to a country without them. You will find that in these countries, “taxes” take the form of bribes from police, blatant political corruption, and wide spread human suffering. I, however, see taxes as the door to the freedoms we so richly enjoy here in America.

Taxes are not evil. Waste, corruption, and greed are the evils we must overcome. Let us not confuse these. It is due to the lack of a long-term stable revenue source, or the failure of the past legislative session to establish budgeting mechanism (see budget), that has led to what is currently happening in Lansing: the elimination of Secretary of State Offices, layoffs affecting the education of our children, and the inability to maintain roads and bridges.

Taxes are necessary for the success of our society. However, the current budgeting (see Budget) and funding (see ) systems are broken and need fixing.

The 7 Tax Fixes:

1. Close tax loopholes
2. Audit government contracts to reduce wasteful spending
3. Look at tax exemptions: freezing or otherwise
4. Revamp our current taxing structure to provide a stable, predictable revenue base with flexible but controllable growth for difficult/prosperous times
5. Restructure the state's current budgeting process
6. Generate revenue in areas where our economy is strongest
7. Change school funding so public education can provide dependable educational opportunities for the education of our children

The current solution of just cuts is not a solution.  Bandages can not help when amputations are being made.

Please support Steve Markel’s efforts in finding a stable long-term revenue source by donating, volunteering, and voting for Steve Markel for State Representative in the August 3 primary.