"None are more haughty than a man of moderate capacity raised to power." - French proverb

Dear Friends,

Our economic distress isn't distracting Michigan's political elites from tending to their core mission - demanding honor and privilege for themselves...at taxpayer expense. Examples:

1. Last Thursday, the Michigan Supreme Court voted against closing several expensive `satellite offices' that were supposed to be temporarily needed until the now-completed Supreme Court Building opened in Lansing.  One satellite office in Traverse City is used exclusively by Justice Betty Weaver, who does not wish to surrender her vacation/office with beautiful view of Grand Traverse Bay. According to an article in subscription only MIRS News, conservative Justice Robert Young led the charge to close the excess offices. From MIRS News:

"There is no justification for the taxpayers of this state in this dire of an economy to be supporting two fully furnished offices for the justices," Young argued.

Young pointed out that the Weaver office is housed in a privately owned building and comes with a $65,000-per -year rental price tag for a suite of offices overlooking Traverse City Bay.

"I'd prefer to have the perk of having a second office close to my home," argued Young at one point while trying to argue that times have changed and necessitate the savings.

"It's not a perk, it's a part of the job," sniped Weaver.

Justice "Beachfront Betty" Weaver prevailed with support from newly-elected Justice Diane Hathaway and will keep her expensive view.

2. State Representative Fred Durhal, Jr. (D - Detroit) has introduced legislation requiring taxpayers to pay for a state police escort at funerals of deceased state legislators. Under House Bill 4229 (http://www.michiganvotes.org/2009-HB-4229), state politicians would be given death benefits usually provided to military veterans who risked their lives for this country. This vital legislation ensures that taxpayers recognize the nobility of state lawmakers upon their deaths.