I was wondering why in western Michigan everything seems to be different, at least from a legal point of view.  I grew up in Cook County, IL and there, the taxes are higher, the services are fewer and every taxing/government body has their hand out, all the time.  Whether it is the toll authority, the village government, the county, or the state, everyone wants a piece of the action.  Now, while I'm no Tea Party member nor Libertarian, I do think that the job of government should be limited to delivering the mail, providing for the common defense, educating the children and ensuring that the basic infrastructure is being cared for, so that it doesn't crumble into dust before I do.  After that, it is also their job to take care of those who can't take care of themselves, not those who won't.  I include children and the elderly in the category of those who should be cared for.  That is basic social responsibility.  As that old saying goes, "Walk a mile in my shoes before you criticize me."  The GOP could learn something from that.  I have always tended to look into the future, but I worry that most of the GOP type people are more than willing to have children be born, but unwilling to educate or care for them after they are born.  It can be hard enough to get along in this world, we can all use a hand up, not necessarily a hand out.  I believe that real parents know this in their hearts, they just don't want to admit it in public, lest they be branded as not conservative enough.  The GOP may profess to be good Christians, but they don't practice what they preach, pun intended.  We all have a responsibility to look out for our neighbors, because that's what neighbors do.  Let's just say that the crud that is being spewed on these right wing talk stations is coming from people who really don't give a darn about anyone, and that is to their eternal shame.  Oh well, I've ranted enough.  Tea time.