He ran for office promising to drastically lower business taxes, and we elected him by a 58 percent-to-40 percent landslide. How did we think he was going to do that and balance the budget?

Find dilithium crystals under the Capitol?

The only sensible alternative I've seen was offered by a citizen named Amy Keyzer, who copied me on a letter to the governor. "You are already in hot water with a number of groups. Why not jump in with a proposal to raise the gas tax, the beer tax, and suggest that Michigan citizens vote on a (constitutional amendment allowing a) graduated income tax?"

I agree. But that's what Little Miss Blow-you-away should have done four years ago, except she lacked the guts. The liberals who are yelling now should have pushed her then. Instead, they are like the man who refused to brush his teeth for years, and now thinks it outrageous that he needs root canals. Well, grin and bear it.

Democrats should be arguing in favor of giving business a slightly smaller tax cut, and saving a few programs, such as the tax credit for the poor. I think the film credit too, was a morale booster, even if it was a slight loss leader.

But the Dems have little power left in Lansing. This governor was elected to make tough decisions, and he's making them, gambling the whole farm on ramming this, pension tax at all, through the Legislature, and then on business bailing us out.

What's left to be seen is if he can succeed.

> Email Jack Lessenberry