The change we were seeking?

As they were introduced to the press, Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew demanded that fans of the Lions disregard the fact they were part of the regime headed by Matt Millen. They dismissed the ineptitude of the past 8 years, acting as though they were not part of the process that ended with an 0-16 season. They demanded that the media and the fans not judge them based on the past failures of the Millen led front office, but to assess them based on what they did as executives. In placating this request, here's the best I can do.

The kindest way to articulate my feelings on what the Lions did over the weekend's draft is to refer to it as "Millen-esque." Drafting two tight ends, a running back, a wide receiver, and a quarterback is not quite the move toward the bigger, stronger team we were promised months ago. Matthew Stafford reminds me a lot more of Tim Couch than one of the Manning brothers. 

Somehow, as the draft concluded, I felt as though nothing had changed. Rather than find talent that can make an immediate impact, Mayhew and Lewand have seemingly drafted to purchase extra time for themselves. It will be two years before we can call this draft a bust, giving them more time to be employed and mismanage an NFL franchise.

It seems to me that successful teams build from the inside out. They bulk up their lines, improve their defense, then focus on skill players. How Lions management missed this lesson escapes me.

A new day

James Tate and Charles Pugh, two of the most articulate, intelligent men Detroit has to offer both announced last week they are leaving their jobs to run for City Council. Tate, the former spokesman of the Detroit Police Department and Pugh, a former anchor on Fox 2 News and local radio, headline a list of nearly 400 people who have picked up petitions to run for city council. I see it as a sign that Detroiters have grown tired of the antics of the current city council. 

From offensive comments to the inability to get things done (Cobo Hall), the current City Council has been a disaster. The time has come for change, and I think James Tate and Charles Pugh can be that change for the city, and the region. 

As a suburbanite who has been horrified by the recent work of City Council, I could not be happier to see some citizens stepping forward to take leadership roles. For things within the city limits to improve, ideas must come from Detroit, not from the suburbs or state government. It's with a sense of optimism that I see these candidates stepping forward to take on some of the issues the city faces. 

Does that make him an American?

Abduhl Wal-i-Musi, the surviving Somali pirate taken by Navy SEALs after hijacking and capturing American Richard Phillips is due in Federal Court tomorrow where he will be tried as an adult. The decision by the Justice Department to prosecute this young man in American Federal Court is an interesting one, as it will guarantee him the rights each of us expects as American citizens. 

I cannot help but wonder how prudent it is to give a trial to someone from another nation who has committed an act against Americans. Is this the new procedure for handling terrorists? What would happen to Wal-i-Musi should he be found not guilty in court? Would he be eligible to remain in the United States? 

Just as important, what kind of message does this send to citizens around the world? 

Two things in life are sure, death and taxes

April 15 has arrived, the perfect day for some thoughts about taxes.

Earlier this week, published reports suggested that Michigan's governor is open to moving from a flat tax to a graduated scale that will resemble the federal income tax code.Governor Granholm suggests that a progressive tax system could replace the Michigan Single Business Tax, which was passed last year and has been terribly unpopular in the commerce community. 

Michigan's bleak financial outlook would be hurt by this transition. The federal tax code's graduated scale, where those who make the most money pay a much higher rate is seen by many as fair (I don't count myself among them, but I suppose that's a different issue) and this has been accepted for many years. My personal feelings aside, the federal income tax is unbelievably intricate, and it is this complexity that encourages both errors and dishonesty. The simple principles of a flat tax, where everyone pays the same rate, make it much harder to confuse or cheat. A flat tax is more straightforward and far more efficient.

A more prudent option for Michigan may be to lower the flat tax rate and eliminate deductions. If the rate were dropped from 4.35% and deductions were eliminated, a tax form could be the size of an index card, and could be completed without the help of an accountant or Turbo Tax. This smaller form could show taxable earnings, money withheld, and the amount owed/overpaid. Instead of making the state income tax more difficult, why not make it easier? 

This is not only a question about taxes, it's about leadership. State government needs individuals who will look at new ideas and make things more efficient for citizens.

I'll close with a quote from Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes, a conservative, who once said "I like to pay taxes, with them I buy civilization."

Credit where it's due

Over the weekend, my news attention focused primarily on pirates off the coast of eastern Africa. Somalian renegades captured an American hostage, who thankfully was returned to the United States safely. A lot of credit goes to President Obama for approving the mission, which included allowing the use of force. As news of his openness to dialog continues to be reported, it's good to see the President flexing muscle.

Credit also goes to Foreign Relations Committee chair, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass) who is calling for hearings to determine a policy about pirates. Now that there has been a successful military operation, the United States needs to determine if those taken captive (1 in the rescue operation) will be seen as criminals or enemy combatants/terrorists. The classification is important as one allows a trial in US courts and extends rights to those from Somalia.  

These issues are not about to go away. A troubling trend has continued today with increased piracy that has taken as many as 60 hostages. These pirates are young men, those from the weekend operation were all between 17 and 19 years old. Moreover, some East African governments view some pirate groups in the same fashion Americans view the Coast Guard. This is not an isolated incident, rather, something that will require American attention. 

I cannot help but feel that the hard line the Obama administration took over the weekend must continue. A message must be sent that these actions will not be tolerated, specifically as a new administration begins and the world is watching. 

Going about it the right way.....

Yesterday, Vermont became the fourth state (joining Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa) to legalize unions between same-sex couples. While this issue (homosexual marriage) is one that many debate, it's not the issue I'm writing about today. Rather, I'd like to express my appreciation for Vermont going about the process to decide this issue the right way. It was the legislature of Vermont that voted to approve these unions, which is a far cry from the court decisions in the other three states that made them legal. The issue of gay marriage should be settled by states (federalism at work), specifically by the legislative branches (those elected to make policies) of government. Judicial activism in Iowa last week mandated upon the citizens of that state what Vermont's legislature approved - a stark contrast in approaches.

Courts are set up to decide justice, not to make laws or policies. Judges legislating would put many citizens under the rule of a small number of people, many appointed to a lifetime term. The very nature of most of them gaining their positions - appointments rather than elections - should cause everyone to pause and consider how much activism they'd like to see from the judicial branch. Our nation was founded in an effort to move away from a system ruled by a monarch - someone appointed for life who could not be overruled. 

Credit the state of Vermont with approaching this issue the way it should be, through the legislators elected by the citizens. 

Opening Day

Is there a better feeling that a new beginning? A realization that, even though snow blankets my front yard, summer is not far comes to me this morning as I read newspaper coverage of the Tigers who open their season this evening in Toronto. Baseball is back, and the excitement of a new season arrives. Last night I sat in front of my television, bemoaning the fall of the Detroit Pistons when I realized that there was another option, the Braves were playing the Phillies only two channels up the dial and suddenly remembered that warm weather is not too far away.

The optimism that this might be the year, the excitement to see if the new additions in the off season will really pay off trumps the cold windy morning that greeted each of us in Metro Detroit. I'll say that this season's Tiger team reminds me the most of the 2006 team, with unknown commodities such as Rick Porcello, and the addition of defensive minded players such as Adam Everett. Today, because it is the opener, I can hold out hope that this really will be the year.