Are we truly our brothers and sisters keepers?

   The governor showed up to present her new budget including another $500 million in budget cuts, a doctor's tax, and a sales tax on services.

   She explained that her budget was revenue neutral which is just another way of saying, there are no general tax increases in there.

    While that is the politicially proper stance to take during an election year, believe it or not, there were some democrats who did not like the revenue neutral suggestion.

    "If I had my way, I'd raise $1.2 billion," opined Rep. George Cushingberry from Detroit who chairs the mighty important House Appropriations Committee.  Having said that, he confesses he is not going to get his way because legislative Republicans want no part of anything that even smells like a tax hike.

     You've heard the GOP mantra, "This is not the time to increase taxes on folks who are struggling."  Of course for the GOP it is never a good time to raise taxes on anyone but we digress.

    Well it turns out, there was another Detroit Democrat who wants to tax her very own constituents because it is the right thing to do, so claims Rep. Shanelle Jackson.

    With the governor thirty feet away and listening intently, Ms. Jackson lectured her governor that the  "revenue neutral" idea was a bad idea.  In fact she reported that her neighbors are telling her, "We are willing to give a little more if the folks next store can continue to eat, or save their home from foreclossure or get into a better job training program."

    "I want more revenue," she advised the governor who never responded to the plea.

     Betya when the governor meets privately with the Legislative Black Caucus, she'll get another earful on this more money demand.

    At least somebody is talking the talk and walking the walk about taking care of brothers and sisters who are in dire need.

    What's the old saying, "If not by the grace of God, go I?"