Foul Stench in the Winds of “Change”

This September WSJ article may prove to be quite accurate in light of this recent news:

" (Michigan) Gov. Jennifer Granholm and former U.S. Rep. David Bonior are to serve on a panel of financial luminaries and corporate experts advising President-elect Barack Obama on the nation's hard-bitten economy, ensuring Michigan, its troubled auto industry and labor have a seat at the table."

Please tell me I read that wrong. The president chooses the Governor of Michigan to give him advise on the economy? As a refugee of the Great Lakes State, I am stunned. Granholm has presided over the state as its unemployment rate increased by 40 percent, it suffered under a "one state recession" as the rest of the nation's economy grew at a healthy clip most of the last six years, suffered among the largest job and population losses, saw average income grow at a fraction of the rest of the nation – and now she is invited to give "advice" to the new president?

Over the last several years, Michigan has lead the nation in out migration. In other words, people are clogging the pothole ravaged highways to flee the economically-crippled state – and Obama is seeking her advice on economic matters? (even more people would be moving out of the state if they could only sell their house)

But we shouldn't be surprised, in the end, about this selection. On the one hand, Granholm certainly wants to make sure the auto industry has a seat at the "table" (read: trough)

"Expecting dire financial reports from Detroit's three automakers, Granholm on Thursday issued a plea to Democratic leaders of Congress to approve emergency federal aid for the ailing U.S. auto industry. She requested $260 million in federal aid to build new roads, sewers and other infrastructure projects she said would create over 4,000 jobs."

And on the other hand, the auto unions spent a lot of money to get that seat at the table.

In short, we've got special interests heaping tons of money on a politician in hopes of getting massive handouts and favors in return. And of course, Obama will be all too willing to spend taxpayer dollars to repay the favor.

Isn't "Change" wonderful?