There is one aspect of the can deposit story that puzzles me. Why would a Michigan distributor be allowed to ship state-stamped cans out of state? I would believe that there are audit safeguards in place to prevent that. I'm skeptical that he bought cans in Indiana that had the Michigan deposit stamp on them. Even if he did, like he says, it's illegal to take them back to MI for refund. To me, the difference between the occasional price leader sale price of $4.00 per case and the net amount after deposit refund of $1.60, plus the time and effort to transact the scam, is not sufficient reason to go to the trouble. Neverthelss, it would not surprise me to know that some people try it. He is correct about gas prices, although the difference is not very much. Our lake where we have our cottage literally straddles the state line. Part of the lake is in IN and part in Michigan. The gas prices on the Indiana side tend to be a bit lower than in Coldwater, MI, about 10 minutes north. He also is correct about the cigarette taxes. There are a couple of smoke shops near our lake on the Indiana side that are quite visible to I-69 travelers. The same situation exists in reverse in southern Indiana across from Louisville. The KY smoke taxes are even lower than IN so Hoosier smokers buy their cigs in KY.
Speaking as a Michigander, it is sad sight on the Michigan side of the Michigan-Indiana border. For about 5 miles from the border, the Michigan side seems barren of any sign of busines life. Then, once you cross the border, business is booming. Michigan is in the economic pits right now, paying the price for its high tax, anti business mind-set. I do not think things are going to get better anytime soon.
Literally. On southbound I-69 the first thing you see as you cross the state line see is a big retail fireworks store. Then you see the discount cigarette stores. Then the truck stops. Granted it's not like that everywhere, but my point is not all the "booming" business is the kind that you would want in your home state. I look forward to my retirement, when I and my wife can take trips up into the many beautiful areas of Michigan for 2-3 days at a time. Your state is not exactly chopped liver, pal.
No doubt there are some wonderful areas in the state but we are an economic mess right now. Unemployment is well above the national average, and in most economic indicators that track the financial health of state, Michigan ends up last or next to last. Right now, the Legislature is deadlocked over what to do to end the huge budget deficit. Our guv seems clueless as how to deal with the problem. The idiocy of our legislators was brought to even greater public awareness when several Detroit area legislators proposed providing every student with an I Pod at a time when schools are laying off teachers due to budget shortfalls. The proposal was made after these guys had returned from a trip to Apple headquarters in California paid by Apple. But, since the subject that Terry introduced involves scams, this story about Japanese poodles that baaa but do not bark might get our resident punsters going http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007190295,00.html
Bobda I agree with you completely about the economic plight of our state. I spend a lot of time in Ohio in the Dayton and Columbus area and I'm struck by the residential and commercial building going on there. I've always believed that people deserve the government that they elect. While we had a Republican controled congress we had two Minority Senators. Not particularly advantageous for getting funds from Washington. Then with our state reeling economically we had one candidate running on being a job-maker and the incumbent running against the "Bush economic policies" that hurt our state. Naturally we returned to Lansing the "clueless" governor. Just about everyone we know have some if not all of their children living in other states. We're losing a whole generation of young adults. We'll be left with an aged, health-care dependent population with few workers to support them. I guess we deserve this.
New Jersey vs Michigan <r><E>:lol:</E> I have to add my 2 cents in here.<br/> <br/> New Jersey gets no respect whatsoever.<br/> <br/> We will kick Michigans azz anytime, any day.<br/> <br/> Let’s bring it on !! <br/> <br/> <B><s></s>Behold !!!<br/> <br/> State Income Tax !!!<e></e></B><br/> <br/> Our 8.93 % maximum rate destroys anything Michigan can counter with. <br/> <br/> Your 3.9% is diddly doo compared to our hefty GROSS INCOME TAX( no deductions)<br/> <br/> <URL url="http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ind_inc.html">http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ind_inc.html</URL><br/> <br/> <br/> <B><s></s>Behold !!<br/> <br/> Sales Tax !!<e></e></B><br/> <br/> # 1 revenue producer for most states.<br/> <br/> New Jersey kicks azz again 7% to 6%<br/> <br/> <URL url="http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales.html">http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales.html</URL><br/> <br/> <B><s></s> Behold !!!<br/> <br/> Cigarette Tax<e></e></B><br/> <br/> We’re # 1 !! We’re # 1 !! We're # 1 !!<br/> <br/> <URL url="http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/cigarett.html">http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/cigarett.html</URL><br/> <br/> <B><s></s> Behold !!!<br/> <br/> Real Estate transfer tax<e></e></B><br/> <br/> OK so you have us beat on paper, per capita. I will challenge these figures and accuse Michiganistan of not counting all the illegals hidden in the back rooms of the local convenience stores. I’ll concede a slight loss here, but our neighbors in PA & NY more than make up for this oversight.<br/> <br/> <URL url="http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/Realtytransfer.html">http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/Realtytransfer.html</URL><br/> <br/> <B><s></s>Behold !!!<br/> <br/> State Tax per Capita !!<e></e></B><br/> <br/> # 10 BABY !!! Oh yes, we beat # 23 Michigan again. We pounded you to the ground!!<br/> <br/> <URL url="http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/06taxbur.html">http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/06taxbur.html</URL><br/> <br/> <br/> <B><s></s> Behold !!<br/> <br/> Real Estate Tax per Capita !! <e></e></B><br/> <br/> Oh Yes # 1 again Baby !! <br/> <br/> <URL url="http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/251.html">http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/251.html</URL><br/> <br/> <br/> Now 2004 is old news. Let’s bring it up to speed and in 2006<br/> Real Estate taxes accounted for OVER 50 % of the total tax revenues in the State of New Jersey. A little quick math and that’s over $ 6,000 State and local tax per Capita.<br/> <br/> Good enough for a 3rd place finish just behind CT and NY.<br/> <br/> Now you think it’s bad in Michigan , you ought to see all the retirees who are fleeing the state in droves. As homeowners, many retirees can not afford to live in a state where property taxes are over 10K a year in North Jersey and 6-7K in South Jersey. In some not too extravagant towns like Maplewood Village and Montclair you will find 1800 sq ft homeowners paying over 20K .<br/> <br/> NJ has 566 municipalities, each with it’s own Municipal government , school system, police & fire departments. Many of the municipalities are 1,2,3 square miles. Bergen county has 70 municipalities and is maybe the size of Detroit. <br/> <br/> Sorry I made you feel bad about Michigan , but New Jersey still has the honor of # 1 armpit of the nation.</r>