By Steve Horton

The theme of Gov. Rick Snyder’s hour-long ‘State of the State’ address on Wednesday evening was that 2011 was a year of “building a foundation of good government”, while the coming 2012 year “needs to be the year of continuing good government.”

“In 2011 we worked hard to build that foundation,” Snyder told the joint session of the Michigan Legislature. “You should be proud of the progress, but more needs to be done… Last year (at the State of the State) I spoke about the need to reinvent Michigan. Tonight is a continuation of that journey.”

Is it always wrong to lie? If you replied “yes”, then what if the falsehood benefitted a large number of people or righted an injustice or protected a vital secret? Would the means justify the end in such a circumstance?

On the other hand, if your answer was “no” or “it depends”, then what if everyone lied whenever they chose to, without any qualms, deciding for themselves if the situation merited the deceit? What if someone close to you lied whenever he or she felt it was justifiable? How could you trust anyone’s word? How could you share close relationships or conduct business or make agreements if people could arbitrarily decide when to be honest and when not to, basing the decision on their feelings or self-interest rather than any objective or widespread standard? And did so any concern for the consequences to those being misled or betrayed?

Were you to take a philosophy class in Ethics, among the essential questions being posed on would be: What is just or unjust, good or bad or even evil, right or wrong, proper or improper, or virtuous or base?

Back in September, when I first heard that legislation had been introduced to dramatically change Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Program, I wrote a column that expressed concern and asked some questions. What concerned me most of all, as it did many others, was the plan to end unlimited coverage for traffic accident victims. In its place would be a smorgasbord of options that range from $250,000 to $5 million.

The so-called reform plan was pushed by some members of the Republican side of the Legislature and championed by the insurance industry.  The two main arguments in favor of ending the unlimited coverage and changing the payment mechanism was that the cost “was unsustainable” and  insurers would see their premium go down. However, the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association which covers medial and rehabilitative costs for accident victims that exceed $500,000 is not subject to public disclosure, and those questioning this statement have not been allowed to check the books.

On this early morning in December, sitting in the rocker by the front window, waiting for the coffee to cool, I enjoy the Christmas tree next to me and the quiet of a still silent night.  The lights—a mix of reds, pinks, blues, greens, golds, and light yellows—shine in full splendor in the semi-dark living room. I’m the first to be up and about; the rest of the family still slumbers. Not even the dog has stirred.

I watch other early birds drive by in the darkness, their car lights gleaming the way ahead as they go towards work or school. The wheels of our multiple routines spin round and round, taking us here and there. My routine at this fresh hour of a new day allows me to linger awhile. I take a drink of coffee and look at the ornaments that, along with the lights, decorate our holiday tree. Snowmen, teddy bears, assorted Santa’s, small stockings, a miniature rocking horse, reindeer, mice and cats, and all manner of scenic and ornate bulbs hang from the evergreen boughs.

Some special ones, near the top, signify “Baby’s First Christmas”. The baby is now 23, graduated from Grand Valley State University this past spring, and going off to law school next fall. Our future Christmases will not be the same without him under our roof.