Originally published in the Grand Rapids Business Journal, November 21, 2005.

The one thing that I'm always thankful for at Thanksgiving time is that I actually look forward to Thanksgiving and the family time it brings. I like my family, my parents, my siblings, my in-laws, and I don't believe this to be universally true. Many dread the dinner by conscription. And while drunken grandmothers, lecherous uncles, and passive-aggressive in-laws make for interesting stories, when the time comes to slice up the turkey, I much prefer a peaceful harmony. Besides, living in Michigan, you can count on the Detroit Lions self-destructing in a highly entertaining way, and that's like having a designated dysfunctional family member to chug the Cold Duck and puke in the sweet potatoes but without the mess.

This week's comic features the dysfunctional Michigan family of a Democratic Governor, Republican Congress, a persistently stagnated economy, and a 2006 election season that, like the promise of an inheritance, will likely only make things worse. The comic is specifically about a jobs bill that... that... Ya know what? I was wrong. This sort of thing doesn't necessary make an interesting story....