Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with reporters, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, at her office in Lansing, Mich., about delivering the Democratic response tonight to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. She says she will focus on “dinner-table issues” such as infrastructure, jobs and health care. (AP Photo/David Eggert)

The people of Michigan aren’t happy with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has flubbed the coronavirus response at almost every turn thanks to her need to put politics before people. Because of that, a petition formed online requesting signatures for a recall election, and it’s shot into the stratosphere.

The page was started three weeks ago and, as of this writing, the Change.org page has hit nearly 154,000 signatures and it hasn’t stopped yet.

“Her failure’s during the COVID-19 Corona Virus is causing more Michiganders to get sick,” wrote John Powell, who started the petition. “Closing and banning various nonessential businesses and activities while leaving others open. Further promoting the pandemic. She has lied since day one with her #Fixthedamnroads which she has failed to do anything in this regard. The response to #PFAS was negligence and completely removing funding for #PureMichigan clearly shows her lack of anything positive for the State of Michigan.”

The comments don’t get any kinder, with signers of the petition accusing Whitmer of harming Michiganders and looking out for her own political career.

“Her priorities are no longer the residents of Michigan but her possible position as V.P. for Biden,” wrote Patricia Duncan.

“Her first response in each and every challenge is to direct blame rather than take command,” wrote George Fillar.

“Her draconian restrictions on our personal freedom go too far. Also, her childish handling of the state budget,” wrote Richard Olejniczak.

Commenters question the need for various restrictions that even involve work in their own homes such as planting gardens or doing home improvements. They also can’t seem to wrap their head around why various home improvement or textile stores are closed but liquor stores aren’t.

“She needs to stop telling people they can’t paint or plant flowers?? Are we supposed to sit at home and be depressed?? I mean… What happened to the land of the Free?? People can practice Social distancing and stay safe still,” wrote Linda Blackerby.

As my colleague Nick Arama wrote, the Orwellian lockdown that Whitmer has foisted on Michiganders has been far overreaching:

As we previously reported, Whitmer banned travel between residences with few exceptions such as helping out an elderly family member.

So you’re allowed to drive to a park or out of state, just not to any other cottage or residence. The idea sounds arbitrary but it was about trying to prevent those from the more likely infected areas from spreading it to other areas of the state not as infected.

Another thing people are finding arbitrary is what the state has chosen to ban them from buying.

You’re apparently not allowed to buy infant car seats.

You’re definitely not allowed to buy seeds from a store and all nurseries and garden centers have been closed. Michigan resident Terressa Carson was furious that she couldn’t buy seeds to plant her peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots — food that she and her family will eat all winter. Carson said those were “essential” services to her family.

Whitmer seems to have alienated Michiganders with arbitrary restrictions that make no sense. Once this pandemic is over, I expect Whitmer is going to have a rough time with any elections down the road…if she makes it that far.