The Republicans have their statewide convention this weekend in Lansing, where they will kickoff their attempt at reviving their party in the 2010 election cycle. Their main targets will be at taking back the Governorship on a platform that they know how to revive the state's economy.
How is anyone supposed to believe that from looking at the candidates? Rep. Pete Hoekstra was vocal in his opposition to the federal stimulus package to save and create thousands of jobs in Michigan, especially in his district. The other GOP candidates have followed suit in their opposition to saving our state.
They have even gone to the extreme of having former GOP chair and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour be the keynote speaker. He is so opposed to the stimulus that he will fight to keep the money from the people who need it the most. Quoth the DetNews:
"Barbour spokesman Dan Turner, for example, cited concerns that accepting
unemployment money from the stimulus package would force states to pay benefits to people who wouldn't meet state requirements to receive them"
That's right. The governor of one of the poorest states in the country is expected to fight against giving assistance to the poor. What's worse is the Michigan Republicans are endorsing these policies by giving Barbour the honor to address the leaders of their party.
Is this what Michigan Republicans believe is the way to save our failing economy, by imitating the policies of Mississippi? I sincerely hope so- that will make the 2010 cycle even more of an epic fail for Anuzis/Weiser and Co. than 2008 was.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Alma Wheeler Smith for Governor-A Great Candidate
Despite us being mere weeks out of one of the biggest elections in American history, there is always the desire to look to the future. Issues such as economic recovery in this state are much more far-reaching than just this year or next, and require long-term commitment.
When looking at the field of contenders who have emerged to offer their commitments to serve as the next governor of our state, I couldn't be more pleased. The Republican ticket is crowded with competitive politicians who are assured to have the most vitriolic primary in recent memory, while the Democrats are coming to bat with one of the best-stocked bullpens around.
Focusing only on the serious contenders (apologies to Don Williamson, George Perles, and Mark Hackel), and excluding those who have not filed but are expected to (including Robert Ficano) the Democrats seem to have two outstanding choices, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, and a candidate who just recently declared, State. Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith.
I was personally very heartened to hear that Rep. Alma Smith was going to run for governor again. Having worked with and met her several times in Lansing, I know that she has all the characteristics that our state needs in a leader going into the coming decade. Her experience, political acumen, and fortitude make her a great candidate and would also make her a fine governor.
To look at Alma Smith's resume is to see a life dedicated to public service. From the city, county, and state level, she has served the people of our state with distinction. In Lansing, she has spent time in both the state House and Senate, giving her the inside track on how politics work at the end of Michigan Avenue. Her experience on the Washtenaw County Commission and the School Board have also prevented her from becoming 'detached' from her constituents, as many in Lansing are known to do.
This wealth of experience has allowed Alma to become one of the most adept politicians that I have seen. After sitting in a meeting with her and several members of the Michigan Department of the Treasury, I witnessed first hand how she is able to fight fire with fire in a political debate and push through agendas that, at the outset, others may not be willing to do. In a mere thirty minutes, Alma managed to get the representatives from Treasury to go from being opposed to divesting money from the genocide in Sudan to becoming supporters of the bill, willing to testify in committee. This level of political skill is a key requirement for a governor who is going to have to fight lobbyists and entrenched special interests to enact the change our state so desperately needs.
All this experience and acumen would be for naught if it wasn't backed up with the most necessary requirement for any elected office: fortitude. The personal fortitude to stand up for what is right despite the costs is one of the defining characteristics she has. I think the most pertinent example is her decision to be the lone dissenting vote in the passage of the ineffectual resolution in the State House to 'reduce' legislative pay. This resolution was a superfluous document that could not reduce the pay, and did not further the real solution she advocates- putting a constitutional amendment in place voted on by the public. She stated that this resolution was only a political way to 'pull the wool over the public's eyes' instead of solving the real issue. Established and experienced lawyers agree with her assessment, and she was willing to stand up for it despite the politics associated with the issue.
I fully support both State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith and Lt. Gov. John Cherry in their bids for the Democratic nomination for Governor of the State of Michigan. However, I feel that it is important to bring to light these specific qualities of Rep. Smith that would make her a very effective candidate and governor. I wish all of the candidates the best of luck in the future.
When looking at the field of contenders who have emerged to offer their commitments to serve as the next governor of our state, I couldn't be more pleased. The Republican ticket is crowded with competitive politicians who are assured to have the most vitriolic primary in recent memory, while the Democrats are coming to bat with one of the best-stocked bullpens around.
Focusing only on the serious contenders (apologies to Don Williamson, George Perles, and Mark Hackel), and excluding those who have not filed but are expected to (including Robert Ficano) the Democrats seem to have two outstanding choices, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, and a candidate who just recently declared, State. Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith.
I was personally very heartened to hear that Rep. Alma Smith was going to run for governor again. Having worked with and met her several times in Lansing, I know that she has all the characteristics that our state needs in a leader going into the coming decade. Her experience, political acumen, and fortitude make her a great candidate and would also make her a fine governor.
To look at Alma Smith's resume is to see a life dedicated to public service. From the city, county, and state level, she has served the people of our state with distinction. In Lansing, she has spent time in both the state House and Senate, giving her the inside track on how politics work at the end of Michigan Avenue. Her experience on the Washtenaw County Commission and the School Board have also prevented her from becoming 'detached' from her constituents, as many in Lansing are known to do.
This wealth of experience has allowed Alma to become one of the most adept politicians that I have seen. After sitting in a meeting with her and several members of the Michigan Department of the Treasury, I witnessed first hand how she is able to fight fire with fire in a political debate and push through agendas that, at the outset, others may not be willing to do. In a mere thirty minutes, Alma managed to get the representatives from Treasury to go from being opposed to divesting money from the genocide in Sudan to becoming supporters of the bill, willing to testify in committee. This level of political skill is a key requirement for a governor who is going to have to fight lobbyists and entrenched special interests to enact the change our state so desperately needs.
All this experience and acumen would be for naught if it wasn't backed up with the most necessary requirement for any elected office: fortitude. The personal fortitude to stand up for what is right despite the costs is one of the defining characteristics she has. I think the most pertinent example is her decision to be the lone dissenting vote in the passage of the ineffectual resolution in the State House to 'reduce' legislative pay. This resolution was a superfluous document that could not reduce the pay, and did not further the real solution she advocates- putting a constitutional amendment in place voted on by the public. She stated that this resolution was only a political way to 'pull the wool over the public's eyes' instead of solving the real issue. Established and experienced lawyers agree with her assessment, and she was willing to stand up for it despite the politics associated with the issue.
I fully support both State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith and Lt. Gov. John Cherry in their bids for the Democratic nomination for Governor of the State of Michigan. However, I feel that it is important to bring to light these specific qualities of Rep. Smith that would make her a very effective candidate and governor. I wish all of the candidates the best of luck in the future.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Lt. Gov. Cherry at YDM Conference
Last Thursday I had the pleasure of hearing Lt. Gov. John Cherry address a group at the Young Democrats of Michigan convention in Detroit. At this meeting, the Lt. Gov. spoke on the vital role that technology plays in the increasing effectiveness of political participation by young people.
His speech was very eloquent, reminding the audience that each of us who has a cell phone has more power to immediately influence public policy than a group of lobbyists in decades past. To access the internet from anywhere, send messages to legislators through e-mail and other instant formats, and then invite all of our friends to do the same makes each of us a potent political force. However, apathy can stand in our way: the belief that we can't change our government is now the only obstacle to our generation.
In 2008, we saw a wave of 'change' and 'yes we can' attitudes sweep the country. It is in this new spirit that we can finally take the power from the entrenched special interests and force our leaders, up in their'ivory towers', to listen to us. With the major problems that our state and country face, it is this ability that can make this truly the 'greatest generation' and abandon the failed policies of the past.
To watch the speech, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/ltgovspeech
His speech was very eloquent, reminding the audience that each of us who has a cell phone has more power to immediately influence public policy than a group of lobbyists in decades past. To access the internet from anywhere, send messages to legislators through e-mail and other instant formats, and then invite all of our friends to do the same makes each of us a potent political force. However, apathy can stand in our way: the belief that we can't change our government is now the only obstacle to our generation.
In 2008, we saw a wave of 'change' and 'yes we can' attitudes sweep the country. It is in this new spirit that we can finally take the power from the entrenched special interests and force our leaders, up in their'ivory towers', to listen to us. With the major problems that our state and country face, it is this ability that can make this truly the 'greatest generation' and abandon the failed policies of the past.
To watch the speech, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/ltgovspeech
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