An outsider, really?

For a non-politician, Rick Snyder is doing a masterful job of manipulating the electoral system and reading the polls. His recent move to agree to one debate after shutting down negotiations with the Bernero campaign, should raise a red flag on the current favorite to be Michigan’s next Governor. Snyder has a vague ten point plan, but has yet to do anything to show real courage. The “tough nerd” has yet to behave in a way that is “tough.” He avoided debates during the primary, and to my knowledge, has yet to speak before an audience that contain his critics. How can we trust his ability to work with the legislature and “reform government” if he cannot outdebate Lansing’s mayor or speak to a critical audience.

Make no mistake, I don’t write here to proclaim Virg Bernero as the next savior of Michigan. Yet, I do give him credit for taking action. He saw a roadblock to debates and was aggressive in his work to engage Snyder. He has shown himself willing to speak before any crowd, at any time. His personality has shown toughness, something he deserves credit for.

In the early 1960s, John Kennedy and Barry Goldwater (two men with strong differences of opinion) agreed to campaign for the Presidency together, speaking before crowds to articulate their differences. This proposal for real education of the public about who to vote for is sadly missing in a place that needs leadership, Michigan. I hear the arguments made against debates, that they are no more than glorified campaign commercials. If that’s what Snyder is trying to avoid, why not make a proposal to change the rules and create a real debate? That would be a stronger statement of leadership that avoidance.

Refusing, or avoiding debates is the weakest move a politician can make. Don’t look now, but the “outsider” shows a real knowledge of how to work the system.

The Tea Party, ensuring the survival of the President's majority in the Senate?

Sharron Angle, Carly Fiorina and Rand Paul. Three candidates for the United States Senate (from Nevada, California and Kentucky respectively) that won their primaries in large part due to support from those activists closely associated with the Tea Parties. In Michigan, a Republican Candidate for governor trailing in the polls (Mike Bouchard) has started to recruit this constituency to boost his chances at being the nominee from his party next November. What's clear in Republican Primaries based on these results is the Tea Party has a foothold among voters. Anti-incumbent views, as well as a message of fiscal restraint seem to resonate with so many who are voting in primary elections. However, how will some of the following messages fare in the general election?

- Candidate Paul has indicated the Civil Rights Act was a mistake and an example of government intrusion into business, something he opposes.

- Candidate Fiorina opposes cap and trade policies, a reasonable position to take, but goes a step further by saying those who are concerned about climate change are "worried about the weather."

- Candidate Angle has advocated no regulation for oil companies, elimination of social security, and for the criminalization of alcohol consumption.

While these positions (rather right of center in my opinion) have resonated with a group of Republican primary voters, I wonder how they will be viewed in the general election. While some on the news are predicting "another 1994" marked with significant losses for the Democrats in the legislature, I'm not so sure. Make no mistake, I do believe Republicans will win seats next November, and think it's a strong chance they may control the House of Representatives. However, I don't know that some of the far right positions being advocated will bring about the significant election results some are prognosticating. The Tea Party movement and Sarah Palin may lessen the blow to the President and Democrats, particularly in the Senate. Are independent voters in California or Nevada likely to support positions that are anti-environment? Will Rand Paul really gain support with independents in Kentucky? There views, in my opinion, will not help them succeed in November - when the real elections happen.

This very situation played out in the United Kingdom over the past decade. In opposition to Tony Blair and the Labour government, the Conservatives became more and more extreme in their rhetoric. The result? Labour leadership in Parliament until this year, when a moderate conservative had to form a coalition government and the transition finally occurred.

A new year

The calendar has turned to 2010, meaning it has officially become "election year" in Michigan. 365 days from now, we'll be preparing to inaugurate a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and countless Representatives and Senators. The politicians have begun, I received 4 e-mails from candidates asking for money today, on top of the requests that came earlier this month. Each e-mail, letter, or phone call has talked about big ideas, bold strategies, and identified many of the problems our state faces. Some talk of business acumen, while others point out a track record of working with other people. One candidate refers to his ability to listen to the citizens, and like the others, promises to "work for me" to make Michigan better.

Absent from any of these mailings is the answer to the question most forefront in my mind, "what have you already done?" So many people running that are asking for support are veterans of government (for my thoughts on this, see my earlier post) and are only looking for new seats to hold. To these men and women, I ask what their track record is. What reforms have they proposed? What bold ideas have they already taken up? Chances are, from the state of affairs in Michigan, there has not been much. Democrats have too often conformed to the ideals of lobbyists, while Republicans in the minority have been a party of opposition rather than alternative. One side proposes an idea, the other side opposes that idea, and nothing has gotten done. Anyone currently in government has failed their constituents, and those who are now running for another term in another office should be held accountable.

- Proposal A has not worked, yet no one seems to have a plan to fund schools.

- Term limits have not worked, they've only caused professional politicians to corrupt the system.

- Diversification of our economy has been dreadfully slow.

- Unions and special interests, who should have their power limited, control what officials will do and stop reforms.

- The bureaucracy of the state continues to protect the bureaucracy, limiting changes.

- Hard truths need to be told, yet no one from a leadership position wants to do so.

We need candidates that will be honest with us, speak to voters like adults, make hard choices, and stand by them, even if it costs an election. It will take courage to do what needs to be done, and some of this work will not make a person popular. Our situation right now is bigger than politics, if only someone realized it.

Term Limits, not quite working out.......

News came today that my representative in the state house, Jim Marleau, is a candidate for the state Senate. Why not run for another house term? The constitution won't allow it as he has served his third term. My representative on the County Board of Commissioners plans to run for the open seat that will now be open. Marleau, if successful, will replace my representative in the state Senate, who is now a candidate for Attorney General. The Attorney General of Michigan is, according to polls, pulling away from the Democratic leaders in a mock general election for Governor.

Term Limits, approved by citizens of Michigan in the 1990s, were designed to end the run of professional politicians. The concept breaks down the idea of a member of government serving term after term and creates the opportunity for new ideas. Sadly, those in Lansing are not ideal, as the professional politicians remain. Those who championed term limits continue to run for new offices, and frankly, haven't served the citizens all that well in recent years. Does anyone truly believe that by switching chairs that these people will be able to reform and improve state government? Professional politicians still exist, term limits have not accomplished what they were meant to do.

The leader of Michigan's Senate is running for Attorney General. Winning a Republican primary by doing anything that may raise taxes will be difficult at best, meaning he's unlikely to allow any bill on to the floor of the Senate that may raise revenue. The leader of the Michigan House is suspected to be running for Governor, making me wonder how long it will be before he begins rolling out an agenda to put him in a stronger place for the primary election against John Cherry.

Through redistricting, as well as the support of special interest groups, it's very difficult to defeat an incumbent in an election. Political parties, loyal to those currently holding a legislative position, discourage citizens from running against officeholders in a primary election. These factors make it easy for politics to become a career, not what the founders of our nation envisioned when they set up our government. To combat this, the citizens of Michigan approved term limits in 1992. The idea, to end the notion of career politicians and bring new views to state government was supported by nearly 60 percent of the voters when the ballot initiative passed. Sadly, the current leadership in the legislature remains led by career politicians, focused on the next election and protecting themselves rather than being honest with citizens.

In a perfect world, citizens would be elected, serve the best interest of the people and then return to the private sector to live under the same laws they created. This would promote honest, fair, and effective government. Term Limits should take the eyes of legislators off of elections and focus them on issues. If only they were successful.

Thanksgiving - Food, Family, and Football

On the day after Thanksgiving, as I sat down to relax and watch a game, I got to thinking about the deep tradition of college football, part of the reason I love the sport as much as I do. I enjoy thinking and learning about the storied history of rivalries, games, and moments so many have enjoyed over the years.

It caused me to thinking about which games, regardless of ranking, records, coaches, or players, fans watch every year. The match-ups that enthusiasts just refuse to miss, regardless of circumstance.

For me, I thought of the following games that I always watch, no matter who is coaching, starting at quarterback or having a bad year:

Notre Dame/USC
Michigan/Ohio State
Army/Navy
Texas/Oklahoma
Nebraska/Colorado

The Rose Bowl

Quick hits on a Sunday

I was so excited to see an advertisement for the NHL season opener on Versus. Someone should point out to those at the network that next time they make a commercial, they may want to include when the games will be shown.

Can it be the Tigers are playing meaningful baseball in September?

The President gave some great speeches this week. The one I enjoyed the most probably received the least coverage. Should you get time, check out his remarks from Thursdays meeting at the Clinton Global Initiative. If you find yourself consistently let down by government, check out the work of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), which will remind you that a better world really is possible.

President Bush was at the Cowboys game last Sunday, looking like he's enjoying retirement. Think he ever considers applying to be the Commissioner of Major League Baseball? Selig is on his way out, "W" may be the man for the job.

Starting to feel like fall in Michigan, the leaves are changing!

If so many people detest Glenn Beck, why does he sell so many books and have such high ratings for his cable program? Moreover, why does he receive so much media coverage?

I'll be the minority opinion, I like the new Jay Leno show.

A state lacking leadership

This morning's Detroit Free Press features a short story about a state representative who met with some constituents at a recent coffee event in her district. During the meeting, she proposed doubling the beer tax in Michigan, which was met with fierce opposition. Those gathered could not fathom increasing a tax, much less doubling one. However, once they discovered that doubling the tax would cost them 3.8 cents, and would bring in enough revenue to preserve the Promise Scholarship, many were open to a nickel tax on beer.

If those who buy beer were willing to kick in 30 cents for each six pack they purchase, college for so many kids would be more affordable. Why don't we have leaders that can trust the populace to be intelligent enough to understand such an idea?

Michigan's economy is in shambles. The collapse of the auto industry has put a pinch on every family in the state. We live in times that require leaders, yet, there are so many that run for office in Lansing that won't lead out of fear of losing the next election. This morning we see reports that indicate no members of the legislature (particularly the leadership) wants to struggle with the idea of raising revenue because 2010 is an election year.

Justice Holmes, a conservative member of the Supreme Court, once remarked that "taxes are the price we pay for civilization." Real leaders could explain why we need revenues, as well as make conscious decisions about budget cuts (perhaps beginning with the salary of legislators). Personally, I'd be more inclined to re-elect or vote for someone who could tell me the truth, even when it is difficult.

I pay my fair share of income tax to the state of Michigan, something so many others can say. That said, I'd be willing to pay more if it meant kids could go to better schools, we could find a way to help families send their kids to college, and we could find ways to deliver insurance to those who face bankruptcy if they find themselves faced with a life-threatening illness.

Sadly, in today's landscape of Michigan politics, my ideals won't be realized. There's no one with enough courage to express them in fear they may lose a primary election.