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.