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.

Over-politicized

Next Tuesday, many students return to school to begin another academic year. For people such as myself, there's no better time. A combination of excitement, optimism, and anticipation for so many great moments combines to make this truly, one of my favorite periods of time on the calendar.

The President of the United States plans to address America's students next week. He plans to take on some pretty controversial topics, such as working hard, setting strong academic goals, and taking responsibility for their own learning. This has caused quite the buzz from the public, with parents clamoring they should be able to monitor the message of the President and decide whether or not it is appropriate for their children. The state of Texas, in a move to "protect children" is refusing to air the message at all. Words such as "indoctrination" and "ego" have been thrown around. In this morning's newspaper, the message was called a "waste of taxpayer funds."

While the President has plenty of supporters and opponents, I have to shake my head and wonder what our nation has come to. To take a moment and encourage the nation's young people to do their best and set high goals for themselves is exactly what we should want a President to do. I don't know parents or educators that are not going to encourage kids to work hard, set goals, or take ownership of their own education when the school year begins.

I'd prefer the address be taped - I oppose live television in classrooms - but that doesn't change my view, that someone who is successful encouraging the children of our nation to dream big is a perfect message at this time of year.

Disagree over health care, the stimulus bill, or any other policy you don't like. Bemoan his views on key issues that you see differently. Participate in the national debate. But don't keep your kids home from school on Tuesday because the President of the United States plans to tell the students of our nation to give their best effort this year.

Again, politics gets in the way.

Politics - Ruining good policy?

As debate over the health care bill rages, and as news of the budget debacle in California (reminding me of the last several budgets in Michigan) appears, it reminds me of just how hard it is to forge a good compromise in government. Politics, and the constant election cycle continues to make it nearly impossible to get anything done in Washington, Sacramento, Lansing, or in any other capital in the United States.

Republicans who attempt to forge a compromise are portrayed as "liberals" by Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and the conservative media. Democrats find similar hardship when working with Republicans, painted by those on MSNBC or Air America as too close to corporations or as "anti-Obama," perhaps the worst insult currently in leftist circles. The media demands that politicians are always campaigning, causing many to stick to their partisan ways and hindering any chance of real progress.

There were times in the past in which candidates would proudly pledge their ability to work with members of the other party. We now live in times that discourage such statements. The permanent campaign, set to begin again for the 2010 elections very soon, will do nothing but hinder the ability to make any meaningful policy.

Bill Bishop, in his book The Big Sort, wrote about how more and more Americans are moving to locations surrounded by like-minded individuals. These people are also, through cable news and the internet, only focusing on media that shares their perspective on the world. This thinking becomes dangerous, reducing ideas not to good or bad, but rather "ours" and "theirs."

A troubled economy, unsustainable social programs, war against terrorists, and plenty of other issues face those in government. These times call for good ideas, innovation, and compromise, several methods that have worked historically. Social programs, balanced budgets, reforms, and tax policy have been created in bi-partisan exchanges. Rather than demonizing Republicans and Democrats working together, we should, as citizens, encourage such behavior.