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.

Buy Local!

As you eat your next meal, spend a few minutes thinking about where what you are about to eat comes from. Chances are, whether you’re seated in a restaurant or at your own dinner table, the food you’re about to consume has traveled a few miles. A typical carrot has been nearly 1900 miles before getting to you according to a published study. Atlantic Salmon, featured at eateries and sold by grocers everywhere is caught off the coast of Norway. As Jeff Rubin, in his book “Why your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller” points out that from there, it is sent to mainland Europe, then to China where it is thawed, processed, and refrozen before being sent to the United States.

As I think of the distance food travels, I think of the number of Salmon and fishermen working in the Great Lakes. My mind also turns to the carrots currently growing in the garden behind my house. As the economy continues to stagnate, I cannot help but think of what a strong impact buying local can have in stimulating economies. Not only would consumers get fresher produce, local farmers would benefit.

The concept of urban agriculture continues to grow in Detroit. Abandoned lots are being converted into community gardens to supply the fresh produce restaurants and local consumers are eating each evening. There is also the rise of CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) in which shares of the fruits and vegetables produced at small farms sold to local consumers. Farmer’s Markets provide yet another way to purchase local food. Studies indicate that 80 to 90 cents of every dollar spent at a Farmer’s Market directly benefit those who bring their produce to sell.

Buying local keeps money within communities and is something we can all do to help improve the economy.

A curtain call

Great news arrived this week in word that General Motors will build their new, European-style small car in Oakland County at the Orion Plant. This decision will create jobs in an area in desperate need. There is speculation this move could also create jobs for auto suppliers.

Michigan is also cheering GE who brought 1200 jobs to the state.

As I opened the newspaper this morning, I saw pictures of Michigan's governor, celebrating the successes and talking about her own good work in helping these jobs land in Michigan. Make no mistake, The Governor deserves praise for her effort. That said, I could not help but wonder, where has this been since she took office in 2003? With so many jobs lost, and coming up on the short end of these decisions so often, I can't help but think how much better off the citizens of the state would be had she been this successful more often.

A practical solution

According to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor, nearly 100,000 villages in India exist without electricity. The 80 million of those villagers are part of a world, inhabited by nearly 1.5 billion people who cannot "turn the lights on" after dusk. These people are limited, unable to read, or do much of anything once the sun goes down. Those who can afford lighting use kerosene lamps, an inefficient, and for some, expensive method of lighting their homes.

Enter a Non-Governmental Organization, the Grameen Surya Bijli Foundation. This group, as part of the Dignity through Electricity Program, are working to bring light to these villagers in a way that is cheaper and less harmful to the environment. This group has designed lamps, which utilize LEDs (light emitting diodes) run on solar energy. They cost $55 to install (a cost picked up by the Foundation) and provide lamps to these people, which are charged by the sun and have four hours of light.

The benefits to these lamps are countless. It's nearly 200 times more efficient than kerosene (50 times more efficient than a 100 watt bulb for that matter) and are much better environmentally. Moreover, they are cost neutral. They last for years, saving energy and money. What villagers spent on kerosene can be saved and invested in other ways, such as paying for school materials for children.

A problem for the Foundation is importation of LEDs. Currently, they are produced in China and shipped to India. Should the NGO grow and be capable of building their lamps in India, the cost of a lamp would drop from $55 to and estimated $22. It would also bring jobs, growing the economy.

Joining the Grameen Surya Bijli Foundation is the Studylite lamp, recently profiled in Wired magazine. These provide 6 hours of light and run on 24 LED bulbs. These lamps are expensive, costing $33. Should a NGO become involved, these could also be an affordable solution.

This work, a practical alternative energy solution solves a real problem experienced by people on the other side of the world. It's easy to see how much capacity could be built by increasing the hours light is available to these people. Should you be interested in more, their website is www.suryabijlee.com.