Today, failure is not an option. Today, we are in the midst of one of the greatest crises that our state has ever faced. Today, we need our leaders in Lansing to show true leadership and that our votes all those weeks and years ago were not cast in vain. The way they can do this? Show Michigan and the country that 'lame duck' doesn't mean you can't make progress by passing some important legislation.
Much focus is being put on Washington and the massive bailout of the auto industry. However, the policies we enact here in Michigan can have just as profound an impact as that $25 billion on the future of our state. From how we vote to whether our schools can function to what happens when we need medical care, there is a lot at stake in what happens in just about a week.
Despite a very successful election several weeks ago, there are still barriers to voting in this state. The infamous "Rogers Law" stands as an impediment to many college students across the state registering to vote at the places they now live, and conflicting information about the requirements for absentee voting has a direct impact on the ability for college students and the elderly or infirmed to participate in our democracy. Legislation exists to provide for a repeal of "Rogers Law" and to provide no-reason absentee ballots- all that needs to happen is a Senate vote.
With the continuing economic downturn, more funding cuts are looking likely. While the Governor wants to protect education funding, Sen. Bishop said no, "there are no sacred cows" in this battle. The question of how to appropriate the money while dealing with the exigent circumstances in Detroit and other districts must be top of the agenda. In addition to this, our universities need clear assurances on the future of funding so they can plan accordingly. Our leaders need to remember that spending on schools is not just an expense, but an investment that will pay dividends years from now when we produce some of the best trained workers in the country.
After years of debate, the time has come for the Legislature to take action on individual market health care reform. The "Blues Bills" are sitting in the Senate chambers, just as they have been. With the uncertainty of the economy and employers slashing benefits left and right, many more are expected to turn to the individual market in the coming years. Wouldn't it be great if the state government could stand up for these people and let them know they will be treated fairly?
Despite these urgent issues, we are already starting to hear excuses for failure. Senator Bishop has stated that he has no problem adjourning early if it is clear 'nothing is getting done'. This statement is in line with what Michigan citizens have come to expect from Lansing. Our leaders need to realize that the power to get things done is in their hands, and make the sacrifices necessary to faithfully execute the oath they swore not to party or ideology, but to the people of Michigan.

GOTV. 'Get Out The Vote'. This should be familiar to members of our generation. In 2004 and 2006, campaigns such as 'Vote Or Die' sought to get us off of our Xboxes and Facebook and into our local polling precinct. Every election cycle, celebrities and political elites get together to encourage us Generation Y-ers to 'participate' in our democracy.

However, what does participation really mean? At a speech at Georgetown last month, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean claimed these programs worked, with 'participation' of 18-29 year olds up 61% . But these statistics define 'participation' as people who cast ballots.

At the same time, in 2006, we saw affirmative action, a stand-by principle of civil rights for Democrats and Republicans for almost 40 years, overturned in Michigan. In 2004, the 'Defense of Marriage Act' dealt a blow to both homosexual and heterosexual couples by denying either group the right to enter into a less-than-marriage living arrangement . 2004-2006 saw lawmakers such as Randy "Duke" Cunningham in California and Bob Ney of Ohio be re-elected, while the full extent of the Abramoff lobbying ring was just starting to come to light. Howard Dean's 2004 grassroots candidacy, targeted at college students, was knocked out by a billionaire whose campaign relied heavily on the older, 'traditional' base of the Democratic Party.

How is this possible then? If young people are truly being 'mobilized', then why do corrupt politicians keep being re-elected? Why do campaigns that are geared toward our generation fizzle out? Why do ballot initiatives pass that overturn the progressive social change our ancestors fought for, or are so poorly worded that they hurt people not even affiliated with the issue?

Straw poll time. Have you ever been to the state capitol or local city hall of your own free will? If so, one point. Have you ever sent a letter to an official, without having your civics teacher force you, to voice your opinion on an issue? This one is two points. Have you ever researched a candidate not running for President, or a ballot proposal to form your own opinion of it? Give yourself three for this one. Now, the $64,000 question: have you ever volunteered or donated to a campaign or an organization supporting a platform you agree with? A whopping five points for those of you who have.

Total up the points. How many do you have? This is the true test of political participation. To those of you with three or more points: congratulations, your civics class did not fail you. These people know what avenues were built into our democratic system to allow them the ability to voice their opinions besides voting. To anyone with more points than 3, you are great examples of citizens taking the power of government in their own hands.

However, there's another category: those with one point or less. Unfortunately, it seems that most college students (and adults for that matter) fall into this category. While they may vote, they are not informed on the issues or candidates. Many may have an apathetic view of government and lament how 'corrupt' politicians are. This is always crystallized for me by the 'George Bush Is Stupid'-Democrat: people who know nothing except the mantra that George W. Bush is "stupid", and think that they should vote for whoever has a "D" next to their name.

Is this truly participation? Have we really been deluded into thinking that voting is all that is needed for a democratic government to function? If vague mantras, partisan politics, and glitzy media campaigns are all that people have to base their vote off of, no wonder we have seen our government become so ineffective. GOTV shouldn't focus on getting people into the polls; it should be about educating the electorate and making up for where our civics education has failed.

Sandra Day O'Connor wrote, "One way of getting people to protect our system is to be sure that they understand it." In 2008, our system will be in danger. Do we re-elect the same party hacks who have ridden roughshod over our nation for the past decade, or do we take our country back? In this struggle, GOTV is not the answer. Real democratic engagement and participation is. Let's show the talking heads in DC and the rest of the world what we really think of the government by getting involved in our democracy and fighting for real change.

Many have endorsed the new primary date with the rational that "Michigan's issues" were on display in the national sphere, and that the media and candidates would have to start addressing the issues that are important to Michigan voters rather than just those important to New Hampshire and Iowa. The question is: did this really come to fruition? Did the candidates, Republican or Democrat, address real Michigan issues, or just give the same superficial stump speeches that would work in any state?
CNN, Fox News, and every other media outlet have been hammering Michigan for having the highest unemployment rate in the country, citing the legacy of the auto industry contractions of the past decade or so. And what happens after they mention the Big Three? Commercial break before the next story. The same goes for the candidates who campaigned here. John McCain and Mitt Romney got into a tussle over Romney's desire to bring auto jobs back and McCain's view that we need to create new jobs. Beyond that, silence. The rest of their speeches were simply modified stump speeches, the same things they said in South Carolina and New Hampshire.
Great Lakes protection? Urban sprawl? Education reform? Health care? Mortgage crisis? Where are these issues in the debates? Michigan, with its gorgeous environment threatened by urban expansion and falling lake levels, some of its schools among the worst in the nation, millions of uninsured, and thousands upon thousands who have already or are in danger of losing their homes, is more diverse than car company jobs. It will take a lot more than a snap primary to force candidates to address these controversial yet vital issues here.

-Tom Choske

Many have seen the Mitt Romney campaign ads in Michigan on the television, where he stands in a warehouse lamenting the growth of China and pledging to implement policies to keep the US as the 'world's only economic superpower'.

However, while he makes these statements, Bain Capital (the investment firm he found and led in a state other than Michigan) is doing the opposite. 3com, an established and respected American semiconductor manufacturer, has recently come on hard times. In a bid to gain more access to the American market and 3com's advanced technology, a group of Chinese investors came together in an attempt to take over the company. And, guess what company was partnering with them in this bid: the same Bain Capital.

When making a choice for president, or even for candidates, make sure you have the full story. Vote for people who stand up for America, in both word and deed. Romney has failed that test, and has failed the people of Michigan.

Referenced from the Financial Times

In the November 1st State News, columnist Leo Madarang wrote on why Mitt Romney was the 'right man' to be president. In it, he stated that Governor Romney's qualifications as a former CEO of Bain Capital and his gubernatorial accomplishments are the reasons he is the 'right man' to lead America.

However, there is another man in the race who was also a CEO and also a successful governor, plus an international player. This is Governor Bill Richardson. Toe-to-toe, he has many times more accomplishments than the entire Republican field put together. Under his stewardship, New Mexico balanced its budget five years in a row, and even grew its rainy day fund by over $4 billion. His tax cuts have been targeted to give low-income and middle-income people a break, and also to attract businesses small and large. His policies have created over 80,000 new jobs, lowering unemployment to the lowest it's been in 30 years. Richardson also has international experience, disarming dictators and saving lives.

The only thing Romney has that Richardson doesn't is a vague Michigan connection. However, if he is truly 'Michigan's son', then why did he move out? Where did he open up his company? Where was he when Michigan was going through hard times before? The answer is: not here. Now, when Michigan is useful to him in the campaign, he comes back pandering.

When making a decision for whom best to run the country, look at the facts. Don't get swayed by political pandering.

Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Richardson

This past week, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed legislation to move Michigan's presidential primaries up to January 15th. Already, there have been strong reactions to this in the media. Passing this legislation was a grievous mistake, and has bad ramifications for the State of Michigan, as well as the state of democracy.

Ever since the Senate passed this bill along party lines, there has been speculation as to what would happen if Michigan joined Florida in contesting the rules of the Democratic and Republican parties. Several candidates, including Clinton, Obama, Richardson, and Dodd, signed a pledge to not campaign in any state that violates caucus/primary guidelines. On the Republican side, Michigan may loose half of its delegates to the RNC due to this violation of their rules.

This legislation also has negative ramifications for the State's fiscal crisis. Normally, each party is required to pay for and host their own primary in whatever manner they see fit. However, now the responsibility is shifted to the State. Each polling precinct is now required to mobilize for these member-only elections. These costs will come out of the State's coffers. When looking in the hole of a $1 billion deficit, tacking on another $10-12 million is fiscally irresponsible, especially when these votes are not open to all citizens.

Changing our primary date will also impact democracy in this state. Already Michigan is struggling to be significant in national politics; by turning away candidates, it will only hurt our standing. Instead of welcoming all candidates and giving them an equal footing, voters will be ill-informed of the real choices they have. The less-well covered candidates, such as Governor Bill Richardson, will be at a disadvantage to the 'media rock stars' of Clinton and Obama.

Do not support this irresponsible crimp on democracy. Let your voice be heard in opposition to this horrible idea, and preserve the sanctity of democracy, and the contents of our bank accounts.

-Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Richardson

To the Editors of The State News:

I would like to write today in regards to the cartoon printed in the Wednesday, August 29, 2007 edition of The State News, relating to the 'reservations' some seem to have with Senators Obama and Clinton in their bid for the presidency. The portrayal of Obama as a weak child and of Clinton as enraged and manly, was offensive, and takes away credibility from those who do have legitimate concerns with their leadership ability. Senator Obama could be viewed as inexperienced, it is wrong to characterize him as weak. While Senator Clinton does appear to many to be too much of a 'Washington insider', the gender jokes should be reserved for a more appropriate venue, such as the halls of a local middle school.

The cartoon also continues to demonstrate the unwillingness of The State News to cover the other candidates in the Presidential Roundup. The Republicans are virtually nonexistent in coverage, and solid Democrats such as Bill Richardson or John Edwards seem wholly discounted.

If you are going cover politics, cover them equally and fairly. Do not hop on to one train of thought and ride it to the detriment of those more legitimate. As an influential publication with a large readership, you have the duty to be fair to your readers, and provide them with content that caters to the college intellect, rather than the gutter-mindedness of teenagers.

-Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Richardson