The majority of Michigan citizens have been to at least one of the Great Lakes, if only once. In fact, a large number of Midwesterners have come to Lake Michigan, Huron, Superior, Erie, or Ontario to swim, boat, fish, or any number of other reasons.

Besides supporting Michigan's tourism industry, which is the second largest contributor to our state's economy after manufacturing, the Great Lakes are an important environmental resource, housing any number of freshwater fish and plants. Their freshwater reserves, the largest surface reserves in the entire planet, supply thirsty Michigan and mid-western agriculture (the third largest economic contributor), in addition to many thirsty Michigan citizens, the water necessary to live and grow.

However, what would happen if those lakes weren't there anymore? What would happen if one or more of the lakes were put off limit to tourists and residents, citing high pollution levels? What if the water was unable to be pumped to the cherry producers in Traverse City or the soybean growers in Monroe, let alone to the pipes that wet-the-whistle of Michigan residents daily?

Some would tell you that this will never happen. They have the same false logic as many outside of the state: that Michigan is 'awash' in water. The water cycle, they say, ensures that the thousands of thousands of gallons wasted to water lawns and from table-water at restaurants will somehow comeback to the Great Lakes to be consumed again.

Why then are the Lakes at the lowest levels they have ever been? Why do certain areas of Michigan have to enact water moratoriums every summer to control dwindling water supplies amid drought conditions? The answer is: we do not have unlimited water to do with as we please. The wasteful practices that we have been indulging in for decades are combining with the effects of climate change to come back to haunt us. Unless we change our outlook on the Great Lakes and the environment, we will rapidly destroy the state many of us have come to treasure.

Hope is not lost though. Change is slowly beginning to happen. In 2005, Gov. Jennifer Granholm pushed the Great Lakes, Great Michigan! initiative through the Michigan Legislature. Constraints were placed on Dasani and other water-bottling companies, preventing them from sucking our lakes completely dry. In 2006 and 2007, the Legislature began to make progress on regulating aquifer tapping (the process of draining the ground-water that supplies the lakes, streams, rivers, tributaries, and us), another step in fighting low lake levels. Also, the public outcry was amazing when BP wanted to dump vast amounts of ammonia and sludge into Lake Michigan, with Facebook groups, websites, and the whole nine yards of grassroots activism coming into play to protect our most treasured resource.

Despite this progress, there is more that needs to be done. Michigan, while the only state to border 4 of the 5 Great Lakes, is only one of the seven American states that has territorial claims to them. Efforts need to be taken so that, when Michigan prevents a company from draining the lakes, they don't just relocate to Illinois or Wisconsin to continue their destructive practices. The strongest attempt to do just this is the Great Lakes Compact, an eight-state legislative package that, when fully ratified, will put the power to control water withdrawals into the hands of the people, rather than a few legislators.

This compact, though, is falling victim to the water-politics it is seeking to abolish. Two states (Illinois and Minnesota) have already passed it, while the other states and Michigan are considering it. Wisconsin and Ohio are presenting a challenge to this bill, wanting to amend it to allow more areas than just Great Lakes-basin areas to withdraw water. This is problematic as the compact only goes into effect if every state passes the same language. If one state refuses to agree, it acts as a veto, sinking the entire project.

There is no excuse for this. Politicians from both parties need to have the leadership necessary to fight politics-as-usual and make a decision with the interests of the people in mind, rather than their careers. It is at this point we, the people, need to stand up and show our elected officials that we will not support continuing the policies of the past that risk destroying the Great Lakes, the environmental jewel that sustains us and provides us great enjoyment.

-Tom Choske

Civil war in Chad. This democratic country that has stood against the forces of tyranny for years is now falling victim to the march of extremist terrorism. However, far from being motivated by a distorted religious creed, this terrorism is motivated by fear: fear of what could happen if responsible countries pushed to end the Darfur genocide.
The terrorists invading the capital of Chad are the same ones murdering hundreds of thousands in Darfur. They are attacking the government of a country that has allowed the refugees the hope to escape this tragedy. If others join Chad to put an end to this genocide, the Janjaweed's free reign of terror would be squashed. This scares them.
There is something we can do here. We can make the terrorists more afraid. If Michigan divests from companies aiding the Janjaweed, it will push the US government to take more action against these terrorists. They know that the only thing keeping them alive is the apathy of the first-world nations. Fight apathy. Fight terrorism. Push for Sudanese divestment in the Michigan Senate.

While not as sexy as drug overdoses or the withering away of Fred Thompson's presidential aspirations, the crisis in Darfur is still going on, unabated. Despite the lack of media attention, it is imperative that we act to help turn the situation around.
Earlier this year, the African Union mission was replaced with a UN-Hybrid force. However, the Sudanese government has refused to allow this force the equipment it needs to carry out its mission, in addition to banning troops from some major donor nations. Unless this changes soon, this force will be rendered as ineffective as the AU force of old.
Michigan can help. $150 million of taxpayer dollars are invested in companies that support President Al-Bashir's genocide. If Michigan passes HB 4854 and SB 555, it would join with 22 other states in pressuring these companies to change their tune.
Please help. Urge your state senator to call for the introduction and passage of these groundbreaking pieces of legislation. Together, we can make a difference.

-Tom Choske

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

Much has been debated lately about the wisdom, timing and style of electing presidential candidates in the state of Michigan. Too much of the discussion has majored on minors: Who's running, Who's the blame, Primary or Caucus, or What process will favor our pet candidate.

Yet the bigger issues - the ones that will last far beyond the next few months are crying out for recognition. Roland Martin, CNN journalist, has taken the side of Michigan and Florida in insisting that the rest of the country should be able to participate in selecting our President. He says:

"Michigan, Florida and others have seen their state officials change the law to force their primaries to the top of the election calendar so that they might have a greater say in who is president. While these changes have created a huge mess for the campaigns - they are not sure exactly when the voting will take place - I must admit that I'm on the side of the states. It is grossly unfair for Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina to pretty much decide the presidency."

He goes on to say, "Iowa and New Hampshire residents want to keep saying it's about tradition. I think it's about money. The TV stations, newspapers, hotels, restaurants, sign companies and other businesses make a ton of dough off these candidates, and they don't want that cash cow to feed others."

I think Roland is right. A democratic government is supposed to be of the people, for the people and by the people. By virtue of this current process, we have developed a caste system - political haves and have nots.

It is time to break the power grab and make Democratic and Republican candidates run for the President of the United STATES. Not just Iowa and New Hampshire.

The death toll is rising, and you money is making it possible.
Currently, Michigan tax dollars are supporting companies that aid the Sudanese government in its genocide in Darfur. Already 400,000 have died in addition to the over 2 million refugees. This needs to stop.
Michigan can make a difference. Existing legislation would divest our tax dollars and tuition dollars from companies aiding the genocide. Together with the other 20 states doing this, Michigan can say with a clear voice that, just as we didn't support Apartheid, we don't support genocide.
However, this legislation is sitting in a Senate committee, never receiving a vote. While the House voted divestment through almost unanimously, the Senate is, once again, playing politics with people's lives.
The people of Darfur need this. Michigan needs this. Please call your legislator and urge them to bring Senate Bill 555 and House Bill 4854
up for a fair vote.
-Tom Choske and Jeff Lakin
President and Vice President for Government Outreach (respectively)
Spartans For Progressive Divesment

Yesterday, the United Nations released a statement that the government of Sudan is, once again, failing to comply with UN Security Council Resolutions. Unless they allow all Peacekeepers into the country, hundreds of thousands more will die.

Michigan can make a difference. Existing legislation would divest our tax dollars and tuition dollars from companies aiding the genocide. This would hurt the Sudanese President in a very tender place: his wallet. Also, it would make a statement that Michigan doesn't want Lansing to send its money to foreign companies that help murder innocent civilians.

However, this legislation is sitting in a Senate committee, never receiving a vote. Certain lawmakers are stifling this legislation for political gain, much as they did for the budget. We all know how bad that was for the university and the state.

The people of Darfur need this. Michigan needs this. Please call your legislator and urge them to bring Senate Bill 555 and House Bill 4854 up for a fair vote.

-Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Progressive Divestment

Darfur needs our help. The United Nations has released a statement that, unless the government in Khartoum fully complies with UN Resolutions and allows all aid into the country, the peacekeeping mission will fail and hundreds of thousands more will die.

Michigan has legislation to divest from companies aiding the genocide, hitting the Sudanese President where it hurts: his wallet. However, this legislation is sitting in a Senate committee, never receiving a vote.

The people of Darfur need this. Michigan needs this. Please call your legislator and urge them to bring Senate Bill 555 and House Bill 4854 up for a fair vote.

-Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Progressive Divestment

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

As the media goes, so does the American populace. As Darfur seemed to be getting better with the UN Peace Keepers and the cease-fire, the media and the people seemed to hop to the next story of the day, be it OJ Simpson or Britney Spears.

However, the crisis is not any better, and UN Peace Keepers are meeting stiff resistance from the Sudanese government. While thousands continue to die per day in Darfur, the attention of the United States and other powers wanes.

Certain people are attempting to make a difference. As the only presidential candidate to have been to Sudan, Governor Bill Richardson has a clear policy to bring the might of the United States to bear on the Sudanese regime, forcing a true cease fire and real humanitarian relief.

2008, though, is a long way away. State Senator Hansen Clarke and Representative Alma Wheeler-Smith have legislation in Lansing to divest Michigan pension funds from companies found by analysts to be complacent in the genocide in Darfur. With the budget focus, and the counterproductive partisanship of the majority in the Senate, these bills need a popular push to get through, and start making a difference.

I urge you, contact your representatives. Get involved. Help us prevent another 500,000 from dying a needless death because of our apathy.-

-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