Governor Sarah Palin and Senator John McCain contribute nothing of value for the common good between the two of them. What they have are lies, distortions, distractions, divisiveness, exaggerations, and paranoid ideations ("Lipstick on a Pig" remark).
Years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and some activist before him came along and pointed out to African Americans and White Americans that there were powers who benefited from "Jim Crow" while "Jim Crow" held both poor Whites and poor African Americans down. Those at the bottom and in the middle of the economic rung began to work together in the best interest of Americans. They realized that America is the American citizenry.
Today we have a chance to go boldly forward and "Turn America Around" leaving the negatives of the Bush Administration, the fears, and the decades of paralysis from the "isms" which reek of a stench some still fear to shed.
All love to cheer the patriot but few realize themselves as such. It has been not a uniform alone, not a physical or emotional wound alone, not the loss of freedom alone, nor physical pain alone. One's ability to love one's fellowman, with all of one's soul, and do the right thing by one's fellowman is the soldier's sole purpose for putting on a uniform, bearing physical pain and deprivation, and loosing one's freedom if need be.
Once the "patriot" can no longer be loyal/truthful to the citizens at large and to "the least of them", especially, that patriot is but "sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal". Let the past patriotic deeds be remembered with praise. However, a change for the people is necessary. The patriot and the needs of the patriot are not greater than those of the people he once served when in uniform.
I am an Obama supporter not because he is young and African American. I want my country to live up to the core democratic values we teach children everyday in school. Telling the truth is one of those major core values. We will not get either from McCain-Palin.   Read More »

We need one last push to get Lansing to FINALLY pass Sudan Divestment!

The Senate has the potential to show it won't play politics with the lives of innocent civilians in Darfur who are dying and running out of food and time.

However, we need your help to give one final push! Call or e-mail the Senate committee members to make them do the right thing and vote YES!

Suggested script: "As a concerned constituent, I would like to ask Senator_______________ to call for a vote on House Bill 4854, and vote YES to help save the people of Darfur at no cost to us!"

Please, call today!

The contact information for the leadership is is below:

Senator Mike Bishop: (517) 373-2417
senmbishop@senate.michigan.gov

Michelle McManus: (517) 373-1725
senmmcmanus@senate.michigan.gov

Alan Cropsey: 866-305-2133
senacropsey@senate.michigan.gov

Cameron Brown: (517) 373-5932
sencbrown@senate.michigan.gov

Mark Schauer: 888-962-6275
senmschauer@senate.michigan.gov

Buzz Thomas: 866-348-6304
senbthomas@senate.michigan.gov

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