Tag: state of the state

I may be a Republican and Governor Granholm may be a Democrat, but I truly want her to succeed. She is my governor -- she is our governor.

I firmly believe it's time for our leaders in Lansing to end the partisan political charade that's crippled state government and resulted in massive skepticism amongst the citizenry.

We need a political atmosphere that puts Michigan ahead of partisan politics.

The tired, old ideas of Lansing politicians aren't working anymore.

We need to think outside the box with solutions that put our great state first and foremost.

It may be the second decade of the twenty-first century, but Lansing is still looking at our challenges in a twentieth century mindset.

That needs to change.

Just as Governors Romney and Milliken were the new leaders of their generation, Michigan desperately needs new leaders for these challenging times.

We need leaders that understand government isn't the solution.

When it comes to ensuring a brighter future, Lansing -- and government at all levels -- must get out of the way of innovation and job-creators.

This will require significant overhauls and reforms of government.

We need a government that reflects the realities of the twenty-first century.

Our structure of government simply doesn't make sense.

We must reduce the burden of government on the wallets of families and the cash registers of businesses.

And most importantly, we have to stop waving goodbye to our future.

Michigan has lost one family every 12 minutes and over 20,000 students at the K-12 levels will leave our great state before the school year ends.

That is unacceptable and must stop.

We can't continue waving goodbye to our future doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers, innovators, job-creators and civic leaders.

I have lost almost all of my friends -- your children and grandchildren -- in the last few years.

Michigan's great diaspora must end.

But it won't end unless we, the citizenry, send a new generation of leaders to Lansing that understands our challenges and are committed to ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Are you willing to send a message?

I am.

And that's why I'm running for the State House.

I want to stay in my our great state.

It was Michigan ingenuity, Michigan entrepreneurship and Michigan innovation that built this country.

Our challenges may be unprecedented, but they aren't insurmountable.

And with your help, we can do this.

Governor Jennifer Granholm will be remembered as Michigan's worst governor.. ever.  She is the poster child for the new democrats, the far left socialist, control and micro manage fairness crowd.  Here, and in other places nationally, Granholm's results are recognized as where the country now goes with her ideological twin, Barack Obama, along with partners in crime Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.

Gratuitous hyperbole?

Perhaps.  But more appropriately, criticism earned. The buck stops at the Governors mansion, and it is undeniable that Michigan had previously weathered other recessions better than the rest of the nation.  In fact THIS recession of Michigan's began BEFORE the nation felt it.  Perhaps Michigan has been the anchor holding the bow to the waves in rough seas prior, but now it has fallen off the proverbial ledge and now acts more like cement shoes pulling it under those waves.

Former Representative Jack Hoogendyk writes:

   Come show Lansing that the light of liberty still burns brightly in the hearts of Michigan Patriots! While the legislators and lobbyists gather to listen to Governor Granholm share her view of the State of the State, Tea Party Patriots will gather outside to hear a Tea Party State of the State! Then we can surround the outside of the Capitol as a tribute to the 9-12 philosophy of "We Surround Them."

    "Common Sense in Government" will provide glow sticks. Please do not bring candles, as they drip wax that has to be cleaned up, but feel free to bring your own glow sticks! Hot Chocolate will be available.

    We hope to see you there,

   Wednesday, February 3, 2010
    6:30 - 8:30 PM
    Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, MI

If you haven't heard, Michigan has been in a recession.   In fact, it has been an ongoing problem for about 5 or 6 years.  The funny thing is, though the country is now getting a taste of what Michigan has endured in that time, there will be many throughout the country that have the same willful ignorance of the cause of their malaise.

Sadly some of the most skilled orators are the most deceptive.

Trusting her judgment is not an option any longer.  In fact, there is nothing redeeming about the miserable failure Jennifer Granholm and the machine which placed her in the driver's seat of the work truck of the nation.  Michigan needs a mechanic pretty badly now, as the brakes are shot, the tank is 3/4 empty, and we are running on 2 flat tires.

But that's not really much of a surprise.  Here at RM we'd prefer a dose of reality and a step in the right direction as opposed to two paragraphs of reality and fifty-eight minutes of self-congratulation on minor perceived-victories.  

This was the same basic speech we've heard for the last half-decade.  There are serious problems in the state, here are two minutes worth of lip service about reforming government now let me tell you how cool I am, drop a bunch of buzz words and start creating a whole new batch of winners and losers.

In the past the press has fallen under the woman's siren spell and fawned all over her after the speech and in their coverage the next day, and there's still plenty of that going on today.  It was apparent, though, from the immediate post-speech commentary that something may have finally changed this year.  

Without having to worry about the damage they might do to their ideological compatriot's reelection chances, the press started to tee off right away.  The Off the Record panel, never usually failing to sip the Governor's happy juice, called her out for her disconnect from the broader issues driving Michigan's descent.

The editorial pages and job maker reaction is even tougher this morning.

Read on...

Thank you for this opportunity to offer the Republican perspective on the state of our state.