Governor Granholm - My Champion Advocate for Stem Cell Research

This week has been a tough one for me.
I lost my grandfather on Sunday to an illness. I'm lucky to still have another set of grandparents still with me, but they are each fighting a losing battle with a terminal illness. That's on top of monitoring my own health, because living with severe Crohn's Disease for 12 years now has taught me how quickly my own health can suffer from stress.
So why does this concern Michigan voters?

All three of my grandparents and myself have illnesses that could be cured and/or prevented through stem cell research. Governor Granholm has been fighting an up-hill battle with the Republican-controlled State Legislature to ease restrictions on stem-cell research. *You can even sign her online petition to the Legislature here.*

Dick DeVos? Not one to stop his extremism now, he's breaking with fellow Republicans like Nancy Reagan, Sen. Orin Hatch, and Arnold Schwarzenegger who all support the research.
Isn't ignorance a powerful tool used by those willing to deceive for personal/professional reasons?
Governor Granholm has my fierce support because of the all hard-work she's been doing, and it's not going unnoticed.

"If our nation is serious about improving both the cost and quality of health care, we must tap the full power of modern science to combat life-threatening illnesses in an ethically responsible manner," Granholm wrote. (Associated Press, 7/18/06)
“Talented researchers and businesses around the world are working right now on cures for these devastating diseases through the promise stem cell research holds. These cures could have tremendous impact on the lives of Michigan citizens who live with these illnesses and could ease the pain felt by their families.” - (State address 10/3/06)

Here in Michigan, Rep. Andy Meisner and my very own Senator Gretchen Whitmer have both introduced bills to allow for easier restrictions on stem cell research.
It's not just about curing illnesses though. Hundreds, possibly thousands of jobs could be created by opening up research opportunities in Michigan. One study even estimates that $440 Million dollars goes into stem cell research each year. That's a big part of the pie that we're missing out on. The Lansing State Journal is just as confused as the rest of us why the Republican's aren't doing more to help out us, their own constituents.

These politicians (Republicans) are playing to the emotions and rhetoric of the anti-abortion crowd. In doing so, they stymie the chances for expanded stem-cell research, which holds great promises for finding cures to some of humankind's more debilitating diseases
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No wonder Nature Magazine says Michigan has one of the most restrictive stem-cell laws in the country. No wonder Michigan will continue having trouble attracting and retaining top-notch talent in the life sciences, if such laws remain on the books. (Lansing State Journal Editorial 1/30/06)

With medical bills the number one cause of personal bankruptcy, why wouldn't more of our elected leaders fight to help alleviate the financial burden? We keep hearing about the fiscal responsibility that Republicans like Dick DeVos and Ken Sikkema preach. Where is the walk to accompany the talk?
Gov. Granholm has been working hard fighting for us, the middle and lower classes, the people who can't buy their way out of an illness, and are stuck with our insurance co-pays, if we're lucky enough to have insurance at all. Her hard-fought fight on stem cell research is just another reason why we need her for at least another four years. If not, who's left to fight for me and my family? Or better yet, you and your family?

~LL