That's my state senator!

A lot of people think politics are more boring than watching paint dry. I would have to disagree, at least here in Lansing.

I got a chance to sit in on yesterday's Senate debate on the proposed Republican plan to slash K-12 funding. (Hazen Pingree's got the scoop over on MichLib)

There's definitely something to be said about being in the Majority. I'm sure we wouldn't have to deal with half the crap we have if the Democrats were in control of the state Senate. Today's debate about a $36 per pupil cut was like watching a bad car wreck. It was so terrible, you just couldn't peel your eyes away.

I wanted to stand up and clap after my state senator, Gretchen Whitmer took the floor. Here's her statement -

You know, when people talk about the Capitol and they say Lansing is out of touch, I’ve always taken great umbrage with that statement because, well, this is my great city that it’s my pleasure to represent. It’s a city of progressive people and it’s a beautiful city. It’s you people who are giving my city a bad name because it’s you who is out of touch.

A “yes” vote on this bill is a vote for our schools. Seriously? If you want to vote “yes” for our schools, you vote not to cut them. You vote to pay for our schools to live up to the promise which we made to every schoolchild in this state.

This is still a $36 per pupil cut. Money that ya’ll patted one another on the back last fall and said, “Oh, we’ve got a great deal for our schools.” Now you’re taking that back. You say in negotiations the Democrats have reneged. You are reneging to the students of this state by passing this bill.

I saw everyone in this chamber stand up and give Governor Granholm a standing ovation at the State of the State when she said we must not cut our schools. Here we are today, for a second time, you’re offering up to cut our schools. The only reason we’re doing this is because of your inaction. Putting forward a bill you know is unacceptable just says you’re going to continue to put politics over education in our state.

Make no mistake. By voting “yes” on this bill, you are voting to cut our schools.

Thank you Sen. Whitmer, for standing up for me, my city, and my state.

p.s. To see one highlight from last night's Senate train wreck, check out We're not in Cadillac anymore, Toto! on MichLib and see what Sen. Michelle McManus is doing to further the advancement of women in politics *snark*.

The Ability to Inspire

Every so often, I am fortunate enough to take part in a conversation that is so much more than just that - it's a stirring of emotion and memories, fuel to my inspirational fire, and a provocation to the very essence of who I am. It's a conversation so consuming, that I revel in the deliciousness of it.

Often, these conversations are completely unexpected and spring from the most unlikely of sources. It is this that provides the journey from which I collect the pieces of life to build not only who I am, but the direction in which I steer and how I proceed.

Today was one such occasion.

One of the most extraordinary points that I took away from it redefined my concept of teachers and teaching. Growing up the daughter and granddaughter of teachers, my previous concepts were pretty firmly cemented in my mind.

I had previously thought that teaching was about learning. What I realized today was that it's really about awakening a drive within.

I believe that within each of us lay infinite possibilities for who we will become and what we can do. As a community, I believe that we continually need to strive to awaken more within each of us. Think back to some of the most inspirational moments and people of your life. What was it about that moment or person that forever changed you?

While you're savoring that thought, imagine if you could pass along that moment of inspiration onto two other people, and they passed it on to two more, and so on. Imagine the possibilities to inspire your family, your friends, you community, your world. Imagine awakening a drive, a passion within someone and in that instance, becoming that mechanism for a positive change. What better a reward in life, than knowing you created change, simply by inspiring another.

I've never thought of myself as a teacher, that is, until today. Today's conversation with a wise soul taught me that we are all teachers, all with the ability to inspire and influence. The choice for each and everyone of us is whether or not we become that source to awaken a drive, a passion and literally change our world.

(Photo by 2wo from the Absolute Michigan photo pool)

The Homophobes within Michigan's Government

To say that I'm a fan of Jack Lessenberry is an understatement. If the world operated according to Liberal Lucy, Jack would be running for high office in 2008. I often read his columns and find myself saying "Why isn't he in the government? The folks in Lansing could take a page or two from his book." He's just that good.

This week's Metro Times column just goes to further solidify my faith in the Gospel of Jack Lessenberry. Bully for Nobody is a brilliantly sharpened jab at the thinly-veiled homophobes in the State's Legislature.

If you haven't heard of the anti-bullying bill that's in the House right now, you probably haven't seen much of the news the last month or so. Bullying = a bad thing, right? Generally if you have your wits about you, you'd agree. So what's the hold up on the bill? Well for starters, two very conservative state representatives - Jack Hoogendyke and John Moolenaar.

Hoogendyk and Moolenaar, you see, are bigots who are supporting the agenda of hate fostered by homophobes everywhere. They would deny this, but they would be lying. Currently, there is a badly needed anti-bullying bill before the Michigan Legislature (House Bill 4162) which would, among other things, protect students from bullying "based on a pupil's actual or perceived religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, height, weight, gender identity, socioeconomic status or any other distinguishing characteristic."

Anybody who has ever been bullied unmercifully knows what a terrible experience it can be. I got my share of it; I was younger, smaller and fatter than most of the other kids in my working-class elementary school. Even worse, I was a "brain," and had the athletic ability of a salamander.

Lessenberry's rapier wit only gets sharper as the post goes on. I promise not to give away all the goodies of the post, because you'd only be shorting yourself if you don't read the whole thing. I will share this final bit from his piece, because Lessenberry hits it right on the head.

I am baffled that anyone should care very much about what other people do sexually. And I have to wonder whether some people who feel so threatened are really showing us something about their own psychology.

In any event — any legislator who doesn't support protecting anybody and everybody from being bullied is promoting fascism, pure and simple.

Not only does Jack tell it like it is, he reminds us all of the incredible need for us to continue to engage our government in our needs and wishes. In honor of Safe School Lobbying Day, contact your state representative, and tell them to support Bill 4162.

Then when you're done, make a regular habit of reading Jack's blog, catching his regular column in the Metro Times, and listening to his podcasts from Michigan Public Radio. Michigan needs more Jack Lessenberrys.

State of the State: Git 'Er Done!

Once upon a time there were the Republicans, occaisionally refered to as the Grand Old Party, Repugs, and the Cult of the Shrub. Governor Granholm just likes to call them The Naysayers.

In telling Saul & Co. where to stick it, Governor Jennifer Granholm managed to deliver a passionate and eloquent summary of what's broken and gave an outline of how we're going to fix it.

With her recent triumph over Mr. Soap and Hope himself, the Governor added a whole new level of steel to her spine and drew a new line in the sand. There will be stem cell research, there will have to be some sort of tax adjustment and that no one will slash school funding.

P.S. The Governor's cut taxes 93 times. The Naysayers? Well all they really did was create a lil ol' 1.9 billion dollar hole.

For the full blow-by-blow, be sure to check out Capital Viewpoint. Feel free to leave your snarks, your spitballs or your swarmy praise below.

Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen - Reason #4

Our kids.
Our hope, our dreams, our future.
So why would we ever elect someone who can't help our children succeed?
Our kids deserve someone who has a proven record of fighting for them.



4. Dick DeVos is intent on bankrupting our public schools.
School vouchers - if you thought Dick and Betsy were done with them in 2000, you couldn't be more wrong. Dick's long and vast history on working against Michigan's public schools from elementary to university shows where his interests lay. We can't trust Dick with our kids futures. (There's more below)


4. Governor Jennifer Granholm has made education her top priority with tremendous results.

Pushed K-12 Funding to an All-Time High. Under Governor Granholm’s leadership, state funding for K-12 public education is at an all-time high of $7,085 per pupil. Even while eliminating $4 billion in budget deficits, Governor Granholm has made investing in public schools her top priority. (There's more)

Dick's Slippery Path

Tricky Dick's own hometown paper, The Grand Rapids Press called Dick and Betsy DeVos 'the face of the voucher movement' (GRP 7/9/06)

Dick and Betsy DeVos founded a national pro-voucher group called All Children Matter (ACM)

All Children Matter is currently pushing vouchers nationwide. "All Children Matter Director Greg Brock says along with Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin, Utah is a key state for the school-choice movement…" (Salt Lake Tribune, 6/25/06)

According to the organization’s website, Betsy DeVos is still leading the organization and is still a big contributor. On April 19, 2006, Betsy wrote a check to the tune of $200,000 to "All Children Matter."(http://www.allchildrenmatter.org/leadership.php)

In Michigan, Dick and Betsy DeVos led the way in the unsuccessful 2000 campaign for school vouchers. DeVos spent $10 million and only got some 30 percent of the vote. (The New York Times, 12/20/00)

"As a candidate for governor, Dick DeVos has carefully calibrated his comments on education, skirting the incendiary issue of vouchers. But the Republican businessman spoke with more candor in a Dec. 3, 2002, speech before the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. 'But when the time comes, we will bring the fight back to Michigan again and do everything we can there.' That statement directly contradicts DeVos' statements as a gubernatorial contender." (Grand Rapids Press, 7/9/06)

Dick DeVos has no plan for improving education in Michigan. There are no policy initiatives listed on his website. Just a lot of rhetoric.

Dick DeVos supports a gas cap on Michigan’s sales tax that would take "about $285 million" from public education. When asked about the impact on schools, DeVos said, “I don’t happen to think the consequences would be substantial.” (Associated Press, 5/3/06)

Of course, then there's always his running mate to consider, and she's not much better.

Ruth Johnson has a record of giving up on public education, too.
She voted YES on passage of a Republican budget plan that cut more than $529 million from public education over three years: $71.5 million in 2001, $189.49 in 2002, and $268.5 million in 2003. [RC 381, 6/28/01, HB 4371; RC 453, 9/20/01, HB 4371]
She voted NO on an amendment that would establish a mandatory core curriculum for Michigan schools. [RC 113, 3/16/99, SB 297].
Ruthie voted against an amendment that would have doubled the Merit scholarship from $2,500 to $5,000. [HB 4302, RC 196, 3/24/99].
Ruth Johnson also voted NO on an amendment to allow more students to qualify for the Merit scholarship. [HB 4302, RC 195, 3/24/99].

Lady Jen - Our Fighter!

Proposed Plan to Give Every Student a $4,000 Scholarship. The Governor proposed her New Merit Award scholarship, which would give every student $4,000 to continue their education at a college, university or technical training school. The amount is equal to the cost of two years at most community colleges and would make a college degree affordable for every student.

Made our Schools Safer. Governor Granholm led the fight to keep sexual predators away from Michigan’s schools. She signed legislation that keeps sex offenders away from schools and childcare facilities, ensuring our children are safe on the bus, on the playground and in the classroom. (Detroit News 4/25/06)

Established a New Rigorous High School Curriculum. The Governor called for and signed into law one of the most rigorous curriculums in the nation to ensure all students are well prepared for college and the jobs of the 21st century. (Detroit Free Press 4/21/06)

Launched Early Childhood Education Efforts. Governor Granholm launched the Great Parents, Great Start program to improve school readiness and give parents the tools they need to help their children learn in the first five years of life. The Governor required licensed Michigan day-care providers to read for 30 minutes a day to children in their care. And Governor Granholm also approved the formation of a new non-profit public corporation, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, to coordinate state and local efforts to promote early childhood development activities in Michigan.

Increased Accountability for School Districts. Governor Granholm believes we should hold our schools to high standards and give them the support they need to achieve those standards. She has pushed for comprehensive improvement plans at schools that are not meeting academic goals.

Urged Legislators to Pass Anti-Bullying Legislation. In her 2006 State of the State address, Governor Granholm called legislators to pass bills that would protect Michigan children from harassment or bullying at school. (State of Michigan, 3/21/06)

Our kids deserve someone who will fight for them and Governor Granholm's the only one.

Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen - Reason #22

Check the other 25 Reasons Why here...and keep checking back everyday between now and the election! And don't forget to vote!

Education is the key to improving Michigan, to ensuring a well-qualified work-force and investing in our incredible human capital. That is indisputable, Amway Guy even agrees with that. Problem is, he says one thing, and does another. Newsflash - Dick's a quitter and Michigan's kids are the ones losing out. Thanks Dick!

Just Say NO to Dick because....
22. Dick has given up on Michigan's kids. In Tricky Dick's Michigan Turn Around Plan, Dick says "As governor, there is no responsibility I will take more seriously than making sure that all of our children receive the education they need to succeed. Nothing is more important...Following through to make sure our children reach those standards is more important." (pg. 25)
Problem is - In 1991, DeVos was elected to the State Board of Education. He left in 1993, two years into an eight-year term, to run Amway. (Grand Rapids Press, 9/20/06)

Just Say YES to Jen because...
22. Governor Granholm has fought like hell for Michigan's kids, with incredible results. Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation giving Michigan one of the toughest sets of high school graduation requirements in the nation. (Detroit News 4/21/06)

Just Say NO to Dick and YES to Jen - Reason #23

(Check out all 25 Reasons Why here...and thanks for stopping by!)

And now onto an issue that's very near and dear to my heart - education. Part of what makes Michigan so great is our incredible educational system, whether it be K-12 or college and beyond. The product of public schools, this girl knows that Michigan can be proud of our schools, our teachers, and our legislators who make sure it says so great. That's why Amway Guy is so dangerous to us.
Just Say NO to Dick because...
23. Amway Guy and his wife Betsy(Prince)DeVos have donated over $7 Million in the last 7 years to organizations seeking to promote public vouchers for private and parochial schools that would undermine the state's educational system. Since 1999, the DeVos-Prince family has donated $7,066,000 to 3 PAC's (political action committees) to their signature issue - 'education choice' - publicly funded vouchers for private and parochial schools, tax credits for private and parochial school tuition and charter schools. If you're still not convinced that this isn't a so-called special interest you might change your mind after reading that members of the Walton Family (yes, that'd be the family behind Wal-Mart) were also extremely large contributors in each of the 3 PAC's. Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

Just Say YES to Jen because...
23. Due to the Governor's initiative, K-12 Funding is at an all-time high in Michigan. Due to the Governor's initiative, state funding for K-12 public education is at an all-time high of $6,875 per pupil, and she is proposing an additional increase in her 2007 budget to bring per-pupil funding to $7,075. *In addition, the Governor has called for additional funding that would pay for 8,000 additional pre-school students. (Detroit Free Press 2/8/06)