Pre-election thoughts....
Submitted by "citizen Lisa": As I sit (for a rare moment) and think about the various people and issues we'll be voting on tomorrow, I wanted to share a few thoughts (please note: I'm writing this as "citizen Lisa" not as the Executive Director of Michigan LCV).
In the early hours of Saturday morning, I was running with my dog along the Huron River. The day had not yet begun for many, the sky was pale gray, and I could feel the calm emanating from the water. I stopped and let it all soak in, aware that the day would soon pick up speed, as I planned to drive to Oakland County to drop literature for a state House candidate. I took a few deep breaths and felt grateful for the mighty Huron and the parks and greenways that have been wisely preserved (and created) along her banks.
As I turned to leave I saw something out of the corner of my eye: a Great Blue Heron. It swooped gracefully down along the tree line, following the river, looking majestic and prehistoric in the dawn light. "Following the river...coming back home.....returning to the safety and familiarity of the water....," were the thoughts that filled my head....And, stayed with me throughout the day.
This election has made me realize that people all over the state, indeed all over the country, are trying to make their way "home". We have, collectively, been through a lot over the past eight years. Going door-to-door in neighborhoods around Michigan--east to west, north to south—it is evident people are hurting. Jobs have been bleeding from our communities, health care costs are through the roof, our schools are suffering from lack of funding, and some residents in Michigan have been left to heat their homes solely through wood burning stoves and eat venison year round.
As someone who works for an environmental organization, sometimes I'm asked how we can even begin to tackle the dire threat of climate change when these day-to-day issues are top of mind. My answer? We can, and we must, because it's all interconnected…..and it's our only way to truly come "home".
Michigan has two amazing resources in her midst: our state is enveloped by almost 20% of the earth's fresh surface water and we are the hub of our country's manufacturing base (= an incredibly talented and skilled workforce). As we go to the polls tomorrow, it is imperative that we vote to protect both….protect our home. Voters must connect the dots between the protection of our amazing waterways (which are threatened by invasive species and diminishing lake levels) and addressing climate change; between job creation and alternative energy technologies.
I trust that just like the Heron returns to the river, voters across the state are going to "return home" by voting for candidates--from country commission to White House, from state Supreme Court to state Capitol--who understand that we must address the problems facing our communities in a holistic manner. Michiganders deserve leaders who will put the needs of the people—jobs and a healthy environment—first.
Tomorrow, I'll be voting for Barack Obama, and I hope you will be, too....And then I'll be completing the rest of the ballot, which includes critical races at all levels of government. Here is a glance at just a few races and issues to keep in mind tomorrow:
Congress (FYI both Walberg and Knollenberg are on the national LCV's Dirty Dozen list; I urge you to vote for Mark Schauer in the 7th Congressional district www.markschauer.com , and Gary Peters in the 9th Congressional district www.petersforcongress.com );
State House (Michigan LCV endorsed in key state House races across the state. Please see www.Michiganlcv.org for a complete list of endorsed candidates);
County Commission (Michigan LCV endorsed--for the first time ever!!--in a few critical races in Oakland and Kent Counties! For information on our endorsees, please check our website: www.michiganlcv.org);
City Council (if you live in Ann Arbor's 5th Ward, please vote for Carsten Hohnke www.voteforcarsten.org )
Judicial seats (If you live in Grand Rapids, please vote to re-elect Circuit Court Judge (and former Michigan LCV Board Member) Chris Yates www.retainjudgeyates.com. If you live in Ann Arbor, please vote for Chris Easthope for 15th District Court www.easthopeforjudge.com . If you live in Ypsilanti Township, please vote for John Reiser for 14-B District Court. And, no matter where you live, please vote for Diane Hathaway for Supreme Court. Supreme Court Justice Clifford Taylor has been a disaster in relation to environmental protections…..see the Michigan LCV Scorecard at www.michiganlcv.org for more information or the editorial by the Traverse City Record Eagle http://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/local_story_305100117.html
Statewide ballot initiatives (please vote "yes" on Proposal 2; you can find the language for this initiative at the bottom of this email)
Local ballot initiatives (please vote "yes" on the Washtenaw County Parks renewal millage; you can find the language for this initiative at the bottom of this email)
Thanks for reading! Thanks for voting! Who we elect REALLY matters!
Lisa Wozniak
Mother to two beautiful boys--Zach and Ben--who love the Great Lakes, the music created by the growing number of talented Michigan musicians, and (most days) the Detroit Tigers!
PROPOSAL 2
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS HUMAN EMBRYO AND HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN
The proposed constitutional amendment would:
Expand use of human embryos for any research permitted under federal law subject to the following limits: the embryos --
-- are created for fertility treatment purposes;
-- are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs;
-- would be discarded unless used for research;
-- were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.
Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins.
Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.
Prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future therapies and cures.
Should this proposal be adopted?
_____Yes _____No
WASHTENAW COUNTY PARKS MILLAGE RENEWAL
Proposition to renew the increase in the tax limitation for County Parks and Recreation purposes including acquisition, development, maintenance and operation of park lands and recreation facilities for the benefit of Washtenaw County citizens "to renew the millage expiring after December 31, 2009, shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes on real and tangible personal property in Washtenaw County be increased as provided in Section 6 Article IX of the constitution of the State of Michigan and the Board of Commissioners of the County be authorized to levy a tax not to exceed one quarter of one mill, reduced by the Headlee Amendment to 0.2367 ($0.2367 per $1,000.00 of State equalized valuation), on the taxable value of such property for a period of ten years beginning with the levy made on December 1, 2010 (which will generate estimated revenues of $3.6 million in the first year) for the purpose of acquiring, developing, operating and maintaining park lands and recreational facilities for County citizens?"
