Ann Arbor's progressive voters need to turn out in November to stop the anti-government agenda
I am a resident of the 5th Ward in Ann Arbor. I want to alert my neighbors about how a low voter turnout in the upcoming midterm election in November, could have a big impact on national, and state races.
I looked at the official election results on the Washtenaw County website and was surprised to find a less than stellar voter turnout in our ward and in the county. For the Nov. 20, 2008, general election, 68 percent of registered voters turned out, a similar proportion to the rest of the county. In the midterm election of 2006, only 56 percent of eligible registered voters actually voted, compared to 54 percent in the county. In the recent primary election, less than a quarter of voters went to the polls.
There are tough races coming up in the midterm election where your progressive vote can make a huge difference in determining the overall philosophy and function of government. Do we want to move toward efficient, effective government that works for the people or emasculated government with an underfunded social security and health care insurance systems that fails to provide a minimum of security for ourselves and our children? In emasculated government, tax cuts and loopholes for the wealthy and for corporations mean revenues are low and departments that support and regulate food, drugs, energy and other sectors are unable to operate effectively. Poor oversight of banks and Wall Street, which greatly contributed to the current economic crisis, loss of jobs, homes, savings and any sense of financial security, will be perpetuated, with weak and poorly enforced regulation. If the Democrats lose the majority in the House, the anti- government agenda is more likely to pass.
On the state level, how we fund education, whether we gerrymander districts to favor conservative legislators, and how fairly we treat workers and small businesses are serious questions to be determined by the results of the election. Verg Bernero, running for governor, Jocelyn Benson, for secretary of state, David Leyton, for attorney general, Rep. Mark Schauer of the 7th district, and Rep. Gary Peters of the 9th district, are in very tight races and need your vote. A good turnout by Democrats in our ward could make a significant impact on the outcome of these races and a significant impact on our lives for years to come.
Don’t be lulled into complacency, thinking that the results of this election don’t matter for you. The political parties are very different, the opposing candidates have very different political philosophies, and the stakes are very high. Go out and vote. Bonita M. Singal Ann Arbor
Comments
indigonation
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 7:05 p.m.
Well I believe in being part of the solution instead of the problem and I will be voting in November but what candidate would actually listen to a progressive. My ideas are not larger government more tax and corporate control, my ideas are less tax, government interference, and to end the war in the middle east, and to end the war on drugs, keep abortion legal and for gay marriage to become legal as well as prostitution, end the patriot act, and federal reserve, and more focus on minority opinions, and beliefs and their freedoms, and true freedom, and to promote recycling programs and preserve the environment. Nobody really pays attention to what is really best for this country and what will keep us free. Peace.
indigonation
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 6:12 p.m.
Well I believe in being part of the solution instead of the problem and I will be voting in November but what candidate would actually listen to a progressive. My ideas are not larger government more tax and corporate control, my ideas are less tax, government interference, and to end the war in the middle east, and to end the war on drugs, keep abortion legal and for gay marriage to become legal as well as prostitution, end the patriot act, and federal reserve, and more focus on minority opinions, and beliefs and their freedoms, and true freedom, and to promote recycling programs and preserve the environment. Nobody really pays attention to what is really best for this country and what will keep us free. Peace.
braggslaw
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 9:37 p.m.
The argument that "the wall street bankers got some money... so I should" has absolutely no merit. IT smacks of entitlement. The only true measure of what a person should make is what someone is willing to pay them. The market always corrects, sometimes violently as we have all seen in Michigan.
talker
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 5:47 p.m.
Thank you. I want to add a reply to this quote: "What the govt gives to someone they take from another person" It's not as simple as that,in my opinion. There's also the phenomena of people taking huge bonuses and salaries after cutting jobs in the Michigan and sending them to Asia. There's also the phenomena of Wall Street bankers who create money with the near zero interest (on the backs of average savers not earning interest) getting multimillion dollar bonuses for doing their jobs. Why do those whose (job) product is money deserve a cut of the money while people who make products don't get a cut of what they make. Does an EMT get extra years of life for saving lives? Think of this and the argument that investment bankers deserve a cut of what the wealth they create no longer makes sense.
michigan face
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
talker - you are so right. Please let's not give up on what we have started - finally getting away from the Republican control of our bodies and minds. Let's not forget the Engler years that started Michigan's hardships. Democrats on every level have inherited the worst situations in our history. Please everyone, vote for our rights and our lives Nov. 2nd. You know who the tolerants are!
Top Cat
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 8:15 a.m.
A Progressive's idea of progress is to buy in to the United Nation's hoax formerly called man made global warming and then demand a massive government spending and regulation program to deal with it. We have seen the "Progressive" agenda and the results. They cannot hide it by changing the subject. We won't get fooled again. November 2!
braggslaw
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 5:27 a.m.
Just an FYI to all the "progressives" out there. Michigan's median income dropped 21% and Michigan now ranks 37 (down from 13 in 2000) out of 50 in median income. We can debate the reasons... such as the sustainability of high paid low skill jobs that were created by the UAW and caused GM and Chrysler to enter bankruptcy etc. (an inevitable market correction) There will have to be govt. cuts due the the huge cliff that state income fell off. We can build a state that generates wealth or we can build a state that tries to redistribute wealth. I fear that the latter will be chosen which againwill lead to the inevitable...companies picking up and leaving Michigan for greener pastures in the south. We live in a wonderful country where individuals and companies cannot be forced to stay in a state.
braggslaw
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 9:23 p.m.
David I have a philosophical difference with the letter I believe in smaller govt I believe that people should keep a super majority of the money they work for I believe entitlements weaken this country What the govt gives to someone they take from another person
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.
bragg, I can honestly say that I don't know a sinle socialist and yet I find their civility appealing. Do you know any fascists who long for more corporate control of our govt as the Republicans clearly advocate?
braggslaw
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
Please stay home socialist voters so every business will not leave the state
talker
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.
Yes, research is important before voting. I looked below the surface when a writer in the Observer noted that Republican Rick Snyder isn't pushing a conservative social agenda that would bring out opposition. Is he avoiding that information? The headlines obscure the fact that Snyder's selected a lieutenant governor running mate who is even against abortion in cases of rape and incest. In other words, Snyder knowingly chose a running mate who wants girls who impregnated by their fathers or their mothers' boyfriends or by a violent stranger to be further victimized by carrying that man's DNA, being ridiculed for getting pregnant, and missing important classes in school. Most Michigan voters endorse abortion under some circumstances. Many don't understand that some reproductive constraints include bans on some forms of birth control. Might Snyder purposely avoid discussing social issues because he knows it will cost him votes and he wants to be in power to enforce dire changes? Has he addressed how he really intends to govern in very personal areas? The Democratic candidate Virg Bernero has been upfront with his views. He trusts women to make decisions and he will keep the government out of our bedrooms. Thus, Bernero is the libertarian on this issue and Snyder who favors bigger, intrusive government. It's a similar situation in the race for our member of Congress. f you want Congressman John Dingell will keep the Government out of your bedroom. His opponent wants big Government in your bedroom and would interfere with your personal decisions.
demistify
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.
The term "progressive", as bedrog pointed out, has been so much misappropriated that it is losing its usefulness. He refers to the Green Party (its only remaining connection with green is the color of the Hamas banner) which is pursuing its spoiler role by fielding many candidates against the Democrats. A couple of days ago, there was a rally in Washington that was touted as Progressive and directed at the election. The TV coverage of it featured Al Sharpton. With friends like these, Obama does not need any enemies. These elements and the Tea Party cooperatively create a noxious climate of politics. We need to repudiate the extremists, no matter what they call themselves. And we must not let their kiss of death to stick to decent candidates. I personally expect to vote for most of the candidates named in this Letter, because I like their qualifications, not because of any labels.
David Briegel
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 1:23 p.m.
I hope you "liberal, progressive, socialist, whatever" enjoy Speaker John Boehner. Speaker Boehners agenda will be very appealing to you since you support Republican pork and Republican earmarks and more corporate control. Yes, that is the stark reality we face. If that alone doesn't motivate you......... Like Rumsfeld, Obama had to go to war with the congress he had and not the congress he wished for. We did not elect 220 Dennis Kucinich or 60 Russ Feingold.
jondhall
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 11:49 a.m.
The Democrtas are going where they belong, for far too long they have taxed and spent. There are dead and done. Save your gas stay home Progressives!
bedrog
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
may i respectfully suggest, per mr.bernards, that locally and to some extent nationally and internationally, the term 'progressive' has been woefully mis-self applied by and to folks like the GREENS who are actually active apologists for ultra right wing causes, like jihadism and synagogue harassment. Is this the group with whom Bernard is identifying?? Although it seems that ms. singal, is not making a pitch for THEM ( but rather to real pragmatic and non fanatic progressives like me who generally approve of obama) such folks really have muddied and degraded the waters of political discourse and made labeling ( left wing/right wing/liberal/conservative/ progressive/ lunatic fringe etc)-- usually a somewhat valid labor saving shorthand-- far from simple.
DonBee
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.
So I will try again, my apologies that suggesting that the author do something different. Following the talking points from MSNBC or FoxNews is not useful, it will not solve the problems that exist in the state of Michigan. On the other side of the coin (Republican) are the ideas that electing Democrats will: 1) Taxes will increase 2) That businesses will leave the state 3) State employee pensions will continue to be underfunded and drag the state down 4) The movie industry will continue to run away laughing with state money they spend elsewhere. Neither side has it right, but MSNBC, and FoxNews both are pushing their party lines. People in Ann Arbor pride themselves on being educated, yet they spout the party line. Please, read, research and think for yourselves. There are good people on the ballots, many of them in minor parties that normally do not have a chance to get elected. Please don't buy into the party line and pull the "straight ticket handle" I for one am still researching who to vote for. I would advise you to spend time doing this too.
Huron74
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
Ann Arbor area "progressives" are soon to be a small lonely blue island in sea of red. Our own midwestern version of Cuba. Heh. Enjoy!
Alan Benard
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
When Pres. Obabma stops attacking me for being a progressive voter, I'll bother to vote Democratic. For the time being, progressives have no party in this country.
michiganpoorboy
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 3:59 a.m.
Dems have lost already fool....................