Let's set aside for a moment the universally-accepted fact that the choice to drop out of high school is a terrible decision that has a lifelong negative impact on a student.
If we can't dedicate ourselves to solving the dropout crisis for that reason alone, let’s look at the money.
Read More »Legislators introduced a package of bills that focus on prevention as a way to address unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion. The Michigan Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice wholeheartedly supports this effort. Women need more than prayers to not get pregnant.
According to a Detroit News' database of Metro Detroit home foreclosures, 1,342 homes in the city of Southfield have been subject of foreclosure filings since January 2006.
Unfortunately, the Southfield Board of Education voted 5-2 Tuesday night to increase that number by as many as 350.
Read More »Your employer ordered you to tell them about your wife having cancer. How would you respond?
School employees in the Southwest Michigan community of Lawton recently were faced with that question. Based on requirements put in place by last fall's ill-conceived Senate Bill 418 (which, among other things, requires schools to get competitive bids for health insurance), these employees were ordered to complete an extensive survey about their and their family's health history.
Read More »While Michigan Republicans fight to roll back the state income tax increase that was raised last autumn to help balance Michigan’s budget, the Iraq Tax is ignored and continues to steal money from the pockets of Michigan families. And McCain’s commitment to stay in Iraq for another 100 years is not going to make it any easier on us.
In fact, had the hard-earned Michigander money George Bush and his buddy McCain poured into the Iraq war been instead invested in Michigan’s economy we could have seen 5,220,282 people with health care, 111,921 affordable homes, or renewable energy generation for 19,513,221 homes. And that’s just in Michigan. Oh, and let me say it again – Michigan’s budget could have been balanced – almost eight times - with the money that McCain and Bush continue to spend in Iraq and yet crazy right wing legislators continue this massive Iraq Tax driving up our national debt and crushing economic growth.
Right now Michigan families have spent about $13.9 billion to fund the Iraq War (oh wait it isn’t even a war anymore is it?) while people lose their homes, jobs, and the cost of oil continues to rise. So while State Rep. Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc, Rep. John Stahl, R-North Branch, and Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Shores talk about repealing the deal made during Michigan’s budget crisis to slightly increase taxes to help balance Michigan’s budget, they make no mention of the Iraq Tax which increases daily and has, according to the National Priorities Project thus far taken $34,000 from every family of four in Michigan and the nation.
So, if we really want to help Michigan residents out this tax season, end the war.
Sign the Petition to End the Iraq Tax.
Peace, Love, and Happiness,
Leigh
As I drive around Bay County, I have noticed huge tracks of land under the giant power line towers that run from the Kern plant outward. The hundreds of lesser power line poles that branch out also cover huge tracks of land. Why not employ hundreds, perhaps thousands, and start strategically installing solar-voltaic panels under those power lines and on the lower portions of the towers? And what about smaller, more numerous wind turbines strategically placed along those same lines? The electricity produced would go directly into the lines overhead.
And how about this idea. Private land owners could offer land, or rooftops for more solar surface or wind collection. The company installs, maintains and upgrades the equipment and the landowner gets an energy rebate or the electricity directly. Installation, maintenance, upgrades, and even removal would continuously employ hundreds for decades and beyond.
Upgrade the present power plants. As alternative sources increase, the plants use of coal would decrease until they are completely off line. Keep the plants as backups for emergency situations. Is that beyond our capability?
John Engel
Hey, this is Nadia. I'm an SEIU staffer. Not sure how much this Ohio organizing debate is on the radar for folks who don't work for a union, but with the Labor Notes conference here this weekend, it's now local. Anyways, wanted to provide some context...
By now you may feel like you’ve heard quite enough of the back-and-forth between SEIU and the CNA over union representation of nurses and healthcare workers in Ohio. You may have also heard that the dispute runs deep and wide and goes back years and across state lines into Nevada, California, Texas and several others, and that the encounters have become more extreme.
And perhaps you’re wondering—why should I care?
If this were just about CNA and SEIU, or even just about a dispute at an isolated hospital in one state, you could move on. The thing is, these struggles are not taking place in a vacuum—and what becomes of them has far-reaching impact that touches us all. At a time when the economy is bad and getting worse, and the number of workers represented by a union in this country is an anemic 12%, labor unions face a choice…and workers everywhere face the consequences.
Unions can fight for turf within the ever-shrinking pool of unionized workers, or we can get back on the offensive by reaching out to help more workers join unions to strengthen the hand of more working families.
Having moved to Lansing recently, I was searching for local spots I could call my own and Old Town Lansing is one place I find myself returning to on an almost daily basis for fun, shopping, and a sense of feeling safe. So, you can imagine how I felt when I found out two young men had taken it upon themselves to spread hate across twelve buildings with an intolerable message - “Kill Gays”.
However, shortly thereafter, I was delighted to hear that they had caught one of the suspects. I was even more delighted when I saw how fast the community came together to let people know that this type of action would not be permitted in Old Town. What I am learning is that Old Town is so great because it has diverse businesses and opportunities for people of all ethnicities, gender preferences, and socio-economic classes. It is a place where community comes together not only for festivals and hip happenings, but when a community member needs them. It’s a place where neighbors call the police when someone is spray painting community buildings. It’s a place where the police answer these calls promptly.
I am proud to be a part of the Old Town Community both in my personal life and at work. Progress Michigan joined together with downtown businesses, community leaders, and the Old Town Commercial Association to let people know their voice can be heard and that together the ideals and diversity in Old Town will stand. Join others in standing up for Old Town and diversity at www.nohateinoldtown.com.
Peace,
Leigh
Michigan has the potential to do something. House Bill 4854 (and its Senate complement) would take Michigan's money out of the genocide and urge the supporters of these atrocities to change their ways. The $150 million of taxpayer money that is invested through the state public pension funds would be used to urge the foreign companies that give the Sudanese government its blank check to murder thousands to instead use their money and clout to end the genocide and help the civilians. If they refuse, Michigan will join with 24 other states in the country and withdraw its funds.
However, this legislation is going nowhere. The House of Representatives came together to pass it, 108-2, drawing the support of both Democratic and Republican leaders. However, a couple of activist Senators have refused to even take the measure up to a vote, letting it languish for months in the Appropriations committee.
Senator Clarke (D-Detroit, sponsor of the Senate version) issued this statement on the bill: "My legislation requires the State of Michigan to take appropriate action to divest from Sudan and to prohibit any future investment until the genocide has stopped and peace is restored. It is time for the State of Michigan to help eliminate the atrocities against human life occurring in Darfur. I urge swift passage of this legislation"
Senator Mark Schauer (D- Battle Creek, Senate Democratic Leader) has much the same view, saying, "The violence in the Darfur region of Sudan has gone on for several years, but without proper funding this horrible situation would decrease and hopefully be extinguished. For this reason, I support Senate Bill 0555 which would keep state funds in the retirement investments of state employees away from businesses with interests in Sudan."
We talk about genocides in Rwanda and Serbia. We all lament the Holocaust. We have the opportunity to do something now in Darfur, but the moment is slipping away. We are still funding the companies who keep this atrocity going. Please press the Senate to pass Sudanese Divestment legislation. Let us not allow Darfur to go down as another black mark on humanity.
Tell your Senator to move this bill! Go to www.divestsudannow.com !
Progress Michigan is pleased to be a part of the movement that's helping Michigan move forward with our innovative strategies and technologies. Using this website and a winning combination of online outreach combined with a proven method of workign with traditional media, we seen many successes, despite having only been around for less than a year.
Michigan's progressive blogosphere plays no small role in making sure that our state's residents are informed and activated. It's no secret that Michigan is one of the leading states nationally when it comes to the size and strength of the people-powered netroots. It's also one of the reasons we're proud to feature feeds from two of the state's largest blogs just to your right on this website. If you haven't started tuning in to the blogs, there's no time like the present! Both Blogging for Michigan and Michigan Liberal are easy to read and participate in, and we encourage you to start getting involved with them as well the numerous other progressive blogs around this state.
Last week you read right here how the Healthcare for Michigan Campaign is rolling full steam ahead in the fight for healthcare coverage for every Michigan citizen. Progress Michigan was pleased to play a small role in assisting the Campaign take part in a live-blog at MichiganLiberal. Shortly thereafter, it spurred Walt Sorg, host of AM Lansing to talk to us about it, and more importantly how the Internet is truly changing the face of politics. You can listen to the full interview here.
The health care system in this country is in serious trouble. Health costs have gone through the roof and a lot of people have lost their benefits. And even people with health insurance realize that they could lose it at anytime. So we need to take action and this campaign is about pushing for health care reform in Michigan.
Thanks.
"It ain't over until it's over," said Yogi. In the wake of the Supreme Court's Warner-Lambert v. Kent decision, the first take-away is precisely that: As far as Michigan's 1995 drug industry immunity law, which shields pharmaceutical companies from lawsuits, it ain't over. Indeed, the Kent decision was a non-decision. It was a 4-4 tie with Chief Justice Roberts not participating because he owns stock in Pfizer/Warner-Lambert. And so drug industry immunity in Michigan changes not at all.
Of course, as their own attorney noted, the Kent plaintiffs got very lucky. Their luck depended on three main factors:
First, if Chief Justice Roberts had been able to participate, the decision almost certainly would have supported the company. His opinions in similar cases all suggest that.
Second, if the case had not ended up in the Second Circuit, which does not include Michigan, the decision would also almost certainly have gone against the plaintiffs. While attorneys can try to file in districts more likely to rule in their favor, the process is always complex and uncertain.
Third, we have learned more about the regulatory history of Rezulin, the drug at issue in the Kent case, than virtually any other medication. This is largely thanks to Pulitzer-prize winning reporter, David Willman, and a number of informants - both inside the company and at F.D.A.. Were it not for Willman and his informants, much of the Rezulin story would remain unknown. It is not a pretty tale.
All of this, then, constituted the Kent plaintiffs' "perfect storm." What are the odds of another case in which a conservative Justice cannot participate, in which a favorable Circuit Court turns out to be the venue, and in which a group of anonymous whistleblowers contribute in critical ways?
The odds of all of those things happening again are miniscule.
So we are left where we began. Michigan's law shielding drug companies from liability remains solidly in place. The Kent result was a fortunate fluke for a relative handful of people. For the rest of us in Michigan, the shield remains absolute.
In terms of what we can do, however, we are not where we began. One year ago, the Michigan House voted 60-39 to rescind our immunity law. The Michigan Senate has repeatedly refused to hold hearings on the issue. Nothing has happened. If Senate majority leadership has their way, nothing will continue to happen.
In the meantime, there are other cases the Supreme Court will hear - most notably, Wyeth v. Levine - in which F.D.A. preemption, the doctrine underlying Michigan's immunity law, will be decided more definitively. Most observers agree that, in this instance, the conservative majority will have their way. Drug industry immunity will become the law of the land.
One remedy remains. Every decision of the Supreme Court on such matters depends on an interpretation of the will of Congress. Congress has had numerous opportunities to state its will. It has consistently failed to do so.
This is an election year. And this need not be a partisan issue. Citizens should demand that every Congressional candidate - new or incumbent, Republican or Democrat - make a commitment. Either they will support legislation that denies F.D.A. preemption or they will not. We should not allow any hedging (there has been plenty from both major parties). As the editors of the New England Journal of Medicine recently wrote, F.D.A. preemption would have cataclysmic consequences for patient rights, for industry accountability, and for public health. The hour is late; the time is short.
In the meantime, our fight to rescind Michigan's own drug industry immunity will continue. For twelve years, we have endured the most draconian shield law in the nation. We have been the canary in the coal mine. What happens in Michigan has had, and will continue to have, national repercussions.
So it is, indeed, not over. The work to reject a law and a policy that is logically and ethically bankrupt will go on. And so will the work to hold accountable all those who seek to represent us, in Washington as in Lansing.
That's right nearly 50 job postings are awaiting you on our Progressive Jobs Bank. From Macomb to Lansing to the Upper Peninsula and everywhere in between there's a job out there, and it could be your perfect job.
Whether the environment, youth, campaign staff or working families is your area of passion, it's listed on our jobs bank.
Stop by and check it out, and when you apply for your dream job, be sure to mention that you found it at Progress Michigan.
Got a job you're looking to hire for? Send it to jobs[at]progressmichigan.org and we'll make sure the entire state sees it!
According to the Guttmacher Institute, in 2005 there were 51 abortion providers in Michigan and 83% of counties had no abortion provider. Of Michigan women, 33% lived in these counties. In Michigan, 5 metropolitan areas lack an abortion provider: Monroe; Jackson; Holland-Grand Haven; Bay City; Battle Creek.
Religious extremists have already succeeded in making abortion difficult for Michigan women to get. Members of MIRCRC (www.mircrc.org) are fed up. For 35 years we have heard religious extremists say abortion is morally wrong. It's time to reassure people that it's morally right to be pro-choice and pro-faith. It's time to remind people that clergy worked to legalize abortion because they saw the desperation of women with unintended pregnancies. It's time to protect religious liberty especially in very personal issues of reproductive health. It's time to raise our religious voice and defend reproductive choice!
However, what does participation really mean? At a speech at Georgetown last month, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean claimed these programs worked, with 'participation' of 18-29 year olds up 61% . But these statistics define 'participation' as people who cast ballots.
At the same time, in 2006, we saw affirmative action, a stand-by principle of civil rights for Democrats and Republicans for almost 40 years, overturned in Michigan. In 2004, the 'Defense of Marriage Act' dealt a blow to both homosexual and heterosexual couples by denying either group the right to enter into a less-than-marriage living arrangement . 2004-2006 saw lawmakers such as Randy "Duke" Cunningham in California and Bob Ney of Ohio be re-elected, while the full extent of the Abramoff lobbying ring was just starting to come to light. Howard Dean's 2004 grassroots candidacy, targeted at college students, was knocked out by a billionaire whose campaign relied heavily on the older, 'traditional' base of the Democratic Party.
How is this possible then? If young people are truly being 'mobilized', then why do corrupt politicians keep being re-elected? Why do campaigns that are geared toward our generation fizzle out? Why do ballot initiatives pass that overturn the progressive social change our ancestors fought for, or are so poorly worded that they hurt people not even affiliated with the issue?
Straw poll time. Have you ever been to the state capitol or local city hall of your own free will? If so, one point. Have you ever sent a letter to an official, without having your civics teacher force you, to voice your opinion on an issue? This one is two points. Have you ever researched a candidate not running for President, or a ballot proposal to form your own opinion of it? Give yourself three for this one. Now, the $64,000 question: have you ever volunteered or donated to a campaign or an organization supporting a platform you agree with? A whopping five points for those of you who have.
Total up the points. How many do you have? This is the true test of political participation. To those of you with three or more points: congratulations, your civics class did not fail you. These people know what avenues were built into our democratic system to allow them the ability to voice their opinions besides voting. To anyone with more points than 3, you are great examples of citizens taking the power of government in their own hands.
However, there's another category: those with one point or less. Unfortunately, it seems that most college students (and adults for that matter) fall into this category. While they may vote, they are not informed on the issues or candidates. Many may have an apathetic view of government and lament how 'corrupt' politicians are. This is always crystallized for me by the 'George Bush Is Stupid'-Democrat: people who know nothing except the mantra that George W. Bush is "stupid", and think that they should vote for whoever has a "D" next to their name.
Is this truly participation? Have we really been deluded into thinking that voting is all that is needed for a democratic government to function? If vague mantras, partisan politics, and glitzy media campaigns are all that people have to base their vote off of, no wonder we have seen our government become so ineffective. GOTV shouldn't focus on getting people into the polls; it should be about educating the electorate and making up for where our civics education has failed.
Sandra Day O'Connor wrote, "One way of getting people to protect our system is to be sure that they understand it." In 2008, our system will be in danger. Do we re-elect the same party hacks who have ridden roughshod over our nation for the past decade, or do we take our country back? In this struggle, GOTV is not the answer. Real democratic engagement and participation is. Let's show the talking heads in DC and the rest of the world what we really think of the government by getting involved in our democracy and fighting for real change.
The nation is in the midst of one of the most closely watched Democratic Presidential primaries ever, yet Michigan is on the sidelines.
A debate is raging whether Michigan should hold another presidential primary or caucus to restore its voice and call attention to the issues facing the state, or live by the rules! What do you think?
Should the Democratic Party host a do-over caucus or primary in Michigan, or no?
And who-all allowed it to happen?
Quibbling with New Hampshire and Iowa? Why?! With the mess here, we felt this was a 'reasonable' course? Whatever..
So I voted with the choice I was given. Not the compleat choice that was given to the other states and citizens. IF our votes are not to count, ok, we did it to ourselves. IF our half-votes will be counted then I feel I was short-changed by the Democratic Party. Do it over and count-it, or not. But the party has no right to throw the election as 'they' wish. I have had enough of slick-moves! Play fair and square or go play another game.
March 2 would have been the 104th birthday of the legendary Dr. Seuss. In honor of that occasion, today we celebrate Read Across America Day, with thousands of National Education Association members working together to ensure our students embrace the excitement of reading.
But it’s not just about cats in hats or green eggs and ham. Ensuring our students experience the thrill and enjoyment of reading is essential for them to understand the importance reading plays in their life.
Read More »
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