Change

Unless you were living under a rock last summer and fall you probably know what President Obama's main campaign platform was. Change. Throughout his commercials, speeches, and public appearances he advocated change after change after change. The majority of voters embraced this idea and he soundly defeated John McCain in the election. Michigan was one of the states that clearly supported Obama and the "change" he advocated.

We stand here now in July 2009 with a little over a year before Michigan's gubernatorial elections. Just as Michigan voters embraced change in the recent presidential election, it is time for them to embrace change in the executive branch of government. Michigan is slated to lose 300k jobs this year which will be the biggest single year job loss since the 1950's.

Michigan currently sits at an unemployment rate of 14.1% which is the highest unemployment rate in the country. It is also about 2% higher than the second ranked state (Oregon, 12.4%) and 4.6% higher than the national unemployment rate of 9.5%. It is true that the entire country is experiencing a recession, but Michigan has been hit extremely hard and our governor has been ineffective in raising the state up.

Come November 2010 Governor Jennifer Granholm will have been in power for eight years. In those eight years Michigan has been in a downward spiral with no signs of stopping. Furthermore, during her time in power Michigan has experienced political crises such as an inability to come to an agreement on the budget which led to a shutdown of the state government. Granholm has also shown an inability to capitalize on economic policies that have been proven to work. The state of Michigan has offered numerous incentives and tax breaks to film makers and studios to film in Michigan. These incentives have brought revenue and jobs to a beleaguered state. However, we have not seen similar incentives made for other businesses which could accomplish the same things that the film industry has. Instead Michigan maintains a ridiculous business tax that does not accomplish anything other than drive businesses away from the state.

During Granholm's time as governor the state of Michigan has faltered and stalled. There is no reason to believe that proposed Democratic candidates such as Lt. Governor John Cherry will do anything but continue what their party mate has started. In November 2008 Michigan very willingly embraced change. In November 2010 it will be time for voters to once again embrace change.