GCYD Takes a Stand on the MI Primary

This letter has been submitted to organizations and media outlets such as the DNC, Flint Journal, and Washington Post:

The Genesee County Young Democrats (GCYD) disapproves of the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) decision to sanction Michigan for setting the primary date before Iowa or New Hampshire. Iowa and New Hampshire have dominated the Party's nomination process for too long. Whoever wins the first few primary states tend to find themselves receiving the Party's nomination. This antique of party politics has narrowed the type of candidates to those who are more conducive to small states like Iowa and New Hampshire. Small states are not a microcosm of America and our candidates emerge from the primary ill-suited to compete in the general election as a result. Until this past approach is corrected, states like Michigan should have every right to refuse compliance with the DNC's primary process.

Michigan is a key battleground state in the 2008 elections. In 2000 and 2004, candidates focused on winning votes in our state because of the tight competition between Democrats and Republicans for the hearts and minds of the public. The DNC will lose Michigan by rejecting our primary results and refusing to come to Michigan to campaign. As a result, our presidential candidate will be unable to compete in the general election. Additionally, Michigan is a large state in a region which seems to have been forgotten by the DNC. Michigan has one of the worst economies in the nation because of the transition from an industrial economy to service-based. People in Michigan are the ones who are hurting in order to maintain the economic prosperity of the rest of the nation. It is about time that the DNC think about states like Michigan.

MDP Chairman says, "Dayne Walling is a Democrat. Don Williamson is not."

The Michigan Democratic Party(MDP) has come out in support of Dayne Walling for Mayor of Flint. In the Flint Journal, Chairman Mark Brewer, says "Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words and by his [Williamson] actions he's a Republican." The MDP has released a new radio ad in Flint stating that Don Williamson is involved in two lawsuits regarding sexual harassment and racial discrimination, hiring individuals who attacked Flint women, and comparing him to Denzel Washington's character in Training Day at the end of the ad. The ad cites a FBI report that under Williamson's watch crime has doubled in Flint and blames Williamson's refusal to put more cops on the street. Check out the radio ad here.

-Keith

Democratic Senate Takes Action on Gas Prices

The Democratic led U.S. Senate is hoping to pass an energy bill that raises fuel efficiency standards for auto manufacturers in the hope of offering Americans relief at the pump. Also, the bill would increase ethanol production by five times the amount it is currently at. With prices at about $3 a gallon across the country, many Americans are having to work a day's work just to pay for gas to get to work the next day. This is a start, but I wish there was something they could do now. And what about oil prices in general? When are we going to stand up against Big Oil or research alternative fuels?

-Keith

Hope for 'Chevy in the Hole'

In today’s Flint Journal, there was an article regarding the possible cleanup of “Chevy in the Hole” which is by Atwood Stadium near downtown Flint. For those who don’t know, this is the site of a large Chevy factory in Flint, which was demolished and cost many people their jobs. U of M grads have designed a park for the site that could move the neighborhood forward as well as the city. All I know is that I am glad to see that someone is doing something to replace the disappointment left after GM decided to leave a vacant lot. Good luck to those in charge of the project!

-Keith

Kettering or Mott, Private or Public, It's All Getting More Expensive

An interesting article from The Flint Journal here regarding the ever-increasing cost of higher education in Flint.

I suppose on some level it's reassuring that both Kettering University and Mott Community College, two schools that really couldn't be more different vis-a-vis their respective franchises and student bodies, are both seeing tuition hikes of 3%, but it's still distressing. Most everyone with a college degree has some debt (I certainly do) and I'd wager that most of those folks are more than willing to call it an investment in the future, like a mortgage, say.

But what's the breaking point? I don't know, I don't know that anyone does. But it worries me.

(Speaking of breaking points/signs of the apocalypse...)

-Will