The 2006 elections are finally over

Ahh, hear that? You don't? Me either. My phones are blissfully silent except for people I actually want to talk to.

My radio is filled with talk, music, and commercials for the local auto mechanic.

My television is still filled with a lot of garbage, but at least the politicians have vacated it.

The 2006 elections are FINALLY over. Thank goodness for that.

I really don't want to recap the Michigan elections so I will provide links for those of you still interested in reading about politics. Here you go:

Granholm win is evidently a vote of hope by Michigan residents.

Granholm wins election and wins again as Democrats take control of the state House and made gains in the Senate.

Results of the various ballot proposals

Anyone else get inundated with political phone calls over the weekend?

The final push being made before tomorrow's election reached a maddening level over the weekend. Supporters and opponents of the various proposals on the ballot made their voice known to me numerous times over the weekend. Of course, the gubernatorial candidates had the loudest voices of all with their automated phone calls. I am sure there must be some legal loophole that allows political phone calls to be made without regard to the Do Not Call List. Apparently political phone call advertisements do not fall under the category of "telemarketers" as they are not technically selling anything to you. But aren't they?

They are trying to "sell" you on the benefits of tossing your vote their way. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I tend to view these calls as sleazier than other telemarketing calls.

I am just thankful that after tomorrow there will be a reprieve from the radio, television, mass mailing, and phone call advertisements from all of these politicians and political organizations. That's an early Thanksgiving gift I guess.

Won't that make you thankful?

Losing friends to Michigan's crummy economy

A good friend of mine recently moved out to Boulder, Colorado for a better job in a better economy. He was making decent money working in Accounting/Finance here in Michigan, but without any health insurance benefits. He would wait weeks or months here after sending out dozens of resumes for a measly one or two interviews. In just one week out in Boulder he has had multiple interviews in just ONE day. It's no wonder states like Wyoming are recruiting for jobs here in Michigan. When your state's economy ranks 49th out of the 50 states every other state's job market looks promising.

Neither Granholm nor DeVos has come out with a definitive fact-based plan for job creation here in Michigan. Neither candidate has come up with a feasible health care plan. Neither candidate has much of an idea on what it will take to improve the results of our education system.

Does either candidate deserve our vote?

I was ticked off about our state's economic woes long before my good friend finally gave up on trying to make things work in Michigan. The biggest deciding factor in where he moved to was not the job market, it was the weather climate. It came down to Texas heat or the moderate climate of Boulder.

In case you were in denial about the state's economy – just how bad is our economy when people don't care where they move to as long as they move out of Michigan.

It didn't matter where he ended up as far as he was concerned. He knew getting a job somewhere else would be relatively easy compared to Michigan.

Our State is Broke - Will Somebody Please Fix it?!?

The election is two weeks from today. It might as well be two years from today. We have a long road to economic recovery before us. The question is, how many more wrong turns can we afford to take?

Thoughts on the third Granholm vs. DeVos debate

It is hard to adequately state my displeasure with these three debates fights that took place between Governor Granholm and her challenger, Dick DeVos. What a waste of time for the great people of the state of Michigan. Neither candidate did anything to solidify their positions on the economy, taxes, or education. While DeVos has done essentially nothing (in my eyes) as far as presenting a fact-based solid plan for Michigan's recovery you have to ask yourself a simple question in regard to Jennifer Granholm. Are you better off than you were four years ago?

You see, this is why voter apathy is so high these days. The negative campaigning and the mud-slinging debates make voters decide to not cast a vote at all rather than vote for one of the two major party candidates.

Granholm has the 8-9 point lead in the polls but is it because she has done such a good job or is it because DeVos has not done anything to garner our votes?

Read what the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press are saying about the debate.

Round 3 of the DeVos versus Granholm debate tonight

Governor Jennifer Granholm and her Republican challenger, Dick DeVos, square off tonight in the third and final (thankfully) debate. The first two debates have been an exhibition in good old mudslinging while not exactly swaying potential voters with their political rhetoric. Will either candidate present a detailed, fact-based plan for turning Michigan around? Judging by the previous debates and the heated war-of-words I would have to say - no.

I just wish that the two of them could set aside the rhetoric and provide the answers that Michigan voters are looking for. I don't care what Granholm has or has not done. I don't care what DeVos says needs to be changed in our state. I just want solutions, not more problems.

Here is my wishlist for tonight's debate:

• The number one issue in Michigan is the economy - I want specific plans from each candidate as to how they intend to turn Michigan's economy around for the long-term future.
• Taxes - how can DeVos throw out the SBT and keep necessary government services at their current levels? I think all of Michigan wants the answer to that, not just Jennifer Granholm.
• I want Governor Granholm to quit harping on the previous administration (John Engler) and blaming them for our current economic plight. If she would take ownership of our state's troubles and come up with a specific plan I think she could get back above a 50% approval rating and run away with the election.

Unfortunately, based upon the previous two debates I do not see any of the above three items being addressed with specifics.

Read what the Lansing State Journal is saying about Jennifer Granholm and Dick DeVos.

Watch the debate at 8pm tonight via the Detroit News' website.

The Great Debate - Granholm versus DeVos Round 2

Well the second debate took place last night between current governor Jennifer Granholm and her Republican challenger, Dick DeVos. I am not a betting man, but if I were I would have to bet that more people watched the Detroit Tigers win Game 1 of the ALCS than who watched the debate. Well, if you didn't watch the debate (hey I'll be honest - I watched the Tigers) you apparently did not miss much. More mudslinging and rhetoric was thrown from both podiums.

There really is nothing new to bring to the table for voters from this debate. These two candidates are supposed to be showing why they deserve our votes. Unfortunately, these debates are most likely turning away more voters than getting people interested in the voting process.

I hate to say it, but this looks like an election where people will choose the lesser of two evils as neither candidate has expounded on their theories as to how to bring Michigan back from the brink.