That’s one way to send a message…

…but maybe not the only or the best way.

Was it really necessary to “send a message to Washington” by doing the electoral equivalent of tossing a brick through a window?

Come January 2011, as a voter in the 7th Congressional district, I will mourn the loss of Mark Schauer as my Representative. He’s hard working, intelligent, a good listener and acts with integrity to do what’s in the best interest of the district.

The message I want to send to Congressman Schauer is that people with the qualities he has are wanted and needed in government.

Were the message-senders on Election Day thinking about what they would lose by making the choices they did? Did those who didn’t bother to vote understand what the consequences would be? I don’t think so.

The next two years will be the test of whether the kind of brick-tossing message that voters sent brings change that works for all of us, or just gives obstructionists license to continue acting in their own rather than our country's best interest.

Do they care more about winning than about governing?

Our president mourns the current state of politics and urges those who win on November 2 to govern in the best interests of the country. A question that Involved Voters should be asking is: Which candidates are most likely to do that?

Here's a blog post on that topic from Steven Benen of The Washington Monthly:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026393.php
It's worth reading - especially if one is thinking about sitting out this election.

2010 General Election - You Choose

Are we voting with our heads and hearts - or with our spleens? I question those who would try to "send a message" about their discontent by electing candidates who believe there is no such thing as "good government".

Spleens have very short memories. They forget what "The Republican Team" mentioned in the campaign literature we're getting did the last time it was in office. How the Republicans who ran Michigan until eight years ago set in place policies that helped create the perfect storm when the national economy went into recession during the Bush administration.

We all want to see a return to prosperity at the local, state and national levels. Michigan, thanks in part to the economic diversification that Governor Granholm promoted but no thanks to the Republican-controlled Senate, is beginning to recover. And, we have benefited from the national Recovery Act spending on infrastructure projects and local police, firefighters and teachers.

If we vote with our heads and hearts, we'll select candidates who believe that government has a valuable role to play, who take it seriously and will devote their time and talent to serving the public good.

To keep Michigan moving forward, I urge you to vote for the entire Democratic ticket. Especially for Mark Schauer for Representative for the 7th Congressional district, Rebekah Warren for State Senate for the 18th district, Christine Green to succeed Pam Byrnes as Representative for the State House 52nd district, and Adam Zemke for County Commissioner for Washtenaw County's 1st district.

And remember, there's a non-partisan section of the ballot where you'll find the judicial races. Alton Davis and Dennis Morris are excellent candidates for the two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Research the Non-Partisan Side of Your Ballot

If you have an absentee ballot in hand, you already know that the 2010 General Election ballot has two sides.

The partisan side is where you'll find both state-wide and excellent local candidates (for example, Mark Shauer for 7th district Congressional Representative, Christine Green for Michigan 52nd district State Representative and Adam Zemke for Washtenaw County 1st district County Commissioner) listed.

The non-partisan side contains the State and County Ballot Proposals and the candidates for judicial positions. Information about the two State-wide ballot proposals can be found at the Michigan League of Women Voters site. Just scroll down to the State Proposals section.

The only contested judicial race is for Michigan Supreme Court Justice. I've done my research and encourage you to vote for Alton Davis and Denise Morris. In my opinion, it's time to replace Bob Young, incumbent appointee from the Engler administration. You can find out about Justice Young's worst decisions here.

If you plan to vote in person, get information about the voting process and your polling place, and view a sample ballot at Michigan.gov/vote.

We Involved Voters face real choices in the 2010 General Election. Think. Choose. Vote.

Deadline - Monday, October 4

The voter registration deadline here in Michigan is Monday, October 4th. To check your registration information, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, or to find your polling location, go to www.michigan.gov/vote.

You can also register to vote at your county, city, or township Clerk's office, any Secretary of State branch, or one of several state agencies, like the Department of Human Services and the Department of Community Health. It is easy to register, but don't wait until it is too late.

Because Every Election Counts

Every election counts. That's why Involved Voters are making time to meet the candidates, visit their web sites and find out how they stand on the issues.

Ads for candidates range from those that highlight the best of the candidate's record and the values they stand for, to those that use outright falsehoods and emotional button-pushing in an attempt to damage the opponent. Involved Voters are skeptical of ads and fact check them. (factcheck.org and michigantruthsquad.com are two fact-checking sources)

The one and only face-to-face debate by the candidates for governor, Virg Bernero and Rick Snyder, will air on live television statewide at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 10.

Meet two candidates that current State Representative Pam Byrnes is supporting, Christine Green, candidate for State Representative in the 52nd district, and Adam Zemke, candidate for County Commissioner in the 1st district, at a Moving Michigan Forward event, Thursday, October 7, 6-8 PM at the Chelsea Depot.

Spread the word: We have a choice. Every election counts!

Primary Election Day is today, August 3

Polls are open until 8 PM.

Involved Voters exercise their right to vote.

Not sure where to vote? Go to https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/ to find out.

Support the candidates of your choice.