Helvig's Helvitorials

Tired of Empty Promises

Published October 29, 2006 - 'Tired of empty promises' in The Holland Sentinel (Revised version of the previously censored article known as 'You make the call')

   Are you better off than you were four to six years ago? Are your finances better off than they were four to six years ago? Are your friends better off than they were four to six years ago? Is it time for a change in the Governor's mansion? Is it time for a change in the U.S. Senate? You make the call.

   Michigan is taking the lead in a number of economic and demographic studies across this nation. Unfortunately, the categories in which we are leading are negative and the impact on Michigan families has been damaging. This cannot be blamed on President Bush, as some would have you believe. Rather, it is the direct result of failed leadership by the likes of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Senator Debbie Stabenow.

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan's incomes have fallen 12 percent since 1999, earning our state the ominous distinction of 'worst decline in the country'. For the first time in history, Michigan's household income fell below the national average. While the stock market is setting record highs almost daily, Michigan is setting its own record lows.

   During the second gubernatorial debate, Granholm stated that the governor's job is to bring jobs to Michigan, not eliminate them. I could not agree with her more! Since January of 2001, Michigan has recorded a net loss of close to 85,000 jobs. We are the only state in the country to lose jobs for three years in a row over the past three years. By her own words, she no longer deserves to continue as governor.

   Analysts predict Michigan's unemployment rate for 2006 will average out at 6.7 percent, while the national average will hold at 4.7 percent. Among these figures include Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July of 2006 at 7 percent. Some of Michigan's major cities reported unemployment rates above 10 percent for the month of July. This is another statistic that our governor refuses to accept responsibility for.

   Did you know that Stabenow and Carl Levin have effectively killed the bill that would have provided affordable health insurance plans for Michigan’s small business owners? SB 1955 was designed to help thousands of Michiganders who are currently without health insurance. Levin and Stabenow had the Michigan lobby pretty much believing they were supportive of Small Business Health Care Bill 1955. Unfortunately for many, they torpedoed the legislation. 

   When you get a chance, ask a small store owner how she is doing when it comes to health insurance. Ask a contractor how expensive his health coverage is. Ask a real estate agent what she has to go through to get health insurance. Ask any small business owner about his costs for prescription drugs. The answers should have you asking Stabenow and Levin, "Why?"

   I don't know about you, but I am tired of hearing empty promises and seeing substandard results from our leaders in Lansing and Washington. Will Michigan residents continue to suffer if we don't get some new leadership in Lansing? Will small business owners continue to struggle if we don't get some new leadership in the U.S. Senate? You make the call.

   Once you make the call, encourage your neighbors to go to the polls and vote for a better Michigan on November 7th. The only way things are going to get better around here is if you and your friends go to the polls and elect Dick DeVos to governor and Mike Bouchard to the U.S. Senate.

Michigan Ballot Proposals for 06

Michigan Ballot Proposals for 06 - Published in the Holland Sentinel on October 22, 2006 as "Five Questions for Michigan Voters".

     By now you probably already know who you are voting for in the general election on November 7th. You know who will best lead our state as governor. You know who will best serve Michigan's interests in the U.S. Senate. You know who you want representing you in state and local offices. What you may not yet know is the details of Michigan's five ballot proposals.

     Proposal 06-1 is a "Proposed constitutional amendment to require that money held in conservation and recreation funds can only be used for their intended purposes". If passed, this proposal will provide protection for monies collected by the DNR through fees, license sales, taxes and other revenues. These monies will only be available for specific purposes related to conservation and recreation. If you agree with this logic, vote "Yes". It should be a no-brainer.

     Proposal 06-2 is a "Proposal to amend the state constitution to ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes". You got it. This is the highly debated issue of affirmative action. If you believe that all people were created equal and should be treated fairly, based on their qualifications and their abilities, then you will vote "Yes" on this proposal. If you believe that some people should continue to receive preferential treatment based on their minority status, you will vote against this proposal. Win or lose, this will probably not be the last we hear about affirmative action in Michigan.

     Proposal 06-3 is "A referendum on public act 160 of 2004 - an act to allow the establishment of a hunting season for mourning doves". If approved, this act will authorize the Natural Resources Commission to establish a hunting season for mourning doves in Michigan, similar to those in our neighboring states. Hunters will be required to purchase a small game license and a $2.00 mourning dove stamp, generating additional funds for the state's conservation and preservation programs. A dove season will also generate income for local businesses and additional tax revenues for our state. Vote "Yes" if you wish to allow the establishment of a dove season in Michigan.

     Proposal 06-4 is "A proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit government from taking private property by eminent domain for certain private purposes". Once passed, this amendment will prohibit government from taking your property and transferring it to some private individual or business for the purpose of economic development or increasing tax revenues. In other words, the government will not be allowed to take your property and give it to a developer to build some new hotel or condominium project. If the government does take your property they must prove that the taking is for public use, even if taken to eliminate blight. If the government takes your principal residence, they will be required to pay at least 125% of the property's fair market value. This amendment is designed to protect the rights of property owners and is expected to pass with flying colors. We should all vote "Yes" on proposal 4.

     Proposal 06-5 is "A legislative initiative to establish mandatory school funding levels". While on the surface, this may seem like a good idea, digging into the meat of this proposal will make you realize that this is a self inflicted wound waiting to happen. This proposal has become known across Michigan as the K-16 spending mandate. If approved, it will automatically increase our state budget by approximately $565 million in the first year alone. Additionally, it will automatically grow every year to account for inflation, taking no time at all to increase our state deficit by $1 billion per year.

     There is no plan in place to pay for this spending mandate. This means that state services will have to be cut from anything but education and taxes will have to be raised annually in order to cover the deficit. The first likely target for tax increases is property taxes. I don't know anyone who does not believe we should increase the funding to our public schools. However, putting the cart before the horse is not the answer. We must come up with a viable plan to pay for these funding increases before requiring them to be paid and eternally protecting them with this mandate.

     When Granholm took over as Governor, her biggest complaint was that she inherited a $600 million deficit. It took over three years of tough negotiating to finally balance the state budget. If proposal 5 passes, Michigan will be right back in the financial hole we were in four years ago. The fiscally smart voter will vote "NO" on Proposal 5.

Censored in Holland

Unpublished - Submitted to the Holland Sentinel on September 13, 2006 and rejected by the publisher, Peter Esser, due to the implied endorsement of a political candidate

   Are you better off than you were 4-6 years ago? Are your finances better off than they were 4-6 years ago? Are your friends better off than they were 4-6 years ago? Is it time for a change in the Governor's mansion? Is it time for a change in the U.S. Senate? You make the call.

   The housing market here in Western Michigan has taken a serious blow. Due to Michigan's failing economy and faltering job situation, we are in what is known as a "buyer's market". Does that mean home buyers can get whatever they want at a great price? No! That just means we have a lot of houses on the market and a lot of upset and even depressed sellers.

   As the active inventories reach new highs and the average 'days on market' continue to rise, Michigan's economy continues to decline. Michigan is taking the lead in a number of economic and demographic studies across this nation. Unfortunately, the categories in which we are leading are negative and the impact on local real estate sales is damaging.

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan's incomes have fallen 12% since 1999, earning our state the ominous distinction of 'Worst decline in the country'. For the first time in history, Michigan's household income fell below the national average. Is that why mortgage lenders are reaching record numbers in foreclosures?

   Since January of 2001, Michigan has recorded a net loss of close to 200,000 jobs. We are the only state in the country to lose jobs for three years in a row over the past three years. From 2000-2005, Michigan led the charge among the seven Great Lakes states in manufacturing job losses with nearly 218,000 lost manufacturing jobs. How many of your friends 'had to' sell their home due to losing their jobs? How many of them 'had to' move out of state to find employment?

   Analysts predict Michigan's unemployment rate for 2006 will average out at 6.7%, while the national average will hold at 4.7%. Among these figures include Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July of 2006 at 7%. Some of Michigan's major cities reported unemployment rates above 10% for the month of July. Why does Michigan continue to suffer, while the rest of the nation is either recovering or stable? Could it be a lack of effective leadership from Governor Granholm?

   Did you know that Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin have effectively killed the bill that would have provided affordable health insurance plans for Michigan’s small business owners? SB 1955 was designed to help thousands of Michiganders without health insurance. Levin and Stabenow had the Michigan lobby pretty much believing they were supportive of Small Business Health Care Bill 1955. Unfortunately for many, they torpedoed the legislation. 

   When you get a chance, ask a small store owner how they are doing when it comes to health insurance. Ask a contractor how expensive their health coverage is. Ask a real estate agent what they have to go through to get health insurance. Ask any small business owner about their costs for prescription drugs. The answers should have you asking Stabenow and Levin, "Why?"

   I don't know about you, but I am tired of hearing empty promises and seeing substandard results from our leaders in Lansing and Washington. Will Michigan home owners continue to suffer if we don't get some new leadership in Lansing? Will small business owners continue to struggle if we don't get some new leadership in the U.S. Senate? You make the call. Once you make the call, encourage your friends and neighbors to vote for a better Michigan on November 7th.