if you have midterm election fatigue, be warned...

DeVos vs Granholm Round 2:

He is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad debater. I don't think anyone on either side of the aisle would refute that. I've been reading some comments online about the debate last night and really enjoy the pro-DeVos peeps. Here's some of my favs:

"I'm not voting for an eloquent speaker, I'm voting for someone who will bring changes to Michigan and get us in the market again. Granholm hasn't kept half of her promises and yes, she did speak well but talk is not something I am looking for, action is. DeVos may not have done well in the debate but it's the way he will change the economy in Michigan that interests me."

DeVos has yet to say anything of substance regarding his economic plan. Even when given the opportunity last night to speak on the "134 ideas" he has, he passed. I'm guessing because he had nothing to do with actually writing the plan and has no idea what is even in the plan. Regardless, it seems to me that mayhaps campaigning is the time for candidates to do exactly what Granholm is doing: talk. Be specific about your ideas. Articulate very clearly what you intend to do. And as far as Granholm not keeping campaign promises: have you ever played the big bad game of politics? You don't honestly want me to go back to the past 2 presidential campaigns and remind you what G.W.B. promised, do you? Mr. I'm-a-Uniter-not-a Divider?
Right.

"I'm beginning to think that she will never take ownership of the problems the state has and work to address them. Michigan needs more jobs, a more diversified economy and better leadership. Broad platitudes on the subjects will not cut it any more."

That is exactly what Granholm's trying to do and ironically "broad platitudes" are exactly how DeVos is campaigning. Diversifying an economy that has been based almost solely on manufacturing cars for the past 100 years takes alot of time. It definitely takes more than 4 years. We have to change the perception of what constitutes a "good job." We have to re-train workers and invest in higher education. The U.S. will no longer be a country that makes things. We will be a country of innovation and ideas. Our economy will be service and information based. Of course we have the highest unemployment rate in the country. Our entire economy was manufacturing based and Granholm's plan-which I think she eloquently laid out last night-addresses that directly. Saying that "Michigan needs a business man" or "We need leadership" without explaining specifics is all DeVos has. I'd call that broad platitudes.

"She was left a poor economy ( should have beeen upfront about that during her last campaign), Going to fix our healhcare system, So far no improvement (we are still paying the tab for the uninsured and those who abuse the system). We need a change, I dont care if Devos is as articulate as Granholmas long as he can get the job done and if he doesnt well fire him in four years. Look we are at the botom of the barrel while the rest of the country is humming along, we are loosing jobs and students to other states that have their act together. Lets throw the bum out and give Devos a chance!!! Hes got my vote, I already know what Granholm is capable of, Blameing everyone else!"

The health care situation all over this country is deplorable. The only state that is really trying to radically change how it works is Massachusetts and I certainly applaud them for it. Because the economy was in such bad shape when she took office and only looking to get worse health care got put on the back burner. There's no money in the budget right now. There it is. Instead she used whatever money she had to invest in education. You know, schools? Where people learn to read and write and spell? (Cheap shot. I couldn't help it. It's the losing/loosing thing that really gets me.)

"I am voting for a change and if Granholm wins again, its time to relocate to Texas!"

Please. Go to Texas.

In other news, I'm heading to Connecticut this weekend to watch some of the family run a half marathon. I've flown alot and yet I always get a little anxious. It's not the flying and dying in a horrible accident that gets me. I have no control over that. It's the preparations--the doing of the laundry, the cleaning of the house, the making sure the cat is going to get fed, the trip to the airport, the standing in many lines, the hurrying up and waiting of it all. You'll all be very happy to know that I'm able to bring my knitting needles on board with me. Funny, isn't it? I still can't carry on my big bottle of shampoo, but 12 inch knitting needles are fine. Anyway, I'm looking forward to everything else about the trip. I'm getting me a haircut and I'm getting me a massage with my sister. I'm sitting down and chatting up some religion and politics with my Dad and I'm knitting like a crazy woman with my Mom. No one there knows this yet, but there will be some baseball watching as the Tigers series will be wrapping up this weekend. And most importantly there will be beer.

Long Trail and Magic Hat.
Soon we shall be reunited.