How to Think Like a Woman

the
Michigan
vote

So Tuesday, January 15, is the Presidential Primary Election in Michigan.

For a week now, our state has been deluged.

Political ads on TV.

Phone calls from one camp or another.

A parade of Republican candidates coming through to seek support.

The Democrats aren't here, which is a rare occurrence in the birthplace of the UAW.

Here's the scoop:

Like Florida, the party leaders in Michigan decided it really wasn't fair that Iowa and New Hampshire carry so much weight, so both states moved the dates of their primary elections up in the calendar

and ours is Tuesday.

Now, Michigan and Florida are supposed to be "sanctioned" by both parties for breaking the rules.

As punishment, the national Democratic Party says they will seat no Michigan delegates at the convention.

The GOP says Michigan will be able to seat only half their delegates at their convention.

The truth of the matter is all the delegates for both parties will be seated at the conventions for various reasons. For one thing, this is a change election. I am not talking about the "Obama change". No the word "change" is used in a variety of political expressions. When a president is done serving two terms, along comes a change election. And this one is a real change election because for the first time since 1952 (as far as I can tell) , no incumbent Vice President is running for office. In order to validate these change candidates, the delegates from both parties in Michigan (and Florida) will eventually get their voting rights restored.

Throughout American history when states have been sanctioned as in the case of Florida and Michigan this year, in the end, their delegates are seated, so if someone told you your vote won't count, they don't know much about politics!

The Democratic primary is a bit boring this time around, however. The Democratic candidates didn't put their names on the ballot (except for Hillary). They did this at the Party's request. I am sure those candidates now regret that move. And, local Democrats are encouraging votes for "uncommitted" on the ballot for those who support Obama and Edwards.

The Republicans have a more hotly contested race here and all the playas are on the ballot.

For Mit Romney, Michigan is crucial to prove he can win a large state--and the place where he grew up.

For McCain, a win here could position him as the candidate to beat.

Huckabee is like Applachian State, coming up to Michigan to try and score the big upset.

All of a sudden Michigan is very important and everyone is shlepping through to tell us how they intend to bring Michigan back (except for Guiliani who placed his bet on Florida and Super Tuesday).

The candidates who are here this week have some magical powers, apparently.

To listen to them they will each be able to single-handedly

raise the Pontiac Phoenix from the ashes.

Each one has their very own Michigan Plan.

The truth is that a President can help this state some.

Some. But only some.

The real CHANGE for Michigan must come from our local and state leaders.

Our businesses are being taxed out of here.

Our property owners pay higher and higher taxes on properties that are declining in value.

The state suffers the highest unemployment rate in the country and is deep in the middle of a one-state recession.

Michigan is the state with the highest number of U-Haul rentals going out

and among the highest number of foreclosures closing in.

Michigan's real change will have to begin at home

but there is some truth

that our next President

will be able to assist

so

I advise voting in Tuesday's election.

The land of the great lakes will be in the national spotlight for only a fleeting moment in time.

By Wednesday

all the campaign buses will be gone.

Let's make Michigan's

fifteen minutes

count!

__________________________________________

(Voting places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. No Excuses!)