Ideas From You

Hundreds of critical thinkers, from inventors to philanthropists, were in the city on the weekend to share ideas and engage each other in dialogue about ideas and their place in the world. What can you say in 10 minutes? Those who attended the IdeaWave ...

But if you're stuck for ideas, or you just really love to make muffins, you can't go wrong with a cookbook devoted entirely to the easiest of little quick ...

1. Create an income tax lottery where for every X number of dollars your tax refund/amount owed is, you get 1 ticket in the lottery. Then have a drawing each week from FEB 1 to APR 15 and the winner doesn't have to pay their taxes or in the case of a refund, the refund is doubled. For those filing early, the program might want to put 2 tickets for ever X number of dollars in, to encourage people to file/pay early. This idea uses carrots/incentives to motivate taxpayers to file and pay their taxes instead of penalties/sticks if they don't file/pay.

2. Remove the state gasoline tax as funding for highway infrastructure/maintenance and replace with a state wide toll system using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to log the way points as a vehicle travels our state and county highways, local roads, etc. This would be a pay as you use program and could be billed each month in conjunction with your utility bill or like your monthly cell phone bill. Gasoline tax is a declining revenue as vehicles become more efficient and as gas prices rise, people purchase less gas. All vehicles, whether gasoline powered or not would provide revenue. Gasoline purchased for non-highway use (ie: lawn mowers, etc.) would not pay tax for highway maintenance they didn't use. The pay as you go fee would be an increasing revenue stream. Different vehicles would pay different rates based on their weight category, since weight is the primary factor in road deterioration. The technology exists to implement this plan and would create jobs to implement and maintain the technology as well as revenue. This would also be a great example of how Hi-Tech Michigan can be!

IMprove our economy by looking at the biggest expenditures that we have out of state.
Carbon in the form of Oil, Gas, and Coal are teh biggest drains. We should develop our wind and solar and hydro power to clean the air, and to keep our money circulating here.
Secondly, the next biggest cost is food. We can grow more of our own in your backyard, and at community gardens, and we encourage diversity on commercial farms.
Tjhird, We can bring more tourists from Europe, Asia and the Americas to Michigan. Our beautiful state park infrastructure is crumbling, but if we bring in tourists, we can use the tax money to rebuild the parks for all of us. All foreign visitors I bring in are amazed at the Great Lakes.

Here is ONE thing...

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/1...

I heard that the Pure Michigan ad campagin has a 30 million dollar budget.What is the How about start a grassroots effort to have everyone in Michigan invite their friends from out-of-state to visit them in Michigan. I'm sure the ROI would be much higher, there is more of an incentive to visit. Put some of the 30 million into creating things that people would want to do/visit. Just a thought.

1. Reduce the role of townships in Michigan. Eliminate the duplication of administrative overhead (from staff to facilities) and free up funds that could be used to improved services and lower taxes. Why do counties, like Lake, with populations around 10,000 need 15 townships, each with a hall, an assessor, treasurer, clerk, etc.? Why should cities such as Grand Rapids be landlocked by a ring of fiefdoms that stop logical annexation, require additional licenses (for everything from cable TV to trash collection) and complicate needed regional planning?

2. Restructure the laws covering public school districts to provide incentives to eliminate their prolific number. Eliminate the dozens of expensive redundant administrative positions and underutilized facilities and equipment, and free up the funds needed to offer a higher quality curriculum. Kent County, which includes Grand Rapids, has nearly twenty districts, some of which cover only K through 8. Oceana County, according to the Public School Review Web site, has 257 high school seniors, but they are split up into four different high schools. The state’s current public school structure must become more efficient, and in doing so could create need opportunities for the students, such as advanced-placement classes in subjects from Latin or calculus. This change would be one important step in improving the quality of the education our youth need to reestablish America’s place in the world.

3. In exchange for consolidation of school districts, eliminate the current requirement for periodic millage reauthorization elections, a practice found in few other states. Provide a uniform state wide property tax levy that covers a reasonably percentage of the per student costs. This rate should be set by the state legislature and be distributed uniformly on a per student basis.

1.Michigan sends approximately $1.4 billion dollars per year to other states to buy coal that our power companies burn. We rank 9th highest nationally among states that import coal--a large sucking sound from our collective economic welfare. Yet we have one of the best opportunities to produce energy from wind, especially putting wind turbines way,way off shore in the Great Lakes. This is easier for us than from states along the east and west coasts because the floor of the lakes drop off more gradually than does the continental shelf. We need a moratorium on coal plants in this state and to shift aggressively to wind power.
2. We need to restructure our taxes: limiting the sales tax to goods and not services means that a single parent buying boots and a winter coat for a child pays the sales tax, but someone playing golf or buying sports tickets does not. This makes our sales tax very regressive, imposes a heavy burden on those who can least afford it, and limits the ability of our sales tax to reflect the changes in our economy to a service economy. This has major consequences for school funding, revenue sharing that paid for police and fire protection and so on. Not only do we jeopardize the quality of our schools, but we raise our personal costs for auto and homeowner's insurance when police and fire protection services are cut. We need to break this negative cycle and expand the sales tax to services--all services except a few such as medical care. The model needs to be the same as the current sales tax on goods, which exempts food. The list of exemptions should be limited, but clearly a few items will need to be exempt.
3. We have to improve our infrastructure. Numerous studies show that taxes are a small part of business costs and hence of business decisions. Infrastructure on the other hand is a major consideration. This includes broadband access, roads and bridges, mass transit--both light and heavy rail, and so on. The American Civil Engineering Society estimates that the average Michigan driver spends $350 to $500 per year on ADDITIONAL car repairs due to the poor quality of our roads. So we buy tires more often, replace tie rods, etc. more than we need to as individuals. But for a company with a fleet of cars and trucks, this is an huge cost--and reportedly a major consideration in whether to locate in a particular area. A 2-cent per gallon increase in the gas tax would cost the average Michigan driver about $60 per year. Dedicating that revenue to improving the quality of our roads would save tax payers hundreds of dollars and convince businesses that our infrastructure will facilitate the flow of commerce. We simply cannot afford to leave federal highway dollars and federal rail transit dollars on the table because we lack the small amount of money we need for our share of these projects. This is a crucial business decision for our state and for its citizens. Whether it involves raising gas taxes, floating bonds, or other methods of raising the matching revenue, we need to do all we can to improve our infrastructure before it drives business from the state.

Three things to help Michigan during this economic downturn:
1. Recycle. If you have something you no longer need or want and its in good shape, post it on a recycle board. I use "freecycle" a Yahoo group to post. There are plenty of people out there with needs. You may have something they can use.

2. Barter. Yes, good old fashioned bartering. Everyone has a talent, trade, product or otherwise that they can barter. Start up a bartering system in your community. Help each other out until the economy comes back. When it does, then you have faithful customers that will purchase locally and drive the economy.

3. At the end of the year, many of us consider donations. I suggest keeping these local. If you are fortunate and can afford to contribute to charity, keep it in Michigan, and better yet, in your own community!

I personally don't think Michigan is broke to where we have to "fix" it...because by our own birth right, waking up in the US whether it MI or Fl or the other 48 states, we are all fortunate and blessed people to be here. But I have many ideas that one can incorporate in ones life, that don't cost anything to enhance the experience of living here in Michigan and/or any where else you choose to hang your hat..

One idea of enhancing the experience of living in Michigan is the idea of cleaning up the state...on an individual basis, let's pick up the trash. Get the word out that we are a clean state! We already have a bottle law which I think should be country wide. I remember a gatorade bottle that was in the bushes at the local library that hundreds of people walked by weekly and no one bothered to throw it in the trash can, which was clearly labelled and 10 feet away. I finally stopped to pick it up to discard it and found all sorts of other trash items there...from candy wrappers to other drink containers to miscelleanous paper etc. all aroung and under these bushes. I gathered up all the trash, threw it in the trash container and it really made the outside appearance of the library much better. I always pick up at least one piece of trash a day...and it's easy to do...while at the gas station, while walking at the park, walking to the mall, outta your yard. I know that everybodys default mode is that trash is dirty and you might get the plague from touching it, but that's just not true...of course, there's times a dirty diaper, a fish head or a couch is not easy to discard but with a little effort the trash is out there and cleaning it up really enhances your living experience and the environment around you. Imagine not seeing any trash blowing in the wind at a park or in the mall parking lot or in your neighborhood...this is something we can all be a part of and all it takes is an "I can and will do this atitude." When I go fishing, me and my boys always bring at least one piece of trash back to the van with us, how great it would be to be challenged to find trash on our land some day. Remember...the earth is not a trash can!

Another easy and inexpensive idea/action that would enhance living in the state is saying "hi" to your neighbor! I'm not talking about just going over to neighbors house knocking on the door...saying hi and then leaving...though that's a great start. But I'm talking about giving the greeting of the day to the people you encounter. Whether it be saying hi to passers by in a parking lot...a simple nod to some one you make eye contact with or a friendly wave to the mail carrier/garbage man/UPS dude...you get the picture. Taking the time to say "hi" can lift everyones spirits up... and it is for free. I remember while living in Colorado many years ago...everyone was friendly there...you'd be driving down the road, a car would be approaching you in the distance and when it/they came close, the driver would more often than not give you a wave...I thought, "how cool". Of course when travelling down I-696 during rush hour, you can't be waving at everyone on the road, but alittle bit of "Hi, how ya doin?" or "It's a beautiful day in Michigan!" can go a long way. Say "hi" it's contagious.

In this day and age it is so easy to stay at home...sit for hours on the computer...watch TV...be sedintary, not move and really miss out on the awesome life that exists just outside your door. We Michiganians need to get outside/outdoors and be more active. I'm not talking about parachuting/down hill skiing/endurance cycling or running. Though these activities surely get the pulse going. I'm talking about going for a walk...whether it be around the block, at one of the parks...to the mall for no apparant reason. Go fly a kite with your kids/grand kids. Throw the frizbee/play catch/shoot some hoop/go for a bike ride/go fishing...get out and move your body. We all probablay could use to lose a few extra pounds and this is a great start. And if you know some one who can't get out...stop by, get and them out...it'll do both of you good. And while you're out enjoying the day, if you see some trash...pick it up and of course don't forget to say "hi" to the people you meet!

I think the biggest thing we can do is to live locally, in a creative way. I'm already doing this. I'm a writer (comedic fiction) and all my novels are set in Michigan. I could've set them anywhere, but I've chosen to write my books and keep the settings local. This highlights the state and helps support the creative industry. We always talk about eating locally or supporting local businesses, but I also think this should be applied to creative endeavors. My fourth book comes out in February and my settings include Grand Rapids, Mackinac Island, Traverse City and Coopersville.

I also support local artists from novelists and playwrights to jewelry makers and painters. I also support local film by going to and supporting it. I think that if we can reinvent Michigan as a creative mecca, then more of the US will take notice. I'm doing what I can. It's not three things, it's one thing that's easy for me to attain: support local creative endeavors.

Tanya, good for you, we have the potential to turn around local and more .. Movie making , documentarys, create business in several areas using what we have. This means intelligent and capable people, re- write some rules and regulations to employ the best people for the job. Grass Lake Mi . find me

Good Allen, "We" can do it. Mich. Is where I live. I do all the things you have listed and have searched for the quality "group" you mention and have been working on wind powered heating system to eliminate burning any kind of fuel for heating in rural applications - first. There is more. email

Michigan designs, prototypes and manufactures cars, trucks, boats, furniture, appliances and much more. We know how to conceptualize, develop, model and manufacture things and in great numbers. Michigan ought to establish itself as THE Design, Prototyping and Manufacturing State where anyone in the country who wants to develop new products for mass production should go for help. We would then gather an appropriate team of expert designers, model makers and manufacturers who would then be partnered with companies eager to collaborate and develop specific new product concepts from first notions through to production. We, Michigan could be the source for coordinated, high quality and imaginative Design and manufacture of all new products. The talent is already here and unless we get smart, many young designers and engineers will leave Michigan for jobs elsewhere. Lets identify our best, most imaginative and talented designers and engineers and bring them together to form responsive teams that can attract and contribute to national and international companies interested in developing new products.

Did you find my email? figure it out? askwsoctatyahoodotcom

To make Michigan a better place, and inlight of the fact that we have just celebrated World AIDS Day, the three things we could do to make Michigan a better place would be to:

1. Create an educational campaign around HIV/AIDS because there are 20,800 reported and documented cases of AIDS in Michigan with many more people unaware of their status. Behind every case is a lifetime of costly medications that put a drain on the state, though the drugs are necessary and life-saving. If more people were aware of how the virus is spread, fewer people would become infected.
2. Place gentle pressure on major foundations, who once, 25 years ago, placed high priority on AIDS education, to do so once again. The foundations began to stop funding the cause in large numbers because of the new life saving drugs that help people to stay well. But now, more people are infected so we need the support of these major foundations once again!

3. Ask the owners of billboard companies to once a year give non-profits that assist with AIDS to underwrite a few billboards that simply say, "Do you know your status?" Call XXXX or www.

Helen Hicks
Chief Executive Officer
Michigan AIDS Coalition
www.michiganaidscoalition.org
248.545.1435 X113

Live up to the Car region of the country by building a toll autobahn going from Detroit to Chicago, with no Speed Limit. The revenue potential could be great and that will strengthen Detroit.

3 things to improve Michigan.
Highlight the value 1st. energy efficiency 2nd. low cost renewable energy 3rd community involvement.

This covers things in suggestion 1 like... learning how to read your own meter to understand your patterns [and cost] of power consumption. section 2 using clotheslines to dry clothes or rain barrels to provide water for landscapes..biking, even simple solar ovens (which we use), composting, recycling trash 3. encouraging victory gardens to improve the income, health, diet and pride in local communities, making minor changes in traffic patterns for walkable communities.

We need www.notfarfromthetree.org website for Michigan..... http://springwise.com/weekly/2... There are so many fruit trees and bushes that go unpicked in Michigan...

Pace traffic signals to MOVE traffic rather than slow it to a crawl.

(No, our current system does NOT cause people to drive slower by making them stop at nearly every light. Instead, it makes them speed up, slam on the brakes and wait. Rinse and repeat.)

Where that's not possible, change speed limits to match up with green lights. (It works in Birmingham on Maple Road, and people gladly obey the speed limit, knowing they'll hit every light on the green. What does Birmingham know that we don't know?)

Benefits: Safer streets for all, eliminates speeding (why bother speeding?), no cars running red lights, save fuel, less pollution, save vehicle and road wear and tear, save drivers' time, eliminate the "less-than-zero MPG" every vehicle gets sitting at a red light, Chevy Volt drivers will get (and publicly report) a fair chance at getting 40 miles on a charge (GM could use that), trucks and buses will finally get over 4 MPG in the city, save money, fewer collisions, fewer brake and transmission repairs, less tailgating, and fewer late-sleepers and road rage maniacs trying to beat the next red light.

Downside: County employees called 'Electrical Control Systems Instrument Technicians' will finally have to time them properly, but they've been broken for a long, long time.

Possible Debate Topic: County government employees can't figure out how to pace traffic signals or change speed limit signs. We've all got PLENTY of money and time to waste, so we can easily afford to throw away 10 million dollars every day on wasted fuel (do the math for 200 million drivers in the U.S. wasting just two ounces of fuel, 128 ounces in a gallon) along with any pollution it causes. Besides, oil companies and auto repair shops LIKE things just the way they are.

Food for Thought: What would your day be like if every intersection had a green light waiting for you?

1) Be actively informed, educated, about local news, public hearings, and political candidates prior to elections; know the finer workings of our local and national government and the contexts which surround it, and articulate educated desires for government action. In other words, be a responsibly engaged citizen.

2) Participate more in volunteer service in the company of others through environmental stewardship outreach, education as a volunteer to empower others to be responsible, well prepared and educated individuals who can better engage their society, economy, and environment. Create awareness and coordinate interest in comprehensive efforts for sustainability.

3) Enjoy more things and share them in the public sphere, also explore local features rather than pass by them during my commute. Play music in public places more often and listen to music at open mics, use the library, re-create at local parks, etc.

Also, when I do need to purchase something, venture into local shops and restaurants if at least to say hello and find out about the history of the place.

1. Get a list of everyone (lobbyists, legislators, insurance execs) who has ever had anything to do with insurance in the state of Michigan.
2. Round them up.
3. Shoot them ... every last one of them.

1. Change unemployment such that someone is not penalized for taking a lower-paying job. For example, allow those taking a minimum or low wage job some portion of their unemployment benefits so that there is incentive to taking a menial job.
2. Michigan Conservation Corps...much like the CCC and WPA back in the depression, the MCC would put unemployed people to work on public projects to revitalize parks and infrastructure.
3. Provide consistent funding for our schools! School districts must somehow be shielded from huge changes in state revenue.

Allow all dams in Michigan to produce electricity. We import energy into the State. Consumers Energy now charges over 13 cents per kilowatt hour after a 600 base use. Producing local power will befit everyone.

Hi, most things are possible . I'll make a suggestion , most everyone has wind , some more than others. I'll be happy to hook up with people to show "how it works"

Wave Action, off shore wind, solar farms. . . we should be doing it all here with a national WPA type program to get our exceptional work force into action because the utilities won't do it unless it's a gazillion dollar nuclear or clean coal project (that we all pay for). I can't wait for the day we can all sell power back to the grid for profit and unplug from the monopolies (I mean utilities).

1. List 3 Michigan Cities You have Wanted to Visit
2. Visit each city. Find out about its history, museums, factories, public projects, unique products, famous people, plans for the future.
3. If you are a Michigan City, put together a basket of items unique to your city that everyone who visits should have. Make it available in many stores/key tourist stops (local books, wine, honey, cheese, photos, maps/walking tours, t-shirts, calendars, lists, etc..)

Create a consortium of economics, social and urban engineering experts to study other large cities such as Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The goal would be to understand how they experienced a rebirth after suffering devastating unemployment, corruption and community despair. Are any of their method are applicable to reviving places like Detroit and Flint?

Design a "Michigan Pride" website. Feature festivals, Products made in Michigan, Historical fun facts,. Perhaps sponsor essay and picture competitions with prizes being Michigan made products or discounts to our many wonderful attractions.

Michigan's future depends, in my opinion, on a return to three values fundamental to achieving a better future for all our citizens.

-- The first value is transparency. Democracy and the free market only work when citizens and consumers can fully understand their choices. Transparency is essential in both processes. When a vendor at a farmer's market can label wholesale produce transported thousands of miles as "homegrown", trust in our food system is undermined and local farmers labeling their produce honesty put at a significant disadvantage. Likewise, when semi-official work groups meet behind closed doors to hammer out changes to legislative proposals, trust in government is undermined.
Commercial and government actions need to be fully transparent. As Gandhi wrote, "secrecy is the enemy of democracy."

-- The second value is listening, really listening to people on the margins of society. Too often, public and commercial decisions are made by the powerful in complete disregard of the voices and interests of the powerless. Michigan has a tradition of "command-and-control" government that mimicked the processes of the Big Three in the auto industry. As our economy continues to undergo fundamental change, the numbers of people on the "margins" grows. Our future depends on listening their voices and engaging them in the changes we need to make.

-- The third value is community -- building local institutions that strengthen our connections to our neighbors. Wendell Berry says that "community is the most import resource of the 21st century." The solutions to many of our state's most pressing problems will be developed at the local level by neighbors helping and working with neighbors. The state needs to adopt policies to support urban gardening, food and energy cooperatives, and time banks that create community resilience and trust. Our future is literally in our collective neighborhood hands.

Core values are, as the term implies, at the core of everything we seek to do. We need to focus on transparency, listening to differences and the margins, and community, if we are to succeed.

I have one subject that could be divided into 3 (or 30) things. The one subject is reforestation.

There is no better way for us to leave this state and this world for that matter, than to provide more trees. Michigan is good at growing trees, but private enterprise does not reward it (except maybe pulpwood). The true cost of the great lumbering era is still being paid for, and although progress has been made, we need programs that will allow individuals to contribute. Here are 3 possible ways.

1. Agricultural subsidies for private land not based on a crop or not planting a crop, but for re-planting native trees. The consequences of this will be felt by generations to come, and the benefits are many.

2. Programs for planting public lands similar to the CCC efforts of the 1930s. We now know a lot more about tree health and the benefits of carbon sequestration...so the impact should be even better than the original efforts.

3. Volunteer programs for re-forestation of MDOT right-of-ways. Taking the "adopt a highway" concept one step further, we could all invest in Michigan with a cash crop that could eventually be harvested, and the State could actually make some money some day. There are thousands of acres available in the medians of the Interstate system that are unused.

The cost of these efforts could be very low. There are potential volunteers that could propagate seeds and transplant. The problem is that the payoff is such a long way off, only long-range state support will allow it to happen. It may take 10 years just to grow transplant stock. For the sake of future generations we should get started.

Interview Jeremy Rifkin, who is working so broadly and passionately to get ahead of the social problems and prepare innovative solutions before there is a crisis point. What are HIS three things?

I am part of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems and we promote local and sustainable food systems, incluidng rural AND urban gardening, engaging youth in food produciton, getting our schools to include local farmers in the food procurement, helping communities to create healthy and active livlihoods. On that trail I would like to suggest 3 things to help Michigan be a stronger state: 1. For schools to include growing vegetables in a garden or hoophouse and use it for food AND learning 2. Every family have a vegetable garden even in pots, a community plot or at least visit a farm with the family 3. Buy as much of your food from local markets, farmers markets, farm stands and share the extras with your neighbors. I see community engagement around healthy food will provide much more than green stuff on our plates, but carry over to build stronger and more united communities.

Hello sorrone, send a note . I can share info on Greenhouse Heating for the future . Free in a few years. gliderpilotlee@yahoo.com

Michigan has alot to offer; it's a beautiful state with very good natural resources. We have made choices in our marriage that allow me the pleasure and privilege to stay home with our children. I am thankful that I live in a place where we pass many small farms going down our road. We buy eggs from an organic farm, our meat is locally raised by a family we call friends, we have a small garden and that which we don't grow, I try to find at my local grocery, health food store, or farmer's market. Those choices mean sacrifices in other areas but I hope we are passing down health and good values to our children. My three things: 1. Support Michigan by buying local and encouraging the small farmers to return to Michigan. 2. Enjoy Michigan by getting out and exploring the magnificent creation we live in. 3. Protect Michigan by living green and advancing the development of green industry here in Michigan.

Buy local products and services

Replace the politicians in the Michigan House and Senate with people who understand that while we all have the things we passionately believe in, to get anything done, we MUST learn to compromise and we MUST start thinking in terms of what is best for Michigan, not what is best for political parties.

Raise the income tax if necessary to help get us out the the hole we're in.

Find a way to support school libraries and information/technology literacy instruction in the public schools. Many if not most school districts have cut school library programs and staff (especially trained librarians with Master's degrees in library science or technology and state teaching certification) either completely or so drastically that service to students barely survives. Yet in this information age it is crucial that students receive adequate instruction on how to find, evaluate, and creatively use information and technology. Study after study has demonstrated that the presence of qualified library media specialists in schools boosts student achievement (see http://www.ala.org/aaslTemplat... ), yet these positions are being abandoned in Michigan.

I think it would be really interesting to hear from Bob Fish and Mary Roszel, founders of the very successful, Michigan based company, Biggby Coffee. They always have a very positive message.

The Michigan Community Service Commission believes three simple things can help contribute to Michigan's future success: (1) volunteerism, (2) mentoring, and (3) national service. By committing individuals to our communities we can address some of our most critical challenges. We'd love to discuss this idea with you further.

Michigan businesses need to purchase within Michigan to help our own economy. As a consumer also, buy Michigan made products to ensure your money is also going back into Michigan

Recycle. Everyone knows the benefits of recycling.

Spend more time with your children! You can ensure our childrens future here in Michigan by spending quality time with them and prevent them from getting into gangs or a crime related future.

I would rehabilitate the empty houses in Detroit and put homeless people into those homes.
I would make our roads and streets more drivable. Where you can drive down the streets without damaging your car.
I would definitely establish more affordable if not free youth programs. I would put these programs in places where people aren't very mobile.

I would like to see people stop complaining, and start taking action on their ideas, whether it's volunteering, going back to school or creating something you wish Michigan had.

I would like to see every person in our state value higher education and understand it's essential to our personal and economic success.

I would like to see people celebrating Michigan's assets and successes rather than focusing on its shortcomings and failures.

1. Designate a couple highways to be toll roads.
2. Put high taxes on medical marijuana.
3. Reduce the amount of fines & punishment for DUI's.

get the mafia out of the insurance business.....buy protection or we will stink bomb your store.

free up the patents, cut taxes, raise interest rates some so we don't have to bail out any more banks.

get the mafia out of the insurance business

free up the patents, cut taxes, raise interest rates so we don't have to bail out any more banks.

3 Things to Improve Michigan...

1. More Jobs. New businesses, New opportunities - By promoting sustainable living (i.e. "green jobs", promoting renewable energy, organic/local farming) Also, perhaps by allowing some sort of tax break for new development and businesses, with direct regards to Detroit/Flint - all that vacant land! Let's use what we got, before building/expanding more.
2. Affordable School/College. Employment is a big issue in Michigan, most can not find work, or there seems to be the issue of being under-qualified or over-qualified for various positions currently available. Making education more affordable would help with preparation for more jobs.
3. Support Locally! "buy local or bye-bye local"
Support neighborhood businesses, Michigan Brands - keep our money within the state.

Hi Reneez You have most of it, Hope to write this enough times someone (State) can see, understand common sense, look at the efficiency, look at the simple proof.  I'll share a story: When I bought a tool  -   X dollars  must equal     efficiency/time saved/ materials not used or fuel not burned of wasted.  OK , I have retired two trucks and two tools in 44 years. An insurance company weaseled me out of another truck that a drunk driver totaled and it appears the officers involved protected the driver and his father.  ( alcohol not a factor on 21st birthday party binge) Whoa! back to the subject - Business invested in by State must show profit in a few months ---- less than a year and return the investment so the State can evaluate and invest in the next worth while project. Again common sense, profitable jobs, get rid of the leaches.

1. Michigan has been a great source of wealth and support to the development of the US over the years - especially during WW-2 and in the 60'2 and 70's from the auto industry. That fact however does not entitle us to be treated differently from the rest of the US. So first of all we need to get over our sense of entitlement and get down to work and quit complaining that the world owes us for our past accomplishments.
2. The unions need stop controlling the legislature. Michigan needs to be a "Right to Work" state like all of the other states that have grown in the last 30 years. From the municipal workers, to auto workers, to the teachers - Michigan needs to be able to compete for jobs without having the fear of union reprisals.
3. Our legislators need to listen to our higher education leaders like Mary Sue Coleman. Without a strong post secondary educational population, Michigan will never compete in the new world economy.

Hi Ted, good point . If I get this right : If anyone produces a product for profit and can do well enough to expand and or reinvent his process .
  The State would do well to search for many with this brand of thinking and help them create more jobs here in Michigan. Read into this : Not one answer

We need fewer people living in Michigan. So my first suggestion is that the State should provide a buy-out for anyone who is within something like 3 months of running out of unemployment benefits. These people won't find work here in all likelihood and the State needs to help these people move to other states. Perhaps they can pay the remaining unemployment in a lump sum if the family moves out of state. If they own a home and are underwater, the State might facilitate a sale at the going market rate and give some of the proceeds to the family who lived in the house and the balance to the lender.

1. Stop talking about how BAD things are in Michigan. Every time people here and across the country hear how bleak the outlook is, they are that much more hesitant to invest here, live here, go to school here. If you can't stop talking about Michigan, then try to focus on the positives... like our weather...

2. Invest here. I don't just mean buying an American car or shopping at Wal-mart near your home. I mean buy things from locally-owned small businesses. Go to college here. Buy a home here. Work here. Pay taxes here. Encourage others to do the same. But for Pete's sake, stop "investing" more than you can afford, which is, of course, more than you earn.

3. Ask our state government to invest in infrastucture here. Very little of the money we've received from the federal government for economic recovery that was supposed to be used in this way has been used to plug holes in the budget instead.

You have it Jennifer , usually a few options : keep doing the same things thinking someone else will fix (It) . Do something different . Active search for capable / inventive. but make note : Intelligence does not need a degree. It shines brightly . If gov. would just open their eyes

Introduction: These Ideas are Harsh.

1. Do not have children. If you really want a child, adopt. We do not have the money in this state to support all the children. Do not add to the problem.

2. If you are unemployed and can move, leave the state. At some point the unemployment benefits will end and at that point it will be a complete disaster. Get out now.

3. If you are unemployed and can't move, spent time volunteering in schools.

The business community needs to be open to and hear new ideas. It needs to adjust the way its thinking. We can learn from whats worked in the past but it can't be the guiding light into the future. The state needs to do everything it can to attract new business.

Expand the Pure Michigan campaign to continue to identify Michigan as a vacation destination and a great place to raise a family.

Detroit/Flint? Give away all the unused, vacant land and buildings that the city has "acquired". Let developers/neighbors/residents have them for free. In order for them to be free they have to be redeveloped/cleaned up/maintained. Give them a 5 or 10 year tax rebate. Give the community incentive to rebuild the city.

The State has the capacity to search for 100s of capable inventive people. I'm issuing the concept / challenge. Maybe the people could run their lives and create businesses and jobs if they are allowed to . Read into that---

*Place webcams in every government supported office, beginning with our public schools. Not to catch our teachers or students "doing wrong," as our litigious society promotes, but to discover people that are "doing right." Why webcams? At home, a family member checks their student at school from their home computer. Or a teacher could share a special moment with parents, or settle a dispute.

*Change the voting system by using the thousands of Michigan Lottery Terminals in Michigan's 83 counties. Lottery terminals are responsible for tallying millions of bets (millions of dollars) per day. Why reinvent the wheel (of fortune) when a simple software adjustment could change elections from one day of voting to a weeklong "voting week" at their local Michigan Lottery Retailer.

*Double the size of Michigan's government by doubling the amount of government employees - legislators, teachers, police, firefighters, judges - anyone paid with taxpayer funds. Every employee would work only 20 hours per week. The government and it's facilities would remain open for longer periods of time and on weekends. Thousands of people would be eligible for employer-paid health insurance. Thousands of government jobs would be shared by thousands of workers, and because everyone only works 20 hours a week, they would spend more time with their family or be involved in other community/business event.

An easy thing we as Michiganders (and all US citizens) can do to improve our economy is to buy flex fuel vehicles. Ford, GM and Chrysler all now have extensive lines of flex fuel vehicles that can run on either gas or E85 ethanol. Unlike hybrid cars, flex fuel vehicles cost little extra compared to non flex fuel vehicles. This is a category that domestic automakers have a one up on the imports. Most imports are not flex fuel capable. Say you can't afford a new car? Buy a flex fuel vehicle that's a couple years old and save half off the sticker price.

Besides supporting domestic automakers, E85 is a fuel that is produced right here in the good ole US of A. Currently most E85 ethanol comes from corn, but within the next two to three years commercial scale plants will be coming online that can produce ethanol from everything from switch grass to used tires. Ethanol is already competitive pricewise with gasoline at the pump. When these new plants come online ethanol will probably be cheaper than gasoline.

Ethanol has both environmental and economic benefits. This is a closed loop carbon system. Even ethanol made from corn has economic benefits, and to a lesser degree environmental. And...BONUS...no more sending our hard earned money to OPEC!

Switching to flex fuel vehicles is something easy we can all do, and the economic and environmental benefits are immediate.

Hi, Good comment, I am not a fuel producer or the perfect math whiz. I appreciate everyone - trying everything , but I did notice a 20 percent fuel economy drop whenever I used ethanol. Corn is a food, and the price goes up when we use it for fuel,----- soon - other options I hope

There is a drop in fuel economy when compared to gasoline. However, it is also less expensive, currently in Grand Rapids E85 is 2.25/gal compared to 2.69/gal for gas. Even so you're still paying a little more per gallon using E85 compared to gas. But the profits are staying in our country. Yes, corn is a food. Right now I don't know about you but the price of a can of corn isn't killing me. If ethanol becomes crazy popular (which I hope it does) food prices might rise. However, as I indicated, cellosic ethanol plants are scaling up which use non food raw materials. This diversified feed stock solve the food issue and bring the cost of ethanol down further.

My wife and I own a farm. Stone Road eco farm. We are growing produce for our community and we are accepting contributions and pledging to use the proceeds to employ people in our community. We employed 3 people last season and this season we would like to employ between 15-20 People. We gave to the nccs and gleaner's food trucks over $10,000.00 of our produce. We would like to triple this amount. currently we are farming 3 acreas we have access to over 20 other acreas to farm. We are also looking at year around employement. and the availability of large hoophouse to help grow produce year around. We believe that the economy starts with small busines's and farms. on our farm you will learn how to become sustainable. We start with the seed that we saved the previous season. If we are to ask for change change must come from within. We are responsible enough to know that we control our destination. It should start from everyone enjoying great food. Join our passion and help us create this miracle. Thanks Laura

Hi Laura, good job , where is your farm? Mine is west side of Washtenaw Co Michigan.  Would you like free heat for your greenhouses (almost)  I have a plan and ready to build wind powered heaters  Lee Rohrer  cell 734-846-0968

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Lee great talking to you and sharing the heater with me. I am at
www.ecofarmony.com and I am sitting on the tractor look forward to
talking to you soon. I wanted to let you know to look into russian
seed it grows during very cold weather and is 2/3's larger than our
hay. Tom

1- create profitable business
2- I heard just today that inmates cost $65 a day. Green energy produced by inmates would pay for their keep, Plus pay them $65 a day and rehab. 1 to 3 out of 10. maybe more.
3- search for 1000 people that can conceive of businesses that produce products for profit. Stop the" shuffle money around "to people that farm out their wind power products to China etc. American Loyalty might be suggested ---- I have two possibilities

Too many of our lawmakers make decisions that benefit them after they get money from too many people with far too much money.
Who says money can't buy love? It can sure buy legislative decision-makers.

1. Pick a political candidate and work on his/her campaign - & try to pick one with a positive vision for the future for the whole district, city, etc. s/he is running in.
2. Smile at at least 1 stranger per day - and every time you see your neighbors & acquaintances.
3. Give your spouse or kids a soothing back rub, whenever they seem too tense.
4. Do your taxes early, so your amount due / refund won't come as a big surprise when you have to file them.

"Instead of being the warm centre of the world, the Middle West now seemed like the ragged edge of the universe -..." F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gasby.

Michigan, with it's miles of beaches should be a destination resort. IMO Michigan should clean up it's industrial and chain-store parking lot culture and focus on making itself more charming and inviting through improved architectural design and adding more storefronts to create a more of a walkable city.

1. Walking cities. Make GR and Detroit charming and walkable. Look at European cities for inspiration.

2. Public transportation. Trains, monorails, trolleys. http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/1...

3. Public transportation. Add a ski lift down Fulton street to and from East Town to downtown Grand Rapids.

4. Canals. Dig up downtown GR and add canals and quaint bridges like Amsterdam and Venice.

5. Architecture. Brick, limestone, different building materials and sculptural details for city buildings to add charm. Look to Europe.

Make Michigan charming in architecture and walkable in city design and that will make Michigan a tourist destination and frankly more charming for the people who live there.

1. I have written a plan that would make America energy independent in 15-20 years and greaty reduce pollution and greenhouse gasses. It would bring tens of thousands of jobs to Michigan. To date, it is a 500 slide PowerPoint presentation and is now a world project. It needs support and I would be happy to share it with anyone who might be interested.
2. Michigan will never, ever recover without draconian educational reform. I have written a plan that would have our schools turning out scholars and eliminate the deadwood, saving the State billions of dollars and bringing the best minds here along with the best jobs. We could also replace all of the schools in our school districts without ever borrowing any money.
3. I offered to balance the State budget with reforms of education, prisons and highway work. Again, it would only involve spending our tax money WISELY. Again no ear. BYW, I offered to do serious cost reduction at any manufacturing facility that would make a donation to the Haitian relief fund or a health clinic for the needy. No response including the Chambers of Commerce. Any takers?

Last time I heard about ideas like this, it involved cutting somebody's brother-in-law out of the government contract chain he'd grown to know and love, and then eliminating bribes to elected officials (they prefer to call them "re-election campaign contributions").
Bottom line: too much inbreeding in the contractor selection and legislator decision-making processes. Your plans will be DOA.
Maybe you could give us a website to tease us?

I would got rid of all the abandoned buildings. I would focus more on schools instead of prisons. I would also try and reduce the crime rate

Dear NPR,

My three suggestions are:

1.Gov Granholm should gracefully bow to the forces of Nature (y'all have heard the phrase: Man proposes, God disposes...) and A. Put a bounty on Asian Carp (Bounties have near eradicated other pestiferous species...) and B. wait for human nature to take it's inevitable course as a. they are fish and therefore edible and b. they are new and unique to this eco-system so C. eventually, as they become more numerous, they will be re-christened (perhaps something like Fresh Lake Coi) and D. some enterprising individual will open a restaurant specializing in this 'new delicacy' and I'll bet E. ex-Governor Granholm will be pleased to eat some as surely it will taste nothing like crow, not to mention that the F. Army Corps of Engineers should only be involved if it's a guy with a fishing pole so G. When an edible-sized one is actually caught, it can be held up as an example so all the other fisherpersons on the lakes will know what they are looking for so H. the restaurant people will know what to advertise as 'Yellow Lake Coi' because I. didn't the State introduce Coho Salmon a few years ago and J. didn't that work out OK?

2. Listen to NPR.

3. Whistle a happy tune - but only when you're alone, as actually whistling can somewhat annoy the person you are sharing space with / working next to, even married to. When did whistling get to be socially undesirable, anyway. After all, it's how the Swiss & Native americans recognized each other over long distances: mutually recognizable bird calls -

This is the best suggestion I have seen posted!

1 have government join with unions and auto industry to establish union contracts that would make Michigan salaries competitive with southern states. The union have the most to offer and the most to gain.
2. Make possible the sale of unused Michigan factories to foreign manufacturers by highlighting low cost ready made infrastructure, available skilled labor and attractive cost of living benefits.
3. Sell the Michigan cultural assets to the nation. For example, WUOM do a piece for NPR which covers Detroit's School Of The Performing Arts and the College for Creative Studies school for the visual arts to demonstrate that Michigan is investing in arts education while other states are cutting arts support.

Educate everyone on Michigan's redemption period. If your house goes into foreclosure you can live in it for free for 6 months after the sheriff's sale or 12 months if the property is over 3 acres, providing you maintain the property and keep utilities on. This allows people to build up some emergency savings or pay down other debt and reduces vandalism of empty houses. People should also be aware that banks are adjourning sheriff sales from week to week and it may take 6 to 12 months for a bank to sell the house after the notice of foreclosure.

Sadly, there's far more than enough money in this country to do all the things we need to accomplish as a society. It's just sitting in a few people's super-wealthy accounts, and will stay there as long as they own our government.
The rest of us are just pawns, being told whatever we want to hear so someone can swindle us out of our vote. Most of us deserve to be pawns, since we believe what we want to believe rather than seeking the truth.

I have noticed that a lot of people are commenting on what they think OTHERS can or SHOULD do to make Michigan better, but are not commenting on what THEY can do. Therefore:

1: I can ask people what THEY HAVE DONE to make Michigan better.
2: I can ask people what THEY WILL DO to make Michigan better.
3: I can keep asking myself those same questions, and do more.

1: I can ask people what 3 things they would do to make Michigan better.

2: I can not add offense to the world. I could not react negatively to negative actions or words of others. Instead, I can allow myself to have my feelings then think before acting, and maybe even do nothing; therefore, I would be not adding offense to the world by reacting defensively in an offensive way.

3: I can Allow myself to simply come up with one thing for now that would make michigan better.

As you said, no comment.

1.Develope the continuous wave power off the Great Lakes. I have an idea of off shore floating barges harnessing the almost contant motion of the water through various methods of electrical generation. This is an excelent opportunity specific to the Great Lakes.

2. Run a statewide lottery where 75% of earnings goes to specific state needs (determined by a councel maybe or just going directly into the state budget to help out)25% vto winners tax free. If advertised and organized right it could encourage people to help out their state.

3. Put an offer out around the country to viable home based business owners for free houses in areas like Flint. Offer them a vacant house that they have to live in for 5 years, give tax incentives, no opportunity to collect unemployment or live off the state in any way but once they have lived in the home and brought it up to a habital status it is theirs free and clear. This would bring income into the area not dependent on the local economy and perhaps revitalize areas in need and at the same time birng income into the state that wouldn't otherwise be there.

The only 'wave' in the Great Lakes is Niagara Falls. Perhaps you were thinking of an ocean.

We were robbed on the lottery once before. They said the money would go to schools. What they didn't tell us was that it would merely replace other funding that was removed. Net effect, zero benefit for schools. Lotteries keep poor people poor, since that's nearly their only hope in life.

I like the idea of using vacant homes in a constructive way. Needs a lot of work to make sure they don't turn into crack houses. Certainly better than the plan we have now (let it degrade, then wreck it).

Three Things I can do

1. Strengthen the family. Place values back in the home. Spend time being a dad, mom, parent. I can read to my children; play make believe with them; teach them. Learning may be introduced in the classroom; it is engrained at home. It is my job as a responsible parent to ensure my child is learning.

2. Be involved in my community. Volunteer. Take pride. Shop in my downtown. Support my local business. Take ownership of where I live. Rely less on tax supported government services.

3. Live up to my civic duty. Be engaged in the political conversation. To remain mute while decisions are being made that will shape our society and affect our way of life could be costly. As decisions and laws are being crafted to which you may live under; you may want to have your say in it.

Ten Radical Things that Can Fix Michigan (its going to take more than three)

1.) Reduce the size of state government by half. This will require some tough decisions, and an outlaying of cash early in the process. Many state agencies can be combined (Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Military Affairs, and the State Police for example). The implementation of technological solutions can also help. State workers that choose to leave (or who are asked to leave) should be offered support in finding a new job and a full scholarship or funding apprenticeships program so that this is not increasing the number of people seeking jobs.

2.) Reduce the prison population. Although the bail-bonds industry is going to through a hissey-fit, their are ways to track non-violent criminals that cost much less than pre-trial confinement. Also, the legalization and taxation of marijuana will reduce the number of people in the prison system and generate revenue.

3.) Re-think the state higher education system. It makes little sense to have so many state universities that are all struggling. Also, allowing schools like Central Michigan University to shift their focus from undergraduate education to research or a medical schools shows a lack of focus and strategic planning. It may be argued that administrators are running away with the states smaller institutions. One option is to close one of the smaller schools and to fully fund all of the others. Another, more attractive option, is to create a singly administrative structure for all of the state schools with the exception of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. The goal should be to lower the cost of education, increase the number of professors, and fully fund the working degrees in all fields.

4.) Create markets for Michigan Made goods in the state. The support of local farmers can be as easy as requiring every city to operate a weekly market where michigan made goods can be sold tax-free. The state should pay for the credit-card transaction fees for those markets, and hold the insurance required to sell goods in those markets.

5.) Mandate the Michigan become the most connected state in the union. The Dominican Republic has better cell phone coverage than Michigan. It is time that the state has 100% 3G cell phone service and universal access to high speed internet. This can be accomplished through public-private partnerships.

6.) Michigan needs to shrink the size of its cities. By consolidating people into neighborhoods with walkable access to food, medical services, and parks the cancer of foreclosed houses can be excises. Creating cities that people want to live in is the only way to attract the talent that business need.

7.) Kick the federal highway funds out. The creation of a low-cost toll system that covers all state highways may take some power back from the federal government, reduce the burden of highways on the state budget, and will ensure better highways. Every state highway should have a small toll. Every state lenience plate should include a transceiver so tolls can be assessed without slowing out. In addition the state can take back every inch of rail and create a better system. We are ready for a high-speed passenger rail system, and (more importantly) a high-speed and well reasoned separate high capacity freight system. We could start by connecting every state university and major industrial center with a duel freight and passenger rail system. If the state owned the rails (like they owned the highways), stations, and control systems than a low-cost rail system will develop.

8.) Bring the art communities into Flint, Lansing, and Detroit. The creation of artist workspaces, residency programs, and display spaces in the city-center will attract culture, and this will attract people.

9.) Its time to take a common-sense approach to our culture. It is time to recognize that we live in a state where poverty has forced some people to become outlaws as they hunt to eat. The DNR needs to be required to offer a legal way for those people to feed their families. Also, we are a state with a long tradition of wine, beer, and sprits. It is time to embrace this and fully allow home brewing and relax restrictions on the selling of sprits. Perhaps it is even time to allow cities to create their own laws about open intoxicants and closing hours for clubs and bars. In addition, let us just make November 15th a state holiday. It’s time to stop punishing hard-working people who want to spend this special day with family.

10.) Bring our boys home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The National Guard is not designed to be used in this degrading way. Their is no national threat from Afghanistan. Its time to say that our Husbands, Wives, Fathers, and Sisters will no longer be used to fight this war, for they are needed to end crime in Detroit and Flint. They are needed to re-build Michigan, and needed to support their families. Its time to point out that we have had no deceleration of war, and this President has no authority to use the National Guard without it.

Jonathan - Wow - so many ingenious suggestions! As a guess, I suppose you live out-state and truly live a life I, who am tied to Southeast Michigan by job, family, etc. can only hope to retire to some day. I especially like #9 - yes, even where I live I occasionally hear the sound of out-of-season hunting as those 'outlaws' take it upon themselves to thin the deer herds that are over-running the county I live in. They can't all be killed by cars!
#7 is intriguing also - Interstate & Highway funding is indeed complicated, overly so, in my opinion. I believe many of your ideas in this realm will be implemented gradually over the next several years, as the need for this type of change percolates up the hierarchy, and the funding trickles down.

The question was about 3 things that YOU can do, not 10 things that you think others should do.

Drink Michigan beer. Be it Bell's, Keweenaw Brewing, or Arbor Brewing, I will drink only Michigan beer.

I recommend Shorts (from Bellaire) and Founders (from Grand Rapids) as well

1. Keep school buildings open after school hours so that students who don't have a good study environment at home can study under supervised conditions, and community volunteers can come to a neutral place to tutor students. In other words, make schools a community learning center. Who is to pay for the extra utilities, unionized custodians, and security personnel? Different communities can work out their own solutions.
2. Keep women and girls educated. Give them tutoring and scholarships so that they can go to college. Educated mothers can raise better educated sons and daughters.
3. Give community seminars on the basics of becoming entrepreneurs.

I admire the idea of schools being a center for the children of the community, but as a public school teacher I can tell you:

1. There are heavy liability issues at play
2. There is not more money to pay for custodians, utilities, and security.

I am expected to be able to leave, per my contract, at 3:35, but I am here, clearing out halls from students who are hanging around-not going to latch key, sports practice, or an after school club-until 4, because school administration expects us to do this. I'm afraid your idea, as much as I really wish it would work, has legal implications that put it out of reach.

Amy, Your ideas have a lot of merit. I agree with you wholeheartedly. School buildings can be used beyond the school day for the purpose of educating and tutoring. I'd like to also suggest that kids also be offered mentoring in some basic home life skills: cooking healthy, simple home repairs, basic sewing and carpentry, basic computer and internet skills for adults, how to find solutions on the internet and where to go for internet access (i.e. library). There's a wealth of information out there and it's free.

Detroit and Michigan needs three things it has lost site of in order to become a friendlier, welcoming, player in the Nation and World. 1. High Speed Rail. 2. Light Rail. 3. The Design and Manufacture of these systems and supporting infrastructure. This will demonstrate to the Nation and World there is no war between the freedom to drive and the pleasure to ride.

High-speed rail to where? Detroit is not exactly a visitors' destination.
Light rail has been considered running up the middle of Woodward. Last I heard, everybody here owns a car and won't use it.
Just because we have automobile engineers doesn't mean it's a good idea to reinvent the same wheel that the Japanese and Europeans have perfected. The U.S. is miles and miles of nothing, punctuated by tiny pockets of people. Japan and Europe has 10's of centuries of people all stacked side-by-side.
Rail travel is just impractical because our density is so low. If they could load up my car so I'd have it when I arrived, maybe that would give us an edge.

I wish I could come up with three, but I have this one: forgive/ help re-pay all or part of student loans, and/ or give significant tax credit, for graduates from Michigan colleges and/ or universities who stay in Michigan for X years following graduation. What a great incentive to find employment here. I think there are jobs available, but little incentive to go hunting in MI when you're sitting back, receiving offers from organizations in other states.

1. Stop with the Negativity! Postive results come from positive thoughts and attitudes. We need to stop bashing our own state and start promoting all the great things that are happening in this beautiful,resourceful state. I think there should be a moratorium on negative stories in the media for one week. Let's see what the power of positive thinking could do for our state...we all might be surprised!

2. Buy "Made in Michigan" products. We have some of the finest products made right here in our own state. We all need to promote the companies that make these wonderful products. Tell your neighbors, friends, and relatives...especially those living out of state. My husband and I own a small coffee cafe in Benzie County that is open during the summer season. We sell a large variety of Michigan made products. It is amazing all of the wonderful things that are available and how much people enjoy purchasing locally made products (especially people from out of state!)

3. Be an active Michigan citizen and stand up for your rights. Let your state representative and senator know how dissatisfied you are with how they are representing you in Lansing. Their job is to represent the rights and wishes of their constituents. We need to pressure these elected officials to do the will of the people. The partisan bickering needs to stop (refer back to #1) and the legislators need to work together to find a solution to Michigan's problems. My first suggestion would be to revisit the State of Michigan's constitution that was based on a very different economy in the 1960s. We have some fabulous business leaders who have great ideas about how to solve the economic issues impacting the state. Government leaders need to be willing to listen and work with these people to find solutions for our current economic problems.

The city of Plymouth, near where I live, has a "Made in Michigan" store - Not everything they carry was indeed manufactured here, but many of them are. They show-case the work of Michigan artisans - for example, hand made baby clothes, and many different kinds of cherry flavored treats.
One of my favorite vacations was in Benzie County, some 20 odd years ago. One of my personal goals is to get to, or at least thru, every county in Michigan. One of the few I've missed in up in your neck of the woods, so I'm planning on going there this summer. I collect postcards, patches or decals from each one I visit, and amaze my nieces & nephews with the fact that there are so many different counties in this state!

I know it may seem simplistic, but:

1. Read a newspaper every day.
2. Go to YOUR temple, church, mosque, at least one a month.
3. Volunteer in something you love that makes a positive impact in your community.

1.) Learn how a crosswalk works.
2.) Learn how a turn signal works.
3.) Learn how a 4-way stop works.

#1 - Make a personal commitment to care for the people around you and piece of earth where you live. If everyone could be more aware of what is going on directly around us, with our neighbors, friends and family we can make a vast difference in this fine state of ours. If your neighbor knew that they were welcome to come over to your house for dinner when money is to tight, families could rest easier. Or if you see trash along your street, pick it up and place it in your trash can, or even better, recycle it. Shop at your local hardware store to help your neighbor keep his job. Visit the Farmer's Market in your area to promote healthy fresh food produced in a fashion that strengthens this planet instead of destroying it. When we care for the needs of others we will live in a better place.

#2 - Become debt free so you are free to spend your money as you desire. One of the biggest problems right now with the whole economy is the vast amounts of debt. People are unable to do more or make a difference, because all of their income is going to debt holders. You are not being a good consumer if you can not really afford what you are buying. Focus on paying off your debt then learn to budget your money and spend it in a way you can feel confident and proud of. If we as individuals and as a State could reach this point, many of the fears and stresses would be removed.

#3 - Change your mindset! Be proud of where you live, if you are not, then it is your responsibility to make it better. You can not wait for the government or big business to fix all their problems first. You yourself need to step up, and make this place better. If each of us asked what we can do to make the world better for all, and then actually did it, the world would be better for all. If you want to see things better - great - take the initiative, learn all that you can and do all that you are able to do. Together we can be great.