G4G Talking points for 09-27

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (41 Days until Victory 2006)

Governor Granholm praised U.S. Senators who are taking action to curb Chinese currency manipulation that is costing us jobs – she has called on President Bush to stand up for Michigan businesses and workers repeatedly, but he continues to sit idle.


Dick DeVos released a “Turnaround Plan” for the environment – like previous installments, it includes a lot of glossy pictures of DeVos (standing outdoors, this time), and not a lot of details about what he would do as Governor.


While details are lacking here, DeVos’ previous political donations tell a scary tale about his stances towards the environment. He’s given money to the Heritage Foundation, which urged followers to “strangle the environmental movement,” and he’s contributed to and helped to lead the Mackinac Center, which supports drilling in the Great Lakes.


While Governor Granholm has committed to reducing mercury emissions by 90 percent, removing a harmful contaminant from our environment, DeVos refuses to take a position on the issue until after the election.


Click here to read more about the Governor’s commitment to protecting and responsibly managing Michigan’s environmental resources… http://www.granholmforgov.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ftr_environment&JServSessionIdr006=yigzbtohg1.app1b


Headlines from Around the State

Detroit News Q and A: In first term, Granholm proud of economic plan, health care initiative
Q: What achievements in your first term are you proudest of?
A: I set in motion the most aggressive economic plan in the nation. And we are starting to see results from that plan. There is more to do. We have to diversify to make us competitive. . . .
Q: Is there anything you would change?
A: I would change the president. . . .
Q: Why should you be re-elected?
A: …We have to be able to continue to work this plan to make sure this transformation is complete.
Click here to read the full story... http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060927/POLITICS01/609270446/1022/POLITICS

Associated Press: Governor puts soldiers' benefits into place indefinitely
Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Tuesday signed an executive order indefinitely extending special pay and group insurance benefits for state employees called to active military duty after Sept. 11, 2001. . . . "Our state employees who have been called to active military duty responded without hesitation; the least we can do is supplement their military pay and ensure that they and their families are covered by the state's group insurance plan until they are home and back to work," Granholm said in a statement.
Click here to read the full story... http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-37/1159311322158890.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

That last blurb about how she ordered an extention of benefits--especially the health insurance--for state empoyees serving in the military brought a tear...sorry, that was pretty damn cool. I can't say what deVos would do, but my guess is he is just another chickenhawk that would cut services in a heartbeat so he could find a gimmie for his rich buddies.

This is about kids too...you know, state empoyees have kids too. If that isn't a moral thing to do, I don't know what is!