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Steinman for Governor:
Part 001, rationale:
By William E. Steinman:
This is not one of the "Place to Stand" series of essays. The
remaining essays of that series, if they are posted at all, will probably be
posted on the "Forum." Instead, I have decided to dedicate this
column, for the next few weeks, to my campaign for Governor of the State of
The reason is, I am completely dismayed at the two candidates who were
promoted unopposed by their respective parties. I am convinced that neither of
these people would be good for
If I were an employer I would not hire either one of these two candidates.
Would you? If not, why are you picking one of them for the most important job
in
These two are not pick of the litter. They are pretty much the same. They are both business-as-usual, run-of-the-mill short-term-solution people. In other words, they are your classic professional politicians. They know the rabble (you the voters) are short sighted fools and they will act accordingly. They will put patches on patches for the short term to make you believe they are concerned, but their only real concern is personal power. They have no long term plans.
One is running against George Bush, the other is running on a hodgepodge of minor adjustment fixes. It is fashionable now to run against George Bush even if you are running for dog catcher. However, the issues at the National level and the State and Local level are usually completely different. Even the issues that seem to be the same have different implications in the local situation. The rabble who are fooled by that kind of campaign probably deserve the government they get.
I believe
However, that is not a good strategy for securing the long term best interests of this State. The problems of Michigan will not yield to quick fixes. They are deeper than that. Our problems require long term solutions that will serve the state and its citizens over the long haul. The real solutions, the ones that will be good for our children and grandchildren, will require patience and sacrifice from all of us. If we want to do what is really best for our community instead of looking for our own short term aggrandizement, we will have to bite the bullet.
Now, when I first realized that neither of these people would do, I was in a dilemma. I thought, we are stuck with one or the other of them and we must just choose the least evil. Of course, that is not true. We always have the option of offering alternatives. I realized that was the case in the race for governor of Michigan. The question then became, who could or would stand up against these bozos?
My first thought was to request my good friend Eugene P. Anonymous to take on the task. With that, I discussed my idea with Mrs. Gaffer who is always willing to counsel me and explain what I am doing wrong. For sure, she immediately saw the flaw in my notion. She said it's unethical to ask your friend to run and implement your philosophy. My grinning reply, "What is ethics among friends?" did not wash at all. Mrs. Gaffer just stared me down.
When I hung my head, she said gently, "Put your money where your mouth is. Don't lay it on your friend. If you believe someone must stand up, then you must be that someone."
Damn, I hate it when she is right and proves it with logic. Women are not supposed to do that, but I knew she was right. Running for governor will demand some serious thinking about the issues so I may present a comprehensive plan to the rabble. That will take a large effort. In addition, there is the risk of actually winning, minuscule though it be. What then? If I actually had to serve four years, it would probably kill me. Well, so what? Either I believe it or I don't. I do believe it, ipso, I must run.
So, I have decided to offer myself as a sacrificial lamb in the political arena. Hence I hereby declare myself as a write in candidate for the office of Governor of Michigan. Now, for sure, I don't expect to win the race. I doubt if even my friends would vote for me. They will say they don't want to waste their vote. I ask, what will your vote mean if you simply put another bum into office?
That is enough about the other two candidates. They are the same and I need not pay any more attention to what they are doing. Instead, I will outline what needs to be done to really bring Michigan back. I will be posting weekly essays about what is needed in Michigan and we will see what happens. Now, there is no sene in running if I intend to be just another slippery politician. I must be completely honest or there is no point. Therefore, in this campaign I must tell it like it is. That means telling the rabble they are rabble. It is not just the government. We are all responsible for the mess Michigan is in.
In my following essays I will be more definitive about our responsibility
and about the issues we face. I will be presenting some compelling arguments
right up until election week. Keep your eye on this column.
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