Reform Michigan: No-Reason Absentee Voting

I just stumbled across an editorial from the Lansing State (July 10, 2008 edition) which brings out a very simple point about no-reason absentee voting.  It notes that in the Reform Michigan NOW ballot proposal, on section creates no reason absentee voting.  Well, why can’t the legislature just do it?  They have tried in the past and yet nothing has ever been able to make it to law.  Below is an excert:

In Michigan, unless you are a senior citizen, you are required to provide a proper reason for requesting a ballot before Election Day.

This is an impediment to voting – and unfair. Why should senior citizens be given a voting option denied to younger voters?

Year after year, legislation is filed at the State Capitol to alter the law. Quite a few of these bills, some backed by Democrats, some by Republicans, would authorize “no-reason” balloting. If any registered voter wants an absentee ballot, they can get it – without giving a reason.

Yet the bills have invariably gone nowhere.

… (read the entire editorial)

I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone who knows me that I tend to like the Lansing State Journal – and it’s these kinds of editorials that make me like them!

GM announces cuts, changes

Here we go again: round infinity-billion of US auto makers crying about tough times and how it is sooo hard for them to have to let people go to return to profitabilty, but it must be done.  To be quite honest, I believe a lot of people in Michigan have had it with all the talk and the whining.  Yes, it’s true the Bush Administration doesn’t care about the auto industry and the entire state is suffering because of this, but the auto manufacturers based in Michigan have to start at least partially blaming themselves for being so wrapped up in big profit, low fuel efficient vehicles.  Now their employees are paying the price.

From CNN.com:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will suspend its dividend, sell off $4 billion to $7 billion worth of assets and cut 20% worth of salaried cash costs in an overall plan to save billions of dollars.

“We need to take some very tough actions to ensure our survival and success,” said Chief Executive Rick Wagoner, in a press conference, referring to the current market conditions as an “unprecedentedly difficult time.”

…

Trash washes up on Lake Michigan Beaches

Check out this disturbing article from the AP:

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of pounds of garbage have washed onto a 10-mile stretch of Lake Michigan beaches in Manistee and Mason counties.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the source of the garbage, which includes medical waste such as prescription drug bottles and even needles.

…

In Manistee, officials closed a beach where some junk piles were up to eight inches high before crews began hauling it away by the truckload. Authorities have warned people not to touch or swim near the trash.

Especially considering that we just approved the Great Lakes Compact, people should be outraged that someone would just throw this disgusting stuff into our beautiful lakes.  The article mentioned that some of the medical supplies had indicators and names of people living in Wisconsin.  If thats true, let’s invade Wisconsin!!  (I’m just joking of course, we’ve got better things to do)