Happy Birthday, Michigan!
January 26, 2012 marks the 175th anniversary of Michigan’s statehood. On this date in 1837, President Andrew Jackson signed the law admitting Michigan to the Union as the 26th state. For 175 years, Michigan has been critical to America’s success, from the Civil War, to the Arsenal of Democracy, to the creation of the middle class.
Investing in Each Other
"On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world’s number one automaker. Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.
We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back. What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries." - President Obama 1/24/12
The Common Good
Michigan is showered with blessings, from our beautiful sand dunes to our industrious assembly line workers. The people of Michigan deserve leaders who treasure our people and our land, leaders who have the creativity, courage and conscience to find innovative and imaginative ways to help secure our future. As a Party, we demand that we move forward together within the American values of hard work, community, diversity, faith, family and personal responsibility. We are deeply committed to these values as the bedrock strength of our state and of our nation.
There was a time when Americans were challenged to ask not what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country. However, in recent years, we seem to have become less interested in looking first to the needs of others –– especially the needs of the most vulnerable –– and more interested in meeting only the needs of ourselves. America is always at its best when we ask, “What can I do to give back?” rather than, “What is in it for me”
Democrats in this state are seeking the Common Good –– the best life for each person of this state. We include everyone: the unemployed, the employed, the veteran, the student, the disabled, the sick, the healthy, the senior, the child, the wealthy, the poor, the citizen, the stranger, the first and the last.
Seeking the Common Good is not difficult for Michigan’s citizens to understand. Just ask the woman who watches her neighbor’s son so mom can work to pay her heating bill. Ask the pastor, rabbi, or imam who walks the street at night praying for the crime in his neighborhood to cease. Ask the dentist whose staff keeps telling her she’s got to start charging families who don’t have insurance. The people of Michigan deserve leadership with the moral courage that matches their own.
Berrien County Democratic Clubs
The South County Democratic Club, serving the Niles/Buchanan area and beyond, meets the Third Monday of each month at the Moose Lodge in Buchanan. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. and the General Membership Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Hot sandwiches and beverages are available for purchase via the Moose staff.
Harbor Country Progress, serving Chikaming, New Buffalo and Three Oaks Townships and beyond, meets the Second Thursday of each month at their headquarters, 16142 Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier. Potluck/BYOB beings at 6:30 p.m. followed by a General Membership Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
