What have you done for your state lately?

 

Michigan is in a defining moment in history.  More of our people are out of work that in a lifetime.  Those of us lucky enough to still have a job are working far more for less.  Our roads and our infrastructure are crumbling before our very eyes, and even our children’s education is in jeopardy.If we do not take action now, we could be the first generation in Michigan to leave it in worse condition for our children.

 

We can’t let that happen.  Our problems are big, but they are not bigger than we are!  We owe it to our children and our children’s children to leave them a prosperous Michigan.  The same Michigan that we have know: that built the Mackinaw Bridge, put the world on wheels, and for decades stood as the proud backbone of the nation’s economy.  

 

What as individual citizens can we do to help our state get through these times?

 

Below is a list of suggestions.

Volunteer at a homeless shelter

Donate clothing to a charity

Mow the lawn of an elderly neighbor

Buy your produce from a local farm market

Attend a towns

hip government meeting 

Spend $50 at an independent business

Buy Michigan

 products and services first

Plant your own garden and donate some of the produce to a pantry

Run for office

Ride share, ride CATA or EATRAN

Volunteer at your local school district

Join the Parent Teacher Organization

Donate classroom supplies to your favorite teacher

Write your State Representative or Senator

Volunteer or support a candidate for office

Practice tolerance

Enjoy a local festival

Participate in a DOT 

highway cleanup

Recycle, reduce, and reuse

Vote

Pray

 

If we’re to get through these tough times, we’ll need to work together.  As our state flag proclaims: “E Pluribus Unum:” from many we are one.  And if it’s true that two heads are better than one, then 10 million are unstoppable.

 

 

This was originally printed in the June 20, 2010 – July 3, 2010 edition.