By Staff
Yes, Michigan's in rough shape, scraping bottom in most every economic indicator. Gov. Jennifer Granholm inherited a mess from Republican John Engler compounded by the auto industry restructuring itself during a prolonged period of job-shedding.
The governor has scrambled her first four years to patch gaping holes in the state budget while trying to strengthen education, the key to future prosperity, and protect services for vulnerable citizens.
Republicans control the Legislature and had a decade to abolish the Single Business Tax, but they seem more determined to see her fail than to work together.
GOP nominee Dick DeVos has pumped millions of his personal fortune into his campaign, but offers a vague plan beyond running the state more like a business. Like Engler did? Like Indiana did with the toll road? Running a government is not the same as running a business.
Granholm possesses compassion to go with the vision that will be necessary during this difficult transition from the auto age and its union-based lifestyle to a more diversified high-technology global era.
An energetic, dynamic leader, she has outlined a health care program that would help Michigan's more than a million uninsured. She sped up state highway construction to create jobs. And using $1 billion from the state's share of the national tobacco damage settlement, Granholm nurtured the 21st Century Jobs Fund for entrepreneurial venture capital.
Given the magnitude of forces swirling in Michigan's economy, a dramatic turnaround will not be achieved as quickly as the state seemed to crash.
Michigan's challenge demands a long-term strategy to wean our century-old reliance on the auto industry as economic engine.
Fundamental change takes time, but the positive Granholm steered the state down a more promising path during the painful adjustment period.
She best recognizes that the state still bears responsibility for schools, health care, public safety and local governments as Michigan continues to invest in its chief asset, its people.
We support a second term for Gov. Granholm and her belief Michigan can excel.