The Positive Voices

We asked and you told us what you wanted us to cover. Just like an election the majority rules. You selected the Governor’s race. In November we will probably cover more but let us know early. We acknowledge the many other primary battles going on and we urge people to gather information, get to know your candidates and go to the polls! In some cases November may be too late. Remember if you know or even think you are going to be out of town on an election day you still have time to vote absentee right up to election day. Call your local or county clerk for details. Voting is not just a right but a responsibility. Do your duty. With record unemployment, home foreclosures, an uncertain economy, and many necessary tough decisions that will make most people unhappy why would anyone want to be Governor? Actually there are a lot of good reasons and genuine concern and commitment to the state they love is a large one so you have five Republicans and two Democrats campaigning hard for their respective party’s nomination. They have been out of the Governor’s mansion for eight years so let’s take the GOP field first. The field is composed of four longtime office holders and the rich, self proclaimed “One Tough Nerd.” Peter Hoekstra a nine term member of Congress and former VP at Herman Miller leads the Republican field by a slim margin over Attorney General Mike Cox despite not being the top fundraiser. Hoekstra burst unto the political scene in 1992 as a young outsider upsetting entrenched and powerful but scandal tainted GOP Congressional powerhouse and consummate Washington insider Guy Vander Jagt. Oh the scandal was tame compared to what we face nowadays no sex or outright corruption just VanderJagt and other members of Congress on a junket to an island paradise where they dined and enjoyed the company of lobbyists and were caught swimming in the ocean by national television cameras. Pete Hoekstra ran an incredible grassroots campaign riding his bicycle throughout the Second Congressional District and playing the outsider non-politician role to the hilt portraying his foe as the example of everything that was wrong in Congress. Sound familiar? After arriving in DC, he joined Newt Gingrich and others in forming the Contract for America that some say helped lead to the Republicans to capturing the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. Representative Hoekstra promised along with others to serve only six terms in office. While many members of Congress from both parties kept their pledge Hoekstra did not saying the people of his district needed him. He has risen through the ranks over the years serving on the Education and Labor, Budget and especially the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, becoming the House Chair and ranking member of that powerful committee giving him experience and expertise in the field of national security. That position gave Representative Hoekstra a national platform and he has become a fixture on cable news shows resulting in name recognition and publicity aiding his campaign for Governor. Hoekstra’s platform is called J.O.B.S. and the acronym stands for Jobs, Opportunity, Background, and Servant Leadership with little buzz words explaining each one. Cute huh? I’ll give him credit for bicycling around the state (worked before) and trying different jobs. Maybe it’s a gimmick, or maybe he is really learning something, at any rate it can’t hurt and being in touch with the people is always good. His endorsements include Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Dr. James Dobson, Candace Miller, Vern Ehlers, Citizens for Traditional Values, the Lansing Regional and the Grand Rapids Area Chambers of Commerce. His message seems to be streamline government, cut costs, and overhaul the states tax code. Though he is against every tax except expanding the sales tax to services and reducing it from 6% to 5.5% overall. He does give himself then at least some revenue to use along with cuts in balancing the budget. Hoekstra does have an understanding of business and a reputation as an effective legislator who takes care of his constituents. Let’s just take a minute to examine the campaign of State Senator Tom George the congenial and candid candidate with the least chance to win his party’s nomination. Let’s face it without money, name recognition, or a powerful interest group to provide your grown troops and move voters to the polls it is hard to win any office, but virtually impossible to win a statewide race. George is a former State Representative, a current practicing physician, and a State Senator sitting on the powerful Appropriations Committee. He wants to reform and streamline state government, and programs like Medicaid, but doesn’t support any tax increases. George supports Michigan being a Right to Work state, a State Constitutional Convention to consolidate governments, and a part time legislature. Attorney General Mike Cox follows Hoekstra closely in the polls and is the only person running ever elected to statewide office. A Marine and former prosecutor Cox has a long line of endorsements including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Mike Huckabee, the Police Chiefs of Wayne County, Dick and Betsy DeVos, Right to Life of Michigan and, along with Hoekstra, the Citizens for Traditional Values. Cox has a 92 point plan to put Michigan to work by cutting $4 billion in specific budget cuts and a $2 billion dollars in tax cuts for families and job creators. It is a comprehensive plan recognizing the importance of agriculture, bio tech and life sciences, tourism and manufacturing to Michigan’s economy. Cox is tough, smart and has shown the ability to run a large government agency. He also has eight years experience working with Michigan’s legislature. In the past he has received Democratic votes in the general election, but it won’t help him in a GOP primary. His opposition to any tax and call for tax cuts gives Cox no alternatives to cuts when trying to balance the budget. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard has been a police officer, small business owner, State Senator and for the last decade has managed one of the largest sheriff departments in the country. Elected to office by the citizens of Michigan’s second largest county Bouchard’s voter base is second in electoral power only to Mike Cox. I looked for endorsements on his website but the only thing I could find is a split endorsement Bouchard shares with Hoekstra from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and don’t forget Terri Land. I’m sure he has others but this piece is to spotlight races and give commentary and opinion not do the work of campaigns for them. Bouchard says we need to support the manufacturing sector as the heart of our economy. “We need to prepare Michigan for the jobs of the 21st century while addressing the needs of those currently in the workforce. The manufacturing sector is at the heart of Michigan’s economy. If we’re going to boost the manufacturing sector of our economy, we need to ensure our companies are capable of competing with the rest of the world. Increasing our investment in today’s workforce – and the workers of tomorrow – is a key component to our future success.’’ Sounds good since the manufacturing center is the best engine we have for high paying jobs. I’ll give him credit for recognizing unfair trade is hurting Michigan. His website asserts: “Michigan’s working families need trade agreements that are both fair and enforceable. Agreements that help open foreign markets to our goods can be very beneficial to our economy, but we haven’t always done all we can to ensure that these agreements are fully verifiable and enforceable. The best trade deal in the world doesn’t benefit us if our partners don’t keep their side of the agreement. As governor, Mike Bouchard will work to ensure leaders in Washington vigorously enforce current trade agreements.” Fair enough, but did he support or oppose NAFTA and the other free but not fair trade agreements made over the last two decades? Bouchard ran statewide before when he was trounced by Senator Debbie Stabenow in her last re-election campaign. Did he run against those trade policies then? As a gimmick he “selected” popular Secretary of State Terri Land as his running mate mostly to help him secure support in West Michigan to undercut Pete Hoekstra’s power base. It hasn’t worked yet.” Whoever is making those huge double signs is certainly enjoying some economic success. Now in desperation he is grabbing making Michigan a Right to Work state as his signature issue hoping to rally anti-union forces to his side to help him come from behind and win the primary. I guess maybe Sheriff Bouchard believes unions and workers with good paying jobs and benefits are the cause of all of Michigan’s problems? Doesn’t he realize the prison, child, and dirt cheap labor and lack of safety, environmental and other humane regulations are job creators and show that China, India, Mexico and other countries we compete against in our trade agreements are open for business? Mike Bouchard could run Michigan, but would he run it like a third world country or a poor Southern state? Last but not least is Rick Snyder a wealthy self pro-claimed “job creator,” former President of Gateway computers, a venture capitalist who assisted many companies with start up help and early investment, and first Chair of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and under his leadership both the Michigan Life Science Corridor and SmartZones were initiated. Clearly he does know business and has experience with state government. Snyder is famous for his “one tough nerd” television commercials launched during this year’s Super Bowl. In them he claims career politicians are responsible for the problems with Michigan’s government and it’s time for a nonsense tough nerd with a successful track record of job creation to take control meaning of course Rick Snyder. His massive spending catapulted him into contention but now the nerd thing seems to getting a little old and some of Snyder’s mistakes regarding the private sector operations are coming back to haunt him and take the bloom off the rose. Though Snyder shares the other Republican candidates’ (except Hoekstra and his support of an expanded sales) steadfast aversion to tax hikes he does separate himself from the rest of the pack not only by being a job creator but by snagging the first endorsement of a Republican Gubernatorial candidate ever given by the Michigan League of Conservation voters. According to Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director for Michigan LCV, “ Without a doubt, Rick Snyder is the clear choice for any Michigan voter in the Republican primary that cares about the future of our beautiful Great Lakes and valuable natural resources. His focus throughout the campaign on the benefits that a green vision brings to Michigan’s economy is a key element in any honest plan for our state’s future. The unfortunate lack of attention to this vital part of Michigan’s recovery by his Republican opponents only further highlights Mr. Snyder’s stand-out presence in this race.” So there you have it. Not only is Rick Snyder one tough nerd, he is also a green one! He too has the skills to run Michigan, but can he deal with the legislature? He will also find out the public sector is very different from the private sector. So Rick don’t talk about running it like a business, just promise to run it efficiently and honestly if you get the chance. Who will get the GOP nomination? I think it will be down to Hoekstra and Cox with the Attorney General pulling it out in the last week because of his money edge and ground forces getting out the vote. Now to the two Democrats looking to keep the Governor’s office in their party’s hands. You have two very different persons with similar positions on many issues but styles so very far apart. It’s the Iceman versus the Human Torch. If we could melt them together they would be an impressive force. Let’s start with the Iceman, or as he is more commonly known Andy Dillon Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. Dillon earned degrees in accounting and law from Notre Dame then went to Washington where he served on the staff of Bill Bradley a centrist Democrat and a thoughtful intellectual. Returning to Michigan he practiced law then became an expert in assisting struggling businesses. He became Vice-President of GE Capital and President of Detroit Steel. Now in his third term as a Representative and second as Speaker. Dillon helped create the 21st Century Jobs Funds bringing thousands of companies and jobs to Michigan. Speaker of the House is the second most powerful elected position in the state but few have gone on to become Governor. Governing your own caucus, setting the House agenda, passing legislation and dealing with the Senate and Governor have always been politically risky and difficult but when you throw in term limits and ambition along with egos there are more challenges than ever! Dillon has a mixed record but on the whole has gotten things done. He has challenged the base of his own party regarding benefits for public employees. The AFL-CIO and the MEA are solidly against him for the nomination, but he has the support of many police and fire fighter groups, the Michigan Association of Retired Public Employees, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43, by the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, the Iron Workers Local 25, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 169, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights, and others. Some say Dillon also has a reputation of flipflopping on issues and promises. I will leave it to his opponents to make their case and let him provide the defense. Clearly he has a strong list of accomplishments, mastered the legislative process, was successful in the private sector, is not afraid to take on powerful groups, and is capable of running Michigan. Dillon also understands to balance a budget you need increased revenue as well as cuts. Flame on! We now get to the Human Torch the fiery and dynamic Mayor of Lansing Virg Bernero. I know Virg from the days when we were both staffers in the mid ’80s for the Michigan House of Representatives and I can tell you he knows state and local government inside and out. Governing is a craft and he has learned it well. Bernero has been a County Commissioner, a State Senator and Mayor of Michigan’s capitol city. As chief executive in a strong Mayor form of government he sets the budget and manages all operations. According to his campaign material under his leadership Lansing has leveraged over a half billion dollars in investment resulting in retaining and creating more than 6,000 jobs and he has erased $40 million in city budget deficits without raising taxes by making government more efficient and accountable. Bernero burst onto the national stage taking on Fox News and other talking heads, attacking Wall Street waste and greed while calling for assistance to America’s autoworkers. They called him America’s angriest mayor and he let them have it. He also has been letting Andy Dillon have it, calling him Speaker of the Mess and generally verbally punching him throughout the campaign. Doing this Virg risks a backlash from primary voters and dividing the party. However some would say a healthy fight to make sure Democrats have a choice not just an echo is vitally important. His efforts have earned him powerful party endorsements as mentioned before from the AFL-CIO and the Michigan Education Association. His endorsements also include the United Food and Commercial Workers, Clean Water Action, AFSCME, the Sierra Club, the Progressive Women’s Alliance, the UAW and many more. It is clear Virg could be a capable chief executive, understands the process and is passionate and effective, but the Legislature would have to be dealt with and can he reach across the aisle? Fire and ice, who will prevail? Polls show Dillon with the lead and he has the money, but if Virg’s labor allies and party activists can deliver the vote over Dillon’s supporters he will win, otherwise Dillon wins solidly. He will be the darling of the editorial boards throughout Michigan. Clearly both parties will have to do some real uniting at their conventions. History favors Republicans in an off year election when Dems are in power but there is not a real powerhouse coming out of the Republican pack yet. Democratic unity will be critical because there is little margin for error. As I said before, fusing the Iceman and Torch together or vice versa could give the Dems a strong ticket. Likewise the GOP will need to come out strong but I expect Terri Land will be the number two unless a Cox-Hoekstra ticket emerges. This spotlight was only a teaser. The stakes are high for all of us so study the candidates and the issues. The power really belongs to you. Use it and vote in August and you’ll shape the November ballot.

Welcome to the Employees Positive Voices, a monthly paper dedicated to promoting social justice, civility, debate and honest dialogue. We will also be talking about the positive roles government and organized labor can play in our society. Believing that a mutual respect between labor and management is the only way to effectively advance economic prosperity and justice, we will honor the positive contributions made by union and non-union workers, big and small businesses and all individuals dedicated to building a better community, state, and nation. Employees Positive Voices is part of WPRR Public Reality Radio and shares WPRR’s mission to bring to you intelligent and challenging features, articles and commentary from many diverse points of view on subjects ranging from philosophy and science to politics and religion. That is the vision of our owner Bob Goodrich and something we will attempt to achieve every month. Bear in mind civility does not exclude the truth which can often be brutal and unsettling. Nor will we shy from satire, sarcasm or provocative and frank debate. We will welcome response in kind. You’ll see the relationship evident with WPRR as some of our writers will also be radio hosts. August is here and with it comes Michigan’s primary where the voters decide the nominees for their respective Political Party from Governor to precinct delegate. We urge all of our readers to study the issues and candidates. Voting is not only a right but a responsibility and we know if you are reading Employees Positive Voices you care about our state and you are an involved citizen and voter. Thank you so much! In our cover story Peter Carlberg challenges conventional thinking on the consolidation of local governments This month’s edition has our usual mixture of local and national columnists touching a wide range of important issues. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and Catherine’s Health Center as always have important information for our readers. And of course what would an issue be without our monthly Art From The Heart featuring another talented neighbor from Heartside! Besides our monthly crossword puzzle we are now adding a sudoku puzzle for your enjoyment. Input letters, op-eds, and articles are welcome for submission. We are thinking about short stories, book or movie reviews, recipes, poems, artwork, photos and whatever else you want. Employees Positive Voices wants to hear your voices. This is your paper and we will listen and act. Just let us know! Contact me at 616-560-4444, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Be the first to comment on stories or blog here on our website. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Also check out my radio show Tuesdays with Tormala. You can also talk with me and be my friend by going to Rick Tormala if you are on Facebook. By popular demand we now have an Employees Positive Voices page on Facebook where readers can discuss articles and tell us what you want to read about and things we should be covering. We are always looking for ways for you to interact with us. Please join us.

On June 3rd, the City of Grand Rapids pocket park on the corner of Division Avenue and Cherry Street was dedicated by Mayor George Heartwell and community members as Pekich Park in honor of the late Reverend Barbara Pekich longtime pastor and leader of Heartside Ministry. Since the beginning of time in every culture, naming ceremonies have been distinctive events conferring a type of unique power or mission on individuals and places. Words matter and words have power. Words can wound and they can heal. Inspire or depress. Names and words possess influence and authority and most importantly reveal the feelings and intentions of those doing the naming. For over two decades Pastor Barb Pekich lovingly tended the members of her flock she referred to as the neighbors of Heartside, neighbors not clients. Barb knew how to treat people with dignity and bless them with a gift of belonging, of community and family, a real sense of place. While many see the homeless and hurting as statistical problems in need of solutions, Barb understood her Heartside Neighbors were reflections of Christ and she witnessed to them with His unconditional love. Barb knew the power of words and naming! She personified the mission of Heartside Ministry-“Sharing faith, hope and life amidst homelessness and poverty… transforming our community.” I had the privilege of serving with Barb at Heartside Ministry. When I first arrived she told me the neighbors would enrich me and I would receive and learn more from them than they ever would from me. As in many things, Barb was right. Starting at Heartside in 2000 after a couple decades of government service was certainly a change for me, but the fit was comfortable and felt very familiar. The spirituality of the neighbors and staff of Heartside was welcoming, loving, and challenging. As Barb predicted, they allowed me to witness the redemptive power of unconditional love. Most importantly however they challenged me to truly live a life of actual faith. Trusting God will provide somehow. Hoping against hope, this time a problem will finally be solved. Sharing, caring, forgiving, suffering, laughing, crying – living every day as best you can, knowing somewhere there is a divine plan. Daily I was humbled by the neighbors who I was here to help, witnessing to me with a love that constantly shone through despite the terrible crosses they carried traveling their personal Via Dolorosas, a constant reminder the cross is the key to our salvation. At Heartside every day is Lent, yet every day is also Easter. I witnessed neighbors in the throes of their private Gethsemanes wrestling demons of despair or other mental health ailments. I saw them after they had been scourged by physical, sexual or verbal abuse. I met people who had been rejected by so-called society, betrayed by friends, and undergoing daily crucifixions on crosses they built themselves or had been placed on by others. Still, after Calvary comes Easter. Stones are rolled away. People spring forth from tombs of addiction, abuse, or other forms of living death. Through God all things are possible and I saw Christ reflected in the diverse faces of our Heartside neighbors who joined Him in His passions and triumphs. I will always thank God and Barb Pekich for allowing me to join the neighbors on their many journeys and the privilege of serving in a ministry of love. I am a better person from being there. It’s not easy to run a non-profit especially in these challenging times, but Barb was an outstanding Executive Director and under her administration Heartside not only survived it flourished. She was a pleasure to work with and when the money ran out for positions, including my own, Barb’s genuine kindness and love softened the blow and we all put the well being of the neighbors first. A good shepherd is a pastor to all and that was Barb. My apologies if this refection on Barb is too personal. That is a danger when writing about one you knew and loved, yet she would understand. It shows why the City of Grand Rapids dedicated a park in her honor. Curiously the thing that I cherished most about Barb was her sense of humor manifested in her laughter. Most of the time she wore a kindly, large smile. At any possible excuse she would break into laughter. Her laugh was robust and contagious filling a room with a clap of thunderous joy. It was definitely one of her gifts from God and Holy Spirit was present in it. I believe laughter can be as powerful and as sacred as words. Speaking of words, the invitation from Heartside Ministry to the park dedication spoke of their power. “Please join us on Thursday, June 3rd, 5:00 pm at Division and Cherry to help honor Barb’s life and work with the dedication of the Pocket Park in her name. It is a wonderful honor for a wonderful woman whose heart has been indelibly imprinted upon the Heartside Neighborhood during 20 years of devotion and service.” Indelibly is an incredibly strong word but fitted the occasion beautifully. It means something that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased and that certainly describes the essence of Barb Pekich! As her successor the Reverend Char Ellison put it speaking about Pekich Park, “May Barb’s spirit be felt vividly in all who linger there.” I am sure it will! A park should be a place of relaxation and refuge. In an urban setting it ought to be a sanctuary of tranquility. This was what Barb provided within her ministry while she lived and now this Park filled with her joyous spirit will continue to bless her beloved neighbors. I imagine myself and others visiting Pekich Park with a wind blowing gently through it and catching the sound of laughter and remembering Barb. As I said before I believe laughter can be as powerful as words and to prove it I will end with an author Barb enjoyed for his Father Brown detective stories. Gilbert Keith Chesterton in his epic work Orthodoxy described the power of laughter more eloquently than I ever could: “We are perhaps permitted tragedy as a sort of merciful comedy: because the frantic energy of divine things would knock us down like a drunken farce. We can take our own tears more lightly than we could take the tremendous levities of the angels. So we sit perhaps in a starry chamber of silence, while the laughter of the heavens is too loud for us to hear… The tremendous figure which fills the Gospels towers in this respect, as in every other, above all the thinkers who ever thought themselves tall. His pathos was natural, almost casual. The Stoics, ancient and modern, were proud of concealing their tears. He never concealed His tears; He showed them plainly on His open face at any daily sight, such as the far sight of His native city. Yet He concealed something. Solemn supermen and imperial diplomatists are proud of restraining their anger. He never restrained His anger. He flung furniture down the front steps of the Temple, and asked men how they expected to escape the damnation of Hell. Yet He restrained something. I say it with reverence; there was in that shattering personality a thread that must be called shyness. There was something that He hid from all men when He went up a mountain to pray. There was something that He covered constantly by abrupt silence or impetuous isolation. There was some one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth; and I have sometimes fancied that it was His mirth.” After reading this, He and Barb are probably having a good laugh. Listen closely and you will hear it echoing throughout Pekich Park.

Welcome to The Positive Voices, a monthly paper dedicated to promoting social justice, civility, debate and honest dialogue. We will also be talking about the positive roles government and organized labor can play in our society. Believing that a mutual respect between labor and management is the only way to effectively advance economic prosperity and justice, we will honor the positive contributions made by union and non-union workers, big and small businesses and all individuals dedicated to building a better community, state, and nation. July is the heart of summer and a time for celebration and relaxation! And maybe reading Employees Positive Voices’ compelling July edition on the beach? As a special Independence Day treat we are reprinting The Fiasco of July 4, 1777 from the Huffington Post (July 2009) by Alex Storozynski, the author of The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution. History buffs will love it. Our OtherWords bullpen of national columnists writing for this edition are as refreshing as a dip in Lake Superior and have some topics as explosive as fireworks. Kristi Ceccarossi takes on Kraft Food Corporation, the world’s second largest food corporation, while Jim Hightower skewers a massive chemical corporation for creating a collection of bontanical Frankenstein super weeds! Amanda Hitt wants safe food on our tables. Brian Miller, Sam Pizzigati wants CEO to worker income disparity reported; David Elliot argues we can’t cut our way to a better America. The critical issue of maternal mortality is examined by Jennie Joseph. Economic justice for all is the call delivered by Arlene Holt Baker of the AFL-CIO. Lisa Griffith wants the same for family farms. Fiscally responsible thinking is Miriam Pemberton’s topic. William A. Collins wants financial reform and John Steel is interested in regaining our democracy from corporate influence. From WPRR your humble host of Tuesdays with Tormala offers an Independence Day reflection and a tribute to the late Barb Pekich of Heartside Ministry. We are also a forum and megaphone for non-profits. We continue our monthly series where Catherine’s Health Center provides our readers with helpful educational tips for staying healthy. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan addresses the options available to older adults and their families to promote independent living, and Mike Burri of our Vets Corner delivers us some good news! In our Art From The Heart segment we feature artist Annette Gray. As always, your letters, op-eds, and articles are welcome for submission. Employees Positive Voices wants to hear your voices. This is your paper and we want you to tell us what you want to hear about. You suggested we cover the Primary Election in our August issue instead of this one and we listened! Any additional races you want covered and candidates to hear more about? Just let us know! Contact me at 616-560-4444, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ThePositiveVoices.com. Be the first to comment on stories or blog. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Also check out my radio show Tuesdays with Tormala. You can also talk with me and be my friend by going to Rick Tormala if you are on Facebook. We are always looking for ways for you to interact with us. Please join us. Enjoy July!

Independence Day or the 4th of July is one of the few major American holidays where the date is central to the celebration. New Year’s Day and Veteran’s Day on November 11th are the two others. Thanks to Congress and commerce Memorial Day has become a movable feast. Even the commemoration of arguably our most famous holiday Christmas on December 25th is not a result of the direct birthday of Christ but the Roman Catholic Church’s designation of its observance and the Eastern rite Churches celebrate the sacred event on the Epiphany, January 6th. After all birthdays cannot be changed, and the 4th of July is the birthday of the United States of America now 234 years old, certainly worth a major celebration. From coast to coast in cities large and small parades, picnics, and community events will honor the anniversary of our country’s Declaration of Independence. Dogs and suds, hamburgers and sodas will be consumed with gyros, pizza, kielbasa, tamales, egg rolls, Italian sausage, pita bread with hummus and other delights now part of our nation’s rich culture and as American as the Red, White, and Blue! At dusk citizens will gather for spectacular displays of fire works exploding across our nation’s skies. A great time will be had by all and people will go to bed believing the observance was done right. But was it? The ritual was there. What about the reverence? Do most really know what they were celebrating and commemorating? Things have changed even over my lifetime. How many people, especially young ones, can recite the Declaration of Independence or even parts of it? Would they know who wrote and signed it? Where and when? Of course everyone, yes even Sara Palin and Al Franken, would say July 4th and get 1776 right, but I doubt Philadelphia would be remembered as where. To many, Ethan Allen is a furniture company and John Hancock sells insurance. History is forgotten and we are suffering for it. A birthday after all is not just an anniversary of when a person was born, but the celebration of their life. The same is true of a country, or should be. Is it though? I wager most Americans, again even the former Governor of Alaska and the junior Senator from Minnesota, if asked what Independence Day means will answer freedom. That speaks to our nation’s character about our fundamental beliefs and what we stand for as a people. Even after all these years Americans realize Independence represents freedom and that is a good thing. If you ask them what kind of freedom, many will say freedom from an all powerful and tyrannical government and then rattle off the bill rights confusing the Declaration with the Constitution, an honest mistake made by many elective officials that should know better. A large number would say the freedom to be left alone another deep seated American belief and not too different from the original founders. Still people nowadays confuse liberty with license, forgetting with rights come responsibilities something those men in Philadelphia who signed the Declaration understood extremely well.When I was young (yeah I know I sound like a fogey but as a Baby Boomer we think everything happens in context to us so when we were young everyone was) the Greatest Generation was in their prime. They had conquered in World War II, got a draw in Korea, and were building the best economy the world had ever known and one of their own was in the White House. Patriotism and American exceptionalism were at their zenith and even the Moon and stars seemed with in reach. On the 4th of July in the early ’60s celebrations and parades were attended and participated in by Americans that understood the true meaning of freedom and the Declaration of Independence. The Spirit of 76 lived. Heroes of Normandy, Anzio, Midway and other legendary battles marched with uniforms that still mostly fit and in their footsteps walked we cub and boy scouts in awe following the footsteps of giants we loved and wanted to be like. Over the years we have lost our way at times, but it seems whenever we can find those old footprints they still take us in the right direction. When flags passed we saluted if we were in uniform and placed our hand over our heart when wearing ordinary clothes. In school we were taught about the American spy Nathan Hale and how he regretted “only having but one life to give for my country,” Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, the ride of Paul Revere, Washington crossing the Delaware, Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence, John Nixon first reading it publicly. We had to memorize it ourselves. Does that happen today? If not maybe it should. Now especially when politicians, parties, and movements try to highjack our founding fathers and documents for their own purposes history needs to be studied and remembered. Not just for our own sake but for the sake of future generations. In the heart of the Declaration of Independence below we find our compass. May we forever follow its guidance as it charts for us the course of true freedom. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” America and its foundation belongs to us all. The principles put forth in the Declaration and Constitution are worth dying for, but they are also worth living for and living up to. Happy Fourth of July!

On Tuesday, May 4th the citizens of Grand Rapids went to the polls and by a slim margin approved taxing themselves increasing the city income tax rate in the name of public safety. No mandate, no you’re doing a wonderful job as fiscal stewards, no ringing endorsement of the way our elected and appointed officials are running our City. I believe the voters simply came to the conclusion Grand Rapids was no longer safe and we needed to increase our police and fire staffing levels. Just one week later not only was the infamous street light utility tax a discussion topic at City Hall, but Manager Greg Sundstrom was threatening to shut down the six city pools and halt park maintenance. Good thing the voters weren’t aware of the parks department scheme, I mean proposal, or the results could have been different. How tone deaf to the concerns of our citizens are the people running Grand Rapids? To be fair the City Manager always had the street light tax on the table, because the Mayor and Commissioners never told him it was unacceptable, but closing pools is something most people didn’t expect, especially when they were casting their votes to help the city out. I’m proud of the voters that approved the income tax increase. Their actions were unselfish and clear evidence of their willingness to sacrifice even in the midst of economic turmoil to help make our city a better place. But I also have deep respect for the voters turning out in opposition to the proposal. I know they too love our city and in large numbers sent a clear signal to City Hall also. Live within your means! Together their message is powerful and grounded in common sense. Sacrifice and live within your means. Listen up Mr. Manager and Commissioners, the people are making sense and showing you the way! Though maybe it’s a novel idea to our leaders? Mayor Heartwell needs to really listen to the public before limiting himself and the Commission to only what he calls “repugnant” choices. A careful and transparent examination of the budget, a rational reordering of priorities, imaginative critical thinking and truly embracing our voters’ message of sacrifice and fiscal responsibility would give our leaders a number of reasonable alternatives to the obnoxious choices with which they now struggle. If the Commissioners really don’t want to slap our taxpayers in the face and steal summer from our children there are other options. It only takes will and leadership to set Grand Rapids on the right track. Oh, but it also means the Commission must lead and the Manager implement their budget and priorities! First an outline of the street light tax, though the Orwellian description of it is as a street lighting “fee,” our clever citizens understand its real purpose! It is quite the bureaucratic masterpiece. Bismarck would be proud! I can see consultants around the country salivating at selling this tax, I mean revenue enhancing tool, to desperate city councils throughout the land. Of course consultants are just city bureaucrats supplementing their fat pensions, but I digress. I will save you the suffering of reading the actual ordinance language though it is available for masochists on the City website and I do applaud them for their transparency, but not for the legally obtuse language. However I’ll provide you with the straight talk translation. If you own property in Grand Rapids with an adjacent street light you will be charged money. How much will depend on street footage and the type of neighborhood you live in, but the greater your frontage the higher your costs. It won’t be good for residents, businesses, nonprofits, apartment complexes, or houses of worship. I guess it won’t be good for anyone except the tax collector again displaying the bureaucratic brilliance of the plan! To be fair it is expected to raise over $3 million annually for a city desperate for money, but to me the entire idea is misguided and unfair to taxpayers, especially when there are other alternatives. Maybe if we taxed those little light bulbs that appear over the heads of city bureaucrats when they get these bright ideas we would make a fortune, well on second thought probably not. Touching on the absurdity of cutting parks department funds and closing pools, the Manager and Commissioners need to stop and really think about what helps us maintain a quality of life in this city. Many parents bought homes close to pools and parks with the intention of using them. So did many residents without children counting on them for recreational opportunities or relishing the pure joy of green space. You certainly don’t have to live near them to enjoy them. They’re the part of the soul of our neighborhoods. Years ago parks were the jewels of Grand Rapids and an integral part of our community and were treated and financed as such. We learned to swim and play sports in them. During the winter we skated, not downtown, but at most parks throughout the city. Wherever we lived we could walk to one. Park caretakers were goodwill ambassadors and our guardians, many became neighborhood institutions. Ask anyone raised in Grand Rapids during the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and even the ’70s and I bet they can match a park with the name of its caretaker. Yet now a homegrown Manager is prepared to carry through on the dismantling of this once great system. We can’t tolerate that any more than we could tolerate the cutting of our police officers and fire fighters. A city must be safe first of all to make it livable, but a city without a vibrant parks system is not a livable city. Think of what the Manager is proposing for our pools. I’ve seen it before, closed pools filled with rain water turned into million dollar bird baths. Also bear in mind these closed pools will have to be “opened” at least for a few days this summer to make sure things are running correctly even if our children will be barred from using them. Now that I’ve highlighted our problems where are all the solutions? I thought you would never ask! First let’s address the Mayor and Chamber of Commerce’s mantra of blaming the workers and calling for cutting wages and benefits as the solution to everything. Baloney! This city is in trouble because of how it is run, rather than how its employees are compensated. Understand I am willing to have a frank discussion regarding wages and benefits and support concessions when needed, but all this talk about pensions is going after low hanging fruit instead of using strategic thinking to address the costly and structural inefficiencies that are the real financial problems busting our budget. Again I am not afraid to have a frank discussion over what is better — a defined benefit or a defined contribution plan. In fact we will have one in this paper, but it will be a fact based discussion of the truth and some may find it surprising. When you hear the city pension plan being attacked and held up as outrageous who do they cite, our top paid managers. That is where the problem is and if we removed the unnecessary ones and watched how much we pay them things would change. The public doesn’t know how much is paid to match a number of managers’ pension contributions. Sometimes the City match is in double figures — far greater than what rank and file workers receive but that is an article for another day. Back to possible solutions to the city budget woes. Embrace sacrifice and living within your means. You know the drill — freeze all travel for Mayor, Manager, and Commissioners unless they are coming back with a check with at least six figures. Every penny counts is one of the things the electorate are demanding. Sell the Mayor’s car and take away Greg’s $700 a month car allowance. If you have to tax lights suck it up and sacrifice yourself, citizens have done enough. Let me applaud the elected officials’ pay cut — which I admire them for and is a case of leadership by example. They must understand it is only a start. In a true spirit of truth and transparency place up on the city’s website in an understandable and clear fashion the contracts of all the appointed officials along with the money spent by the Mayor, Commissioners, and all top management over the last two years and currently with an explanation where, why, and how money is spent. As always I recommend voting on and examining publicly every position and expense the city has and eliminating the non-essential ones. Middle management and upper management must be thinned and people let go not demoted or renamed. No one is being fooled. Really if this Commission could prioritize needs over wants in our budget and order the Manager to implement sound fiscal policy a lot of the problem could be relieved. Now finally a way to raise significant money, put bids out to lease and run our parking system except for the cash cow City/County operation below the government complex that feeds our general fund. You know this was suggested before and there were significant entities ready to bid, unlike the travesty of the so called “Mystery Project” that wasted thousands of tax payer dollars and ended up with no bidders, just embarrassment. The proposal was fought by the Parking Commission and city management and the City Commission lacked the will to proceed and because of their failure and inaction we have raised taxes. But what was a good idea then is a great one today when the city is in the worst shape ever financially. To not fully explore a venture like this and instead choose increased taxes and devastating service cuts would be unconscionable and a failure by the Commission of their fiduciary responsibility to our citizens. Here is the policy question. Must the City run the parking system and why? The answer is the City must try and provide safe, affordable, and accessible parking for its citizens. It also has a legitimate concern about where development takes place and has used its control of parking system property to manage and assist development. I have no quarrel with and support these elements of our parking policy, but none of that requires the City itself run the system or not lease out the property and dissolve most of the department. Last time it was brought up bureaucrats told us we would lose millions that we collect in revenue, but failed to mention all of that goes to run the system not to cover the general fund deficit. Putting out bids we could write a proposal allowing a private entity to lease and operate most of our system, but bind them contractually to have the parking prices set by the City Commission. We could also insist if they built something on the properties they would have to maintain the same number of parking spots. For ramps we owe money on they would have to assume or pay off the debt and the surplus in the parking system would be turned over to us. Even a take back clause and a penalty could be included. It might be possible to clear $25 million or more of profit from such a lease arrangement, plus the surplus, and the annual income from income tax and maybe even a payment in lieu of taxes from the leased property. With sound budgeting of needs we could fund priorities like police and fire staffing, parks, pools, planning, neighborhood services, and infrastructure. We could go back to the future and rebuild our parks making them neighborhood assets once again. What I have outlined are not “repugnant” options but viable alternatives. If Commissioners Gutowski and Shaffer don’t want to tax our citizens any further here is their chance to put our City on sound financial footing. If Commissioners Bliss and Lumpkins want pools open they can join the push for a sane fiscal policy with creative opportunities. If the Mayor wants real sustainability this is his chance and if Greg Sundstrom doesn’t want to be known as the City Manager that presided over the financial destruction of Grand Rapids he’ll jump on board too! At least the topic should be thoroughly explored. Urge our elected officials to park the Street Light Tax and turn the lights on to examine leasing our parking system and resizing our management structure. Otherwise we are back to repugnant choices where we all lose.

  Welcome to the Employees Positive Voices, a monthly paper dedicated to promoting social justice, civility, debate and honest dialogue. We are adding Employees to our name because in one way or another that is what all of us are or have been. It speaks to our common ground. We will also be talking about the positive roles government and organized labor can play in our society. Believing that a mutual respect between labor and management is the only way to effectively advance economic prosperity and justice, we will honor the positive contributions made by union and non-union workers, big and small businesses and all individuals dedicated to building a better community, state, and nation. With June summer is officially here! Employees Positive Voices is part of WPRR Public Reality Radio and shares WPRR’s mission to bring to you intelligent and challenging features, articles and commentary from many diverse points of view on subjects ranging from philosophy and science to politics and religion. That is the vision of our owner Bob Goodrich and something we will attempt to achieve every month. We are not the only ones looking at name changes. Minuteman Media is now changed to OtherWords, but their bullpen of national columnists still deliver high quality and compelling writing. US Representative Raul M. Grijalva takes on the law passed by his own state as does local West Michigan advocate and immigration attorney Richard Kessler. Donald Kaul goes after hedge fund managers. Daphne Wysham explains how British Petroleum beats the system. Jim Hightower takes some pokes at Senator Mitch McConnell. Isn’t Rand Paul punishment enough? Nah! Meanwhile Michael Brune wants Congress and the EPA to clean up our water. Of course what would an edition of this paper be without a provocative article stirring the pot by Peter Carlberg! From WPRR your humble host of Tuesdays with Tormala wants to switch off the Grand Rapids City Manger’s proposed Street Light Tax while giving our leaders other options to consider. Jose Alejandro Amorós of Foreign Policy and You gives us another one of his insightful columns. We are also a forum and megaphone for non-profits, spotlighting this month the great work of Local First in creating jobs and promoting neighborhood businesses. Anna Gretz of Dégagé Ministries tells a tale of help, hope and inspiration. In a new series, Catherine’s Health Center provides our readers with helpful educational tips for staying healthy. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan stresses the need for caregivers to also take care of themselves. Mike Burri of our Vets Corner thanks the community for remembering our Vets! In our Art From The Heart segment we feature artist and poet Anthony Welsh. Witness for Peace International Team Member Dunya Cope challenges the US drug policy and its impact on Mexico. As always input letters, op-eds, and articles are welcome for submission. Employees Positive Voices wants to hear your voices. This is your paper and we want you to tell us what you want to hear about, especially since we are relying on you to tell us how to cover the Primary Election in our July issue. What races do you want covered and which candidates do you want to hear more about? Contact us at 616-656-2619, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Be the first to comment on stories or blog. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Also check out my radio show, Tuesdays with Tormala. We are always looking for ways for you to interact with us. Please join us. Until July, Rick Tormala, Publisher  

With the rhetorical flair of FDR and the legislative muscle of LBJ, President Obama obtained what none of his predecessors could--- the passage of National Health Care legislation, the aptly named Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Love it or hate it was a monumental victory for the President and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi now elevated to the level of Congressional legends Sam Rayburn and Tip O’Neill. History will remember forever the high drama! Tea Party members and other opponents stormed Washington and surrounded the Capital in protest. Seizing an obvious public relations coup, Madame Speaker played the angry protestors like a violin. With a knowing smile she led Democratic House Members, parting the angry crowd into the Capitol carrying a gigantic gavel of justice like a judge leading a jury through a mob. Visceral reactions and hurled epithets, proven or not, changed the health care debate at that moment into a civil rights issue. President Obama put a key foreign trip on hold to stay home and lobby uncertain Democrats while shoring up others. Republicans held like Stonewall Jackson in solid opposition to the health care legislation warning of Armageddon while seemingly relishing being branded as the party of No, though a sarcastic Conservative friend of mine tagged we Democrats as the party of Knowing Better. The stage was set. The House of Representatives had to pass the Senate Bill with the promise the Senate would fix a number of offense able items through the filibuster proof Reconciliation Process. Speaker Pelosi and the President needed 216 Democratic votes to pass the bill. They had no Republicans. It was Sunday , March 21 and hard core political junkies flipped the remote between March Madness and C-Span not sure which was more exciting. Usually Tom Izzo would be the dominant UPer at this point on the calendar but that day all eyes were focused on the Congressman from Menominee, Michigan –Bart Stupak. His hometown bears the name of a Native American tribe, but also shares the name with a Great Lakes whitefish variety know for being a delicacy yet extremely hard for anglers to catch since their delicate mouths break after being hooked. Menominee are bottom feeders rarely coming into the shallows and are usually caught commercially in nets. For nearly two decades Stupak represented Michigan’s First Congressional District one of the largest geographically in the nation consisting of the Upper Peninsula and the very northernmost part of the lower one. A former state trooper known for his hard work and integrity Stupak reflected the views of his constituency continually defeating opponents by large margins. Speaking with the clipped style of the UPer, Bart was a low-key member of Congress known most for public safety and Great Lakes issues and serving on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. In most cases Stupak was a reliable Democrat vote on core party issues. Since his first day in office he had supported health care reform. He also supported pro-life values from the womb to the tomb and in fact was a leader of pro-life Democrats in Congress. Suddenly two issues he felt strongly about seemed to be competing with each other. For years a law known as the Hyde Amendment had prevention US tax dollars from being used for abortions. When the House first passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Bart had led a group of Democratic legislators called the Stupak 12 and held up passage of the bill until strong language was placed in preserving the intent of the Hyde Amendment. Lacking the votes to move the legislation out of the House without Stupak and company’s support, Speaker Pelosi accepted his language and moved it on to the Senate with Bart’s support. That was in November of last year. For those just walking into the middle of this movie, Hapless Harry Reid and his 60 vote majority managed to almost kill health care with incompetence and sheer stupidity. To be filled in on that soap opera read A Clunker Full of Cash, my column on the disaster from February’s Issue. The Senate passed their version on Christmas Eve and then all hell broke loose against the bill. Republican Scott Brown won Teddy Kennedy’s seat and it looked like things were finished with the momentum going in the opposite direction, but Nancy Pelosi and the President decided to go for broke by deciding to have the House concur without changing the Senate Bill and then fix it in the Senate through Reconciliation. In American politics few leaders have charged ahead against such odds. Oh, did I mention the polls were all running against the health care bill. Yet President Obama and the Speaker rolled up their sleeves and started securing votes. Two hundred and sixteen Democrats was the magic number. One big obstacle stood in their way, Bart Stupak and his dozen of supporters. The Senate had weakened the Stupak language on abortion and the Congressman from Michigan would not agree to support the bill without it. Tough as the iron range in his district, on this matter Stupak would not yield. In the UP it was said Bart had sisu like the Finns he represented. Look it up it will explain a lot. The eyes of the nation were focused on the Man from Menominee and he wouldn’t flinch. For different reasons he became the man for all seasons. Reviled by some and revered by others cable news constantly carried interviews with the soft spoken silver haired Stupak. The refrain was the same, “I want to pass health care but I will not support federal tax dollars subsiding abortions.” Nancy Pelosi is staunchly prochoice but not once did she or the President defame or denounce Mr. Stupak. The Speaker is alleged to have even convened a meeting with pro-choice Democrats testing the water for accepting the Stupak language or seeing if common ground could be found. Not able to go through him they went around him as best they could. The Stupak 12 were being peeled off. Long time pro-lifers Jim Oberstar and Marcy Kaptur announced they felt the Senate language against abortion was sufficient protection against tax payer abortions and they would vote for passage. Stupak’s own Michigan colleague the pro-life champion Dale Kildee announced his support of the bill ironically after consulting with Cardinal Wolsey, I mean his parish priest. Still Stupak stood strong as his supporters dwindled, yet he still held enough to prevent passage without his language being accepted. Dan Lipinski of Illinois stood with him and the magic number could not be reached. Then the Sunday vote came. Bart said he wanted to find an agreement and offered compromises, there were counter offers and yet no agreement. Remotes flipped tournament, Congress, tournament, Congress, news channels, tournament, Congress, carpal tunnel. Suddenly it was announced Stupak and Lipinski were huddled on the House floor. President Obama was working the phones while the Speaker did her magic. Finally word came out there was an agreement reached and Stupak would support passage. What was the compromise? President Obama had assured Mr. Stupak he would issue an executive order prohibiting taxpayers’ funds being used for abortion. To each side of the abortion debate Bart Stupak turned from hero to villain depending on your point of view on the issue. The Congressman wanting healthcare for all citizens while preserving his pro-life values seemed satisfied. Yet what of Lipinski and the others, would they vote for it? Lipinski would not yield, the others might. It appeared the compromise angered both sides of the abortion debate, often the sign of a well done agreement. Finally though, it looked like health care would pass. Stupak lionized earlier by some as a 21st century Thomas More was condemned instead as a modern Duke of Norfolk. Lipinski took his place. Imagine their floor conversation? Allow me to try paraphrasing and quoting from Robert Bolt’s Oscar winning script, The Man for All Seasons. Stupak/Norfolk: “Oh confound all this. I’m not a scholar, I don’t know whether the abortion language is sufficient or not but dammit, Dan, look at these names! We all need to support this bill. Why can’t you do as I did and come with us, for fellowship!” Lipinski/More: “And when we die, and you are sent to heaven for doing your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?” Those lines always chill me to the bone as a call to conscience. I’ve veered into fantasy, but the conversation between the two must have been interesting to say the least. Stupak endorsed the bill and 219 Democrats voted for history while Lipinski and 31 other Democrats joined every single Republican in opposition. Oh, yeah to top it off Texas Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer yelled baby killer at Bart as he delivered his floor speech. Onward to the Senate went the critical legislation where Harry Reid then remarkably did his part well and shepherded the agreed changes through a reconciliation bill which then was concurred by the House. President Barack Obama signed it making good on his pledge and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act became law. He also signed an executive order banning taxpayer funding for abortions behind closed doors with a small group including Bart Stupak. The obstacle became the hero of health care or the villain to its opponents. Tea Party members marked him for defeat as did enraged Republicans. Conservative commentators and talk show hosts pronounced him public enemy number one. They said he caved under pressure. Legal scholars said an executive order is only good until a President rescinds it or a court nullifies it. Some claimed Bart was taken in and the health care law itself trumps the order. Representative Stupak responded in a phone call to Mitch Albon on WJR, “The greatest executive order ever issued was the Emancipation Proclamation. This is an executive order that will protect the sanctity of life.” But the debate raged on Several weeks later the Congressman from Menominee announced his retirement. “ I have spent more than 30 years in public service as a police officer in Escanaba, a Michigan State Police Trooper, a State Representative and now a United States Congressman. My service to the people of Michigan has been the greatest honor of my life. But, it is time to begin a new chapter…I will always serve the people of the First District, but have chosen not to do so as their Congressman.” That was it. Mr. Stupak was leaving Washington after accomplishing health care reform something he set out 18 years ago to do. Tea party supporters claimed victory for driving him from office as did Republicans, that awesome force never able to come close to defeating him. Pundits wrote him off and commentators either praised or vilified him. Yet, the majority of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle praised him for his work. What’s the truth? We may never know. Maybe he was fed up. Maybe he was tired. Maybe he lost something in himself, or maybe we should just take him at his word. So Stupak goes and health care is here. Why did I spend so much time on a single Member of Congress’ role in this drama? Because it was historic and brought principled stands into a complex issue. Stupak embodied the debate and President Obama and Speaker Pelosi would not have this victory without him. As for the bill itself, key provisions are outlined some have said it is not as great as its proponents claim and it is not as bad as its detractors pronounce it to be. However it will probably be a decisive factor in the November elections. To its merits, 32 million people currently uninsured will now be covered, giving 94% of Americans health care insurance. That is no small thing and this is one victory I don’t think will ever be repealed. Other elements of the law may be replaced or removed but this provision, and other key ones such as ending pre-existing condition discrimination, filling the Medicare prescription drug donut hole, and allowing parents to keep their young adult children on their insurance are so just and appealing to the citizens they won’t allow them to be taken away. The Congressional Budget Office asserts this legislation will reduce the deficit by $143 billion over the next ten years, with $1.2 trillion in additional deficit reduction in the following 10 years. I pray they are right. We are running out of money and our debt is growing which concerns me deeply. I believe this debate over health care is far from over, but both sides need to drop caricatures and demonization. We should be able to have a civil, educated debate on the merits. I was an ardent supporter of health care reform but I have concerns about this bill. It is however a foundation from which to build upon. Let’s do so and make our nation better. Allow me to end with two quotes from Robert Bolt’s seminal masterpiece from the mouth of his Sir Thomas More. “I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.” And letting the great man speak for me, “I trust I make myself obscure.”

A special part of India came to visit West Michigan in April. Imagine the Pope in your living room or the Dali Lama coming to dinner. Well the equivalent of that happened to the Singh Family when Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, head of the Sikhs across the globe came to visit successful entrepreneur and community leader Sunny Singh and his family and friends. “ He is comparable to the Pope in status and a very holy man. This is a great honor,” Singh explained happily. The Jathedar’s first visit ever to Michigan was to keep a promise he made to his follower Sunny Singh. “When he told me last year he would visit me, I just didn’t expect it to happen. He is such a great man and such a busy person,” Singh said Stately Singh manor in Grand Rapids Township was transformed into a spiritual haven filled with the wonderful atmosphere of Sikh piety and culture. The fragrance of delightful native cuisine, along with friendship and fellowship filled the home. Guests were from the Indian and Sikh communities with an array of elected officials and members of the Kent Count Democratic Party of which Sunny Singh is a high official. Mr. Singh, his wife Neeraj Saini and their children Karan and Rahul are well known and beloved residents of the area. A prosperous businessman, he owns eight convenience stores around West Michigan along with the exquisite restaurant, Palace of India located on East Fulton in the Midtown neighborhood. Additionally, Sunny Singh is greatly respected in the Indian community serving as Vice President of the India National Overseas Congress, USA; President, INOC, State of Michigan; and President, Punjabi Cultural Society of the State of Michigan. Many remarks were made and greeted warmly both for and by the Jathedar and his companions. Gifts were exchanged amidst joyous chants. State Representative Roy Schmidt and Kent County Commissioner Pete Hickey made official presentations. Former House Speaker Protem Michael Sak, Lottery Commissioner Scott Bowen, Lupe Ramos –Montigny, Second Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, and yours truly, who was humbled and honored to be invited, made brief remarks. Our gracious host acted as a Master of Ceremonies. Grand Rapids City Commissioner Elias Lumpkins, candidates for State Representative Brandon Dillon and John Schwartz along with State Senate Candidate David LaGrand were also in attendance. It was quite moving being in the presence of the Jathedar and listening to him speak through a translator. The love of his followers was obvious. His demeanor was gentle and the message uplifting. Sikh means disciple and the religion was founded over 500 years ago by Guru Nanak. A Sikh is defined as a person who faithfully believes in One God; and the utterances and teachings of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book; the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion. This faith consists of practical living, service to humanity, tolerance and brotherly love towards all. Afterwards, I was granted the privilege of spending time and speaking through a translator to the Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh personally. I asked him if there was a message he wanted to deliver to the people of West Michigan. The Jathedar replied, “I am very happy to come here, because the Sikh community and the personalities of the Sikh community have good relations with the American people. I want to give a message to all the Sikh community. They should work hard with honesty and share with the needy people and help the helpless people and they should be loyal to this country the United States especially. Any Sikh should not do anything bad especially to the innocent. All people living in the world, they are created by God, so the message of our community should be to love all. Don’t hate anyone. If any kind of disaster happens anywhere then the people of our community should help those people. All Sikhs believe in their religion and respect other religions.” This holy man certainly expressed simply and eloquently the tenets of his faith. At the end of our conversation I said, “It seems like your message is a universal one of love and social justice. Am I right?” To which the leader of over 20 million Sikhs worldwide smiled and responded through the translator, “Yes.” The diverse immigrants settling in West Michigan are putting us in touch with the world and the world in touch with us. For that we can celebrate and thank residents like Sunny Singh and his wonderful family.

Each year there are two special days dedicated to remembering our veterans. Though out of honor to the immense debt we owe them we should remember and thank them every day of the year. They bought our freedom with their service, courage, blood, and sometimes their very lives. We owe them an incalculable debt we can never repay. Our veterans should be in our thoughts and prayers always. Each May we celebrate Memorial Day in remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. Originally it was referred to as Decoration Day owing that name to the custom of decorating with flowers the graves of our nation’s heroes. General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic was the first to proclaim the creation of Memorial Day and it was observed officially for the first time on May 30, 1868 with flowers being placed on the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Following World War I the purpose was changed from just honoring those dying in the Civil War, to include all who have died fighting on behalf of our country. Unfortunately now days, a number of Americans have forgotten the real meaning of Memorial Day treating it as another three day weekend. When we forget our veterans, we forget the very spirit of service and sacrifice that is the essence of our country. Freedom comes with a price and we still have a debt to those that paid it. In May 2000 hoping to restore the real meaning of Memorial Day, President Bill Clinton supported a “National Moment of Remembrance” calling for all Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00PM every Memorial Day to, “remember and reflect on the sacrifices made for so many to bring freedom for all.” Here in West Michigan, the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans established in 1886 has a long history of serving Michigan veterans. The first soldiers to live at the Home were those from the Civil War and the Home has been serving veterans from every military conflict since that time. On May 30, 1886, a cemetery was opened on the grounds for those soldiers who passed away while residing at the Home. That cemetery continues to be used today, 124 years later. For many years the Boy Scouts have decorated the cemetery with United States flags to honor our fallen soldiers. This is a monumental task with over 5,000 graves, but takes the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts only a short time to accomplish. Every year on the Wednesday prior to May 30, the traditional Memorial Day, a short ceremony is held. The scouts then march across the bridge to the cemetery behind the honor guard to plant flags on each and every grave. This year the cemetery decoration takes place on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, beginning with a 6:15 p.m. ceremony at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans’ band shell. This Memorial Day let’s join the scouts in honoring our heroes, attend parades in their honor, and pause to remember their sacrifice and service. Every day across the world American heroes still give their lives for our freedom. Through them the spirit of our country lives on. We must never forget them! We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies The blood of heroes never dies. -Moina Michael Jan Rosochacki, Community and Volunteer Specialist,Grand Rapids Home for Veterans contributed to this article.