Columns
February 21, 2012
An Electrifying Second Half |
The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf suggest Clint Eastwood and Chrysler were on to something. | more
Tough Times for Community Hospitals |
One of northern Michigan’s best community hospitals succumbs to health care economics. | more
High-Powered ‘News’ |
Technology and social media give us incredible horsepower, now we must focus on steering. | more
Catch-and-Release Crime Fighting |
Although prisons are a financial drain, the alternative is far more expensive to Michigan’s future. | more
February 17, 2012
Trick Question for Detroit |
You can’t simply ask whether Detroit would be better off under bankruptcy or an emergency manager. | more
Collaring the White Collars |
Violent crime may lead the news, but the really big rip-offs come from white collar criminals. | more
Not So Pure Michigan |
Mitt Romney’s stance on the auto industry could doom his candidacy, at least in Michigan. | more
Santorum Time? |
Only a campaign footnote three months ago, the Pennsylvania senator now puts Romney in a must-win spot. | more
February 10, 2012
Not So Tickled Pink |
Komen’s greatest problem is that it has forgotten there is a woman attached to the breast. | more
Michigan’s Global Brand |
Michigan can become a world destination by leveraging its already popular global brands. | more
Tough on Crime, Tough on Taxpayers |
Cutting back a program to keep convicts from returning to prison could prove costly. | more
Snyder Budget Message: Take It Easy |
The message in Snyder’s new budget is, “nothing to get upset about, go about your business.” | more
February 3, 2012
Path to Redevelopment |
Without municipal consolidations, how can the devastated Pontiacs and Flints ever survive? | more
Monetizing Democracy |
Gov. Snyder’s call for ethics, lobbying and campaign finance reform is a good starting point. | more
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner |
Who is this new Chinese leader who will be selected about the time of our national election? | more
Bridge Blockade |
New campaign finance reports build case for why Gov. Snyder can’t get new bridge built. | more
Right to Work Right for Michigan? |
Easier to figure out the politics of Right to Work than see how it would affect state’s economy. | more
January 27, 2012
Governor’s Missed Opportunity |
More troubling than the flubs in his speech was the Gov’s lack of candor on his real agenda. | more
Healthcare Lessons from Nepal |
Michigan doctor who’s improving public health in Nepal has some advice for the U.S. as well. | more
Legendary Political and Racial Gamesmanship |
There’s an uneasy chance come 2013 there will be no minority members of Congress from Michigan. | more
January 20, 2012
Relentless Positive Action vs. Right to Work |
Despite risks and Gov. Snyder’s pleas, House Republicans won’t leave Right to Work alone. | more
Moroun’s Jailing an Educational Event |
Detroit River truck ferry operator takes his daughter out of school for a day to learn about justice. | more
A Closer Look at the Dashboard |
A baby born today will be an adult before there are as many people working as there were in 2000. | more
Titty Bill Redux |
Saddened, though not really surprised, to know sexism is still alive and well in the legislature. | more
January 16, 2012
Michigan Land Trust Turns 35 |
For the past 35 years, Michigan’s land trust fund has been preserving scenic and sensitive areas. | more
Billionaires’ Blueprint for Reform Creating Buzz |
Californians’ Think Long Committee is making giant waves for new taxes and state reform. | more
Reducing the Personal Property Tax Burden |
Michigan’s tax on machinery and office equipment is another big barrier to job attraction. | more
Sticks and Stones and Social Media |
Nowadays, you not only have to eat your words, you must first drench them in hot sauce. | more
Crime Fight Likely to Miss Real Target |
Don’t expect much to come from Gov. Snyder’s plan to reduce crime and violence in our cities. | more
The Virtues of One-Party Rule |
When voters put one party in charge, they get action, not unresponsive government. | more
January 13, 2012
Snyder’s Biggest Challenge |
The governor’s handling of Detroit’s financial crisis will prove to be a key part of his legacy. | more
Bucking the GOP Establishment Again |
Clark Durant is the conservative’s conservative in the GOP race to take on Sen. Debbie Stabenow. | more
Dewey onto Others… |
Here are the larger lessons to be learned from the senator’s infamous “hooker” comment. | more
America’s Moral Laryngitis |
America’s economic weakness and dependence on China are silencing our moral outrage. | more
Iowa Sucks |
There’s no reason to keep letting Iowa and New Hampshire lead off the national sweepstakes. | more
Put State’s Budget Surplus to Work |
It’s important to put the budget surplus where it matters most to drive Michigan’s economy. | more
January 6, 2012
Relentless Positive Comments |
Gov. Snyder runs the state and not his mouth, to the chagrin of politics reporters and pundits. | more
Another Fine Primary Mess |
Michigan can’t seem to shoot straight when it comes to picking national convention delegates. | more
The Year Ahead |
From bridges to right to work, the new year brings a baby-bump-sized pile of leftover issues. | more
Sam Logan — Champion for the City |
Sam Logan’s leadership and vision had an impact not only on Detroit, but on the entire state. | more
December 30, 2011
Avoiding the Spotlight |
First Lady Sue Snyder avoids the spotlight at all cost and is content taking care of others. | more
Roman Gribbs Looks Back |
Roman Gribbs, Detroit mayor before Coleman Young, reflects on the city’s epic tragedy. | more
An Honest Proposal to Fix What Ails Us |
My simple plan would create new harmony and efficiency in American government. | more
Americans Not Global Enough |
China’s been chasing us for years, but we’ll end up the pursuer if we don’t become more global. | more
‘Mommy, What Was Watergage?’ |
How technology is ― and isn’t ― changing communications. | more
December 23, 2011
Why Snyder’s Bridge Went Nowhere |
A pile of rookie mistakes by the new governor put his bridge plan on a path to nowhere. | more
Coming Together Over Mass Transit |
Killing dream of a rapid rail line in Detroit clears way for reliable regional mass transit. | more
Gov. Snyder: Marketing-Based Conservative |
View Gov. Snyder for what he truly is, and the puzzling political pieces finally fall into place. | more
The White, Male Face of Political Punditry |
Why are most of Michigan’s mainstream media political experts and analysts white males? | more
December 19, 2011
Anonymously Yours |
Why do online publications feel a need to let morons provide hate comments without identifying themselves? | more
Help Wanted |
Sadly, we can finally put a number on how many Californians really do need mental health services. | more
Michigan Cities: Part IV, Four-Dimensional Chess |
To restore Michigan’s cities we must stymie the hemorrhaging on many fronts, not just one. | more
Race and the Race for the White House |
President Obama’s race and the immigration debate help keep the world’s eyes on the 2012 election. | more
Who Do You Trust? |
Both government and news media must overcome high hurdles to their public credibility. | more
Death of No-Fault? |
Current reform efforts could result in the death of no-fault and great hardship for severely injured motorists. | more
Detroit’s Disappearing Students |
High absenteeism is not only costly to Detroit public schools, it raises a slew of troubling questions. | more
December 16, 2011
Batting Zero on Bipartisanship |
Despite the governor’s early pledge to work with Democrats, there has been painfully little reaching out. | more
Saving Detroit City Council from Itself |
Despite Detroit’s crushing finances, city council members refuse to give up their cushy perks. | more
Rolling in Dough — Kinda |
News of a possible $1 billion surplus feels great after a decade of dismal state finances. | more
Political Rhetoric Doesn’t Educate Kids |
In the traditional vs. charter schools debate, we must get past the rhetoric and focus on quality. | more
December 9, 2011
(Part 2) Cities Responding to Fiscal Challenges |
Contrary to the popular wisdom, most cities are taking tough steps to cope with falling revenues. | more
Court Endangers State’s Forest Products Jobs |
New, heavy-handed federal regulation of the forest products industry will harm Michigan. | more
Test Your Political News IQ |
When it comes to news of politics, are you smarter than an 18-29-year-old? You better be. | more
Not a Good Bet |
Odds are slim that Detroit, crippled by the financial sins of the past, can avoid an emergency manager. | more
$7 Billion Hidden in Small Type |
One of state government’s largest, most important and complex issues goes virtually unreported. | more
December 2, 2011
Winning Combination for Taxpayers |
Emergency manager’s novel approach could reduce costs far beyond Pontiac’s borders. | more
No Single Solution Will Turn State Around |
We need to focus on growing a new Michigan that doesn’t try to copy some other state. | more
America’s Senator and the Art of Compromise |
Washington’s partisan-fueled dysfunction renews calls to find the Arthur Vandenberg of today. | more
Learning About Democracy First-Hand |
Despite all the emphasis on math and science, some students get to find out about politics and democracy. | more
‘We Will Not Let You Fail’ |
Doug Ross works to save Detroit’s public schools by changing the culture and students’ expectations. | more
Ugly Present for Detroit |
The prospect of an emergency manager for Detroit’s collapsing finances is an unwelcome holiday gift. | more
November 24, 2011
Powerful Monument to Persistence |
There are lessons to be learned from the opening of the Mackinac Bridge 54 years ago. | more
Measuring the Recall Fallout |
Revamping recall laws could be the most constructive result from Rep. Paul Scott’s ouster. | more
Media Lynching of U.S. Rep. Kildee? |
Political smear and media incompetence appear to be the real story behind “news” of the Kildee accusations. | more
Presumed Constitutional |
Supreme Court ruling on the pension tax was a giant drumstick of a gift for Gov. Snyder. | more
November 18, 2011
Anonymously Yours |
Why do online publications feel a need to let morons provide hate comments without identifying themselves? | more
San Diego Salute |
Living in an area with the military as its core constantly reminds you of those who serve and sacrifice. | more
Michigan Cities: Part III, Waning Political Power |
Michigan’s city dwellers no longer are 900-pound political gorillas in the state or even their counties. | more
Democratic Politics in Lithuania |
Ten parties fill Lithuania’s parliament, which seems a lot until you consider the alternatives. | more
A Bunch of Social Media and Political Junkies Walk into a Bar… |
Word is spreading that social media is a great way for connecting with elected officials. | more
Who Should Enter First Enviro Hall of Fame? |
Muskegon group solicits nominations for new Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame. | more
Tea Party Boiling Mad at Governor |
Tea Party activists accuse Gov. Snyder of declaring war on their conservative following. | more
Fieger Still Passionate about Politics, but… |
Geoffrey Fieger concludes he can make more of a difference not running for public office. | more
Give Thanks…and Pass the Ammunition |
At Thanksgiving, Gov. Snyder can be thankful tomorrow’s tough issues didn’t come sooner. | more
November 11, 2011
Model State for Michigan’s Future? |
Which Great Lakes state should be the model for Michigan? Look to Minnesota, not Indiana. | more
Allow Electric Competition to Work |
It’s time to scrap the 100-year-old system of rate base regulation for electric utilities. | more
Term Limits Here to Stay |
The latest effort to relax legislative term limits fizzles out before it ever gets going. | more
Contrasting Election Results |
Don’t look for a single message from voters in this week’s Michigan and Ohio elections. | more
Stay the Course or Change It? |
Voters still are displeased, and not quite clear on what they want to see from politicians. | more
November 4, 2011
Time to Revisit Wayne County ‘Reform’ |
On this 31st anniversary of the vote to change Wayne County government, it’s time for real change. | more
Snyder More Cautious on Bold Road Plan |
Gun-shy from the bridge issue, Gov. Snyder moves more carefully on big road-funding plan. | more
‘Forgotten’ Residents Torpedoed Bridge Vote |
Sen. Tupac Hunter says the bridge vote came down to a group of forgotten people and a broken promise. | more
Michigan’s Boy Gov at 200 |
Stevens T. Mason, the state’s first governor, can still teach us lessons about success. | more
October 28, 2011
Good Neighbor Howard Wolpe |
Congressman Howard Wolpe was a great many things, including a wonderful landlord and neighbor. | more
(Part 1) Michigan Cities Suffer Declining Health |
Although we now seem to agree cities are important, we’ve spent a decade disinvesting from them. | more
‘We the People’ |
Is the individual more important than the community or is it the other way around? | more
Public Attitudes Shift Toward Legalized Pot |
Three decades after state’s chief justice called for legalizing pot, the public is almost there. | more
Trying to Topple a Political Icon |
State Sen. Bert Johnson regards Congressman John Conyers as an icon — and plans to beat him. | more
Snyder Trips into Political Pothole |
The political problems suddenly tripping up Gov. Snyder are partly of his own making. | more
October 21, 2011
Tea Party in Hot Water? |
Support for Tea Party declines, maybe because its members refuse to compromise. | more
‘Eternal General’ Returns to the Battle |
Former Attorney General Frank J. Kelley angered by what he views as our loss of constitutional rights. | more
Snyder Still Unbruised and Unbloodied |
Gov. Snyder has been adept at sidestepping political punches, but fight night may be coming. | more
To view older columns, please visit Dome’s Archives.
Columns
December 23, 2011
Batting Zero on Bipartisanship |
Despite the governor’s early pledge to work with Democrats, there has been painfully little reaching out. | more
Coming Together Over Mass Transit |
Killing dream of a rapid rail line in Detroit clears way for reliable regional mass transit. | more
Rolling in Dough — Kinda |
News of a possible $1 billion surplus feels great after a decade of dismal state finances. | more
Political Rhetoric Doesn’t Educate Kids |
In the traditional vs. charter schools debate, we must get past the rhetoric and focus on quality. | more
December 19, 2011
Help Wanted |
Sadly, we can finally put a number on how many Californians really do need mental health services. | more
Michigan Cities: Part IV, Four-Dimensional Chess |
To restore Michigan’s cities we must stymie the hemorrhaging on many fronts, not just one. | more
Race and the Race for the White House |
President Obama’s race and the immigration debate help keep the world’s eyes on the 2012 election. | more
Who Do You Trust? |
Both government and news media must overcome high hurdles to their public credibility. | more
Death of No-Fault? |
Current reform efforts could result in the death of no-fault and great hardship for severely injured motorists. | more
Detroit’s Disappearing Students |
High absenteeism is not only costly to Detroit public schools, it raises a slew of troubling questions. | more
December 16, 2011
Batting Zero on Bipartisanship |
Despite the governor’s early pledge to work with Democrats, there has been painfully little reaching out. | more
Saving Detroit City Council from Itself |
Despite Detroit’s crushing finances, city council members refuse to give up their cushy perks. | more
Rolling in Dough — Kinda |
News of a possible $1 billion surplus feels great after a decade of dismal state finances. | more
Political Rhetoric Doesn’t Educate Kids |
In the traditional vs. charter schools debate, we must get past the rhetoric and focus on quality. | more
To view older columns, please visit Dome’s Archives.
