|
Welcome!
Friends,
Although it has been nearly 20 years, I can still vividly remember the thoughts and feelings I had as a boy. I envisioned working and raising a family in our great state. Even at that young age, I had a sense of belonging; a feeling that Michigan was, and would continue to be, my home. At the time, Michigan’s economy was stable, fueled largely by a robust automobile industry.
Sadly, however, circumstances have changed drastically. The steady decline of the auto industry over the years due to foreign competition, particularly here in Michigan, has been profoundly devastating and destabilizing to our state’s economy. The recent global economic crisis has only served to deepen the economic abyss in which we find ourselves. Furthermore, the lack of economic diversity has left us unable to withstand a global economic downturn. As a result, Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country (15.1% as of November 2009 – Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is both tragic and unacceptable.
As we are acutely and painfully aware, prolonged joblessness has grave consequences on families and entire communities. In many cases, it has fueled home foreclosures and forced hard-working, decent people into bankruptcy. We can and must do better. We have to turn the tide of economic instability and “Bring Michigan Back.”
Upon graduating from Michigan State University earlier this decade, the lifelong dream I had fostered and kept in the forefront of my mind for the better part of two decades, began to fade, driven by the signficant economic downturn in our great state. Like many Michigan natives, I left the state and headed East in search of gainful employment. The fact that so many of our young, talented minds are receiving an education from our institutions of higher learning and then leaving the state upon graduation to live and work elsewhere, is a wake-up call for a change in policy choices.
To remedy our current economic situation and to return our state to prosperity, we are going to need most, if not all, of our talented young people. Without decent and well-paying jobs, this goal simply cannot be realized. Change always begins at home; this truth has called me back home to be an agent of change. It is for this reason I am entering this race as a Democrat to represent Michigan’s 8th District in the United States Congress.
In recent months, local school districts have significantly reduced their budgets in response to our fragile economy. Limiting opportunity in an area as important as education is a complete and utter disgrace, and not the appropriate response despite our financial reality. To fail to adequately educate our children is to cap their potential and, in turn, ensure the failure of our future. For this reason, it is imperative that we move to rebuild and diversify our state’s economy to the new economic sectors of the future, mainly areas such as biotechnology, advanced research, electric vehicles and green energy. We must do this by providing a wide array of tax incentives to companies willing to do business in Michigan. We must also work to lower the corporate tax rate on companies currently doing business in the state so to facilitate their growth and expansion. Small businesses are the bedrock of America’s economic engine, and it is therefore imperative that our policies support these enterprises.
A strong state economy will allow us to appropriately deal with other important issues, such as Healthcare and Transportation. The key to everything is having economic stability that leads to growth. We cannot allow ourselves to be limited to the two undesirable options of either raising taxes or cutting crucial programs. As long as the government can meet its obligations, our aim should always be to reduce the tax burden of all Americans. I intend to work closely with the incoming Governor, members of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation and the Obama Administration in order to reach these important objectives. As we embark on a national effort to rebuild and protect this great nation, our interest must be focused on transforming this state.
Finally, we must fundamentally change the way we do business here in Michigan. To that end, there is simply no time for partisan politics as we pursue these endeavors. The time for serious debates on the best course of action to take in order to move this state forward toward prosperity is now. We need to create a state where everybody, not just a few, gets a chance to succeed. I am confident that together we can accomplish these crucial goals. Please, join me in this effort. Together, we will bring Michigan back.
Sincerely yours,
Kande Ngalamulume
|
|
