LETTERS

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Editor's note: This is the last issue that letters raising new issues about
opposing candidates in the Nov. 5 general election will be published before
Election Day.

Vote Granholm
For Governor

I agree with your endorsement of
Attorney General Jennifer Granholm
for governor ("Granholm For
Michigan," Oct. 18, page 41).
Granholm's accomplishinents as
attorney general include introducing
the state's first high-tech crime unit,
aggressively pursuing online child
pornographers and launching a highly
successful statewide mentoring pro-
gram for at-risk children. Additionally,
Granholm enhanced the effectiveness
and credibility of the attorney general's
office through increased resolve,
response.and results.
Granholm's challenger, Dick
Posthumus, has spent the past four
years as lieutenant governor but can
anyone believably cite his accomplish-
ments?
If Posthumus had been tirelessly
fighting for the people of Michigan, as
he states he would do if elected gover-
nor, why is it that most voters still don't
know what he looks like? If Posthumus
could have sold his candidacy on the
issues, why has he committed his cam-
paign to attack ads and character assas-
sination?
Furthermore, Gov. John Engler has
been conspicuously quiet during the
gubernatorial campaign, rarely speaking
out on behalf of Posthumus. If Engler
won't sell his own lieutenant governor,
why would voters want to buy into
him?
Granholm has been a fervent advo-
cate for Israel and its interests.
Granholm has worked closely with the
Jewish community and has attended
countless functions and benefits. For
many reasons, Granholm is the right
choice on Nov. 5.
Raymond Dubin
Farmington Hills

Elect Posthumus
As Governor

Michigan Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus is
the superior choice for the Nov. 5
gubernatorial election. His opponent,
Michigan Attorney General Jennifer
Granholm, is inconsistent and should
not handle our money.
I believe that an adult woman should
have a right to a privately funded abor-
tion relatively early in a pregnancy.
Posthumus disagrees, but at least I
know his position. Granholm's position

<u-

10/25
2002

6

changes; what is her bedrock belief?
Jewish News shows Mr. Brickner was
Never have I owned, operated or
targeting a specific audience with the
touched a firearm. Some may disagree
apparent goal of dividing. I am
with Posthumus on gun rights, but I
ashamed that this was overlooked, espe-
wish that someone who had seen the
cially at a sensitive time when the
"sniper" in Maryland and Virginia
Chaldean community has been reaching
would have been able to respond with a out to our community for mutual
firearm. While Posthumus has held a
understanding and support and has
defensible position, Granholm's view-
been receiving the same wholeheartedly.
point changes regularly.
I am a Democrat supporting Rep.
Property taxes have decreased since
Shulman, a Republican, because of his
the 1994 passage of Proposal A
compassion for the most helpless in
(Homestead Tax Relief). This improved our society, the mentally ill and the
Michigan's economy. Posthumus aided
physically disabled, as well as our
the [Gov. John] Engler administration
growing population of seniors in need
in making that happen. Granholm has
of support to stay in their homes.
spoken about "tweaking" Proposal A.
To help seniors and their families,
One cannot "tweak" this tax cut with-
he is trying to re-open the Medicaid
out raising taxes, which would be disas- waiver program, administrated by the
trous for the Michigan economy.
Area Agency on Aging 1-B.
Posthumus has helped Gov. Enger in
Before the program closed, he
reducing, markedly, the differential
helped me to remove my mother from
between Michigan and nationwide
a so-called "good" nursing home
unemployment, to just .2 percent in
where she was declining rapidly and
September. Michigan would be unwise
take her back home where she is thriv-
to elect Granholm, whose economic
ing. If the Medicaid waiver program
ideas could turn back the clock to the
were expanded, more people would be
overtaxed, poorly performing economy
able to remain at home.
that Gov. Engler inherited.
Ron Wolf
Posthumus opposes slave reparations.
West Bloomfield
There are neither perpetrators nor vic-
tims of American slavery alive today.
Granholm's support for reparations rep-
resents base pandering to the black
community in Detroit, as she tries to
galvanize voters there in a way that for-
mer Gov. Jim Blanchard apparently
I would like to thank State Rep. Marc
failed to do in 1990.
Shulman, R-West Bloomfield, for
We should trust Dick Posthumus,
attending the dedication of the
who actually tells us what he believes
Michigan State University Hillel
and sticks by those bedrock principles.
Building. [Editor's note: See "Cool New
Does Jennifer Granholm have core
Digs," page 110 of this issue.]
beliefs, other than her desire to get
I know that especially now there are
elected? Her public record is not
many requests for Rep. Shulman's time.
encouraging.
However, I am really impressed by the
Eric J. Rosenberg interest that Rep. Shulman continues to
Farmington Hills show in Hillel and all students on cam-
pus. It is good to know there are people
like Rep. Shulman in Lansing that are
genuinely concerned with our well-
being and can act as a voice for us at the
Capitol.
Regarding your interviews with both
Stephanie Adas
incumbent Rep. Marc Shulman (R-
MSU sophomore,
39th District) and Democrat challenger
West Bloomfield
Stuart Brickner ("Familiar Turf," Sept.
20, page 31), who are running for state
representative, I must state on behalf of
my close Chaldean friends that I strong-
ly resent the implication made by Stuart
Brickner that the Chaldean community
unilaterally has donated tens of thou-
I, like many others, am disappointed
sands of dollars to his opponent to pur-
that term limits have forced
chase his political support.
Republican Patricia "Pan" Godchaux
That this was printed only in the
of Birmingham from serving the 40th

MSU Student
Lauds Shulman

Shulman Best
For State House

Weisberg Best
In The 40th

District again as our U.S. representa-
tive.
Losing Pan, we have lost an extraor-
dinary force of knowledge, modera-
tion and reason in the legislature. At a
time when rancor between parties has
made legislation difficult, Godchaux, a
fiscal conservative, and also a staunch
advocate of excellent public education,
protecting women's rights and sensible
gun-control legislation, has been able
to work with both parties to author
effective legislation.
Luckily, voters need only look across
the aisle at moderate Democrat Shelli
Weisberg to fill her shoes.
Weisberg, whom I have come to
admire since she has been a
Birmingham Board of Education
trustee, has the same grasp of issues, a
record of fiduciary responsibility and a
pro-child agenda that will assure the
moderates in our state a voice.
I urge everyone to vote their heart
on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and not their
party. This election is too important
for all of us.
Marcy Heller Fisher
Bloomfield Hills

Support U-M's
Fischer Newman

Out of difficult, confusing and frighten-
ing times for the pro-Israel movement at
the University of Michigan emerged a .
true woman of valor whose leadership
was intrinsic toward making Jewish stu-
dents feel secure on campus ("Rallying
For Israel," Oct. 18, page 20).
Regent Andrea Fischer Newman's
relentless efforts on behalf of Jewish stu-
dents and Israel should not go unappre-
ciated.
Over the past few weeks, I have devel-
oped a professional relationship with her
and can attest to her unwavering com-
mitment toward helping Jewish students
on campus. This upcoming statewide
election for U-M Board of Regents may
have far-reaching implications on the
Jewish community, as a chief opponent
of Fischer Newman supports divesting
funds from Israel.
As a student affected firsthand by your
vote, as an advocate for ISrael and as a
Democrat, I urge you to cast your vote
for the incumbent Republican, Andrea
Fischer Newman, for the board of
regents at U-M.
Richard Dorfman
Ann Arbor
LETTERS on page 10