Editor's Letter
ALESSANDRO DEIXACQUA
MARTIN GRANT
Our Political Clout
A
s a voting bloc, Detroit Jewry remains attractive
for state candidates. Our head count has dropped
24,000 over the past 16 years, but we still have 58,700
people of voting age, according to the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's 2005 population study. And we tend to
vote in higher numbers than other ethnic groups, making us a
potent force, though no longer with one
distinct voice. We still vote overwhelm-
ingly Democratic, but Republican
support among Jews is growing at an
unprecedented clip.
The most important thing
we can do this election sea-
son is vote. Exercising this
right is central to the demo-
cratic freedoms we cher-
ish in America. A political
process is only as well oiled as the
informed votes cast.
This thought percolates as we
approach election season in Michigan. The stage is set for a
hot gubernatorial race between incumbent Democrat Jennifer
Granholm and Republican challenger Dick DeVos, whose
Jewish support is already apparent. Both Granholm and DeVos
attended one of the Jewish community's premier events, the
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah annual dinner in downtown Detroit last
fall. Don't think for a minute that landing some of the well-
heeled attendees as supporters wasn't on their minds. With our
Orthodox community now 4 percent larger, Jewish influence on
the conservative front is bound to grow proportionately.
More than in a long while, Jews need to pay attention to state
races this year given the tanked economy, dearth of new jobs,
flight of young adults to urban hotspots, debate over the single
business tax, intense feelings about affirmative action and all-
around bad vibes about Michigan. We can make a difference
with our vote; I just hope we don't squander it. That's why I
urge that we bone up on the issues before casting our precious
vote for governor, other statewide offices and the Legislature.
SARI GUERON
AMA HINOMARCH
downturn worsened, she didn't switch quick enough to taking
a laser-like aim at being known as the jobs-creating governor.
To think that DeVos, impressive as he might be on economic
issues, can be seen so early in the campaign as perhaps the
stronger jobs creator should shock her. The Jewish community's
success is inextricably linked to the success of our region and
state. Jobs are at the core of that success. That explains why few
young adults stay here once they enter the professional work-
force. Though some young couples come back when their kids
reach school age, the jobs and nightlife in Chicago, New York,
A political process is only as well oiled
as the informed votes cast.
The Jewish community holds a special interest in areas like
equal rights and social justice. But given our more diverse
politics, we're more divided about what it means to safeguard
equal opportunity for everyone in the spirit of American civil
liberties. A Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit
committee will encourage a "no" vote on the Michigan Civil
Rights Initiative, which would amend the state Constitution to
end racial and gender preferences in college admissions and
government hiring and contracting, You can bet that Jews will
line up on both sides of this white-hot proposal.
We know from the latest population findings that our com-
munity is getting older, with a median age of 47, up from 41.
Our median age no doubt will continue to climb. As Federation
takes aim at how we choose and fund services for the elderly
among us, we can't lose sight of how the state supports and
subsidizes older adults, especially the most vulnerable who
are frail, who have a disability or who are on a fixed income.
Medicaid reimbursement rates for them come to mind. So do
state taxes. Candidates often talk a good game; do we have the
fortitude to hold their feet to the political fire?
I liked Gov. Granholm's hip energy in talking up her cool
cities approach to urban governing, but as the economic
LEUI
MU! MU!
ZAC POSEN
NINARICCI
MICRON SCHUR
PAUL SMITH
PETER SORONEN
TEMPERLEY
Education's Impact
The JCCouncil suggests that we as a community follow a bal-
lot initiative that would establish minimum funding levels
for public schools and colleges. I concur. As a community, we
avidly support Jewish day schools, but we also are champions
of public education.
The JCCouncil's P.J. Cherrin put it well: "Public schools were
the doorway that allowed Jewish immigrants to succeed and
become educated citizens. A strong public education is a cor-
nerstone of American democracy and an educated citizenry
is central to improving the welfare of future generations of
Americans. Exposure to diversity reduces prejudice and pre-
pares young people for life in a complex reality"
As the community relations voice of Jewish Detroit, the
JCCouncil bears the burden of recalibrating its voter educa-
tion, political activism and get-out-the-vote efforts based
on our smaller numbers but wider settlement core — tasks
already on its 2006 radar, I am told.
There's strength in knowledge. While smaller, the Detroit
Jewish community can be as politically influential as ever if we
view informed voting as a responsibility, not just a privilege.
❑
TO P OND ER.
A Cauldron Of Issues
Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles and other vibrant urban
centers provide stiff competition.
Michigan also must do a better job extolling the benefits of
living in the state, not just to attract newcomers, but also reaf-
firm for those of us already here why we are better off staying
put. We're spending too much money spotlighting our pristine
Upper Peninsula. Let's use more marketing and promotion
dollars to remind those of us who call Michigan home why we
should stay rather than move out of state. As important as tour-
ism is, residency must be a foremost, more urgent concern.
DEREKLAM
—
z
3
What political issues belong on
Jewish voters' radar?
Can liberal positions still claim most of
the Jewish vote?
E-mail: Ietters@thejewishnews.com
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ATURDAY 10-
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HURSDAY EVENINGS 'Tit_
June 29 A 2006
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