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 AY 1 ATURDAY 10- N HURSDAY EVENINGS 'Tit_ June 29 A 2006 5