As I’ve had time to think about what was discussed at last week’s Mackinac Policy Conference, I am reminded that we, as a region, have a lot further to go.  After having some conversations with friends that were there, I especially feel that we, young people, will be the key in advancing a better socio-political agenda for our region.

One of my friends commented on the Conference regionalization session. To paint a picture, the panel consisted of: Mayor Dave Bing (Detroit), Charter One President Sandra Pierce, Wayne County Exec Robert Ficano, Oakland County Exec L. Brooks Patterson and Macomb County Commissioner Paul Gieleghem. My friend was saying how, while he noticed some mentions of cooperation between the regions, most of the emphasis was on their region and their constituents.

I don’t know that I totally agree with him. I will say this: not enough has been done. Foolishness like Warren Mayor Jim Fouts trying to move GM’s headquarters to Warren cannot continue. When political figures are trying to steal from one another, this is not regionalization. We need to look at what is good for the entire region and not any one community. When we get foolishness, it might benefit that community for the short-term, but undermines the region over the long-term.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is our own attitudes. Just last night, another friend of mine was running a business idea past me. It was brilliant and way out of the box, which is precisely what we need. Do you know what I said? There is no way that people would get behind it. It made me sad to say this to him. It was the truth. The same way that politicians have that us vs. them attitude, so do we. After all, they are supposed to represent their constituents’ interests. Sometimes,  we need to give something up now in order to get something later.

Instead of complaining, get out  there and do something! Go out and at least vote. If someone runs for office, help them out with their campaign- stuff some envelopes or knock on some doors. If politicians will not or cannot work together, then we need to vote them out of office and run to fill their positions. Also, we need to get our heads straight so that we can consider new ideas. These challenging times will call for revolutionary ideas. We need to look at them with open minds and, at least, consider things that before were considered unthinkable. I ask you: do you choose to help us stand up or will you help to see us fall?

Author: Jose A. Rodriguez

Photo: Renee Gonyeau