Commentary
Column: Here’s what lawmakers must do to help people amid the coronavirus pandemic
Now that it has officially landed in Michigan, COVID-19 is a potential threat to all residents. Unfortunately, both the risks of the disease itself and its economic repercussions will adversely affect Michigan residents with lower incomes — the very people my colleagues and I at the nonpartisan Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) are charged […]
Column: Coronavirus measures aren’t pointless – slowing down the pandemic could save millions of lives
Anywhere from 20% to 60% of the adults around the world may be infected with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19. That’s the estimate from leading epidemiological experts on communicable disease dynamics. Even the best-case scenario using those numbers means almost 40 million adults will be infected in the United […]
Susan J. Demas: Sanders’ biggest mistake was not backing Warren in 2019
It’s a despondent time for many inspired by Bernie Sanders’ progressive vision, as he lost Michigan big Tuesday night — four years after his surprise victory here gave birth to his theory of electability. Former Vice President Joe Biden took a buzzsaw to that idea, notching a 15-point victory and pulling what we like to […]
Susan J. Demas: It’s never our time: Why we won’t have a female president next year
The 2020 Democratic presidential race, which, at one point, was brimming with promise with a high water mark of six women contenders, looks to soon be dwindled to one. All signs point to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) exiting the race as early as Thursday, leaving just U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii). (I’ll leave myself […]
Susan J. Demas: What Pete Buttigieg’s historic candidacy meant for LGBTQ kids
I feel like a jerk. Like a lot of people, I got caught up in the Democratic primary and whose plans I thought would be best for America at this critical time in history, given what Donald Trump has wrought. On one hand, there’s nothing wrong with that and it’s a fine way to choose […]
Column: How I learned to accept the unexpected in pregnancy
In about one month, I will give birth for the first time. I’m at the stage of pregnancy when getting in and out of my car feels celebratory. Sometimes I have heartburn. Occasionally, my feet and ankles swell. Mostly though, I feel excited to meet my baby, someone who for months has felt real only […]
Sharon Dolente: Voting in Michigan has never been this easy
Michigan is once again a national leader with a voting system that works for everyone. Voting is easier than ever before for Michiganders, thanks to voters in nearly every county overwhelmingly passing Proposal 3 in 2018. Proposal 3 enables all Michigan citizens who are eligible to register and vote to do so until 8 p.m. […]
Susan J. Demas: VP pledges to solve problem Trump admin created on Chaldean deportations
Vice President Mike Pence swept through Michigan again Tuesday on another campaign swing, this time garnering headlines for meeting with the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce to discuss stopping deportations. Everyone seems eager to laud the VP for pledging to solve the problem — even though it’s one President Trump’s administration created. It’s like congratulating someone […]
Column: Real pay data show Trump’s ‘blue collar boom’ is more of a bust for workers, in 3 charts
If you thought workers’ hourly pay was finally rising, think again. At first glance, the latest data – which came out on Feb. 7 – look pretty good. They show nominal hourly earnings rose 3.1% in January from a year earlier. But the operative word here is nominal, which means not adjusted for changes in […]
Column: Nevada got lucky, and other caucus takeaways
Motivational speaker Pete Buttigieg is uttering some discouraging words about the results of Nevada’s caucuses. And who can blame him? Nothing would propel a blast of Butti-charged momentum to glorious South Carolina and Super Tuesday victories like finishing second in Nevada, 25 points behind Bernie Sanders, instead of finishing 30 points behind him in third. […]
Susan J. Demas: Dems nominating Sanders could up the odds Amash runs 3rd party. But what will it mean?
The House’s lone independent, Justin Amash, has been flirting with a Libertarian presidential bid for more than a year. That predates Amash’s decision last spring to call for an impeachment inquiry of President Trump, which, of course led to the president torching him as a “loser” and “total lightweight.” Then Republicans ostracized Amash, culminating in […]
Rick Haglund: How can Michigan become a top 10 state? It may not be what you think.
Hey, average Michigan worker: How would you like to be making $13,000 a year more than you earn now? You would if Michigan was performing at the average level of the top 10 states in key job, productivity, personal income and population indicators. Unfortunately, we’re not even close. And we’re falling behind in most of […]