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What are the values we share for a healthy community - economically, socially, and environmentally?      MECOSTA COUNTY IS NOT BALANCED Good "government" is balanced, which is why Michigan has worked hard to alleviate the statewide gerrymandering issue and create voting districts that are competitive.  Mecosta County is not balanced Rep v. Dem, according to those who hold elective positions.   ·        We have 7 County Commission positions and all are currently Republicans.  ·        Out of 97 county-wide partisan positions in Mecosta County, 93 are republicans and 4 are held by Democrats.  ·         When a person wants to run for a governmental position, they run as a Republican so they can win.   We currently live in a democracy where each person has a choice of candidates from the local township/city government and up.  We must look beyond the "party" line and seek out candidates who closely align with our values.   But since the election of 2016, changes have happened as the Trump movement has grown.  The Republican Party has taken a sharp turn to the right, creating candidates who endorse the Trump rhetoric, MAGAs.  This has put much pressure on the common-sense Republicans who shake their heads and wonder "What has happened to my party?"   We have personally witnessed this division in Green Township, Big Rapids Township, and with our future county commission as elected officials split over the Gotion manufacturing plant.    VALUES of MCDP A function of a political party is to decide together what issues bring us together and create action plans for how we would like to make positive changes in our communities. In the spirit of human dignity and rights for ALL, we strive for: ·       Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion ·       Quality public education, including safe and modern internet service ·       Promotion of small business, family farms, and economic opportunity ·       Investment in, and protection of, our water, air, and land ·       Affordable healthcare, including reproductive rights ·       Living wages and benefits ·       Affordable housing ·       Common sense gun safety laws   Some of our values are being realized by legislation and funding in Michigan in the past 2 years.  For the first time in over 40 years the state of Michigan has the majority of all 3 branches of government, and have moved forward on solving problems.  The MCDP prioritizes issues of rural communities, who have for so long been ignored.   CANDIDATES THAT SHARE OUR VALUES The Democratic Party endorses the following candidates who share our values to make our "community a better place."   Tracy Ruell  stepped up to support the Gotion Manufacturing plant that would provide 2300 jobs with living wages.  She is a dynamic person with deep ties to this community and a vision to go forward by enhancing the economics of the 100th District. We fully support her candidacy to be our new State Representative.   For too long we have been dominated by Republican State Reps who are more concerned with their pocket books and enhancing their rich friends.  Tom Kunse was all onboard with the Gotion plant, until he got word from "higher ups" that he should oppose it.  This is contrary to what is best for our community.  Tracy listens to people and will work hard to solve problems and meet the challenges in Lansing for us, the people.    Big Rapids Township started the anti-Gotion movement. So much misinformation is coming our way,  via outside dark money interests.  We fully support the candidacy of Tim Hahn  for Supervisor, Karen GreenBay for "write-in" for Clerk, and trustees Krysti Kidder,  Amy Bowling  and Steve Sims.    They will provide open communication and transparency to the township that surrounds the Big Rapids area.    Green Charter Township has been a crazy ride causing so much division in our community over Gotion.  We fully support the candidacy of Joseph Percy  as Supervisor, and Trustees:  Katy Battle, Scott MacFarlane,  and write-in, Sara Rasmussen .   They are a team that will bring economic solvency and a step into the future, as opposed to the fear and misinformation that is currently in motion in Green Township.   Democracy starts right in our township/city local governments.  We certainly hope that citizens will go to their township meetings and know what is happening locally.  Good government needs to be balanced with more engagement of the local community.   Let's encourage this in Mecosta County.

Written by Paul Hillman June 2024, Week of Presidential Immunity Case     The recent SCOTUS ruling on presidential immunity  is lighting up the political scene, and it’s for good reason. The court decided that a president has immunity for actions taken within the scope of their official duties, which has huge implications. But let’s break it down in a way that really hits home. The Delay Game First off, the case is going back to the trial court, meaning more delays. If you thought SCOTUS was going to wave a magic wand and throw Trump in jail immediately, you were living in a fantasy. This isn’t a fast-paced legal drama; it’s real life, where the justice system moves at a snail’s pace, especially at this level. So, no, Trump wasn’t going to be in an orange jumpsuit before November. Anyone who believed that was simply daydreaming​ ( SCOTUSblog )​​ ( Politico )​. Political Fallout and Motivation Now, for the political fallout. Democrats are probably feeling a mix of anger and disappointment right now. They might have hoped this ruling would end Trump’s political career. But here’s the twist: this decision can be turned into a powerful motivator. Remember the 2022 midterms? The backlash against SCOTUS for overturning Roe v. Wade got a lot of progressives off their couches and into voting booths. The same thing can happen now. Use that anger, harness it, and turn it into voter turnout​ ( Politico )​. Playing the Long Game Republicans have been playing the long game with the Supreme Court for decades, strategically appointing conservative justices to shape the court's decisions. Democrats need to wake up and adopt a similar strategy. This means not just winning the White House, but also securing a Senate majority to confirm judicial nominations. Mitch McConnell's manipulation of the process during Obama's presidency, when he blocked Merrick Garland's nomination, was a dirty move that underscored just how crucial Senate control is. McConnell showed zero respect for fairness or precedent, holding the seat open for over a year just to pack the court with conservatives once Trump took office. It was a blatant power grab, and Democrats need to remember that and fight back with the same tenacity​ ( Just Security )​. Call to Arms So, what should Democrats and those who oppose this action do? Use this SCOTUS decision as a battle cry. The current conservative majority on the Supreme Court isn’t going anywhere unless there’s a significant shift in the political landscape. It’s time to mobilize, strategize, and play the long game. The two most corrupt and conservative members of the SCOTUS, Thomas and Alito, are also the oldest. They’re most likely to retire or kick the bucket before the younger justices. When that happens, Democrats need to be in a position to re-balance the court. The future of the country’s rights and freedoms depends on it. Don’t just get mad—get organized and get to the polls. In summary, while the SCOTUS decision on presidential immunity might feel like a setback, it’s actually a golden opportunity. Channel the disappointment into action, and remember that real change takes time and persistence.

Before getting involved with the Mecosta County Democrats, one of the biggest questions I always had - Who exactly is on the ballot for my small little township and which congressional district am I located in? Thankfully, the State of Michigan has all of this information easily accessible at Michigan Voter Information "What's on the Ballot?" Important!!! Make sure you are registered to vote! You can do that online as well!

Written By: Jeff Ostahowski I was just a kid, a Boy Scout, on my way to the National Jamboree at Valley Forge.  A few of us scouts from my town took the B & O railroad from Michigan to Washington D.C. for a couple of days and then on to Valley Forge.  I had just turned fourteen and it was the first time my family and I slept in different States as I was beginning to learn how incredibly big the world was. We stayed in a downtown hotel and after breakfast, the scout group walked to the Washington Monument.  We were given the option to climb to the top or stay on the ground with the leaders.  I think we all climbed the stairs, around 270 steps as I recall.  At the top, there were four tiny little windows, one in each direction.  I could see only air, as I wasn’t tall enough to look down to see the ground.  After a gratefully fast and easy descent, our group headed out past the Reflecting Pool.  Just a year earlier Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Had a Dream" speech right here at the Lincoln Memorial. This was the place I wanted to be.  Honest Abe was my hero.  For several years I had been fascinated with the Civil War; I even tried to write a Civil War novel.  I knew in my heart of hearts that Abraham Lincoln was a great man.   I turned the corner and there he was, the Great Man sitting in his great chair.  I dropped to my knees and then sat on the floor sobbing.  I cried my eyes out.  I had just walked past the “Whites Only” restrooms on the north side of the memorial.  I had seen my first “Whites Only” sign earlier that morning but I didn’t pay it any attention. It took a “Whites Only” sign at the right hand of Abraham Lincoln to get through to me.  It was so wrong on so many different levels.  It was evil in plain sight, and everyone was walking past it like it wasn’t even there.  But that was only if you were white, I’m sure if you weren’t white, you understood the evil pulsating from that sign.  I managed to compose myself and left the Memorial knowing that my great hero sat uncomfortably between segregated restrooms.  Not long after the National Jamboree, I quit the scouts, grew my hair Beatle long, and started listening to music on the radio and chasing girls.  I guess I became a real teenager.  It wasn’t until after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. that I thought about political things.  Towards the end of May, I called up a Democratic organizer in town and told him I wanted to volunteer on the Robert Kennedy campaign.  He said they were just starting to organize and they would call me when they were ready for canvassing.  On June 6 Robert Kennedy was assassinated.   A year later I was knocking on the door of our State Capitol seeking employment.         I was a Democrat, that was the only thing I knew about politics.  After more than fifty years, this is what I have come to know - as Democrats, we strive to act and support a great many things including but not limited to: 1) To not only believe in but act with respect for the dignity of all people.  2) To be inclusive in the participation in our political processes, even criminals after serving their sentence, should have the right to vote restored. 3)  In the policy tug of war between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’, Democrats are almost always with the ‘have nots’. 4)  In the tug-of-policy war between higher profits and the environment, Democrats favor the environment at least 9 out of 10 times.  5) Democrats favor a graduated income tax with higher percentages of tax going to those who make more.  The top 1 percent of taxpayers who own more than 70% of our nation’s total wealth need to pay their fair share.  No more tax holidays for the super-rich.  6) Democrats support both a strong national defense and proper care and benefits for our service veterans.  7) Democrats support public education from birth to adulthood including resource programs for pregnant mothers, newborns, infants, pre-kindergarten development, and vocational-tech education.   I think you get the picture.  Democrats understand that government must play diverse multi-faceted roles for the significant benefit of our society.   Particularly over the next year, Mr. Lincoln would be comforted to know that Democrats will be working hard to ensure that “government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from this earth.”

Our Most Fundamental Right: The Right to Vote There are many issues that are near and dear to the hearts of Democrats: climate change, health care, reproductive rights, sensible gun laws, affordable housing, economic equality, education, and the list goes on and on. Our ability to make changes related to these or any issue is contingent on one fundamental right, the right to vote.  The last decade has ushered in major attacks on voting rights. Efforts to rollback voter rights started gaining momentum in 2011. That year saw a record number of state legislatures passing voting restrictions including photo ID requirements, cuts to early voting, and restrictions to voter registration. On June 25, 2013, in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court eradicated Section 5 of the VRA which required federal approval for changes to election laws in jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination.  Michigan legislators have been hard at work to bring the will of the people to fruition. Currently, residents in the state are automatically registered to vote when they obtain, update, or renew their driver’s license or state ID. The Michigan Legislature passed a bill in November that expands the automatic voter registration system to include individuals eligible for voter registration who applied for Medicaid coverage, were recently released from incarceration, or are a member of a recognized Indian Tribe. The Institute for Responsive Government estimates that 383,000 more individuals may be eligible to vote as a result of this legislation. Additionally, House Bill 4569 will allow 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote once they turn 18. After the 2020 Presidential election, election officials in Michigan were intimidated and harassed by those unhappy with the election outcome. House Bill 4129 and Senate Bill 505 protect election workers by increasing criminal penalties for those who intimidate election officials. Michigan Governer Whitmer signed these bills into law on November 30, 2023. Since the birth of our democracy Americans have been fighting for our right to vote. This fight must never stop. All our other rights depend on this most fundamental right.You can continue this fight by: Staying informed : Keep an eye on what is happening in our state and our nation regarding voting rights. You can keep up to date via the Michigan Voting Rights Lab: https://tracker.votingrightslab.org/states/michigan Let your representatives know where you stand:  The American Association of University Women (AAUW) have made it easy to urge our elected representatives to support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: https://www.aauw.org/act/two-minute-activist/voting-rights/ Get involved : The Mecosta County Democratic Party has identified voter rights as a top priority. You can contact us at mecostademocrats@gmail.com .  Volunteer : Voters Not Politicians needs volunteers and has a number of volunteer positions. The Dial for Democracy program is one of the easiest ways to volunteer. Volunteers receive text alerts to contact legislators regarding decisions affecting Michigan’s democracy. There is no specific time commitment: https://votersnotpoliticians.com/volunteer/   Vote : The reason the right to vote is so crucial is because it is our greatest weapon in the fight for all of our rights. Never take it for granted. On December 1, 2023, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson took an important step for voting rights. With Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II out of state, the Secretary of State signed HB 4570 into law. In 2020, Benson provided a link to the absentee ballot application on the Michigan Secretary of State website. At the time there was neither a law permitting or prohibiting her action. Now there is a law protecting the link’s existence. Transportation and accessibility barriers have long prohibited many people from voting. This new law makes voting accessible for all Michigan voters. Jocelyn Benson is slated to be this year’s keynote speaker at MCDP’s Woodbridge N. Ferris Dinner on May 4, 2024. Sources: https://www.mlive.com/politics/2023/09/early-voting-no-reason-absentee-is-illegal-11-michigan-republican-contend.html https://www.aclu.org/voting-rights-act-major-dates-history https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/7-years-gutting-voting-rights https://campaignlegal.org/press-releases/michigan-voting-rights-act-introduced-latest-wave-state-vras https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-legislature-passes-bill-expanding-automatic-voter-registration-to-formerly-incarcerated-people/ https://michiganadvance.com/2023/11/14/lawmakers-close-out-year-with-election-reforms-like-16-and-17-year-old-voting-pre-registration/ https://michiganadvance.com/blog/as-acting-governor-benson-signs-bill-codifying-online-absentee-ballot-requests/ https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/11/30/whitmer-signs-election-bills-to-ensure-every-vote-can-be-cast-and-counted#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20Today%2C%20Governor%20Gretchen%20Whitmer%20signed,access%20to%20the%20ballot%20box .

The tragic shooting at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021, is an example of the impact of gun violence that hits especially close to home. Mass shootings have become so common that they are hardly noticed until it happens in our state. Every year, 38,000 Americans die from gun violence. That’s an average of 100 deaths per day. In Michigan, 1,212 people die from guns each year. The largest number of those are suicides, at 60%, followed by homicides at 38%. The state statistics are consistent with national statistics. The United States accounts for 4% of the global population, but 35% of global firearm suicides. Gun violence is the second leading cause of death of citizens under the age of 18. Americans are also 25% more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than people in other high-income countries. Gun violence disproportionately affects communities of color. Black men make up 52% of all gun homicide victims and less than 7% of the total U.S. population. Domestic violence victims are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm, making women in the U.S. twice as likely to be killed than women in other high-income countries. These statistics are alarming, but little is being accomplished to address gun violence in Michigan and across the country. The Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence has a partial list of bills that seek to reduce gun violence as well as a list of bills that may increase gun violence. That list can be found here: https://michigancoalitiontopreventgunviolence.org/advocacyaction/legislative-action/ Recent bills addressing magazine capacity include Michigan Senate bills 785 and 786 and Michigan House bills 5627 and 5628. These bills prohibit selling or possessing a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition with some exceptions. It is a rare case that those who use guns for self-defense, target practice, or hunting would require more than 10 rounds of ammunition. These bills do not challenge the 2nd amendment of the U.S. constitution but are intended to prevent more mass shootings. No law will fully address the hatred that leads to gun violence, but common-sense gun laws will make it harder for people to turn to gun violence as their solution. The Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence has a template letter that you can send to your representatives. https://michigancoalitiontopreventgunviolence.org/advocacyaction/letter-templates/ We do not have to watch in horror as gun violence ruins more lives. The problem seems so unsurmountable but telling our Michigan legislators exactly what we need them to do is within our power. If you want to do more, consider getting involved with MCDP. We are in need of volunteers for all of our action committees. If you are interested, contact us at mecostademocrats@gmail.com and learn more. You can make a difference. Sources for Statistics: https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/ https://giffords.org/the-issue/ https://www.gvpedia.org/