Michigan Senate & Governor’s Races

Underdog Republican candidate John James is vying to replace U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. Click on their names to learn more. Unsurprisingly, Stabenow is ahead in the polls. She has name recognition, incumbent inertia and a larger campaign war chest: $12.6 million raised vs. $7.9 million for James.

In my opinion Senator Stabenow has done little or nothing to help the people of Michigan. Along with eight other Senators, Stabenow tied for "Most Liberal Senator" in 2011. However, I wish her a well-deserved retirement, and do not begrudge her the generous Congressional pension.

Retiring and replacing her with a conservative who will help grow the economy, providing jobs for thousands of people is well worth what it costs the taxpayers. The economic growth of 4.1% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the last quarter under President Trump is amazing. People will be comparing Trump’s economic performance with President Obama’s record.

Stabenow will receive $159,400 per year from her 22 years in Congress ($174,000 annual salary) and 15 years in the state legislature, including $30,000 in Social Security. Most people in private industry, salaried and hourly, would be happy to trade retirement plans, especially the working class and middle income families Democrats claim to represent. Most of us earn far less. Some politicians harp on income inequality while supporting policies like NAFTA and other trade agreements that encourage companies to outsource overseas.

Stabenow has received zero scores from free-market groups: 0% from Competitive Enterprise Institute, American Conservative Union, Americans for Prosperity, and high scores from fiscally liberal groups (92% from Progressive Punch and 91% from NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby).

Democrats often campaign conservative but then vote liberal once in office. At other times they hide their big spending tendencies and just make campaign promises like free college for everyone without telling where the money is coming from.

Social Issues

In July, John James said he opposes marijuana legalization for recreational use (on the ballot in November).

John James is endorsed by Michigan Right to Life, while Debbie Stabenow is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.

Bill Schuette received Michigan Right to Life’s endorsement. On the Democratic side, front-runner Gretchen Whitmer says she wants women to have access to contraception (which she doesn’t say includes abortifacient drugs like RU-486). She, like most Democrats, is pro-choice (“I am personally opposed to abortion but support every woman’s right to choose”) which is really pro-abortion since the baby has no choice in the matter. It’s a child, not a choice; no expectant mother refer to her baby as a fetus.

Abortion remains a divisive issue in America, with the 20/20/60 rule applying. Perhaps 20% are partisans on both sides and 60% are indifferent (the true percentages may vary). But pro-life means much more than anti-abortion.

Pro-life means defending the weakest at the beginning of life (which begins at conception), assisting mothers with assistance in raising their babies or in placing their child for adoption. It also means advocating for the elderly at the close of their lives regardless of their medical condition. Thankfully we don’t yet counsel Alzheimer’s patients to end their lives or allow assisted suicide here in Michigan. It means promoting family-friendly policies like adoption and a more wholesome atmosphere to raise children. In short, all lives matter.

The 2017 Women’s March on Washington contrasted with the annual March for Life showed the chasm between the two sides, with people holding vastly different views on the subject. If you are part of the 60% that thinks abortion doesn’t matter, please take three minutes to listen to President Ronald Reagan’s commentary on abortion after his experience as governor in California. Reagan also said “I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.”

Can we at least agree that adoption is a loving option and make it easier? Several Catholic and other Christian adoption agencies have closed their doors rather than place children in homes without a mother and a father. States like Michigan allow mothers to choose which agency they will use as long as those with objections to placing children with gay couples refer the couple to other agencies which do so.

Senator Stabenow will have a distinct advantage in November since the Republican Senatorial Committee may decide to spend their money in other races with a larger chance of success. But in the end, the voters will choose their candidate. President Trump won his primaries and defeated Hillary Clinton when no one thought he could.

A HUGE Endorsement

President Trump has endorsed James: “I recently endorsed John’s conservative outsider campaign for Senate.

John is a fighter. He truly is spectacular, and I could not be happier to offer him my endorsement. We need more leaders like John Draining the Swamp in Washington.

Since my first day in the White House, we have been Making America Great Again. Our economy is surging, we are being respected around the world again, and we are protecting and defending our beautiful Constitution.””

And of course his famous tweets (here’s one from before the primary):

“@JohnJamesMI, who is running in the Republican Primary in the great state of Michigan, is SPECTACULAR! Vote on August 7th. Rarely have I seen a candidate with such great potential. West Point graduate, successful businessman and an African American leader…”

and “… John is strong on crime and borders, loves our Military, our Vets and our Second Amendment. He will be a star. He has my full and total Endorsement!”

I support John James for the above reasons (pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, all of the reasons for his endorsement cited by the President, his campaign financing and endorsements) plus his age might help him defeat the 68 year old Stabenow. She would be 74 at the end of her next term if re-elected. James would draw some of the black vote; African-Americans reliably vote ~90% Democrat.

John James could well be the next Tim Scott or J.C. Watts, staunch conservatives who happen to be black. I encourage you to join me in voting for him.

Other articles

In previous blog posts, I began telling the story of my brain tumor and the depression which followed it. The second article in the series described my faith in God which sustained me through both trials.

Having recently started a word-by-word translation of Martin Luther's Bible from German to English, I introduced the project. Later I wrote commentary on Matthew Chapter 1; my church background and theological training is in my USA Melting Pot bio.

Dale Murrish writes on history, travel, technology, religion and politics for the USA Melting Pot club, LinkedIn, and Troy Patch. On the USA Melting Pot website are over a dozen ethnic presentations from people with firsthand knowledge under Culture & Country (right hand side), and outdoor presentations (Hobby & Fun), including posts on bicycling, skiing and camping.

Other interesting articles on the USA Melting Pot website have been written by Bilal Rathur on his hajj to Saudi Arabia (Part 6) and by Carl Petersen. Thanks to both of them for their contributions.