Michigan legislature has passed a partial-birth abortion ban, modeled after the federal version of the ban in place since 2003, which makes it illegal for a woman to seek an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless her life is in danger.

John Eynon: Tell me a little bit about yourself and Equality Michigan.

Roland Leggett: Ok well my name is Roland Leggett; Iʼm the director of field organizing here at Equality Michigan. Equality Michigan is Michiganʼs only statewide LGBT focused advocacy organization so there are a couple of different areas that we focus or specialize in. We have a victim services department that focus on supporting the community around issues relating to discrimination, hate crimes, to any sort of thing relating to that particular field. We also have a policy director who works out of Lansing and works on moving the dial legislatively in regards to LGBTQ issues. Thereʼs myself who is the director of field organizing; Iʼm kinda the grass roots guy, so public education, volunteer coordination, local advocacy, all those things I specialize in.
The overreaching goal that we have at this point - so the organization has a strategic plan that incorporates all these different moving parts in addition to a communications department and obviously a development department so we can fund it - all these moving parts are moving towards a goal at the end of five years of amending Elliot Lawson, the stateʼs civil rights law to include gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. So thatʼs our main goal. Weʼre doing all these things over the next five years both locally and legislatively and with community advocacy with that being our main goal.

In 2008, an independent study found that the U.S Foster care system is riddled with errors; the study suggests that the system is so understaffed that a number of children are not getting routine medical attention or support. 

         With the 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election quickly approaching, Michigan voters are closing in on hot topic candidate positions. In the lead following a victorious primary are Virg Bernero, democratic mayor of Lansing, and Rick Snyder, self pronounced nerd, businessman, and left leaning republican.  It is the first time in more than 30 years that neither major party’s nominee is unconditionally opposed to what is shaping up to be this gubernatorial campaign’s hottest topic: abortion.

            During the primary campaign, Rick Snyder was virtually indistinguishable from his fellow republican candidates seeming to be a moderate whose, as Free Press columnist Brian Dickerson comments, “squishiness on abortion and stem cell research makes staunch anti-abortionists nervous.” Michigan’s most notorious and potent single issue advocacy organization, Right to Life, put its faith in staunch republican candidate Mike Cox- the “only gubernatorial candidate endorsed by Right to Life.” The stakes were high for Right to Life; anti-abortion candidates who prevail in such races often use their positions as a springboard to higher offices such as state legislature. Snyder’s win was Right to Life’s utter loss and now, with abortion at the forefront of electoral campaigning, voters are forced to make a tough decision.

Both candidates have been criticized early this season for switching focus from pertinent, wrenching issues voters face daily – the Michigan job deficit and the state-wide developmental shortage- to a cut and dry, standby issue. In the heat of the last few weeks before election polls open November 2^nd,   voters seek answers to their burning questions. In the primaries, candidates were accused of using abortion as a ploy to energize voters. Now, voters are faced with a choice between two candidates that have lacked solutions to relevant and pressing questions about Michigan economy and developmental revival strategy.

            Fortuitously, fall of election season has made a turn for the better; reviving itself as Michigan voters hope Michigan eventually will. It seems candidates are catching on to the public’s valid concern and dissatisfaction with campaign focus. Virg Bernero has released a new campaign ad entitled “Tough” emphasizing Michigan’s need for revitalization. His website highlights his proposal for big change in Michigan. Likewise,  Rick Snyder’s 10 point plan  covers his strategy to absolutely reinvent Michigan. Voters take relief in knowing both have begun addressing strategies to better Michigan on an economic and developmental level. Now, as November creeps toward them, a choice must be made. Who has the right to life as the next Governor of Michigan?  

SOURCES:

http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/election-time-mi-governor

http://detnews.com/article/20100801/OPINION01/8010306/Editorial--Focus-on-jobs--not-abortion-in-governor-race

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100801/COL04/8010432/How-abortion-upstaged-jobs-in-governor%5C-s-race&template=fullarticle