In conversations I’ve had with people up and down the district, there is a keen awareness of the challenges facing our state. Yet in Lansing, it’s more politics as usual, with the legislature alternating between frivolous legislation (like repealing a tax that wasn’t being collected) and pure obstructionism.

Despite the political games, however, there is good news: a number of concerned citizens recently launched The Center for Michigan to generate ideas on how to move Michigan forward. Described as a “think-and-do-tank,” The Center is aimed at rallying moderates who have “brains, courage and backbone.”

This is exactly what Michigan needs – citizens coming together to promote an agenda driven not by ideology, but by results. Michigan’s future is too important to leave to the politicians, and I know from talking to local people that we have the ideas, energy and vision to turn our state around. To paraphrase Bill Clinton, there is nothing wrong with Michigan that cannot be cured by what is right with Michigan. We just need a representative who will fight to make sure these local voices are heard.