We don’t need
celebrity politicians
I am deeply concerned about the problems facing the 51st District and Michigan. The 51st is in desperate need of new leadership that understands what is needed to solve these problems.
We do not need more of the same old politics, nor do we need celebrity politicians. What we do need is a real Democrat with a plan for Michigan and a commitment to change. Unlike Mr. Thorp, who touts the fact that he has been a TV personality, and seems almost apologetic for being a Democrat, the 51st has a proud and committed Democrat running for that seat, Harold “Rusty” Ward.
Mr. Ward has been an active Democrat, a proud union supporter, and an activist for many years now. Unlike Mr. Thorp, who lists a vague reason for running, and has yet to give any specifics as to what his goals for Michigan are, Mr. Ward has a serious formula for changing Michigan, and a “contract” that clearly shows his commitment to being a new and different kind of leader. Mr. Ward’s “Contract with the 51st,” with its promises to not be tainted by lobbyists’ money and perks, as well as to fund a significant scholarship out of his legislative salary, seems a clear statement of his intent to serve his district and not himself. And his “formula for changing Michigan,” with its program of a more equitable tax system, adequate and equitable funding for our schools, protections for our environment, health care as a right, and strong protections for Michigan’s workers, seems to show clearly his commitment to values we all share as human beings, i.e., caring, sharing and fairness.
If you are looking for a committed and proud Democrat to vote for in the 51st, I urge you to vote for Harold “Rusty” Ward. — Susan Sage, Grand Blanc

Disagree with
last week’s letter
I read David K. Suska’s letter in the View (May 8 Viewpoint) and I would like to disagree with his premise. He says the Democratic candidate for the 51st State House of Representatives, Rusty Ward, is off base with his platform of helping workers and the poor. Mr. Suska cited lots of statistics about how Engler’s tax cuts stimulated the economy, and how Grandholm’s tax policies have caused problems. I don’t have too many statistics to answer him, but I do know this: working people in Michigan are hurting. Rusty Ward will help the hard working citizens of the 51st State House District cope with hard times.
Rusty Ward believes in funding those activities will help the average struggling citizen. Education is vital to the future of our state, and more money for public schools is the bedrock of Rusty’s program. He would help those who are in danger of foreclosure, and would support better health care for all Michigan’s citizens. Rusty Ward would increase funding of these programs to the benefit of all state residents, and believes that money spent on these items would return big dividends in the future. Rusty won’t sell out workers by privatizing state functions. Privatization achieves lower costs by replacing state workers who are making a living wage, and hiring replacement workers (also known as scabs) at low wages. The taxpayers are thrown a few crumbs, and the fat cat gets the rest. Rusty Ward believes in fair play and social justice.
I call on the common people of the 51st State House District to reject the idea that lower taxes leads to prosperity for all. The rich benefit of course, and the share of wealth held by a tiny group of the wealthy is at an all time high. The wages of working Americans have been stagnant since the early 1970s, and the labor movement is very weak. The choices we make at the ballot box are vital to correcting this imbalance.
Rusty Ward will stand up for workers, the poor, and our children. We need him to replace old what’s-his-name in Lansing. — Chris Belog, Atlas Twp.

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