Rick Snyder's Ten Platitudes

Rick Snyder, the stealth candidate in the Republican race for governor, has a list of 'ten principles' on his website. But most of them are platitudes, not principles. Can you imagine any candidate running opposed to "Create More and Better Jobs"? Where are the specific details of how he would do this? How would he reform the tax system, reform government, restore cities?

Still, there are some interesting tidbits here. Does "control urban sprawl" mean restricting people's right to control their own land? What is a proper "mass transit backbone"? People hate mass transit, and for good reasons. Discouraging the use of cars is just what Detroit needs.

"Invest in the arts?" Take money from taxpayers and buy 'art' that nobody would pay for with their own money? This is a Republican?

Alternative energy? Alternative energy is a scam. That's why it's alternative; nobody wants to buy it in the free market because it costs too much. Shouldn't a businessman understand that? Would Snyder invest his own money in alternative energy?

"Rick believes that a child’s progress from pre-kindergarten through college and advanced degrees is the cycle on which the state’s efforts should be focused and coordinated." Huh? What does this mean?

"Rick believes that the cornerstone to successful health care reform must include prevention, wellness and personal responsibility." Isn't a cornerstone one thing? Did anyone edit this?

"Rick also believes in the importance of embracing our racial, social and geographic diversity to reach common goals for the state." Any person or institution that celebrates diversity is bad news. When Rick moves to Detroit, I'll believe he's serious about this.

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Reinventing Michigan: Rick’s Top Ten

Rick’s Top 10 principles to reinventing Michigan serve as the foundation for his vision and long-term plan in leading Michigan beyond today’s challenges, and into an era of innovation.

1. Create More and Better Jobs Rick believes that Michigan needs to cultivate a thriving and globally competitive economy with a diverse business base, enabling job growth and prosperity. His entrepreneurial experience, management over the growth of Gateway and leadership in economic development programs, such as Ann Arbor SPARK and the MEDC, make him uniquely qualified and positioned to lead this state in creating more and better jobs.

2. Reform Michigan’s Tax System Rick believes that we need to reduce the tax burden on families and businesses in Michigan. Rather than advocate for short-term solutions – Rick wants to reform Michigan’s tax system so that it is competitive, simple, fair, transparent, efficient and facilitates economic growth.

3. Fix Michigan’s Broken Government It’s time we reinvent state government so that it runs efficiently and serves its citizens as customers. Rick wants to restore ethics, accountability and transparency to state and local government. Rick believes we need a new approach to governing that is not politically motivated, but solution oriented.

4. Create An Environment That Will Keep Our Youth – Our Future – In Michigan Rick believes that we need to create networks, programs, and environments across Michigan that will cause our young people to want to stay in this state. His experience has given him an understanding of how Michigan can retain and attract young talent.

5. Restore Cities and Control Urban Sprawl In order for Michigan to truly reinvent itself, its cities and communities must become more vibrant. Rick will work to improve the state’s city centers and create attractive living and working environments for its citizens. Rick supports the establishment of a proper mass transit backbone in the state.

6. Enhance Michigan’s National and International Image Rick believes that to reinvent Michigan, we must focus our marketing strategy to encourage tourism, attract innovative businesses, invest in the arts, and build our roads and infrastructure in order to enhance Michigan’s image.

7. Protect Michigan’s Environment As a native Michigander, Rick knows that Michigan’s awe inspiring lakes, landscapes and natural resources are some of its most valuable assets. Rick has served on the Nature Conservancy and believes that protecting the environment and growing the economy can be done simultaneously. Michigan needs to be a leader in the innovative movement towards alternative and cleaner energy.

8. Reform Michigan’s Educational System Rick believes that a child’s progress from pre-kindergarten through college and advanced degrees is the cycle on which the state’s efforts should be focused and coordinated. Rick believes that schools, teachers and parents must renew their commitment to ensuring that each child is given the best possible preparation and education for life which is critical for future generations to be competitive and innovative.

9. Reform Michigan’s Health Care System Every citizen should have access to affordable and quality healthcare. Rick believes that the cornerstone to successful health care reform must include prevention, wellness and personal responsibility.

10. Bring “Winning” Back To Michigan Rick believes that it is time for this state to create a hopeful, positive culture and attitude where personal responsibility and collective determination introduce us to a new era. Rick also believes in the importance of embracing our racial, social and geographic diversity to reach common goals for the state.