Yesterday I read a story in the
Grand Rapids Press about one of Michigan's former governors - William Milliken, who served from 1970 - 1982. Milliken was a Republican, however his pro-choice, pro-union stance would say otherwise. Now, Milliken is very frustrated with the state of his party and plans to stick around and change it. First, some more info on Milliken - then the implications for us...
Milliken signed a law "in 1978 requiring a life sentence without parole for anyone convicted of possessing 650 grams of heroin, cocaine or other illegal drugs." Yet, when he realized that it convicted drug users and petty dealers instead of the big dealers he was intending to catch, he changed his opinion, advocated for those the law hurt.
Imagine that...a politician that changed his stance when it appeared to not be working.
This is what he has to say about that law now: "Yes," he said, "it was a mistake. If I had it to do over, I would not sign it, knowing what I know now."
Other politicians seem nostalgic about Milliken:
"It says a lot about Bill Milliken," said Bobby Crim, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives during Milliken's last years as governor. "He wanted to solve problems, not play politics...I classify him as one of the best governors since I've been in Michigan, right up there with G. Mennen Williams" -- a surprising assertion, considering Crim is a Democrat and Milliken a Republican."
Milliken also wrote an opinion column that criticized his party for becoming too conservative and endorsing Kerry for President - even though at one time he considered Bush (41) a close friend.
"Milliken was particularly critical of President George W. Bush's environmental record, his decision to go to war with Iraq without securing international support and his policies that contributed to the budget deficit. Since then, "I've been flooded with letters from all over the country," he said. "The amazing thing is the majority have been from Republicans who said, 'It's about time someone spoke out. Our party has turned too far to the right.'"
While Milliken was raised in a Congregational church - he prefers to keep his religion private...and his wife is especially fond of Susan B. Anthony and considers herself a feminist.
Like me, you may be wondering why Milliken is still a republican. He says it is due to advice he was given by another former governor of MI: "'My advice to you is find a party that suits you and, if you don't like its direction, change it.' I've thought about that a lot." Hey, I can respect that.
"Under Milliken's watch, the state income tax grew from 2.6 percent to 5.1 percent and the state's general fund budget from $1.5 billion to $4.5 billion. The state enacted laws protecting wetlands, outlawing insurance redlining, imposing a 10-cent deposit on soft drink and beer cans and bottles and implementing no-fault auto insurance. Thirteen times, the Legislature passed a bill banning Medicaid-funded abortions for low-income women, and 13 times Milliken vetoed it."
That's a Republican I can get along with and - dare I say it - maybe even vote for?
I am always encouraged when I hear Republicans vocalize their concerns about the current state of their party. Most are not quite as liberal as Milliken. I would consider him as liberal as most Democrats. Hopefully - their voices will help to bring change to our accepted policy and the state of our parties.
My ideal situation for the two main parties is this: the Republicans keep drifting to the right, while alienating and disgusting their moderate constituents; the Democrats stay left, but add some old guard republican themes such as smaller government and being fiscally conservative, adding to our ranks many of the pissed-off republicans.