Republican Gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Mike Cox has decided to use taxpayer money to campaign for Governor. Cox is currently suing the United States government to block heath care reform in Michigan, which would have a devastating effect on  millions of Michigan residents.

Cox's decision to go to court will be used to get him all kinds of publicity during his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor.

What Cox wants to do:

• Deny thousands of children access to heath care.
• Refuse coverage of young adults by not allowing them to stay on their parents' insurance until age 26.
• Allow seniors to lose Medicare prescription benefits.
• Block tax credits for small businesses equal to 35 percent of the cost of insuring their employees.
• Give insurance companies the power to drop you if you get sick or file too many claims.

This just goes to prove that Cox would rather promote his own political future than protect Michigan residents. We need a Governor who will care about Michigan residents and their needs, not someone who is more concerned about promoting their own political agenda. 

Let Cox know how you feel, call his office at (517) 373-1110. Remind him that he should be protecting Michigan instead of using this lawsuit as a cheap stunt to win his party's nomination for governor.

The Midland County Democratic Party
Annual Pasta Dinner
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

We have some fantastic candidates attending our pasta dinner this year. This is your chance to get to know these candidates and ask the questions you've wanted to ask about the issues you care about!

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero - Candidate for Governor
Richard Bernstein - Candidate for Attorney General
Geness County Prosecutor David Leyton - Candidate for Attorney General
Representative Joel Sheltrown - Candidate for the State Senate
Representative Andy Neumann - Candidate for the 36th State Senate
Toni Sessoms - Candidate for the 99th State House Seat

Time: 5:00 - 7:00p.m.
American Legion Post 165
5111 Hedgewood Dr., Midland

$10.00 per person or $20.00 per family, $7.00 for Students

Live music performed by Joel Sheltrown

Tickets may be purchased at the door!

To reserve or purchase tickets, please contact Deb Reeves at 631-3625 or by email habdeb@aol.com or at the Midland County Democratic Party Office at 711 Ashman Plaza (on Ashman between Union and Pine Streets)
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 12:00 - 5:00p.m.

For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief. We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt.

We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

The is a reminder to all members, please make sure your party membership is current by Friday, March 19. You MUST be a current member (must renew yearly) if you want to be able to vote in the MDP's Endorsement Convention (other than precinct delegates, candidates and elected officials) on Saturday, April 17th at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

The purpose of the Convention will be to endorse candidates for Secretary of State and Attorney General. Information on current candidates can be found on our 2010 Candidates page. The Endorsement Convention will be held the same day and at the same location as the Jeff-Jack Dinner.

The Endorsement Convention Agenda is attached below.

This year, as required by the Constitution, the federal government will count every resident of the United States. Held once every 10 years, the U.S. Census is critical to determining how much federal money Michigan gets, and how strong our voice will be in the U.S. House of Representatives. For that reason, it is absolutely essential that everyone return their census forms to ensure that everyone gets counted.

However, there are some unscrupulous individuals who are looking to profit off of the confusion surrounding the census. There will be two phases of the census – a 10-question form mailed sometime in March, and if that form is not returned, a census taker will appear at your home sometime between April and July to collect the information. Be wary of giving out your personal information, especially to anyone without proper census identification. Here are some tips to help you make sure that you are actually dealing with the U.S. Census Bureau, and not a scammer: