REPRESENTATIVE TERRY BROWN

The following commentary was written by State Rep. Terry Brown (D-Pigeon).

As our state and nation face the toughest economic crisis in many years, I believe that our choices about who we are – as individuals, as families, as communities – hold just as much power as our choices about what we do.

It can be tempting to reach for easy answers. Politicians throw out sound-bite solutions like candy at a parade. But I don't believe in sugarcoating the real pain that so many real families are going through. Too many good, hard-working people have lost their jobs, lost their homes or are on the brink of these heartbreaking losses. Those who are more fortunate are scared or trying to support struggling loved ones. We all are affected by the economic struggles which, due to the meltdown on Wall Street, may get worse before they get better.

And they will get better. I say this because I believe it in my heart, and because we know it from experience. And because I see the hard work that so many people in our community are doing, day in and day out, with me and on their own, to make sure it happens.

Some days it seems like there is nothing we can do to swim out from under the cascade of bad news. But there are things we can do. Every day, we have a choice.

Will we stay focused on creating good-paying jobs and turning our economy around, or will we turn on each other and waste our energy on negative attacks?

Will we unite in our dedication to action, or will we create more division and anger by only talking about blame?

Will we move forward, or will we stay mired down in the past?

Will we choose to appreciate the wonders of our state – our beautiful Great Lakes, the uniqueness of each season, our rich farmland, our forests, our vast shoreline – or will we refuse to see the goodness in the place we call home?

Will we respond with compassion and more help for our neighbors and friends in need, or will we open our hearts only to judgment and fear?

Here in the Thumb, we have many assets that will carry us through these times. We are strong, independent people with common sense so uncommon in other places. We know how to work together and find solutions to our challenges. We're innovators, with a work ethic that can't be beat.

And we take care of each other. People who move here often remark that where they came from, they didn't even know their neighbors. Here, we have a real sense of community. Our kids and grandkids come back from all around the world for festivals because they want to experience that special feeling they can't find anywhere else.

I am not giving up on Michigan, and I ask that you not give up either. These tough times only make me more determined to work harder to make life better here.

It all boils down to one choice: Will these tough times bring out the best in us, or the worst? I believe that we here in the Thumb will make the right choice.

State Representative Terry Brown represents the 84th District (Huron and Tuscola counties). To contact him, call (888) 254-5284 or e-mail terrybrown@house.mi.gov.