State of Michigan's Political Structure

State of Michigan’s Political Structure

In researching the State of Michigan’s political structure, amongst numerous other positions, I was able to find that the states two United States Senators are Carl Levin and Debbie Stebenow, both Democrats. I also found that my local, District 8, United States House Representative is Mike Rogers, who is a Republican. For the sake of this paper, I am going to expound upon my local representative Mike Rogers.

Mike is a Michigan native who was born in Livonia, Michigan, and he currently resides in Brighton, Michigan. With much of his work residing in Washington, D.C., he finds himself traveling there weekly. He is married, has two children, and his religious affiliation is that of Methodist. Mike had many precursors to becoming a congressman. He attended Adrian College, graduating from there in 1985 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. While their, he also attended the University of Michigan as a member the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). From there, Mike went on to join the United States Army serving as a Second Lieutenant before becoming the Company Commander of a rapid deployment unit. After his service in the United States Army, Mike went on to become a Special Agent for the FBI. He finished top of his class at the FBI Academy, at which point he was assigned to do his FBI duties in Chicago, Illinois, where he served on organized crime and public corruption units. Mike was also co-founder of a family-owned business.

It was not until November of 1994 that Mike began his career in politics. In 1994 and again in 1998, Mike was elected to the Michigan State Senate. While continuing his strong emergence into politics, Mike was elected the Majority Floor Leader in 1999. In 2000, Mike was elected Representative for the State of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives, a position that he still holds today.

In the State of Michigan, Mike, as stated before, is the Representative for District 8. District 8 encompasses Clinton County, Ingham County, Livingston County, Northern Oakland County, and Southern Shiawassee County. These counties combined, represent the following demographics (www.census.org):

-Population: 1,805,500 people

-Eligible Voters: 505,540 (28%)

-Senior Citizens: 270,825 (15%)

-Gender: Male/Female = 50/50%

-Ethnicity: White- 91%; Black- 11%

-Education: High School Diploma- 89%; College Degree- 28%

-Income (annual): $54,000

*The above figures are estimates

In probing into Mike’s voting records, I propose that much of his decision making was based on White Anglo Saxon Protestant (W.A.S.P.) beliefs, and his voting decisions also point towards religious doctrine as well. Some of the more important issues that Mike has voted on are such things as abortion, school programs, protection of The Pledge of Allegiance, the use of military force against Iraq, cloning, and FCC Indecency Penalties. With regards to abortion, in 2003, Mike voted in favor of bill to prohibit partial-birth abortion (www.vote-smart.com). As for school programs, in 2002, Mike voted in favor of a bill to reauthorize the Head Start Program, which is a federal education program designed to help low-income families (www.vote-smart.com). In 2004, Mike voted in favor of a bill that would keep the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, from hearing cases involving The Pledge of Allegiance and its constitutionality (www.vote-smart.com). When it comes to cloning, that of human beings in particular, Mike voted in 2003 in favor of passing a bill that would make the practice of cloning human beings illegal (www.vote-smart.com). Lastly, in 2004, Mike also voted in favor of passing a bill that would increase the maximum fines against broadcasters for airing , , or profane material (www.vote-smart.com).

In keeping with his outstanding record of excellence, there are a number of innovative accomplishments that Mike has made. One of his accomplishments being that of bringing a new General Motors plant to Lansing (www.houseofrepresentatives.com). This provided innumerous jobs for the community and without mention did wonders for the local economy. Mike was also instrumental in obtaining nearly $22 million to be used by Michigan’s transportation authorities for such things as fixing our roads and improving public transportation (www.houseofrepresentatives.com). Mike was also able to get a bill passed that will take effect in 2006, that will help senior citizens in offsetting the costs of their prescription drugs (www.house.org). Another one