Beware of Charismatic Men Who Preach Change

I was inspired by the editorial below to begin this blog for Michigan. It interprets itself and speaks volumes, applying so well to what we are experiencing in America today!

Sadly, no one in Michigan can deny that the State of Michigan has declined dramatically during the last 5-6 years in almost every measurable dimension. We used to be a "powerhouse" in national politics; the other states looked up to us. However, for the last years Michigan has managed to be a one-state recession, with the highest unemployment...and the end is no where in sight.

We in Michigan cringe everyday; just waiting for the next crushing economic or political shoe to drop, and drive us further down into the dustbin of history.

This blog will explore how Michigan got to this point, and how we together can make MICHIGAN GREAT AGAIN!
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Beware of Charismatic Men Who Preach Change

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day, and on July 4, I celebrate America’s. This year is special because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.

On June 30, 1968, I escaped communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay…

I thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950’s, most Cubans thought Cuba need a change, and they were right.

So when a young leader came along promising change, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everybody followed. When he said he would bring Justice and equality to all, everybody said, “Praise The Lord.” And when the young leader said, “I will be for change, I will bring you change”, everybody yelled “Viva Fidel.”

But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner’s guns went silent, the peoples guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry and oppressed. By the time everybody received their free education, it was worth nothing.

By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was fully implemented Cuba had been knocked down a coupled of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts and inner tubes. You call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world, the most fortunate Cubans.

And now I am back to the beginning of my story.

Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised us change without telling us what change! How will you carry change out? What will it cost America?

WOULD WE ?!!

Manuel Alvarez Jr. Sandy Hook
Editor, Time-Dispatch