Finds Leadership at Fault
Nolan Finley, Detroit News Editor
Examines Government at Local, State, National Levels
Speaking at the March Eastside Republican Club Forum, Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of the Detroit News, pointed to a common political failure. The problem, he said, is a “leadership deficit.”
In wide-ranging comments touching on local, State, and national political affairs, he cited leadership as the key ingredient. Finley made his remarks on March 15, 2005, to the ERC at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Regarding President Bush, Finley said, “More power to him, if he can convert nations from theocracies and dictatorships to democracies.”
Noting world changes resulting from the influence of U.S. foreign policy initiatives, Finley said, “The changes are a credit to the very firm policies of President George W. Bush.”
Although Bush critics can't deny what is happening in the world, Finley observed, “The hateful talk coming out of Washington on such matters as Social Security and proposed tax cuts is evidence of the lack of acceptance that the election is over.”
Michigan's Economic Trouble
Closer to home, Finley said, “Michigan is in dire straits, unless we embrace come radical changes in this state.”
Leadership in Michigan has, he said, “ignored the 'iceberg' of the transformation from manufacturing to a service economy.”
Finley noted that Michigan unemployment, which is in excess of 7%, is one of the very highest in the U.S. He said, “Michigan has lost while other states are gaining jobs.” >>Read Michigan continues to shed jobs.
Observing that unemployment in Michigan is not cyclical this time, Finley said, “The action is not in manufacturing.” He faulted the Governor for promoting tax changes to benefit manufacturing, but which raise the burden on businesses in the service sector driving service jobs away from the State.
Granholm, he said, is governor of the only state not to add jobs.
Finley said that Michigan taxes and regulation are noncompetitive. “Michigan has one of highest business taxes in nation,” he said.
Another sign of financial stress, he said, is that the government's Medicaid health care program is now saddled with covering one in seven Michiganians.
Noting the need for greater employment diversity, Finley pointed to education as one remedy. But, he noted, “Thirty percent of high school graduates are unprepared for college and the high school dropout rate is 22%.”
On the bright side, Finley said, “The State of Michigan has an excellent education system, yet we must do more to develop a culture of education in our State.”
“This is necessary to bring Michigan back as a great place to work and a great place to live,” he said.
Finley cautioned Gov. Granholm not to brag about achieving a balanced State budget. He explained that in Michigan the budget is always balanced because it is mandated by the Michigan Constitution.
Detroit Lacks Bold Leadership
Finley next named the City of Detroit as another level of government with an obvious leadership deficit. He cited the chorus of quibbling recently generated over maintaining the aquarium and closure of some schools while he said, leadership demands even bolder measures to save the City.
Although lots of good people live in Detroit, he lamented the continuing loss of population. “White flight peaked in the 1960's and 1970's,” he said. “Now, the black middle class is moving out in droves.”
Among other things, Finley noted that high property tax rate in Detroit are a damper on progress and growth.
Citing another case of poor leadership, he said it was the domination of labor interests who put their own jobs and labor contract ahead of educating kids that cost Detroit $200 million for schools. That was the amount philanthropist Bob Thompson wanted to invest in the City to build 15 charter high schools. >>Read "Pushing for Charter High Schools."
Trade Journal Notes Bias Charges
According to Erin Olson writing in Editor & Publisher, a key publishing trade magazine, the biggest loser last November was not the junior Senator from Massachusetts but the nation's press.
Citing a review of reports compiled by Jay Rosen, Olson writes, "liberal bias in the press became more apparent than ever during the election, even taking the stance that the media was actively trying to get Kerry elected."
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On a personal level, Finley had high praise for the cadre of dedicated teachers in the Detroit public school system. But now that the City is moving toward a change in structure of the public school board, Finley sees the potential for heightened power struggles in school administration.
If past experience is any indication, Finley said, “You can be sure that they will be looking at everyone else in this region and the state for a bailout.”
Finley also had praise for NBA Hall of Famer and Detroit businessman Dave Bing who is working to invigorate his local community by building homes and supporting local middle and high schools.
Paper's 2004 Presidential Endorsement Withheld
Finley offered insight into the paper's surprising decision to reject every one of the seven candidates for U.S. President listed on Michigan's November 2004 ballot. >>Read “For President: None of the Above.”
Instead, the paper set forth its vision of the “ideal” president. As stated in its October 24, 2004, editorial dismissing the two major candidates, “The Detroit News will not lend its endorsement to a candidate who has made too many mistakes, nor to one who offers a governing philosophy that we reject.”
Finley cited disappointment at the 32% growth of government in just four years. The cost of government is surging, he said, to fund the growing federal involvement in education, and the costly senior drug benefit.
During that period, he noted, Republicans controlled Congress, and a Republican President who never once used his veto power led the administration. The paper's endorsement decision, he said, “was a way of sending a message.”
Finley said, “Better leading and better leadership is needed.”
Commenting on the emerging electronic media, Finley cautioned, “There is no hierarchy of responsibility.” With the explosion of such alternate sources as cable and internet, “People believe only the news they agree with,” he said.
Finley also writes a Sunday newspaper column. Earlier in his 26-year career that started as a copyboy in the newsroom while studying at Wayne State, Finley served as the newspaper's deputy managing editor, directing its newsroom. He has also served as business editor, and in various editing positions on the city, state and metro desks.
As a reporter, he covered Detroit City Hall during the Coleman Young administration. He is a graduate of both Schoolcraft College in Livonia and Wayne State, where he earned a B.A. in journalism. Last year, Schoolcraft College named him one of its outstanding alumni in journalism.
