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Phil's Column
Phil Power is the founder and chairman of the Center for Michigan.
Articles
Reflections on Trump’s election: Taking the long view
There is often a direct relationship between a candidate having a compelling vision for our society and the enthusiasm of the voter
After bitter campaign, dark days for the Republic
When we cannot even agree on facts, how can we reasonably discuss politics or policy, much less governance?
Tom Hayden, reflections on an old friend
Admiring the leadership traits that turned the University of Michigan student into the leading voice of the 1960s campus anti-war movement.
Vote yes on the metro Detroit mass transit proposal
The RTA plan isn’t perfect, but it may be our last, best chance for moving our region forward.
Bridge Magazine turns 5 with pride
Fighting the tide of media cutbacks, Bridge journalism provides insight into the events of the day and a sense of community togethernes
Will Lansing commit to transparency and high education standards?
Here’s hoping the Senate won’t weasel out of a bill that makes lawmakers subject to the open records law. Lansing must also keep the rigorous M-STEP test, Michigan’s best bet for accurately gauging our students’ success.
Saving money on the backs of college grads
Students today are being asked to assume debt levels that are far higher than they were before Lansing started cutting back on support for higher ed
Two Kalamazoo leaders put their hearts, and money, into city
As the state continues to starve Michigan cities of needed revenue, two civic-minded philanthropists are working to ease the financial burden on their beloved Kalamazoo.
An educational system doomed to keeping failing
A very big reason Michigan students are falling behind is the very structure of our education system blurs responsibility and eliminates accountability
When elites ignore the people, the center cannot hold
History teaches that when political leaders are tone deaf, frustrated and aroused citizens often take things into their own hands.
Savor the wonders of summer with this family cherry pie recipe
Reflecting on the special glories of a Michigan summer holiday
Finding lessons in Flint’s tragedy
Bridge Magazine’s new book on the Flint water crisis, “Poison on Tap,” reminds readers what can happen when our institutions start breaking down.
Transgender bathrooms or crumbling infrastructure?
It’s time for leaders in the legislature to put aside short-term skirmishes that produce momentary headlines and focus on longer-term imperatives that will leave a lasting mark.
Binding cities, with few ways out
State policies over many decades are choking off revenue to cities across the state. Is Michigan willing to change?
A death on the Internet and the gift of time
Acceleration of events imposes dimly perceived but very important changes in the way we think
Chinese copy cats and Japanese bullet trains; lessons for America
On a trip overseas, the perils of international free-trade agreements appear in China, and the wonders of a strong infrastructure unfold at 200-mph in Japan.
Don’t trust government? Help to change it!
This year, The Center for Michigan’s public outreach campaign focuses on how to restore public confidence in government. Signing up for our local Community Conversations allows you to be part of the solution
Oligarchs and demagogues, as America teeters
All it takes is an inattentive or bored citizenry to set the stage for the decline of the republic
Flint report shows government’s size is less critical than its effectiveness
If the experience in Flint teaches anything, it’s that when lots of local people complain loudly and persistently about things going wrong, usually there is something going wrong
