Stabenow has stood up for consumers, fair trade
2006-10-31
Source: Battle Creek Enquirer
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rss feedBeing a freshman U.S. senator in the minority party no doubt makes it difficult to have a headline-grabbing impact in Congress. But we think Debbie Stabenow has done an admirable job of sticking up for consumers, as well as fighting to make sure that free trade is also fair trade, and that is why we endorse her for re-election to a second Senate term.
Stabenow is being challenged by Oakland County sheriff and former state legislator Mike Bouchard, who has campaigned hard on issues such as more jobs for Michigan and securing our nation's borders.
We agree with Bouchard that more needs to be done to create and retain jobs, but we don't lay the blame for the state's loss of manufacturing jobs at Stabenow's feet. In fact, we are impressed with Stabenow's emphasis on the need for Michigan to compete in manufacturing on a global basis, and agree with her that the playing field among the world's trading nations needs to be leveled. Issues such as manipulation of national currencies and unfair tariffs must be addressed if America is to succeed in a world of truly free trade.
We also respect Stabenow for taking on huge pharmaceutical companies over issues such as reimportation of prescription drugs and allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices under Medicare Part D. She has fought to stop the importation of trash into Michigan from Canada. While she has not been successful in all her battles, she has made it clear that she represents consumers and she has made progress, such as the recent agreement that gradually will reduce Canadian trash shipments into Michigan.
Bouchard has focused on issues such as homeland security and stopping illegal immigration, and has a commendable background in law enforcement. But we think Stabenow's experience and emphasis on consumer issues makes her the better choice in the Senate race.
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