Dale Kildee

Today, families across America face their greatest challenge perhaps since the crisis of the 1930s. And if we as a nation do not take the right steps now, we risk plunging into a long-lasting economic crisis. The single most critical action we must take to avoid a worsening crisis is to protect a major industry that supports the entire U.S. economy.

Before the recent economic tumble, the Detroit Three were on track in designing and producing leaner, greener vehicles. In recent years, the domestic automakers had already begun to restructure and produce quality cars that are competitive with Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

Tim Herman

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Tim Herman, chief executive officer of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

Prior to the credit crisis, the U.S. auto industry was aggressively and successfully restructuring. U.S.-based companies have eliminated the productivity gap with leading import carmakers, according to the authoritative Harbour Report.

And quality experts such as J.D. Power and Associates reported that GM has all but closed the quality gap with Asian carmakers.

In just the last three years, the Chevy Malibu and the Saturn Aura were both named North American Car of the Year, and the Cadillac CTS was named Motor Trend's Car of the Year.

Mike Cox

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

Now that the election season is over, you may be tempted to rejoice and start focusing on the holidays. But this year, what happens after the election may be just as important.

That's because the Michigan legislature is meeting for a "lame duck" session, during which deals often are made with the hope you are too busy to notice.

This year, Blue Cross Blue Shield's controversial proposal is on the agenda. Their plan will cause dramatic cost increases for insurance and limit the oversight that helps protect your ability to afford health care.

Editor's note: This is a guest column Mark J. Perry, professor of finance and business economics in the School of Management at University of Michigan-Flint. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

Mark Perry

Oil imports are at the 70-percent level - and climbing, and we should all be very concerned about America's increasing reliance on imported oil. Many in Congress, on both sides of the aisle, lament our inability to achieve energy independence.

This doesn't mean that the effort to lessen our country's dependence on imported oil is in decline. U.S. oil companies are continuing to invest heavily in domestic oil production and emerging energy technologies.

New investment for U.S. energy projects reached almost $200 billion this year, a more than 12 percent increase over 2007. And earlier this year Congress lifted a decades-old moratorium on drilling for oil and natural gas in federal areas off America's coasts. But, if we're to make progress on energy, it will mean persuading Congress that clamping additional taxes on the oil industry could push investment overseas.

Jack Kay

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Jack Kay, provost of University of Michigan-Flint. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

They could have danced all night. And many of them did. The presidential election during which we hummed "This is the Song that Never Ends" is over.

Parties will continue as millions of people celebrate newfound hope. Others will lament what they felt could have been.

Over and over we will hear that our great nation has reached a turning point.

The coalition that enabled President-elect Obama to win was indeed diverse: Youth, women, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, liberals, moderates, Black, White, Latino, rich, poor, urban, suburban, rural.

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Flint resident and parent Julie K. Clark. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

Julie K. Clark

Don't sell our kids out to marketers.

Should we put advertising on the inside of school buses? Local and national school districts, strapped for cash, are considering this move to help raise money for their schools.

Many people think this is a viable option for school budgets, others do not. A fundamental difference between these two camps lies in their attitude toward advertising in general.

Some are apathetic and feel that ads are a necessary evil in this consumer driven economy; others are put off by the omnipresent abundance of advertising in our society today.

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Genesee County Clerk Michael J. Carr. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

Michael J. Carr

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- County clerks from across Michigan have banded together to guarantee access to the election polls for all eligible voters.

As we ready for the presidential election in just a few short weeks, we are doing all we can to make sure that no eligible voter is barred from exercising their Constitutional right guaranteed under the 15th Amendment.

Those who register to vote through the mail-in registration process must currently vote "in person" in that city or township of residence the first time they cast their vote and they are not eligible for an absentee ballot.

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Michigan Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists. | Read a different view point on Proposal 2.

Michigan voters should be aware that Proposal 2, the embryonic stem cell ballot proposal, is deceptive.

The proponents argue approval is necessary in order for ethical embryonic stem cell research to occur, when in fact this research is already taking place in Michigan under current law.

What the proposal really does is create an unprecedented exemption for this new industry from future oversight.

A careful reading of the proposal reveals that if adopted, it would amend the state Constitution so that the legislature would be forbidden to design laws that "prevent, restrict, obstruct or discourage any stem cell research ... or create disincentives for any person to engage in or otherwise associate with such research."

Editor's note: This is a guest column by long-time Genesee County Republican Henry Hatter. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

Henry Hatter

Suggesting that Genesee County Republicans intimidate black voters is a gross misrepresentation of the truth and a serious blow to the integrity of a nation striving to achieve the ultimate "free and democratic society."

These charges, raised in an article that recently appeared in The Flint Journal, lack substance, relevance and believability.

The presidential nominee Barack Obama, by middle America represents a high water mark in the national cultural and political achievement for all Americans and therefore should be greeted with respect and dignity by all Americans and nations.

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Linda V. Parker, a Detroit attorney and director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists. Also look below for details on a voter rights meeting taking place in Flint Oct. 27.

Linda V. Parker

With election day closing in upon us and still a good degree of confusion among many in the public about their voting rights, it is worthwhile to remind ourselves of the importance of this sacred American ritual and the need for every one of us to exercise what is both our right and responsibility election day on Nov. 4.

As the director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, one of the most persistent problems our department must confront is a lack of accurate information about who can and can not vote in Michigan.

We consistently receive calls or complaints from not only individuals, but also elected officials, civic organizations and even leaders in various communities inquiring as to whether certain citizens are eligible to vote.

The state's inability to attract a younger generation should not come as a surprise. How do we expect to draw a younger generation when we can't even keep our own college graduates?

When we cannot provide jobs for our own college graduates- why do we anticipate bringing new blood in?

As a member of the 25 to 32-year-old college graduate demographic, it's interesting when you talk to people from outside Flint and they say, "Oh, I saw 'Roger and Me'. Is Flint still that bad?" Images speak louder than words.

Michael Moore has painted an image of our city that will take years to change.

But change is the key and two kudos should be directed to people making an effort to change the city's image - and so far have proven more successful than an indoor amusement park.

William Brabenec

Editor's note: This is a guest column by William F. Brabenec, director of communications of the Inventors Council of Mid-Michigan and editor of its newsletter. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

In these very tough times, wouldn't it be great if you could think of something to invent, put it on the market and be worth a million bucks in a year or two? Or sell it to Wal-Mart or The Home Depot and let them do all the work and you sit back and bank the big bucks?

Or lose a small fortune instead to all those late-night TV sharks and perhaps lose your house if you haven't already?

Arlene Gorelick

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Arlene Gorelick, president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

When it comes to healthcare in Michigan, certain rights and safety measures protect most of us. For example, we all take for granted that the meds our doctor prescribes are safe.

But some people with epilepsy are not safe.

Unknowingly and without their consent, the drugs that work for them are being "switched" at their local pharmacy.

Merritt K. Taylor

Editor's note: This is a guest column by Merritt K. Taylor, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences and cell and molecular biology at Grand Valley State University. Under the name "If You Ask Me," each week The Flint Journal runs a guest column on a topic of interest. Read more by guest columnists.

I research adult stem cells, and my family here in West Michigan believes that life begins at conception. Over dinner, we've had many conversations about the vital role embryonic stem cell research plays in the search for therapies and cures for diabetes, Parkinson's disease, recovery from spinal cord damage and more.

On Nov. 4, Michigan voters will be asked to support expansion of embryonic stem cell research, Proposal 2.

Lee Gonzales

When the king of Sweden comes to Flint this week, you will be amazed to hear how his country is solving the problems of high energy costs and global climate change. A recognized international leader in alternative energy, Sweden's ability to generate biogas is decades ahead of the U.S., providing an innovative road map for Michigan.

Sweden and Michigan are comparably populated and our northern latitudes and great boundaries of water have many similarities, including miles and miles of wooded terrain. In Linkoping, Sweden, a comparably sized city to Flint, Swedish Biogas has built an enterprise that now employs 1,100 people. Working with our Swedish partners will further strengthen Michigan's competitive advantage in biofuels. With an alternative energy market that stretches across North America, Michigan's potential employment opportunities are endless.