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Sally Blank - Monday, October 19, 2009   Golden Rule Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (279 votes cast) How about the state government treating current Michigan businesses as good as they treat those companies they are trying to woo into coming into the state -- low or no taxes and all the rest of the help and perks they get. We wouldn't lose as many businesses to other states and other countries and they'd be able to prosper better. And if our businesses prosper, our state prospers.

Lynn Bartley - Saturday, October 17, 2009   Improve learning: Set a maximum length for school vacations Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (266 votes cast) Research shows that overly lengthy vacations are detrimental to the learning process in our students, particularly in the less affluent areas where parents may not be able to provide enrichment activities such as camp and lessons during long vacations. Many Michigan districts have 12 (AND MORE) weeks of summer vacation. THIS IS AN EDUCATIONALLY UNSOUND PRACTICE AND IS NOT GOOD FOR LEARNERS!The Michigan Legislature has set a required number of days/hours for schools as well as requiring that no school year may begin before Labor day. They need to set a limit on the length of any vacation period. We could improve student learning AND increase the number of Michigan tourism days if we LIMIT ANY SCHOOL VACATION PERIOD TO EIGHT (OR SEVEN? SIX?) Schools could still have the same number of school days - but would NEED to schedule vacation periods throughout the year. Shorter breaks throughout the school year would be beneficial to students as well as to the staff (by reducing the stress level and providing opportunity for rejuvenation, making them more effective teachers.) SHORTER VACATION PERIODS WOULD BE GOOD FOR OUR STUDENTS!

Don Mercer - Thursday, October 15, 2009   Michigan: the entrepreneurship capital of America Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (278 votes cast) Michigan is at the bottom of multiple economic measures for the 50 states. However, we are no less creative than the most advanced state in the union. But we need to train the young minds and older minds alike to think and act more creatively. The best way to do that is through entrepreneurship education. We need to train young minds to create a job, not just take a job. Even if they work for a company, employers want people who think and act creatively. Where can we get that education that will create the necessary mindset? The Generation E Institute, a nonprofit headquartered in Battle Creek is the best organization in the state and better than similar organizations at the national level. The GenEI is in multiple counties in Michigan and other states and has trained over 100 educators with the best curricula for middle and high schools in the nation. You can see this valuable asset to Michigan at www.genei.org. It has a proven track record, it works and it can change Michigan.

Bat - Tuesday, October 13, 2009   Why not an Indoor them park Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (254 votes cast) Michigan has the most clean lake water in the world -we just need to put it to use in new ways, one way I can think to do that is an indoor theme park. Our counties need revitalization -Genesee county being one of them. It is a central location with many tourist attractions not too far off like Frankenmuth and Birch Run. With our cold weather that we have -sometimes about 9 months of the year- I believe our state would definetly get a boost from investing in a indoor theme park.

Georgine B. - Monday, October 12, 2009   MSU Music Therapy/Sports Programs Work Together Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (264 votes cast) Use some of the $$ allocated for sports programs for the music therapy program. A.Music Therapy can help the coaches by working with the teams in a musical way-dancing,chants,singing, creative movements done to selected music for A.Keeping the body relaxed for better total body coordination thru music & specific breathing techniques; B.Better Self-control & better footwork on the field or floor; C.Promote more self-confidence, encouragment, precise focused movements for better plays on the field or floor; D.Build social connectiveness & unity; E.Increase support for team spirit united for success; F.Increase support for other schools of thought on campus who might tutor students who need help in specific areas of study; G.Increase support for the economically troubled Music Therapy Dept.;