Smart Growth for Conservatives

UPDATE: When I was writing this around 11:30 last night I questioned whether or not it was worthy of an entire blog post. In other words, was the post providing new information or a perspective that the reader may not be aware of. For example, I’m a regular reader of I Run These Towns blog. Samantha Harkins, the blog author, usually writes about her preference for urban living (and her love of running).

Well, because I was born and raised in Lansing, MI, I guess I bring a somewhat different perspective. I actually prefer living in a more suburban or rural environment. Maybe that’s why I would rather run on a trail than on a city street. Maybe that’s why I like living here in Troy. But, can suburban communities learn something from their “big brothers?” Yes, for example by promoting a walkable community.

With that as my introduction, you can see the original post below.

Smart Growth for Conservatives? That sounds like a contradiction. Actually, I've come across several resources for Conservatives who believe that there are benefits to some forms of "smart growth." A related approach is described as “urbanizing the suburbs.”

Check out these links below that I've discovered:

• The American Conservative's New Urbanism


• Smart Growth for Conservatives


• The Great Suburbia Debate

Vote for the Other Guy

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 is election day. Over the past few days I've seen a sign on Wattles Road in Troy that encourages everyone to Vote Biblically. While I would agree with several of the "planks" in the platform of that group, I believe a better way to approach the election is to "vote for the other guy."

Yes I did post something similar two years ago, but it bears repeating.

I want to leave you with some quotes from Pastor Todd Wilken...

...I think that many Christians have unintentionally adopted a politics of self-interest. Their reasons for voting are more influenced by Voltaire, Adam Smith and Ayn Rand than by a Christian worldview or ethic. Perhaps you are one of these Christians. If you have adopted an every-man-for-himself, enlightened self-interest voting strategy, you most certainly are. I intend to show that these ideas have no place in the mind of a Christian voter...

Here's another quote from Wilken...

...It should go without saying that a Christian doesn’t vote for the same reason the unbeliever votes. A Christian doesn’t vote because it is his right. That’s why the unbeliever votes. For the Christian, his rights have nothing to do with it. A Christian doesn’t vote to get his way. That’s also why the unbeliever votes. For the Christian, getting his way has nothing to do with it. A Christian doesn’t vote to protect his own interests. That, again, is why the unbeliever votes. A Christian votes to serve his neighbor —period. This means that a Christian will sometimes vote for, and sometimes against his own interests, but a Christian will always for his neighbor’s interests. When the Christian enters the voting booth, the neighbor always comes first. In other words, the Christian doesn’t vote for himself; he votes for the other guy, his neighbor. The Christian doesn’t use his vote to serve himself; he uses votes to serve his neighbor...

These quotes come from an article by Pastor Wilken in the Winter 2012 Issues, Etc. Journal.

Electing the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees

A few days ago, as my father-in-law prepared his absentee ballot he asked for my opinion on the candidates for Oakland Community College Board of Trustees. That's right, on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Oakland County voters will be asked to cast their ballots for two members of this board. When he read the names over the phone, I had no idea who the candidates were and was unable to offer much in the way of advice.

Since they run on a non-partisan ballot, the two candidates with the most name recognition will most likely be elected. There has to be a better way to select the members of this board!

Well, because the selection method is unlikely to change by next week, I did find some helpful information from the League of Women Voters Oakland Area. Click here to view/print their 2014 November general election voter guide of the candidates running for 2 positions on the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees. After reading their guide I now recognize a few of the names of the candidates. Regardless, isn't their a better way to select these public officials?