MUpdyke

= **Maddie Updyke** = **Michigan** **I am a moderate political party. I fall in the Green Party. I identify the views from the Democratic and Republican Party. My ideology is shared by Allen Boyd and Judy Biggert.** **[|The Green Party]**

**There are many issues going on in America that are important to me, but some of the topics are more important to me than others. For example, our economy is not good at this point in time. Many people our unemployed and cannot find jobs, we are losing a lot of money, and many people are losing important things such as healthcare. That topic is important to me because it affects many people right around us. Another example of an important topic to me is if we should bring back our soliders from Iraq, or keep them there longer. We are supposed to send many of our troops back home by next year, but Iraq is not pleased with that. They think that since we started most of their problems, we should stay and fix them until they are fixed. That's important because many loved ones are currently in Iraq, and now people may have to wait a lot longer until they are able to see them again. Also, I think it is important to bring our soliders back from other places like Afghanistan. Another issue is protecting our land. America destorys so many forests and bodies of water for many businneses, that usually go out of business within a year because of this economy. I think we need to preserve our natural land before it is gone because it is very important and you will never be able to get it back.** [|U.S. Economy] [|Troops in Foreign Countries] [|Protecting the Enviornment]


 * Facts about Michigan:**
 * 1. Michigan has two senators and fifteen representatives for their state.**
 * 2. Michigan is surrounded by three Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron.**
 * 3. Throughout the 19th century, Michigan's economy thrived on agriculture, lumber, and mining.**
 * 4. Most mining carried on today in Michigan is for oil and natural gas.**
 * 5.Michigan's 1964 Constitution is the fourth in the states' history.**

W**hy you should come visit Michigan:**
 * 1. We have different festivals included the International Festival of Lights, the Labor Day Jazz Festival, the Maple Syrup Festival, and more.**
 * 2. There are many art museums, theater companies, musical societies throughout Michigan, especially in Detroit.**
 * 3. We celebrate heritages with the Museum of African-American History, the Bavarian Festival, and the Dutch-inspired Tulip Time Festival.**
 * 4. You can learn about history with our museums and the historic Dearborn.**
 * 5. We have many major cities such as Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Warren, and Flint.**


 * Representative that I most agree with: **
 * Bill Huizenga **
 * Republican **
 * I chose Bill Huizenga because i agree with his point of view on many of issues. He works hard to make sure the men and women that have served for our country have the benefits they deserve. He tries to allow many hard working families keep a lot of their earned money instead of putting most of it in taxes. He tries to improve many businesses, bug and small, and lower the tax rates so the businesses and economy can rise. He is working on protecting the Great Lakes and helping lower the costs of health insurace. He is believes that education should be in local control. I agree with basically all of his issues and how he tries to solve them. His decisions will help our country a lot, in my opinion, and that is why i most agree with Bill huizenga. **
 * @http://huizenga.house.gov/ **


 * My endorsement for President in 2012**
 * Mitt Romney**
 * [|Mitt Romney]**
 * I chose Mitt Romney because I think that he will be the best leader for our country. I think he knows what he is talking about because he has had a lot of experience with government and he seems to know what he is talking about. I also agreed with most of his views on his issues. He wants good education, help Afghanistan and Pakistan to prevent foreign threats, and he wants the government to control their spending more. I think that those are very smart decisions to help bring our country back to the way it was before we dropped.**


 * [|3 Main Resources from Michigan]**
 * 1. Corn**
 * 2. Soybeans**
 * 3. Fruit ( sour cherries, apples, grapes, strawberries, peaches, plums, etc,)**


 * [|3 Biggest Companies/Employers]**
 * 1. Quicken Loans (Detroit)**
 * 2. Plante Moran**
 * 3. Stryker**


 * Mandatory Recess Act**
 * Our bill is about mandatory recess in all schools below highschool across America. The recess will be a half period long, depending on your length of your day. There has been a lot of research about recess, and the research keeps proving the need for recess. Recess can increase the academic scores greatly because it reduces the stress kids have from school and home, and it is good for the brain. Kids need the vitamin D, and recess is a great way to give that to them because some students are not able to get outside much with their busy schedules. In the classroom, the students will be less fidgity when they have recess because it gives the a break from their schoolwork and gives them physical activity. That physical activity will also decrease the obesity rate for children in America. Research shows that kids who are active at school tend to stay active at home, so my partner and I think it would be highly needed to have recess in a kids school day.**