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I've had previous occasions to deal with Ken Rosen, in his role as a Board member for the Royal Oak Library. In those dealings, he came across as dedicated and focused, with a quietly intense demeanor as he made his points. In his role as the Republican candidate for State Representative, I've conversed with him during a public coffee at Jimi's Restaurant and at my kitchen table.

The intellectual sense of mission is as focused as in his volunteer work, but the intensity level is much higher when he offers such observations as "Michigan now has more government jobs than manufacturing jobs." and "To focus on social issues in this economic climate is to worry about whether you left the toaster plugged in when your house is burning down."

Ken's résumé is outlined in his campaign literature and on his website, www.kenrosenforstaterep.com. I wanted him to expand on that outline to offer a fleshier profile for VersagiVoice readers. Hence, this conversation. [Disclosure: I reached out to Ken and to his Democratic opponent, Jim Townsend, and offered three possible formats featuring both candidates. I saw a need to generate a bit more press for their campaigns for State Rep, (Royal Oak and Madison Heights) which are being overshadowed by coverage of the Governor and Congressional races. Ken was willing to consider two of the three options. Jim responded that he preferred to stick with his in-place campaign tactics and strategy.]

After Ken and I had discussed and mostly agreed about the failure of state government to recognize, then act on, the changed national and state economic/business environment, I asked, "Okay, but what can you, or any elected official, really do about it?"

"You start by standing up and talking about specific options. You must be willing to take the hits."
That gave him the opportunity to say, "If it can be done, if it's legal, I will refuse healthcare and pension that go with the position. That will free me from the fear of losing my position if I become unpopular." He chooses not to classify an elected position as a "job."

In the real world of politics, Rosen says, "1-plus-1 sometimes equals 3."
That is his way of explaining his belief that there often is no single "right" answer to achieving the common good. Looking at it that way, "3" symbolizes reasonable compromise.

I asked Ken to explain why he thinks he is prepared to address the common good.
He suggests that his life experiences give him several perspectives which reflect the thoughts and feelings of diverse constituents, "of people in need and of people who have."

"I have been a business owner who has bought and sold businesses and who has dealt with banks in good and bad times. . . . I have been unemployed. . . . I have been self-employed. . . . I have worked in and with the nonprofit sector. . . . I have been civically involved. . . . In large part because my mother was a professor, I appreciate the cultures of the Arts and the Humanities, as well as those of business and government."

Ken Rosen is openly gay and he is a Jew. He occasionally finds it appropriate to include "I'm a gay Jewish Republican" when vocally offering his biographical sketch. "The usual reaction is a friendly chuckle," he says. Predictably, when he asks residents to name their major concerns, the most frequent reply is "jobs."

Hovering in the background as we spoke were Rosen's views about how the macro climate and the role of government affect jobs. A bulleted summary:

• Creating government jobs doesn't help. Businesses employ people who produce things and provide services other people buy. The government's role should be to create an environment which helps develop the private sector.
• The Michigan Business Tax is unwise. Make a profit or not, the business is taxed on gross sales, essentially taxed just for being in business.
• Regulations are excessive, fees are numerous, and they have the effect of driving entrepreneurs away, not attracting them.
• Expansion is discouraged. "Government has forgotten that Hudson's began as a small haberdashery, Kresge's as a Five & Dime store, Ford as s small shop."
• Addressing the national picture: "Businesses are being advised not to grow to more than 49 employees," because the regulations and costs of Obamacare kick in at 50 employees.

Describing himself as "a teacher at heart," Rosen spoke in broad terms about macro economic and societal changes after the 1945-1960 period, about what he calls the "paradigm of 1979-1982," and about overall current conditions. Even in his teaching mode the fire in his belly came through.

That fire leads to frustration when he encounters residents who, politely or not, make it clear they are not interested in civic/political matters. I don't think it reduced his frustration when I argued, "Why would you want to encourage someone to vote who doesn't know and doesn't care?"

So I expect Ken Rosen will continue trying to convert residents into citizens during the rest of his campaign. -- October 2010