Listening to John Cherry speak about his job performance and that of his boss sort of boggles the mind.  How does he read reports like those released this week by the Michigan League of Human Services that found staggering rates of child poverty and skyrocketing welfare rates and not realize the harm that's been done?  I think he does.  He must.  By all accounts he's a man of at least average intelligence.  I don't know the guy but I'd assume he hasn't lost all humanity.

I defy him or anyone else with a head and a heart to read a story like the one in today's Macomb Daily without wincing over the pain so many more kids are being forced to endure.

Like the rest of the state, however, many more Macomb children are living in poverty compared to seven years ago, significantly contributing to the demand for emergency resources, such as federal food assistance -- which more than tripled between 2000 and 2007 from 4.7 to 15.4 percent of children requiring such assistance.

Similarly, the demand for foster care jumped a whopping 35 percent over that same time period, said Sue Javid, early childhood specialist for the Macomb Intermediate School District.

"We know that because of the economic situation things are going to get worse," said Javid, explaining that while Macomb's rate is well below the state average, the local increase reflects a statewide trend.

The number of Macomb County kids seeking emergency resources has tripled under John Cherry's watch.  And the numbers across the state... some of them aren't that pretty.  

Give them a gander.  Or just meditate on the shocking concept that our child poverty rates have tripled in less than a decade under Democratic leadership.  

"I think she's got a strong record."

Governor Jennifer Granholm has "laid a strong groundwork for the state's future, and he'll be happy to run on the Democratic governor's record."

I admitted my faith in his intelligence and assumption that John Cherry has a heart.  Maybe I spoke too soon.