Today The Mining Journal endorses Terri Lynn Land for U.S. Senate.

November’s election has taken on national significance in recent weeks as, depending on which poll one turns to, it appears the GOP could win majority control of both the U.S. House and Senate. With so much at stake, we believe it would be a mistake not to express our belief that a Land victory would not only be beneficial for Michigan, but also the entire country.

There are several reasons for our position.

First, we believe for real change to occur in Washington, D.C., it must come from someone who will represent all of Michigan and its concerns – much like Carl Levin has done for all these years.

Land, as secretary of state for eight years beginning in 2003, has experience representing everyone. The secretary of state’s office is involved in everything from license plate renewals to overseeing elections. While Gary Peters, Land’s Democrat opponent, seems a likeable enough man, his previous political experience has been as a state senator and then U.S. congressman – certainly noble positions but ones much more provincial in nature.

Second, if the electorate ever is going to experience confidence again in our elected officials, we have to restore the art of communication and compromise in D.C.

The quickest way to achieve that is through a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Should the GOP obtain the majority in both the House and Senate, it would force both bodies to actually have to sit down and compromise with President Barack Obama for passage of bills and legislation.

It is too easy now to just avoid the House in key areas, as the President can pass executive orders to push through his agenda, while the Senate has the votes to block anything from the House. Such would no longer be the case if the GOP advances into a majority position.

Ultimately we understand that each of us has an opportunity to say “enough is enough” and draw our own lines in the sand as to what we believe is important for our way of life in northern Michigan. After all, we don’t need much, just a place for our children to be able to find work, a place with clean water and clean air, affordable health care, a roof over our heads and food to put on our tables.

Where we live a handshake is a promise and neighbors still look each other in the eye and say hello. Land is the candidate who best represents those values – our values.

If we want to change the civility in government and instill a little of our “Up North” attitude in D.C., it is up to us to begin the process. If we want common sense to trump emotion and return to the art of negotiation instead of negativity, then this is the election to begin that process, and Land is the candidate to help make that a reality.