[UpperPeninsulaRon]

On a recent post, the question was raised on whether Michigan should become part of Canada. One commented that the UP should become a state. Let's get a discussion going. Here are some thought starters.
- Wouldn't a state capitol building overlooking Lake Superior in Marquette look grand?
- Wouldn't it be nice if the state Christmas Tree could be cut here (This year's was from Delta County) and not have to travel below the bridge?

Here is what the naysayers will say "The UP could never support itself without help from Lansing". Well, how about this:
- The Governor recently admitted that school funding was disproportionately being used for lower peninsula schools. Let's fund our own schools of excellence.
- New businesses would come to the UP if our new state would not make it difficult to relocate here.
- Infrastructure is not really a problem. We have water, rail, and highway systems in place. These would not have to be reinvented, but expanded to handle greater commerce.
- Just like pockets of huge development have occured outside of the traditional "smokestack" environment, forward thinking businesses would love to be located in a state where their employees would have a great quality of life.
- Some current yoopers may object saying that new business and people from elesewhere would only benefit a select few. Nonsense! New people need basic things that mom and pop type of businesses could provide - from food, clothing, gas, tanning salons, barbers and beauty shops. All of these services will create local jobs.
- We have a tremendous work ethic in the UP. We can get things done!

Let's hear what you have to say.

[TaxBait]

Count me in if they can make taxes affordable. Shouldn't be difficult with that big monkey down south of the thumb off our backs.

On the fun side, imagine how much revenue & publicity they could bring by blocking off the Seney stretch and holding land speed competitions.

[MidniteBreeze]

What would you call it? Yooperland? The only problem is you'd have to provide YSL (Yooper as a second language) classes to the newcomers.

Seriously though, wasn't there a movement for UP independence back in the 70's? I heard they had actually drafted a state constitution and were going to name the new state "Superior". I'm not sure how serious this movement was, but it yeah, it's kind of weird how you guys are part of Michigan. Seems like it would make more sense if you were part of Wisconsin. Culturally I think you're a LOT more similar to WI (at least northern WI) than with lower Michigan.

[MidniteBreeze]

Here's a thought: maybe the UP, northern WI and NE Minnesota should all be part of this new state called "Superior". A lot of us in MN and WI are fed up with the politics down in St. Paul and Madison too. We can lower the taxes and turn U.S. 2 into a superhighway (with an appropriate snowmobile/4-wheeler lane, of course). Opening weekend of deer season becomes an official state holiday! A sauna in every home! Pasties, lefse and lutefisk for everyone!

[baystater]

Hey guys.

Here's a question for Ya. How much of a fight do you guys think you'd be in for, if you do start the process of independence? I ask this because there's a couple of thing that would cause Michigan not to let go of the U.P.

1. The Soo Locks. I think there would be a fight by Michigan to keep control of the Soo's lock. Michigan would lose a bit of revenue generated by the commerce the locks produce.

2. Drainage of some lake superior water to other lakes. I'm thinking MI and some other states would probably be concerned about the new "Superior State" allowing for enough water drainage to help fill the other great lakes.

3. Current economic situation. I think MI would be very hesitant to let go of an area that is rich in natural resources at this moment. MI auto industry is toast. And though some part of Michigan are doing great. The state as a whole is floundering. I think that Michigan will start to look to the U.P. for resource extraction to generate revenue. Mining and logging will make a comeback in the U.P. because of the china's demand for metals and wood.

So what do you guys think? Do you think you guys can actually get your independent "State Superior"? Or is it going to be too much of a fight to actually do it?

[M TYPE X]

Not going to happen. Triple (haha) the UP's population before you even consider it.

[100%Michigan]

I think the UP is more similar to LP, mainly the tip of the mitten. The UP rather be apart of Michigan than Wisconsin anyway. I know a few Yoopers and they all prefer to stay with Michigan... they said it gives them their name and stick with their history. They wouldnt want to tear apart the meaning of the Mackinaw Bridge... I dont know what the meaning meant to them. Forget about the UP becoming its own state... its not needed, on the other hand Michigan joining with Canada is possible.

[Milliano]

Economically, I always assumed that the UP was behind the LP. In terms of proportion of funding/state spending. Or is it not? Basically I'd be concerned with things like Medicaid... is that state funded or federally funded?

As a Yooper, I will admit that occasionally I get delusions of grandeur and dream of leading a political revolution, culminating with succession from Michigan if not the USA entirely.

Speaking of YSL, I really wish that the educational systems there implemented it. It is an absolutely beautiful dialect, and I think it's so lame that the schools try to indoctrinate Yooper children to be American, with standard American culture and language.

[UpperPeninsulaRon]

The question was asked
"Basically I'd be concerned with things like Medicaid... is that state funded or federally funded?"
Medicaid is a program jointly funded by federal and state governments. However, each state administers its own program. The Kaiser Family Foundation has put out some information on Medicaid spending in Michigan versus the national averages. They categorize spending by children, adults, disabled, etc. and unknown. A very disturbing fact is that the national average spending for unknown recipients is 4%. The Michigan average spending for unknown recipients is 14%. Shouldn't you be concerned when 14 cents of every dollar spent is listed as an unknown recipient?

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

Seriously though, wasn't there a movement for UP independence back in the 70's? I heard they had actually drafted a state constitution and were going to name the new state "Superior". I'm not sure how serious this movement was, but it yeah, it's kind of weird how you guys are part of Michigan. Seems like it would make more sense if you were part of Wisconsin. Culturally I think you're a LOT more similar to WI (at least northern WI) than with lower Michigan.

Yeah, I remember that secession movement when I was just a kid growing up in Michigan. They were going to call the UP "Superior." The whole thing fizzled, of course, and I doubt that it would ever happen.

Michigan got the UP in exchange for giving up Toledo in a border dispute. Personally, I think Michigan got the better end of the deal, and I'd hate to see Michigan lose its lovely consolation prize.