[southernlady5464]

First when your older workforce looses (and I'm not downing older people) their employment, who will be first in line to receive the open positions? Not the new graduate, or the high school student student with energy to spare, it will be someone who "knows" someone at that company.

The flip side of that is the older workforce requires more outlay in health benefits and salary. That's why many older (55 and up) are ending up in EARLY retirement either thru attrition or buyouts. Many companies want the younger worker cause they cost less to employee. Insuring someone in their 20's with very few health issues is FAR cheaper than someone who is in their 40's and 50's with major health issues or a family.

And the older employee once stood where the young college grad is now...had to put in their time.

Some day you will be the older worker. Liz

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

The flip side of that is the older workforce requires more outlay in health benefits and salary. That's why many older (55 and up) are ending up in EARLY retirement either thru attrition or buyouts. Many companies want the younger worker cause they cost less to employee. Insuring someone in their 20's with very few health issues is FAR cheaper than someone who is in their 40's and 50's with major health issues or a family.

And the older employee once stood where the young college grad is now...had to put in their time.

Some day you will be the older worker. Liz

No doubt, I'll age like the rest of humanity, my strife comes from the lack of vision on how to KEEP the younger workforce. Michigan just has a "old way or no way" feel to it, and that in turn makes the prospect of leave for younger people much easier. I agree completley with what you say, but starting out with just a highschool diploma is impossible today(for those who try to), but was profitable for the lineman at GM who started 25 years ago. Did they work their way up? Ofcourse, hard work, long hours, and absolutley no worry of being laid off or the idea of "hard times". It took my father the last three years to understand why the hell I'm still in school, as opposed to not "working my way up" which I appaude those who still can. Many people who are now laid off are realizing the B.A is the new Highschool diploma. Am I ciritsizing those who have spent their lives learning and fostering a skill? Absolutley not, and its terrible people have lost their positions in skilled labor. I spent 5 years with the state of michigan in IT and was my position was "eliminated" mysteriously, and that job was earned through my experience, not edu. I have spent the latter of 7 years in college to reach my goal. I still today hear from some elder men "you young people have no idea what your doing" "I feel sorry for you". In a credit based, judgmental society, yes being young today is a challange.
Peace all-

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

Mi_Mom,
Actually, though it may have seemed that way, I wasn't bashing Tennessee
in my earlier post. All I'm saying is that when you've lived in one place your whole life you become so accustom to that regions pace, tastes ect. that you can experience a bit of 'culture shock' in a move down south.
When you go on vacation you really appreciate those differences but after the third or forth month of living there, you start to realize what made your former state 'home'.
Now, before a bunch of transplants begin writing about how they've never thought of Michigan once since the day they left. I know this is not always the case. I went from L.A California to Savannah Georgia to Grand Rapids Michigan and let me tell you, the differences are real, and there is a transition period that can be difficult.
The neighbor I had while growing up was a Truck driver who moved to Tennessee and felt like that's the day his life began, so it all depends. I hope this is the case with you Mi_MOM
I just think it's kind of funny how many people on this board have the opinion, "I hate Michigan, I'm packing up and going down South where I'll be happy." without once considering the cultural differences or even the amimosity they might encounter when they get there. Calling Michigan names because of the economy is one thing, calling it names because you don't like the winters is another, but calling it ugly, boring etc. is just silly.
If you have a job, the quality of life in Michigan is as good or better than any place I've ever been. I realize that's a big 'if' for a lot of people in this state, but bitterness is a dangerous crunch that I can tell some of you have been leaning on for way too long.

Very interesting post Wabbit. Thank you for your honest (and polite!) response. I grew up in Livingston county until I graduated high school. Moved up north to Kalkaska for about 3 years and moved back to Washtenaw county to be near my relatives (and inlaws) because we wanted to start a family and be close to our friends/family. My husband works in construction and it's painful right now in the Ann Arbor area. Not to mention auto layoffs that have happened and will continue to plague Michigan and it's shakey economy. There is just so much uncertainty now and darn hard to find any job. Let alone 2 to make ends meet. For our family right now I think we need to look at all of our options. We're drowning up here.

I do love Michigan. I love the seasons, the beautiful scenery and lakes, small towns etc. But I also know that many other states off the same thing. And we have taken into consideration the lifestyle change, religion, politics, etc.

LOL I'm thinking of this as an adventure. And a possible new, fresh start.

[CindyA]

Hello BHAALSPAWN, Why would your local churches help there community to move?? Most churches are wanting to reach out and stand together with there community. And why can't the people that are living well, help out? Why does it only have to be the church that does something? And FYI, I don't get paid for what I do at my church, I help others in need because it's what Jesus would do I feel that if your 38yrs old and already retired you should give back to your community And I would love to make Michigan my community I pray for a hedge of angels to be around Michigan and bring peace and hope back into everyones hearts

[Caliguy2007]

Even though i've never been to Michigan,I honestly don't think it's that bad there...The only negative thing I ever hear about that state is Detroit.

Michigan is located on the Border with Canada,and has alot of potential,but progress comes at a price.

Out here in the West even though their are alot of Jobs being created,so many people have complained about Crowds, Traffic, Sprawl, Smog, Crime,Rising Home Prices,etc,so if the people in Michigan want more Jobs and a Better Economy,well just be prepared for the package that comes along with it.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by Caliguy29

Even though i've never been to Michigan,I honestly don't think it's that bad there...The only negative thing I ever hear about that state is Detroit.

Michigan is located on the Border with Canada,and has alot of potential,but progress comes at a price.

Out here in the West even though their are alot of Jobs being created,so many people have complained about Crowds, Traffic, Sprawl, Smog, Crime,Rising Home Prices,etc,so if the people in Michigan want more Jobs and a Better Economy,well just be prepared for the package that comes along with it.

What's that saying? Walk a mile in someones shoes? You can google anything on Michigan's economy and read article after article about how tough things are. Auto unions while in the past have been a needed thing, now are a painful reality of what it has cost the rust belt. Michigan being the heart of that. When you look at our economy as almost last in the nation. Only behind Mississippi (which, ya know, only had a hurricane come through and destroy a lot of coast in 2005). Foreclosure rates are exploding here.

Yes, we are close to the border of Canada. And imagine how many people go over to Windsor for the Casinos there instead of downtown Detroit. Or even for prescription medicines.

[krwagner]

Originally Posted by Caliguy29

Even though i've never been to Michigan,I honestly don't think it's that bad there...The only negative thing I ever hear about that state is Detroit.

Michigan is located on the Border with Canada,and has alot of potential,but progress comes at a price.

Out here in the West even though their are alot of Jobs being created,so many people have complained about Crowds, Traffic, Sprawl, Smog, Crime,Rising Home Prices,etc,so if the people in Michigan want more Jobs and a Better Economy,well just be prepared for the package that comes along with it.

At one time Detroit had many, many more residents than it does today so I would have to say in Michigan, especially the South East, we are very familiar with the cost of progress. But the price of stagnation is what we are suffering through now. Even if you had been to Michigan before you cannot say how "bad" it is without living in it right now. I have lived here all my life. I grew up in South East Michigan. My father was a Civil Engineer and the last time things were this depressed in this state was in the late 70's. Development came to a screeching halt and everyone at his company was laid off except for him, and he was only working 20 hours a week to keep the lights on. It was a horrible time. But right now things are on track to be even worse than that. I now live in Northern Michigan and the rise and fall of the economy takes a while to reach us but it is here now and the outlook is very gloomy. My husband is a Civil Engineer in the development sector and companies are laying off workers or closing up shop all together. There are no projects on the horizon. We are coming up on what is typically the busiest time of the year for these types of firms and there isn't enough work to keep their people busy for the up coming week. I am a Mechanical Engineer and thankfully my company is not dependant on the economy in Michigan. But the machine shops and other vendors I work with are so desperate for work they are practically giving away their services. Other engineers I know located in various parts of the state are leaving as fast as they can, most locking the front door on their house and walking away because they cannot sell it. We are considering get out while we still have a chance of selling our house. So perhaps “progress” has its price but it is most certainly better than the alternative..

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

What's that saying? Walk a mile in someones shoes? You can google anything on Michigan's economy and read article after article about how tough things are. Auto unions while in the past have been a needed thing, now are a painful reality of what it has cost the rust belt. Michigan being the heart of that. When you look at our economy as almost last in the nation. Only behind Mississippi (which, ya know, only had a hurricane come through and destroy a lot of coast in 2005). Foreclosure rates are exploding here.

Yes, we are close to the border of Canada. And imagine how many people go over to Windsor for the Casinos there instead of downtown Detroit. Or even for prescription medicines.

Actually, I read that more commerce crosses between Windsor and Detroit than all of the trade between the entire U.S. and Japan. The multiple crossings between the two is somewhere near $120 Billion, one of the heaviest trade corridors between two countries on the planet.

Just thought that was interesting how powerful Southeast Michigan and the Detroit-Windsor connections are.

[electric_lady]

reading this thread worries me. i have known for a long time that michigan's economy is in the dumps. but now i am really feeling it. i have been looking for a job for months, with no luck.
i just graduated from MSU and i can't even get a job as a waitress. so, what would you all tell a 23-year-old college grad to do? should i pack up and leave?
what was that saying from the 80s, "would the last one out of michigan please turn out the lights?"

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by electric_lady

reading this thread worries me. i have known for a long time that michigan's economy is in the dumps. but now i am really feeling it. i have been looking for a job for months, with no luck.
i just graduated from MSU and i can't even get a job as a waitress. so, what would you all tell a 23-year-old college grad to do? should i pack up and leave?
what was that saying from the 80s, "would the last one out of michigan please turn out the lights?"

Months is going to turn into years for you, as it has for everyone else in Michigan. I finally found a crap job in Ohio. Now, this UM grad is in Illinois for grad school.

If all the recent college grads had voted for DeVos, maybe we could have dislodged Governor Mole. Heck, we could take on "Dingleberry" too.

I have more choice words for the Michigan business and political "elite."
While I normally avoid even the appearance of being a jerk, when they are destroying our heritage and flinging us to ****ty places like the South, the West, and Ohio ... I believe that the means justify the ends, or the point justifies the terms.