[AnywhereElse]

If it wasn't so much more expensive to live in Michigan than Kansas, I would pack up right now. I was surprised to hear so much grumbling about Michigan where I spent the first 21 years of my life. I grew up in Cassopolis and haven't been back in 30 years but I had always planned to come home. We have moved around a lot and people now seem generally unhappy about the conditions where they live. Our standard of living has been sliding for everyone in the US. Everybody has less funds and the pension plans are gone, the country doesn't produce anything anymore and the weather has produced so many problems. So, where would you go from Michigan? If there were a Utopia, I would be there right now. It's tough all over.

[Tricia819]

Originally Posted by Brent85

Michigan certainly is falling behind other states. It's not "going down the drain". 6.9% unemployment is much lower than the early 1980's when it was about 16% I think.

I'm pretty sure this statistic only includes those currently receiving unemployment. It doesn't count those whose benefits have already run out but are still looking for work.

[Tricia819]

Originally Posted by JimmyInGreatLakes

Yeah, love the flavor-of-the-month "green jobs". Politicians, especially our Governor, need something to rally behind when they run out of ideas to help create any sort of job. Because of all the (mostly false, in my opinion) hysteria about our energy shortages, warming of the planet (another interesting "cause" that I believe is blown out of proportion), etc. we have people ready to step in and provide "solutions" that will somehow be a panacea to the economy. Take the great ethanol solution that now appears simply as a way to rob Peter to pay Paul...less corn for food, higher prices.

Global warming is theory, it may be true or false. However, I don't see the harm in looking at other energy sources whether we're in an energy shortage or not. If for no other reason than to have a cleaner energy source. Personally, it sickens me how much we are dependent on other countries for our energy needs. I agree ethanol doesn't seem to be much of a solution, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Tricia819]

Being a teen fresh out of H.S. (even now B.S level) looking for work has to be absolutely horrifyingly . Not only are you faced with competing with much more experienced displaced workers, your 7/hr wage is reduced to 4 when you calculate your fuel expenses to drive a short distance.

Tell me about it. I just graduated with a B.S. in education. My house isn't worth what I bought it for 9 years ago, so I can't really sell my house and move, but I can't get a job either. Not that I want to move, I happen to like living in Michigan. Minimum wage doesn't pay enough to even cover daycare so there is no point in even applying. I'm not normally a negative person, but like so many other people, I'm just so frustrated.

[Tricia819]

Originally Posted by malamute

Especially with taxes going up for businesses and the continued unionist mentality that they will go on strike no matter how many they hurt. I know people who have just been laid off because of a union strike, the union workers think only of themselves and do not care about what effects their strike has on many people.

People who want to work will work, they'll go whereever the jobs are, those who prefer to live on unemployment and then get food stamps and government assistance of course will stay in Michigan, adding to the social costs.

I have to disagree with this. My parents are both nurses and their contract was up this year. The possibility that they might have to strike completely had them stressed out. Even the union leader said she was not interested in a strike either.

[quartzman]

I can tell you that when the nurses went on strike in North Michigan Hospitals they thought it would be over in 6 months. It is now the longest strike in us history. And the Hospital hired other nurses from out of state. Even though they brought in the Teamsters, it did no good. They lost. They were paid well and wanted more. I think that wages should be regulated, along with oil and a windfall proffit tax for the latter.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Tricia819

I have to disagree with this. My parents are both nurses and their contract was up this year. The possibility that they might have to strike completely had them stressed out. Even the union leader said she was not interested in a strike either.

See I live in a right-to-work state and the thought of health care workers walking out on patients here would be unheard of. People here simply don't go on strike, they want to work so they work, they don't bring unions in.

Mostly though I meant that if someone is unemployed and really wants to work, they'll take another job, move or somehow find a way to work.

[Tricia819]

Originally Posted by malamute

Mostly though I meant that if someone is unemployed and really wants to work, they'll take another job, move or somehow find a way to work.

If it were only that simple. Those who can I'm sure would just take another job. My mom was looking into another one in the event they were required to go on strike. I on the other hand, am apparently overqualifed for the the myriad of jobs I've applied for because I haven't even been called for an interview. Unless a job pays at least $13.00/hr it won't even cover the cost of daycare+gas and living in Flint you can imagine the odds of finding that.

Moving isn't an option for everyone. For example, people who own houses they can't sell because they are no longer even worth what they owe on them or elderly parents that they cannot just up and leave.

So that leaves your third option just somehow finding a way to work. Which is what most people are trying to do.

[Frankawitz]

As time goes by I have had a few jobs, folks talk about unemployment these numbers don't count all the small businesses that have gone under because of Higher Taxes, GM, Ford and Chrysler buy outs and lay offs, when these people loss their jobs they have unemployment benefits, but for all the small business owners they get nothing, Our houses have been hit hard, the value of my own house has gone from 150k to 80k and that's in 29 months time. the price of gas is at $4.09 at the corner, Yet the thing that I don't understand is Nancy Peloise and the Democrats come out and stand against drilling for oil off our own shores, and yet we import 70% of our OIL from the other countries HELLO! Why don't elected Officals work for the People anymore?

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Frankawitz

As time goes by I have had a few jobs, folks talk about unemployment these numbers don't count all the small businesses that have gone under because of Higher Taxes, GM, Ford and Chrysler buy outs and lay offs, when these people loss their jobs they have unemployment benefits, but for all the small business owners they get nothing, Our houses have been hit hard, the value of my own house has gone from 150k to 80k and that's in 29 months time. the price of gas is at $4.09 at the corner, Yet the thing that I don't understand is Nancy Peloise and the Democrats come out and stand against drilling for oil off our own shores, and yet we import 70% of our OIL from the other countries HELLO! Why don't elected Officals work for the People anymore?

The politicians work for the big global corporations. They no longer believe this is a country that was supposed to be for the American people. They no longer wish to promote the general welfare or well-being of American citizens. We are only seen as useful when it comes to paying taxes.