[daddythreepointoh]

Originally Posted by edsg25

I'm not from Michigan; I was born in Chicago and lived in Chicagoland my whole life. But I think the state of Michigan is terrific.

I'm not trying to stir up anything here. Honestly. I just want to express my personal opinion and I feel more comfortable in doing so because I'm not from Michigan...thus there is nothing defensive in what I am saying:

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF COMING TO THE MICHIGAN BOARD AND READING THE MOST ABURD AND DEGRADING AND PLAIN RUDETHREAD TITLES FROM PEOPLE WHO (FORGIVE ME) MUST BE SO IGNORANT THEY THINK MICHIGAN IS A THIRD WORLD NATION.

The Michigan forum here has become the poster child for being invited to a person's house and telling them everything you think is wrong about them.

And for those people who ask in the most offensive way: what's wrong with Michigan (or its sister question: what's wrong with Detroit), I have an answer for you:

we are.

There is nothing wrong with Michigan that doesn't parallel what is wrong with the United States and isn't caused by it...be it white flight in Detroit or the vaunted US auto industry (that's right, the US auto industry, not the Michigan auto industry) that has been decimated by the way that Wall Street handles businesses and DC allows our jobs to go overseas.

Yes, they ran from Detroit. They also ran from the whole rust belt. And when the sun belt soured, they ran to places in the mountain west where fewer people live. And if Detroit is no nightmere, today's California is clearly no dream either.

Michigan has a lesson for the United States because it, like few places, has been the "beneficiary" of what we do to ourselves and how we literally devour our own in an orgy of self-interest.

Write off Michigan, you say. At your own peril. Because in doing so, you miss seeing what is happening in the Great Lakes State that, in many ways, let's you know what will be happening in your own state a year or so later.

Not exactly the kind of cutting edge and trend setting that New York or California provide in other ways, but the parallels are very much there...and the effect every bit if not more felt.

BTW...this is pure rant and I'm not inviting or hoping for a battle over it. Just thanks for allowing me to get that one off my chest.

Wow!!! Sooooo true and I love that you posted this!!!!! I'm sick of all the negativity...things are hard enough without haters!

[tryin2buy]

Originally Posted by Swansen

Werd

Really, though, i don't like to believe it, but i constantly find myself in situations where i confirm my suspicions that people in MI just generally suck. I don't know what it is, but people here are just so outwardly angry and belligerent, its not even funny.

And you've never even met me!

[Trailhiker]

I think Michigan is a great state with a lot to offer. The people are some of the best in the country. They are genuinely nice. It's not just an act like some places where they seem nice when it is convenient for them, but really only care about themselves.

While it is unfortunate about the many jobs lost and the difficult times and stress it has caused, it is not a reflection of the state or its people. It is more a reflection of our entire country, showing what greed and overspending can do.

I would rather be in Michigan surrounded by people who have experienced some tough times and know the realities of life than in some other places where they act like they are immune to problems, like they did in North Dakota when I lived there.

[flyingwriter]

Originally Posted by edsg25

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF COMING TO THE MICHIGAN BOARD AND READING THE MOST ABSURD AND DEGRADING AND PLAIN RUDETHREAD TITLES FROM PEOPLE WHO (FORGIVE ME) MUST BE SO IGNORANT THEY THINK MICHIGAN IS A THIRD WORLD NATION.

I agree. Stop being so down on Michigan.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by edsg25

I'm not from Michigan; I was born in Chicago and lived in Chicagoland my whole life. But I think the state of Michigan is terrific.

I'm not trying to stir up anything here. Honestly. I just want to express my personal opinion and I feel more comfortable in doing so because I'm not from Michigan...thus there is nothing defensive in what I am saying:

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF COMING TO THE MICHIGAN BOARD AND READING THE MOST ABURD AND DEGRADING AND PLAIN RUDETHREAD TITLES FROM PEOPLE WHO (FORGIVE ME) MUST BE SO IGNORANT THEY THINK MICHIGAN IS A THIRD WORLD NATION.

The Michigan forum here has become the poster child for being invited to a person's house and telling them everything you think is wrong about them.

And for those people who ask in the most offensive way: what's wrong with Michigan (or its sister question: what's wrong with Detroit), I have an answer for you:

we are.

There is nothing wrong with Michigan that doesn't parallel what is wrong with the United States and isn't caused by it...be it white flight in Detroit or the vaunted US auto industry (that's right, the US auto industry, not the Michigan auto industry) that has been decimated by the way that Wall Street handles businesses and DC allows our jobs to go overseas.

Yes, they ran from Detroit. They also ran from the whole rust belt. And when the sun belt soured, they ran to places in the mountain west where fewer people live. And if Detroit is no nightmere, today's California is clearly no dream either.

Michigan has a lesson for the United States because it, like few places, has been the "beneficiary" of what we do to ourselves and how we literally devour our own in an orgy of self-interest.

Write off Michigan, you say. At your own peril. Because in doing so, you miss seeing what is happening in the Great Lakes State that, in many ways, let's you know what will be happening in your own state a year or so later.

Not exactly the kind of cutting edge and trend setting that New York or California provide in other ways, but the parallels are very much there...and the effect every bit if not more felt.

BTW...this is pure rant and I'm not inviting or hoping for a battle over it. Just thanks for allowing me to get that one off my chest.

I don't even live in Michigan and I don't want to write this state off. I still believe it can turn around. It is about time there is a thread condemning the mentality of declaring Michigan as a lost cause.

[michsnowlvr]

Kudos to the original post! Michigan is a beautiful state that always gets negativity on this board (much more negativity than I ever experience in my daily living/working in MI). Yes, the economy sucks, we ALL know that.......but other than that, Michigan is awesome, from the people to the scenery to the thousands of things to do and places to see.

[Tiger Beer]

The economy...actually every forum board discusses the economy and how bad it sucks, from California to Hawaii to Michigan to Nevada to anywhere else.

If anything, Michiganders just know how the bad economy thing works a lot better, so will be able to ride it out or adjust much better than other places.

[sunshineann]

well.. I LOVE MICHIGAN regardless of the hard times, regardless of what others think. We just moved here in December. We moved here to start over with enough money to count on both hands, we moved here with a job lined up and fell through when we arrived, BUT we still love it here, and are making it. I've lived in three different states, i have been to all but one land state...and this is the state that i love and am glad to call MY HOME.

Guess thats my rant..lol

[momof11]

We moved here last year and have found Michigan to be a wonderful place to live. My 18 year old son is working this summer- as are most of the teens in our area. We moved from California and have not missed the 100 plus degree days or the traffic or the high cost of everything. We had a postage stamp sized yard in California and we have 8 acres of land here. We can bike to the Muskegon river and play in Lake Michigan. We live next to a National Forest so we are surrounded by beautiful trees, lakes, river and , wildlife. We've found the people (who despite thinking we are a little bit crazy for leaving California) to be friendly and accepting. We've found a church that we love. I don't like driving in the snow but find that winter is a distant memory overshadowed by a beautiful spring and a mild summer. Fall is going to be here and that is by far my favorite season here in Michigan. I second that this is the state I love to call home!

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by momof11

We moved here last year and have found Michigan to be a wonderful place to live. My 18 year old son is working this summer- as are most of the teens in our area. We moved from California and have not missed the 100 plus degree days or the traffic or the high cost of everything. We had a postage stamp sized yard in California and we have 8 acres of land here. We can bike to the Muskegon river and play in Lake Michigan. We live next to a National Forest so we are surrounded by beautiful trees, lakes, river and , wildlife. We've found the people (who despite thinking we are a little bit crazy for leaving California) to be friendly and accepting. We've found a church that we love. I don't like driving in the snow but find that winter is a distant memory overshadowed by a beautiful spring and a mild summer. Fall is going to be here and that is by far my favorite season here in Michigan. I second that this is the state I love to call home!

Sounds like you are in my neck of the woods somewhat. I am in the Ludington area so I am a bit North of you, but my Sister and her Hubby live in Howard City and we fish the Muskegon together a few times a season around Newaygo. After living in different states and traveling to all but 3 states, I am back here where I belong and plan on never leaving again, (except on vacations of course).