Michigan Government (Detroit, Livonia, Petoskey: gated, jobs, crime)

[khfar]

Can anyone give me the lowdown on your governor, and the state politics? I wouldn't mind hearing about metro Detroit politics (we'll be in Oakland County) as well.

I'm not looking for right or left wing bashing, just simple facts and answers. Since we're new to the state, we don't really know much about your politics. Just that MI is typically a Democrat state, which is weird for us!

Thanks!

[cardwellave]

Jennifer Granholm is the governor. She is basically worthless. She is nowhere near qualified to run a state with such a huge deficit, and to put it lightly, she's in over her head, but its terrible because of what's at stake, all our lives. DeVos, who challenged her in a recent election, was a wealthy owner of a huge Michigan based corporation. Seems to me he had more invested in this state.

The mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, is basically a thug. He's more so than Coleman Young in my opinion, though maybe not as racist. He made a comment about "how it felt to stand next to a big black man" to Barack Obama (who I also dislike, however) when he was here campaigning to which Obama responded "lose the earring" or something to that effect. He's used city money for his own use, had scandals at Manoogian Mansion, and used city vehicles (Navigators? for a city?) for his own use.

No wonder we're in bad shape.

[khfar]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

Jennifer Granholm is the governor. She is basically worthless. She is nowhere near qualified to run a state with such a huge deficit, and to put it lightly, she's in over her head, but its terrible because of what's at stake, all our lives. DeVos, who challenged her in a recent election, was a wealthy owner of a huge Michigan based corporation. Seems to me he had more invested in this state.

The mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, is basically a thug. He's more so than Coleman Young in my opinion, though maybe not as racist. He made a comment about "how it felt to stand next to a big black man" to Barack Obama (who I also dislike, however) when he was here campaigning to which Obama responded "lose the earring" or something to that effect. He's used city money for his own use, had scandals at Manoogian Mansion, and used city vehicles (Navigators? for a city?) for his own use.

No wonder we're in bad shape.

OK, so when are the next Mayoral and Governor's races? LOL!

And furthermore, do the people that live in the city of Detroit actually vote? I hear about how poverty-stricken it is. In my experience in Dallas (where we have a huge crime rate and some very poverty-stricken areas as well), the ones that complain the most...don't vote.

I'm assuming that the mayor of Detroit doesn't have any power over the suburban areas?

Thanks! Call me a fool, but I'm still learning!

[cardwellave]

I'm sure a lot of people don't vote. That kinda goes for the country in general.

Next governor race is like 3 years away and the next mayor race might be coming up soon...

No each suburb has its own government.

No problem. And welcome to Detroit. Where are you living? Tell me more about yourself.

[Michigan Aaron]

Metropolitan Detroit is probably the most segregated urban area in the nation. Detroit is 80% black and many of it's suburbs are over 90% white. Kilpatrick is an abomination. The guy walks around wearing a huge earring like he's a rap star instead of the mayor of a major U.S. city......he spends taxpayer money on lavish personal commodities & outings. Just like in New Orleans and Atlanta, where I'm currently living until I move to Petoskey in 2 weeks, everything is contolled by a majority black government and racism is thrown out as a rebuttal to anyone or anything that opposes their policies. Detroit was once a great city, and could be again, but with nutcases like "Chocolate City" Ray Nagin and "Hip hop" Kwame at the helms, I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[khfar]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

I'm sure a lot of people don't vote. That kinda goes for the country in general.

Next governor race is like 3 years away and the next mayor race might be coming up soon...

No each suburb has its own government.

No problem. And welcome to Detroit. Where are you living? Tell me more about yourself.

Who actually votes for people like Kilpatrick? LOL! I looked him up - wow. That's about all I can say. Wow.

We are moving to West Bloomfield. I actually fell in LOVE with Grosse Pointe, but it was just too far of a commute for my husband. His office is in Livonia. As it is, WB will be a commute, but he's used to that time frame. We are from Dallas, and most people that live in the city make long commutes.

But yes, I'm a born and raised Texan who hates cold weather. So this move should prove to be interesting! My husband got a job promotion which meant a transfer to MI. Ironic, huh?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by khfar

Who actually votes for people like Kilpatrick? LOL! I looked him up - wow. That's about all I can say. Wow.

We are moving to West Bloomfield. I actually fell in LOVE with Grosse Pointe, but it was just too far of a commute for my husband. His office is in Livonia. As it is, WB will be a commute, but he's used to that time frame. We are from Dallas, and most people that live in the city make long commutes.

But yes, I'm a born and raised Texan who hates cold weather. So this move should prove to be interesting! My husband got a job promotion which meant a transfer to MI. Ironic, huh?

Why would it be ironic? Michigan is the 8th largest state and has a larger economy than most countries. People are promoted and transferred to Michigan all the time. There are about a dozen families that recently moved into our neighborhood that are in the same boat (transferred here from other states, mainly Southern states).

[Michigan Aaron]

But yes, I'm a born and raised Texan who hates cold weather. So this move should prove to be interesting! My husband got a job promotion which meant a transfer to MI. Ironic, huh?[/quote]


Texans being transferred to Michigan - THAT'S a first! Usually it's the other way around!

Livonia, WB and GP are all great areas that you'll love - in the spring, summer & fall....

But I gotta tell ya....if you hate cold weather you are in for some big time cryin'! Michigan winters are cold enough for the natives. For a lifetime Texan they will be downright FRIGHTENING.

I say this to prepare you rather than discourage you. We certainly welcome the both of you with open arms and wish you the best. Just know that as far as the climate goes it's gonna take a big extra effort on your behalf to be able to thrive here. Stock up on those long johns, and good luck!

[cardwellave]

At least the snow's been down the past few years, at least early in the winter. It's cold now though!

[khfar]

Originally Posted by magellan

Why would it be ironic? Michigan is the 8th largest state and has a larger economy than most countries. People are promoted and transferred to Michigan all the time. There are about a dozen families that recently moved into our neighborhood that are in the same boat (transferred here from other states, mainly Southern states).

From your number of posts, I have to assume that you've spent a fair amount of time on this board. If you look at the majority of the posts on here, they are all about how much Michigan's economy sucks, how they can't wait to move away, there are no jobs, etc. THAT is why I said it was ironic. And judging from Michigan Aaron's post above, I'd say that he thinks it's ironic too.

SHEESH. I wasn't trying to pick a fight. I was simply replying to a question that someone else asked me. But if you want the honest truth, yes, I'd pick Texas any day over Michigan. But I'm sure most Michigan people would say they'd pick MI over Texas. It's all in where you were raised, most of the time.