[MI-IRISH]

Originally Posted by Indentured Servant

It’s hard to be without bias, so let me put mine out here first. I was born and raised in Michigan and would like to move back to Michigan some day. I am not happy to see Michigan experiencing the decline that it has and is. So I guess my bias is that I may be guilty of “confirmation bias” in that I may look for information that confirms my bias…which is that I want to see things get better for the state. So being aware of that bias, hopefully I can mitigate it and be more objective.

With that said, I am going to buck the trend and say that within the next 20 years, Michigan will be one of the top 10 states in terms of population and job growth. My reasoning is this. Union wages are going to be busted. Unions may continue to exist, but the high wages will not. That will be the fallout from the economic upheaval that we are experiencing now and have not even yet become full blown (but it will). Michigan will essentially be just like the “right to work” states and there will no longer be an advantage to relocate away from union and their high wages and benefits, to states with cheaper labor. So the playing field will be leveled out in that respect which will eliminate some of the "Push" factors that has driven jobs away.

In addition to the reduction of wages is the fact that this economic crisis will kill the belief that a service economy can replace a strong production/manufacturing economy. We need to build stuff for domestic consumption as well as export, to reduce our trade deficit. The trade deficit simply amounts to a transfer of wealth from America to other nations. All the great economies are export driven and all the weak economies run deficits in trade and have massive debt because of it. When this nation finally “gets it” it will realize that the percentage of our economy that is manufacturing needs to increase to make up for what we have been importing and to create the needed excess for export. No other state has the existing infrastructure and idle capacity for new manufacturing than does Michigan. However, it will not happen until there is a massive reduction in us wages, which will come from inflation, as opposed to nominal pay decreases.

The last factor is certainly not least and that is fresh water. Fresh water is becoming as vital a resource as oil. I posted an article in another thread that stated the growing shortages of fresh water around the world and what that portend for business and residence. Water has always been a major force driving human population dynamics and location. Of course, Michigan is surrounded by one of the largest fresh water supplies on the planet. This will become a major benefit to the state in the coming years that will inspire businesses and people to relocate to the state.

In light of all this……..Michigan is well positioned for the future. However, I am not ready to move back just yet.

Couldn't agree with you more,except you forgot the on down side we will be facing in 5,or even 20 years...these same "idiot-Ass"politicians that continually screw everything up....one way or another

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

I stand by my earlier suggestion of putting citizens on treadmills and Gilligan-power bikes to generate the nation's electricity. If you want AFDC you spend 6 hours a day on that bike, lady. Go ahead and watch Oprah at the same time.

Damn, I hope you don't run for office any time soon. I agree with you, but would hate to see somebody get whacked.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Damn, I hope you don't run for office any time soon. I agree with you, but would hate to see somebody get whacked.

For anyone wondering, I am not planning to whack anyone to make it into the Oval Office.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

For anyone wondering, I am not planning to whack anyone to make it into the Oval Office.

No, I meant you wouldn't last long if you made people work for what they had their hand out thinking they are getting it for watching TV and being lazy.

[Crustedfilth]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

" I stand by my earlier suggestion of putting citizens on treadmills and Gilligan-power bikes to generate the nation's electricity. If you want AFDC you spend 6 hours a day on that bike, lady. Go ahead and watch Oprah at the same time.

Kim Jong-Il
is that you?