Is Michigan a sign of things to come if a democrat takes the White House?

Question

For those who don't know, Michigan is in a slump. Our economy is a shambles. During her first term, Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm blamed Michigan's problems on former governor Republican John Engler. However, after 3-4 years, the economic policies of leaders begin to show. Michigan's economy has gone from "bad" to "worse." Our unemployment (over 7%) is now the highest in the nation. While Granholm brags about bringing in 2,000 or 3,000 jobs, nearly (or over... I'm not sure now) 300,000 Michigan residents are unemployed. Over 35,000 people have LEFT Michigan (including some good friends of mine) to find employment in other states... Granholm's response? Blame Bush... That doesn't fly with me... The whole country would be doing badly if he was responsible... So my question... Will the economic policies of Hillary or Obama, or Mr. "$400 haircut" John Edwards hurt the nation just as much? Or more? Is Granholm's recession a sign of things to come?

JDandy,
How about working on that little-used skill called "reading comprehension." I was suggesting that Michigan is an EXAMPLE of what happens under Democrat administrations. Just imagine the destruction to be caused on a FEDERAL/NATIONAL level if a democrat takes power.

Dr John L,
Why is unemployment so low nationally if Bush is the cause of Michigan's problems? Why is Michigan so much worse off (with nearly 3% more unemployment) than the national average? Answer that!

Darth Vader, read the entire question before you spout your left-wing BS. It is the DEMS that are in power here in Michigan... NOT the REPs!

Hubbert,
Then why is a state controlled by democrats losing more jobs than any other in the nation?

Answer 1

Yeah partially.

Michigan has a poor economy because the auto industry is not doing well, and manufacturing is leaving the rust belt in general. The American car companies have inferior products to the Asian companies in general, except for trucks and SUVs, that people are not buying now anyway because of gas prices. They also have huge healthcare pensions to pay for, and they are at a competitive disadvantage to foreign firms because of out high corporate taxes.

Michigan also has very restrictive labor laws and high taxation. Michigan is not a right to work state (you are forced to join a union if you work for a union shop). If you notice all of the foreign companies that set up factories, they are doing so in Kansas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri, where unions dont have nearly as much government granted monopoly power. And guess what? Jobs get created in those states.

I lived in Rhode Island for years and it is similar. My experience there started me off in believing in Republican like eocnomic policies. Its industry collapsed in the 1999s and has not com back. The state is dominated by democrats; it has very high taxes and restrictive labor laws, and as a result has had a rather poor economy. As a start contrast, New Hampshire has the same population as Rhode Island, but its state budget is half of what Rhode Island is and its laws are not restrictive at all. There is not sales or income tax and it is a right to work state. New Hampshire is much wealthier then Rhode Island, its unemployment rate is below the national average, and its the only state in the Northeast with a fast growing population.

So michigan is hurting partially because industry is leaving, partially because the auto industry is hurting and partially because of democrat supported market controls, taxes and labor markets regulations (just like in Rhode Island). It has nothing to do with Bush.

If we elect in a democrat led government next time, it is more likely that there will be higher environmental standards, more restrictive labor laws and higher taxes, especially on those "evil" corporations. And guess what. All three of these will continue to hurt the michigan economy along with the entire rest of the country. Companies will leave, along with their jobs, and wages will continue to fall.

Even more dumb, is when you look at the stuff comign out of the congressional committees right now. Its all taxes and regulations on business and capital formation. Do they want to drive more jobs over seas? Do they want to harm business startups and grwoth which leads to more job growth? Do they want the whole country to look like Michigan and Rhode Island?

Just think of this. The last time that democrats controled both houses of congress and the presidency for any signifigant amount of time was the 70s. How would you like to go back to that?

Answer 2

Given that a large number of the 'jobs created' in the last four years to six years have either been government jobs or jobs in the defense industries that depend of government money maybe you should rethink why your state hasn't got any of the goodies. Also, give this a think. Our 'cheap' dollars have helped in our exports, but the 'stuff' we buy is creeping up, as is the cost of health care and insurance, education, transportation, groceries, energy and the price of gas. The real wages of the American wage-earner at the bottom 1/4 have fallen and the bottom 1/2 have not moved an inch. People actually are hurting, not that the reactionaries of the GOP care. The 'economy' of the top 50%, particularly the top 25% not to mention the top 5% have ballooned. I wonder why? Don't you? I'd say that the fiscal and monetary policies of the Bush administration have been a major factor with the problems in Michigan and several other states. Prosperity could and should be across the board, not localizied in certain favoried states and among certain economic groups. The short answer to your question is that, yes, the economic policies of any of the democrats will put the American wage-earner first instead of not at all. The result will be a 'trickle up' economy, a re-established middle class and a tax system that will still allow the 'rich' to be rich while the wage-earner gets far more benefit for his/her labor than they have now. Oh, yeah...maybe we can get out of the middle east, stop spending billions of borrowed dollars on our already bloated military and start being a country again instead of a dumping ground for lead plated Chinese crap!

Answer 3

Michigan put all of its eggs in the basket of Ford and GM. The state failed to attract anything but auto and auto-related companies, and now it's paying the price as the "foreign" companies (who build cars in America) are gaining market share at the same time that "American" companies (who build cars in Mexico) are falling.

It never mattered which party was running Michigan. Since 2002 there has been a Democratic Governor with a Republican legislature. Has anything been done?

Answer 4

To answer your question;

Yes, I believe so. The left and their taxation policy causes more jobs to leave and more of a tax burden on those companies that remain. Sadly the left have no concept of the creation of jobs and running a business. Their only policy is to tax till the company leaves town or goes bankrupt.

Answer 5

Yes, Michigan is a shining example of a democrat ran society. Detroit is a welfare state in and of itself. I grew up there, it is because of growing up in Michigan that I am a staunch Republican.

Answer 6

No because hopefully a Democrat will fix the things that Bush messed up in Michigan and the nation.

Answer 7

I don't think Michigan's economic troubles are due to any political party. Michigan has a lot of automobile manufacturing. While global warming fears and gas prices were rising, the American automobile manufacturers were still pumping out gas-guzzling SUVs instead of fuel efficient hybrids. If you are looking for something to blame, try the poor economic planning of Michigan businesses.

Answer 8

Yes, it is the sign of things to come. When you do not cut government expenses and raise taxes. it will drive business a way.

Answer 9

Are you implying that The Republicans have ruined the economy in Michigan?

I agree.

Answer 10

No just the opposite. Remember it is Democrats for jobs at home and Republicans for no jobs or exporting jobs off shore.