Leaving Michigan

If you are poor and you hear that the recession is over, how do you feel? No different then the day before. It is even less hopeful news if you live in Detroit. With the highest unemployment rate, failing schools and every other house rotting away, hope is scarce.

The Michigan governing body is locked up trying to balance a budget for a fading state. They have to cut human services, road repair and other important services. It is a tough road to be on in the best of times and these are not the best of times. People need the help, they are not paying taxes, and many are leaving the state to find jobs.

 Michigan’s population will dip below the 10 million mark when the new census numbers are released. As the jobs dry up, people are finding other places to go. They go to jobs a family that may help them through. In the last ten years, Michigan has lost over a million jobs, most of which will not be coming back.

There are several things that have held people here. Homes that do not sell or that they have had for more years then they can count are hard to leave. Buyouts and early retirement packages from the car companies held people in place for a while. Some people simply have nowhere else to go.

So who’s left? Die hard Michigan born and breed who love the green places, city life and who hold out hope for a brighter future. People who are not looking for jobs. People who know that better things can come from the rubble. Thugs are a standard fixture but aren’t as welcome as they once were. The poor who only have what they have here.

People want to see better things for the state. That will mean that people will have to make changes. The youth of Michigan have to be educated in fields that are worth staying for. The jobs that match the education have to be here. Michigan is thinking Green and so should the work force. There has to be jobs for the displaced workers who lost jobs that were in dying fields.

People have to be able to afford to live here. The taxes should not cost more then the house is worth. That is a huge Detroit problem. If there is a hand up needed, there should be one. Food, clothes, and cars should be in the price range of the people buying them. If more locally grown and raised products were sold to local people, it would mean Michigan people supporting Michigan workers.

Moreover, both the government bodies at all levels and the education systems need to be cleaned up. No more taking from the state’s future. If you corrupt then you need to get out of office. Teachers should be paid a decent wage and be able to feel safe in their work environment. City and state service need to be intact. People need the bus system because they cannot afford to drive cars.

Michigan is a beautiful sate. There is hope. It will take work and change but in the end, it will be worth it.