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Worth the time to read...

One of my favorite columnists, John McCormick, wrote an interesting heart felt piece that has been published in the Detroit News.

In it, he expresses the outrage and frustration that many citizens of the State of Michigan have been feeling towards the senators from other states. He brought up something that I have been holding inside of me for far too long and I'm grateful to him for putting into words my sentiment (and apparently the sentiment of many other Michiganders.)

To quote one part of his article: "...federal taxpayer money flows freely in these circumstances, and so does free assistance from northern states, including Michigan. Detroit automakers, for example, gladly helped with vehicles and personnel when Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast."

He also so eloquently points out how much the southern states have received over the years in tax breaks, infrastructure money and other "hand outs" from the US government to attract foreign auto makers.

It's heartbreaking to feel that Michigan citizens and workers are being tossed to the wolves by politicians from other states when it was the citizens and hard working people of Michigan that created the manufacturing base in this country and have unselfishly contributed much to help others in their time of need.

Thanks John. You stated what I and so many others have been internalizing. I pray though that our citizens can heal from this "Die Detroit" attitude displayed by so many in other states, and that we do not have to make a conscious choice about where to spend our vacation dollars based upon the location and political motives of the other states of our union.

~Kris Wales~ A Macomb County MI real estate agent

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Posted by Kris Wales - Macomb County MI real estate blog & homes for sale search site on 12/24/2008 06:56 AM

Comments (15)

john mccormick, the detroit news

This post has been included in Michigan Information

15 Comments on Worth the time to read...

DEC

I don't know how much is "Die Detroit"...though I hear you...and how much is that in hindsight...duh...they felt the auto folks were making too much for too long without an eye to energy conservation and the economy. The unions demanded more....the corporate execs got too much ...the R&D was done overseas....the workers are being punished for what "the big guys" did or didn't do....that's the bad news...and "they" should not be made to pay for too much for too long.

I know I'm not from Michigan and cannot fully understand the effects that this has other than what I read in the papers, but I think it is ridiculous to run a business predicated upon the fact that if you wind up belly up and if you are big enough you can run to uncle sam for a handout. They need to seriously restructure the way they do business. Maybe cut out ALL OF THE ADS DURING THE FOOTBALL GAMES and MAYBE CUT OUT THE SKYBOXES THAT THEY HAVE AT THE STADIUMS? That is just a start. If they were fiscally resposible, sure they may still be hurting, but not nearly as bad as they are right now. The banks are the same way and sadly so are many local governments. They all rode this real estate cash cow during the boom years and squeezed everyones equity out of their homes to buy new cars and reap in record taxes. So while the car industry in Michigan may be responsible for helping those in need they are also partly responsible for the housing market problems too, IMO...

Sally and David: I hesitated posting this as I have not wanted to be drawn into a political and nasty slug fest. My point in doing so today was so that others could read this mans excellent article and perhaps get a feel for why we in Michigan have been shaking our heads over some of the treatment that we have received in Washington. The unions have actually made some hefty concessions over the years, but of course that doesn't garner the headlines. The foreign automakers are subsidized by their governments (heck, by ours also if you really look deep) and that doesn't garner headlines either. BTW, all corporate execs get too much in my opinion. There is alot of trimming to be done, but telling Detroit and Michigan residents "Thanks for the 100 years of manufacturing, now shut up and go away" is absurd and heartless. Frankly, I don't think the southern states really want the repercussions of that to happen - Michiganders have spent alot of money over the years in the other states and contribute to the economy of the nation as a whole.

I appreciate your comment - and wish you a very Merry Christmas and the peace in the New Year.

Michael: Responsible for the housing crisis also? Goodness...BTW, advertising is part of marketing. For any industry. Surely you've noticed bank advertising and foreign auto maker advertising at sporting events?

Have a Merry Christmas Michael.

The pronouncements from Southern law makers who claim that bankrutpcy is the solution for the auto makers are totally self serving and don't fool anyone.

They know full well that the American auto buyer will not buy a vehicle from a company in bankruptcy.

Buying a $100 ticket from a bankrupt airliner is one thing. Buying a $40,000 vehicle from a bankrupt auto dealer and manufacturer is another.

They know it and we know that they know it.

The unfortunate truth is that many Americans will not buy "American" regardless of Big Three solvency. As they say in chess..."Detroit, it is your move."

Living in your neighbor state of Ohio, I feel your pain. Having lost my job of 26 years in the steel mills, along with all medical benefits. pension, recall rights, it is evern more painful. But the auto makers and the steel makers problems go much deeper. Too many years of automobiles with "planned obsolescence" whereby an American car is consumed on or before 100,000. I always purchased and owned American cars, but have never had one that didn't leak oil, transmission fluid, or both. Everyone of them rusted out (steel) and looked terrible by the age of 7 years. As an American I felt it was my duty to buy and drive these poorly built cars. Don't even bring up the American car gas guzzling issue. US automakers have not given Americans what they want or need.

They had their chance to build the best cars in the world and decided not to. The quality control idea that Japan used so successfully to build nearly flawless Hondas and Toyotas was conceived by an American, and the automakers would hear no part of that idea. Only Japan would listen, and look how things have changed.

I agree about state senators - everyone seems to believe other state senators should be voted out of office, and lets keep our own. My feeling is lets get rid of everyone of them that allows our jobs to go overseas without a challenge. However, this idea is also 20 years too late.

Kris, I have two clients from Michigan right now who express your same concerns and frustrations. These are such difficult times for every state it is frightening. I hope our new leadership has the ability to make bold and sound decisions that will help all of us as I think we are all in this together. Merry Christmas and here's to a brighter future!

Merry Christmas - Kris

People are strange aren't they Kris....?....I don't think they even stop to process - so much is political hype and power mongering.......incredible ignorance and lack of long term perspective.......Hopefully the leadership CHANGE in January will be able to take things in a new direction......we Have to HOPE ...Globally and locally everything appears to be out of alignment......and its going to take something to SHIFT......do use a 'coined' phrase..:-)

God Bless you Kris - and the dear to you..........its been a joy getting to know you......and may the travails you and many of us are going through be 'blessings' in disguise....xox Liz

Lenn aka Czar of Economic Common Sense: Thank you. THANK YOU. The senators that didn't think we could see through their bozo logic must think we're stupid. Even managed bankruptcy (as they were proposing) would be catastrophic. The government said that they would guarantee the warrantys - but people don't trust the government to do that on a $40,000 purchase. They also forgot one itty bitty fact: If the automakers go down, who will create the replacement parts? An overseas operation?

Jim: Did the Big 3 make mistakes? Absolutely. Fact is though that for the last 5 years or so they have been doing very well at giving the American public what the public wants: Dependable automobiles with increasingly effiecient autos. The American public has also demanded trucks and SUVs, and they've built some wonderful ones. Check out the Car of the Year awards since 2003 or so. BTW, the only American made vehicle I ever had that rusted out and leaked oil was my 1970 Maverick. Believe it or not, I miss that ugly car :-) I'm sorry you haven't had good experiences, but I would imagine that the cars you spoke of were pre-2000 vehicles.

Diane: I had to wonder when you mentioned you had Michigan buyers coming in to view homes - did they at one time consider Alabama or Mississippi and decide to take their $$ elsewhere? I know for me personally I am reconsidering ever spending another dollar in Mobile or Biloxi (which we used to visit often because of family there). It's sad that it would even have that cross my mind.. Merry Merry Christmas to you also - it's always a pleasure to talk with you.

Michael, a very very Merry Christmas to you also.

Liz: I hear ya. The political posturing needs to stop and some Senators and members of Congress need to take a step back from the wealth and think about the American people. All of the American people. They are acting as though my federal tax dollars have never ended up in their states for their benefit. (I wish I could check a box this year to earmark where my federal tax dollars are to be used. Now wouldn't that be a grand idea?) All my best to you Liz - you're someone I can't wait to meet one day :-)

DEC

Kris- Being in Florida I have to be honest forget all about Detriot and its problems...Thanks for reminding me...I wish you much success in 2009

DEC

Kris.... I had this post up on my screen since 5 hours after you wrote it.... and I am just now getting to it.

In regards to your post, this is one of the best points that I have seen made in regards to what you mentioned. I know John wrote about it first and that it has been on your mind for some time. But I will be the first one to say that I never put the two together... about the catastrophes that took place in the south and what has been happening in Michigan and several states. And even to add in the automobile bailouts... this is an excellent point, which needs to be written more about and often. This is something that needs to be featured. I haven't read the comments as of yet, but I plan doing that later and John's post. Thanks for the reminder. Happy Holidays...

jeff belonger

DEC

Kris, You know I feel your pain as a Michigan realtor with a husband who lost his job in the auto industry. I too cannot believe that the entire nation does not acknowlege what the auto industry has done for the nation. Michigan lost 46.000 citizens since January 2008 (Rhode Island lost some too, I understand) - that is not a minor crisis. America generally responds to a crisis, but a long, slow bleed like Michigan, I am not seeing the help coming in. Let's hope 2009 is a better year.

DEC

Tim, thank you. That means alot. All the best to you as well.

Jeff: It's been a hectic week, much to read and do. Thanks for taking the time to read this and comment. Have a happy New Year.

Susan, I remember when you posted about your husbands job loss. I ache for you and your family and all of Michigan. I think you hit it - it's been a long slow bleed so help isn't recognized as being needed.

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