http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020106/ss_rogers.html
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Ideas strength of GOP majority | |
The majority whip's role is much more than counting votes. It is about moving ideas. The strength of our ideas is what sustains our majority. We, as Republicans, simply cannot allow "staying in the majority" to become our governing ideology. | |
The State of the Michigan Economy
Testimony of Gary Wolfram, Ph.D. before Michigan House Taxation Committee
January 31, 2005
Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, I have been asked to give my view of the state of Michigan's economy. In short, Michigan's economy is doing poorly and this is not due to a slowdown in the national economy, but rather shortcomings that are specific to Michigan. In the absence of reductions in the cost of producing goods and services in Michigan, the economic decline will continue.
In discussing the state of Michigan's economy, one must inevitably resort to numbers. But as Will Rogers once said: "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics." For example, in her State of the State address, Governor Granholm asserted that 99,000 more people are working in Michigan than when she took office. This was countered by the Michigan Republican Party that Michigan had been losing jobs during the Governor's tenure. When trying to wend one's way through political arguments, it is useful to have common sense, thoughtful observation, and look for a pattern of facts. That is what I will attempt to do here.
First, I will look at Michigan's employment numbers, unemployment numbers, personal income, real gross state product, housing prices, and migration data. If we can find a consistent pattern in the data, then we have a pretty good picture of what the economy looks like and what it is trending towards. So let us take a look at employment numbers first.
The Governor's assertion that there are 99,000 more people at work today than when she took office is based upon what the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls the Household Survey of employment. This survey includes agricultural workers, self-employed, unpaid family members, and private household workers. It is based on a smallish sample of between 1500 and 2000 households in Michigan. The numbers generated by this survey can be found at the BLS web site and are in both seasonally adjusted data and non-seasonally adjusted data. If one uses the seasonally adjusted data, in January of 2003 there were 4.696 million employed in Michigan, and the latest figure, for December 2005, is 4.795, or 99,000 more employed.
If one uses the establishment survey, which counts non-farm payroll jobs, and uses the seasonally adjusted numbers, 4.445 million jobs in January of 2003, and 4.362 million jobs in December of 2005, one finds a loss of 83,000 jobs. The establishment survey is less comprehensive in what it counts as jobs, but it is from a much larger sample of about 15,000 establishments in Michigan.
If one takes the sum of annual job losses, which is an average rather than a monthly snapshot, one gets a sum of job losses in 2003, 2004, and 2005 of more than 160,000 jobs. What is the right answer?
The establishment survey clearly will have a lower number of jobs because it doesn't include the self-employed or farm employment. Since one is looking at trends rather than levels, in order for the household survey to be correct, there must have been a substantial increase in the number of self-employed and agricultural workers in the past three years for the household survey to give a better picture of what has happened to employment. Common sense will cast some doubt upon this. In addition, the employment sample is from a survey that is nearly 10 times larger and is certainly more accurate in what it measures. Thus, my opinion is that there has been a net job loss, at least in the tens of thousands over the last three years.
But if one simply looks at the employment numbers one must choose one methodology over another and reasonable people may agree or disagree on this. But when one looks at a number of different measures of economic activity, a clear picture emerges of a faltering Michigan economy in the midst of economic prosperity in the rest of the country. For example, Michigan is the only state to have job losses on a year over year basis for each month of 2005. This is not consistent with an expanding Michigan labor market.
If we compare Michigan's employment picture with its surrounding states, a pattern emerges as well. I ran a simple trend regression for total nonfarm employment, total goods producing employment, total private employment, and total manufacturing employment for the five states in the area: Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The regressions were monthly employment for the various categories for the months beginning January 2003 and ending December 2005. A negative coefficient on the variable x, which is simply a time trend, indicates a consistent decline in employment.
In both total private employment and total nonfarm employment, Michigan was the only state with a negative coefficient. Every other state has a positive trend line. In both total goods producing and manufacturing employment, we find Indiana and Wisconsin had a positive trend, and Michigan had the largest negative trend of the other three states.
Next, one should look at the unemployment figures, which are based upon the household survey. Michigan's unemployment rate has consistently been among the highest in the country, well above the national rate. The state's unemployment rate hit an historic low of 3.1% in March of 2000. The rate climbed during the recession of 2001 and 2002, moving above the national average in early 2001. But while the rest of the nation has been in recovery, Michigan's unemployment figures show that it has not. If one looks at monthly unemployment rates for 2005, the national unemployment rate has ranged from 5.4% to 4.9%, with the December rate being 4.9%. Michigan's rate, on the other hand, has ranged from 7.5% to 6.1%, with the current rate at 6.7%.
One can also look at Indiana and Minnesota for comparison. Indiana is a Midwestern state with a higher percentage of its jobs in manufacturing than Michigan. It's unemployment rate in 2005 has ranged from 5.7% to 4.8%, with a current rate of 5.5%. Minnesota, another Great Lakes state, has had an unemployment rate from 4.4% to 3.6% with a current rate of 4.1%. Clearly, Michigan stands out in its high rate of unemployment rate.
If we look next at state personal income, the pattern continues to emerge. Looking at percentage change in personal income from quarter to quarter for the last five quarters for which data is available, that is 2004:III through 2005:III, the change in Michigan was .7, 1.5, .1, 1.4, and .6. The national rates were 1.2, 3.0, .6, 1.1, and .7. That is, growth in personal income from one quarter to the next was lower in Michigan than the nation in four of the five quarters. Michigan ranked 47th in growth in personal income in the latest quarter, 2005:III. Per capita personal income numbers are significantly delayed, but the annual numbers are available for 2003 and 2004. In 2003, Michigan's per capita personal income was $102 above the national average, and in 2004 it was almost $1000 below the national average.
Real Gross State Product is a measure of the amount of production in the state in a given year. The percentage change in Real Gross State Product is available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis for the 2003-2004. Michigan ranked 50th among the states in percentage change in the amount of economic production, at 1.2%. This growth in output was barely a quarter of the growth in the nation, which was 4.3%. It was less than one third of Indiana's 3.8% growth, and Minnesota's 3.9%. The highest growth in state product was Nevada's 9.3%.
Continuing the pattern, we can look at out-migration. State's that have an expanding job market do not usually have a net out-migration of its citizens. United Van Lines, the nation's largest household goods mover, does an annual survey of migration from state to state. The latest survey was released this month, and Michigan was classified as a high-outbound state. For Michigan, 63.9% of its shipments in calendar year 2005 were outbound. This was second in the country to North Dakota's 67.8% outbound shipments. The lowest outbound rate was Oregon 36.4%.
The Census Bureau numbers are consistent with the United Van Lines survey. Between July 2004 and July 2005, nearly 48,000 more people moved out of Michigan than moved in. During the same period the prior year, 37,000 more people left Michigan than migrated to the state.
The state of the economy is often reflected in housing prices. Areas that have an improving economy are likely to have an increase in demand that will bid up prices. If we look at the change in housing prices from the third quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2005, Michigan ranked 51st in the country, behind every state and the District of Columbia. It's 4.01% increase was about a third of the increase in prices in Montana, and right at one-third of the national average. At the recent International Home Builders Show in Orlando, three of the economists addressing the convention singled out Michigan as a state that will continue to struggle.
Things are not getting better in the state's housing market either. Median sales prices in southeast Michigan fell 4.3% in December. Total home sales fell by 11% while the number of homes listed for sale grew by 11%. The homes that sold in the region in December had spent an average of five weeks on the market longer than the prior year.
In summary, while one might find a statistic or two here and there that could be used to attempt to describe Michigan's economy as either fair, or doing poorly because of the national economy, the preponderance of the evidence is to the contrary. Michigan's economy is fairing poorly and is moving in the wrong direction, while the national economy has been and remains strong. The final quarter of 2005 was the 17 consecutive quarter of growth in inflation adjusted GDP at the national level. Michigan needs to look inwardly, discover why it is more expensive to produce here than elsewhere, and act to rectify the problem.
Coretta Scott King passed away today. She was a courageous leader in the civil rights movement who marched hand in hand with her husband Martin Luther King Jr. Our thoughts and prayers are with the King family. Their dream of equality will live on.
Stabenow announces she will vote against Judge Alito because he’s out of the mainstream….
Stabenow votes against cloture because Judge Alito is out of the mainstream….
The Senate votes 72-25….now who’s out of the mainstream?
Kerry, Clinton, Kennedy….and yes Stabenow!!!
There is an interesting article about Congressman Mike Rogers published in Washington’s “The Hill” newspaper. Check out the link below.
Unfortunately….the jobs clock continues to click away….one job lost every ten minutes Governor Granholm remains in office.
The latest information on upcoming county Lincoln Day activities. For full details please visit http://www.migop.org
| DATE | COUNTY | KEYNOTESPEAKER |
| 2/3/2006 | Oakland | Mitt Romney |
| 2/7/2006 | Ingham | Dick DeVos |
| 2/11/2006 | Gratiot | Keith Butler |
| 2/16/2006 | Clinton | U.S. Senate candidates invited |
| 2/20/2006 | Eaton | Dick DeVos, |
| 2/21/2006 | Ionia | Keith Butler |
| 2/22/2006 | Shiawassee | |
| 2/25/2006 | Jackson | |
| 3/5/2006 | Calhoun | Congressman Joe Schwarz |
| 3/5/2006 | Cheboygan | Keith Butler |
| 3/10/2006 | Livingston | Matthhew Dowd |
| 3/11/2006 | Berrien | U.S. Senate candidates invited |
| 3/16/2006 | Kent | Ann Coulter |
| 3/18/2006 | Cass | Keith Butler |
| 3/20/2006 | Kalamazoo | Dick DeVos |
| 3/31/2006 | Genessee | Ag Mike Cox |
| 4/1/2006 | St. Clair | Congresswoman Candice Miller |
| 4/7/2006 | Hillsdale | Keith Butler |
| 4/21/2006 | Branch | |
| 4/27/2006 | Sanilac | |
| 4/28/2006 | Osceola | |
| 4/29/2006 | Lapeer | U.S. Senate candidates invited |
| 4/29/2006 | St. Joseph | |
| 5/5/2006 | Lenawee | |
| 5/11/2006 | Antrim | Ketih Butler |
| 5/12/2006 | Charlevoix | |
| 5/13/2006 | Van Buren | Betsy DeVos |
Blog Update: I hope you have taken the opportunity to view our blog. It is our latest attempt to improve communications with the grassroots. First, the goal is to give the most current info on what is happening in Michigan politics from our perspective. Second, I archive these articles of interest as well as all the other blogs, so it’s an easy way to get caught up on what has been happening. OK…I tend to throw in a little commentary every now and then….only because I can’t help myself.
Filibuster: Forget any common sense from our Senator Debbie Stabenow. After months of investigations, hearing and interviews….mainstream America appears ready to confirm Judge Alito to the Supreme Court. However, a merry band of “liberals” lead by John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Debbie Stabenow have announced their effort to filibuster the confirmation?
Most hate to have their name used in the same sentence with the folks above, unless the lead is something like “upset” or “defeated” or something optimistic like that. Remember Tom Daschle, he moved up the ranks in the Democratic leadership….lost touch with his home state….was voted out by his homestate as he “represented his national constituency” instead of home. Sounds familiar???
Ethics: Ouch! Democrat National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in an interview had the following exhange about our own Senator Debbie Stabenow:
Fox News' Chris Wallace: "[I]f We Find That There Were Some Democrats Who Wrote Letters On Behalf Of Some Of The Indian Tribes That Abramoff Represented, Then What Do You Say, Sir?" (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 1/29/06)
DNC Chair Howard Dean: "That's A Big Problem, And Those Democrats Are In Trouble, And They Should Be In Trouble, And Our Party, If The American People Will Put Us Back In Power In '06, We Will Have On The President's Desk Things That Outlaw All Those Kinds Of Behaviors." (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 1/29/06)
Guess who wrote lots of letters: Debbie Stabenow - and got thousands in contributions!?!
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=10719
Michiganders Upset at Current State of Affairs
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the Great Lake State express disappointment over their situation, according to a poll by SurveyUSA released by WZZM-TV. 75 per cent of respondents believe Michigan is declining.
Jennifer Granholm—a Democrat—was elected in the November 2002 gubernatorial election, defeating Republican challenger Dick Posthumus with 51 per cent of the vote.
The next gubernatorial election in the Great Lake State is scheduled for Nov. 7. Dick DeVos—former chief executive officer at Alticor and husband of former state Republican chairwoman Betsy DeVos—will be Granholm’s rival.
In this month’s state of the state address, Granholm declared, "In five years, you’re going to be blown away by the strength and diversity of Michigan’s transformed economy." DeVos criticized the governor, saying, "What I heard is we’re supposed to wait five years for things to happen. People in Michigan are worried about tomorrow."
Since 1943, Michigan has had five Republican and four Democratic heads of government. 48 per cent of respondents are not optimistic at all about the Michigan’s economy.
Polling Data
Thinking about the current state of the state of Michigan... would you say it is improving? Declining? Or staying about the same?
Improving
6%
Declining
75%
Staying about the same
17%
Not sure
1%
How would you describe your outlook about Michigan’s economy? Very optimistic? Somewhat optimistic? Or not optimistic at all?
Very optimistic
10%
Somewhat optimistic
41%
Not optimistic at all
48%
Not sure
1%
Source: SurveyUSA / WZZM-TV
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 500 Michigan adults, conducted on Jan. 24, 2006. Margin of error is 3.9 per cent.
This is a must see ad....
Off the Record - Weekly Edition #2006-31.
originally aired Jan. 27, 2006
This week in Michigan politics: Ford's big announcement sees another round of layoffs and bad news for Michigan's economy; plus, Governor Granholm's State of the State Address.
The guest is Republican candidate for governor, Dick DeVos. DeVos explains why he thinks he would be a better governor than Granholm.
With Kathy Barks Hoffman, Charlie Cain and Rick Albin.
http://wkar.org/offtherecord/archives/program.php?pgmnumber=2006-31
DNC Chair Dean: If Any Dems Wrote Letters On Behalf Of Indian Tribes Jack Abramoff Represented "That's A Big Problem":
Fox News' Chris Wallace: "[I]f We Find That There Were Some Democrats Who Wrote Letters On Behalf Of Some Of The Indian Tribes That Abramoff Represented, Then What Do You Say, Sir?" (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 1/29/06)
FACT: Democrat Leaders Did Write Letters On Behalf Of Indian Tribes Jack Abramoff Represented:
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI): "[There Were] Half-Dozen Letters Written Or Signed By 14 Lawmakers On Behalf Of The Tribes. One Was Written Jan. 23, 2003 By [Democrat Sen.] ... Debbie Stabenow ... On The Saginaw's Behalf." (Sharon Theimer, "Lawmakers Helped Abramoff Tribes Get Federal Money, Collected Donations," The Associated Press, 11/25/05)
Ooops Debbie….it looks like your double standards are coming back to roost!
The filibuster has begun....please call our Senators and let them know that you support Judge Alito and that you encourage them NOT to filibuster the Senate.
To successfully block the nomination, 41 senators must join the Democratic filibuster. Most Republicans and a few conservative Democrats have already pledged to vote for Alito, so getting to 41 won't be easy. Every single Democrat could end up casting the last crucial vote — and this is the moment for us to weigh in.
Keep it simple, just register your opinion.
Senator Carl Levin
Phone: 202-224-6221 District Offices: Detroit: 313-226-6020 Escanaba: 906-789-0052 Grand Rapids: 616-456-2531 Lansing: 517-377-1508 Saginaw: 989-754-2494 Traverse City: 231-947-9569 Warren: 586-573-9145
Senator Debbie Stabenow Phone: 202-224-4822 District Offices: Detroit: 313-961-4330 East Lansing: 517-203-1760 Flint: 810-720-4172 Grand Rapids: 616-975-0052 Marquette: 906-228-8756 Traverse City: 231-929-1031
MICHIGAN: False Start
One source, using an interesting turn of phrase, told us most of the Cong. delegation will only leave DC "feet-first." There are plenty of talented stars here, and GOPers on our list may find themselves an opportunity when Reps. Mike Rogers (R) and Candice Miller (R) move up, a prospect that's not so much an "if" but a "when." Dems are waiting for Reps. Sander Levin (D) and John Conyers (D) to retire, or they're moving back to populous Oakland Co., a nearly essential base to win a statewide Dem primary. At least one Dem was so antsy that he actually filed for Conyers' seat when it was unclear if Conyers would run again, only to drop out when the Rep. himself filed.
The stars we've been watching since '03:
Oakland Co. Sheriff Michael Bouchard (R): Running for MI SEN against Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D). A former State Rep, he was "always one of the most popular members." He plans to focus on homeland security during the race, something he feels will set him apart from GOPers in the primary and, eventually, Stabenow.
Dominos Pizza CEO David Brandon (R): Now the chair of Dick DeVos' Gov bid, the ex-Michigan football star has a "bright future, it's just a matter of when he wants to pull the trigger."
Ex-MI GOP Vice Chair Victor Diaz (R): He's no longer involved in politics.
State Sen. Bill Hardiman (R): Some say he's considering a bid for MI 03 when Rep. Vern Ehlers (R) retires, but others believe the State Sen. "may be as far as he's going to go."
Letica Industries CEO Maria Letica (R): An "effective fundraiser," many wonder about her future ambitions. For now, it's unlikely Letica will run for office given that her husband, Henry Saad, was nominated for a position on the federal bench. His nomination remains holed up in the Sen.
Ex-Oakland Co. GOP chair Paul Welday (R): Is considering a bid for MI 09 when Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R) retires. "Everyone assumes" it's his seat to run for, although Knollenberg's son Marty is positioning himself for a bid.
State House Dem Floor Leader Gilda Jacobs (D): Still in leadership, there's "always quite a bit of buzz around her name," though she may be looking at Oakland Co. positions. Could take a shot at Rep. Sander Levin's (D) seat when he retires.
Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence (D): Her name is also floated for Oakland Co. office. State Rep. Doug Spade (D): Term-limited out of the House, but he's "looking to get back into politics."
State Sen. Samuel "Buzz" Thomas (D): Had been minority leader in the House, has been contemplating a bid for Rep. John Conyers' district when he retires. Had filed for the race but pulled out.
State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer (D): Running in special election in State Sen. "She can raise a lot of money," "The sky's the limit for her." A possible statewide candidate.
State Rep. David Woodward (D): No longer in the State House, now Oakland Co. Commiss, chair of Oakland Co Dems, the "go-to guy when it comes to building local parties" around the state. Has concentrated on "building the farm team."
And the stars to watch in the future:
House Speaker Craig DeRoche (R): At just 34, he's said to be a future Congressional candidate. Elected Speaker after being in office just 2 years, he's "pretty darn good," especially compared with previous speakers, but term limits might force him out before a higher office opens up.
State Sen. Mike Bishop (R): Would be competitive for Knollenberg's seat or for AG if he chooses to run.
Sec State Terri Lynn Land (R): Land had been the next choice of the NRSC to run against Stabenow before Bouchard jumped into the race. Some believe that she'll be a hot commodity in the future, as Sec State has been a jumping-off point for a number of MI's higher office holders.
State Rep. Andy Dillon (D): Works more with GOPers than other Dems do. "Very polished, I think leadership positions would make sense for him." Battle Creek City Commis.
Ryan Hersha (D): In his 2nd term and still just 30, as Battle Creek City Commis, a "real sharp guy," serves in a conservative area and he's "just able to connect with folks." May make a bid for legislature in the near future.
State Rep. Barbara Farrah (D): A "proven fundraiser," she's considered a potential leadership candidate in the State House. "Able to cross the aisle" and Dems still like her.
State Sen. Michael Switalski (D): He "works his" butt "off." From a political family, "his name is gold." Could run for Levin's seat when he retires, and would be the prohibitive front-runner.
Congressman Mike Rogers wrapped up his fifth and final speech on his governing principles with an address yesterday in Michigan on his Republican Principles for Breaking the Chains of Poverty. You can view television news coverage of his remarks at the WLNS-Channel 6 website: http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4423264&nav=0RbQ.
Additionally, Congressman Rogers will be appearing TODAY, Saturday, January 28 at 4:10 pm EST on the Fox News Channel to discuss those governing principles, focusing specifically on the War on Terrorism and expanding freedom abroad.
The filibuster has begun....please call our Senators and let them know that you support Judge Alito and that you encourage them NOT to filibuster the Senate.
To successfully block the nomination, 41 senators must join the Democratic filibuster. Most Republicans and a few conservative Democrats have already pledged to vote for Alito, so getting to 41 won't be easy. Every single Democrat could end up casting the last crucial vote — and this is the moment for us to weigh in.
Keep it simple, just register your opinion.
Senator Carl Levin
Phone: 202-224-6221
District Offices:
Detroit: 313-226-6020
Escanaba: 906-789-0052
Grand Rapids: 616-456-2531
Lansing: 517-377-1508
Saginaw: 989-754-2494
Traverse City: 231-947-9569
Warren: 586-573-9145
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Phone: 202-224-4822
District Offices:
Detroit: 313-961-4330
East Lansing: 517-203-1760
Flint: 810-720-4172
Grand Rapids: 616-975-0052
Marquette: 906-228-8756
Traverse City: 231-929-1031
Debbie Stabenow has pulled another “Daschle” on us. You remember the “x” Senate Democratic Leader of the U.S. Senate who got so caught up being the leader of the Senate that he forgot his folks back home? Well, yesterday Stabenow joined Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy and John Kerry to announce her support and leadership in organizing a filibuster against Judge Alito.
Judge Alito went through the committee process and an unbelievable amount of public scrutiny. He was universally praised as being qualified to be judge. His record is one of the finest put forth…even the mainstream media expected his confirmation.
Not Stabenow! Our out of touch Senator decided to join forces with Hollywood, New York and the left to take the extreme position of filibustering a President’s nomination for the Supreme Court.
Tom Daschle was sent home by his home state voters once he stopped representing them and became the “Senate Democrats” Senator….not his home state’s Senator.
Debbie Stabenow is more concerned about her “national left” constituents than those living next door to us. She is so caught up in the politics of Washington, she has forgotten who she is suppose to represent.
It looks like it’s her turn to get “Daschled” and sent back home for a dose of reality.
Oh, by the way, your going to love this. I was in Grand Rapids yesterday “escorting” our job loss clock to the Michigan Press Association luncheon where Governor Granholm spoke. As I stood in the back of the room, our Governor came out in favor of all her Government paid for programs she proposed at the state of the state speech a few days earlier and then said she supports national heathcare??? Again, no word on how she or should I say WE are going to pay for all this, including her support of “Hillary Care”.
But I remember when Ronald Reagan said something to the point that Democrats have all read Marx and Engels while Republicans understood Marx and Engels. The Governor’s true colors are coming out…and they are scaring me.
“This is a new low,” said Anuzis. “Senator Stabenow has always preferred obstruction, but proposing a filibuster of a well-qualified nominee is both astounding and profoundly disappointing. The people of Michigan expect action and progress from their representatives, not this remarkably pathetic degree of political posturing. Stabenow continues to put the interests of her extreme liberal friends above the needs of the people of Michigan. Every minute that Stabenow shuts down the Senate is a minute that could have been spent trying to help Michigan’s families. This state deserves better than shameless politics from Debbie Stabenow.”
Stabenow announced that she would vote ‘no’ on Alito’s confirmation on January 24.
###
Sen. Stabenow announces she will join a filibuster of Judge Roberts???
Sen. Stabenow is pulling a "Daschle" - as she turns her back on the citizens of her home state of Michigan in exchange for playing to the lefts special interests groups in Washington DC and nationallly.
Stabenow is more interested in scoring points on the national stage than representing the mainstream views of Michigan. As the citizens of Michigan have been exposed to the background of Judge Alito and had a chance to hear him during the hearing...it became clear to most that he should be confirmed.
I'm outraged at this irresponsible action. We need a Senator who will represent Michigan values, not those of Howard Dean and Michael Moore.
Please call her office and let her know what you think!!!
http://info.detnews.com/feedback/lettersindex.cfm?topic=fourth_highest&forum=dnletters
Let the people of Michigan know that the "buck stops here" and that Governor Granholm can't continue to blame someone else...let alone everyone else for our problems.
It's not "all" her fault, but what other Cheif Executive could get away with costing us all so much for so little results.
Vote today!
In today's Detroit News, there is an article that hits the proverbial "nail on the head". A must read.
In Granholm's Michigan, a chicken for every pot
Governor offers her version of utopian state
The Detroit News /
It has taken three years, but Gov. Jennifer Granholm has at last defined herself politically. She came to office claiming to be a New Democrat centrist, pro-business and pro-growth. But there's nothing new about this Democrat.
Granholm is an old-school liberal, devoted to the discredited programs of the New Deal and Great Society and enamored of central planning. She sees a big government solution to every problem...
...
Granholm makes a better cheerleader than she does a quarterback. She held us spellbound Wednesday, but she didn't give us a viable blueprint for bringing jobs to Michigan.
We still await that plan. But we don't expect it to come from this governor.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060127/OPINION01/601270307/1008
The Governor used one of the broadest and least consistent employment estimates to boldly claim 99,000 new jobs were created in Michigan??? Not even close….every other estimate and count provided by government agencies clearly show job losses anywhere between 80,000 and 160,000 NET job loss.
At best, the Governor’s numbers are almost 200,000 jobs out of whack with reality?
As I sat through the Governor’s State of the State, which was far more a campaign speech desinged for the cameras than a state of the state speech….I kept wondering how many voters will actually be fooled? Her vision, her optimism is contagious, but unfortunately the job loss across the state is devastating…bringing most back to reality. She continues to live in a state of denial.
The Detroit News wrote: “Granholm makes a better cheerleader than she does a quarterback. She held us spellbound Wednesday, but she didn't give us a viable blueprint for bringing jobs to Michigan.”
Talk about hitting the nail on the head.
So immediately the Granholm/Brewer spin team started “demanding” that DeVos do what no other candidate has ever done this early in the process….put out an economic/campaign plan almost a year before election day….to distract voters from the lack of leadership provided by Governor Granholm.
Here are some interesting facts from the Governor’s campaing last time around:
+ After 3-years in office as Attorney General, Granholm announced her candidacy on 3/21/2001. (Although a Gubernatorial fundraiser had been held 3/18/2001.)
+ Granholm informally released parts of her economic plan at the end of May 2002 for the Detroit Regional Chamber. (5 months away in this cycle)
+ Granholm announced her 10 page health care plan on 6/22/02.
+ Granholm officially announced an economic plan on 9/3/02. (7 months away in this cycle)
+ Oh, and when then candidate-Granholm supported elimination of the job-killing SBT, Granholm suggested no alternative tax system. (ummm, double standard?)
So once again, the Granholm/Brewer political team live by their own standards, while playing nothing less than politics with their righteous indignation??? Come on?
Granholm/Brewer demand financial disclosure and ethics reform….but won’t tell the tax payers which lobbyist and corporations gave her Partnership for Progress fund $25,000 EACH for private meetings/receptions?
Granholm/Brewer demand DeVos come out with an economic plan….but they didn’t do the same when she ran for Governor?
Granholm/Brewer accuse DeVos of hiding “things”….but refuse to give details of how they used taxpayer dollars for personal/political use, who flew with the Governor on state planes for “private trips”?
Anything and everything to get the people of Michigan to think of anything other than jobs??? The problem is, we now all know someone affected by the job loss in Michigan. We’re just not willing to take it anymore.
At her State of the State address, Governor Granholm claimed that 99,000 more people are working in Michigan than were when she took office.
Where?
Are they working at Delphi? At any of the Big 3? Will the be working at Ford Wixom? Electrolux? Pfizer? Farmer Jack? K-Mart? Sappi Paper in Muskegon? Ternes Packaging Company in Westland? Michigan Sugar Company in Carrollton? The Michigan Youth Correctional facility in Baldwin?
It's not hard to see that Michigan is hemorrhaging jobs at a steady and troubling rate. Unless you're governing the State of Denial.
Here are the facts, though, just in case you're not sure:
Job Loss in 2003:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Press Release, 1/27/04
“Over the year, employment increased in 27 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 22 states, and was unchanged in 1 state. The largest over-the-year gains in employment occurred in Florida (+114,600), Georgia (+64,000), Arizona (+46,200), Texas (+43,900), and Nevada (+42,300). The largest percentage gains were reported in Nevada (+4.0 percent), Arizona (+2.0 percent), Alaska and Hawaii (+1.8 percent each), Florida and Georgia (+1.6 percent each), and Wyoming (+1.3 percent). The largest employment decreases were in Michigan (-78,800), Ohio (-66,900), Massachusetts (-42,600), South Carolina (-40,900), and Illinois (-38,100).”
Job Loss in 2004:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Press Release, 1/25/05
“Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 48 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 2 states. The largest over-the-year gains in employment occurred in Florida (+172,300), California (+152,300), Texas (+124,800), Virginia (+79,500), and North Carolina (+76,400). The largest percentage gains were reported in Nevada (+4.8 percent), Hawaii and Utah (+3.2 percent each), Idaho (+3.1 percent), Arizona (+2.8 percent), and Washington (+2.4 percent). The largest over-the-year employment decrease was registered in Michigan (-46,500, -1.1 percent).”
Job Loss in 2005:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Press Release, 12/16/05
“Over the year, the measured changes in employment were statistically significant in 31 states and the District of Columbia. All had gains in employment except for Louisiana (-205,300), Michigan (-35,300), and Mississippi (-23,500). The decreases in Louisiana and Mississippi reflect the impact of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast in late August 2005. The largest gains were reported in Florida (+255,100), California (+186,400), Texas (+136,400), and Arizona (+95,900).”
1 job every 10 minutes:
2003: 78,800
2004: 46,500
2005: 35,300
Total: 160,600
160,000 / 1,081 Days Granholm has been in office = 148.57/jobs per day
148.57 / 24 hours = 6.19/jobs per hour
1 job every 10 minutes = 6 jobs an hour (a little under the real number of 6.19 jobs/hour)
