Michigan has certainly experienced its share of downfalls, especially these past two years with the unemployment rate at 15 percent. It may even reach 20% by the end of 2009. Michigan has not seen the unemployment rate this high since 1983.
Will Michigan survive the high unemployment rate? I think so in time. How much time is the crucial question for most disgruntled, restless Michiganders? Although, I think it’s all a matter of a positive attitude for each one. You are probably thinking, it’s easier said than done. Well, I certainly do agree with that. I also think Michiganders can relate a much more positive attitude towards their own personal situation and others if they tried hard enough. For the most part Michigan does keep a positive attitude. It’s still easier aid than done.
You still say, it’s easier said than done. Again, I most definitely agree on a large scale, taking into comsideration the climate of Michigan’s high unemployment rate, thus taking a spiraling, rippling effect in every corner of industry, especially the auto industry. Who is to blame for the high unemployment rate and dismal economy in Michigan? State leaders blame the auto industry. However, manufacturing jobs have also taken an intense loss almost equally with the auto industry as they both follow in each other’s footsteps. How many jobs depend on the auto industry? It is estimated the auto industry supports 1 out of every 10 jobs in the United States. Since January of 2009, over 37,000 manufacturing jobs were lost, thus contributing to the jobs lost in the auto industry.
For GM, global sales have seen a loss of 15% in the second quarter from a year ago. Although, GM says it could have been much worse. GM, Chrysler and Ford still continue to cut jobs by the thousands. More job cuts are to come by September-October of 2009. Overall, the auto industry is expected to lose 2.5 million jobs between 2009-2010. These are scary numbers no matter how you look at it. Who is to blame? Lack of management all across the board, perhaps?
We can all argue, there is a lot of blame to go around on all sides of the spectrum. However, we need to ask, where do we go from here? How can we fix Michigan’s ailing economy and the high unemployment rate? Stop the blame game and start thinking positively, especially Michigan! Easier said than done, I know.
