The unemployment rate in the state of Michigan is 14.1%--and I believe the UP is higher. (I don't have the figures close by at the moment.) It is the worst in the US, which has a rate of 9.1%. And things don't seem to be getting any better anytime soon.
The beginning of June it was reported that 8 of Michigan's prisons will be closed this year--five of them in the UP. That means more people will be out of work. BUT, there is a solution that has been proposed.
Remember the closing of Gitmo and all of those terrorist prisoners that are being held there? Well, one of our government officials has suggested that we might want to have these prisoners moved to the prisons here in the UP. I don't think so. FINALLY--not that I wanted it to happen, mind you--with the closing of the air base that was close to our town, we were taken off of any target map that any enemies might have. We no longer are a concern to anyone--we are just a rural wilderness that isn't a threat to any country. (And, most aren't even sure we are part of Michigan, much less the US.) So, if we are to house terrorists, we will be back on the enemy radar. (Yes, I realize this sounds ludicrous, but the terrorists in our world are NOT logical.) And who do we have to thank for this wonderful suggestion? Democrats. Don't like that I pointed that out? Tough shit. The dems have been in power how long now? Is ANYTHING better now than it was when Engler left office? I don't think so. And Granholm has had six years to improve things--and she has sunk this state even deeper into the shit. I hope there will be some level-headed people in power if this suggestion is EVER looked at seriously. I, for one, don't want to have terrorists living down the road from me.
When Will It End?
