Some out of town thoughts on Granholm
I found this here:
“‘If you are somebody who has lost a job, you need to vote for a change.’ That quote belongs to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, that Democrat, from November of 2004.
This year, Granholm is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Dick Devos, and it seems she cannot even go to a DC fundraiser for herself at Vernon Jordan’s place without the Michigan Republicans’ “jobs clock” there to remind her that her State is losing one job every 20 minutes.
Quips MRP Chairman Saul Anuzis: ‘I hope the jobs clock sitting outside the fundraiser serves as a reminder to the Governor that in the 2 hours she spends hobnobbing with fellow Democrats, Michigan will lose another 6 jobs.’
Tick, tick, tick, tick… ”
Well put, and well noted.
I don’t think it’s fair to blame Granholm for Michigan’s job outlook. Increasing global competition in the auto industry is the main culprit. What do you think DeVos or any other governor would/could do differently to increase the number of jobs in this state.
I have to give Granholm some credit for traveling to Japan and other countries to attract businesses to build plants and technology centers in this state. At least she is trying to be somewhat proactive. Pointing fingers doesn’t solve problems.
I do blame her. Please see this article from Indystar.com (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051013/COLUMNISTS21/510130321/-1/RSS)
Gov. Mitch Daniels sensed an opportunity five days before Michigan-based Delphi Corp. declared bankruptcy.
Delphi CEO Steve Miller wrapped up a lengthy telephone conversation with the governor by saying “very complimentary things about the company’s Indiana facilities, particularly Kokomo,” Daniels recalled.
The governor talked with Kokomo Mayor Matt McKillip and they set in motion a strategy to position Indiana as ready and willing to work with Delphi though the bankruptcy.
“There’s still going to be a large thing called Delphi Corp.,” Daniels told me. “Let’s make the case that Kokomo is the natural home of at least as much and maybe more of it as it has been historically.”
About 5,500 people work at Kokomo’s Delphi plant, which serves as the divisional headquarters for the company’s electronics and safety business. It’s one of the few profit centers in Delphi’s North American operation.
A meeting Wednesday at the Indiana Economic Development Corp. with officials from Kokomo and Anderson, where about 1,100 people work for Delphi, cemented the approach.
“Since Kokomo is profitable, we need to point out to Delphi that as they look at consolidation, why not bring it to Indiana?” McKillip said.
In other words, they want to create incentives that will prompt Delphi not only to keep the Kokomo plant open, but to expand the facility by moving jobs there as other plants close.
The approach stands in stark contrast to Michigan, where about 15,000 people work for Delphi. Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued a statement Sunday that noted “globalization is ravaging Michigan’s economic base.”
The Democrat also said, “I am angry that this action occurs one day after headlines blared that Delphi employees were being asked to accept brutal, Draconian pay cuts while upper management is being offered golden parachutes.”
Granholm has not asked the state’s economic development team to take any action, a spokeswoman said. “We’re in a holding pattern until we see what develops,” said spokeswoman Heidi Hansen.
Republican Daniels is happy to drive a wedge between Granholm and Delphi. “Beating up on a company that’s losing buckets of money wouldn’t get us anywhere,” Daniels said.
So far United Auto Workers officials in Indiana are waiting to see what develops.
Granholm’s initial statement, though, pins the blame for Michigan’s economic woes on the federal government for negotiating treaties that send jobs overseas, then not paying to retrain workers. “Surely we can invest in the human infrastructure — our American citizens — whose middle-class dreams and plans are being rapidly extinguished by race-to-the-bottom global competition.”
President Bush’s former budget director pounced.
“This is a grim situation. Nobody’s under any illusions,” Daniels said. “But let’s see what we can make happen. Throwing rocks and diverting attention to global issues isn’t going to put anybody to work.”
Looks like Granholm’s taking care of politics while Daniels takes care of business.
I hate michigan and all that it stands for. I am one Ohioan sick and tired of being screwed by you jerks. I was in an auto accident in your state on I-75 at the 8 mile marker going north. Becouse of your stupid no fault so called laws I am having to come up with alot of money to get my car back. I cant evan go after the witch that hit me. I am going to take all legal recourses to sue your moron state to change those laws. I wonder just how many Ohioans have had the same experience as I have. I think its about time south east michigan stops leaching off Toledos Hospitals as well. Take your degenerats to your own hospitals.
Well Janes,
Sorry you hate us. You seem so articulate and generally likeable.
Doug
lets build a wall to keep the illegal Ohioans out of our state!