Muddy Water
The river looks like chocolate milk. The storms that went through last night caused quite a stir. Trees down on my way to work this morning in Allegan. A tree on a house in Hudsonville. Lots of people still without power. Scott and his wife in the slip next to me live in Gobles and they are without power so they are staying on the boat tonight. Quite a few people here at the marina for a Tuesday night.
It's a quiet beautiful night. Temps in the 70's and the mosquitos are taking the night off. I decided to come over to the boat tonight to work on a couple of electrical issues before the weekend. I accomplished what I wanted to and decided to sit on deck with a cigar, a rum and diet cola and my lap top. Someone over here has an unsecure wireless internet router up, so I get free internet on the boat.... bonus! I think it is one of the houses across the river.
I've been quite busy lately. Boy Scout Camp, work, lot's of things to do. The solitude of the boat is a welcome change. Went fishing on Sunday, just Sweetpea and I. We limited out on Perch. It was a wonderful afternoon.
Read Ginger's blog today, http://misshilltoyou.blogspot.com// She has been having a tough time finding a new job. I've been thinking about that a lot. The economy here in Michigan really sucks right now. Gas prices are through the roof, unemployment is up, company's are leaving the state left and right. I read and article today that said in a recent survey 4 out of 10 people are thinking about pulling the plug and going to a state with a better economy, http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060717/NEWS06/607170359/1008/NEWS . A lot of people think the state is dying. Ginger is ready to return to Cheese Head country.
How did we get into this sad state? Why can't we attract new business, new industry? It is a perplexing question, muddy water. It is hard to see what is really below the surface. Politicians all across the political spectrum offer up the fix of the day. But it isn't a simple problem and politcal promises won't put Beer and Kibble on the table.
I've been pretty blessed in my career in that I've always had good opportunities. Steady employment for decades. And I've been thinking that maybe it is time to reach out. I've been contemplating ways in which I can jump into this fray and make a difference. But the waters are muddy, the problem complex. But there is a way to contribute, I'm sure of it, and I'll find it. We all should.
From the boat, l8r. microe
posted by microe at 12:18 AM
3 Comments:
Microe--
Being a nurse for over 27 years, and being a life-long resident of Michigan for over 49 years now, not only have I seen the economy worsen, but with it, the health care system that effects the thousands of unemployed, etc people in this state.
I too have been fortunate to have had many employment opportunites as a nurse, but, like you, don't feel that I am really contributing to the social well-being of society, not only in Michigan, but in our country as a whole.
You and I are close enough to the same age to say we are the same age--we grew up with mothers emotionally caught between the defined roles of women in society and the 60s bra burning revolution; our fathers cupping the effects of how that new revolution defined them as men; we grew up on the fringes of the Viet Nam protest years, but close enough to the fabric of the war to worry about selective service and if our high school friends would be going to war; we saw the first earth day, animal rights, civil rights for blacks and native americans; we watched our country lose hope with the shooting of the Kennedys and with that our generation said we will be the hope, we will make a difference.
Did we get caught up in our good life? Was it as simple as thinking that everything is ok now so it will always be ok? Did we raise or children so different, give them more than they need?
I don't think the answers matter as much as just acknowledging that we have a lot of social problems and those of us who are old enough to remember that change can happen, even at a cost, should be doing something and encouraging others to do something too.
Thanks for your blog, Microe. I think we need a new attitude and if it starts w/your blog--all the better.
lots to think about here (your blog and Mary's comment too). I don't pretend to have any answers although that doesn't stop me from having an opinion or two - - -
Lots of states are in a bad way -- I believe our nation as a whole is one big house of cards and if it weren't for the smoke and mirrors being used in Washington we'd all realize how fucked we are (but that would not get anyone re-elected, would it?) I'm not sure you can blame the politicians in MI for the current state-of-the-State. MI was so heavily dependent on the auto industry which took a hard hit -- that's what happens when you have too many eggs in one basket. I do believe we can rebound -- GR is becoming a new medical meca, hell -- Google moved INTO Michigan -- that's gotta say something. I do believe it is our politicians responsibility to do all they can to promote new business, but I don't believe they could have prevented the downfall.
And we are all obsessed with consumerizim -- I can speak for myself and say that I am fortunate to have a great job that pays well,but like most Americans I don't have a lot to show for it and I don't have a good cushion if I lost my job tomorrow. Again -- not a state thing -- our culture as a whole thinks they have to have (in fact "deserve") every thing there is to posses and then some.
Isn't it nice so many of us would like to help and find a way to make a difference. The problem here (in my opinion) is that the agencys in place that are supposed to be set up to help are such a burecratic cluster-fuck that it deters people from using those avenues. If we could find a way to ban together as indivduals and do something on a independent/individual/local level that would be much more meaningful (but of course we won't get the tax deduction for it!)
It seems like a hopeless conundrum, but we can't give up. We can't walk away. Without our help it will only get worse. We should all think some more on this and see what we can come up with.
(Ok - you motivated me Mike -- I have my next blog topic! - Thanks)
Ah, is there a difference that can be made.
Michigan, once one of the greatest states seems to be in cronic and perpetual decline. It's politicians and electorate fail to realize that they must provide incentives for businesses to come here not disincentives, i.e. Single Business Tax, to leave or not come here.
Oh well, at least we still have the lakes.
Go fishin'...in Michigan.
Post a Comment
<< Home