Comments on: Michigan's Economy: Inside the Numbers http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/michigans-economy-inside-the-numbers/ Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:51:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mike Anthony http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/michigans-economy-inside-the-numbers/#comment-58759 Mike Anthony Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:20:19 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=957#comment-58759 "Democracy is an abuse of statistics" ...so said Jorge Luis Borges. That much said, I went to the link John provided us and did a screen on Michigan's air transportation industry. Looks like we're at $1.4B -- down from a 2003 peak of $1.8B. As we watch the Olympics this weekend we should think about getting some of our money back from the Chinese by building up Great Lakes International Airport (that's the name I like to give to DTW - the acronyn GRE is available, by the way). We should do everything we can to make sure those direct flights from GRE to China get approved by the FAA. Any pilot will tell you that GRE is a pretty good place to take off and land into weather-wise. We've got a robust interstate system in I-275 & I-94, and still a lot of undeveloped land between GRE and Ann Arbor. If we're smart like the City of Troy was 50 years ago, we can build up Romulus into an international destination. Forget about the City of Detroit. It'll take another generation to repair the damage done. I think some workgroups are already working on this, in conjunction with Willow Run. Let's help them. If we could those those GRE numbers up to, say, $2.0B in two years, would that be a statistic we would like? "Democracy is an abuse of statistics"
...so said Jorge Luis Borges. That much said, I went to the link John provided us and did a screen on Michigan's air transportation industry. Looks like we're at $1.4B -- down from a 2003 peak of $1.8B.

As we watch the Olympics this weekend we should think about getting some of our money back from the Chinese by building up Great Lakes International Airport (that's the name I like to give to DTW - the acronyn GRE is available, by the way). We should do everything we can to make sure those direct flights from GRE to China get approved by the FAA. Any pilot will tell you that GRE is a pretty good place to take off and land into weather-wise. We've got a robust interstate system in I-275 & I-94, and still a lot of undeveloped land between GRE and Ann Arbor.

If we're smart like the City of Troy was 50 years ago, we can build up Romulus into an international destination. Forget about the City of Detroit. It'll take another generation to repair the damage done.

I think some workgroups are already working on this, in conjunction with Willow Run. Let's help them. If we could those those GRE numbers up to, say, $2.0B in two years, would that be a statistic we would like?

]]> By: Steve http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/michigans-economy-inside-the-numbers/#comment-58592 Steve Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:45:02 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=957#comment-58592 thats not productive. If you dont agree with the numbers produced, ask how they got them and prove why they turned out that way based on the perception you see all around you giving your viewpoint to the situation. I offer that while Many industries have shrunk besides the AUto industry, its entirely possible that the numbers are based on sales of goods that are far higher priced now adjusted for inflation than they were in the HeyDays of the 90s. The higher prices may have to do with general price increases as well as businesses accounting for WAY higher petroleum costs, as well as skyrocketing insurance costs. Also taking into consideration, the entire nation was heavily squeezed during the 2001-2004 recession that statistics showed forced businesses to force employees to be far more productive. So efficiency increased thereby creating a future situation where more product was being produced by far less people, & sold for a higher price garnering a higher total GDP. Those stats dont measure how many people are employed in full time jobs. They are just values. thats not productive. If you dont agree with the numbers produced, ask how they got them and prove why they turned out that way based on the perception you see all around you giving your viewpoint to the situation.

I offer that while Many industries have shrunk besides the AUto industry, its entirely possible that the numbers are based on sales of goods that are far higher priced now adjusted for inflation than they were in the HeyDays of the 90s.
The higher prices may have to do with general price increases as well as businesses accounting for WAY higher petroleum costs, as well as skyrocketing insurance costs.
Also taking into consideration, the entire nation was heavily squeezed during the 2001-2004 recession that statistics showed forced businesses to force employees to be far more productive.
So efficiency increased thereby creating a future situation where more product was being produced by far less people, & sold for a higher price garnering a higher total GDP.

Those stats dont measure how many people are employed in full time jobs.
They are just values.

]]> By: TeresaE http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/michigans-economy-inside-the-numbers/#comment-58565 TeresaE Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:29:44 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=957#comment-58565 Wow, damn lies and statistics. There is NO way our manufacturing base is "larger" in real terms (widgits produced/employees) than it was in the '90s. There are thousands of factories shuttered and/or downsized. In my own industrial neighborhood we have lost 3 businesses (none manufacturing) in the past 3 months alone. Continuing to mis-apply inflation to GDP is creating the effect of using false numbers to state reality. We are in a DEPRESSION in this state, and by the rate of existing business closing, we haven't hit bottom yet. Articles like these convince the sheep that all is well. It ain't, and until we wake up and face REALITY it will only get worse. Wow, damn lies and statistics.

There is NO way our manufacturing base is "larger" in real terms (widgits produced/employees) than it was in the '90s.

There are thousands of factories shuttered and/or downsized.

In my own industrial neighborhood we have lost 3 businesses (none manufacturing) in the past 3 months alone.

Continuing to mis-apply inflation to GDP is creating the effect of using false numbers to state reality.

We are in a DEPRESSION in this state, and by the rate of existing business closing, we haven't hit bottom yet.

Articles like these convince the sheep that all is well. It ain't, and until we wake up and face REALITY it will only get worse.

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