MICHIGAN issues an open invitation!

If I may be so bold, and in the name of my state, COME TO MICHIGAN!! We need DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS.

You may think of Michigan as one of the Bluest of the Blue. Not so.

Until Jenifer Granholm replaced that pig ENGLER, I can't even REMEMBER the last Democratic Governor. The House AND Senate had both been Republican dominated since I can't remember when, and we just recently took back the House. Our gerrymandered Congressional districts make Texas look rational.

Our cities get a bad rap. You losing your $200,000 house in Tempe? You could buy FOUR in Flint, ALL in pretty good shape, and maybe a couple of them eligible four "Historic Home Restoration Grants." Same with Detroit. In Owosso where I live, they are GIVING AWAY 6 bedroom/2 full bath houses with PROPERTY for less than $90,000 not 10 minutes outside of Lansing.

You want WATER? SKIING? FORESTS? HUNTING? Come on up. We got 'em ALL, usually less than an HOUR from where you live. Canada is right next door, and they LIKE us.

Come to Michigan, let's vote the assholes OUT, Re-district, and set WASHINGTON on its EAR.

lots of good stuff going on in Michigan. And cheap property!! It's cheap to live here!

(Last Dem gov. before Granholm was Jim Blanchard, who immediately preceded Engler.)

GAWD it seemed like Engler had been grown in office like a fungus.

And we don't grow shit in DESERTS. We still have PRECIPITATION.

BOATS are cheap too.

There are STILL office jobs in Bloomfield (you don't have to LIVE there).

I work in St. Johns where there are still manufacturing jobs for good people. I can recommend you to the company I work for (you do have to keep your mouth shut: the bosses are Bushites, but hey, I'll take their money and the bennies are great).

The hospitals in Detroit with Wayne State have the only Level 1 trauma center in 100 miles. The Susan B. Komen center is AMAZING.

Even some Auto Suppliers are still hiring if you need a quick job and can live with a somewhat low wage.

You are really missing out.

The Lions are 6-2, the Pistons are 3-0 and the Tigers'll be strong in 2008 again.

If you like sports, you'll love Michigan. (even if you're a fan of Appalachian State :))

Sid (who's originally from Windsor)

I know MANY Maple Leaf Fans, my late Dad was one!

We are getting immigrants from all over the world, and they can't ALL be wrong. The largest single population of Iraqis in the world is in DEARBORN MICHIGAN. They aren't stupid.

A superb sports town. Absolutely loved it.

It ain't so bad up here in beautiful Traverse City either. :toast:

Julie

We could post pictures, or real estate listings.

places I've ever seen. If I weren't such a die hard Vermonter, that's where I'd be.

for a few winters..and then then had to move :)

And you don't have the cuddly little alligators, coral snakes, and no-seeums we have down here in Florida.

But, then again, when you have snow, all of your half-blind snowbirds are down here running people off the roads. Maybe I'll come up there for the winter.

Immaculate 5 yr old home in Oshtemo Township. Convenient Westside location just minutes from downtown Kalamazoo and close to all the West Main/9th street amenities. Fantastic floor plan with an abundance of windows and natural light. Kitchen has lots of cabinet and counter space with a great open feel for entertaining. Snack bar, built-in desk, pantry and easy access to the garage. Main floor laundry room/half bath. Formal dining room and living room round out the main level. Living room has a cozy gas log fireplace. 3 good sized bedrooms upstairs. Master suite w/ walk-in closet & his-n-hers sink areas. Beautifully finished lower level with daylight windows. Heated 3 car garage, fenced backyard. Kalamazoo Promise Qualified.

(The Kalamazoo Promise is a group that gives free college tuition to any kid who grows up in the Kalamazoo school district.)

(maybe still is)..

It's just that "snow thing" that stops me from moving back to the north-center-lands :)

It's been redone in recent years and there are lots of nice shops and restaurants, a movie theater, coffee shops, etc. Great place to hang out!

The snow is fun when it first starts falling. It's really beautiful. By March, I've had it, but no one appreciates the beauty of spring like someone who has been waiting for it someplace cold.

:hi:

I was just there yesterday. Food Dance moved and expanded, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Oh, and as for snow, we're getting less all the time. Last year's winter was downright pitiful. We finally got our first snow of the year yesterday, about a month late.

But I was living with a right-wing wack-job family, and I had to flee to Ohio to be with family. I would love to come back some day.

Ohio's pretty in places, but our state's better. :)

Doesn't matter how much a house costs if you aren't bringing in any money...

http://www.mlive.com/jobs/

That's a place to search for various job listings. Pay is a little lower here but it's because our cost of living is so comparatively low. You can make less and live better. Wages were increased for places like LA because of how much it costs to live there, and it didn't need to be done here.

I don't know if anyplace is swimming in jobs lately. Not as many jobs, but on the other hand so many fewer people live in the Kalamazoo area anyway that there's much less competition for what jobs there are than someplace like LA.

Teachers and several other professions aren't going to do better anywhere than they are in Michigan.

He wasn't paid more in residency in Kalamazoo, but our money sure went further. Same for now in Battle Creek as an attending.

Law jobs are hard to find if you don't have experience, teaching jobs depend on your area, and we need medical types pretty much everywhere. I know those, but I hear of other ones around.

Our state is only Dem in certain centers. The rest is solidly right-wing (some pretty scary far-right wingers, too, like Erik Prince and that whole clan).

Pro sports teams are good, wonderful arts organizations are all over the state, and it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. We lived in Ohio, and I had to move us back up here.

And if you want a Dem for a doctor, let me know. I could hook you up. ;)

South Bayou up in Ludington:


Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island (for our tenth anniversary this last summer)


The Bridge:


Summer Woods Walk by Silver Lake Sand Dunes


I have more somewhere else. There really isn't a prettier place than Michigan, and I've travelled all over. Other places are pretty, sure, but there's something special about Michigan.

job market. From what I hear lately it hasn't gotten any better.

was the best thing we ever did. Took a financial hitto do it but it was well worth it in the long run. We got back everything we lost and more. Our quality of life and stress levels are much improved.

What a great city it is. If I could I would move my business there. Lots of things to do there.
Great stores.

It is one of the more expensive areas in MI but it is pretty progressive and an hour's drive from Detroit, Lansing and Toledo.

I love my town! Very blue and the arts generated $165 million in revenue last year. Love that.

but moved to Wisconsin in '02. Battle Creek is struggling, it's not what it used to be. The locals seem to be in a brainwashed red fog thanks to the only talk station in town (930 WBCK) being the home of Limpballs and Insannity. I always liked the early Saturdays on WBCK though, the Animal Talk was cool (and the host was one of the vets I took my old dog to.) At least the Golden Dragon on NE Capital is still there, and still has a kickass buffet <burp>. :D

I love where I am now, but I get down every so often, I'll be down that way around turkey day as it happens.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

It doesn't get any better IMO.

Oh and we just swept the city elections last night so we're gettin' bluer every year.

:toast:

Julie

And what a gorgeous shot.