Well, it’s nice to know that we’ve been doing a good job preparing the nursery. Anyway, that’s the report of the Washington-based Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
They think that we’ve been doing a lot right, including investing in high-level research and development and in our major universities, They also note that we’ve had an influx of highly trained immigrants, many of whom are acquiring skills in engineering and the sciences.
So why then aren’t we taking off? Why aren’t new Microsofts and Apples and Information Technology companies sprouting up in the ruins of closed auto plants all over the state?
The answer, I think, can be found buried in the foundation’s “new economy” index. Michigan ranks 40th in entrepreneurial activity. What that means is that we don’t have many Henry Fords, but a whole lot of people who want Henry Ford to take their hand and offer them a job.
That is, I think, the root of our problem. Since World War II, millions of us have looked to the big paternalistic auto companies for cradle-to-grave security. We might not like our jobs a whole lot, and the work might be repetitive and boring, but it was well-paying and steady.
They would tell us what to do, those nasty old foremen and straw bosses, and we would grumble a bit, and do it. Well, those days are over. And yet too many victims of the latest rounds of downsizing, both white and blue collar, are wandering around looking poleaxed.
Too many Michiganders remind me of a story I read in the New Yorker right after the fall of Communism. The new economy folks in Poland – i.e., the free market capitalists -- came into an obsolete plant that for many years made shoddy stuff no one wanted to buy.
“You know we’ll have to close this plant,” they said. The workers, who hated their jobs, cheered. “You know you will have to get new jobs?” they asked the workers. Yes! the workers cried happily.
The reporter asked one worker if he wasn’t worried about how he would make a living. “Not at all,” the man said. “The government will assign a new job to me.”
Too many of us in Michigan are somewhat like that. We want some enormous corporation to assign us a position as well-paid cog. But it isn’t happening. Not today, and perhaps not ever.
What we need is a new entrepreneurial spirit. We probably can’t expect bold vision from middle-aged refugees from corporate America. So here’s a prediction. When the next economic boom happens in Michigan, it will be led by immigrants or the children of immigrants.
I have no idea whether the next Henry Ford will be a man or a woman. But here’s another prediction, based on years of looking at college graduation lists: Michigan’s next great entrepreneur will be someone of Asian ancestry. And when we see what the future holds -- We will all be astonished and pleasantly surprised.
Why don't you stick to writing columns and not predict what is best for our economy. Since you have a forum for opinions, I guess it's fair to give mine. The reason Michigan's economy stinks can be found in your garage. You've said before you drive a Volvo. Michigan thrived because of cars made in Michigan, that ended when people like yourself stopped buy them. We need to stop wondering what happened to Michigan, the answer is simple. The solution, maybe there is no solution.
Posted by: Dan Smith | March 02, 2007 at 07:27 PM
Dan:
There's a dangerous mentality in Michigan and you are a sterling example. Jack drives a Volvo and you watch the Red Wings through a Chinese made TV. Your stove is made in Taiwan and the software on your computer is manufactured in India.Your clothing-Mexico and Panama.The list is endless.
Jack is dead-on right. Michigan-particularly working class are high on expectations and low on comparable skill. The rest of America looks at Michigan with aghast. Job banks and billion dollar buyouts? My next car will either be a Honda or KIA-because I want to stick Gettelfinger in the eye.
Drop the early 1980's logic Danny.Immigrants and entrepreneurs are your only hope.
Posted by: Jose Santiago | March 04, 2007 at 09:08 PM
The average person in Michigan thinks we are in big trouble
www.survivingmichigan.com proves this point. THis site has polls and opinions about what is going on. It is much more than people not buying American. Volvo is owned by FORD.
Posted by: Webmaster of Surviving Michigan | April 02, 2007 at 11:41 PM