News Round Up: Michigan Unemployment

Sorry I’ve been away so long, guys, but I’ve been busy studying for exams, studying up on the economy (I’ve got a cache of 10 books to read to start), and just run-of-the-mill spring madness getting into me. So, please forgive me as you read the latest news roundup:

So, obviously, the recession reaches all layers of life, including schools. But, how has it impacted education and the system? In a New York Times article the obvious is stated: poor school students perform worse than richer/better funded school students. And, those aren't the only disparities. From the article:

In New York City, an analysis of 2007 federal test scores for fourth graders showed strikingly stratified achievement levels: While 6 percent of white students in city schools scored below a base achievement level on math, 31 percent of black students and 26 percent of Hispanic students did. In reading, 48 percent of black students and 49 percent of Hispanic students failed to reach that base level, but 19 percent of white students did.

In other news, don't forget that next year is head count year. That's right, the 2010 census is right around the corner. Though the changes haven't been counted yet, organizations such as Stateline.org have already speculated on what's going to happen. For Michigan, it seems like we're going to lose house seats because of our population exodus.

Also according to Stateline, the nation is having issues with its tuition programs. Currently, Michigan is one of 19 states that has a prepaid tuition plan. From the site:

Prepaid tuition plans vary, but most are set up so parents or grandparents pay today’s prices for tuition and fees instead of the higher costs in the year their child goes to a state school. Those discounted costs are paid as a lump sum or over time through monthly payments that are deposited into a state-managed investment fund. When the child is ready to attend a state college, the tuition and fees are paid from the fund.

[Check out their whole series on tracking the recession. I highly recommend taking a longer look at it for anyone interested!]

If you're one of the unemployed, chances are you've had to jump through the hoops of jobless claims. The good news is that the state might get a stimulus grant to help replace the 25-year old system, according to a Lansing State Journal article. From the article:

During a meeting today of the state House Economic Development Appropriations subcommittee, Stephen Geskey, the director of the Michigan Unemployment Agency, said a new computer system would have helped the agency deal with skyrocketing numbers of jobless claims in recent months and avoid delays in processing appeals of benefit determinations.

In related news, Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed legislation that provides unemployed Michigan workers with up to seven additional weeks of benefits. (from a DailyReporter.com article.)

Michigan still has the highest unemployment rate with 12.6 percent. To give the reader some perspective, the state unemployment rate for March 2008 was 7.6 percent (from a CM Life article). Still nowhere near the great depression rates , the state's economy is still suffering.

What does Governor Granholm have to say about the issue? Diversity is the key, according to ConnectedMichigan.com article. From the article:

“By supporting our workers today and diversifying our economy for tomorrow, we are moving in a determined fashion day-to-day to shape the next Michigan,” Granholm said.

Finally, are you unemployed and worried about your health insurance costs? Check out this website. The catch, you have to be from Traverse City, and you have to pay 30.00. But, still, put the word out if you know anyone interested.


It's good to be back.
Comments? Questions? Stories?
Feel free to leave a comment below or e-mail me at whipp1re@cmich.edu

Talking about the Free Market.

Here's one video about what the free market is.


The video he responded to:

Daily News Roundup: Jobloss and Bailouts.

In Michigan, it's going to be announced Friday that the loss rate is going to jump to 12.6 percent, up from 12 percent. Though the jump is still unsettling and hard for Michigan residents, the rise doesn't come as a shock. The difference from this year from last year is a 5 percent change.

If you were unemployed and looking to enjoy the outdoors, the park may not be there to your advantage. In a Wall Street Journal article, state parks are receiving budget cuts.

From the article: "It's rare if a state is not having pretty serious problems," said Philip K. McKnelly, the executive director of the National Association of State Park Directors. He said many states expect their parks budgets will be cut 10% to 15% from the year before.

And, finally, from a Bloomberg Press article:
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Richard Fisher said “grim” figures indicate the world’s largest economy shrank steeply last quarter.

“The economic data in the U.S. is quite grim, and I expect a contraction at an equally dismal rate in the first quarter,” Fisher said in a speech today in Hong Kong. He reiterated his prediction that the jobless rate may exceed 10 percent this year.

Column: Politics and Economy; an open letter to my readers

Editors Note: these are personal opinions expressed by myself. I was going to report on the story, but I found it very difficult. Therefore, to maintain the spirit that my blog should be as unbiased as possible, I decided not to run the story.

Sitting in the middle of the aisle, the feeling of indignation washed over me. Did anyone sense the same thing I was feeling too, or was I the only one? The speaker, Lawrence Reed, made an uncomfortable joke about how President Franklin Roosevelt had tried to stuff the Supreme Court in a proposed bill but was shot down, "probably because of all the happenings in Europe and Germany."

I blinked. Reed had mentioned dictatorships and the president of the United States in the same breath. He actually alluded to FDR as be likened to Hitler. Sure, it was inductive, but still.

Students took notes. Of course they would. It was being offered as extra credit for classes. The name of the lecture was indeed called "Lesson from the Great Depression".

And, the allusions to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and today's President Barack Obama were very apparent. When had economics been political? I never realized before.

More astute students would have noticed that the organization paired with the Students for a Free Economy was the Campus Conservatives. However I knew about that, the fact of the matter was that I was not ready to confront the idea that money and politics were two sides of the same coin.

So, as a journalist, I'm now aware that there are two large schools of thought within the economy. Portraying as much as I can from both sides has now become my major goal.

Once a week, I will read from a school of thought and summarize the arguments. Because the job of a journalist, the job of a citizen, the job of a person in this world is to be informed, to stay informed, and to know what's out there.

This is my goal for myself and for you.
Thank you for reading,
R.e. Whipple

Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? Stories?
Feel free to e-mail me at whipp1re@cmich.edu

Daily News Roundup: Bailout

In national news, apparently Obama has five pillars to his plan to help save the economy. I'll give you the short list, but you can find the full list here:

1. Investment in Education
2. Investment in renewable energy and technology
3. New Rules for Wall Street
4. Health care Reform
5. Deficit reduction

Heads up auto industry. You're not important in Michigan anymore. At least, that's what's being said in a report (via Freep.com).
Directly from the article:

"The decline in autos is part of an irreversible new reality that manufacturing is no longer a sustainable source of high-paid jobs," the report from the Ann Arbor think tank Michigan Future Inc. states. "The world has changed fundamentally. We either adjust to the changes or we will continue to get poorer compared to the nation."

Straight from a Washington Post article:
The president and the Federal Reserve chairman voiced cautious optimism yesterday that the economy could be beginning to stabilize. But the economy wasn't cooperating.
That's okay, though, because according to a L.A. times article, people who responded to a gallup poll 71 percent of those interviewed said they placed "a great deal or a fair amount" of confidence in the president to bring about an economic recovery.

Also, remembering the words of Richard Levick from the speech he gave earlier this month on Central Michigan's campus: "We're probably going to be out of the recession within two years because of the level of communication and technology today. They'll probably be a couple of misfires, but it'll be pretty much wrapped up in two years time."

More to come later today!

Daily News Round Up: What's the deal with Tea Party protests?

If you're insufferably outside the news loop, you're probably wondering what's going on today with all of these protests? Well, here's a few basic background facts about the astroturf grassroots* protests that are occurring around the nation today:

Who are these people protesting?
Generally speaking, the people who are protesting in the "Tea Party Day" protests are Americans of slightly right-leaning, conservative economic stances. Advertised on news outlets such as Fox News, the movement has gained some momentum. (The official website.) However, technically speaking, the website states that, "The Tax Day Tea Party is a national collaborative grassroots effort organized by Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter, the DontGo Movement and many other online groups/coalitions."

*though called grassroots, organizations such as "Media Matters" which lean to the left are quick to point out that Fox News Channel aggressively promoting the day. A second article on the issue from Media Matters.

Why are they doing it?
To protest the stimulus package which a lot of conservatives have marked as fiscally irresponsible which destroys the possibility for a free market. (To read more here)

Why is it called the "Tea Party Protest?"
Directly from the website:
The Tea Party protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when Rick Santelli, the On Air Editor for CNBC, set out on a rant to expose the bankrupt liberal agenda of the White House Administration and Congress. Specifically, the flawed “Stimulus Bill” and pork filled budget.

During Rick’s rant (see video below), he called for a “Chicago tea Party” where advocates of the free-market system could join in a protest against out of control government spending.

(However, it should be noted that Santelli is not participating in the protests. )

If you've got pictures, free free to e-mail them to me at whipp1re@cmich.edu
I'd love to see what you've got.

Daily News Round up:Job loss.

Heads up, Michigan, Oregon is giving us a run for our unemployement money. Apparently, the new adjusted figures from last month show Oregon as hitting 12.1 percent job loss. At least, that's according to the Portland Business Journal article. The new figures should be out Friday for the nation, so I'll keep you updated as it comes out.

In benefits news, apparently Governor Granholm signed another extension that allows for unemployment benefits for up to 79 weeks while people look for a new job (via news 3 blurb). This is adding another 7 weeks onto the benefits, if you weren't sure.

How do you cut costs in your families expense budget? This freep article gives you a couple more good ideas.

More businesses are closing this year. Top of the list currently? Starbucks. They just release a list of 200 stores that will be closing nationwide. But, don't Michiganders. We're only losing two stores.

Economic Seminars this week: Central Michigan University

For those of you still keeping up on economic issues, there are a few opportunities to learn about things this week.

First, there's a presentation starting at 5 pm in the Park Library Auditorium about Financial Literacy. From the Web site:

In conjunction with Isabella Bank and Trust, the Central Michigan University Chapter of Golden Key International Honour Society is offering a presentation on financial literacy. Topics will include money management,
credit, lending, and investment. The presentation will be
geared toward students to better equip them for a
post-collegiate world.

After that, at 7:30 pm, in the same room (Park Library Auditorium), there will be another presentation about the financial market. Called, "Lessons from the Great Depression"
http://michigansfe.org/blog/2009/04/01/less-than-two-weeks-till-the-great-depression/
From their Web site:

SFE is proud to work with CMU Collegiate Forum and Campus Conservatives to bring in noted speaker, author, and thinker Lawrence W. Reed to discuss the Great Depression and its many lessons for us today in the current economic climate. Reed’s well-known publication “Great Myths of the Great Depression” is as timely today as ever, and we’d be foolish to ignore the lessons of history.

Weekly news roundup.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Treasury Department has cut the amount of cash it intends to invest in two key programs, part of a shuffling of resources designed to give the government wriggle room in case it needs to launch fresh bailouts. Initially, the Treasury said it planned to invest $100 billion from its bailout funds in TALF (Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility). Now, it will contribute $55 billion.

Also, the Wall Street Journal has said that The Fed is buying hundreds of billions of dollars of low-interest-rate mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The purchases, which so far amount to $250 billion and could grow to $1.25 trillion, have driven mortgage rates to historical lows, inducing house purchases and sparking a refinancing wave.

In an Associated Press blurb, five banks have paid back about $353 million back in loans already. The banks are: Iberiabank Corp. of Lafayette, La.; Bank of Marin Bancorp of Novato, Calif.; Old National Bancorp. of Evansville, Ind.; Signature Bank of New York; and Centra Financial Holdings Inc. of Morgantown, W.Va.

Internationally this week, the G-20 (that is, the top 20 policy makers) met this week to discuss the economy in London. In a Bloomberg article, world leaders agreed on a regulatory blueprint for reining in the excesses that fed the worst financial crisis in six decades and pledged more than $1 trillion in emergency aid to cushion the economic fallout. Who the money is going to, and what it entails seems a bit more vague, though.

In state news this week, it seems like the only thing keeping Michigan alive is final four basketball. Yes, that’s right. The news is spinning that people are forgetting about the economy, the market, and the job loss in lieu of watching Michigan State in Final Four glory.

In a Bloomberg Press article, Frank Gegovic, 32, general manager of Detroit Beer Co. said, “It’s going to make people forget what’s going on for about three days.”

Why? Well, if you believe an L.A. Times article, the recession is a “he-session”. That is to say, more men are affected by job loss than women. In February, the unemployment numbers were 8.8% for men and 7.3% for women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The wide difference is only supposed to get wider.

However, no amount of basketball is going to have Michiganders forget that more state budget cuts are on the way, according to a Free Press article. The reason? State tax collections are falling $100 million a month short of dire predictions made three months ago.

But, don’t worry, public schools and universities are protected under the federal stimulus. It’s welfare, unemployment, prisons, and revenue sharing that are going to take the hit.

What’s unemployment going to be like for March? Well, probably higher since unemployment in Jackson County was up to 11.1 percent. So, expect it to go up even a little bit for last month. We’ve pushed to the 12 percent mark, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.

Central michigan students given advice, perspective on the economy and the future

The small Grawn lecture hall filled slowly with accounting and business students looking to get extra credit and advice. Well dressed business professionals and Central Michigan University professors stood in a small circle at the front of the room shaking hands and chattering excitedly.

Jody Patton, senior director of development in the college of business administration at Central, introduced speakers Richard Levick, Esq., chief executive officer and president of Levick Strategic Communications and author of the book Stop the presses; as well as Glen Ware, Esq., managing director of the Washington D.C. bureau of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"Do you know what the TATA is?" Levick started. "Because it's already deciding the future in Detroit. The cheese has moved, and most of you don't know what's going on."

The room was deadly silent as Levick and Ware scolded, doled out advice to students, and discussed what it meant for business professionals to deal with the financial crisis in the "war room".

"First an event will take place, and you may only get a letter from a senator in congress asking a question," said Levick. "If you don't start early and 'crack the book' on getting things done, within hours other senators will be writing angry form letters demanding answers, then the bloggers, and then the traditional media."

The two focused specifically on the global market and how it's affecting the national scheme of how things are run on wall street and businesses today.

"You may finally be able to settle things down by 10 o'clock, and you'll think you're done," said Levick. "But, you're not. You're on a 24 hour cycle. Because the foreign regulators will just be waking up in Hong Kong. And, they'll want answers, too."

Students all over the room shifted a little uneasily throughout the presentation as the two asked pointed questions, walking up and down the aisles of the lecture room.

"How many of you read the Wall Street Journal?" asked Ware. Reluctantly, a small number raised their hands. "There are about 150 people here, and only this many read. You need to read."

The two speakers both agreed that the world knows about the United States, but people in the United States knows very little outside it's borders.

"We have never been in a more vulnerable position before in our country's history before, ever," said Wane. "And everybody from bus boys to CEOs need to pursue excellence, be distinct and better, or this ship will 'go down'."

The discussion wrapped up with the two giving the strongest advice of the day.

"Understand your own personal strength," said Levick. "Enter the market place like you're on a good date. Know about your date, dress well for your date, and be passionate about it."

Although the question seemed to be talked about by many of the students before the lecture started, none asked the question of the future job market for students graduating within the next couple years. However, the two answered it because it's been asked before by others.

"We've been through these types of crises before and survived it," said Wane. "The recovery will be quicker than imagined because communication is much more instant. Freshman and sophomores will likely enter a booming market."

Bio on Richard Levick

Glen Ware and an interview he did about corruption with David Janson of Bulletproofblog

Daily Round Up: Michigan Economy [now with personal glib!]

"You want to make a plan for tomorrow. Right now, you work hard all day long and go home worried about losing your job the next day," he said, standing outside the entrance of the plant that makes Dodge Ram and Dakota pickup trucks. Read about it.

“The unemployment numbers in Michigan continue to stack up, with layoffs announced seemingly on a daily basis,” Hoekstra said. “Lansing needs to implement the right policies and incentives to again become an attractive destination for job providers and new business investment.” Read the article

However, it should be noted to readers that Pete Hoekstra is running for Governor in 2010. His website here
[Personally, and feel free to ignore my opinion, the man looks like John McCain except less dynamic. He talks like a republican and spins the "I want to have a conversation" line worse than Hillary Clinton.]

Not really economy related, but can Sports wins help take your mind off the unemployment? Maybe.
[From the home newspaper for me, CM life.]

Daily Round Up: World Perspective

World Bank Sees Russian Economy Contracting 4.5%
Why?
"oil prices slumped and global contagion spread, driving up unemployment and pushing more people into poverty, the World Bank forecast." Read here

World stocks take turn for worse [the picture is pretty worrisome]

Daily round up: bailout

President Obama said yesterday that General Motors and Chrysler can expect further aid from his administration, but new conditions will be attached to any aid package. Read more

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner this week unveiled his plan to jump-start the banking system with the Public-Private Investment Program, or PPIP. It calls for Treasury to combine as much as $100 billion in bailout money with private capital to buy toxic assets lurking on banks’ books. To get hedge funds to buy into these rancid asset pools, the government plans a slew of inducements and guarantees that basically shield the hedge funds from risk. read more

"I think there's far too much faith in him," says [Neython] Murillo, referring to Obama's economic bailout plans to return the U.S. to prosperity. "He's just one man."
The thing about faith is that it often requires someone to believe in things they can't see or explain. But when you see everything around you falling apart, and the explanations why seem as varied as the commentators giving them, it can be difficult to have heart. Read more

The truth is that there will be no trillion-dollar bailouts for individual Americans. But there are a variety of measures beginning to take effect that are meant to prop up family finances. Read more

Declaring that the country had reached the end of the road with Detroit's automakers, President Obama on Monday mapped a new course for bailed-out General Motors Corp. and Chrysler in a series of moves designed to force the hands of workers, creditors and others with a stake in the companies. Read more

Editoral: Where's the revolution?

The Article the inspired me

Why aren't we standing up, screaming and shouting, stomping and rampaging? Why aren't we filling the streets with angry, pitchfork grabbing mobs? Where's the fire? Where's the passion? Where's the anger, people?

Aren't you mad as hell and not going to take it anymore?

I have been. I made a few personal vlogs about it (and, they weren't my finest hour, for sure), but at least it was something. Maybe that's where the revolution is taking place. On twitter, on facebook, and on youtube... maybe.

There's something that the 60s had that my generation somewhat lacks: the ability to organize. Some professors on Central Michigan's campus would love to assert that we're not motivated to gather. I find that personal ridiculous. In fact, I grope to find time for myself away from organizations. Though, going back to my community college days, I've always been a club whore filling up my time with organizational meetings and outreach programs.

I know that people like protesting when they get to do it. In May 2008, I was doing a "mock" protest for a French class to remember Mai 1968, a time when France completely shut down because of protesting Parisian laborers.


And, then, again, in September of 2008 (around the time all the economic issues were going down), Central Michigan students protested a very "inflammatory" religious leader.

If that's the case, what's the problem? Isn't this affecting Central Students? Not directly; no. It's sad, but if it doesn't inconvenience the college kids directly, they don't really care.

For example, there would be hell to pay if you take away their distractions like cellphones, ipods, or facebook apps. But, talk to them about the economy, and you get a lot of blank stares.

"What, the economy? I don't know what's going on with all of that."

I usually get brushed off when I bring it up. President Obama will handle it.

Maybe it's ignorance then. I know that at the end of the semester when all these graduates of our fine university get dumped into a very unstable, very scary, very shaky economy that can't sustain the workers we have right now, I know that a few more people will start to care.

The hearts of young people are there; it just hasn't been realized that it's a viable protest worthy thing yet.

Until then, I'm just twittering my thumbs about the issue.
Or, just twittering.
R.e.

Weekly Economic News roundup

According to the Associated Press, New claims for unemployment benefits rose to 652,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 644,000 according to the Labor Department. The total number of people claiming benefits jumped to 5.56 million, worse than economists' projections of 5.48 million, a ninth straight record and the highest total on records dating back to 1967.

So, it’s not looking good. Or is it? Three days ago, the stock market had a one-day jump of over 500 points that could have been a good sign or just a fluke in the spiraling.


The unemployment rate for Feb. nationally was 8.1 percent, from 6.9 percent. According to a New York times article, the one-month jump was the largest on record. Michigan itself had a rate of 12 percent (according to a Detroit News Article).

In fact, a Business Week article suggested that even though the nationally unemployment rate is expected to be at 8.4 percent or so that it may look as though it’s stabilizing. This means that the worst of the whole recession could be behind us. The article, however, was quick to mention that even though the GDP recovers, it may not be able to stop the jobless rate from going as high as 9 or 10 percent. It’s all just speculation at this point.

And just because I like hearing about things abroad, the unrest about the employment has reached a terrible peak in France with workers protesting (when AREN’T they protesting, honestly?) by burning tires and marching on the Presidental Palace.
According to an article on Chron.com, Rising public outrage at employers on both sides of the Atlantic has been triggered by executives cashing in bonus checks even as their companies were kept afloat with billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money and unemployment soars. The controversy in France is against 3M, and Clairox (a tire maker). In fact, in France it’s gone as far as kidnapping of employers, marches, and strikes.

And the bailouts, according to the FBI, will lead to more Fraud cases, mentioned in a Reuters article. From the article: The expected surge in economic crimes will place further strain on an agency already stretched thin as it investigates mortgage fraud, terrorism and corrupt politicians, FBI Director Robert Mueller said.

If the bailout nationally were getting a lot of criticism and bad rap, it’s worse on the state level. From Mlive.com: “For the past month, Republicans have ridiculed Gov. Jennifer Granholm for only slashing $670 million from the fiscal 2010 budget and relying on Obamabucks to patch the rest of the $1.4 billion hole.”

In a Free Press article, however, Michigan Retailers have little faith in the stimulus (about 65 percent of retailers are saying that in the Michigan Retail Index) in that it won’t trickle down to them.

And, they might be right. Especially when a large lump sum comes into people’s possession, it seems as though they use the money to pay bills or to save the money for a “rainy day”. However, the stimulus package doesn’t allow for a large lump sum. It’s smaller increments over time.

However, the governor is positive President Obama’s plan will be beneficial to Michigan. From a Free Press article: the governor said federal officials prefer to call the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA, will bring about $18 million in spending to Michigan, creating or preserving about 109,000 jobs over two years.

Sources:

• Lansing: Through the looking glass”.
http://tinyurl.com/c4gkkm
• Vital Signs: Is Unemployment Near a Peak?
http://tinyurl.com/dgbgmg
• Stimulus Aid won’t help, most Michigan Retailers say http://tinyurl.com/c5vvd2
• Granholm: Stimulus Projects will lift Michigan’s future http://tinyurl.com/ckmy8v
• City jobless rate takes highest-ever one-month leap
http://tinyurl.com/c5jypg
http://tinyurl.com/dmuscl
• Bailouts fuel outrage in France, too http://tinyurl.com/dx3nym
• Stimulus, Bailout will lead to more Fraud: FBI http://tinyurl.com/dd358c

Upcoming economic events around Central Michigan

Central's Public Radio station is having a show talking about the economy with a special call-in section at 8 pm. The show starts at 7. I do believe that Congressman Dave Camp is on this week.
You can stream the show live on-line at:
http://wcmu.org/radio/listenlivepage.html

Here's where you can find more information on the radio program:
http://wcmu.org/radio/radio_econ_crisis.html

Also, on Central's campus this week, Barry Goldwater Jr. will be coming to talk about the economy on Thursday March 26 at 6 pm in Brooks 176. It's worth the trip, and it's going to be worth the time for students who also have questions.

Tomorrow, I personally have an interview with Dennis Dunlap, the alma director at Michigan Public works. Hopefully, I'll get to videotape the interview which I'll post here.

If you know of any events within the Mount Pleasant or Mid-Michigan area and want to mention it, feel free to leave a comment below.
If you have a story you want to tell, you can also comment or you can e-mail me at:
whipp1re@cmich.edu

please write: ECONOMIC MATTERS in the subject line for quicker replies. Thank you,
R.e.

Phone Interview with Sage Eastman

Sage Eastman, the PR secretary for David Camp, the congressman looking over Mid-Michigan, spoke with me today about the senator's stance on the issues.

"The economy needs to have greater attention paid to it," said Eastman. "I mean, when we have the president signing the brackets for the NCAA, I think you know it's time to focus more on the economy."

When mentioning the job loss in Michigan, Eastman said, "We're losing thousands of jobs daily."

We talked briefly as well about the stimulus package that was passed recently, as Eastman replied, "David Camp is opposed to the stimulus because it spends way too much money that doesn't affect the economy right now. It does very little to stimulate growth. Even Mark Zandi, a private economist, said that it would take years to implement the parts of the stimulus package."

When asked about what Sen. David Camp thinks would help stimulate the economy, Eastman suggested that Camp advocates for "tax relief for families and small businesses."

---
How do you feel about what Eastman has said? Feel free to leave a comment, or email me at:
whipp1re@cmich.edu
Got a story? I want to hear it!
Make sure the subject line states: ECONOMIC MATTERS for quicker replies.
Thank you, and there's more to come.

Economic Matters Blog

Welcome! If you came here, please bookmark (or favorite) the link as I will be adding more information as it becomes available. Feel free to leave a comment about your personal experiences on the blog.

If you have a story about how the recession has affected you, and you'd like to share it, please email me at:
whipp1re@cmich.edu

Please type in the subject line: ECONOMY MATTERS for faster replies.

Thank you,
R.e. Whipple