State of confusion

The state of Michigan is going through some rough times right now. Employers are leaving, jobs are drying up, and housing is really really cheap. The legislature needs to do something, and I think it should take some cues from the hometown auto industry.

Think of the state as General Motors. At GM, less money was coming in the door because fewer cars were being sold. In the state, less money is coming in because fewer people are working and paying taxes. At GM, the leadership (finally) recognized the problem and started trimming the staff and making the product more attractive to buyers. The state of Michigan needs to do the same.

Staff cuts need to happen. Program cuts need to happen. The state needs to make itself more business-friendly, and that means making do with less. Less income, meaning fewer tax dollars, to be specific.

Just like General Motors.

And look, GM is coming back. Maybe there's hope for Michigan, too.

Electricals

There's a theory I have about Bosch electrical bits. When Bosch decided to start making electrical thingies, they thought they'd be smart and hire some engineers with experience away from other manufacturers. They cheaped out and went with Lucas.

That would explain why I abandoned my Rabbit (the 1982 variety) about a mile from my house today. The fuel pump relay casing was about 150F. When I left the house this morning, the fuel pump never shut off as it is supposed to, and I said to myself, "hmm, this is new". If you own an old car with Bosch or Lucas bits, you say that a lot. I grew up saying it, and apparently haven't had the honor of (or brains to) growing out of saying it.

Fortunately I walked home and my kids had a good laugh. They are surprisingly resilient about these things.

Bosch and Lucas: why AAA has a Gold Towing Package.