What must Michigan do about worst economy in nation? Move away from manufacturing, towards knowledge economy?

Question

We have highest unemployment rate because we are overly dependent on manufacturing, especiall automobiles. Since we are no longer competetive in that area, we should push hard into the high technology. lnowledge-based, information economy. University of Michigan and Michigan State are two of the best research universities in the country. They can adequately support such an economy by providing highly educated workers and vast amounts of research. The state also has an abundance of highly rated smaller state and private colleges. This provides the basis for a knowledge driven economy.

Automobile manufacturing will continue to decline, and even that which remains will demand highly trained technology workers as the tasks currently performed by uneducated workers become automated. Michigan's young people must realize the days of highly paid manufacturing jobs for unskilled workers are gone forever. Older workers may last until retirement, but younger ones must be retrained to survive.

Answer 1

I agree

Answer 2

I agree.  We have the potential to become an important part of the knowledge economy.  We have many high quality universities producing educated graduates who are increasingly leaving the state, because there aren't any opportunities here.  We need to make those opportunities.  A promising sector is healthcare, as the U of M hospital system is ranked as among the best in the country, and Grand Rapids has in the past few years received lots of investment for medical research.  We really need to stop trying to protect the auto industry, since it gives young people the false hope that a career building cars might be a stable, high paying job.

Answer 3

The manufacturing sector is pretty much, sadly, almost gone in the US.  Its time to invest more in areas where the economy can grow.  This is not to say that those who were hurt by manufacturing decrease should be left behind.  They should be given education and skills for today's economy.  Knowledge-based can work well.  Here are some good sectors-

Technology- would be a good area.  There is more growth in it.  Perhaps we can have more R&D.  Research and Development.  Give more of those-- investment. And incentives.  That should get more jobs and more people researching and helping to create technology that is more advanced and strong (helping our economy and Michigan's).

Alternate energy- Yeah its risky..And yes not many have done this so far.  But its a growing area.  More companies are producing products that use completely or just a part of alternate energy.  I think people could work here and get jobs from it.

Healthcare. Danajaan is right.  Healthcare is growing and more people need healthcare these days.  There is really high demand for health/doctor in America.  So this would be a great place for jobs.

Hope this helps. I think everyone (I do) agree with ya. :)

Answer 4

The manufacturing economy in the United States is DEAD. I'm surprised we arent making cars in China and importing them into the United States by now. Although I'm sure somebody is crunching the numbers to make it happen.

In any case, a Knowledge Based economy is where the United States MUST shift into. An economy of factory floors and widget makers is gone. Gone to China where labor is $1/day. Maybe $10/day for the experienced folks. A joke in the US when Auto workers in Michigan might make $40/hr.

Its time to crack open the books and focus on technology, bio tech, medicine, etc...  All those widget makers in China will need MRIs once they can afford it. They'll need software to power their businesses. They'll need ScramJets to power their intercontinental space flights to America for vacation.

The future is in knowledge. Knowledge is power. Those without it will be doomed to a life at WalMart and standing in cheese lines.