From the The Detroit News:

Rising unemployment and a steep drop in good-paying manufacturing jobs are taking a wider toll on Michigan residents -- including a 50 percent explosion in the number of people collecting government food assistance.

Today, about one in 11 Michigan residents relies on government help to keep food on the table. That's a seven-year high. With Michigan's economic outlook still shaky, and with unemployment expected to remain near 7 percent next year, the number of recipients is likely to continue to increase.

This is scarey.

When I first moved to Michigan in '99 the unemployment rate was at an all time low. Fast food restaurants would have their lobbies closed and only the drive-thrus open because of lack of help. Most health care facilities were using agency help, you could advertise all you wanted...and no one would apply.

Times have definitely changed here rapidly.

My employees have been begging me for overtime. My boss is putting the hammer to me to get rid of it. The attendance problem has completely disappeared. I know many of my employees are working two jobs now since the overtime has decreased. They will ask to leave 15 minutes early, or come in 30 minutes late to allow for travel time between jobs. Some of the other employees will bitch that this makes the changing shift time difficult...and it does. Sometimes people who are doing the best they can need a little help.