I live in a county where leadership has not seem to have read 'The World Is Flat'. So yeah, it makes it really difficult. Hmm...can Macomb County, MI which wants to be the first buy American only products county in the nation yet recruit asian companies have its cake and eat it to. Or is Macomb just screwed up when it comes to economic development and political leadership? Read on. The county of Macomb, MI was probrably best known across the country for Leader/Commish Carey Trorrice (see attached pics with post) you tube reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpWP0efy1YU http://www.celebridiot.com/2008/09/30/carey-torrice-bikini-wearing-politician-photosvideos/ who is an actress/model and one of the rising stars of Macomb Politics. Like the current Gov. of Michigan who also had a brief stint in Hollywood, the future of Carey Torrice is only limited by the voters imagination. Honorable Ms. Torrice was recently named 'America's Hottest Politician' by Wonkette (DC). Here is the link: http://wonkette.com/403082/americas-hottest-politician-has-fantastic-website The county of Macomb also has a budget deficit that is just staggering. Many of its citizens in Warren, MI (which is geographically North Detroit )are very protective of buying America only products such as cars. The recent story

'Buy American' support builds as sales fall

BY JOHN GALLAGHER • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • January 18, 2009 Driving in suburban Detroit a few months back, Tracy Miller, the daughter and granddaughter of autoworkers for domestic companies, grew increasingly angry at all the foreign cars she saw on the road On impulse, she took a tablet of paper and scribbled "Buy American -- Support our Economy." She began flashing the sign to drivers of foreign cars. Once, stopped at a light, the driver of a foreign car rolled down his window and yelled that in America he had the right to buy whatever he wanted. Miller, 39, of Warren and a mother of two, shot back, "If people continue to buy foreign cars, this won't be America for long." "Buy American" is a revived sentiment these days in Michigan, particularly after lawmakers from states where foreign automakers have operations opposed loans to Detroit automakers. But it's not a simple matter. end quote -

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Now in spite of all the passionate ferver and dominant culture in Macomb about foreign hating buyers and products, Macomb wants to attract Chinese businesses. (qyote from story below) 'With more foreign-owned businesses in Oakland and Wayne counties, Gieleghem plans to reach out to China to try to lure new and diverse jobs to a county that's largely dependent on the auto industry.' end quote I say you made your we want American companies only in Macomb. So now lie in it. Maybe the leaders of Macomb should travel over to China and hand out some 'Out Of A Job Yet' bumper stickers to its citizens and businesses they are trying to attract. Maybe Macomb leaders should ask the Chinese leaders why China values education while labor in Michigan probrably thinks its a waste of time (imho). So what say you iReporters about Macomb? -

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Macomb County leader sets agenda to help weather economic challenges

BY STEVE NEAVLING • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • January 27, 2009 Ballooning deficits, an ailing economy and a once-booming population gone flat. Paul Gieleghem knows the enormous challenges ahead as he begins his 2-year term as chairman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, the most influential elected position in the county. On the job for less than three weeks, the Clinton Township Democrat has set an ambitious agenda to spur job growth, lobby for a four-year university in the county, attract new residents and balance an $18-million deficit that threatens to cripple services and eliminate more than 100 county government jobs. "We can't get over these problems in one day, but we'll work hard every day to weather!http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif! this storm," Gieleghem said Monday. "We'll get through this." Because Macomb doesn't have an executive like Wayne and Oakland counties, Gieleghem is the county's top politician. He's in charge of a $450-million budget and meets regularly with local, state and regional officials to work on job creation and rally support for projects like mass transit. Gieleghem, a former state representative, is wasting no time. He's met with car and auto-parts manufacturers to see how the county can help in this tough economy. The stakes are high: Detroit automakers pay more than $56 million a year in county taxes and employ thousands. With more foreign-owned businesses in Oakland and Wayne counties, Gieleghem plans to reach out to China to try to lure new and diverse jobs to a county that's largely dependent on the auto industry. And since Macomb is the largest county in the state without a four-year university, Gieleghem hopes to convince state leaders to create one. "Right now there are too many obstacles for residents to gain a four-year degree because they are raising a family, holding a full-time job and paying a mortgage," Gieleghem said. Gieleghem's energy and ambition has won him broad support among Democrats and Republicans on the board -- not an easy feat in a county where political bickering is common. "I can't think of anyone who is going to work harder and is more committed to our county than Paul," said Commissioner Brian Brdak, D-New Baltimore. "Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of county residents." +Contact STEVE NEAVLING at 586-826-7255 or http://www.ireport.com/upload/#.+ Link to story: