So, if you care about the state like I do, do you do anything? Maybe you just keep living your life, maintain the status quo, and pray.
Well, I'm not going to do that -- I'm going to take action. Because what is the alternative? One day, many years from now, our kids will ask us, "What did you do when the state's economy was struggling?" If your answer is, "maintained the status quo, kept going to work, and then I ate bon bons when I returned home every day," then that's not going to cut it. We need to take action.
Here are my first thoughts. The lesson to be learned from the Senate rejecting the bridge loan for the Big 3 is that we have to look out for each other. People in other states could not care less whether or not Michigan's economy is struggling. They don't care! So, the lesson is that we should look out for each other and support Michigan companies. Why? It's good for business and good for our cities.
No company has ever failed from having too many customers. Let us support the Michigan companies as much as we can. I know I'll sleep much better at night knowing that I did all that I reasonably could to support my state. Let's spread the word to people we know. Direct them to this website. If we focus our efforts on buying goods and services from Michigan-based companies, that will go a long way.
Here are some good brands that we probably buy, as well as some great Michigan-based brands and companies from whom we can buy.
| One Choice | Better Choice | HQ/Office in Mich. |
| Kroger | Meijer | Grand Rapids |
| General Mills | Kellogg's | Battle Creek |
| Barnes and Noble | Borders | Ann Arbor |
| GE | Whirlpool | Benton Harbor |
| Budweiser | Bell's Beer | Kalamazoo |
| Planter's Peanuts | Kar's Peanuts | Madison Heights |
| Pepsi/Coke | Faygo | Detroit |
| Wendy's | Halo Burger | Flint |
| Sports Authority | Dunham's | Waterford |
| Wal-Mart | K-Mart | Troy (Chicago HQ) |
| CVS | Rite Aid | Waterford (distrib. center, Pa. HQ) |
What is the spirit behind the above list? This is to keep these Michigan companies in the back of your mind. I do not propose that we engage in state vs. state warfare and become isolationists. That does not make sense and is self-defeating to our country.
However, what I am saying is in that in certain instances where you have no preference for a given company's goods or services, why not make the effort to purchase from a Michigan-based company? Can you think of one good reason not to do so? No, didn't think so :)
