Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) Says Michigan Could Hit 20% Unemployment Thanks to President Barack Obama

Once again, the Rethuglicans are pointing a finger at President Barack Obama for the continued economic nightmare we have been living through. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) said that his state's unemployment rate could climb as high as 20 percent, thanks to President Obama. He said that Michigan's unemployment, which is the highest in the country at 14.1 percent, could go even higher as General Motors and Chrysler continue to shed jobs after their government-backed bankruptcies.

"Sadly, we've seen estimates, because of the radical restructuring that the auto task force demanded, that this year, Michigan wind up over 20 percent unemployment," McCotter said during an appearance on a conservative news radio program. The Wolverine State hasn't yet exceeded its previous record for unemployment in modern history, when it reached 16.9 percent in November of 1982.

McCotter warned that the effect of such a high jobless number could spread to other states and cities. "That cascading effect throughout the entire economy — and throughout other states — that rely in many ways on the manufacturing base is going to have devastating effects not only to state government, it's going to have devastating effects for local government," McCotter explained. Source: The Hill

Is it me, or has the right wing forgotten that much of this economic quagmire started under their beloved President George W. Bush's eight-year term? Actually, the auto industry didn't just suddenly develop massive financial problems over the past several months. This has been brewing for many years, while the elected leaders of both parties turned a blind-eye to excesses and mismanagement that occurred at both companies. Sorry, don't blame President Obama for trying to fix this mess. Where was Rep. McCotter when the United Auto Workers decided to purchase multi-million dollar lakeside retreat, Black Lakes Club, in Michigan, complete with its own designer golf course? How many workers has the country club helped to get back on their feet after being laid-off? Rather than offer viable solutions, Republicans such as Rep. McCotter are only too happy to point a finger at someone else.