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.

John D. Wood, Wife Cynthia Wood, Two Children Found Dead in Heathrow, Fla., Home of Apparent Murder-Suicide, Couple Filed for Bankruptcy in 2004

Just when you thought the rash of murder-suicides have quelled, another tragedy pops up on the news. According to WOFL FOX 35, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of John D. Wood, 41, Cynthia Wood, 40, Aubrey Wood, 12 and Dillon Wood, 10. Apparently their bodies were discovered by a cleaning person around 11 a.m. inside their home located at 1214 Trentwood Court yesterday. Investigators believe the deaths were a murder-suicide and that the husband killed his wife and children. I have always maintained that a man killing his entire family is narcissistic and selfish. There has to be a way to overcome one's problems. The couple reportedly declared bankruptcy in 2004 and tried for years to pay back money they owed, including more than $100,000 in credit-card bills. As of March, documents show, the Wood family still owed $85,000 to a list of creditors.

Here's what I can't understand....the family was having financial problems and the husband recently filed for bankruptcy, is that so terrible? Whether you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition, you will get a fresh start and you should learn from your mistakes. Gone are the days when one was stigmatized for declaring bankruptcy. The financial mistakes we all make in life are surmountable.

John Wood had worked more than 16 years for Lowe's, earning $183,000 as a store manager in 2003, but he and his wife filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy the following year.

The couple had racked up more than $100,000 in credit-card debt. They also owed $228,000 on two mortgages on their home and loan for their 2002 Toyota Highlander, the documents state. John Wood was listed as unemployed, but how he lost his job was not explained.

A bankruptcy trustee put the couple on a plan to repay their debt, but they failed to make payments. In December 2007, the case was converted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy: liquidation of assets. A status hearing was set for August. Source: Orlando Sentinel

So, despite the fact that this couple was mired in debt, they still tried to maintain the same lifestyle of excess -- John Wood owned a motorcycle, and the family had a boat that got used often, according to a neighbor. Totally misplaced priorities. Sorry, but people don't usually kill themselves after they file for bankruptcy, much less kill their entire family. This man was selfish and probably a sociopath. Neighbors said they had not seen the family cars leave the driveway since Friday. Two of the family dogs, both unharmed, were taken by Seminole County officials.

Still developing. More to come......