Thousands of supplier jobs could be lost in Michigan, which is the center of the auto supplier industry, unless those companies can get more cash to stay afloat.

Many suppliers are struggling because a severe economic recession has forced automakers to slash vehicle production, severely cutting the need for parts.

Oh, yeah, I know, that's the auto industry.  Nobody buys American cars anymore, anywhere.  People still get sick, though.  Every day.  But the Detroit News reports that Michigan hospitals are on...

...the "brink of a fiscal crisis" and hampering their ability to expand medical services to patients, retain health care workers and secure financing for new construction projects and technologies, according to a new report released Thursday by the state's largest hospital association.

Record-high losses on unpaid medical bills and the collapse of the credit market last year drove hospitals to post low and negative profit margins in 2008, the Lansing-based Michigan Health & Hospital Association found in the report, "Michigan Health Care Safety Net: In Jeopardy." And that trend is likely to continue into 2009 as more Michigan residents lose their jobs -- and along with them, health care coverage.

Apparently that plan the Governor and her LG and handpicked successor, John Cherry, had in 2006 was worked but isn't working.  

Now I can hear what you're thinking... I'm just mean.  Obviously these are tough times everywhere in the nation and there's obviously nothing Jennifer Granholm or John Cherry could have done.  In fact, they're just figure heads.  Their jobs are utterly and completely irrelevant and simply a sponge to soak up a few hundred thousand extra taxpayer dollars.

Seriously.  If they couldn't make a difference and if they are simply at the mercy of national trends... after spending the first four years at the mercy of the actions of the previous administration (funny that Engler, supposedly, was able to effect SO MUCH change while the Democrats claim they are unable to effect ANY)... why even hold the office?  Aren't they just stealing from the taxpayers?  Better we absolve the office of the Governor and LG and save the money.

Of course, I don't believe that.  I know there are men and women out there who can make a difference.  I worked for one of them in 2006.  

Dick DeVos is no longer in charge of daily operations at the company he personally turned around a decade ago, but his family is still holding the reigns, his legacy being born out every day in how the company performs.  So how are they performing?

Ask the Ivory Tower:

Amway's parent company, Alticor Inc., announced Thursday it had record sales of more than $8.2 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, a 15% increase over the $7.1 billion reported in 2007.

Two-thirds of the company's 58 affiliates recorded sales increases in 2008...

I know, nobody likes the guy who says "I told you so..." but...