In a shattered economy where more and more workers are finding themselves stripped of that title, every day, is there any room for greed? We would hope that the answer should be a firm, resounding “NO!” but it seems as though JP Morgan Chase feels differently.

In fact, the banking giant that has already received a substantial bailout, courtesy of the American taxpayers, disagrees so adamantly that it is on the verge of throwing Chrysler off the deep end and effectively putting as many as 300,000 American auto workers out of their jobs. Chase carries a large part of Chrysler’s debt, and the bank is refusing to negotiate with Chrysler on its debt, threatening to force the auto company into bankruptcy – a move that will not only make thousands of jobs for hardworking middle class families vanish, but will disrupt health insurance coverage for current workers and Chrysler retirees, too.

In a recent story by the Free Press, Governor Granholm even called out the major banks, arguing that “any banks that received rescue money from the federal government should be open to concessions on the Chrysler debts they hold.” This includes JP Morgan Chase.

In light of this despicable and reprehensible behavior, Progress Michigan (in conjunction with Fire Dog Lake) is calling for a boycott of JP Morgan Chase. In order to support the hardworking middle class auto workers who make this country great, we are encouraging you to close down your Chase bank account and to cut up your Chase credit card. Even if you don’t have an account with Chase, you can still sign our petition of solidarity and show that you are standing strong for the American middle class.

It’s time we stopped letting powerful special interests accept taxpayer dollars while walking all over the hardworking middle class. Join our boycott of JP Morgan Chase today and send a signal to the banking giant that we’re serious and saving our working families and auto employees.

Unemployment is one of those words that have become a buzz phrase in modern American culture. Here in the Great Lakes, the word has almost become synonymous with everyday reality.

However, unemployment is no laughing matter. With national jobless rates reaching 8.5% just recently, and Michigan’s unemployed continuing to hover around 12% (the highest of any state in the country), everyone seems to be in total agreement that something must be done.

In the meantime, wonderful tools like the Unemployment LifeLife are starting to spring up. By going to the Unemployment LifeLine’s official website, jobless Americans are just one click away from accessing a virtually endless database of resources that connects out of work citizens local unemployment offices, veterans’ services, and even child care services.

As a collaborative project between Working America, the Working America Education Fund, the AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO's Community Services staff, the Unemployment LifeLine is designed to bring opportunities to the countless thousands of families who may have written off hope as all but lost. It is a powerful resource tool that could just provide the life-preserver Michiganders have been desperately searching for.

So don’t wait: if you’re unemployed and have been struggling to make ends meet, head over to the Unemployment LifeLine today, and begin setting the stage for a new tomorrow. Hope doesn’t have to be a far off promise just reserved for other people – it can be a powerful reality.

All over Michigan, working families are – with a great degree of misfortune – starting to grow rather accustomed to hearing the dreaded phrase “pay cut” uttered out loud. Now, however, it appears as though the Michigan legislature is ready to join us in what has been one of the most catastrophic economic downturns in recent memory, of which one can never comment enough on.

That’s right – today, the State House voted in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 (SCR11), which cuts lawmakers’ pay by 10%. We here at Progress Michigan have been fighting upwards since 2007, when a measure like this one first began to generate buzz at the Capitol.

The last time this idea was thrown about, the Senate seemingly balked at the idea, choosing instead of passing it to dismiss it as a case that required “further study” before submitting approval. But now both the Senate and the House have approved of a plan that will render a 10% salary cut for Michigan lawmakers, and give them an avenue for “sharing the pain” of the millions of suffering Michigan families.

Action like this is really long overdue. With these legislative pay cuts, our great state could see more money poured back into our struggling economy, rather than into the pockets of already overpaid legislators. This will also allow for a much-needed connection to be developed between our lawmakers and residents that will, with any amount of luck, spring forth a dialoguing process that could put a stop to this economic recession, once and for all.

It seems as though things are starting to look a bit sunnier outside, and that’s not just thanks to the blossoming springtime.

In a world where bad news seems to be the continuing norm, here’s some really good news for you: just yesterday, the State House voted to pass House Bill 4454, which would help protect Michigan homeowners facing foreclosure by issuing a 90-day moratorium period, in which the homeowners can meet with bankers and work out terms for making house payments, based on the individuals income level and financial needs.

As the state with one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, this is good news indeed.

Let’s face it, folks – there’s really no benefit to home foreclosure. Everybody loses when somebody loses their home. Foreclosed homes drive down the property values of entire communities, banks get ruined, and abandoned houses fall into dangerous disrepair; a phenomenon that has lead to the decline of whole Detroit neighborhoods. In the past year, the average price of a home in Detroit – by all accounts a major U.S. city – has fallen to a surreal $18,000, due to the sweeping trend of home foreclosure dragging down city property values.

Something has to be done before things grow even worse, and thankfully, the State House has taken the first step forward towards protecting Michigan families from being thrown out on the street.

But now, let’s hope that the Senate has the good sense to act, too. The legislation will be passed on to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and company, and now it’s their opportunity to stand up for hardworking Michigan families by protecting them from the nightmare of home foreclosure. If you want to tell the Senate to take action, go to http://progressmichigan.org/stopforeclosure and send a letter to your state senator, asking them to support HB 4454 today.

Remember, the loss of a home is a loss for all of us. Our economy will only continue to stagnate and suffer if we turn our heads and refuse to do anything to stop this growing crisis. It’s up to our leaders in Lansing to take the bull by the horns and cast a shield over Michigan residents who face the horror of losing their home. Together, with the help of our legislators, we can all pull through for a brighter tomorrow.

First Prop 2, and now Obama, too. Today, the president announced that his administration will be overturning the backwards policies of his predecessor by lifting bans on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. (In 2001, George W. Bush signed a directive, banning federal funding for the study of stem cells created after the date of the signing, according to a story by the Free Press).

This announcement could not have come at a better time. In January, we saw our great state’s unemployment rate hit a staggering 11.6% - the highest it’s been in 25 years. After lifting the statewide ban on embryonic stem cell research in November and now, with movements at the federal level, Michigan could see a healthy amount of jobs created for our workforce in the medical researching fields.

Put quite simply, presidential approval translates to big bucks. Meaning that, after voters overwhelmingly affirmed Proposal 2 last November, Michigan will now be literally able to put our money where our mouth is, and gain even more funding for this innovative research that we would have been able to just with the passage of Prop 2. Instead of remaining in the intellectual dark ages – up until the passage of Prop 2, Michigan was one of only four states that still upheld a ban on embryonic stem cell research – Michigan is now entitled to a tasty slice of the federal money pie. Dollars by the barrelful look to pour in from the feds – money that will allow scientific researchers in Michigan to develop cutting-edge technology and breakthrough on cures for debilitating, degenerative diseases like juvenile diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, and Lou Gehrig’s.

Good news, indeed. Great news, even. It’s about time that our workforce was thrown a significant helping hand for all that we’ve had to endure. And it’s about time that Michigan’s patients and their families had a leader – and a future – they could all believe in.

[CROSS-POSTED FROM MICHIGAN YOUTH POLITICAL ALLIANCE]

Michiganians are stuck on automobiles in more than one way. Not only is our economy dependent upon the Big 3 automakers, we rely solely on automobiles to get around our state–and now it is taking its toll.

Just a few short months ago – January of this year, in fact – a grand total of seven companies began a scheme to build a slew of dirty, outmoded coal-burning power plants all around the state of Michigan. Thankfully, a group called Clean Energy Now stepped in to combat this backward drive, courtesy of the coal companies. You might say that CEN is acting as the Indiana Jones to Big Coal’s devious pit of snakes.

By merit alone, CEN and other proponents of modern energy efficiency have many points. Tons of points. So many points, in fact, that if points were a source of renewable energy, we wouldn’t need to be having this debate in the first place. As for Big Coal, clearing out all the choking, burning coal-smoke reveals those pesky facts that fossil fuel-pushing execs would rather keep safely buried in the tar-pit. You know, the ones that are always getting in the way of lies and propaganda? Yeah, those facts.

Coal as Energy:

• ·         Coal is an old, antiquated, and completely out of date source of energy. Have I mentioned that it’s old? Why, I remember when coal was a new and innovative technology… back in 1769. In fact, the use of coal came to prominence during the same time period in which every physical ailment known to man was caused by demons and cured by leeches. Since the use of bloodsuckers by any hospital today would likely result in a something involving the words “class-action” and “lawsuit,” it’s time that Michigan’s energy companies update, too, and learn to embrace modern forms of energy production

• ·         Coal is dirty. Just ask Cinderella. $20 says she would have far preferred to reside under a solar panel than buried in five pounds of ash and soot

• ·         Coal keeps us dependent on imported sources of energy. The vast majority of fossil fuels are imported into Michigan, which in turn spends over $20 billion a year to feed this destructive habit. Cutting our addiction to coal and other fossil fuels would slash costs exponentially, as well as keep more cash in the state of Michigan – creating jobs and investing in our communities

Renewable Energy Sources and Efficiency:

• ·         Renewable energy sources are not just good for the environment, but good for the economy and job growth, as well. According to the Renewable Energy Policy Project, Michigan could stand to gain over 35,000 new jobs if alternative energy sources comprised at least 20% of the total power output by the year 2020. This strategy has already shown success in places like Pennsylvania and Texas, where both states have seen an increase of almost 5,000 jobs as a direct result of implementing renewable energy plans

• ·         Renewable energy sources would help stimulate Michigan’s struggling economy. If we cling to the use of coal as a primary power source, our state will fail in attracting the 21st century jobs it so desperately needs; however, if we acknowledge the benefits of renewable energy, our state will attract more outside business and trade, and thus establish itself as a leader in the alternative energy revolution

• ·         Energy efficiency provides more bang for the buck. Coal does not. Statistically speaking, for every dollar that is spent on efficiency, $3 more would be saved. This means that this spared profit margin could be invested back into the economy, and help to create more jobs

And so, there you have it: the barebones facts about both coal and renewable energy. If it wasn’t for the massive expenditures on high-priced lobbyists by coal companies, it seems as though the advocates for renewable energy would have to do little more than clear their throats to prove their point. Given the macabre condition of both the economy and the lack of substantial job growth, there is no time to waste on counterproductive ideas for the state. Renewable energy represents the future, then it’s about time we stopped clinging to the past. Go to http://progressmichigan.org/page/speakout/coalrush and fight back!

Let's set aside for a moment the universally-accepted fact that the choice to drop out of high school is a terrible decision that has a lifelong negative impact on a student.

If we can't dedicate ourselves to solving the dropout crisis for that reason alone, let’s look at the money.

According to a Detroit News' database of Metro Detroit home foreclosures, 1,342 homes in the city of Southfield have been subject of foreclosure filings since January 2006.

Unfortunately, the Southfield Board of Education voted 5-2 Tuesday night to increase that number by as many as 350.

March 2 would have been the 104th birthday of the legendary Dr. Seuss. In honor of that occasion, today we celebrate Read Across America Day, with thousands of National Education Association members working together to ensure our students embrace the excitement of reading.

But it’s not just about cats in hats or green eggs and ham. Ensuring our students experience the thrill and enjoyment of reading is essential for them to understand the importance reading plays in their life.