by Tom Shields
January 16, 2009

While we all sit around waiting for our Obamabucks to arrive, I was thinking about what I might be able to do to help our state get out of this economic mess we’re in.

I could go out and hire a bunch of people who are out of work, but that would require spending money I don’t have. That seems to be reserved for the government — and for people using those funny mortgages to buy those big homes.

I could write a movie script. Maybe something about the last six years in Michigan. Call it “Jenny in the Winter Water Wonderland.” I wouldn’t have to make a profit because the state would take care of that. But, that wouldn’t help anyone but me.

I’m not a public official, so I can’t streamline government, cut regulations, reduce spending, cut taxes or create policies that promote business growth and job creation. Funny, no one else seems to be able to do any of that either.

There’s one thing I can do. In fact, one thing we all can do. We can start spending more of the money we do have right here with Michigan businesses.

We can shop at Meijer instead of Wal-Mart. Buy Michigan potatoes over Idaho, Michigan apples over those red things from Washington. Buy Dow products instead of those by Proctor & Gamble. Buying Michigan-made products at a Michigan-owned store is a twofer.

We can get offline and shop Main Street to see what our hometown merchants have to offer.

Even though Brunswick headed south to Mexico, there’s a new firm making bowling balls in Muskegon. When I take up that sport again, that’s the brand I’ll buy. And, while the Vernors plant is gone, Faygo is still here.

We can buy Whirlpool kitchen appliances. They’re still based here, even though some of their products are not made here. I plan on eating Michigan dried cherries instead of dried mangoes, or anything grown and dried from California.

There are some things we can’t get here, like sun and warmth in the winter — and professional football. So it’s okay to take the short trip to anywhere warm. Just take along all the Sanders fudge toppings, ice cream and goodies you can get your hands on. And make sure you take Better Made potato chips. They’re really superb.

Vacation this summer in Michigan. Take the fall color tour. Take in a Tigers, Red Wings or Pistons game — but be careful about feeding the Lions. Loyalty can only ask so much.

Personally, for me the toughest decision will be to buy a Michigan-manufactured car, especially a GM product.

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with General Motors for over 40 years. As a kid, I grew up dreaming of owning a Chevy. My first car was a 1956 mint green Chevy BelAir station wagon that my brother left me when he was shipped to Vietnam. It was 13 years old, the windshield wipers didn’t work, had no driver’s side window, and every day I filled up the oil and checked the gas. But it had four wheels, it ran, and it was mine.

We had a wonderful, but short relationship. The last I saw of her she was hanging from the back of a tow truck after breaking down in the middle of nowhere late one night. Little did I know at that time that that Chevy would start a string of seven new and four used GM heartbreaks in my life.

I’ve had a new Chevy Camero start rusting while still under warranty. Broken transmissions, broken shifters, blown engines, air conditioners blowing hot air and heaters blowing cold, and everything in between. Pontiac, Chevy, Oldsmobile and GMC. It didn’t make a difference. The maintenance department at my local GM dealer has my home, office and mobile numbers on their speed dial.

After each car, I’d say, “never again.” In between GM products, my wife and I have had wonderful and fulfilling relationships with a Volkswagen, three Fords, a Lexus and a BMW.

But, something always keeps drawing me back to give GM yet one more try.

So this year, when I make my annual trip to the auto show in Detroit, I’ll head to the GM display first, with the serious intent of finding that GM vehicle that will break the string. The 12th one, I’m sure, will be the charm.

Giving GM one more try is the least I can do for a company that’s one of our own, for our state, and for every Michigan family desperately waiting for things to turn around.

In the long run, investing in our own state may be a lot more important than having it bailed out.

Tom Shields is founder and president of Marketing Resource Group, a Lansing-based political marketing and public relations firm.