I don't know what you want from us. You're "trapped" by circumstance in a mortgaged house that you can't unload, you can't or won't make an effort to get out from under it and move to another part of the country which doesn't suffer from Michigan's maladies, yet you post this article here for comment.
What comment do you expect? Most of the rust-belt's problems are self-inflicted. Years of Democrat corruption, obnoxious unionism, and refusal to re-tool for the 21st century economy are taking their toll.
Hundreds of people have done exactly what you claim to be so impossible. Guess they didn't get your memo on it.
But, as you say, what can we really suggest for someone in that position, trapped in a liberal state that obviously chooses not to try different political leadership when the opportunity presents itself? Trite as it may sound, all I can say is, do what you have to do to get by and make the best of the situation. If you're out of work, I say go on unemployment if you have to if that's what it takes to support your family. A person who has worked for some time has paid part of their earnings in taxes to support such a program. I say if circumstances turn against you for a time there is nothing wrong with claiming your share of that until something else turns up.
It may require doing work outside your field of expertise for awhile. If that is what it takes to get by, I say do that. If no work turns up and you're out of unemployment benefits, then you may be forced to move to where the work is. That may mean walking away from a house and mortgage. Not the ideal situation and certainly not one any of would voluntarily choose, but if it's a choice between that and your family starving, I'd say you'll have to do it. On a practical level, I just don't know what else to suggest. (Note I do not suggest the other typical bromides, like going back to school or "retraining", as I assume some level of education and a developed set of skills are already in place).
Since I am one of these people, I will offer my dos centavos(Moved to Texas, Spanish is required)
I lived in central New Jersey. Corzine just got elected and my property taxes just went up, again. I was paying 13k in property taxes. I worked in NY so I was getting hit from both end on payroll taxes.
I put the house up for sale and started to look for work in Texas. The week after my house sold, property values dropped by 15% in my neighborhood. I took my winnings and bought a house in Texas for 1/3 the cost with 1/3 the tax. I lost 1/4 acre and a basement on the deal. Big whoop.
Found a job in Texas after 9 months of looking and dealing with a ton of “Bless your Hearts” from the locals.
Bottomline. You do whatever you have to do to get out.