I feel the same way about Michigan. My grandparents from Sicily settled here a hundred years ago, and my great grandparents from Finland even further back settled in the Copper Country.
There are many reasons Michigan became the center of the industrialized world. Only one thing has changed - our government. We still have oil, natural gas, most of the world’s fresh water, shipping access to the world, iron ore, copper, silver, brine, timber, fertile land and more. Unfortunately, we also have progressives who taxed Detroit’s workers out of the city and followed that up by taxing business out as well. Progressive state government followed that. Now, as the progressive federal government imposes themselves more and more in any ability to exploit our natural resources, even a change in local or state government will not likely make any difference.
I love this place. I love the history here. My roots run deep. I must, however, recognize that being buried here before my time because of succumbing to government imposed starvation or restricted medical access may not be best serving my family or my ideals.
It remains to be seen whether my end will come here or elsewhere - but it will not happen huddled in a corner waiting for disease or starvation to take me.
The American ideal we thought we knew has been dying for a hundred years already. We are just now REALLY beginning to see the results of the decay that has been happening under the surface all that time. The love of liberty, however, is not dead or dying. Liberty and individual sovereignty are bigger than any government or monetary system or tyrant.
Liberty and individual sovereignty are ideals worth fighting for no matter where the battle may call us.
My mother’s family immigrated from Finland (settled in Minnesota), and I know what the Finish did to the Ruskies attempt at occupation. Tough people.