Things may well get tougher. Last week, we learned that Michigan was the only state to lose people during the last decade. That not only means we lose a seat in Congress, "it will likely mean fewer federal dollars flowing into Michigan at a time when the need for services remains high," said Karen Holcomb-Merrill, MLHS's state fiscal project director.

That leaves it to the state to make up for this loss. That may be unlikely in today's political climate. But not doing so is more than likely to doom lost generations to come.

Maybe, just maybe, there's a little hope. Last week our next governor said he wasn't especially enamored of Jennifer Granholm's belief in rushing all over the globe to try to bring a few jobs back here. Snyder said, in effect, he'd prefer to grow them at home. That makes sense to me. But we can't do that unless we keep our infrastructure in shape. That means not only sound roads and bridges, but people who are healthy, well-nourished and educated.

Let's hope our venture-capitalist-in-chief realizes that investing in our human assets is a strategic move Michigan needs to make.�

> Email Jack Lessenberry