Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs • Hacker News Board

Re: Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs

#91

Post by coryrc » Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 5:42 PM UTC

windows_hater_7 wrote: post #53

coryrc wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our public transportation infrastructure literally cost 10x per mile than France or Hong Kong. That's not waste to you? For what California has spent/is spending on high-speed rail from nowhere to nowhere, China blanketed their country? Notice you also left out police. How's our spending working there?

I’d note that China does not need democratic approval for any of its projects and thus is substantially more efficient.

We don't either. It's a Democratic Republic. Our electeds could do their job.

Re: Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs

#92

Post by coryrc » Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 5:43 PM UTC

dgoldstein0 wrote: post #59

coryrc wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our public transportation infrastructure literally cost 10x per mile than France or Hong Kong. That's not waste to you? For what California has spent/is spending on high-speed rail from nowhere to nowhere, China blanketed their country? Notice you also left out police. How's our spending working there?

California high speed rail has been a mess. Which is likely in part because politics dictating routes has raised the costs and timelines substantially. On a smaller scale SF was building a new subway in 2013 that had been on the drawing board for years. I remember thinking maybe I'd ride it to work one day. Opened in 2023 or 2024, after I had moved offices twice and then went to work from home. It's not a terrible li…

> Personally I'm a fan of the simple improvements

Stockholm Syndrome. Because our government is so paralyzed and ineffective, we can't even dream big anymore.

Re: Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs

#93

Post by sidcool » Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 5:51 PM UTC

I think what's shown in The Sopranos is close to the truth. Schemes like HUD or feed the poor etc are a front to some money laundering scheme. And it's widespread.

Re: Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs

#94

Post by throwaway85825 » Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 6:40 PM UTC

camgunz wrote: post #89

D_Alex wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And what lesson should be drawn from that?

That it's easy to build things when you oppress and enslave people.

We seem to get the worst of both.

Re: Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs

#95

Post by kingstnap » Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 7:08 PM UTC

HWR_14 wrote: post #87

Even if they hit the stated goal job creation numbers, it would be over $150,000 in subsidies for a single job. Is that really worth it?

If the job pays well and is relatively stable it could be very worth it.

The thing about jobs like this are that they invite more opportunities. These manufacturing workers will want hairdressers, grocery stores, restaurants, teachers, doctors, etc.

Entire towns in the past used to get made on the backs of a few thousand manufacturering jobs.

Re: Michigan spent $1.8B and only created 602 jobs

#96

Post by dgoldstein0 » Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 6:37 AM UTC

coryrc wrote: post #92

dgoldstein0 wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

California high speed rail has been a mess. Which is likely in part because politics dictating routes has raised the costs and timelines substantially. On a smaller scale SF was building a new subway in 2013 that had been on the drawing board for years. I remember thinking maybe I'd ride it to work one day. Opened in 2023 or 2024, after I had moved offices twice and then went to work from home. It's not a terrible li…

> Personally I'm a fan of the simple improvements Stockholm Syndrome. Because our government is so paralyzed and ineffective, we can't even dream big anymore.

I mean I'd be a fan of a roadmap of simple improvements that contribute to a big vision. Shipping incrementally just seems to work better when possible.