Speaker Paul Ryan's House seat in Janesville, Wisconsin- improving economy in a U.S. midwestern factory town and the debate on trade, help for working class families

08/10/2016

The unemployment rate in Janesville, Wisconsin drops to 4.4% in May 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was over 9% following the closing of the GM plant and the recession from the 2008 financial crisis. A working class town Janesville was hit hard by the closing of the GM plant in 2008. Amy Goldstein of the Washington Post describes the impact of losing about 5000 jobs at the GM plant, and the problems typical of most manufacturing dependent towns. Throughout the period since being first elected to Congress in 1998 Ryan has continued to be able to get elected on the basis of faith, family and public service, even though some of his policies may not have helped the poor and elderly or laid off workers. Ryan voted for rescuing the auto industry and worked hard to keep the GM plant, and listens to his constituents, and as the economy recovered by 2016 won easily in this old industrial midwestern town. His influence in national politics gives Janesville an opportunity to be heard, as it tackles problems common to many midwestern towns in the U.S.

Linked Articles

Could Paul Ryan’s ideas help his struggling home town? - The Washington Post

Washington Post 08/19/2012

Amy Goldstein, Amy, Goldstein

The Guardian 08/10/2016

David Smith

Work and life in manufacturing communities across the U.S. midwest- Joliet, Illinois, and Janesville, Wisconsin

08/18/2012

The transition period in U.S. manufacturing and manufacturing based communities in the U.S. as the old manufacturing base is replaced by a new one that is more automated and competitive with Asian manufacturers with fewer jobs than the old manufacturing base. The wrenching change in communities like Janesville and Joliet as communities adjust to job losses and smaller incomes.

Linked Articles

Could Paul Ryan’s ideas help his struggling home town? - The Washington Post

Washington Post 08/19/2012

Amy Goldstein, Amy, Goldstein

Wall Street Journal 08/18/2012

Bob Tita, Bob, Tita, James R. Hagerty, James, R., Hagerty

Lower incomes in manufacturing and a general lowering of expectations in U.S. midwestern states like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin (2)

02/02/2012

Linked Articles

Ohio economy improving, but residents can’t feel it - The Washington Post

Washington Post 08/08/2012

Michael Fletcher, Michael, Fletcher

Wall Street Journal 02/02/2012

Brenda Cronin, Brenda, Cronin

The lack of any meaningful help to prevent foreclosures for homeowners who are unemployed.

06/04/2011

The adverse effects on housing, on banks holding second mortgages, and on the economic recovery in the U.S., of the lack of a plan and little effort by the Obama administration to help the unemployed facing foreclosure. Most of the programs to prevent foreclosure were designed at the time of the bailouts for subprime lending situations. Prof. Davis at the University of Wisconsin call it outrageous that less than $2 billion of the $45 billion allocated to help homeowners at the time of the bailouts had been spent by Treaury Department as of May 2011.

Linked Articles

Unemployment Strains Foreclosure Aid

New York Times 06/04/2011

Andrew Martin, Andrew, Martin

Wall Street Journal 06/07/2011

Robbie Whelan, Robbie, Whelan