They Don’t Know (series wrap)

The Ancient Greeks knew: no man receives good luck his entire life. For that reason we need social institutions that will support us, when our luck runs out. Why is our current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in such bad shape, and what could we do to strengthen it? An ambitious proposal.

They Don’t Know (Part 6)

Winter: it's not the snow that's the problem with living in Northern Michigan. It's finding a living wage, and paying the heating bills. And if you're on propane, you're especially vulnerable. Will we be able to close the propane loophole, before someone dies?

They Don’t Know (Part 5)

With a booming economy, why do people still turn to public assistance? Why can't they just "work hard" and earn an honest living? Let me introduce you to a store called Walmart, and how employment really works these days.

They don’t know (Part 4)

Does class exist in Northern Michigan? Does a bear shit in the woods? A closer look at Emmet County, and one of the most prestigious addresses in Michigan. A glimpse into two lives at Harbor Point: one a worker, the other a resident.

They don’t know (Part 3)

Liberals have a soft spot for men and women of a certain educational pedigree. But having an Ivy League degree and a desire to be a "problem solver" is no guarantee that your actions will have a positive outcome. A tale of two Directors.

They don’t know (Part 2)

It's the age-old question: if a tree falls in the middle of the woods, does it make a sound? Answer: only if someone calls their legislator's constituent services aide to complain.

They don’t know (Part 1)

A NY Times columnist tries to understand "broken white communities" by reading two books. Are we a bunch of hillbillies, or crazed evangelical survivalists? It's a column that reveals more about liberal elite blindspots, than it does about the communities it purports to understand.