You are absolutely right. Which is why I will finish graduate school before I start a family.
The economy isn't that bad...Do you actually ever look at GDP growth, retail sales, or a variety of other economic indicators? If not, I can send you a spreadsheet that shows improvements in our economy.
People are making more money than they ever have. I am sorry that you did not chose an occupation that does not allow you to hop on the train...Furthermore, if you are like icetea and blame "the poor Michigan economy"...that's not a super great excuse...a significant portion of my money comes in no matter where I live.
I live in TN, where we have some low quality schools with a graduation rate of ~80% (I am sure you can find lower if you tried). But most of my education was pursued of my own accord. And I wasn't born wealthy...I am the son of a factory worker and a lunch room lady in a local high school. I am a forward thinker and folks who knock up *****s in HS are not.