Sad To See What's Happening To Detroit And Other Cities

Consider what's happening in Detroit. This once great city is self-destructing before our eyes. How sad!


60 years ago Detroit was one of the most successful and affluent cities in the US:

• Was the 4th largest city in the US.
• Had the highest per capita income in the entire country.
• Had a vibrant, successful middle class economically unmatched by most cities.

So, shouldn't we ask what happened or do we care whether it is restored and whether that will help us save other cities from the same implosive path? Here, if you can handle honest facts and truth, are key things that have happened.

Are the following three points of political significance? I'll let you decide but I have a strong suspicion if Republicans had been in charge, the left would be outraged they did this to one of our world-class cities.

1. Last Republican mayor was elected in 1957 ... at its prosperity peak.
2. One Republican councilman has been elected to the city council since 1970.
3. Since 1957 Detroit has lost 63% of it's population.

While obviously posting a political spin/challenge in much of the text, one blog includes a non-political (ie, just factual information) list of 25 current conditions in the once great city of Detroit. The blogger's political challenge seems not without merit if the 25 facts mean anything. It's an important challenge to consider because more large cities are headed toward bankruptcy. If we can't put aside political biases and discuss the political basis that appears to have influenced this city's failure then we condemn ourselves ... our world-class cities ... to the same fate. Critical questions are right in front of us. Do we run/hide from them or face them with courage and honesty?

Is holding onto biases and agendas so important that we'd sacrifice our cities' futures to avoid a very uncomfortable truth? Will we be able to face and admit the truth in front of us with honesty, courage and integrity? Just how important is it to us that we restore Detroit and avoid this in other cities on the brink? We're obviously about to find out what we're really made of and what's really(!) important to us beyond the politics.