Thinking About … Detroit

Silas

Bring back Prohibition!! Detroit will rebound in no time.

Picksburgh

Unions are the reason for Detroit’s collapse. The fed’s bailout of GM will only delay the inevitable failure.

Thump

really? where are your references and data for making a blanket statement like this? are you a historian? urban planner?

Edward

Detroit’s problem is rooted in liberal politics and unions. It’s painful to see, but it’s a wakeup call to the rest of the US. There are huge lesson’s to be learned.

rebound

If unions are the cause of Detroit’s collapse then why aren’t the cities in Germany where BMW’s and Mercedes are manufactured also collapsing? All those workers are heavily unionized also.

Anonymous

Are you saying that if they did not have unions but still produced inferior quality cars that assumed the price of gas was always going to be cheap the big 3 would be roaring successes? I don’t think that the unions are blameless but it seems harsh to stick them with 100% of the blame.

Vetteguy

Why blame unions? Why not the Government? What are we supposed to do? Hand over our government to Wal-Mart ? Unions to Labor are Voters to Government, somewhat a checks and balances. nnBe careful of what you wish, that unions be destroyed. Your vote already is. Your vote is essentially meaningless today.nnI am afraid we are going to see more and more detroits in the US. We are clearly losing ground in the world. Also, why doesnt the US Government just give the homes they are razing to the poor ? Makes a lot of sense. Have some sort of lottery for them. As long as some rich folks are getting tax breaks, why not a housing break for the poor? I forgot, the poor cant donate to politians. Sigh.

robert

Unions did not kill Detroit – but they certainly shoulder some of the blame i in not responding to realities of global trade. US trade policy with Japan from the 1950s to current allowed Toyota and Honda [followed by the rest of the Asian imports] to dump vehicles here well below cost.

Joe Galea

Most of the homes that are being razes have been abandoned for years, and are no longer habitable. In fact, just about 99% of them fit that description.nnThe US Government doesn’t own the houses anyway.

Silas

The houses are probably in such bad shape that fixing them up would cost more than just building new. With the population in such decline, demand is pretty low. Knock them down and reserver the land for future development.

Picksburgh

It’s common sense stupid. You obviously have NONE.

kelvin

I hope Detroit does rebound,I just do not see how,as for the blame,it is easy to blame unions for the problems,but not the wealthy shareholders who got bailed out with taxpayer money or the overpayed executives who made terrible decisions,I wonder if these people know why unions were created in the first place,Good Luck Detroit!

Kelly

The cause for this and most of our difficulties are simply greed. Greed of the unions as well as greed of the shareholders. We all have some greed, but taken to an extreme will cause everything to collapse. Welcome to the downfall of the American Empire.

Warhawke223

I was born and raised in Detroit and I lived there for 42 years, I worked security at GM, Yazaki NA, OnStar, EWD and a bunch of other places. Detroit has been plagued by corruption, incompetence and a host of other ill’s. You cannot simply blame one group for what happened there. The unions, the corporations, government (at all levels) and the PEOPLE of Detroit all have there share of blame. Everyone sat in there own little bubble of self-interest caring only about themselves and what they could get, expecting someone else to fix the problems that didn’t directly effect them. Greed and sloth and corruption ran rampant and people shrugged their shoulders and said “Not my problem” and then demanded a bigger slice of the pie for themselves and their group. Now they think that some magic bullet is going to fix everything and make the world act like they want, not realizing that it has never worked that way before and won’t now.

Noxturne

Really? How did unions and liberal politics damage Detroit? Are you from Detroit?

Noxturne

What was the other pro sports team to move out of Detroit? Did I miss that in my Detroit history class?

Gillongin

Truly sad. Had good times in the city on my trips there. I hope those good restaurants in Greektown are still there.

http://www.IamLittleJohnny.com IamLittleJohnny

I visited Detroit a few years ago for a conference. It was unreal how out of hand the crime and lack of self esteem the city residents had. Bars on the windows, proud to be burning buildings on Devils Night. Then, the auto companies, building their big buildings – must have been some good tax revenue but where did it all go?

Munsonjr Ed36

In response to all of you who question the fact that Detroit’s urban decay stems from liberalism and unions…..especially when compared to Germany…..here are some thoughts to ponder! Unions, which long have had roots in organized crime, only serve to benefit those who are in control. They may have been organized years ago when industrial management was concerned only with INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT; however they have bleed the coffers of our Country. This took place while we sat idly by and watched their handiwork create a greatly over inflated economic system. We are now paying the price. Many of the Democratic politicians in this Country have long been in the “hip pockets” of the union bosses. Show me one thing that unions have done to try and improve the educational system in this Country, much less in Detroit. Detroit is overrun with a criminal element that has evolved under the protection of corruption in government for far too long. Urban decay is born out of a break down in decent government, and a lack of self discipline. These are the reasons for the success of the German unions in their industrialization. This is not a Black/White issue……it is an issue born out of “plain old corruption.” Detroit will never come back as a viable economic center as long as apathy, laziness, and ignorance, rules. This trend is no longer confined to Detroit….it is gaining a foothold in many cities in California, New Mexico, and Texas (just to name a few states). Whatever town, or city, you live in will become just as vulnerable in a matter of time. nnnnnnnnn

Mjdadcoach

Unfortunately, most of the comments missed 2 critical issues… the role of race in the decline of Detroit and it’s failure to work with other communities in Southeast MI. If you watch western MI, with the hub in Grand Rapids, you will find a more successful model on many levels. Black bigotry by the city’s politicos through the key years was/is as devastating as the decline of the auto industry. It will be a long time before Southeast MI gets their act together to match Western MI.

Munsonjr Ed36

You are absolutely correct. You have a more direct approach than I do. I am a 63 y.o. military/law enforcement veteran. I happen to be southern, Jewish, and have an extensive educational background. With that being said and done, I sometimes give in to “political correctness” when it really is a waste of time. I appreciate your honesty and intelligence.

Detroit Native

The Detroit Pistons moved from Detroit to Auburn Hills.nThe Detroit Lions had moved from Tiger Stadium to the Silverdome in Pontiac, but are now back in the city, playing in Ford Field.nThe Detroit Tigers moved out of Tiger Stadium, and now play in Comerica Park, right across the street from the Lions’ Ford Field.nThe Detroit Red Wings moved from Olympia Stadium to Joe Louis Arena.nIn short: the Pistons and Lions moved out of the city (the Lions returned). The Tigers and Red Wings never left.

Detroit Native

Few people know why unions came to be. Fewer still know what unions are and what they represent. Here are a few unions that people probably don’t recognize as such:nThe Screen Actors GuildnThe Screen Writers GuildnThe American Federation of MusiciansnThe NFL Players AssociationnThe NBA Players AssociationnThe MLB Players AssociationnThe NHL Players AssociationnThe American Medical AssociationnThe American Dental AssociationnAlso, some of the many ideas that came from union activity include:nFree public educationnChild Labor LawsnThe 40-hour workweeknOvertime paynPaid vacationsnPaid holidaysnHealth and safety standardsnThere is a LOT more. Far too much to list here. Good luck in trying to educate people, though. I’ve tried. It’s an uphill battle against ridiculous odds….

Detroit Native

Robert: you are almost correct. The unions did try to fight the imports. The unions cannot dictate company or government policies. They are charged primarily with protecting the workers from abuse and exploitation. Ultimately, the responsibility of the success or failure of a company rests squarely on the decision-makers of the company, not the union officials. Also, it is the responsibility of the elected officials to curtail the dumping of merchandise on our shores.

Detroit Native

Your idea of giving the homes to the poor is borderline genius (my opinion). That’s exactly why it won’t be implemented. It’s a smart idea. Government folks don’t like smart ideas that come from other people. Couple that with the money they won’t get, and you’re right on target. It won’t happen.

Detroit Native

Actually, most of the abandoned houses are in pretty good shape. The problem is getting the money to make them habitable without jacking the cost up beyond what the houses are worth in the areas. Vandalism is getting worse, though. It’s a shame what’s being done. Oh, and don’t go to the city for assistance. They want money, and lots of it, up front.

Detroit Native

Your “99%” is well off-target. Most of the abandoned homes are just that: abandoned. Loss of income, jobs moving out, layoffs, plant closings, some people simply walk away. Renters leave and landlords have no one to take over a lease, so the house just sits there, boarded up. It’s a sad sight.

Meyer

Corporations don’t piss in the hall. Government doesn’t tag the walls. Unions don’t toss rocks through windows. Detroit as we know it was made by its residents. They deserve to live there.