A politically incorrect pamphlet hitting on all the unspeakable stuff: Politics. Economics. Fiscal Policy. Foreign Policy. Moral Issues. Culture. Investments. Religion. Humor. Life.
And to think, that in my lifetime, every one of those rotting and/or burned out shells was a vibrant business, or lovingly cared for home. Kind of like Baltimore which my parents moved out of in the 50's, to follow the American dream and live in the new suburbs. The areas that I remember as a child are unrecognizable today. Such will be the fate of almost every older city in America.
In the late nineties, a representative of an organization that evaluates American cities came to York, PA. He made his months long study, gave the city low marks, made his recommendations in the hope that at least some of them would be acted upon, and left.
Last year he came back for a follow-up evaluation. Not only had NONE of his recommendations for improvement been even touched upon, but also the city had declined even more.
His new evaluation; in another ten years, if nothing is done, there will be no York City. Oh, it will still be on the map, but nobody will go/live there willingly.
When a once nice, older small city is allowed to rot, especially when there actually was a chance to do something about it, what chances do the larger cities have?
When you combine entrenched civic corruption (the percentage of York City police chiefs who have served out their terms, or retirements, in jail cells for corruption is legendary,) unions with their PAC re-election campaign checks, two party system passing the "torch" back and forth every 2/4 years, and a sheeple populace sufficiently dumbed-down to keep supporting the whole charade, there is no such thing as hope!
"...It seems like Detroit need to be razed and pushed into a hole."Negative. What makes those demos worth less than the raw land is the cost of excavating debris from the old basement.
Tear them down, sure; but at least leave the hole empty.
The way to save Detroit was already suggested long tie ago by the late Jack Kemp. Long time ago, Kemp came up with the idea of "enterprise zones", which are tax free incentives for places that are in despair, like Detroit. It's a great idea. Just make Detroit tax free zone and businesses will flock there.
Go ahead, turn your back on Detroit, the greatest industrial capital of the world - that also invented the assembly line!
What a bunch of idiots!
Go out and test drive a new Ford! They are kick butt with a great low price! (Or Chrysler or GM) If you can afford a new car, by American! Get it? AMERICAN!!
Awesome background for some post apocalyptic movies. Maybe the entertainment industry will catch on.
ReplyDeleteKeefer,
ReplyDeleteNice view of the very near future of Europe
Save Detroit ?
ReplyDeleteOnce you all heroes have done that, can you save the mastodon too ? And the wooly rhino is just right behind the waiting line...
It seems like Detroit need to be razed and pushed into a hole.
ReplyDeleteThank the Unions. UAW, Fieman and Cops a well as SEIU.
ReplyDeleteYou Killed America.
Mission Acomplished.
Detroit can't be saved. The global forces of capitalism are no match for socialist, overpaid, high school drop outs.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a long, inexorable decline...
Talk about a city that solely relies on one industry.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think, that in my lifetime, every one of those rotting and/or burned out shells was a vibrant business, or lovingly cared for home. Kind of like Baltimore which my parents moved out of in the 50's, to follow the American dream and live in the new suburbs. The areas that I remember as a child are unrecognizable today. Such will be the fate of almost every older city in America.
ReplyDeleteIn the late nineties, a representative of an organization that evaluates American cities came to York, PA. He made his months long study, gave the city low marks, made his recommendations in the hope that at least some of them would be acted upon, and left.
Last year he came back for a follow-up evaluation. Not only had NONE of his recommendations for improvement been even touched upon, but also the city had declined even more.
His new evaluation; in another ten years, if nothing is done, there will be no York City. Oh, it will still be on the map, but nobody will go/live there willingly.
When a once nice, older small city is allowed to rot, especially when there actually was a chance to do something about it, what chances do the larger cities have?
When you combine entrenched civic corruption (the percentage of York City police chiefs who have served out their terms, or retirements, in jail cells for corruption is legendary,) unions with their PAC re-election campaign checks, two party system passing the "torch" back and forth every 2/4 years, and a sheeple populace sufficiently dumbed-down to keep supporting the whole charade, there is no such thing as hope!
"...It seems like Detroit need to be razed and pushed into a hole."Negative. What makes those demos worth less than the raw land is the cost of excavating debris from the old basement.
ReplyDeleteTear them down, sure; but at least leave the hole empty.
run by democrats run by democrats run by democrats run by democrats repeat after me run by democrats need i say more
ReplyDeleteThe way to save Detroit was already suggested long tie ago by the late Jack Kemp. Long time ago, Kemp came up with the idea of "enterprise zones", which are tax free incentives for places that are in despair, like Detroit. It's a great idea. Just make Detroit tax free zone and businesses will flock there.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead, turn your back on Detroit, the greatest industrial capital of the world - that also invented the assembly line!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of idiots!
Go out and test drive a new Ford! They are kick butt with a great low price! (Or Chrysler or GM) If you can afford a new car, by American! Get it? AMERICAN!!
Just check'em out!
EVERYTHING has a life span. Cities, singing groups, everything. Detroit is history, so are the Beatles. Life goes on.
ReplyDeleteLa La La La, Life Goes On.
I wonder if the "Life After People" creators got their idea after spending a couple of days in Detroit.
ReplyDelete