Anyone who believes something as simple as, prayer in school or a change of the political party in power, would fix Detroit, knows nothing of what they speak.

This is a generations deep problem. It's multi-pronged, ergo, it's going to take a multi-pronged approach to fixing it.

I would suggest starting with some police hot-spotting...

http://nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/strategies/hot-spot-policing/welcome.htm

Because of the irresponsibility of delegating funds, at the city level for necessary city functions like this, Detroit should not have to suffer.

One idea would be to have a lottery, run and sponsored by the local police department themselves. That should definitely curb immediate funding problems, if not highly improve their situation in the immediate and long term outlooks.

When people understand they have to answer to something other than themselves (God, a parent, a spouse, whatever...) they behave differently. If you know you will get caught doing something wrong, do the ramifications alter your behavior?

These dark elements taking over the streets have no conscience, and have no respect for themselves - let alone each other. The power they answer to lies in guns, muscle, and lustful desires (immoral, illegal, or sexual behaviors). When the entire environment is ugly what do you expect? We each AREproducts of our environment. BTW... Let me clarify "sexual behaviors"... I mean men treating women like a piece of meat. Like a sex toy. Less than human... men aren't given instruction on how to look at and treat a woman any more. At least those going to church "hear" how we are to treat each other (and thus at least "choose" to do right or wrong. Those running the streets only know what they pick up along the way without instruction on something like, 'husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church', etc...

Sarah - You and I have traded posts before and I know you are reasonable (usually). I agree with your multi-pronged approach, but I also firmly believe deviate behaviors begin EARLY in life. The kids need to learn a better way. If they can't learn it at home, let them learn it where they can. There are better ways to solving problems. Not everything that happened 'decades' ago was bad - just because it was in the past...

Ron, that was an idiotic statement. You are either uninformed of what is going on in Detroit, or you don't care and look to use anything you can to place blame on Obama. Either way, all you're doing is discrediting yourself and your political position. Detroit was in decline throughout the Bush terms as well. Frankly, it doesn't matter which party has the presidency, the real problem is corrupt local politics and much more that has nothing to do with the yahoo in the oval office.

Definitely with the police on this one. They have an incredibly stressful thankless dangerous job, and why continue to do it for pennies? Thanks to the type of people that live in Detroit, they've made their once-proud city the sh*thole of the United States. It won't be long before we'll have to deploy the military to eradicate the scum and restore order. Detroit could use a good cleansing.

I never thought Detroit was a vacation destination, but for the police to publicly make the statement they are making hints at a type of "political extortion" on the city administration. Budgets are being cut everywhere in the country, to tell people (and by extension businesses) to "come at your own risk" is sinking the ship that you expect to sail on. It might have been a better idea to say "We are doing everything we can to make sure this is a safe city for businesses and residents." Might have put more money into the city so they could afford those police salaries..

Not news. Been that way in Detroit for years. Sh!t hole~

Damn Sarah, We finally agree on something :)

Bleeding,

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Congrats! Just kidding, it's nice to see partisanship set aside. :)

The author of this article didn't state whether the crime statistics he/she cited are strictly numbers of said crimes, or crimes-per-capita. There's a huge difference.

If, for instance, there were 3,000 robberies in New York City (population 8.24 million) and 1,500 in Detroit (706.6 thousand) for the same period, the likelihood any one person will be a victim of robbery is much higher in Detroit (about six times higher, actually), because there're far fewer people in Detroit. So, Detroit, though having only half the number of robberies in this hypothetical, is still a far more dangerous city.

Its time for Robocop.

I see a lot of responsibility dodging in Detroit and on this thread. Quit looking for God and rich people to fix the problems that single individuals create for themselves.

I grew up in Detroit and don't live far from there now. The problems were created by corrupt politicians using the mentality that people owe them something. Just as the citizens of Detroit now use the same mentality that people owe them something.

The only brainwashing going on is people actually thinking their problems can be solved by others instead of accepting responsibility for our own actions.

As far as I'm concerned this is not new news. I lived in Troy, right between Detroit and Flint nearly 30 years ago and it was just as scary then. My Dad had to visit Detroit on one occassion to get a part for a car. While he was inside getting his part's, his car was broken into and they took his radio along with everything else, in less than 5 minutes...5 minutes more he could have returned the parts because they would have stripped the entire thing!

God, helps those who help themselves...do you think these children will learn to love God when they leave the classroom and have to walk themselves home with thugs and gangsters on every corner. Get a grip on yourself. God belongs in church where you seek him out, not in the classrooms. God and State ARE separate. Detroit has been a shi!hole for longer than I've been alive. They need all new government, this is good ol' American corruption at work.

Bobby,

I don't think what Devil was saying, implied that rich people were the problem, or should bear the responsibility.

I think he was pointing out some hypocrisy, specifically in regards to Super Pac contributors. If they're REALLY that concerned about America, instead of buying elections, they could be directly investing in its cities.

After all, you can't deny that economic investment in Detroit, wouldn't help.

Detroit is in such bad shape it makes Cleveland look like Disneyland. I've driven through there a number of times, and seen the empty lots and thousands of abandoned and vandalized buildings. YouTube has lots of Detroit drive-through videos if you want to see this huge wasteland from your computer.

Hey Sarah....Do you live in Detroit????? I bet you live in a pretty little suburb, dont you? I also bet you are a stay at home mom......What makes you such an authority on Detroit if you don't live there? Move to Detroit, live there a year and then maybe you would be able to discuss this topic intelligently.

Not just the billionaires...how about the car companies themselves?

They are reportedly making some pretty good profits. Why aren't they coughing up some monetary influence to try to keep their "hometown" functioning and attractive to investors!!!!

The article also alludes to some corruption in the city/state governments suppressing the officers in their attempts to get support...why else do the "legal" entities not support the officers efforts to survive?

They have tried EVERYTHING in Detroit. Renaissance zones that differ tax up to ten years for businesses that relocate. Rebuild the waterfront, build stadiums, tear down "crack houses", record number of charter schools in the area, Gang enforcement divisions, park restoration, etc.

The one thing that needs to change that money or incentives will never produce are attitudes. If people in general do not want to change they won't. That is Detroit's single biggest problem.

Confussed-1578043,

So your blaming George W Romney with the current situation in Detroit?

You sir, are an Idiot!

Bunkie,

From post, 22.8.

I wasn't down there "just for events". I lived off of Jefferson for a while, Curtis/Meyers area for a bit and then in the Fort Street, area. I did, in home social work for the city (Orchards Children Services), and went into those "bad areas" at all times of the day and night. I also volunteered for Detroit Public Schools at MLK high. I'm by no means, an "expert" on anything, but I do know my home town.

Any other assumptions you'd like to make? You know what they say about assumptions, right???

Now, I suggested hot spotting, as a starting point for the police. Would you care to discuss ideas that may actually solve the problem, or do you just feel tough, when you assume things about online strangers?

Seems to me you have alot of idots calling each other idiots. One person's thought is to pray maybe if people had more religion ie the golden rule they wouldn't be in this mess because they would actually be human & do unto others. I say take all the cops out. Lock the prverbial gate to the city and let nature take it's course. Cause if you don't lock the gate all the rats will jump ship. Ever see the movie Escape from LA. Detroit got itself into this mess - let them get themselve out. I suppose they want federal funds to pony up some more funds. Raise the taxes. Put in toll bridges - have a lottery.

Entering any large Amreican City could be deadly. It's not all the money dumped in It's all the corrupt people, Politicians & Public sector unions (teachers,city, transit, ) it must dodge to get to the people in the City.

What makes you think ANY businessman such as Bill Gates or any other would ever consider building in an area like detroit?!! A tax rate that makes it harder to compete, a work force of junkies, criminals, uneducated and lazy people. A city so full of crime that they would need to also employ a large security force to protect there company. Until those living in Detroit wish to improve things for themselves by turning in criminals, speaking up against crime, teaching their kids that it is wrong and helping them to become educated. Someone please tell me why we should keep throwing money WE HAVE WORKED FOR TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES, to those that wont work, aare not willing to move to find work, and continue to not try and improve themself??? Michigan will never seem to learn that they raise taxes businesses leave, so they raise taxes again to try and make up for revenue that left, so more businesses leave and those that want the jobs move away. Leaveing a city like detroit full of criminals, junkies, and those with their hand out. Thousands of abandoned buildings and area's that are unsafe even for the cops to try and enter beccause they would have to fight their way in and out, yet we would here about the criminals rights being violated if they did do this. DETROIT STND UP AND CLEAN UP YOUR COMMUNITY OR SUFFER IN WHAT YOU CREATED.

economic investment in De-troit already happened. can you say bail out

when Mitt's father was Governor , Detroit was the auto capital of the world, high wages, high employment; now it is a large Muslim community , on welfare, a large black gang community, on welfare a total collapse of the infrastructure, high unemployment, 60% of all disposal income comes from entitlements, empty buildings, empty homes, a ghetto in the worse sense of the word; and it is spreading to our other once industrial city's; we as a nation are collapsing into a third world country.

Gyrene1000

Broke, means you have no money, virtually every large city, with long time dem administrations have this problem.

Virtually every city where the economy has been undermined by outsourcing has this problem, I'm sure you meant to correctly say.

I don't think what Devil was saying, implied that rich people were the problem, or should bear the responsibility.

I think he was pointing out some hypocrisy, specifically in regards to Super Pac contributors. If they're REALLY that concerned about America, instead of buying elections, they could be directly investing in its cities.

After all, you can't deny that economic investment in Detroit, wouldn't help.

Nice to see you got what I was saying Sarah. Sheldon Aldeson has spent $100 million dollars to buy Gingrich and Romney so far in this election. The Koch bros have done the same. Gates has spent millions in Africa. So you see I am not targeting conservative or liberal. Imagine what $300 million could have done with targeted job creation and targeted education. Just from 3 men. It's easy to tell a person they should "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps" if you ignore that they don't have any boots and are barefoot.

I was raised near Det. and left there 13 years ago to move my family to Fl. But, the crime here is just as bad or worse. The cops act like every citizen is evil! So, I think no matter where you go anymore, it's going to be bad. Mainly because our govt. let so many immigrants come into our country. The arabs own Det. now and they don't like blacks or anyone else who tries to live in "their" city! Yes, we need God in our country again, so as Christians we can pray and ask God for solutions to the problems. Prayer works! Some of you should try it!

Quit with the excuses please. Outsourcing? give me a break. Detroit and many other cities ares FULL of foreign companies doing business. It's a global economy now, get over it. Quit dancing around the unpopular idea that people create their own situations and make their own bad decisions.

This city has had democratic leadership for decades. Most unmanageable, crime ridden, bankrupt cities today have had long term democrats in power. Then when they are bankrupt, they whine about the state appointing a new manager. They then get the legislature to get the people to vote on kicking out state appointed delgates that are trying to solve the mess they're in. The public is supposed to cough up more money for bankrupt pensions...the taxpayers cannot AFFORD public unions!!! Eliminate public unions...privatize the police force.

atlanta isnt as bad as that!

must not have got there Obama phones. whats funny was some liberal was giving me crap about living in a democratic state and how i liked it and all that crap, well liberals stand up and take credit for what you have turned Detroit into. Gee kinda like Chicago

I have one question for the newsvine moderator here how does a comment like Sarah's that gets a green star and over 50 votes for get collapsed? Explain yourself please!

If you want to know the real reason Detroit is a sess pool, look at the demographic statistics below. One need only go to the third lind down to look at what this population consists of.

You can cry and whine if you want to, but it is not racist to point out what we all know to be true, especially when backed up by statistics. The problems for society come from those who refuse to acknowledge a problem that is perfectly clear, and attempts to mobilize remedies that will never work, only cost us a fortune.

Never underestimate the power of denial!

Race

One race
929229
97.68%

White
116599
12.26%

Black or African American
775772
81.55%

American Indian and Alaska Native
3140
0.33%

Asian
9268
0.97%

Asian indian
2827
0.3%

Chinese
912
0.1%

Filipino
951
0.1%

Japanese
188
0.02%

Korean
217
0.02%

Vietnamese
393
0.04%

Other Asian
3780
0.4%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
251
0.03%

Native Hawaiian
46
0%

Guamanian or Chamorro
45
0%

Samoan
64
0.01%

Other Pacific Islander
96
0.01%

Some other race
24199
2.54%

Two or more races
22041
2.32%

Hispanic or Latino and race

Total Population
951270
100.00%

Hispanic or Latino(of any race)
47167
4.96%

Mexican
33143
3.48%

Puerto Rican
6615
0.7%

Cuban
871
0.09%

Other Hispanic or Latino
6538
0.69%

Not Hispanic or Latino
904103
95.04%

White alone
99921
10.5%

Bunkie11

LOL! How does your shoe taste?

Meanwhile, our military is patroling the whole world...

oldotto2, the car companies are surviving at best, some aren't really doing that. I know for a fact that the Fords have given back to detroit for years and years.

The problem is the handout society that exist there and the hopelesness since the working population keeps dwindling further. I know two hospital investment companies that, while the ER's would be profitable, none of the rest of the facility would be worth squat, so they are passing on purchasing or refurbing facilities there. The city and state have to get their ducks in a row first, before investors will be attracted to that area. There has to be some measured control. Remember how the City of Detroit put faux fronts up downtown for the SuperBowl to make bombed out, vacant buildings look nice? Do you remember what it looked like 4 weeks later?

BTW, anyone and everyone in Detroit, heck all of Michigan that is driving a toyota, honduh, KIA, etc, should go out in the back yard and kick your own arse until you get your brain pushed back up into your head and get it working again. If you need it explained, then you won't get it.

If you are driving foreign cars and gripe about American companies outsourcing, you are a freakin hypocrite. If you are a Union member and you drive a foreign car, well you should be the next to lose your job.

Until America gets their sh!# back together, stands up and takes back control of our manufacturing, stops giving everyone but American's a free pass to fu@& us over, and is proud to be Americans again then there is going to be more stories like this one.

Everyone giving Concernedone crap is absolutely wrong in one regard, whether you believe in God or not, the basis of Christianity IS the 10 commandments which are principals to lead your life by for a moral and just life. For anyone that doesn't want to support Chrisianity, what is wrong with teaching kids the 10 commandments, but in a format that doesn't start all the pissing contest.

R.I.P Motor City, it's a shame this is your inevitable fate.

I grew up in Detroit and have seen its inevitable collapse. Detroit, as any urban center in the world, has been ravaged by Liberalism/Progressivism and it has no solution for its demise. Henry Ford had a vision of a nation with vast mass production factories in which the workers were paid well enough to keep the economy vibrant. His vision is indeed coming true. Unfortunately it is coming true in China, South Korea, India, Brazil, Mexico and Canada. Since the days of former mayor Coleman Young and his anti-suburban profanity laced ramblings, to our most recent embarrassment Kwame Kilpatrick, many of us have seen and predicted the current decay of one of the greatest examples of capitalism gone horribly wrong under Liberalism/Progressivism.

We have gone from Motown to a Ghost town because of corruption, lack of vision and an uneducated electorate that has become indoctrinated by entitlements. Yes, much of it is to blame on our Mayors, City Councils and Governors, but just as much must be blamed on the populace. When Detroit was the Capitol of Capitalism no one addressed the main problem, education. As a result we not only have an economic collapse, we have an illiterate collective enslaved to social and economic justice that will never succeed.

Even our iconic Motown music has fled to the West Coast.

Once a thriving metropolitan behemoth of 1.9 million hard working Americans, today it slowly sinks into oblivion with barely 700,000 despondent and desperate Americans asking, what happened? The most productive day in Detroit is “Devil's Night” when arsons, and those seeking their last few dollars from insurance fraud, burn down what is left of once majestic homes and ornate buildings. The colossal remnant of the century old Packard factory stands broken and forgotten, too expensive to demolish, too forgotten to worry about.

As this once grand and proud city falls, its only hope has become the always predictable failure, casinos. ‘God bless Detroit’, says one billboard along I-75, just beside another offering the alternative solution, liquor. The Renaissance Center, once the vision of a resurgent Detroit, strains under the weight of insolvency as GM is its only tenant. A useless monorail called the "People Mugger Mover" circles the Riverfront empty, going from nowhere to no place. The last step on our tour of melancholy is the once bustling majestic Michigan Central Railroad Station. Through it came everyone from businessmen hurriedly wanting to sign contracts for wealth and prosperity during a booming economy, to Southern Blacks via the "underground railroad" seeking the American Dream. Surrounded by razor-wire, its grand arrival hall is now a shadowy chilly tomb littered with used contraceptives and drug paraphernalia.

As the sun sets over Detroit you realize it's time to leave, soon it won't be safe to be here. This applies for today and the future. Just along Jefferson Avenue stands "The Fist", the monument commemorating boxing legend Joe Louis, the adopted son of Detroit, and the "Spirit of Detroit" statue. They are but mere memories of what has become a soulless city. This once magnificent city stood for American exceptionalism, today its most significant statistic is whether it is in the top-three running for "Murder Capitol" of the country.

As the Supremes used to sing "My World Is Empty Without You", Detroit is empty. Empty of leadership. Empty of vision. Empty of American exceptionalism. As a result a small part of the world is now empty also. What was once a symbol, is now a humiliation.

God Bless America and Detroit, you may be our only hope.

ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©

I do think teaching children in school both manners and ethics might help future generations, but that is true for just about any city. While these should start at home too many parents do not, so children learn from their peers.

I also think the city needs to make pay cuts but not to the police dept., fire dept., and EMTs, those are neccessary services, however the rest of the workers (including the mayor) do not risk their lives everyday on the job.

Perhaps the city could apply for federal funds to build a large prison, which would a) create jobs, b) generate tax income for the city c) provide a place for those convicted of violent crimes (so they are not released due to over crowding).

You can throw 10 billions dollars a day at Detroit and it's not going to change anything. No amount of money is going to change a problem that is cultural.

As soon as this country turned its back on God, God turned his back on us. I don't know if any amount of prayer would do any good at this point

Since when IS God solving unemployment and crime problems? It is up to US, not GOD to rescue ourselves of our own mess. Those that think that the Government is useless, think again.

How many "job creators" and "Churches" are helping those people? The Republicans are ONLY interested in cutting more services to "the leeches"

Creating job programs and opportunities is ONLY going to come from the Government. Private "entrepreneurs" have NO INTEREST whatsoever in helping anybody. JUST ASK MITT ROMNEY AND BAIN CAPITAL. "Trickle Down Economics" IS THE worst scam ever.Where is the "TRICKLE DOWN" in Detroit?

Sarah--- for all the help you gave them what did it help? No work, plenty of money in crime and bleeding heart liberals thinking government should take care of them. I grew up poor, know what handouts are and both parents worked. I went to were it was better, got my act together and succeeded. Those who want to succeed will, those who do not will not. It is time to quit blaming God and everyone else for the problem, stand up and either take the city back or get out. These police are living in a war zone but it is not higher pay that will cure it, it is removing the demagoguery that government can save you. People save people but no one wants to wants to fight the government for the power. People making backroom deals to get and maintain staus quo then things will change.

Detroit has been on the 5 Most violent cities list for all of my life. The only time they are out of 1st is when a drug war flares up. Romney only goes to white enclaves looking for votes. He was born there, he knows where he can go. He wants to invade Syria because his success ratio would be better and he would get more ink. I have been to evil countries,Russia, China, Syria, and Libiya, and I could go anywhere , day or night. I LIVE in a city of 10 thousand and there are neighborhoods I can not go after the sun goes down.

Is a totalitarian dictatorship the answer to so much civilian drug use ? Do you bring the army in to quell the unrest? If you think yes, what do you do when the solution becomes the problem?

BT-33...

Just say black people. We all know what your talking about.

For the record, I NEVER, EVER had that thought come to mind. I refer to the "dark" element - an evil element who flourishes at night where their deeds can go on less noticeably. Flip on the light and watch the cockroaches scurry for their dark hiding places. This has nothing to do with the color of a mans skin!

A new prison would mean more public/state/federal employees that the taxpayer would have to pay for. The real root of the problem is unionized public employees. Education is substandard in all cities, not just Detroit. The demise of our education is parallel to the implementation of unions. The same with police. It is a brotherhood, that actually tells the taxpayers what they will or will not do, even though they are supposed to be working FOR the taxpaer. Play games with slow work days, "sick-ins", balk at every attempt to make things efficient for the taxpayer. And it is worse in Democratic run areas.

"Officers are leaving simply because they can't afford to stay in Detroit and work 12-hour shifts for what they are getting paid," Iorio told WWJ.

OK, read that quote above, than read the one below:

"The state treasurer has threatened Detroit Police Officers with another 10% wage cut for going to court to protect their rights,"

OK, so how do you figure this one out, the cops say they can't afford to stay, work 12 hour shifts on the pay they are getting, and the state treasurer's response is I'll show you who's boss, and threatens them with even more of a wage cut for trying to PROYECT THEIR RIGHTS!!!

And there's people on this blog who agrees with the @!$%# state treasurer.

Irv,

Did I save the city? Absolutely not. Did I help a family or two along the way? Maybe? My point is, if everyone just bitches and demonizes and blames, I know FOR A FACT, nothing will get fixed.

Blame liberals! Blame conservatives! Blame Obama! Blame Bush! Blame Dems! Blame the GOP! Blame the unions! Blame the corporations!

Who gives a @!$%#? We're past being able to assign blame for this problem. And if we were honest, we'd admit that THEY'RE ALL TO BLAME. If people put forth half the effort they do blaming those who vote for the opposite candidate, or yelling at strangers online (Although I do enjoy my fan club), the city would be freaking fixed.

Is that another Democrat controlled wonderland?

I think there needs to be black leaders that LEAD and not try to make matters worse by instigating more problems, crying racist non-stop, saying white people are bad and out to get you if your black! I think they need to start doing the right thing NOT what is going to make themselves popular! Thats all they are worried about! You have to try and make peace and teach people that they have to get control of there lives and care for others! Help young people make better decisions about having a family. Make birth control free and easier to get. Help them see they have to stay away from violence and drugs to have a life! If they think they can't have a life because someone is holding them down they won't even try! If the only life they have ever known is living in the streets or with family that is hopeless, have nothing and think they have to take things to have anything! If it were me I would leave this town with my children and go somewhere where they have a chance to be normal! I live in a quiet little town in Texas and we have all colors here and no issues. I think that town is doomed for now so I would move out!

Most violent city in US. And what demographic living in Detroit is the cause of that dubious title?

Ever notice when Government, local, state or federal, makes cuts it's never upper administration that they look at. The clerk making $20k a year, they need to cut the staff and make them work longer hours to cover the amount of work to be done, but the senior staff making $150k and up never get cut. Never not get raises or bonuses, it's in their contracts.

Detroit is so far gone you just can't fix it. Either just wall the animals inside and let them kill each other off or glass the entire place. Either way, problem solved.

It's time for the City of Detroit to just turn all functions over to the State of Michigan. That's what the Republicans want anyway, they wrote the laws to take even the most basic government functions away from the citizens of Detroit, Flint and any other city that is having financial difficulties.

AND, there is NO method of returning those functions to the voters or elected representatives.

How's that for putting in a dictatorship ?

Detroit wants to be that way, because Detroit is in charge of it's own future !

WTF happened to all the bailout money that went to Detroit ????????????

Bring in the national guard.

What?!?!? Just about a year ago I read this really nice story here on good, ole liberal MSNBC that city officials were taking blighted ghettos in Detroit and making community gardens that would solve all the city's problems. You mean that didn't work? LMFAO!!!!!

Breaking News

Mitt Robme/ Paul Lyin Ryan has stated that they would like to have American Forces in Syria to Support Al Qaeda that are trying to overthrow Asad, after they spend 100s of Billions of dollars on this and many of our Youths Lives to boot, They have stated that they would like to start another war in Iran costing TRILLIONS of dollars and Tens of Thousands of Young American Lives.

Vote Straight Democrat, we dont need anymore wars Started by Republicans. Save a life , because that life you save maybe your Childs.

Obama/Biden for a SANE America

Its a war zone!

Well then pay them out of the defense budget!

Sorry but I do not think Detroit's problems have anything to do with race.

isn't the insurrection act applicable here? why isn't the michigan national guard going into detroit to remedy this?

You do need a police force of a certain size to be effective.

And it's sad that you do, because that means that the citizens of the city/state have so little respect for themselves and for each other that it necessitates buying a larger police force to control them. So they get bigger, and the criminals bring in more, so police bring in more, and you just end up in a 2-team pissing contest on whose got the bigger balls - ego and hyper ego leading instead of logic and reason.

Somehow people in the city (and I have never been there so I only speak as an "outsider" to the region) need to gain a greater respect for themselves as well as for the law. The only reason you need a strength-wise police force and prisons is because people refuse to follow the laws established, so more people disrespecting the laws means a need for more police and more prisons...and that requires tax money to run, which means you go further and further into poverty.

It's not an overnight fix, and may require a generational sacrifice to get through it, but you HAVE to care for the community and work hard (instead of looking for the easy and illegal route) to propel yourself to the next level. Allow your children to see the benefits of working hard and build an ethics about what it means to collect a paycheck and buy the things you'd like. It's not meant to be easy, but if the kids are learning their lessons on the streets, then they're bound to move that from there to the prisons.

Teach them the value of learning life's lessons (both good and bad) and teach them the value of following a societies laws and hope that it sticks...if so, they will grow to be better for it, even through difficult times.

Finally, teach the children the lesson that my grandfather taught me: excuses are like a$$holes - everyone has them and the most always stink. Like him or not we have a man in the white house that had every opportunity to play the "poor me" card. Black, broken home, Dad out of the picture, and poor...could have written it all off and opted for a life of crime - after all, he could be afforded every excuse based on his state at the time. But he had family that sacrificed to ensure that he ended up BETTER than they ever were, and now he sits as the most powerful man on the planet. That SHOULD be a role model for anyone that is in that similar situation...to strive for MORE than they are today REGARDLESS the hand they've been dealt, and WITHOUT resorting to crime to get there.

Austerity at it's very best. Instead of calling it Detroit or Hooverville, we can now call it Rick Snyderville. If I had a need to visit Detroit, I would appreciate the warning. Much better than expecting adequate police protection and being carried home in a coffin.

Clearly this is the fault of OCP. If they weren't so greedy and thinking only of their military contracts for the ED209, then more money could be put into the police force. Such shame

WHO CARES ABOUT DETROIT????

VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN . . KEEP THE DREAM (and ME) ALIVE!!!!

I think we should close in Detroit like New York in Escape From. Pull out all the cops and let them kill each other.

HandsOffMyMedicare!!

Shut your troll mouth!

myspellcheckerisbroken

Clearly this is the fault of OCP. If they weren't so greedy and thinking only of their military contracts for the ED209, then more money could be put into the police force. Such shame

Excellent job with a RoboCop reference.............check for you. Best part of RoboCop they shot it in Dallas to give Detroit a futuristic look.

Detroit has been a bad place for a long time and it's not going to change. And I have a hard time believing its much worse now than during the late 1980's.

This country DESPERATELY needs to wake up. Detroit is another "sacrifice zone". It has been so for decades now. Theres a small minority of people on this globe that are gleefully extracting the last bits of wealth from this country. I honestly think we do not have what it takes to fight them. I do think this is check-mate. I recommend everyone go listen to Chris Hedges (wrote "Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt") over on You Tube, and go read about the Market (Paul Stiles "Is the American Dream Killing You?"). This is capitalism gone wild, guys - this is not about demographics. This is the end result of the Market. It destroys families, communities, culture. It demoralizes entire societies. This is what capitalism looks like when it mutates and no longer serves society, but compells society to serve it. We are occupied. It is an economic occupation, and Detroit is one of the bombed-out casualties of this war.

---

also...

This looks like another great place to post the words of a wise man...

George Carlin
(May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008)

"The American Dream"
Theres a reason why education sucks and its the same reason it will never ever ever be fixed. Its never gonna get any better, dont look for it, be happy with what you got. Because the OWNERS of this country dont want that. Im talking about the real owners now. the REAL owners. The big wealthy business interests that control things and make all the important decisions. Forget the politicians. The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You dont. You have no choice. You have owners. They OWN you. They own everything. They own all the important land, they own and control the corporations theyve long since bought and paid for the Senate the Congress the State Houses the City Halls they got the judges in their back pockets and they own all the big media companies so they control just about all the news and information you get to hear. THEY GOT YOU BY THE BALLS! They spend BILLIONS of dollars every year lobbying, lobbying to get what they want. Well we KNOW what they want. They want more for themselves and less for everybody else. But I'll tell you what they DONT want. They dont want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They dont want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. Theyre not interested in that. That doesnt help them. Thats against their interests. They dont want people who are smart enough to sit around the kitchen table and figure out how badly theyre getting f***ed by a system that threw them overboard thirty f***ing years ago, they dont want that. You know what they want? They want obedient workers. Obedient workers. People who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork, and just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly sh***ier jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime, and the vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it. And NOW theyre comin' for your social security money. They want your f***ing retirement money. They want it back so they can give it to their criminal friends on Wall Street. And you know something? They'll get it! Theyll get it all from you sooner or later because they OWN this f***ing place. Its a big club... and YOU AINT IN IT. You and I are not in the big club. By the way, its the same big club they use to beat you over the head all day long when they tell you what to believe. All day long beating you over the head in their media telling you what to believe what to think and what to buy. The table is tilted, folks. The game is rigged. And nobody seems to notice.. nobody seems to care... Good honest hard-working people. White-collar, blue-collar, it doesnt matter what color shirt you have on, good honest hard-working people continue - these people of modest means - continue to elect these rich c**k suckers who dont give a F*** about them. They dont give a F*** about you, they dont GIVE a F*** about you. They dont CARE about you. At ALL, at ALL, at ALL! Man...You know? And nobody seems to notice, nobody seems to care... Thats what the owners count on - the fact that Americans will probably remain willfully ignorant of the big red white and blue d**k thats being jammed up their a**holes everyday because the owners of this country know the truth... Its called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.

----

You can see him deliver this in person over at Youtube. Just search for Carlin American Dream

Chicago surpasses 400 homicides

By Tracy Swartz @tracyswartz posted Sept. 29, 2012 at 12:00 a.m.

Chicago on Friday surpassed 400 homicides for the year—the fastest the city has done so in nearly 10 years.

And just think even Chicago can still say "At least were not Detroit"

Protect the public from what? Aliens from outer space? Lions? Tigers?

What is in detroit except the public? How many are repeat offenders? Could part of the problem be revolving door liberal courts?

The Liberal Democrats can cover thier eyes, and ears but they know the truth and that is the BLACKS left to thier own devices (city of Detroit) will do the same to AMERICA !!!

Keeping in mind whenever someone claims we need to put God back in the class room, they're talking a false God they created to appease their own vanity and pride, not the true God shown to us through Jesus Christ. Their false God is really the problem in America, they actually believe their religion elevates them over others and blame their problem on anyone anything they don't understand or simply don't like. These people have the same mentality as southern slave owners, they never went away and they still have white trash idiots hanging from their coat tails content with the table scraps their masters hand them and the false idea that even though their just white trash, they're still better than the "others"

Democrats plus Unions equal Crime and Corruption and Detroit leads the way.

Yes the absence of moral values beginning with two parents and a job before making babies will cause this every time no matter what race you are.

Taking your kids to church is a wonderful place to weave that moral fiber

blowtorch4jesus

blame their problem on anyone anything they don't understand or simply don't like

even though their just white trash

You hate them because you don't understand them or you simply don't like them and you say that makes them "white trash" so what does that make blacks who believe in Jesus and God and more importantly what does that make you?

I'm not a religious person but I don't hate those that are and unlike you I have never had any feelings of inferiority because of it. Just relax it's a beautiful day.

Breaking News!

Detroit Police Chief, Ralph Godbee, has resigned due to allegations of having an affair with a subordinate officer.

The mayor, Dave Bing, knew about this 2 years ago. There are other allegations and charges pending. The mayor states he will not resign.

I had respect for Dave Bing, no more.

Can someone hand me another nail for this coffin?

Detroit or Chicago it doesn't matter - both are concrete jungles that are more dangerous now then the jungles of 'Nam were back in '68.

THIS NEW INFORMATION RUINED OUR VACATION. Me, ma and the kids sold our pop bottles and aluminum cans to finance our cross country vacation to Detroit. The jeep wagon was packed with the sleeper bags and camp stove too. We were going to Detroit Pawn and go see Jerry Springer. Now all that is off because our safety in Detroit is in question. Well, we never went to L.A, Miami, or New Jersey. Might have to carry the family there this year. Detroit, you just lost all our business.

Take a look around America. This is what you get when you have a Republican governor who is firmly in the pocket of the Kochs.

I get not a single tax deduction on my middle class state taxes. Not one. Not allowed. Nope. The Police are defunded and their wages are sliced to the bone so people are afraid to go into the streets.

Guess where the money is going?

Can you?

Of course you can!

Big Business got a HUGE tax cut. They now pay 6% with a zillion deductions.

Yup this is the way I want things. Give every break in the world to business. Break the back of the labor unions. Before long we'll all be surfs trying to get by on a few dollars a day. THAT IS THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA. TWO CLASSES: RICH AND SERFS.

The sooner we vote this odious man out of office the better our lives will be.

My family grew up north of Detroit. I was 18 years old and car jacked, a very scary situation. Detroit has continued to go down hill year after year.

You may want to look up the history of the party running the City of Detroit - and you will find that it was the Democrats that helped run this once thriving City into the ground. I remember going downtown with my Grandmother to shop at the now abandonded Hudsons Department Store, until they were robbed blind. You would not dare go down to that area now days.

These 'thugs' and politicians don't care about what they have done to this once great City. Go on to You Tube and do a search for deserted Detroit or abandoned buildings in Detroit. Sad, very very sad!!!!

blowtorch4jesus, you nailed it. Jesus would truly weep if he were here to witness what goes on in his name.

gtouch, the only post out of the two where I read the word "hate" was yours.

Obama has outsourced taxpayers money overseas. In 2010 the Watchdog Institute base at San Diego State reported 80% of $1 billion in grants to wind energy went overseas. Obama bailed out the banks and then they turned around and gave their executives bonuses. The Obamacare bill was laden with pork. I thought Obama bailed out the auto industry. What's wrong with Detroit ? Oh yeah- it was the Koch brothers. I'm no fan of theirs, but what exactly did they do to Detroit ? And how much made in China crap do you have in your residence ? I bet upwards of 90%- but it's not your fault. You think the rich are the golden goose ? Don't just tax them, take everything they own. It won't last a year. That is how serious the situation is. Get a clue.

The rampant crime has NOTHING to do with the Kochs or Capitalism. Detroit has has more cash thrown at them than nearly any city in the US. This is the result of liberalism, democratic, progressive policies....socialism at its finest. Full of the entitlement class, Unions and handouts. Individuals are taught not to work harder than the next person, to keep the Union mentality cancer alive. Then no one wants to work, produce efficiently, and taxpayers get substandard work ethics. They've kicked the can down the road, expected taxpayers to cover their corrupt and failed policies. NEA had Alinsky's book for recommended reading on their website, for God's sake! Community organizer tactics to riot and scream to get what you want. Then management let Unions run the city, and public employees did as they pleased, including ignoring a lot of crime and violence. Unions do NOT contribute to a civilized society. Detroit is the result of year of lackidaisical squandering of taxpayers money. We need to privatize the entire job force of the city. Get the democrats OUT of office. Detroit is a good look at our future for the entire country if the Democrats stay in power.

Getting people to come to Detroit can be a challenge, she said, but once visitors experience the city they are likely to return.

“People who come here are so pleasantly surprised that we see a lot of repeat visitations,” Monforton said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Um, YEAH... Sure... And what color is the sky in yor world?

I'm from Detroit myself. The best thing I can say about Detroit is that it's a good place to be FROM.

The Detroit Police Officers Association is warning citizens and out-of-towners that they enter Detroit at their own risk, saying that the "grossly understaffed" and overworked police force cannot adequately protect the public in the increasingly violent city.

Yep, the Detroit Police force is going down in flames while the Police Chief resigned because of a sex scandal.

Sounds like something the Chicago Police Chief would do. Wait a minute......

Repubs need to learn one thing.. Morals and religion are not mutually exclusive.

Dems need to learn something... Top 10 poorest cities, are without fail.. run by Dems.

Wake up people. Vote based one someones actual record rather than just based on D/R ...

Commonsense101

blowtorch4jesus, you nailed it. Jesus would truly weep if he were here to witness what goes on in his name.

gtouch, the only post out of the two where I read the word "hate" was yours.

------- Gtouch uses the word "hate" to say that he doesn't hate, and somehow you have twisted this to mean that Gtouch is the one who hates? I don't get it. Did you even read his post?

Gotta love the (low) intelligence level of the Detroit Police Owners Association - try to extort higher pay and benefits from the city by telling tourists to stay away. Didn't they stop to think that some of the tourist dollars fill the city coffers - sales taxes, transient fees included in the airport fees, rental cars, hotel rooms, restaurants, etc.

The name of the organization should speak volumes - Detroit Police Owners Association. By the title I'm guessing the criminals are heading up the DPOA since the spokesperson admits that the police don't "own" the streets.

Tourists? Detroit has never been a tourist destination. This is just another failure of liberalism.

Less work (autos) and most everything else we buy in this wonderful world economy=our dollars going to foreign governments. Our government losing tax dollars from a healthy middle class means services which suck. We did it to ourselves (consumers). Saved a few bucks over the years, gave up our economy and middle class and now it is coming back to haunt us. This is simply a redistribution of the world's wealth. The good old USA is on the losing end of this equation. You can't compete with someone who is allowed to steal our technology, restrict our imports, mess with currencies and have their workers, including children, work for next to nothing. The "Haves" are becoming the "Have Nots" and American business, with no allegiance to this country, is complicit in this series of events. Just my 2 cents.

@ Gyrene1000

I'm sorry this isn't a personal attack but that is a moronic statement.So your basically saying we need to slash our environmental standards,workplace safety standards,give up our heath care,social security etc. We could go back to working for penny's instead of dollars so business stays in this country and makes what they feel is an adequate profit.We need to worry less about rich people becoming richer and taking care of our own.

Lammy YOU are the type that will never "get it" and a part of why Detroit and many other cities are in the mess they are in. You do not even realise the over regulation that there is, the EPA talk about a joke.... 50 different "blends" of gasoline through out the country. Oil countries being fined for not using cellulosic biofuel ( a product not even available to them), a country where a drainage ditch got clogged causing flooding in Wa, state flooding a homeowners property, even after the problem waas fixed they cannot build on it as it was declared a wet land do to the standing water waiting on the county to fix the problem.Billions of dollars wasted on improvement projects shut down cause they found a rare spider, or a beetle that they never knew to be there before. Farmers unable to plant n there land because it was deemed that the area was right for an endangered bug to inhabit it, even though there has never been one on the property. People refusing to work because they don't like the job while waiting for a handout, all the while many who do work can barely provide for their families as the pay so much in so many different taxes to support those who dont work. Do you have any idea at all how many conflicting regulations there are from how to do something to how to ship or store something? PLEASE tell me why anyone even bill gates would want to move to Detroit ,would ever consider building in an area like detroit?!! A tax rate that makes it harder to compete, a work force of junkies, criminals, uneducated and lazy people. A city so full of crime that they would need to also employ a large security force to protect there company

Less tourism? You're kidding right? I went to Detroit on a business trip about 20 years afo and the place was a dump. How the f_ck would go there on vacation?

What they're saying is that the only way that some semblance of law and order can be maintained in Detroit is to have the city saturated with cops.

This is just one more example of society's decay where people will conduct themselves in a civil and lawful manner only if they fear arrest.

Detroit is a city to be avoided.

"Lammy YOU are the type that will never "get it" and a part of why Detroit and many other cities are in the mess they are in. You do not even realise the over regulation that there is, the EPA talk about a joke.... 50 different "blends" of gasoline through out the country. Oil countries being fined for not using cellulosic biofuel ( a product not even available to them), a country where a drainage ditch got clogged causing flooding in Wa, state flooding a homeowners property, even after the problem was fixed they cannot build on it as it was declared a wet land do to the standing water waiting on the county to fix the problem.Billions of dollars wasted on improvement projects shut down cause they found a rare spider, or a beetle that they never knew to be there before"

No bluthunder your the one who doesn't get it! You missed the entire point of my post.We years ago gutted our environment with waste from factories,this has nothing to do with the points you brought up in your rant.I'm talking about not having safe drinking water,a place to take a kid fishing,places to go hunting. I'm talking about having guards on gears on machines so you don't lose your arm and are unable to provide for your family.Having a job that provides some sort of healthcare even if you have to pay for part of it so when your kid is sick you can him to the doctor,Social Security so you can make ends meet in your old age. Sending jobs to China to get around this is not only greedy its Un American providing technology to a country like China that is one nudge from being an enemy in a new Cold War,can you imagine an American company sending jobs to the Soviet Union during the Cold War? For what? To make a bunch of shareholders that are already wealthy and well off even more so? Wouldn't our cities be better if Apple built i phones here,sure there would be less profit margin but I doubt they would go broke. In 1913 Henry Ford already wealthy from building Model "T's" decided to do two things give his workers an 8 hour day to take off the burden of working 12-14 hr days and to give them the 5 dollar a day pay thus giving them not only the ability to buy the products they made,but to buy other consumer goods thus adding to the local economy. THAT IS TRUE CAPITALISM,not your Neo Con version.

Another Ploy for the upcomming election

Lammy why should others provide for "part" of your health care. Why should others provide you with social security when you get old??? Why re you not working to provide for your own health caare? Why are you not saving for your old age? WITH FEWER TAXES TO PROVIDE people health care, social security, welfare, food stamps, job assistance, free housing, free lunches for children who already get food stamps, I could afford alot more for my family and save even more for my retirement and so could you. This is a part of the problem YOU will not understand. help should come from charities, family and churches If churches or charities do not provide help they should not have there exemption. NOONE should be forced to provide for another. WHILE IT IS TRUE MANY WILL NEED HELP TEMPORARY IN THERE LIFE, it should be very temporary and if the government provides any help, IF THE PERSON IS PHYSICALLY ABLE THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO DO SOME FORM OF WORK FOR THAT ASSISTANCE (have them work cleaning these trashed neighborhods in detroit). You missed another very important point, the more you allow government to regulate something they ALWAYS go overboard and take mmore and more freedom away from people! Grow up and start being responsible for YOURSELF.

Bluthunder.. You pay for the bloated military and I'll pay for health care ok

Bluthunder..WOW you are out there my friend,I hate to tell you the gilded age is over and for good reason.So I should just save my nickles and dimes and hope I never get sick or hurt and if I do hope that some church takes pity on me and pays my medical bills,I got news for you THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY HELLO ! My daughter when she was 7 months got very ill,three days in the hospital was 20 grand and this was in 1997,any savings I had would have been wiped out,guess I could have gone and begged at the church for the money if I didn't have insurance,as for social security I have worked since I was 14 and I have payed my taxes and bills, I don't need some clown telling me to grow up and be responsible,that money is my right ,I have earned it! Its not some entitlement because it cuts into some rich guy who you worship, money or profit margin. Really do you honestly think the rich give a rats a$$ what you think? They don't know you exist and could care less that you or I are on this board. WAKE UP! Your a patsy,you remind of Mr. Potter in " Its A Wonderful Life" when he is arguing with George Bailey over giving Ernie Bishop a loan for a home,why should us the middle class who do most of the living,working,paying taxes, and dying in this country have to scrimp and save to have anything to just have it wiped out.You think that rich guy is going to trickle down some of his money to you? Heck he'll take any extra and spend it on himself,not you. The middle class in this country was thriving at one time,we want our standard of living,I don't need the rich man to give me money or trickle it down I earn what I make and I think we should all have that right in this country,Create jobs and you'll see the welfare system go back to what it was intended to do,help working people who fell on hard times get back on their feet.Until you Bluthunder stop worshiping the golden calf and get back to the values of our fathers and fore fathers you will NEVER GET IT .

To be honest I get really tired of everyone having to bring welfare into post about the lack of jobs and whats happened to the middle class in this country,yes welfare should be there to help people get back on their feet after falling on hard times and yes it has gotten out of hand,but this welfare state started because we gutted our industrial manufacturing based economy and replaced it with a service based one,this is my bitch,you slammed the middle class force more people into the lower class,destroyed the traditional middle class family,and then wonder why we have urban decay and people on welfare...DUH! The Liberal's look to Obama and think he is going to bring back the middle class,the Conservatives look to Romney to do it....problem is neither one is going to do it I'm afraid to tell you.

Yes get back to the values of our forefathers. work for what you need!! they wuld provide help to those who needed it as they came together to do it, but for those who always wanted something and never tried they were shunned, kicked out of communities and refused any more help after constantly wanting help well not trying to provide for themselves. They saved for what they wanted, you should pay for your own insurance. They did not feel a job was beneath them, when they needed work to provide for their family they found any job they could. They did not believe anyone owed them anything, and when they recieved help they always tried to repay that help. on second thought ... never mind, you are a WASTE OF my time to explain anything else to.

"never mind, you are a WASTE OF my time to explain anything else to."

Your a WASTE of oxygen...enjoy the view from your mountain in Idaho

Lammy; In defence of bluthunder---WE WILL enjoy our view from our mountain here in Idaho as long as koolaide drinking liberals like YOU stay OUT!!!! If you libs agree to this caveat then WE will do fine here in fiscally conservative Idaho. Our state is NOT in debt. Our crime is among the lowest in the nation. Our people get along with each other regardless of their skin color. We are doing fine WITHOUT you and your ilk who only want to TAKE TAKE TAKE from those of us who work hard, save for a rainy day, plan for retirement w/o gov't handouts, and love God, love America and love our communities. Meanwhile, you and the rest of the braindead liberals can HAVE Detroit. Get used to what it looks like because it was LIBERAL policies that MADE IT THE @!$%#HOLE THAT IT IS!!! And it will be YOUR TOWN soon if you don't wake up. Govenment only STEALS from hardworking pepole like me and bluthunder so they can give it to lame ass thieves like you.

We in Oregon are tired of paying for wars supported by those in the Red States and having our boys killed.

Less work (autos)...

There is a marketing strategy known as designed obsolescence. The auto makers employed this concept a little too well. Marketing surveys indicated that the average car buyer would purchase about every 6-7 years. The makers decided that if they designed the car to fall apart every three years they could sell twice as many cars. The problem was thaty didn't count on people buying better quality fuel saving cars for less money from foreign makers.

Saved a few bucks over the years...

...through more reliable, fuel efficient, lower priced products.

Who looks forward to buying overpriced junk just to remain "true blue American"? With everybody's personal budgets getting tighter why wouldn't they look for the best value?

dyha

love that picture of Hillary.......................................:)

hs321, I completely agree with you. And that makes the police just look dumb for saying "at your own risk." Who the heck wants to visit Detroit in general? Now add "at your own risk." Just stupid.

"too bad it's going back into the shltter..."

When did it leave the @!$%#ter? It's been there since the 60s and isn't getting any better anytime soon. The crime rate in Detroit and in Flint are what you get with 50+ yrs of liberal policies!!!!! Detroit is a cess pool and should be walled up and turned into a prison ala "Escape from New York." The good thing is that most of the inmates would already be there!!!!!

Yes...let's blame liberals for Detroit. It was the liberals that produced shi@@y cars that no one wanted to buy....it was liberals that caused the huge down turn in the American automobile industry and thus destroyed Michican as a whole when they went belly up in the 80s. Yep...all liberals fault.

It must have also been the liberals wanted to make gas guzzlers that no one wanted to buy while there were people on waiting lists to buy Honda and Toyota hybrids.

This is the classic problem of not having adequate property tax, and sales tax revenues to fix up and maintain ( at least ) the required public schools for a basically educated public, roads, sewer and water treatment, police and fire protection, etc. The tax revenues I'm suspecting went or go to public employee pensions and benefit packages that were negotiated when, " the money was rolling in ", and not adjusted for the days of decay when the "money might be rolling out". Detroit is a very good example of what the City of Chicago should be looking at, with an undereducated high school graduate as the norm, and well funded retirement packages for the teachers who don't see the students through to their grade level literacy requirements.

For your information jp-109 and Ambrosia, the city of Detroit is not an automobile manufacturer, it is a liberal city which has been so dominated by Democrats for the last 40+ years that I don't even recall any Republican even running for office in the city. If they have, they certainly haven't won anything.

The tax revenue from property taxes are hard to collect when so many homes are being foreclosed upon. Then if the homes are 1/3 of the value of what they used to be, you get 1/3 the tax revenue from them

Do Your Homewarok America- I think yours was just about the most stupid comment on this thread. Detroit was a high crime city, including several years as murder capital of the US, back when there was a full police force. Part of this is just a union trying desparately to make themselves look good, and part of it is nothing but a continuation of what Detroit has been for at least 50 years, irrespective of size of the force.

Gjalt, I am born and raised in Michigan. If you are not in automotive, you are related to it directly or indirectly. For example: If you are a textile company, you make the fabrics for automobiles. If you are a realtor, you sell to people who work in the automobile/textile factories. If you are a restaurant owner, your customers are the realtors, textile makers, and automotive factory workers. When the automotive business tanked, everyone in the state felt it. Yes, Detroit is heavily involved in automobile manufacturing. You can even go on a tour of the Rouge River plant if you visit Detroit and watch an assembly line.

I also admit that I wanted to buy a new car in 2005 and I had to buy a Honda Hybrid because there was no US made car with comparable fuel economy. I was not the only business they lost while trying to push Hummers

What the article is NOT SAYING is what %age of the city budget is going to retirees. When you have more retired persons than working in a city with a fleeing tax base -- it comes down to who gets paid. My guess is for now, the retirees, in a year, might not be the same.

And if the 53% of US Taxpayesc don't want to pay for city of Detroit reitrees, better vote correctly in the coming national election or you will be.

Sarah-3043284

I will Pray for you as you know not of what you speak or what you do...............

Jesus Christ Loves you and that is why He Came To Earth - because of His Love for you.

Sounds like they need to bring in the National Guard to relieve the police force of some of their duties

Boo Boo,

Thanks, but Jesus has bigger fish to fry, in my opinion. You know, like making sure everybody's preferred sports teams, win. You really want to help? Instead of "praying", go to Detroit and volunteer.

In other words, practice what you preach.

You really want to "help me", do that. Unless, you only want to help on your sanctimonious terms. Instead of actually, asking what you could do, from the very people you're looking to help.

Ambrosia, the city of Detroit - the ones with the police force - does not make decisions for the car companies as you were inferring. They do not decide to build Hummers rather than electric cars - that's now Mr. Obama's job. Not the city government in Detroit. And BTW, if you get outside the city of Detroit, the metro area is quite nice and on par with any other large metro area. The city proper however is a disaster area.

Sarah-3043284

Boo Boo,

Thanks, but Jesus has bigger fish to fry, in my opinion. You know, like making sure everybody's preferred sports teams, win. You really want to help? Instead of "praying", go to Detroit and volunteer.

In other words, practice what you preach.

You really want to "help me", do that. Unless, you only want to help on your sanctimonious terms. Instead of actually, asking what you could do, from the very people you're looking to help.

DITTO!!

how about you get off your high horse and stop telling people how to live!!!

gotta love it when an ultra lib is anxious to tell people what they need to do!! but thats just like a Lib, do as i say cause i like to hear my self oink!!

dont worry folks, with people like sarah around shewill be sure to let YOU know where YOU are wrong no matter how right you are.

typical slef loathing lib.

OMG,

Well, he said he wanted to help me. I told him how he could. Does that make sense to you? Actually, asking people you want to help, what they need help with? Or do you subscribe to the policy, that you know what they need?

I wouldn't have said anything to him, about what he could/should do, except he said he wanted to. I'm just trying to fulfill his request.

GOOD THING THEY GIVE OUT WARNINGS LIKE THIS!

I never been to Detroit and most likely never will!

Gjalt, my reference to hummers was to those blaming the Detroit economy on liberals. It had nothing to do with the police force. It also was referring to the previous automotive crash. They dont even make Hummers anymore.

Sarah,
"The gay, Mexican, Muslims are coming to eat up our fetuses and @!$%# out our Bibles! Oh my!."

and we thought you were such a nice respectful, little girl!!!

Welcome,

I've been called NUMEROUS things, respectful is not even on the top 10 list. I think it falls somewhere between temperate and fashionable.

Sarah - I have fallen for the Newsvine trap of someone calling me out for practicing what I preach.

Foolishly, I listed many things I have done over the last 20 years to make the world a better place. I was called every name you can think of for bragging and being sanctimonious. Drug me through the mud for trying to be a good person, and improve the lives of those in situations worse than mine - for trying to be an example for others... One guy said because of my bragging I had "received my reward" in reference to those who would NOT inherit the promised rewards from the Bible... Complete backfire!

Actually, there are GOOD people who do not believe the same politics, or the same g(G)od you do.

You really want to "help me", do that. Unless, you only want to help on your sanctimonious terms. Instead of actually, asking what you could do, from the very people you're looking to help.

Boo Boo - Thank you for being you...

Why not hire private security firms like BlackWater. Hire outsourced labor from war torn countries. They would have experience and the cost minimal as they would be a for profit company. This will allow them to incarcerate criminals into for profit prisons. A benefit would be business owners could buy their way out of criminal activity there by creating more jobs. Something like the old Chicago days were during prohibition. P.S. Where is Homeland Security?

Concerned One,

It doesn't change the fact, that perhaps, if we really want to help people, we should ask what they really need help with first. You know, instead of PRESUMING, we know what they need.

Sarah - Right. And just perhaps Boo Boo is an elderly person that can only offer prayer due to their circumstances... Just maybe...

You attacked without knowing Boo Boo...

Concerned,

I didn't attack. It's presumptuous either way, the belief, that he/she needs to pray for me. His presumption there, is that his religion is correct, he's got it figured out, he knows what God wants, and I need help. Gross. He can go pray for his family or himself, and stop inserting his religion into my life. It's the same as when people knock on your door and want to preach to you. If that's all he can do, maybe he should ask me if I want him to. Maybe he should leave me to my beliefs, and keep his beliefs in his home, heart and church.

When you voluntarily stick your religion into a public forum, and engage with a stranger about it, YEAH, that strangers has every right to tell you to shove off. You don't want your religion "attacked", don't stick it in people's faces.

It's your choice, you are free to it practice it. The flip side of that, is I'm free to tell you to keep it away from me. Especially when you, without an invitation, engage me about it.

No Charlie in modern America we do nothing at our own risk, we are watched every few feet by another camera in most major and minor cities now. Welcome to our dystopian future. I'm surprised that haven't supplanted the cops with cameras there.

I'm pretty sure that they are just trying to get the point across not to expect quick response and help from the police because of the huge under-staffing. You'd be better off getting help for other patrons rather then wait on the police.

Yeah, I know what they were trying to say. It was more or less just a comment on that expression ("at your own risk") than anything else.

You complain about the situation the city is in from decades of corruption with dems in charge, then make a huge deal about ripping the rep gov. trying to help clean up the mess.

There are a lot of fun things to do in Detroit: see a concert/show, go to a Tigers game, visit the awesome art museum, go to King's Books (HUGE used book store), visit the river walk, take a boat tour, visit the farmers market, go to the casinos.... There are some ugly parts of the city, but they have fixed up the main parts where visitors go. If you have never been there because of what you have heard, you are really just punishing yourself.

The BIG malls have all but closed in Detroit. Hardly anyone wants to go south of 9 mile.

Go to a tigers game and dodge pan handlers and street people calling out 'honky' (oops-am I allowed to say the 'H' word'?)

Go to a Lions game and dodge pan handlers and street people calling out 'honky'

Go to a Red wings Game (well-maybe next year) and dodge pan handlers and street people calling out 'honky'

Get robbed and call the police only to be told 'come down to the nearest sub-station and fill out a report'

I live here and do not see any reason to go downtown.

Gjalt, they were saying to "visit". People want to go to leave the house for more than just "going to the mall" which seems to be your main complaint. I personally live 3 miles from a mall and I go there a couple times a year so you are not missing much. In the mean time, there is a lack of culture and historic buildings, bands never have a concert within driving distance, there are no jazz festivals, no major league teams of any kind, basically nothing to do. But I still consider myself lucky. I know some people who have to drive an hour to get to the closest grocery store and hours to get to a mall. I know there are grocery stores in Detroit. Your complaint about having to leave the city to go to a mall sounds mild. Regardless, my comment was about visiting Detroit, not living there. Do you not admit that there are many things to do in Detroit?

What is so bad about giving someone a dollar? I always just considered it just my parking fee cause I always parked on the street for free. I have never been called "honky" and I ran into pan handlers couple time a week. (because of where I parked). If you give pan handlers attitude, then you are giving them reason to rob you. If you give them a dollar they will bless you. Heck, I gave a leftover pizza to a group of them who hung out on a certain street one day and they said they would watch my car for me when I went to class. They watched it for the next year and a half. They were better security than the guards in the paid parking lots.

I have been to Detroit a few times,usually stayed in Dearborn.Used to go to the stadium,parts of Michigan Ave. through the city in those days did look like Berlin after the Allies got done with it. Dearborn was nice Stayed at the Hyatt,went to the Henry Ford Museum,Fairlane mall etc. Last time I was there was in the 90's.It needed help back then but it didn't seem to get it.

Oh, yes, I forgot about the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield village although I dont think they are technically Detroit... still more fun things to do in the area. Once again, I highly recommend King's books as a hidden gem!

If you give pan handlers attitude, then you are giving them reason to rob you. If you give them a dollar they will bless you.

So... you're basically paying protection money?

Ambrosia, thank you for characterizing my posts, however wrong...I am not referring to malls. There are not many things to do in Detroit. There are two stadiums, a handful of theaters, a few clubs to catch music. a few dozen or less decent restaurants, casinos filled with poor people trying for a new lease on life with a cup full of nickels. Its really sad compared to Chicago or New York City - places where I was thinking about when I mentioned the complete absence of shopping in Detroit. Shopping - like Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I wasn't referring to our suburban malls.

Never will you find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Did you ever seen Eminem?

I got pulled over in Canada doing about 130Km in an 80km. Boy! was that RCMP nice! Didnt write a ticket or anything to my surpirse. Now that I think about it, I believe he did thank me for being a US citizen and that exchange rate thing.. Wow! What a country, eh?

Canada would rule, except for the crappy weather. I want to move to the Canada that has awesome weather. I think it's called Australia.

I went to college in Detroit and never felt afraid. If you are keeping your nose clean and dont stray alone into dark allies, you are fine. Most of the violent crime is against people who are doing something they shouldnt. Dont join a gang or deal in drugs and you will be fine. Now if you are worring about getting your car stolen, that is another story. Generally they just break in because you left an ipod on the seat or something stupid like that.

alan_static: haven't you heard, the Juggalos (and Jugglettes ?) are all terrorists now.

Better watch out, you guys might break out into song (or do I mean a few bongs ?)

Been in Detroit a bunch of times and never had a problem other than their pizza is terribad....... maybe why so many people get shot there. I vote for better pizza places in Detroit not more law enforcement. Should have the same results with better pizza as changing the president or more cops anyway. Demolish the rundown abondoned houses and make it a hunting destination for urban deer and once people start showing up locked and loaded for hunting see how long the BS keeps up with robberies and such........

Daho,

Even Pizza Papalis? I mean, I know it's "technically" Chicago style, but you can get it in Detroit.

New York Syle fan here. Large and thin sliced!...For the record Sarah....You really are the most intellegent poster on these things. I gotta be careful not to read you too much cause you might convince me to jump to the other side! Keep up the good work!

Yet, you keep going back? Can't get enough of the place, huh? This time instead of a care, maybe it will be your life they take. I think I would quit my job if I were you so I wouldnt have to go back. It is Russian Roulette you are playing. Don't know when the hammer will hit the bullet!

MCB can you read? He said he traveled there for BUSINESS. I used to have to go to Overland Pk, KS, Omaha NE, and Phoenix, AZ (all nice places by the way) for business -- I either went or had to find another job. When management tells you to pack your bags and go someplace -- YOU GO.

Been to both Baghdad and Detroit....I'd rather live in Baghdad, it's safer!

jwilson, I live in Detroit and have served in Iraq. Baghdad was slightly worse, but just slightly. Detroit doesn't have such large explosions, but the amount of gunfire was pretty close. Theft doesn't seem to be as much of an issue there as it is here, but Baghdad has more cops than Detroit as well. Mind you, I'm comparing this to 5 years ago over there.

Detroit could easily have been repaired with a fraction of the trillions squandered in the Halliburton/Exxon war (aka Irag).

Oh yea. It has nothing to do parents teaching their kids morals or anything.

It's all societies fault.

Amen aworldofhurt! My parents kept a tight rein on us kids (there are 5 born within 7 yrs) and even when they divorced there was no slacking in those reins. We were held accountable for our actions, taught respect for our elders, and given responsibility. Unfortunately, some of the parents I see today are lacking in their parental duties or are just too lazy. Let the schools and streets raise their kiddies and then when they join a gang, or break the law and get killed, they wail and wring their hands on TV. About the only time they "show up".

The problem with that is, when are people held responsible for themselves and their actions? The govt. isn't supposed to take care of people. It has a limited amount of things it's supposed to do.

open carry?

they already do, they just don't have the training morals or pesky paperwork to deal with...............

have Hillary fire up her broom and ride in. isn't it the Secretary of states job to enter war zones?.................:)

Well I guess if nobody gives a damn then ultimately we're all doomed now aren't we?

Well the feds will just have to keep throwing more money at it, i mean what do you want? this once great city a meir shadow of its former glory has systematically driven away a the real producers / the tax base..and what you see is the final result of the deepest type of corruption the Unions Public and Private both have eaten themselves like a cancer from the inside out! The up side is with the influx of the middle eastern Muslims growing in numbers and strength it wont be long before they start ruling that city with an iron fist!

Exactly the issue!!!!

It is also the result of the same political mindset. Get that America? If he gets back in, the entire country will be Detroit.

Sorry but the Bush administration created today's Detroit. The auto industry was on its way to total extinction until president Obama's administration bailed them out. What jobs that remain are courtesy of the Democrats. Think or believe what you wish but as I see it the GOP are users while the Democrats are builders. You have to tax and spend to build and after years of despotic waste the bill is pretty high thanks to two useless wars and political graft the likes of which haven't been seen since Tamany Hall. LOL

Detroit is Canada's Juarez.

Or Toledo's Tijuana.

Guiliana would know how to clean it up, but who would bother with that third world hellhole.

Me considering I don't need handouts. I know a lot of Republicans that do benefit off some kind of handouts or another. Agriculture is big in my state and we love our farm subsidies, but we are Republicans. Did you know we have to pay Brazil cotton farmers subsidies because we provide them to our farmers? ZOMG socialism!

Whoa there kathryn... You, like the other liberal dems are spouting anger. Against what? It's YOUR party that has made you mad, because YOUR party has been in charge for decades in Michigan. A great definition for being a fool is to keep doing the same thing that is failing but expecting different results. Wake up!

27 red states pay less taxes than they get back from Uncle Sam.

5 Blue states pay less taxes than they get back from Uncle Sam.

Republicons are a bunch of welfare queens.

The Libs number one boy Bill Clinton is the one that signed NAFTA and GATT, those allowed companies to leave, taxes and regulations are what drove them out. All lib based idiocy. obama signed the NDAA basically stripping every American of any rights or protection in the Constitution. Bush was terrible too, the patriot act is horrible as well, but the other 3 are the most damaging pieces of legislation ever signed into effect.

@poet, trying to follow you, how are the tax cuts on the middle class that were kept not trickling down to the rest?

I agree that Detroit is rapidly becoming the cesspool of the USA if people there aren't willing to work on the problems

No, this is the result of libs and progressives blowing everyone's money. As well as the welfare rats, yes rats, not all, but some. I'll refer back to when they were told they could keep living where they were with the same rent (many times free), but were asked to try to help keep the property clean and then they came back accusing them of "picking black history month to reinstitute slavery." A prideless entitlement class that has no respect for themselves, the city, or anyone else. The auto industry was crippled by the unions. Protecting workers from abuse and helping ensure a decent payscale is one thing, Letting idiots goof off and do nothing and paying $30+/hr for monkey work is another. I worked in clubs near UAW factories and we were full all day long with workers that would sneak out, get drunk all day, then sneak back in and work the last hour. I know tons that knew they should have been fired but couldn't be because they were union. This by no means all of them, but a sizable portion. The public sector unions are killing CA right now.

Suggest you read "Escape from Detroit" by Paul Kersey. Stats do not lie about the city- when you say rich history, that is exactly what it is history

I suggest you live there... i.e. ME.

Not a chance - What in world for? violence, slums, poverty, $10,000 homes, 60% HS drop out rate, a city 80% black, gangs, high unemployment, besides that the weather stinks- good luck to you.

Then perhaps you should refrain from making generalizations.

Sarah,

I too am from the suburbs of Detroit. I agree with you on the crime in the Downtown area only. You get out of immediate downtown and the area is not safe, plan and simple. The fact is that every night on our local news, be it 2, 4, 7 or 62 there is every day a report of shooting, robbery or assault that has happened in the city limits. Just a few weeks ago, I left a Tigers game early with my son because he wasn't feeling well. Because it wasn't the scheduled end of the game, the police were no where near Comerica Park. As we were walking back to the parking garage I was approached by a meth head wanting money. Thank goodness the parking attendant was a really big guy, because he saw what was happening, saw the meth head getting aggressive, and came out to our rescue. So tell me, sense when was the Fox Theater parking deck a bad area? Or by walking to the parking was "I looking" for trouble? The reason you haven't had any trouble is because the cops are all over during the start and end of major events downtown. If you leave any of those events early, I can guarantee that you will be approached by the homeless, drink, etc many of whom won't take no for an answer if the cops aren't around. I think you need to take of the rose colored glasses about Detroit.

The Truth,

OOOhhhh, burn. You called a supporter of gay rights, gay. Didn't you miss the memo? I'm a gay, "illegal", Muslim, who performs abortions on her down time.

That's just an insult to gay people every where. I'm not nearly gracious enough in the face of bigotry, to be counted amongst their ranks.

But hey, what you choose to fantasize about in your free time, isn't my concern. Although, it is kind of creepy.

JLM,

I wasn't down there "just for events". I lived off of Jefferson for a while, Curtis/Meyers area for a bit and then in the Fort Street, area. I did, in home social work for the city (Orchards Children Services), and went into those "bad areas" at all times of the day and night. I also volunteered for Detroit Public Schools at MLK high. I'm by no means, an "expert" on anything, but I do know my home town.

I've been approached by many a "meth head" and/or bum, asking for money. Never once, has a single one, done more then ask two or three times. Do you really think, if they're begging for money, they're going to have the funds, to have purchased a gun? Or, if they were armed and dangerous, that they would even ask? Or would they just take?

And like a good compassionate libera, I'm sure you gave every meth head beggar money, right? Or are you just generous with other people's money????

Sarah,

Do you actually live in the city of Detroit, or out in the suburbs? Living in Oakland County or in one of the western suburbs is vastly different than living in a home with a mailing address of "Detroit". I lived in Madison Heights where the cultural disperity between the surrounding cities versus Detroit city proper are vastly different. I worked near old Tiger Statium and Poletwon. Every day I drove north and passed 8 Mile Rd, I drew a breath of relief knowing that if my car broke down, I would be "relatively safer".

My in-laws lived on 6 Mile and Mound. I watched neighboring houses burn down. I heard gun shots in the back alley while being told to duck or move into the front room of the house. I made the phone call when the front door was open after going out for dinner, only to have the Detroit police show up the next day. On many occassions, I biked from my home to my in-laws until one day a couple thugs in a car decided it would be fun to see if they could run me off the road. I had sugar put in my gas tank while parked in Detroit.

Yes, for the most part, tourists can avoid crime in Detroit. I enjoyed many ballgames in Detroit and enjoyed the Fox and Fisher Theatres. And, yes, Detroit has a rich history, but it's history is totally irrelevant to the level of one's personal safety. You can be proud of your heritage, but you also have to be realistic about its decay.

I used to work at Sinai Hospital of Detroit at 6767 West Outer Drive. It was a fine hospital but was finally closed and then demolished. It was an example of how capitalism including a hospital follows the money or else gets closed.

I suppose the neighborhood it was in is now now a neighbor-Hood!

No new news here ... Detroit has been a rotting carcass of a once [=VERY long Time Ago] beautiful city for many years.

J,

Nope. I had no problem, giving them dollar bills, if I had them available. But nice, generalization. Do you group everyone dependent on their perceived political ideology, or do you reserve that right for online, strangers?

U.S. Citizen,

Read my post, #22.8.

It is a place known for crime most people have not been to the south yet they judge it, most people that have never been to Cali think it is full of hippies and potheads. People think what they want about a city or region because of what has been said about it. Detroit sucks because of the people that live there, and by that logic you must suck too. the people are trashy, rude, and just don't care about anything there. It is a save haven for scum. Enjoy your city no body else ever will.

sarah,

Nice! you gave the meth heads dollars? Maybe if they decided to use that dollar wisely ( instead of getting high) they could purchase an enitre city block of homes... and have a few cents left over.

I think you need to go back to detroit, you are obviously a great social worker with great skills. YOu also need to volunteer again at MLK high.. the kids would just love you.

Why did you ever leave that great home town of yours??

Sarah-3043284, I'm trying to make sense of your comments. Maybe if you go stand in the kitchen, it will clear your head enough?

So there are murders in the news and there are gunshots on in the bad neighborhoods. Sorry to say this, but that happens in every city. My fiance lived on the wrong side of Little Rock and used to hear gun shots and sirens constantly. Someone tried breaking into his place. You watch the news in Arkansas and Little Rock is the most scary thing in the world. lol.

I went to college at Wayne State University in Detroit and the worst thing to happen was the bums asking me for some change periodically. I moved to Arkansas and I had a man come up to me on my way from my car and front door and try to force himself upon me. I just worked a late shift so it was 2am and he was a drunk. I am a 6ft tall gal and was able to push him off me. Still, it doesnt matter what city you are in if you find yourself in a bad situation. Avoid being on the street at 2am, avoid dark allies, dont get involved in drugs or gangs and it is unlikely anything will happen to you in any city

Dot,

Grad school is why I left.

And, I don't remember Jesus telling people to judge what others do. Just to help. If their lives are THAT miserable, and their problems are THAT big, who am I to add insult to injury? I have no idea where they have come from, or what they have been through. Except for a twist of fate, I could be one. I work, to stop others from ending up there, but the ones who have are still humans, and they're still hurting.

I also ask them their names, when I do. Seeing as they're HUMANS. You seem to do a lot of judging. Judging me, and what I do with the money I earn. Judging others who have it harder then you...

As for the dollar thing, yes, it is a good idea to give them a dollar. Keep a few in a pocket separate from your wallet. They dont see your wallet when you give it to them. They get the dollar, they walk away happy saying "God bless you, thank you". You give them attitude or act like you are holding out, they decide that they want everything in your wallet and rob you. They see you have a credit card/debit card, they might want to use that and you just caused yourself to be kidnapped or worse.... all because you didnt want to give them a dollar.

Sarah,

Do you, think, you can, learn how to use, a comma, correctly?

Gryne,

You don't have to believe me. But you discredit yourself, with your racist slant...

most of it is dangerous to every one and doubly son for whites.

You can check out Orchard's website here...

http://www.orchards.org/

I worked in the Family's First Program, for Wayne County. Located, at the time, at 18100, Meyers Road, in Detroit.

Mynature,

Probably. Why, is grammar the topic of the conversation?

What? Nothing of substance to add?

Truth,

Trust me, you don't want me in the kitchen. I can't cook to save my life.

didn't you just say leave the religion were it belongs IN THE CHURCH.. so why are you now preaching Jesus to me.

And why are you judging me? how do you know that a meth head has it harder than me?

Well, if you are finished with that degree I suggust you get back to Detroit.. it's turning into a sh!thole without you.

Dot,

Did I advocate, for religion? Did I say anything about an organized set of dogma and rules, surrounding Jesus? Did I say anything about him being "divine"? Did I say anything about Jesus being in our legislation, schools, or courts?

Nope. You made a comment about my PERSONAL choice to give to the poor, and I gave you my PERSONAL reasons for doing so. See, this is where some people really get tripped up. Separating the personal, from the public.

Or did I allude to an historical character, who's personal teachings I happen to believe in,. I can also quote MLK and Ghandi, both men who have personal teachings I ALSO agree with.

I personally, choose to pass out dollars, for that personal reason. Do you see how that goes together?

And why are you judging me? how do you know that a meth head has it harder than me?

Well, they're living on the streets of a freezing cold city, and are being demonized by those they ask for help from. You're posting on the internet. We're speaking about needing help FINANCIALLY, yes, I guess you can say I'm assuming FINANCIALLY they need it more and FINANCIALLY, have it a bit harder.

And where did I judge you? Or did you engage me, and I pointed out how your position seemed judgmental?

Sarah: you go girl... well said.

FINANCIALLY, any person addicted to meth most likely spends equal to or more on meth than I earn in a year.

So yes you did judge me as being FINANCIALLY SUPERIOR to a meth addict just becauce I am posting on the internet and they are sleeping in the cold.

You see, we take in the same amount of money each year ( I with a job and the meth addict with begging and stealing) Yet, I chose to spend my money on food, shelter, etc and he chose to spend it on drugs and sleep in the cold. Yet you judge me as looking down on a drug addict because I think giving them money is a mistake.. They have money!! They just decided to spend it on drugs and I decided to spend it on a home and internet connection.

Dot,

Yes, they make a killing out there on the streets.

So yes you did judge me as being FINANCIALLY SUPERIOR to a meth addict just becauce I am posting on the internet and they are sleeping in the cold.

Really? Again...

I have no idea where they have come from, or what they have been through. Except for a twist of fate, I could be one.

Are you seriously arguing, that YOU need help, more then THEY do? If that's true, @!$%#, I'll give you five bucks.

You seem to have your life together, they do not. They are freezing. It's not for me to judge WHY they are freezing. Just like I don't judge why YOU'RE not.

Now, you just sound like you're playing the victim. Yes, I'm sure you have it JUST as HARD, as an addicted, beggar, living on the streets.

Feel better?

@Sarah, most times i disagree with your point of view but when i do respond i'm respectful. So you most likely have no idea who i am. Not that you need it from me but i admire your strenght while getting insulted by all the yahoos.

SARAH,

That grad school educaton could be used in a much better way than spending all day on an internet thread.

You need to get back to volunteering and actually practicing what you preach.

The crime isn't race based

Lol Sarah. Of course it is, and every stat proves it.

Hey guys, 99.999% change Liberal Sarah doesn't live and never lived in the black part of Detroit (which is pretty much the entire city now. These libs never live in the black areas...they move to all-white parts, and then sermonize on how much they love and care about black people, and how much they're mistreated.

But you, Sarah just don't live in their neighborhoods right now...no no of course not, you just don't want to live next to them, that's all. Hahhahahahahah. Frauds.

Chesty,

So you're claiming that there is some sort of genetic link between skin tone, and propensity for crime?

OR, perhaps, there's a link between, POVERTY and CRIME?

Libs, this, blacks that. Wow, you know everything, about everyone, just by looking at their skin color and reading their Newsvine posts. I wish I was that talented.

Dot,

My classes are at night. But I could focus more on homework during the day. I guess???

Sarah, Don't stop posting - you're one of the few intelligent people on this message board. We need your reasoned approach to situations. I don't know enough about Detroit to have an opinion, but I do know it has been troubled most of my life. I'm old enough to remember the Black Panthers and the damage they did in cities across the country back in the 1960s by destroying buildings with bombs and fires and encouraging looting and rioting. Detroit was one of those cities - and like the Watts area in LA, some parts of Detroit were never rebuilt after the vandalism and destruction of the 1960s. Businesses just couldn't afford to rebuild and no insurance company would give them insurance. So, the neighborhoods destroyed themselves - and now people who live in the inner cities complain that they have to shop at bodegas and pay high prices. They can thank the previous generations who lived there.

Sarah, do you really think it's wise to give druggies money? What if your dollar bought the fatal dose? Don't try to pretend there isn't a link between race and crime, the stats prove it beyond belief. I'm not saying it's genetic, but it is cultural to a point. There are those who live life right, get an education, work hard, get out and have a wonderful life. Those same people are looked down upon, given grief, bullied and worse by the very people they grew up with that chose crime or handouts. They were accused of being disloyal or "talking white" because they spoke English properly. This is the culture that was created by the way that city and others have been run.

Even according to robme, 53% pay federal income tax. Therefore, money was stolen from Detroit along with the rest of the country to give to Halliburton and arms dealers for the Halliburton/Exxon (aka Irag) war.

Alright TPR, playing your idiotic game. How much of Detroit do you think belongs to the 47%??? Probably about 95%!!!! I'm by no means defending the wars, but acknowledge the problems being discussed rather than basically screaming BUSH BUSH! Idiot.

dirt's worth more.......................

scooter- you are so right!!!

I purchase a large bag of miracle grow this weekend for my flowers .. almost 8 bucks... I could have purchased an entire city block of apartment houses for that in downtown Detriot.

DOT, You obviously have never traveled to Detroit...it's a beautiful town with challenges like most urban cities.