Dave
Loc: Upstate New York
To avoid Detroit's fate we need to understand Detroit's core problem.
For those who do not pay a tax, there is no tax rate too high, nor is there any government provided benefit too generous.
When these folks approach a majority, all economic systems will decline. Well before they become a majority, however, they contstitute a very solid voting block and therefore have a very powerful political influence. Further, as the benefit more and more from government largesse, their individual initiatives erode, and they have plenty of reason to grow and little reason to constrain their growth.
That is how people like Kilpatrick, and Coleman before him, get elected and reelected, regardless of not only accomplishment but of clear lack of integrity while in office.
Interesting that the last Republican Mayor was in 1962.
Dave
Loc: Upstate New York
parkere1 - it goes beyond parties, it goes to the idea that politicians can buy voters with goodies - that creating dependents on government provides political power - this isn't a new concept, it is only new in America in the sense that what started in places like Detroit is expanding to the entire country just as the results are becoming obvious in places like Detroit.
The only question is will enough of us catch on in time -and on that I am not hopeful
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