what do we do with dead cities?

[Raev]

It wouldn't hurt to 'doze the areas that have no job prospects and are practically empty. It would be nice if these areas got turned into state parks. I would be pretty supportive of state parks.

Alas, running the dozers costs money. A lot of money. Unfortunately we are in a state that is now #1 in unemployment, faces annual government shutdowns because of lack of funding, with these pieces of land being inside of cities that are well known for being so far beyond broke that it makes the most seasoned economist cringe. Add in the decades of cronyism, still inflated spending, corruption and ever decreasing revenue - dozing the areas just isn't a viable option.

[ttogreh]

You know, it's just a matter of better inter-connection of our regions. Our hulking interstates were fine for a long-past era, but we need to bring back the inter-urban train system.

Oh... you have never heard of the inter-urbans? That does not surprise me in the least.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interurban

See, these rail lines connected the cities of Michigan together in a time when cars were either non existent or impractical due to lack of adequate roads. As those limitations waned, the interurban and other "light rail" systems went into bankruptcy and were subsequently ripped tight out of the ground.

There's talk of a light rail connection of Ann Arbor to Detroit a thirty minute trip mind you. No parking worries, either. If that becomes a reality, a light rail line to Flint could be in the future as well.

What does this have to do with the wasteland of the outlying areas of Flint? Well, better interconnection of the island of prosperity that is Ann Arbor to Detroit and Flint could mean that jobs for the people of Flint and Detroit are not impossible. It could go both ways. Ann Arbor citizens could get jobs in Detroit... ooh. That income tax thing. Ann Arbor citizens could get jobs in Dearborn and Flint.

Any way, if jobs are created, people will be able to invest in their communities, and the far-flung communities can become more reliant on one another. We can only assume that for the time being, Dearborn will be the capital of the suburbs, and will abide as Detroit restructures itself.

[Raev]

We aren't suffering from an inability to get to where the employers are much here in Michigan.

We are suffering from an inability to get employers.

I've read proposals for rail programs, for skyway programs linking willow run and metro airports, for redevelopment of lands and reeducation of the workforce.

Unfortunately, I don't see much of anything coming of it at all.

[ttogreh]

The Aerotropolis project is slowly coming along, as is the light rail project between Ann Arbor and Detroit. President Obama just recently promised billions for community colleges. It is just taking forever to happen due to the dysfunctional nature of our regional governments.

It really is true, in a Democracy the people get the leadership they deserve. Less than fifteen per cent of eligible voters participated in the most recent Detroit mayoral elections.

[Raev]

During the two decades I lived inside of the city of Detroit, not once did I participate in a city election. Not once did my vote ever get cast. A big part of why many inside the city don't participate in the electoral process is the crushing feeling of despair. Many truly believe that it doesn't matter because the only people with enough money to even be able to run are only out to further their own agendas. This is a throwback to the Colman Young era, where statesman were crushed and destroyed by the Young machine. I don't fault the populous of the city for feeling that it doesn't matter anymore. I lived it and agreed then as I do now. Choosing between candidates inside of Detroit for the most part is akin to choosing between a punch in the gut or a punch in the face.

To get that percentage higher, it will take a miracle at this point.