Financial Desperation is ideal for metro
I'm not native to Detroit or Michigan, but shortly after moving to the area I was overwhelmed by the volume of cities in such an incredibly small radius. During the days of prosperity for the region and the abundance of cash, division, segregation and independence are easy decisions, but given the recent, what appears to be never ending financial challenges I believe many of these small perimeter McTowns are going to be faced with the harsh reality that they have to merge, cooperate and compromise to survive. Although its difficult to witness the harshness of these budget shortfalls and what it means to individual families, ultimately its best for the entire area.
see the recent developments on Hamtramck
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/1..._n_797236.html
Speeding Tickets & The Collapse Of Suburbia
I don't speed anymore, much to the dismay of my fellow motorists. In my view, everyone being okay with doing five or ten over means that an officer can pull you over for any reason. Then again, do you single yourself out if your the only one doing the speed limit?
The Aftermath of Suburbia
As to our region and it's endless line of mayors and duplicate administrators, yeah, it's a huge waste. You can say that the greedy will get what is coming to them, but I doubt that. Instead, I think those responsible will be long gone soon enough, and leave the rest of us to foot the bill. We will be left with a corrupt wasteland of former suburbs surrounding a weak shell of a city. Really, the only way I see Detroit surviving the collapse of the suburbs is through better investment, massive restructuring and planned depopulation.
Sadly, I like capitalism in parts, but wonder if it breeds a locust culture of never ending consumption. That is just one possibility. I am hopeful that the drive for consumption eventually just brings some people back to the city and town centers, and drives everyone else elsewhere.