would be great if retired people didn't come back to visit their suburbs

[judymcfarlane]

then state, as many I know, "It was lovely to be back home. So lovely. You would never even guess that Detroit is, ah, there." I think it would be really lovely if instead of glamour tax write off donations to god only knows where, they could just maybe consider Detroit!

[mwilbert]

I do think it would be helpful if people would consider Detroit-area causes in their philanthropy, whether they live in the area or just have some past or psychic connection to it.

I find the whole question of who to donate money to be quite difficult, as there are so many different incommensurable dimensions of need, and also questions of gratitude and emotional connection, but it is certainly possible to find good causes in Detroit.

[gnome]

Judy, I'd like to get other people involved with your idea. How about this, you post an image of your cancelled check made out to city of Detroit and I'll try to get my friends to match it.

[mwilbert]

Aside from the fact that she didn't suggest a donation to the City specifically, perhaps a thank-you letter would be a bit more sensible thing to post.

[corktownyuppie]

I have a hard time with this too. I wish that ignorant people would help find workable solutions to solving the problems in Detroit, rather than just washing their hands of it and saying, "not my problem".

Of course, the other part of this is that many have tried to support the city only to see it make one dysfunctional decision after another. After awhile, you just throw your hands up out of frustration.

And I have the same problem too, I admit. I live in a cushy home in a nice neighborhood with little crime, good services, and easy access to all the things I want. When I think about Morang and Kelly, it's a lot easier to disown that area since i haven't lived there since 1985. And when someone tells me about the problems there, I find myself saying, "Hey man, don't look at me...I live across the street from MGM Casino.

It's complicated, it's sad, it's understandable, and it's frustrating all at once. The only thing I can do is do my best to continue doing my best to make my little patch of lawn as nice as I can while supporting the people around me to do the same.

[Downtown Lady]

Judy, I'd like to get other people involved with your idea. How about this, you post an image of your cancelled check made out to city of Detroit and I'll try to get my friends to match it.

Gnome, she mentioned that she's living on social security, so maybe after groceries and utilities, maybe there is not a lot of money to make charitable contributions and buy electric cars, even if she holds those as ideals.