Charlie LeDuff: "EM’s report finds no silver lining to Detroit’s dark cloud"

[FrodosPet]

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/22220184/ems-report-finds-no-silver-lining-to-detroits-dark-cloud

Detroit city government spends twice as much per citizen ($3,741) than does the City of Los Angeles ($1,885).

Detroit's deficit may top $400 million this year on a budget of $2.6 billion. Los Angeles is struggling to close a $230 million deficit -- on a $7.2 billion budget.

Detroit spends more on cops per capita than Los Angeles but in 2012, Detroit (population 690,000) suffered 114 more homicides than Los Angeles (population 3.8 million).

~ snip ~

Assets and debts are incorrectly valued. The books have been so thoroughly cooked they resemble a boiled shoe. The city pays for 20 different health plans. Benefits and retirement packages for city workers are unsustainable. And -- surprise -- Detroit routinely overpays for goods and services.

~ snip ~

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

If the banks can be bailed out for how many billions, why can't the state and federal governments kick out a one time shot of $17 Billion to fix this, along with a couple Billion to fix up the houses and buildings (and in the process creating tens of thousands of jobs) and thus restore democracy to the citizens of Detroit?

[FarCenter]

1. Giving Detroit $17B won't fix the problem that expenditures exceed revenues

By roughly $800 million according to the latest estimates.

[FrodosPet]

2. So give the city an annual $800 million subsidy.

Maybe institute a statewide 1-2% tax on corporations booking revenues of > $1,000,000?

Detroit's problems are not only bringing down the city and state, but the entire nation.

[FarCenter]

3. Detroit has a population of about 700 K; Detroit metro area is 3,700 K

City of Detroit isn't even a problem for the metro area -- it is too small.

[FrodosPet]

4. It's a humanitarian problem. And it is an image problem.

When people around the country and around the world think of SE Michigan, they usually think of Detroit.

It is sad and unnecessary that people have to live in squalor, in fear, in deprivation.

There are no more cuts - no more austerity that can be imposed on the citizens of Detroit. They need a relief from the debt, and they need more revenues, to help the current citizens SURVIVE.

I invite people to do some Google Street View tourism through the neighborhoods of Detroit. You may find that, along with the ruins, there are immaculate houses. There are lush tree lined streets. There are many places, many properties that could be cleaned up and rebuilt into one of the greatest urban environments in the world.

But the ship has to stop sinking first.