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This article is very clear on what ails the city. It's such a damn shame.
thenewgreen · 4746 days ago · link ·
- You know, historically, in America, we were brilliant at inventing government in the 1780s. We set up the world’s first working democracy, which is still going strong 250 years later. But we suck at reinventing government today. We’re using these 19th-century models to fix 20th- and 21st-century problems. And so what do you do? You’ve gotta do something. And we’re not very good at it.
So, what is the solution? The problem seems clear, big city expenses with a small little tax base. The state has the ability to realign geographies so should they fold in Gross Pointe, Royal Oak etc in to the tax base? The example of Houston was a good one. Do these cities already share a portion of their tax revenue with Detroit? I don't live there but from what I hear from friends and family that do, there are some talented and bright people committed to making sure Detroit gets solvent and then gets successful.
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Urban renewal visas would be cool. The best thing is to not look for a quick fix. Keep encouraging businesses to move in, small independent ones and big corporate ones, too. Pump the tires of the awesome art scene and creative energy and people will come. I'm in talks right now for some local metal workers to do a sweet outdoor art piece for my condo that will brighten the neighborhood way up. Baby steps. There are no easy fixes. If your basement is messy and cramped with junk, the only way to clean it is to put on some shitty clothes and start organizing. No amount of arguing how it got so messy is going to get it clean again.
thenewgreen · 4746 days ago · link ·
Great idea, I love it. You need to say this louder and more often. You're right that Grosse Pointe would never allow this to happen. What if they only had to share 5% of their tax revenue's though?
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thenewgreen · 4746 days ago · link ·
If there is one thing rich people would hate even more than having to share their tax base, it would be having to share their schools. The threat: Pay or Detroit shuts down some schools and starts bussing kids in to Grosse Pointe.
They'll pay.