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Regrettably, I have very little sympathy for this decrepit city...and for the underskilled who will be penalized by these much-needed closures.

In the early 60's, I drove to Flushing, MI. (outside Flint) with my family from Newport, Rhode Island for Christmas with my aunt and uncle. I was attending Naval War College, as a Lcdr. at the time.

My uncle was the plant engineer of the large Fisher Body plant there in Flint. And, at the time, he was probably grossing 100K./annum, plus.

We got into a discussion about the unions and wages on night over after-dinner coffee. It turned out that the unskilled sweepers in the plant were paid well over my wages as a Commander selectee, with flight pay -- and two graduate degrees.

I was stunned to learn of this wage inequity -- and have begrudged buying American automobiles ever since. For years I drove bugs and VW wagons...until they were phased out of the system. *S*

POX on GM and FORD -- purveyors for years of junk cars!

(Standing by for flames. *S*)