[Zakeet]

According to Wikipedia:

In 1908, Flint became the birthplace of General Motors, and was later the home of the Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936–37 that played a vital role in the formation of the United Auto Workers, and eventually became an automobile manufacturing powerhouse. However, by the late 1980s the city sank into a deep economic depression after GM closed and demolished several factories in the area, the effects of which remain today. In the mid-2000s, it became known for its high crime rates. Since this time, Flint has been continually ranked among the "Most Dangerous Cities in the United States", with a per capita violent crime rate seven times higher than the national average. It has also been in a state of financial emergency since 2011, the second in a decade.

Most politicians are affiliated with the Democratic party despite the city's elections being nonpartisan. In 2006, Flint was the 10th most liberal city in the United States, according to a nationwide study by the non-partisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research which examined the voting patterns of 237 cities with a population over 100,000. Flint placed just after San Francisco (9) and before Seattle (16) and New York City (21).

[lowbridge]

Not to worry. Michael Moore will come to their rescue.

[Balding_Eagle]

Even if these MI cites go into bankruptcy, Al Sharpton is right, the residents should get their water, and other city services, for free.

[blueyon]

On a different subject yet the same, remember when in 2008 they were saying teachers will be laid off, states will go down as they did not have enough funds....that’s how we were sold the “Stimulus”. Since nothing has been done to correct the root cause of the problem (spending more then taking in) we are headed for a repeat of 2008...

[Gen.Blather]

The high standard of pay enjoyed in America after WW2 was a direct result of the devastation the rest of the world suffered. They bought our products at any price. But now we are competing with the entire world, most of which has newer and more efficient factories and much lower wages.

Another destroyer was the Fed eternally printing money which made the pay saved by those workers disappear at an accelerating rate. The workers were over-promised by politicians who would not have to pay the bill or even be alive when it hit.

Then the government imposed regulations, the EPA, law-fare and other problems on manufacturers who stayed here driving them out of business. And the government is the cause behind the high and ever higher costs of medical care with regulations and laws that create reverse incentives and discourage doctors from entering the profession.

This is an entirely politically caused problem. Socialism has come home to roost.

[JamesA]

Flint used to be a good place to live but crime jumped due to the give me crowd, “You owes me types.” Forget about selling your house, no one wants to move there. Just move with your life and what possessions you can carry. Very sad.

[taildragger]

Zero-Hedge needs a reporter on the ground in Michigan.

It is way more than Flint that is looking a "Chapter" in the eye.

So is Wayne County, Hamtramck, and their are others ( Pontiac? )

CrippleCreek, would you like to update this potential list?

[Steven Tyler]

The Progressives need the union support, so they always kick the can down the road.
Well, they ran out of raod, in some locales, and the can fell over the cliff.

The Teacher unions are advised to sit up and take notes

[dynachrome]

“has only half its population of 1960.”

Same as Deeeeeeeeeetroit. Those that could get out, got out.

[blueunicorn6]

Sue the Democrat Party. They’ve got lots of money. The Democrats charge each other $32,000 a plate for meals.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

Bankruptcy is the all-important last backstop. It’s a shame that the federal government can’t declare bankruptcy.

[Chode]

this is what i told a guy i know(county union worker) awhile back, he was not pleased… I Don’t Care.

When you extorted your unjustifiable contracts, you didn’t care about the Taxpayers that will be forced to pay for your salary and benefits that is more, and better, than theirs, no…

You said: Either give me what I want, or I will hurt you.
I will GO ON STRIKE and I WILL HURT YOU!!!

NOT, If you don’t give me what I want, I will quit, and get a different job… NO!

It was, GIVE ME WHAT I WANT OR I WILL HURT YOU!!!

You were told over, and over, and over again, through the years, and extorted contracts, that it was unsustainable.

But YOU didn’t listen, and YOU didn’t care.

And the local government said OK, because there was nothing they could do, And, knowing it would be somebody else’s problem down the road, well...

Well, guess what?

It’s down the road, and now… it’s YOUR problem!!!
The trough is empty, and the teat is dry.

Can you hear ME now???

You were all fat dumb and happy as long as your snout was in the PublicTrough up past your eyeballs,

but now…

Now… that the food level has dropped below Your eyes, even YOU can see the writing on the wall as well as the rest of us.

There WILL be reduced benefits to be sure, if not outright eliminations…

And guess what???

I, DON’T, CARE!!!