Nevertheless, Michigan thrived in the Engler Years (GOP Administration in the 90s), despite the drag of the unions on the industries. It was Boomtown USA for a while - until the Democrats regained control. Engler drastically cut taxes and curbed many onerous regulations and the state thrived - except for Soulman Young's Detroit, of course. That was no way that racist enclave ever could.
No, Detroit could never thrive. It was (and is) a bastion of crony corruption, racism, Democrat politics, welfare junkies, drugs, criminals, complete lack of vision, purposeful envy, entitlement mentality and just plain nastiness at all levels. In other words, Detroit is a typical racist, corrupt, greedy, socialist paradise (but, I repeat myself) that reminds one less of America than third world shitholes like Lagos and Monrovia. Just drive down almost any street there and observe - if you dare.
My numerous experiences in Detroit city itself were not happy ones, with a very few exceptions. Disgusting and dangerous far outweigh happy in this city. It is a magnet for what is worst in America and for the life of me I don't know how the small percentage of decent people left there survive.
As soon as I could, I left Michigan for good. It has only gotten much worse since Granholm took over. It will continue to get worse as long as the Liberals are in charge.
Somebody mentioned the large numbers of dumb, self-destructive voters in this state. It is true. I have known a lot of them. They are their own worst enemy. They will vote union and Democrat until they die, which, given the burgeoning Muslim population, may be sooner than they think.