[grania]

Those with fragile economic circumstances have a point. They're given freebies...food stamps, phone, subsidies etc but not a lot of cash. Meanwhile (if Detroit is like the metro area I'm in) water and sewer bills have gone crazy-high because of EPA and other mandates to upgrade systems. These are increases that were not eased in.

A sane answer would be to have a minimum use cost that's low and is just enough water to survive. Above that, increase the rates. Instead, around here, it's just the opposite. The "minimum use" is pricey and is paying for more than an adequate amount of water for people who conserve.

The only answer is inner city jobs...bring manufacturing back. Then people will have paychecks instead of freebies.

[jocon307]

“...bring manufacturing back.”

I wish someone would study how environmental wacko-ism helped to destroy manufacturing in this country.

I don’t know this to be true (hence the need for study) but I expect that it is.

[cripplecreek]

The only answer is inner city jobs...bring manufacturing back. Then people will have paychecks instead of freebies.

I agree 100% but the city itself is largely responsible for killing small business. Big guys are actually thriving and growing in Detroit because they can afford regulatory and tax costs while the little guy can't.

As far as bringing manufacturing back, I think that is actually happening but it's hindered by the border bottleneck there. Once the new bridge is built it will free things up considerably.

[Starboard]

The only answer is inner city jobs...bring manufacturing back. Then people will have paychecks instead of freebies.

***********

I just don’t see a nation of industrious people anymore. Work is not honored and respected the way it once was. If you give people jobs they won’t be grateful and probably won’t show up everyday.

America used to be the Land of the Free. Now its just the Land of the Freebie. I’m entitled to my benefits and I want them now! /sarc

[kearnyirish2]

“The only answer is inner city jobs...bring manufacturing back. Then people will have paychecks instead of freebies.”

What role do you see for uneducated, undisciplined people in such a manufacturing economy? In fact, they are a barrier to such jobs, as the employer would be asked to pay their workers along with the city’s non-workers and their welfare bastards.

[monkeyprincess]

Well, just because there are jobs available doesn’t ensure that people like her are going to work! You have to actually work to get a paycheck but you can collect all those freebies while sitting home on your butt! Which option do you honestly believe she would take?!

I absolutely believe in taking care of those who truly are incapable of taking care of themselves. But people like her who put things like manicures, tattoos, hair straightening and highlights, and clearly a lot of food, before her responsibility to caring for her kids and paying her bills get no sympathy from me whatsoever. Welfare and food stamp programs should only be a means of helping people with a hand up, but it has turned into an expected lifelong hand out to these folks who feel they are entitled to free everything.