[cogitator]

In other words, let's take the disastrous leftist policies that caused people to flee the cities, and put them to work in the suburbs.

Broder doesn't advocate the author's positions, but he does state them. From my vantage point outside Frederick, MD, I can see some of the problems and read about other problems closer in to Baltimore and Washington. One of the clearest problems facing both is the aging of the inner suburbs, which reduces their attractiveness as places to live despite much better infrastructure compared to the outer suburbs. I think that's a major area that has to be addressed nationwide. As to how to address it, I'll leave that to the individual states and cities to decide.

[NativeNewYorker]

I went to the site & maps, and they are crafted to rationalize broadening the tax base and centralizing power in regional structures.

It's the mid-20th century goo-goo movement all over again. This time, they won't make the mistake of drawing lines people can move across.

[StockAyatollah]

Funny you mention the "inner suburbs". I grew up inside the Baltimore beltway but outside the city in Towson area. This area is lower middle class. Its still in good shape. The one thing threatening it is the "Move to Oppoprtunity" program, that pays irresponsible bums to move into and destroy the suburbs. Once again, if government would stay out, things would be a lot better!

[eno_]

I just sold a wreck of a house for close to 500 large in an "at-risk inner suburb." It is two blocks away from a VERY scary neighborhood. I be too white fo dat 'hood. Still, people want to live there. High taxes too. The buyer expects to fix it up and sell for a profit, and has a track record of doing this successfully. Personally I like my (relatively) low tax semi-rural horse country existence. A cell phone, headset, and comfortable car make the commute bearable and productive.