Broken Cities

Detroit is more than broke. It's the biggest city in this shape, but far from alone. Other cities are struggling and a county in Alabama is looking at billions in shortfalls.

So, what happened? People can skate around the real cause, but it's gross mismanagement, corruption and the devaluation of property values. To make things worse, the property values will slip further, which will lead to less services; including law enforcement. Any attraction for business, or new citizens disappears; probably forever.

This didn't happen overnight. Detroit, like many municipalities, suffers from years of problems, and many of these problems are attributed to an entitlement attitude; including progressive values, which always assume there will be somebody to tax and pay the bill. Unlike larger entities, it's far easier to escape a city and people leave as soon as they're able. The precursor to bankruptcy is a mad scramble for money, which translates to higher taxes, with less services. Nobody wants excessive taxes, while living in a cesspool of criminals and corrupt officials.

I look at my hometown. They just elected the same mayor they've had for the last few years. Since I don't keep real close tabs on expenditures, I really don't know what shape the city is in, but I do know the deterioration of the infrastructure is noticeable. Adding to this problem are problems created by the Federal Government. The last remaining areas that could even attract higher property values were hit with Section 8 housing. Those living in these areas not only lost their investments, they now deal with increasing crime. The city has only added to it's eventual destruction.

Things always change, so these economic problems will be solved, although somebody - most likely bond holders - will get screwed in the process. Bankruptcy always leaves those least able to defend their claims with table scraps. The biggest debt holders know anything's better than nothing and accept pennies on the dollar. Smaller debt holders, who can't afford the low return - are left with their own economic problems. These are the locals, and they don't find getting screwed by their own city an example of fiscal responsibility.

Pay attention to your own community. If you don't, be ready to lose all the value of your home, expect increasing crime and have a plan to leave. It's that, or becoming involved with your local politics. It's a choice, and it can be terribly expensive.

I'll Pat Myself on the Back

The broadcast networks cancelled 18 shows. I only heard of one and never watched any of them. I'm patting myself on the back for my continuing effort to have the supreme pleasure of watching the alphabet networks go out of business.

Mother's Day

My mother is 88 and not nearly as dynamic as she once was. The ravages of life are taking her slowly, which I find painful to watch. She's a shell of who she was.

So, honor your mother on Mother's Day. She, once, wiped your ass; paced until your fever broke; agonized when you stayed out too late; mourned when you left and hoped for a call, when you were too busy. She deserves it; you gave her hell; and she'll remind you of it today, with stories that make you uncomfortable, such as the time you crapped in the bathtub and they put a photo of it in the family album.

"We all laughed until we cried. Look, here it is."

I Wonder What Would Happen...

...if a real reporter told Jay Carney: "Carney, I think you're full of shit. Quit lying and squirming like a school boy with the runs."

Let's Be Realistic

With the new information from the Benghazi hearings, it's becoming more apparent there were warnings of possible violence, a deliberate effort to ignore the warnings and a denial of incompetence when the consulate was attacked by a organized force of terrorists. While some of the testimony can be denied, all of it can't be denied and there are too many involved to discount the information as a single source without merit. 

So, now what happens? There's some indications a deliberate effort to spin the event is underway; even a private meeting with select members of the press. I think this shows where the administration is hoping to steer scrutiny away from key members, but I don't think it will work. At best, it will only soften the hard landing. Somebody will have to be accountable, and I don't think a lower level bureaucrat will be considered a fair sacrifice. You just can't discount the level of seniority required to launch, or refuse to launch a counter terror offensive. That level is up at the immediate advisers to the President and they generally don't try to hide something from the Commander in Chief. 

Will we ever get the entire story? I think so. As the efforts to prevent testimony are exposed, those involved will become the focus of their own investigation. This will allow others to offer their testimony without fear of reprisal. 

Where will it end? That's the tough question. Ultimately, the President is responsible for all that happens with the executive branch of the government. Included in this responsibility is the sometimes thankless task of firing subordinates, making efforts to expose illegal activities and assuring the public he's competent. If the President is complicit, some subordinate will eventually make a mistake and the truth will be exposed. 

Will Obama fire someone? Will he admit involvement, or lack of involvement and admit to incompetence for not handling this in a timely fashion? Will the media finally make a strong effort to investigate the person they refused to vet before he was elected? Time will tell.