OK, born and raised a Detroiter. Over 60, and here's my take on what happened.

[liberalmike27]

61. Gutting of Globalization

Somehow in all of that, save something about being fat and complacent, you managed to miss the reason many of our cities, including Detroit are struggling or falling. Globalization. It was the subject of a tremendously prescient Michael Moore.

Add to that, it didn't just destroy the middle class, and drive down wages of all jobs, not just the remaining manufacturing jobs. It weakened democrats, it weakened Democracy in general, it welcomed in our current Fascism. Almost never mentioned is the levels of debt we have incurred, in our Cities, States, and the Federal Government. Those jobs used to pay taxes, here in America. But not any longer. They aren't supporting any Americans "Dream" these days, they aren't paying sales, gas, state, federal, property, or any other little tax.

I did hear it mentioned, almost in passing yesterday on one or two of the Sunday shows. But the significance was reduced, and it was listed with a lot of other insignificant reasons.

I might add, I don't think we can blame Detroit, or workers for the quality of the cars, or the eventual failure of sales, due to foreign vehicles staying on top of things. These were decisions made at the top levels of the company, to ditch the electric car, and allow Japan to get the lead on that after a promising start, to keep producing giant, gas-guzzling vehicles. Those were top-down problems, not workers "asking for too much." I'm sick of that BS meme. Even with what unions did ask for, it was still but a scarce living for a family. But at least it was a somewhat pleasant, American "Dream"--compared to now, anyway.