It's a Charming, Shining City on a Hill...and a Detroit Thing

Dear America,

it's all about a charmed city,  Detroit...more like a charming, shining city sitting on  a landfill.

Here's an excerpt from a news cycle circa a week ago; Daniel Howes of the Detroit News:

"Many failures contributed to GM's epic fall, but few emerged as more important than the failure of imagination by its leaders. They could not imagine GM, a cornerstone of industrial America for 100 years, bankrupt. It was GM; it was a bulwark in the Arsenal of Democracy; it helped put America and broad swaths of the world on wheels; its people and their communities were special, even entitled.

But they weren't. Decades of bad management and union overreach, of costly contracts and too much debt, of too many mediocre products and too few great ones, of too many strong competitors and too few customers, culminated in a colossal crash whose proximate cause is considered to be the global financial meltdown of 2008.

The city of Detroit is not any different, really. Bad management and union overreach, costly contracts and too much debt, dysfunctional politics and a steady stream of fleeing residents are combining to push the city into a brutal financial reckoning that will happen because it has to happen.

Feckless politicking by the mayor and council, by the city's unions and self-described 'activists,' by Detroit's delegation in the state Legislature over creation of regional lighting and transportation authorities doesn't help, either."

Jump starting how quickly things change -- more from the same guy, same publication, now highlighting the  evolving picture and opinion -- go:

"The evolving bankruptcy scenario is a clear signal that Gov. Rick Snyder and Treasurer Andy Dillon have lost confidence in the ability of the mayor, his management team and council to honor their commitments under the eight-month-old consent agreement with the state, or to make any meaningful progress on restructuring...

The goal of a managed bankruptcy is to streamline the protracted process by minimizing the chaos, uncertainty, delay and steep costs associated with Chapter 9. It would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation's history, an unambiguous symbol of the city's epic failure and a chance for a fresh start...

In bankruptcy, pre-packaged deals arrange settlements with all creditors in advance of a filing that is usually followed quickly with a plan of reorganization (called "plan of adjustment" in Chapter 9). A pre-negotiated deal akin to the one being explored in the Governor's Office would reach settlements with some creditors and leave others to be litigated in court...

Planning for a possible bankruptcy of Detroit should not be surprising coming from Snyder, an accountant-turned-CEO, and Dillon, a former investment banker. Both possess keen financial minds, strategic savvy and a habit for planning further ahead than most politicians, particularly the elected officials in Detroit flailing from one crisis to the next.

In anticipation of Detroit's financial collapse, for example, Dillon retained an investment banking firm in December 2010 — before taking office — to advise the Treasury on ways to restructure Detroit's balance sheet, reduce its liabilities and return the city's credit rating to investment grade."

Enter Romney -- dating back to the now infamous NY Times op-ed, Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.  Of course, he wasn't referring to all of Detroit, just the car makers.

To cut to the chase -- after making a round of viable recommendations and shredding the corners with provocative opinion -- here is how he wrapped things up:

"But don’t ask Washington to give shareholders and bondholders a free pass — they bet on management and they lost. 

The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing. A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.

In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check."

Just how did Obama use this piece?  Click to ad and brief run down while flying fast and loose with what Romney said.

Now go to The Blaze for a stunning update on the expectations of the "47 percent."

Now go to The Washington Free Beacon for an update on the GM auto bailout lawsuit, currently speeding to a screeching halt.

Here's Obama, quoting Truman, in a speech circa Labor Day in Detroit, 2011, the president spins his union wheels, saying this:

"When labor thrives, so does the rest of the nation."

It's a line plucked from an old piece on Yahoo! News, placing the president on a pedestal, spilled milk and all.  It's also quick -- so click.  Although, on second thought -- considering the title alone, let me just save you some time (fully aware of the number of links in the rear-view mirror...oopsie daisy..sorry for making you work for it today) -- "President Obama Praises Detroit as City That's Coming Back."

Oh the vicious cycle we weave.

The latest jobs numbers are out today -- 146,000 jobs created in the month of November.  Here's a breakdown:  retailers = 53k, temporary help = 18k (Christmas is a good thing)  Education & Health = 18k, Auto Manufacturing.....wait for it...red light....red light....red light...green! A whopping 10, 000 jobs...but overall manufacturing fell by 7k, as that segment took a big hit from the loss of jobs @ Hostess, mostly blaming Ding Dongs and Twinkies instead of Hurricane Sandy.

Dare I say, if Romney had been elected, a half a million jobs would have been created in the remaining three weeks of November alone -- in part, on the overall confidence factor bulging at the seams, and second, upon the promise of the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, eliminating an entirely different concern altogether.  But what do I know, I'm just a girl.

Back to the comeback in Detroit...

And it was such a charming, shining city on a hill, too.

Crowned with the big three car makers -- seems all of Detroit is winning like Charlie Sheen now (just a retread of a favored line of mine..but feel free, go ahead and trash it).

Mr. President, how's that come back coming along?

Where is G going with all this?   Well, let me tell you.

All of this really amounts to a mounting case of how far America has fallen from our glory days.  

The truth is, we are being manufactured all for show -- while increasingly, compromising on the things that truly matter.  It's only a matter of time before it catches up to us.

America is struggling because we have veered far and wide from doing the right thing.   We can't expect our children to have a moral backbone if we stop teaching the importance of ethical choices and abiding by a few golden rules, maybe ten; we can't expect our communities to grow responsibly and healthy, if we are being led by the corrupt; we can't expect industry to expand and exponentially effect the wealth and vibrancy of a nation, if we allow the free market to be ruled by a power elite more concerned with the propaganda and politics than the thoughtful, managed  process -- one that is unmistakably anchored in truth and sound economics, tooling freedom and liberty into every stitch and step. 

Bottom line -- it's never a win if we screw somebody over to get it... or if we have to lie, cheat, steal, bulldoze or bury.  But in equal portion -- the lack of responsibility, accountability, commitment, and earnest participation to contribute positively for a better whole adds  a whole 'nother kind of counterproductive force.    Tragically, whether in the macro or micro, this is Detroit's reality.  It is simply a place that is a downright mess.

But the real rub (Turtle Wax, preferred), we can apply all the Obama-money in the world and Detroit will still fall.  And as goes Detroit, so goes a nation, or something like that.

Sometimes it takes hitting bottom before we realize the capricious, disobedience of our ways ....and means.  In order to make any gains, we must capitalize on the managed bankruptcy of the times and return to the ideals proven to really, truly work.  

Make it a Good Day, G

Nothing's off the table for the king... corporate America sucks, no corporate America is very very good to me.

Dear America,

Imported from Detroit.

Fabulous...and my favorite of the Super Bowl commercials...after perfect narration setting the scene, we get EMINEM singing Lose Yourself  ...never never let it go...once in a lifetime...
and popping out of a new car.

It also  just so happens to be the song in my I-pod that kicks in at about 16 minutes into my run, and just when I need it most.  The rhythm pumps me over the hump and gives me that last gasp of motivation to finish.

So I finally got what his name was all about -- at least, I'm assuming so -- never said I was always quick on the uptake...not that I spent much time wondering, but the imagination finally figured it out -- like an M&M, he is chocolate on the inside.  how brilliant is he... the white boy now famous for breaking the rapper glass ceiling with his melodies and lyrics.

But it wasn't so much the song that got me, it was the message; in classic American style, appealing to the history and breakthroughs of our automobile legacy and from where it all comes -- at the very end arriving at the line "Imported from Detroit."  

The new era of Chrysler begins... and well done.

"it's the hottest fires that make the heart of steel...add hard work and conviction...that's our story...don't know what we're capable of...just as much about where it's from as who it's for..."

America, the story of us.

Makes me wanna buy a Chrysler.

The thing is, you can't fake authentic  -- it just doesn't work that way.  Which takes me to the pre-game interview with O'Reilly and Obama, O&O.

Get out your pad of paper and take down the talking points...

" [Egypt] 

Universal values... 

not going  to go back to what it was...

want freedom...

transition...now...

make sure all groups get together...

meaningful...

can't force...what happens...

we can say..time is now...

making the change...

long time partner...

Muslim Brotherhood...

is one faction...well organized

...strains...anti-U.S....no doubt about it...

here's what we know...

educators and civil society...

come to the table...

representative government...

[new subject, health care] 

judge in Florida was wrong...

what I don't want to do...re-litigate...

if you have ideas...

win the future...

[new subject, moving to center] 

I'm the same guy."  

while he flat out denies he is all about redistributing the wealth...

[going against American statute 1776, cannot multiply wealth by dividing it]

okay.  whatever.  if you say so.

Much like the State of the Union address, he speaks to us in campaign mode, relying on worn out rhetoric to make his point...and as we tune out ...we make our way over to the bean dip and maybe grab another beer. One of the most lackluster O'Reilly interviews I've ever seen.

But lets just look at what he had to work with, within only about a fifteen minute time frame.  Within the first two years of this presidency, Obama has led the nation and ---

• leveled the Oil and Gas Industry, stifling all new drilling and energy innovation (unless of course it's green, and then, only by playing favorites, and going against our founding principles of competition, putting unfair and illegal government subsidies in place); 
• completely dismantled the health insurance industry, forcing regulatory changes that immediately affect our household bottom line -- while his entire H.C.legislation is ultimately set to turn what was a highly successful health care system into a government takeover, costing the tax payers billions in unfunded, unconstitutional liabilities; 
• destroyed relations with Israel -- and now, with Egypt about to be handed over to the radicalized Muslim Brotherhood, his administration has created the very conditions, the unintended consequences, giving way to a third world war, jeopardizing everything we know and love;  
• after spending $865 billion in stimulus, in order to keep the unemployment below 8%, to "create or save" jobs -- he has, to date, grown the federal government by 25%;  
• at every move, created an unfavorable environment towards small business and the Chamber of Commerce -- having his first meeting with the Chamber just today;  
• discredited the grassroots of the Tea Party in the U.S. and yet, somehow, he has fully embraced the 'democracy in action' in the streets of Egypt;   
• jumped to conclusions in the case of the white police officer and Professor Gates -- yet hesitated in the case of Nadal Malik Hasan at Fort Hood; 
• didn't speak up on behalf of Iran's protesters, but sent an entourage to Egypt to have a sit down; 
• he took weeks to get a grip on the Gulf Oil spill disaster, turning international help away... after also claiming to be "in charge since day one"; 
• added 3.5 trillion dollars to our national debt -- and currently running 1.5 trillion dollar deficits, operating the federal government without a budget, and weeks away from raising our debt ceiling only because we have created a system that no longer values living within our means, with a special assist going out to Congress...
• added hundreds of regulations and levels of bureaucracy into a system already overrun  

And this just seems to be the top ten, or is it eleven, that come to mind.

The thing is, I'm not sure we can make it for another two; even though it may be clear to some people that he wants to act with a free enterprising, innovative spirit, when it gets down to it, he just has no idea how -- he wasn't designed for such -- his software doesn't match up with the American hardware; he thinks he stands synonymous with Detroit, when in fact, he is looking more like he is made in China, Indonesia... or would it be Kenya or Honolulu?  really doesn't matter.

Authenticity cannot be faked, while it remains to be the root problem of this presidency -- legitimacy doesn't come neatly packaged in sound bites and talking points when it comes to real world solutions and relationship; it is deeper, truer and more meaningful than that. 

True American ideals and philosophy is something we are born with -- while it used to be ingrained into the heart and soul of our education, our society, and our culture, taught naturally and organically, perpetuating a system rich in diversity, melting into one body, and steeped within an exceptional, majestic history, thereby allowing our future to run wild with possibilities.  You teach it by living it in every way, not just for show, not just for the sale, not just to win elections -- it has to be real.

Sadly, this president simply doesn't have the real factor, the It factor, the true American spirit factor -- the never never let it go...once in a lifetime...for all time...never never ...forgetting.... where we came from.

He is an impostor through and through and currently reigns in the limelight of fooling the world -- with plenty of props, of course.

Make it a Good Day, G

and here's to Detroit making a  great comeback.  Motor on Motor city.  God Speed.