July 31, 2013

Detroit

By Tammy Derouin

For those among us who believe the propaganda the media has been dispersing about the economy getting better, I have one word, Detroit.  Isn’t it great to have an example of progressive policies in our own back yard?  Not only is Detroit a fine example of what can and will happen when progressives run the show, it’s also an example of our “yes men” in the media. 

The facts speak for themselves.  Detroit is one of many cities in the U.S. that has fallen into a state of ruin due to progressive leadership.  Their policies don’t work.  Following true progressive form, if the facts don’t benefit them, change them.  The media, having lost their ability to think for themselves, is attempting to blame conservative politics for Detroit’s collapse.  Once again I’m reminded of what Michelle Obama said on the campaign trail leading up to Obama’s first dreadful term.  “…we’re going to have to change our traditions, our history; we’re going to have to move into a different place as a nation.”  So if the facts don’t fit, they beat them into something that fits their needs. Truth no longer matters.

Progressive policies don’t lead to prosperity, they lead to bankruptcy. They make people dependent on government handouts.  This is very useful when it comes to re-election, progressive job security in action.  Progressives took a once thriving city and destroyed it. 

What’s happening in Detroit will happen to other cities that are already on the verge of financial collapse.  I was astonished when I read some of the statistics.  Detroit is $20 Billion in debt and it owes over 100,000 creditors.  Forty-Seven percent of the residents are functionally illiterate and sixty percent of Detroit’s children live in poverty.  Manufacturing jobs went from about 296,000 in 1950 to less than 27,000 today. 

The progressives love to redistribute wealth.  They love to take from those who have and give to those who have not.  When the policies of the progressives begin to have an impact on those that have been prosperous, people begin to move away, taking the prosperity with them. Once they realize the treasure chest is on empty, they begin to make cuts.  In true progressive form they cut the meat and potatoes, not the dessert.  Detroit police stations are closed to the public 16 hours per day.  It takes close to an hour for police to respond to a call.  Detroit’s murder rate is now 11 times higher than NYC.  Congratulations!

The progressive answer is, “give us more.”  Yeah, and it will work this time, right?  No, it never does.  MSNBC’s Ari Melber makes it very clear that money is needed to avoid disaster.  I think we are far past “avoiding disaster.”  He states, “There are a lot of things Congress can do, but if the largest local bankruptcy in our history isn’t the right time for spending on emergency aid and jobs, when is the right time?”

The judge however stopped bankruptcy proceedings.  She stated that it was a violation of the state’s constitution.  It’s in violation because it would reduce pension payments for retired workers.  Now there’s an example of progressive and union thinking.  The city is utterly broke but the “I’m entitled” attitude continues.  Furthermore, the judge stated that filing for bankruptcy was, “also not honoring the (United States) president, who took (Detroit’s auto companies) out of bankruptcy.”  Honoring the president!  Are you out of your mind?  I’d love to go down this path but my head is already throbbing with the insane thinking of the progressive policies.  Honoring The Commander in Grief is a topic for another day.

Is it any wonder why young people feel they are entitled to well, everything?  They’ve had the best examples to follow.  Why stand on your own two feet when the government will provide a couch?  If you fail, blame someone else.  The president is The Master in Chief of the blame game.    

Sadly, smaller cities and towns throughout the country will not be immune.  You don’t have to look very far at any local government to see an outrageous debt while spending continues at mind-boggling speed.  If Detroit won’t get your attention, don’t worry, an even bigger example is sure to come.  Progressives have been destroying the most prosperous nation in the world, our United States.  History provides the facts that give us proof that progressive policies do not work, well at least not until they change our history.

When cities need help, they go to the state.  When a state needs help, it goes to the federal government.  What happens when the United States collapses?  There will be nowhere to turn. But rest assured, the wolves will be at our door.  The president will be licking his chops.  His policies, by design, have set us up for collapse.

“Facts are stubborn things.”

Ronald Reagan