The city that failed its people: a dive into thrid
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8/13/2009
Jackson is a true model of failed leadership in all aspects, and is beginning to resemble a third world town. Sadly, as reality has shifted our national economy away from labor intensive work towards intellectual enterprise, Jackson's leaders have beaten the drum of insanity and chose to stay in the past. Although the saddest thing (and I'm not a resident, I do business here), is the blatant denial of current conditions...which are nothing short of shocking to see in any city in the US. As noted by the previous post (James) it is absolutely shocking to drive into downtown from I-94 and witness what should not be seen: rotting homes, garbaged piled in front lawns, and pre-teens as mothers and fathers. In short, it is struggle, pure and painful struggle, a cycle of poverty that has blasted out of control in the last decade. These people are trapped, with constant job loss, and only poverty wage jobs to choose from. Also as the previous poster noted, Forbes listed Jackson as dead last in the country to find a job (not to mention, Jackson's household income is less than the average PER CAPITA income in America).
Its sickening to me that people should be allowed to live in such conditions, yet still be expected to pay taxes and live productive lives. I've had the unpleasant experience of driving through east Detroit, and Jackson is equal, if not more in dire straits. The people haven't failed in this town, it was their city government, and now it is simply to late to turn the ship around and they are well aware of that fact.
Emu Guy | Ann Arbor, MI