Detroiters welcome State Oversight

Detroiters have been expressing their opinions lately on the almost certain arrival of at least some kind of state manager. Whether it will come with the cooperation of city officials or not, intervention by Lansing seems inevitable. Interestingly, according to individual views posted in today's Detroit Free Press, it looks as though many more residents support it than not.

The general concensus appears to be that elected city officials aren't up to the task and that state help is necessary. Some do feel that the city government ought to remain in power but that Michigan ought to give Detroit the money it needs or support the city with a bond millage. The problem with that attitude is that Detroit leaders have shown no ability to get a decent hold on city spending. Additional funds through bonds will not address that.

Further, simply asking that Lansing give Detroit whatever money it needs ignores the obvious responsibility the state has towards its constituents in the rest of Michigan. Even granting the obvious size and importance of Detroit towards Michigan's overall well being surely cannot mean giving the city free reign over a horse it has not been able to tame as it is. It is either arrogance or stupidity to expect Michigan to do whatever Detroit demands of it with no type of oversight.

Still, it is heartening to see so many city dwellers willing to accept that Detroit needs help which its leaders seem unable to provide. Perhaps there is hope for Detroit after all, in the long run. In the short run, expect jeers from the people in power who will lose it in the coming days. It's hard to go from big fish in small ponds to little fish in a larger sea. But the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the entrenched and privileged few.