http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/08/real_estate/radical_city_plan/index.htm?...
Youngstown is at least indulging in an honest view of the future. The city is going to be smaller, so plan to shrink and then SHRINK government liabilities. In contrast, Detroit and Toledo still have their heads anally inserted, by believing that the near future will have some sort of turnaround. The Rusty Cities are in a decline that will take DECADES to play out. Toledo's fall is going to take up about a Human lifespan. 70 years of playing government games is going to be hugely expensive.
You are a hundred percent correct. All the rust belt cities (and everywhere in this country) should take a realistic look at revenues and expenditures and tighten their belts accordingly. We are spending too much money based on what can realistically be brought in. This whole train of thinking should be taken to the national level. We are not what we used to be and we are outspending what the revenues are (unless we want to start confiscatory policies - that could happen, too, given the appetites of the populace and the arrogance of our national government). We really need a new look at our state and national financial status and what we can support in the future. None of our crop of popular candidates are doing that.