That's almost too funny...(Oppressor) 'Damn it! BE SMART! I DEMAND IT! NOW!!'

(Producer) Um....uh....okey dokey....

AAAACCCCK! <falls to the floor> The essential question!

<scrambles back up> No, but you can persuade/bribe/demonstrate the advantages of, guide them....I refuse to believe in the complete and permanent destruction of the human spirit and mind. I refuse to live in that world.

Michigan seems to be a Right to Work state, but only since 2012 (by state law).

Too little, too late for Detroit...but it could be a factor in any revitalization attempted.

Can anyone force someone to become competent?

I'm sure the unions are trying to figure out a way to FORCE the remaining competent people to labor away for free.

Unfortunately, the actual "labor force" - that is, those who will do labor - is not there any more.

Have you read Ringo's There will be Dragons? Basically, a society with any- and everything possible and available has a disaster in the computer which makes that utopia possible.

People do begin to congregate, but many of them [knowing nothing different all their lives] expect to be fed, housed, clothed and protected at the expense of the few who have either items [a forge, a water mill, etc] or knowledge. They do get 3 days of rest, food and shelter, and then they have to go to work. Most of them HATE it, call it slave labor, criticize, carp, moan, groan...but then they find out those who have, are serious. Things eventually, mostly, do work out, BTW. It's a novel.

This is the problem with Detroit. Who is there who will do the work? Heck with the city taxes and regulations [who is going to enforce them?] but the possible leaders, the actual labor, could read the handwriting on the wall and LEFT.

As I write, though, I'm wondering....what if? is there a way to start it, make it work? Is there no hope at all, or could it "rise from the ashes"?

HMMMM........

:-p

Sadly...I agree!

Yeah, but only a union-built compound will do. :P

I won't hold my breath on the union's hold ending.

Maybe Detroit can be Atlantis rising from the ashes.

With ample abandoned land, and an ample labor force seemingly available, you would think that someone would consider starting a manufacturing plant of some sort?

My guess as to 'why not', would be the oppressive city taxes imposed on business, and the failure of the city officials to realistically address the overwhelming debts. The union's hold on the city would also have to end....

Once the bankruptcy proceedings begin, some of these issues may be resolved.