Detroit Goes Bankrupt: Will Unelected Manager Pit City’s Needs Against Rights of Pensioners?

Facing an estimated $18 billion in debt, Detroit has become the largest U.S. municipality to file for bankruptcy. It is a grim milestone in the decline of what was once the country’s fourth largest city. Known as the Motor City and the birthplace of the middle class, Detroit’s auto industry and manufacturing sector have collapsed. A steady decline in population has decimated its tax base, leaving the city with massive cuts to basic services and one of the nation’s highest rates of violent crime.

The Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing has set off what could be a prolonged legal battle with thousands of current and former city employees entitled to pensions and medical benefits. Detroit’s unelected Emergency Manager has said that cutting pensions will be vital to restoring basic services that have shrunk with the decline of city revenues over the years. We’re joined by Mark Binelli, author of "Detroit City Is the Place to Be: The Afterlife of an American Metropolis."

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A Bankrupt Detroit is the GOP model for America

The Republican lie campaign about Detroit's bankruptcy is already in full swing. But what really destroyed the Motor City? And who should have to pay to rebuild what was once - and still can be - a great American city?

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Boehner Brags about Turning America into Detroit

Speaker of the House and his do-nothing Congress is turning America into Detroit.

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Daily Show On Detroit Bankruptcy - Chapter 9 Mile

From a safe distance, the media reports on Detroit's bankruptcy proceedings.