Detroit, Mich.

I am very disappointed in the reputation that Detroit has, but it is especially shocking to know that our authority contributes to senseless violence. Our police has become scarce and the city has gone downhill. Whenever I ride through Detroit, I am constantly peeking over my shoulder--afraid of being robbed, or carjacked. Nowadays, people have no mercy or value for life. I am trying to patch wounds from murders of my brother, Dejuan Hudson, and my mother, Kiana Hudson. Senseless crimes, not investigated at all, now...all cold cases. I am the only survivor of my family with a 4-year-old daughter to care for, and I must explain to her why she really has no immediate family! I am bitter at Detroit Police, I've been on the radio, participated with "Crimestoppers" and basically shouted at the top of my lungs for assistance. I am ignored, no one cares, and we continue to sit around until we lose our loved ones. Gary Younge's article is outstanding.

Letitia Lashawn Hudson
06/21/2007 @ 4:59pm

Upper Darby, Pa.

A large part of the problem in unresponsiveness of any government comes when it is a one-party, non-competitive unit. Detroit needs another viable political party other than the Democratic Party's entrenched establishment. My guess is that the Democrats have controlled the city for a straight half-century, at minimum.

John D. Froelich
06/16/2007 @ 11:13am

Tenkiller, Okla.

Most children have the potential to become responsible and valued adults. Our nation tolerates a societal abuse and country-wide neglect of it young. Many parents and people in positions of responsibility try to be young and cool with an attitude, jealous of youth surrounding them.

President Bush says, "No child should be left behind." He does not say that every child should be fed, clothed, sheltered, kept healthy, kept safe and valued. Our nation, interested in test scores, does not acknowledge that many groups of young people die before the test can be taken. If we do not deal fairly and honorably with all children, the nation will have a brief future.

Jerie Leep
06/16/2007 @ 12:50am