Detroit's Road to Recovery

Every time I'm home -- that is, back in Michigan -- I can't help but think it's a conspiracy.

You see, the roads here suck. There's no other word for it, although there's a slew of adjectives you could put in front of it. They just plain suck: Cement, not black top; full of potholes that look like they were left by dinosaur-extincting meteors. They're worse in the winter, but they're bad all year round.

My theory is, the roads are like this on purpose. It's the Michigan politicians' way of keeping the auto industry in business by ensuring a consistent, continuous need for vehicle parts and repairs, if not entire new cars altogether. Forget the hubcaps or shredded rubber you see on the side of most major highways.

Yesterday, during a trip up I-75 North and I-96 West, I passed not one, but two front ends. Not a piece of body -- the entire front end, like the ones that pop on and off my son's Megablocks r/c racer.

It seems like every other building you pass out here has a sign that reads Ford, GM, Daimler. It's a testament to exactly how important the auto industry is to MI. Absolutely everything is tied to it. Even the potholes.