Okay, just kidding.

I can;t speak to Detroit, but as a transplanted Seattleite who still pines for Ballard and Broadview (shh, don’t tell the folks at my day job), I do have to say that Seattle’s mass transit system ain’t all its cracked up to be. The monorail was unveiled to great hoopla at the ’62 World’s Fair… and to this day still only travels the same piddling course of something like 1.4 miles, or somesuch, its expansion repeatedly trumped by shortsighted voters.

On the other hand, Seattle has made a concerted effort to apply aesthetics to its urban development. When something historic is in danger of being bulldozed, there is at least a discussion (read: outcry), which is more than I can say for my current locale.

And above all, Seattle doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Let’s follow your all too limited logic and pull back on the loans to GM and Chyrsler. We’ll also extend that logic to all industries. Where do a majortiy of American’s bank? With a TARP recipient. Gov’t gaurenteed loans to GM and Chrylser totaled about as much TARP as Wells Fargo alone (least needy) took, let alone the total 700 billion distributed in the fall and additional monies rolling out this year to most remaining national banks.

Let’s pull back on all that money too and dismiss American finance as not having the ability or innovation to survive on it’s own and quit ripping on just Detroit and the domestic automakers. It’s a national inadequacy. At least Detroit made nearly a century long run at utilizing American resources to build their vehicles, supporting the defense of this country time & again and strongly assisting in positioning the US as a global super power that has allowed you this free speach.

You’ll be re-examining your quick to dismiss sound bite attitude in a few years global citizen; sipping your Chinese Tea wearing your Asian made (not Oregon made) Nikes, driving your Toyota and sleeping on your money.

Let’s just cut to this, if more American’s had just a teaspon more national pride like our parents, grandparents (domestic or immigrant) had, this country would position for a much quicker turn around.

If Beaverton Nike didn’t sell out 25 years ago, no doubt Oregon County’s unemployment wouldn’t be 15%! Is that the model Detroit should’ve innovated??? What a laugh.

Nike currently enjoys a 47% market share of the domestic footwear industry, with sales of $3.77 billion. Nike has been manufacturing throughout the Asian region for over twenty-five years, and there are over 500,000 people today directly engaged in the production of their products. They utilize an outsourcing strategy, using only subcontractors throughout the globe. The majority of their output today is produced in factories in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam,

With only 8-2008 Fortune 500 companies headquarted in WA one might question your confidence Zack. Michigan is home to nearly 3 times the amount of Fortune 500s. An almost bankrupt 2008 GM produced 3 x’s the revenue of the beloved MS AND paid state income tax that contributed to road and infrastructures far superior to Washington’s. Be cautious and respectful in your arrogance friend, I enjoy my Seattle community and hope arrogance such as yours doesn’t breed wholesale ignorance and blind faith such as that experienced by the Romans.

While I’m here, glad you’re reading Fast Company! I love this magazine & not only because my daughter, Kate (Bonamici) Flaim, writes for them.

Keep up the good work!

ARB