Flint Freakonomics

Stephen Dubner's Freakonomics column in The New York Times has an interesting discussion of what happens when family members have to decide whether to turn in a relative wanted by the law. One example involves Flint and features a quote from the Journal:,

Kelley Thomas’s 23-year-old son, Kelly Carter, escaped from a Georgia jail in April and shortly thereafter allegedly showed up at his dad’s doorstep on E. Lorado Avenue in Flint, Michigan. Now, Thomas has been charged with harboring a felon. What’s a parent to do? It’s a difficult question, even to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. "The fact that he’s the father was discussed by my staff, and we will take that into consideration as the case progresses,” Leyton said. “It’s hard to turn your back on your own flesh and blood.”

Bleakonomics

Can a famous economist show us the way? Metromode has an interview with Freakonomics author Steven D. Levitt discussing Michigan's battered economy and the prospects for improvement:

"The problems of the rustbelt are just some incredibly difficult problems. I wish I had some magic bullet to offer but it's just tough. In terms of the economy it all comes down to, essentially, workforce productivity. Can you make things people want cheaper than other people can make them?"