Although the news is now almost three years old, I just learned that San Jose replaced Detroit as the 10th largest city in America. The change is symbolically important because it suggests that "Silicon Valley" has literally outpaced "Motor City."
Unfortunately, our current political system still tends to provide too much attention to reviving Detroit’s automotive industry. Perhaps, our political leaders should instead focus on growing the "green technologies" of the 21st century– such as San Jose is doing by trying to become a leader in the emerging field of solar energy — instead of trying to prop up a stagnating and declining 20th century industry.
Before such a change can occur, however, our political leaders will need to unlearn the idea that the car is king.
