"the lost city of detroit" is rather a good description if you know the financial and political situation there. The remaining residents are so opposed to the city improving its not even funny.
"OK if we reduce everyones retirement check payments by $6 we can turn all the lights back on and hire 600 new police officers."
response "Oh hell no, thats my money you just turn on the lights and get us some police without me payin for it, let someone else pay for my stuff"
How about this, "If everyone in the city paid their past do water and sewer bills, we could afford to put 400 police officers on the street and put $8,000,000 into road repairs"
Response "I need that money for my stuff, you cant charge me for water thats criminal! Water is free! Right out the tap!"
(not made up)