Man in Detroit walks 21 miles a day to work

[FAH1223]

Roundtrip

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/m ... /22660785/

[FAH1223]

UPDATE

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... /22698439/

DETROIT — A story about a Detroit man who commutes about 21 miles a day on foot to and from work has spurred reaction from across the nation, including social media fundraisers that have netted more than $35,000.

Because buses don't cover the full distance between James Robertson's home in Detroit and his job in Rochester Hills, he walks a little more than seven miles headed to work and about 13 miles home, five days a week. His story — told by Bill Laitner in Sunday's Detroit Free Press — has inspired hundreds to offer money to buy him a car, pay his insurance and professional help in managing the donations.

Robertson said Sunday he was flattered by the attention he'd gotten for his arduous commutes after the Free Press published a front-page story about him — and amazed that complete strangers would respond so generously, some by offering to buy him a new car and others offering to give him one.

"Are you serious?" he said to a reporter who told him of one crowd-funding effort alone that, by 9:30 ET Sunday night, had raised $35,000 — thousands more than the goal of the originator, a Wayne State University student.

Evan Leedy, 19, of Macomb Township, a WSU student studying computer science, said he was struck by the article and by the sudden torrent of people commenting online, many of them asking how they could help Robertson. Leedy said he decided to act.

"I just used my phone. I created the go-funding site and within an hour we had $2,000," he said.

"I set the goal at the beginning of $5,000. Right now my page has more than $30,000" as of 6 p.m. Sunday, Leedy said.






And a Downriver car dealership offered to give him a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz or Sonic. "He gets to choose," said Angela Osborne, customer service specialist at Rodgers Chevrolet in Woodhaven.

[Jabuutawi]

It does not say how long he has been doing this unless I overlooked it. Typical madobe mentality, though. I can't believe he can't afford a beat-down car for about $2,000 or a motorcycle.

[original dervish]

I've read the story as well as the update.
What strikes me is the reaction of Americans.
Instead of condemning the lack of a living wage and terrible transport system...they're praising this poor fellows efforts.
Sometimes I think these yanks deserve the country they've got.

[SultanOrder]

I've read the story as well as the update.
What strikes me is the reaction of Americans.
Instead of condemning the lack of a living wage and terrible transport system...they're praising this poor fellows efforts.
Sometimes I think these yanks deserve the country they've got.

It speaks to something deeply American that you can't understand, I feel it because I'm American. It's not that they don't disagree with system that has forced him to do that but that he is overcoming the obstacle despite it. It's his quality to persevere that speaks to Americans.

[SummerRain]

I've read the story as well as the update.
What strikes me is the reaction of Americans.
Instead of condemning the lack of a living wage and terrible transport system...they're praising this poor fellows efforts.
Sometimes I think these yanks deserve the country they've got.

You missed the point of the story, only an American would understand.

Ps this yank finds it utterly cute you maintain a smile on every post.

[original dervish]

you can take that "suffering in silence " crap and stick it.
Folk should be out demanding living wages and a bloody bus service.

That's why folk go bankrupt when they get ill in the US.....too bloody stupid.

Summer....if I didn't smile I'd cry
PS I love the notion that it's noble too suffer indignities in silence.

[Jabuutawi]

You can't compare a tiny, overcrowded island such as UK to a vast, expansive land like US. You can't build public transportation every where to satisfy 300 million people. There are bound to be gaps in the system. However, I do agree with the lack of living wage that has kept the middle class stuck in a financial muck and benefited the 1% among us at the detriment of the 99%.

[original dervish]

I love the cheery daftness of the Yanks.

[SummerRain]

Our living wage disparities are being addressed as Jabuutawe stated, there bound to be gaps in the system in a country as big as the U.S. and population its size. Most Americans actually do voice their dissatisfaction and the issue of wages is currently a hot topic. However, people also derive inspiration from stories like this as overcoming obstacles and making it against the odd is the essence of what is American.

[Lancer]

Original Dervish this guy is a hardworking american who isn't letting obstacles get in his way. This is why Americans always love these types of stories it inspires them. Everybody in this country is working hard for the "american dream" that anybody can achieve.....at least that's what they told us in school.

[original dervish]

Hey..I can understand the admiration for this guys determination & perseverance.
However.....the guy is bloody suffering....he can barely move....folk should be outraged.

The US can put men on the moon....drop nuclear bombs....but can't provide a bus service.
Shining house on a hill my ***

Lancer....please!

[Lancer]

It's crazy but other than major urban places like LA,Chicago,and NY public transportation is practically non-existing. Where I live at you can't even find sidewalks on the roads to walk on and they only pave in front of houses so you are going to need a car to get around anywhere in the city. People here see anything that requires public spending and subsidies as some sort of communism and they will never support it. Niggas here still suffering from McCarthyism and the cold war.

But we could care less as long as we achieve the American Dream Baby!

[original dervish]

Sxb......it's good to be positive & optimistic......but a dose of realism wouldn't go amiss either.
Do people still believe in "the American Dream"?

[Lancer]

Lol sxb the american dream is all we have going for us, I refuse to believe I will not make it.

A poll taking back in september showed 42% of the population still believed in the lowest its been in years.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the ... s-hurting/