Detroit's a company town, but Howes treated anti-auto industry e-mails objectively. One writer from California was particularly snide in his comments, but Howes avoided vitriol. Instead, he used the comments to illustrate the difficult road ahead for the U.S. auto industry.

Mitch Albom effectively expresses the anger of his region without pandering.

I thought the competing-with-his-father part was interesting, because of the sitting president. I think a lot of sons measure themselves against their fathers, especially when the father had a visible/public profession. That public role also can lead to increased press analysis and scrutiny.

This article is interesting and timely.

This is part of the newspaper’s ongoing series that examines voter attitudes toward the election. The goal is not to advance a particular candidate, but to allow voters and political observers to speak their minds.