I am entirely convinced that people only change when they feel uncomfortable enough to do so. For years, doctors have warned Americans about the risks of smoking. Yet, millions of Americans continue to smoke every day – because they do not feel compelled – or uncomfortable enough – to quit. We know that our low savings rate might one day overwhelm us financially. Yet, millions of Americans and our federal government refuse to make changes that might change the course of our financial future – because we do not feel uncomfortable enough to change right now. Many companies refuse to change because they need to pay a huge dividend this year – regardless if next year’s financial success might be compromised.

We fail to change because we do not feel uncomfortable enough to change.

This leads me to my point: General Motors and the City of Duluth are now in the same boat. Both are being eaten alive financially because of their inability to react to changing environments. General Motors, once envied by the corporate world, is now burdened by crushing financial obligations, mostly due to employee health care costs and outdated models. This leaves the company’s credit rating just above junk bond status. Should the General Motors not turn itself around soon, its credit could be downgraded - essentially leaving it vulnerable to bankruptcy.

Duluth appears to be traveling down the same road. Duluth officials promised workers life time health care coverage. Sure, our leaders say no one saw health care costs rinsing faster than inflation, but who bets the farm that costs for any commodity would not increase? Further, who would bank on the idea that health care costs would stay the same, especially considering a clearly aging demographic? Duluth’s problems reflect those of General Motors.

General Motors and Duluth differ with regards to the immediate and pressing pain General Motors now plainly feels. Without a turnaround plan, GM will lose market share, experience credit and cash flow problems, and most likely face bankruptcy - all this for a company that makes up one percent (1%) of the American gross domestic product (GDP). Clearly, the time for General Motors to change is now. And they will change – they feel the pain.

Duluth, however, does not show signs of feeling the pain. Public outcry is still limited to a fringe group or two that do nothing but complain. Meanwhile, the mainstream has survived the snowiest winter in years, uttering hardly a whimper about poorly plowed streets. And now with spring on our heels, the trials of winter are long forgotten. It would be ill-timed to point out that our ever diminishing public services are some of the most expensive. We no longer feel any pain. Unlike General Motors, we have, for the moment, no right to want anything else.

No one likes a person who yells “fire” in a crowded theatre. But wouldn’t someone at least admit that we should install a few smoke detectors? Duluth and its businesses would be better served if we did.