Durham is much closer to Detroit, in the corrupt and inefficient nature of city government and the rather lackadaisical attitude towards work of many of its inhabitants. In the neighborhoods of Durham that I used to patrol, what struck me were some similarities to how Detroit was in the article, and how it was the last time I was up there.
Durham is thus described:
– There were all sorts of idlers, who were milling around at almost any time of the day or night. The exception would be during what the productive people called “rush hour.” Once the kids were put on the school bus, there was a calm that persisted until the locals got up at “the crack of noon.” Very few people were spotted doing anything that seemed productive, such as going to work, picking up trash, or fixing anything.
– There was a “third world” atmosphere with regard to litter and vandalism. If it wasn’t nailed down, it was stolen. If it was nailed down, it was vandalized. If it could neither be nailed down nor vandalized, someone had dumped trash and litter upon it.
– There was a lack of outrage, or even apparent concern, among the residents of these areas with regard to the crime and disorder that pervades these areas. Prostitutes and drug dealers outside your house? Don’t worry about it. Someone gets shot, and you know who did it? Don’t tell the police. Are the police arresting a criminal on your block? Create a loud disturbance and get in the way.
– There is an entitlement mentality and an exaggerated notion of what your “rights” ought to be. Beyond all of the people on government assistance of various types, this surfaced frequently when someone was stopped or arrested. Many of the criminal class and their enablers will complain constantly to the police department any time that they or their associates are subject to police attention.
It is my guess that you do NOT see tolerance for this sort of behavior in Bangalore – which is one of the reasons that it is moving up, and Detroit and Durham are not.
The worst part is that the productive citizens of Durham are paying some very high taxes to support this dysfunctional system. They are also hampered in their pursuit of productive activity by excessive regulation and attention by the minions of City Hall.
Will the last employed taxpayer in the City of Durham please let us know when he gets fed up and leaves?
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Durham is much closer to Detroit, in the corrupt and inefficient nature of city government and the rather lackadaisical attitude towards work of many of its inhabitants. In the neighborhoods of Durham that I used to patrol, what struck me were some similarities to how Detroit was in the article, and how it was the last time I was up there.
Durham is thus described:
– There were all sorts of idlers, who were milling around at almost any time of the day or night. The exception would be during what the productive people called “rush hour.” Once the kids were put on the school bus, there was a calm that persisted until the locals got up at “the crack of noon.” Very few people were spotted doing anything that seemed productive, such as going to work, picking up trash, or fixing anything.
– There was a “third world” atmosphere with regard to litter and vandalism. If it wasn’t nailed down, it was stolen. If it was nailed down, it was vandalized. If it could neither be nailed down nor vandalized, someone had dumped trash and litter upon it.
– There was a lack of outrage, or even apparent concern, among the residents of these areas with regard to the crime and disorder that pervades these areas. Prostitutes and drug dealers outside your house? Don’t worry about it. Someone gets shot, and you know who did it? Don’t tell the police. Are the police arresting a criminal on your block? Create a loud disturbance and get in the way.
– There is an entitlement mentality and an exaggerated notion of what your “rights” ought to be. Beyond all of the people on government assistance of various types, this surfaced frequently when someone was stopped or arrested. Many of the criminal class and their enablers will complain constantly to the police department any time that they or their associates are subject to police attention.
It is my guess that you do NOT see tolerance for this sort of behavior in Bangalore – which is one of the reasons that it is moving up, and Detroit and Durham are not.
The worst part is that the productive citizens of Durham are paying some very high taxes to support this dysfunctional system. They are also hampered in their pursuit of productive activity by excessive regulation and attention by the minions of City Hall.
Will the last employed taxpayer in the City of Durham please let us know when he gets fed up and leaves?