Subscribe
Notify of
guest

21 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Ben Jones
Ben Jones
1 year ago

I first visited NYC in 1992 and last visited in 2018, with several visits in-between. In ’92 I found NY relatively safe. In 2018 the place was an overpriced, crime-ridden toilet. It really is true, left-wing mayors are poisonous for big cities. Living in London, we’re suffering much the same problem now. Khan, like De Blasio, really thinks he can create a green urban paradise from a city designed for horses and carts.

Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
1 year ago
Reply to  Ben Jones

Crime fell in New York City by 80% from 1990 to 2021. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-city.pdf
Those are the facts, not the skewed perceptions of a tourist.

Last edited 1 year ago by Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
1 year ago
Reply to  Ben Jones

Imagine thinking NYC was safe in the ’90s but not today! Seriously, man.

Last edited 1 year ago by Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
1 year ago
Reply to  Ben Jones

Crime fell in New York City by 80% from 1990 to 2021. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-city.pdf
Those are the facts, not the skewed perceptions of a tourist.

Last edited 1 year ago by Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
Stanford Zeringue
1 year ago
Reply to  Ben Jones

Imagine thinking NYC was safe in the ’90s but not today! Seriously, man.

Last edited 1 year ago by Stanford Zeringue
Ben Jones
Ben Jones
1 year ago

I first visited NYC in 1992 and last visited in 2018, with several visits in-between. In ’92 I found NY relatively safe. In 2018 the place was an overpriced, crime-ridden toilet. It really is true, left-wing mayors are poisonous for big cities. Living in London, we’re suffering much the same problem now. Khan, like De Blasio, really thinks he can create a green urban paradise from a city designed for horses and carts.

Jonathan West
Jonathan West
1 year ago

Racist Black supremacist political hustlers have dragged NYC to its knees

Richard Craven
Richard Craven
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonathan West

Yes, but stop capitalising “black”.

Richard Craven
Richard Craven
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonathan West

Yes, but stop capitalising “black”.

Jonathan West
Jonathan West
1 year ago

Racist Black supremacist political hustlers have dragged NYC to its knees

Gil Harris
Gil Harris
1 year ago

Until those who run the city admit and face that there is an elephant in the room; violent crime perpetrated almost entirely by blacks, the city will not recover.

Last edited 1 year ago by Gil Harris
Gil Harris
Gil Harris
1 year ago

Until those who run the city admit and face that there is an elephant in the room; violent crime perpetrated almost entirely by blacks, the city will not recover.

Last edited 1 year ago by Gil Harris
Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago

Houston is poised to overtake all of these. But how would you know.

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago

Houston is poised to overtake all of these. But how would you know.

Emmanuel MARTIN
Emmanuel MARTIN
1 year ago

Very interesting article on an overlooked topic. Yes, we’ve seen a lot of cities withering through history (and new ones being built, sometimes mere kilometers away).
I think it is true that NY is “less bad” than Chicago or LA. But as a city can’t only live and renew itself with only immigrants (from the hinterland or from abroad) the core question a long-term plannign mayor should ask for his city is : “how can I make life affordable and enjoyable for a working family”. Housing, jobs, crime and school quality are the key parameters for that.

Last edited 1 year ago by Emmanuel MARTIN
Cathy Carron
Cathy Carron
1 year ago

40-45% of NYC’s population are relatively new immigrants with needs that put a financial burden on the city. NY taxpayers finance 450,000 low-income housing units. Yes, the federal government in recent years, has forked over $4 billion for repairs & renovations of these units but the financial burden remains. The top 2% taxpayers pay an inordinate portion of this bill which is why taxes are the highest in the nation. Covid caused over 60k people to permanently leave taking an estimated $60 billion in taxes with them. Yet, the city remains a one party – progressive democrat- town that continually screams for more ‘tax’ blood from people who remain. I lived in the city for 35 years – in the early 80’s, areas of the upper west side Manhattan were still recovering from the destructive 70’s. When we moved in then drugs, drug apartment buildings, rehab houses still abounded. The city picked up dramatically in the 80’s and 90’s – days when there were still prominent Republicans about like the Buckleys. Then crazy and unproductive DeBlasio got elected and it’s been downhill ever since. As long as NYC remains a one-party town, there will be no pushback, no progress. Communism-lite just doesn’t work. There has to be political balance to see tension and progress.

Emmanuel MARTIN
Emmanuel MARTIN
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Carron

IMHO low income housing is the most wastefull, toxic use of public money ever imagined. Subsidizing the talibans might actually be better. At best, LHI provides urbans from the laptop class with cheap nannies, which may not the be a cause worth subsidizing with public money
Those policies are extremely expensive, create insane political patronage (the welfare recipients vote for their welfare transferors), reduce job mobility (noone will move out of heavily subsidized house) and don’t add any singe available home : they just evict the working middle class (in Britain the word Middle class is misleading, hence I type working middle class as to represents normal working taxpayers with a decent job). And no, without a prosperous yeomen class you get at the very best a thirld world society.
As for democrat mono-party rule, the reality is that once the welfare class gets to dominate the vote you can’t have a republic anymore.

Last edited 1 year ago by Emmanuel MARTIN
Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Carron

We lived in Gramercy Park and Murray Hill in the 80s. My husband worked in the city all through the 90s and 2Ks. Even when it was a garbage-strike and squeegee man mess, I still loved it. But, like all cities run into the ground by Democrats, it’s irredeemably lost. That the entire city is caged in scaffolding is clearly a visual metaphor illustrating its fallen state. Kotkin’s own fabulism – that the city can change with a “shift in urban consciousness” – is an example of not blaming the actual culprits of what is a gigantic, world-class crime scene: Democrat politicians and those who vote for them.

Emmanuel MARTIN
Emmanuel MARTIN
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Carron

IMHO low income housing is the most wastefull, toxic use of public money ever imagined. Subsidizing the talibans might actually be better. At best, LHI provides urbans from the laptop class with cheap nannies, which may not the be a cause worth subsidizing with public money
Those policies are extremely expensive, create insane political patronage (the welfare recipients vote for their welfare transferors), reduce job mobility (noone will move out of heavily subsidized house) and don’t add any singe available home : they just evict the working middle class (in Britain the word Middle class is misleading, hence I type working middle class as to represents normal working taxpayers with a decent job). And no, without a prosperous yeomen class you get at the very best a thirld world society.
As for democrat mono-party rule, the reality is that once the welfare class gets to dominate the vote you can’t have a republic anymore.

Last edited 1 year ago by Emmanuel MARTIN
Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Carron

We lived in Gramercy Park and Murray Hill in the 80s. My husband worked in the city all through the 90s and 2Ks. Even when it was a garbage-strike and squeegee man mess, I still loved it. But, like all cities run into the ground by Democrats, it’s irredeemably lost. That the entire city is caged in scaffolding is clearly a visual metaphor illustrating its fallen state. Kotkin’s own fabulism – that the city can change with a “shift in urban consciousness” – is an example of not blaming the actual culprits of what is a gigantic, world-class crime scene: Democrat politicians and those who vote for them.

Cathy Carron
Cathy Carron
1 year ago

40-45% of NYC’s population are relatively new immigrants with needs that put a financial burden on the city. NY taxpayers finance 450,000 low-income housing units. Yes, the federal government in recent years, has forked over $4 billion for repairs & renovations of these units but the financial burden remains. The top 2% taxpayers pay an inordinate portion of this bill which is why taxes are the highest in the nation. Covid caused over 60k people to permanently leave taking an estimated $60 billion in taxes with them. Yet, the city remains a one party – progressive democrat- town that continually screams for more ‘tax’ blood from people who remain. I lived in the city for 35 years – in the early 80’s, areas of the upper west side Manhattan were still recovering from the destructive 70’s. When we moved in then drugs, drug apartment buildings, rehab houses still abounded. The city picked up dramatically in the 80’s and 90’s – days when there were still prominent Republicans about like the Buckleys. Then crazy and unproductive DeBlasio got elected and it’s been downhill ever since. As long as NYC remains a one-party town, there will be no pushback, no progress. Communism-lite just doesn’t work. There has to be political balance to see tension and progress.

Emmanuel MARTIN
Emmanuel MARTIN
1 year ago

Very interesting article on an overlooked topic. Yes, we’ve seen a lot of cities withering through history (and new ones being built, sometimes mere kilometers away).
I think it is true that NY is “less bad” than Chicago or LA. But as a city can’t only live and renew itself with only immigrants (from the hinterland or from abroad) the core question a long-term plannign mayor should ask for his city is : “how can I make life affordable and enjoyable for a working family”. Housing, jobs, crime and school quality are the key parameters for that.

Last edited 1 year ago by Emmanuel MARTIN
Sophy T
Sophy T
1 year ago

As crime rises and criminals aren’t punished, those who can will flee to safer, more congenial pastures.

Sophy T
Sophy T
1 year ago

As crime rises and criminals aren’t punished, those who can will flee to safer, more congenial pastures.

Rafael Aguilo
Rafael Aguilo
1 year ago

I’m retired from the NYCTA after 24 1/2 yrs of service since 2014. One of the perks is a pass to ride the subway/bus system free. I haven’t bothered to renew mine since 2016. I wouldn’t go to NYC if they paid me. It has become a complete craphole after politicians passed the Criminal Reform bill. ALL administrations since DeBlasio have done a fine job of making it that way. Each and everyone of the people who elected them are FULLY responsible for it.

Samuel Ross
Samuel Ross
1 year ago
Reply to  Rafael Aguilo

When men are insulated from the consequences of their decisions, they will walk into fire and call it cool. People who vote Democrat do so more to promote their bona fides of a social group then to enact specific policy. The policy that results then surprises them, but they do not connect it to the people they selected. They think of the results like the weather: no one is responsible for it.

Samuel Ross
Samuel Ross
1 year ago
Reply to  Rafael Aguilo

When men are insulated from the consequences of their decisions, they will walk into fire and call it cool. People who vote Democrat do so more to promote their bona fides of a social group then to enact specific policy. The policy that results then surprises them, but they do not connect it to the people they selected. They think of the results like the weather: no one is responsible for it.

Rafael Aguilo
Rafael Aguilo
1 year ago

I’m retired from the NYCTA after 24 1/2 yrs of service since 2014. One of the perks is a pass to ride the subway/bus system free. I haven’t bothered to renew mine since 2016. I wouldn’t go to NYC if they paid me. It has become a complete craphole after politicians passed the Criminal Reform bill. ALL administrations since DeBlasio have done a fine job of making it that way. Each and everyone of the people who elected them are FULLY responsible for it.

Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago

If you’re counting on the barely verbal Eric Adams to save New York City, you might as well book your farewell visit now, mate.

Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago

If you’re counting on the barely verbal Eric Adams to save New York City, you might as well book your farewell visit now, mate.

ralph bell
ralph bell
1 year ago

His comment on Manchester was not correct, it’s thriving and has a bigger central population than ever.

Steve Murray
Steve Murray
1 year ago
Reply to  ralph bell

Correct. I visit Manchester frequently, and it’s absolutely thriving, new bars/restaurants/clubs opening every week and the skyline littered with cranes. Liverpool (where my daughter lives) isn’t far behind.
The business side may be different, i.e. post-industrial, but the author needs to do more than take lazy aim at cities well-placed to lead as regional hubs for future prosperity.

Last edited 1 year ago by Steve Murray
Ben Jones
Ben Jones
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Murray

Yes, I visited Liverpool a couple of years ago and was really pleased to see how well the regeneration is going. Ditto Manchester. Andy Burnham is the ‘right sort’ of Left Wing in my opinion, he certainly chose the right Chief Constable.

Ben Jones
Ben Jones
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Murray

Yes, I visited Liverpool a couple of years ago and was really pleased to see how well the regeneration is going. Ditto Manchester. Andy Burnham is the ‘right sort’ of Left Wing in my opinion, he certainly chose the right Chief Constable.

Steve Murray
Steve Murray
1 year ago
Reply to  ralph bell

Correct. I visit Manchester frequently, and it’s absolutely thriving, new bars/restaurants/clubs opening every week and the skyline littered with cranes. Liverpool (where my daughter lives) isn’t far behind.
The business side may be different, i.e. post-industrial, but the author needs to do more than take lazy aim at cities well-placed to lead as regional hubs for future prosperity.

Last edited 1 year ago by Steve Murray
ralph bell
ralph bell
1 year ago

His comment on Manchester was not correct, it’s thriving and has a bigger central population than ever.

Samuel Ross
Samuel Ross
1 year ago

When men are insulated from the consequences of their decisions, they will walk into fire and call it cool. People who vote Democrat do so more to promote their bona fides of a social group then to enact specific policy. The policy that results then surprises them, but they do not connect it to the people they selected. They think of the results like the weather: no one is responsible for it.

Samuel Ross
Samuel Ross
1 year ago

When men are insulated from the consequences of their decisions, they will walk into fire and call it cool. People who vote Democrat do so more to promote their bona fides of a social group then to enact specific policy. The policy that results then surprises them, but they do not connect it to the people they selected. They think of the results like the weather: no one is responsible for it.

Graeme McNeil
Graeme McNeil
1 year ago

So the hicks won’t go to Planet Hollywood at Times Square?
I think New York will do just fine without you…

Graeme McNeil
Graeme McNeil
1 year ago

So the hicks won’t go to Planet Hollywood at Times Square?
I think New York will do just fine without you…