Topic: Liberal Fascism
Fresh from a less-than-triumphal tour of duty as our Maxim Leader’s…excuse me, President Obama’s…chief of staff, Rahm Effing Emanuel has been elected Mayor of Chicago. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer municipality.
Over the six years of my residence in Chicago, I’ve come to cordially detest the Windy City. From its rapacious tax regime and moribund economy to the racial spoils system that dominates its politics, Chicago exemplifies everything that’s sick, corrupt and decadent about contemporary American civic culture. What else to make of a city where such repulsive characters as the Rev. J. White and Minister Louis Farrikan are honored citizens?
Chicago suffered a shock to its puffed-up pride when the 2010 census revealed that the city’s population has sunk to its lowest level since 1920. What was even more eye-opening than the overall decline, however, was the demographic makeup of the group that split. The majority were black—this in a city where politicians pander endlessly to the black vote. During his campaign, Emanuel even came out in favor of slavery reperations. Despite all this belly crawling before the idol of racial politics, blacks in Chicago are the chief victims of all the city’s economic and social ills. It’s no surprise to me that so many of them have been voting with their feet.
Having symbolically tongue-polished the wingtips of the Chicago establishment, Emanuel will find himself ill positioned to tackle this city’s problems as mayor. The outgoing mayor, Richie Daley, did manage to maintain a certain stability, but only at the price of all possibilities for reform and renewal. After him, the deluge. I don’t feel sorry for Chicago—its people have freely chosen their fate. And I positively look forward to Rahm Emanuel’s discomfiture. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving politician.
