The human suffering in our cities is a symptom of deep cultural rot. Here's how I plan to fix it

Washington Examiner ^ | 27 June 2023 | Vivek Ramaswamy

[Rummyfan]

We frequently evoke the ideals of American excellence and exceptionalism. But earlier this week when I visited Kensington, Pennsylvania , what I saw was a third-world reality within our own country. Those needle-ridden streets are the direct consequence of a porous southern border and disastrous domestic policies that pay people to do the opposite of what we want them to do.

What I witnessed revealed to me the profound reality of the double consciousness that permeates our nation — the stark contrast between the grand ideals we champion versus the harsh realities faced by those dwelling in the depths of despair in Kensington . Regrettably, a Kensington can be found in nearly every corner of America.

If we are only as strong as our weakest link, then Kensington is an unsettling portrait of an America in decline, embodying the antithesis of progress and optimism. This was not a representation of America first; it was a distressing manifestation of what happens when we enact bad policies that put America last.

I don’t believe it has to be this way. After traveling the country and speaking with voters, I am more convinced than ever that we don’t have to be a nation in decline. But first, we have to make that choice — a choice to be better, to do better. And it starts with better policies.

[Bob434]

[[ Those needle-ridden streets are the direct consequence of a porous southern border]]

Or a direct result of handing out “free needles” to druggies

[Westbrook]

I like Vivek. A lot.

I just don’t think he has a chance.

Vice President maybe?

[bigfootbob]

Ditto.

Hopefully he sticks around and keeps talking, win lose or draw.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Who knows? One great speech at the RNC Convention next summer could set him up for a serious run in 2028. That’s how Obama got his turd-ball rolling. “Hope and Change,” baby!

[Alberta's Child]

After traveling the country and speaking with voters, I am more convinced than ever that we don't have to be a nation in decline.

That's interesting. I'm not even sure we are a nation at all anymore.

[Chicory]

Yeah, I was thinking of Trump and Vivek running together...

[DIRTYSECRET]

You all know as well as I he can’t fix the cities. Give a homeless person $5 and he spends it at a liquor store. Vivek is gonna fix that? And the cities mayors? They’ll be working against him every step of the way. It’s ‘get out but keep the money coming in’.

Something tells me it’s gotta get worse before it gets better. Rudy fixed NY but who’s gonna be the bad guy? In SF the queers have gotta see the light. The Chinamen mind their own business and don’t vote. Both vote for the rats when they do vote. Look at Chicago and their last election

Vivek is a Manchurian republican. Like Obama-he was going to get us past the racial divide and made it worse. He had no intention to fix things. Vivek can prove his bonafides by lowering his sights.

[Beowulf9]

I wish instead of everybody deciding ‘I’m gonna run for President’ they would instead support the one guy who has the real numbers to win, Trump.

[Dilbert San Diego]

He has no chance for the nomination in 2024, but keep an eye on him for the future.

And if he were to be Trump’s running mate, look at Vivek to be a front runner for 2028.

[Lockbox]

What I witnessed revealed to me the profound reality of the double consciousness that permeates our nation — the stark contrast between the grand ideals we champion versus the harsh realities faced by those dwelling in the depths of despair in Kensington . Regrettably, a Kensington can be found in nearly every corner of America.

The problem is Talk Is Cheap! The Libs want a problem to talk about, champion and raise money. But fixing, that’s hard work…. and we all know WORK is a four letter word to Libs!

[econjack]

Well-conceived points to touch on the way to progress. Too many qualified people sit on the unemployment sidelines. We should provide work support, and by that I mean, if you collect a welfare check, you show up every day for work at a gov’t job at 7AM and work until 4PM. You might be washing windows in public buildings, cleaning toilets, picking up trash, or other public service jobs. If you have kids and they need daycare, you take them to a public day care facility where you work from 7AM until 4PM. No work, no welfare, no unemployment comp. You will also be randomly given drug tests.

I think you’d be surprised how many people look for private employment at a higher wage when faced with work either way.

[who knows what evil?]

He doesn’t have a chance because many voters are idiots...it is as simple as that.

[PUGACHEV]

"Give a homeless person $5 and he spends it at a liquor store."

Whenever my college roommate was asked for money by someone on the street he would always reply " I'll give you $5, but only if you promise to spend it on alcohol or drugs". On hearing this - or mishearing it - the beggar would always swear vehemently "Oh, not I'm not going to spend it on that". Whereupon my roommate would say "Okay then, you don't get the $5", leaving the beggar utterly confounded.

[Erik Latranyi]

It was Kathy Barnette, the only true conservative who ran in the Pennsylvania US Senate primary, who took Vivek to Kensington in Philadelphia.

Kathy is a true believer in making the nation a better place through hard work and not slogans. She survived when her mother tried to abort her. She is black, female and fearless.

Unfortunately, Trump and Hannity LIED about Kathy Barnette during the primary and Hannity blocked her from responding to the fake allegations they made against her.

That was when I lost all respect for Trump. He installed his friend, Dr Azz, who was a leftist anti-gun, pro-abort, pro-child mutilation carpetbagger from New Jersey.

Kathy is fed up with lying Trump and the GOP. Therefore, she is backing Vivek.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Anyone who thinks the USA was perfect in the past should get the book THE GOOD OLD DAYS, THEY WERE TERRIBLE by Otto L. Bettmann.

I saw my first copy back in 1975 or so. Horrid drawings of city and country life in the 1800s.

Now we are heading back in that direction.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I remember the hobos and bums around Marysville and Yuba City CA back in the 1960s. They would hire out as fruit pickers, paid by the pound in instant cash.

Once they got enough for a bottle of booze they were gone.

I always wondered how many Juan Corona hacked to death that had begged me for money.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Rummyfan :" (From the article):I don’t believe it has to be this way.
After traveling the country and speaking with voters, I am more convinced than ever that we don’t have to be a nation in decline.
But first, we have to make that choice — a choice to be better, to do better.
And it starts with better policies."

Is this the cure for the '15 minute cities' ?
As stated by another poster: "Are we a Nation ?"
It seems that Federal government policies are designed to identify and isolate urban populations

[PGR88]

The poor in America’s cities have access to living standards that were unimaginable even 50 years ago.

There is NO material or money fix to this problem. There is no government fix, except to dismantle present practices.

[ooker312]

Trump has the numbers to win a primary. Not the general. Few (in the 5 critical swing states) who voted for Biden in 2020 is going to turn around and vote for Trump in 2024. A Trump nomination guarantees another 4 years of Biden. Which will probably destroy what remains of our republic.