1. You need to cite statistics instead of just saying they exist and systematically disprove my argument. In fact I think cities spend a lot per capita exactly

1. You need to cite statistics instead of just saying they exist and systematically disprove my argument. In fact I think cities spend a lot per capita exactly for the reason I describe. Federal policies that hollow out city centers and job opportunity means more people will need services and per capita spending will increase as those that can afford to relocate (and don’t need services leave). Those that stay by definition need more services; this distorts the per capita spending and decouples it from causation. You have to look at all government policy for accurate causation not just local government policy. 2. Yes, some government social safety net programs are new. But they weren’t designed to fix or replace local services or bring the cost of those services down. In fact since they were enacted elderly and child poverty is drastically lower. Generally very successful result as what they were intended to address. But other many programs like food stamps, Medicaid, housing benefits have been drastically cut. Those that haven’t have been tied to work requirements that end up pushing people out of the system. The US has among the lowest social mobility among peer nations because the safety net isn’t there when people need it. So my point stands. 3. I did not refer to any conspiracy theory. - Republicans policies have been clear and public. Reagan vilified welfare queens and said government was the problem. - The rhetoric about “starve the beast” is as out in the open as you could ever have. - The recent tax bill that explicitly targeted democratic states is easy to find. - The history of the damage from highways cutting through minority neighborhoods and destroying their business districts is as clear and documented as anything in social science as is the racist motive and attitude of the leadership that pushed the actual design. - Redline mortgages to prevent lending in minority communities was explicitly in the contract and you can read examples. You can find actual maps that were used to approve or reject loan origination based on race. - There is a Supreme Court case dealing with property covenants that made it impossible to sell property to non-white buyers. Many suburbs were +90% white until these provisions were ruled unconstitutional. -Should I go on? You’re telling me Baltimore should be able to single handedly fight these trends? By all means hold the Democratic Party accountable. But first be accurate and complete in was is causing the problem. I never even said these were republican policies. I merely said federal vs local. However, In reality only the Republican Party is on record saying they want to literally destroy the government because it shouldn’t exist in its present form. Only the Republican Party is on record supporting policies that target “takers” and target people based on race. I don’t have a preconceived ideological narrative. I have an informed, descriptive theory of political economy based on years of fact gathering, research, and predictive testing. I was a libertarian when I started, now I am here.