“Cities wouldn’t be a problem if they were run like cities instead of Leftist hothouses.”
Cities in the Western world as we know them today began in earnest about the time of the industrial revolution. Workers escaped from the farms where they were serfs and moved to the cities where they had comparative freedom. The cities protected them even though the landowners had property rights on some of those people. The cities became a ready labor pool and that attracted industry, which attracted more labor. Along about the 1950’s cities like Detroit attracted a class of carpetbagger politician who attached itself to the body politic like a leach. As the cities transitioned to be about taxes to support politics the industry moved to better climes and the labor followed. The cities became hollow constructs peopled by those who benefited from politics rather than jobs. Once the downward spiral began it spelled the end of cities. Modern technology like working from home out in Maine backwoods provided the final nail in the coffin. It would be possible to revive the cities somewhat, but as other posters pointed out, it would require rock-hard policing and tough policies that would not be popular with the great bought-off class.
Excellent comment!
Don’t overlook the exporting of jobs overseas.
Cities were useful in the early industrial stage. Clothing makers needed to have fabric sellers and other suppliers in walking distance.
Highways and trucks changed that. Cities have been deteriorating since the latter half of the 20th Century.