An interesting exploration of our cities as a metaphor for what has gone wrong in the US. Kupelian references two of my favorite authors: Greenfield and Codevilla.

Why our cities are writhing in death-grip of crime, bankruptcy
David Kupelian on the disintegration of nation's municipalities
August 16, 2001
by David Kupelian

"There is something a little strange about big cities.

The enigmatic biblical story of the tower of Babel revolves around this strange something that occurs when large numbers of people come together in one place and form a great hive.

It’s not that something bad has to happen – it doesn’t, especially if the people governing that city are highly principled and grounded in reality. But how often does that happen?

What, then, is this strange “something”? It’s what happens when deceitful and power-hungry people rise to positions of power to rule over their own little “kingdom.” On a more cosmic level, one might say it’s the futility and ultimate disintegration of anything – even a great city – built as a monument to man’s greatness rather than God’s.

Such sentiments are, of course, foolishness to today’s secular and sophisticated Western mind.

But then, our cities are disintegrating. So why don’t we take a closer look?
. . . "

http://www.wnd.com/2013/08/why-our-citie...tructing/print/

It's just the nature of cities. Rural people who want to steal or not work will starve or be beaten to death unless they move to a city. There is nothing to steal and nobody to sell it to without getting caught in rural areas,and nobody to scam. Everybody knows everybody else,what they do,and what they own,and you WILL get caught.