by - L. Richardson
The Crisis in Major US Cities is unfolding as urban decay and social disintegration grip the nation's once-thriving metropolises [1]. Michael Snyder's new book, "Chaos," delves into the alarming decline of cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, painting a grim picture of failed urban governance and the exodus of residents fleeing the nightmarish conditions [1].
From rat infestations that serve as a metaphor for the pervasive decay to the uncontrolled crime that plagues the streets, the collapse of American cities is a harbinger of a broader societal breakdown. This article will explore the various facets of this urban crisis [2], examining the economic impact and the mass exodus of residents seeking to escape the urban nightmares that have engulfed these once-great cities.
The Rat Infestation Crisis
The rat infestation crisis in major US cities has reached alarming proportions, with millions of rodents overrunning urban areas like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These cities grapple with an unprecedented surge in rat populations, leaving residents and officials scrambling to solve this burgeoning public health menace.
The Rattiest Cities in America
City / Ranking / Years Held Title
Chicago / 1 / 7 consecutive
Los Angeles / 2 / -
New York City / - / -
Chicago has earned the dubious distinction of being the rattiest city in the U.S. for seven consecutive years, while Los Angeles trails closely behind in second place. New York City's rat problem is equally dire, with politicians proposing desperate measures like rat contraceptives to control the millions of rats lurking in subway stations and empty lots.
The severity of the rat infestation in these cities cannot be overstated. One long-time resident in Chicago described the situation as the worst she had ever witnessed. This sentiment echoes the experiences of countless others living in these urban nightmares, where the exploding rat population serves as a chilling metaphor for the decay and collapse of once-great American cities.
Violence and Crime Rates
The unrelenting wave of violence and crime that has engulfed major US cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles is a testament to the societal decay that has taken root in these once-thriving metropolises. The rampant theft, predatory gangs, and out-of-control violence have transformed these urban centers into veritable hellscapes, where residents live in constant fear, and businesses flee in droves.
The Shoplifting Epidemic
City / Shoplifting Economy / Packages Stolen Daily
New York City / $4.4 billion / 90,000
Los Angeles / Rampant theft / -
New York City has become a shoplifter's paradise, with a staggering $4.4 billion shoplifting economy and approximately 90,000 packages stolen every day. Even in Los Angeles, where ultra-progressive politicians hold sway, the theft problem has become so severe that they have been forced to introduce bills aimed at cracking down on serial retail thieves.
- Assembly Bill 2943 targets serial retail thieves, introducing a new crime with penalties of up to three years in prison for possessing stolen property with intent to resell.
- The rise in crime, homelessness, and migration has transformed many inner cities into dangerous places, causing thousands of businesses to leave.
- St. Louis has become "a perilous place" due to rampant theft, out-of-control violence, and predatory gangs.
The violence that plagues these cities is equally alarming, with Chicago serving as a prime example. Police officers in the Windy City have become targets, with some being shot and killed in apparent carjackings and ambushes. This lawlessness, combined with the worst drug crisis in history and endless migration, has contributed to the mass exodus of residents from these urban nightmares.
Urban Decay and Social Decay
The once-glorious cityscapes of America's major urban centers have devolved into dystopian nightmares, with garbage-strewn streets, human excrement, and graffiti blanketing the downtown areas of New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These once-thriving metropolises now resemble third-world countries, a testament to the catastrophic consequences of failed urban governance and the erosion of societal values.
City / Commercial Foreclosures (March 2024) / Increase from Previous Year
California / - / 405%
U.S. (Overall) / - / 117%
St. Louis / Vacant office building sold for 98% less than 2006 price / -
The commercial real estate market is in freefall, with a staggering 117% increase in foreclosures nationwide compared to the previous year. California is leading the pack with a jaw-dropping 405% surge. In St. Louis, a vacant office building sold for a mere 2% of its 2006 price, a stark illustration of the city's descent into an urban hellscape.
- The "urban doom loop" has ensnared cities like St. Louis as declining foot traffic and quality of life drive residents away, fueling a self-reinforcing exodus.
- The cultural transformation in America, marked by decades of failure in child-rearing, has contributed to the disastrous consequences in significant cities.
- Despite the horrific societal collapse underway, the nation remains stubbornly resistant to changing course, hurtling towards an inevitable reckoning.
The Economic Impact and Mass Exodus
The commercial real estate market is in freefall, with foreclosures skyrocketing across the nation. In March 2024, commercial foreclosures surged by a staggering 117% compared to the previous year. California, home to the once-thriving cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, has been hit particularly hard, with a jaw-dropping 405% increase in commercial foreclosures.
City/State - Commercial Foreclosures (March 2024) - Increase from Previous Year
California - 187 - 405%
U.S. (Overall) - 625 - 117%
The economic devastation wrought by the collapse of these significant cities has triggered a mass exodus of residents seeking to escape the urban nightmares that have engulfed them. New York, once the crown jewel of American cities, is now a shell of its former self, with approximately 7 million residents planning to flee the state. Many New Yorkers are heading to Southern states like Florida, hoping to find a better life away from the crime, decay, and despair that have consumed their city.
- The "urban doom loop" is taking hold as declining foot traffic and quality of life drive residents away, fueling a self-reinforcing exodus.
- As office vacancies rise and property values plummet, municipal services and critical programs face cuts, further pushing residents out.
- The mass exodus from America's largest cities is a testament to the catastrophic consequences of failed urban governance and the erosion of societal values.
Conclusion
The crisis gripping America's significant cities is a stark warning of the consequences of failed urban governance and the erosion of societal values. As rat infestations, rampant crime, and urban decay consume once-thriving metropolises like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, residents are fleeing in droves, seeking refuge from the nightmarish conditions that have engulfed their cities. The economic devastation and mass exodus are a testament to the urgent need for a fundamental shift in how we approach urban management and societal well-being.
The progressive policies and misguided priorities of city leaders in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City have contributed to the downfall of these once-great cities [1]. As the nation grapples with the consequences of this urban collapse, we must reevaluate our approach to city management and prioritize the well-being and safety of our citizens above all else. Only by addressing the root causes of this crisis can we restore these cities to their former glory and prevent the deterioration of our urban landscapes [3].
FAQs
Will the housing market experience a crash in 2024?
No, experts currently do not foresee a crash in the housing market in 2024. Due to stricter lending standards than before the Great Recession, ongoing low inventory, and high demand, the housing market is expected to remain stable soon [4].
What are the potential effects of an American economic collapse?
If widespread panic occurs in the event of an economic collapse in the United States, stable banks might fail. A significant impact of such a collapse would be the devaluation of the currency, potentially leading to hyperinflation or a currency crisis, further decreasing the value of the U.S. Dollar.
What is the likelihood of the U.S. entering a recession?
According to research by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the likelihood of the U.S. entering a recession before February 2025 is estimated at 58%. This is one of the highest forward-looking recession probabilities recorded by this model since the 1980s.
Is the U.S. expected to enter a recession in 2024?
According to the latest forecasts, a recession 2024 is no longer expected. However, real GDP growth is anticipated to slow significantly, potentially nearing zero percent during the second and third quarters of the year.
References
- https://www.infowars.com/posts/which-major-city-will-completely-collapse-first-los-angeles-chicago-or-new-york-city/
- 05/12/2023 - Allthatido.com. http://allthatido.com/2023/05/12/
- (2021). South Sudan: The number of people in crisis levels of hunger increases by 50% in 10 years. MENA Report, ().
- Moving Leads | Real Estate Rundown by Moving Leads | September 2019. https://www.movingleads.com/blog/real-estate-rundown-by-september-2019
- https://endoftheamericandream.com/which-major-city-will-completely-collapse-first-los-angeles-chicago-or-new-york-city/
- http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/u-s-cities-fall-into-a-doom-loop-as-the-cre-crisis-absolutely-explodes/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44T9HxFEA7g
- https://lamag.com/news-and-politics/california-assembly-introduces-legislation-to-combat-retail-theft
- https://twitter.com/WallStreetSilv/status/1781351912480096703
- https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/u-s-cities-fall-into-a-doom-loop-as-the-cre-crisis-absolutely-explodes/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ-sA69hPo0
- https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-unveils-storage-lockers-to-thwart-package-thieves/5308786/#:~:text=Around%2090%2C000%20packages%20are%20reported,new%20free%20public%20delivery%20lockers.
- https://www.newsweek.com/millions-new-yorkers-plan-leave-1892243
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/to-lower-its-rat-population-nyc-considers-birth-control-as-a-humane-option
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/23/chicago-rattiest-city-for-9th-straight-year/71296021007/
- https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/never-seen-rats-this-bad-portage-park-residents-demand-further-action-to-tackle-infestation/3409390/
- https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2024/04/21/chicago-police-officer-shot-critically-wounded-on-southwest-side-authorities
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM4ZB9TW
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6S4V9V
- https://michaeltsnyder.substack.com/
