I agree with the sentiments of Clarence Page expressed in his most recent Chicago Tribune column:
Although I am pleased to see attention drawn to such obviously innocent victims — all of whom were Black — after years of seeing them buried in the back pages of most minds, I am also tired — exceedingly tired — of seeing various politicians and pundits hold up Chicago’s gun violence, not so much to help resolve the crisis as to use it as a bullhorn to shame their adversaries.
Chicago is not alone in receiving this president’s wrath. Three days earlier, McEnany scolded reporters for asking a series of questions about a tweet the president sent about NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, but not one question about violence that had taken the lives of children in New York and Atlanta, among other cities. Then she quickly left the stage without taking further questions.
Making political hay out of Chicago’s problems is insensitive to say the least. But I don’t think that Mr. Page is thinking things through enough.
It has been three generations since Chicago had a Republican mayor. In recent mayoral elections Republicans haven’t even bothered running for mayor. The Illinois legislature has been controlled solidly by Democrats for decades. Whatever you think of the Republican Party, Republicans can’t be blamed for Chicago’s or, indeed, Illinois’s problems. Those must be owned by Democrats.
Why do Chicago Democrats insist on voting for the same do-nothing candidates year after year after dreary year? That’s a question. I have no answers.
If Democrats don’t like Republicans scoring political points from Chicago’s misery, they might try solving the problems for which they’re leaving themselves open to criticism. Just a suggestion.
Crime is only a problem when OMB points it out and then it’s all his fault. Got it.