A few letters to share from a few readers regarding the Allegheny Institute’s latest “benchmark city” study (Policy Brief Vol. 24, No. 29) that was decidedly unflattering for the City of Pittsburgh:
“If you don’t like Pittsburgh, I suggest you move. I did,” one email correspondent offered.
“I lived in Miami and Denver, which has thriving economics [sic],” he offered. “But, both cities have turned into nasty places and I’m glad to be back in Pennsylvania.”
Another reader was more appreciative of the updated study that shows Pittsburgh’s general bloat in its major metrics:
“Thank you for reporting on this topic,” she said. “The stats are quite eye-opening. I have lived in both Columbus and Charlotte. I spent my entire career working in downtown Pittsburgh. The decline truly saddens me.”
A third correspondent succinctly laid the blame for the City of Pittsburgh’s abysmal performance, pulling no punches:
“Run by Democrats for close to 100 years; it has hit rock bottom,” the correspondent noted.
“Investors are hesitant to put their money here. After 67 years living here, we are leaving in three years, [moving] to Florida when we retire.
“Cleaner places, better weather, less crime — and beautiful oceans.”
And finally, another regular correspondent offered this insight on my Monday “At Large” column about talk of federal legislation by a presidential candidate to ban “gouging” at grocery stores:
“You forgot to mention that Sen. [Bob] Casey has been peddling this same nonsense for months,” he reminded. “It’s the Elizabeth Warren ‘greedy corporations’ fault’ mentality that afflicts these socialist Democrats.
“This line of reasoning is just one aspect of an entire agenda. This is an extension of the Medicare price ‘negotiations’ that are currently being implemented.”
Continued the astute correspondent:
“Socialism is no different than Fentanyl; it is an addictive drug and its proponents are no different than illicit drug dealers, with the same predictable effects and outcomes for the economy and society as a whole.
“Unfortunately, for years this socialist mentality has been taught to our kids starting at an early age by an entire cadre of socialist ‘educators.’ Until that education model is eradicated, we will continue to see more of the population become addicts.”
Indeed, we will. For far too few people are willing to stand up to the putrid pimps of “progressivism.”
Thanks to all our dedicated writers for sharing their thoughts. As always, we appreciate their insights.
Colin McNickle is communications and marketing director at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy (cmcnickle@alleghenyinstitute.org).
