“In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.” —Tacitus
Forbes.com’s Kurt Badenhausen detailed America’s Most Miserable Cities, 2012 last week. In formulating his thesis, Badenhausen writes,
We looked at the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas and divisions in the U.S. to determine America’s Most Miserable Cities. The minimum population to be eligible was 256,000. We ranked each area on 10 factors, including average unemployment rate between 2009 and 2011; median commute times to work for 2010 based on U.S. Census data; violent crimes per capita from the FBI’s 2010 Uniform Crime Report; and how pro sports teams fared in the area over the past three completed seasons.
We included three housing metrics: the change in median home prices between 2008 and 2011; foreclosure rates in 2011, as compiled by RealtyTrac; and property tax rates based on median real estate taxes paid and median home values in 2010 per the U.S. Census.
We also considered corruption based on convictions of public officials over the past decade in each region, as tracked by the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. Lastly, we factored in income tax rates and the weather in each metro on factors relating to temperature, precipitation and humidity.
While Badenhausen clearly articulates his methodology, I decided to take this story a step further. After all, nothing ever happens in a bubble. Because Badenhausen made a factor the corruption of public officials based on conviction, I am curious which cities have had longstanding Democratic/Leftist administrations in the driver seat. So here is my supplemental list to Badenhausen’s list:
10. Warren Michigan:
Democratic, 1995-2007 (12 years) Republican James R. Fouts assumed the helm in 2007 leading the fight end members of Warren’s many commissions and boards receiving of gifts from people with interests in decisions the boards have made or will make. To no avail. The status quo lives on, fought by the Democratic majority that composes its council.
9. Rockford, Illinois
Democratic, for Decades Despite the election of an “Independent” for Mayor, the machinery still in place enables a tax-and-spend mentality and protection of the status quo.
8. Toledo, Ohio
Democratic, As expected with any municipality run by a corrupt or crazy Democrat, Toledo scores poorly in income and property tax rates. Democrat Mayor “Crazy-Carty” S. Finkbeiner was at the helm until 2010 when finally ousted by the Independent Michael Bell.
7. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Democratic, James T. Naugle, a Democrat “Real Estate Developer” was at the helm as Mayor since 1991..and replaced in 2009 with another big-spender Democrat named Jack Seiler.
6. Chicago, Illinois
Democratic since the Kennedy Years. Under the tutelage of Mayor Richard Daley, Chicago politics is the poster child for back room deals, king making and corruption.
5. Sacramento, California
Democratic. Home to the Sacramento’s Kings who are threatening a move to Anaheim if the city does not pony up the dollars a new arena. Democrat Kevin Maurice Johnson who enjoys a first in being Sacramento’s first African American mayor, elected in 2008. He replaced Democrat Heather Fargo. And what did Mr. Johnson bring with him to Sacramento? Scandal. When Johnson, a former NBA star was under investigation for financial misdeeds and inappropriate behavior with young female students, he had an support of Michelle Rhee, the nationally known education reformer who heads Washington, D.C., public schools.
4. West Palm Beach, Florida
Democratic. Democrats have been at the helm in West Palm Beach for a long time, the latest of which is Jeri Muoio who replaced Lois Frankel. Three county commissioners went to Jail in 2009 for selling the favors of their offices.
3. Flint, Michigan
Democratic. Ah yes, the home of the infamous Charlatan of dishonest documentary film, Michael Francis Moore, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling razed 775 abandoned homes in the year ending October 2011, to try and change the city landscape. The state of Michigan appointed an emergency manager last year to take over Flint’s budget and operations. Crime remains a severe problem with the violent crime rate the third worst in the U.S. Thanks Democrats!
2. Detroit, Michigan
Democratic. When I think of Detroit, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick is the first name that come to the fore. At the helm of Detroit for six years. Kilpatrick was alleged to have fulfilled a bad boy’s bucket list detailing every conceivable major crime, indiscretion and unethical act while in the Mayoral post.
1. Miami, Florida
Democratic. Another city that had a liberal democrat in charge for eight years, tops the list as one of the most miserable cities. Miami is another such place where political dishonesty prevails. Mayor Manny Diaz lists himself as an independent, yet spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2008, endorsing Barack Obama.
Democrats have always been bastions of “all things to all people.” Based on results, hows’ that workin’ for ya?
