Bob P,

Is it "scare tactics", or "statistics" that lead to the middle class leaving the cities? The two terms sound similar when you say them, and sometimes bleeding hearts can get them confused. Inner city areas have more crime, plain and simple. Black males make up 7% of the population and commit 40% of the violent crime. I've stated this in an earlier post. The way to revitalize high crime areas in cities isn't to deny the fact that it's there, or that a certain race is committing a disproportionate amout of it. The solution is to address the reasons why the crime is committed. Make teachers accountable in education. Lower the 80% illegitimacy rate. Continue on the path of successful workfare programs. Provide real assistance rather than a check every month. Establish a sense of community. Neither political party has done this when in power. Screaming racism about everything will not solve any of these problems, but will instead only serve to line the pockets of some lawyers and make everyone feel good for a while. Real change won't happen until everyone wants it to. In the meantime, people who can afford not to live in high crime areas simply won't.