Poor city, state response to rioting aiding Trump’s re-election

Just a week ago Mayor Lightfoot blasted her new Police Chief David Brown for his failure to stem Memorial Day violence when 59 were shot in Chicago with 10 dying. But not a word of self-criticism for herself this past weekend when 82 were shot, killing 19, while much of Chicago’s neighborhood business lifeblood was gutted by rioters given free reign by overwhelmed police. In fact Lightfoot defended her response saying she didn’t prioritize the Loop over the neighborhoods, but simply couldn’t keep up with the 50,000 extra cries for help by her beleaguered citizenry. That should not have surprised Lightfoot. All she needed was see the anarchy in Minneapolis and immediately demand massive assistance from state police and the National Guard for Chicago. It seems every concerned citizen realized what was in store for Chicago except Lightfoot and Governor Pritzker, who after the massive destruction, incredulously said Illinois will provide Chicago whatever it needs to restore calm. Too late, Governor.

Besides the loss of vital resources for Chicago’s most needy communities, Lightfoot and Pritzker’s public safety failures give electoral ammunition to the deranged quasi fascist stoking fear and loathing of Democratic leaders in his desperate bid to retain the presidency. If public order is not restored, Trump will exploit that weakness to another four years of neglect to the very people and communities most in need of a sane presidency.