“Crime Is Down” But Violence Is Up – Wait, What?

TV news is filled with videos of crowds looting stores. As a result, many stores close, leaving whole areas of cities as “food deserts.” Speaking of areas, there are areas where carjacking is so common that people insist on driving old or unpopular cars, or don’t drive there at all.

When our prospective leaders proclaim facts that obviously are not facts, we tend to tune out. This is appropriate in totalitarian states. There, you don’t need to listen to what the Leader says. You just need to nod agreement and not make trouble. That way, you can hope to avoid a visit from the secret police and an all-expense-paid trip to a prison camp.

You think people actually listened when Stalin announced a record wheat harvest? No, they just mumbled agreement as they stood in line for hours for a loaf of bread. You think people actually listen when Kamala and Tim announce that crime is down? No, they just look over their shoulders for street thugs as they head for the supermarket, where they can barely afford a week’s groceries although “inflation is down” as well.

No, we’re not there yet, but we are on our way. “Crime is down.” Yeah, sure.