A Tale of Two Cities?

A documentary comparing Colorado Springs, CO with Trenton, NJ was shown last evening.  There was a SRO crowd, and the film was interesting.  Actually, it was a brilliant piece of propaganda- for what purpose, I'm not sure.  It was put together by a Swiss team; the Swiss are very interesting people who have been hiding behind their alps for over a thousand years and doing well, too.  Switzerland was also the last European country to give women the right to vote.  It's a small, well managed country known for chocolate, watches, knives, and banking - not necessarily in that order.

This film crew contrasted Colorado Springs with Trenton.  If you knew nothing about either place, you would assume Colorado Springs was made up of nice, well spoken white bread type people who do good works on their own time and Trenton was made up filthy streets full of crappy housing lived in by unemployed, uneducated African-Americans who believed they would be shot at any moment. 

Yes, we have problems in Trenton.  Dear God, do we ever!!!  BUT....comparing Colorado Springs with Trenton is comparing apples and oranges - how?

C.S. has a population of some 419,745 living in 185.7 square miles.  Median household income is $52,984 with per capita income at $27,556.  City government relies mostly on sale tax and can outsource many services.  Further, C.S. was never a major center of manufacturing; it was, however, a mining center.  When the mines played out, health spas opened, hence the name Colorado Springs.  It was a great place for those with T.B.  Unemployment is about 6%.  AND, AND, here's the biggy.  Colorado Springs in home to the United States Air Force Academy which attracks over 1,000,000 visitors each year.  All of whom spend money which is a lot of sales tax,

Trenton has a population of roughly 85,000 in 7.5 square miles.  Unemployment is roughly 20%.  When the factories closed nothing came in to take their place (unless you include state government).  Come on, Blogolanders, can you imagine 1,000,000 visitors a year in Trenton?  Sweet Mother of God, we'd need ten hotels. 

If you have a chance to see this film, please do.  And also keep in mind, and think deeply, about how the message was skewed.