I'm leaving Chicago, and I'm never coming back.
Is there any point in relaying my experience and my decision to anyone here? Probably not, but I've never been one to leave without saying goodbye. I'm the courteous type.
I grew up in the Chicagoland area, and from a young age loved Chicago with a passion. As a teenager my home was in Hammond, Indiana, but I took the South Shore Line train to the city every chance I could get. I eventually went to college downtown and lived in the city, off and on, for another three years. Although for the last several years I've lived in the Inland Northwest and Texas, I've still come back several times a year to visit family and have always taken trips into the city, often daily, when I do.
For the last three quarters of a year I've been in the Chicagoland area on extended business and to care for my mother, who has been undergoing cancer treatment. In that time I've come to understand that Chicago and its surrounding areas have become hell on earth for any thinking person with a modicum of self-respect.
The caustic combination of corrupt politicians with nothing but contempt for the public, a police force so broken down in spirit they visibly resent interaction with even law-abiding citizens, a criminal underclass empowered by the incessant drone of liberal rhetoric wandering the streets posing clear and present danger to everyone around them, and the enablers, who are everywhere, to say nothing of the ugly, decaying infrastructure, poor economy and joyless entertainment and leisure opportunities … it is for these reasons I have made the decision to disconnect forever.
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Although in the last eighty months I've been a victim of two area property thefts, three downtown street harassment episodes, one brazen Michigan Avenue assault and a shameful "white privilege" lecture from Cook County's soda-taxer in chief (among other just simply bad day-to-day experiences), it is the kidnapping and torture of the young teen and the waffling response of the Chicago Police Department in labeling the actions of the perpetrators a hate crime that have sealed the deal for me. Crime, stupidity, racism, conformity and the lowest common denominator across the entire spectrum of life have become normalized in Chicago. This has become an insane, dangerous, soul destroying place, and I've had enough.
I'm leaving Chicago, and I'm never coming back.
Brandon Vezmar