And yes, say others who simply think that many of America's greatest cities are so far gone that they'll never come back. Now come John O. Norquist and Stephen Goldsmith, the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee and the Republican mayor of Indianapolis, to enter strong dissents. Both believe there is much that cities can do to bootstrap themselves back to health. And both see reasons for optimism. They are not even dying. . . .
History shows that as nations and empires come and go, cities endure.
The original sin, says Mr. Norquist, was the Depression-era decision of key mayors to throw themselves on the mercy of the federal government. The money came with some strings attached, however, and left cities saddled with high taxes, abandoned housing and dependent populations. Elected in 1988, in the wake of a 28-year reign by an avowed socialist, Henry Maier, Mr. Norquist clamped a lid on spending and taxes, added 272 cops to the police force and worked to revive Milwaukee's neighborhoods. He also joined the battle led by Polly Williams against the public-school monopoly. Ms. Williams, a black state legislator and former welfare mother, was fed up with the education or lack of it that her children were receiving.