Arr! The woeful tale of Philadelphia be unveilin' a heartbreakin' truth 'bout our governin' ye scallywags!
2023-07-03
Avast ye hearties! David Marcus be spinnin' a yarn 'bout the dastardly drug addiction an' homelessness in Kensington, Philadelphia. Blast me barnacles! He be claimin' the government be sittin' on their hands, doin' nary a thing to put an end to this scallywag affair!
In Kensington, a neighborhood just north of Center City in Philly, a tragic situation is unfolding as the deadly grip of heroin and Fentanyl continues to claim lives. The people here, forgotten by their government, wander the streets in a state that resembles death more than life. Philadelphia has long been associated with corruption, where kickbacks and graft are a way of life. But there used to be a deal, a balance between the Democrat party and the unions, where social order was maintained. However, that deal is now crumbling, as evidenced by the despair in Kensington.As the author arrives in the neighborhood, they witness a young man lying on the ground, seemingly lifeless. They debate whether to call 911 and eventually do so, while a small crowd gathers. The paramedic arrives and blames the bystanders for not calling sooner, gesturing to the sea of prone bodies littering the streets. It becomes clear that the opioid crisis has engulfed the community, with many residents feeling helpless and unsure of what to do.
Amidst this tragedy, the author observes the surreal existence of businesses trying to survive amidst the chaos. A grocery store owner's son mentions that although the addicts pose a problem, they try to maintain a safe environment for their customers. But for many, this bleak reality is simply the norm, an inevitable part of life in Kensington.
The lack of solutions and support from city officials is disheartening. The author compares Kensington to other cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, highlighting the absence of any semblance of government intervention. It feels as though the neighborhood has been abandoned, left to suffer and decay.
In conclusion, the author questions whether they are standing in the greatest nation on earth, as the dark squalor and pain surrounding them contradict that notion. While politicians and elites continue their business as usual, the lives being crushed by this epidemic are ignored. It seems that nobody has the will or means to fix this devastating problem.