I guess when you spend $40,000 on scarecrows, $75,000,000 or more on a convention center, $$$ millions on changing the direction of front street every few years, $150,000 on private are collections, and $$$ millions to create a boondoggle Utility Authority, plus welcome signs shaped like sailboats and vote-buying projects... Eventually, the binge spending of taxpayer money creates a hangover otherwise known as reality. But the same people keep getting elected so its working great for them and the good ole boys and Realtors. Fake tears of compassion for the low-level city employees is Oscar material.