Quit following the political propaganda. The are not being intentionally neglected or damaged by politicians bought out by those who want to privatize them, that is just pure stupid and political tripe designed to feed the ignorant.<p>The true story is they promises of many city governments far exceeded their means to support all of them so something had to give. From pushing far too many cronies and family members into &quot;administrative jobs - look at many city airports if not schools now where teachers can be a minority&quot; to promises for pensions. Throw in over price government buildings to celebrate some dead politician, ever expanding tax break and services cost breaks to those who support the politician and well, it all is easily found.<p>Hence the money to maintain the infrastructure went elsewhere. Money promised to pensioners was also shorted as much as they could, yet the bloat was kept, the new offices kept, and so on. So the political talking points memo you were reading from is just as much trash as the promises politicians make