This films history only goes back as far as the politically skewed filmmaker can remember. However there is more to NYC than the lower east side, and its inhabitants. I'm not the biggest fan of the man, but he did make the city much safer and more livable. You've got to give him that. If you want to see a city a that has been crippled by liberalism go to SF. You can see needles on the streets, strip clubs next to playgrounds, and homeless people defecating, and getting high on your doorstep. Thats a city that refuses to clean itself up. How can any body in there right mind enjoy a city like that?