America\u2019s great cities were once symbols of national strength, innovation, and community life.<\/strong> They were places where families built stable neighborhoods, where churches and civic institutions anchored daily life, where schools were strong, and where opportunity flourished. For generations, cities served as engines of scientific advancement, manufacturing power, cultural achievement, and economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, many American cities are struggling under the weight of failed policy, ideological extremism, and civic breakdown.<\/strong> Neighborhoods that were once safe and family\u2011centered have deteriorated into areas marked by crime, blight, and instability. Schools that once prepared children for productive futures now struggle with disorder and declining performance. Community institutions, churches, civic groups, and local businesses have been hollowed out or displaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that American cities should be centers of innovation, education, culture, and economic vitality \u2014 not zones of disorder, decay, and insecurity.<\/strong> The decline of urban America is not inevitable; it is the result of choices, policies, and priorities that can and must be changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Restore Safety, Order, and Community Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Public safety is the foundation of a functioning city. Yet many urban police departments are overwhelmed, understaffed, and constrained by political pressures that prevent them from maintaining peace. Officers are asked to do more with fewer resources, while morale declines and recruitment suffers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In recent years, anti\u2011police activism and movements influenced by Marxist ideology<\/strong> have contributed to an environment where law enforcement is vilified, discouraged, or obstructed. These movements, including organizations that openly reject traditional civic norms, have promoted hostility toward officers, undermined public trust, and emboldened criminal behavior. The result has been rising crime, weakened institutions, and neighborhoods left without adequate protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, some local leaders and community groups refuse to acknowledge the role of personal responsibility and community accountability<\/strong> in maintaining safe neighborhoods. Instead, they attribute all problems to broad concepts such as \u201csystemic racism,\u201d while resisting efforts to address crime directly. This refusal to confront criminal behavior harms the very families and children who most need stability and safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that restoring safety and stability is the first step toward revitalizing America\u2019s cities.<\/strong> Law enforcement must be supported, communities must be empowered, and public order must be restored so that families can once again feel safe in their own neighborhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many urban communities have been encouraged \u2014 often by political activists, nonprofit networks, and outside organizations \u2014 to embrace socialist\u2011style economic programs<\/strong> that promise relief but ultimately deepen dependency, weaken local economies, and undermine long\u2011term stability. These policies often discourage entrepreneurship, punish productive behavior, and expand bureaucratic control over daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compounding this problem, international Marxist\u2011influenced and globalist activist networks<\/strong> increasingly target American cities as staging grounds for political agitation. These groups use vulnerable communities as pawns in larger ideological campaigns<\/strong>, promoting policies that weaken local institutions, destabilize neighborhoods, and erode national unity. Their goal is not to strengthen cities, but to disrupt American society by undermining order, authority, and civic cohesion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These movements often promote narratives that absolve individuals of responsibility, encourage resentment toward law enforcement, and frame criminal behavior as political expression. Such ideologies fracture communities, discourage cooperation with police, and create environments where disorder becomes normalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that cities must reject destructive ideologies and restore a culture of civic responsibility, personal accountability, and commitment to the common good.<\/strong> Urban communities deserve policies that empower families, not agendas that exploit them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong neighborhoods are built on strong institutions: churches, schools, local businesses, community centers, and civic organizations. These institutions once formed the backbone of urban life, providing support, identity, and cohesion. Moreover, black neighborhoods used to be safe with thriving businesses and social establishments. But in many cities, they have been weakened by economic decline, ideological activism, and policies that prioritize large\u2011scale development or political agendas over community needs. It is not white people who pose a threat to the vitality and safety of urban neighborhoods, but rather criminal elements from their own communities and a lack of accountability. Ironically, due to almost a century of Marxist propaganda and decades of campaigns targeting black and other so-called minority groups, many have led the way for the destruction of their own communities. Rather than allowing law enforcement to do their job to make the streets safe, many would rather risk the lives of their families and children by refusing to hold each other accountable for their actions, and the blame is placed somewhere else: the government did not provide or give enough, the system is fixed, the schools let them down, the police are racist, etc. For genuine renewal to take hold in communities across America, leaders must accept responsibility rather than shift it elsewhere. They must call on one another to make use of the opportunities before them, strengthen their families through responsible parenthood, and give firm support to a strong system of law, order, and justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that revitalizing America\u2019s cities requires rebuilding the institutions that make neighborhoods strong.<\/strong> Local organizations, faith communities, and small businesses must be supported and empowered to reclaim their role in shaping urban life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of American stability and prosperity. Yet in many urban areas, families are being priced out of the housing market as large corporate conglomerates and investment firms purchase single\u2011family homes in bulk. These acquisitions drive up prices, reduce availability, and convert once\u2011stable neighborhoods into transient rental zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This trend undermines long\u2011term community stability, reduces opportunities for working families, and concentrates housing control in the hands of distant corporations with no stake in local well\u2011being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that housing policy must prioritize families, not corporate investors.<\/strong> Homeownership should be attainable, neighborhoods should be stable, and communities should not be reshaped by speculative financial interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urban decline is often fueled by economic stagnation, loss of industry, and the flight of businesses to more stable regions. As jobs disappear, tax bases shrink, public services deteriorate, and neighborhoods fall into disrepair. This cycle harms families, discourages investment, and accelerates population loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cities must once again become centers of innovation, manufacturing, technology, and entrepreneurship. Economic revitalization requires policies that attract businesses, support local enterprise, and create opportunities for upward mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that cities must be rebuilt as engines of economic growth, scientific advancement, and technological innovation.<\/strong> Urban areas should lead the nation in research, development, and industry, not fall behind due to mismanagement and neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many urban neighborhoods have become \u201cfood deserts,\u201d lacking access to fresh groceries, pharmacies, and essential services. While activists often attribute this solely to economic inequality, the reality is far more complex. A major driver of food deserts is the departure of businesses due to persistent shoplifting, vandalism, and criminal behavior.<\/strong> When stores face constant losses, security risks, and insufficient protection from local authorities, they cannot remain profitable or safe. As a result, grocery chains, pharmacies, and retailers close their doors or relocate to more stable areas, leaving families without access to basic necessities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospitals and clinics also close or consolidate, leaving families without adequate healthcare. Public transportation becomes unreliable, and basic infrastructure deteriorates. These conditions are not the result of geography but of policy choices that tolerate disorder, discourage investment, and fail to protect the businesses that communities rely on<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that every American community deserves access to food, healthcare, transportation, and essential services.<\/strong> Revitalizing cities requires restoring public safety, supporting local businesses, and rebuilding the infrastructure that sustains daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urban schools once produced some of the nation\u2019s brightest minds. Today, many struggle with instability, overcrowding, underfunding, and declining performance. Children deserve safe, strong, and inspiring schools, not institutions overwhelmed by disorder or bureaucracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Education is the foundation of opportunity. Without strong schools, cities cannot produce the next generation of scientists, engineers, teachers, or leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that urban education must be rebuilt from the ground up, with a focus on discipline, excellence, and opportunity for every child.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many urban problems stem from leadership that is unaccountable, ideologically driven, or disconnected from the needs of ordinary residents. Cities cannot be revitalized by policies that prioritize political agendas over public welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local leaders must be accountable to the people they serve. Communities must have a voice in shaping their future, and policies must reflect the needs of families, workers, and neighborhoods, not the interests of distant bureaucracies or political activists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We affirm that urban renewal begins with accountable leadership, local control, and policies rooted in the real needs of the community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We Believe: America\u2019s great cities were once symbols of national strength, innovation, and community life. They were places where families […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-335","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=335"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":442,"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/335\/revisions\/442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saveouramericanheritage.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Plank 1: Confront Marxist Ideological Extremism, Socialist Policy Failures, and Globalist Influence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank 2: Revitalize Neighborhoods and Restore Community Institutions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank 3: Address Housing Instability and Corporate Acquisition of Homes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank 4: Reverse Urban Decay and Strengthen Local Economies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank 5: Ensure Access to Food, Healthcare, and Essential Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank 6: Rebuild Schools and Restore Educational Excellence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plank 7: Empower Local Leadership and Restore Accountability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n