Chicago: its place and its role in the USA

Stick with me on this one, guys. It may take some explanation. But if you oh-so-articulate Chicago forumers get what I'm saying, it should provide for some scintilating discussion on your part. Like a lot of you I read New York, Chicago, Los Angeles. Published in 1999, the book obviously contained research and data that preceeded that date by a number of years. So, in essence, the Chicago that we have seen blossom in most recent years was beyond the scope of the book. At the time of her research, Janet Bu-Lughod observed a Chicago that was a major American metropolis, but one that had suffered greatly in the post-industrial era. The city had yet to find itself. One observation that Bu-Lughod made was so interesting to me that it has stayed with me years after reading the book. In questioning Chicago's inclusion in the US super cities, Bu-Lughod articulated the slippage, but pointed out the statement that most stayed with me: despite the slippage, despite the fact that others may question Chicago's inclussion, Chicago, to Bu-Luhod still remained SOMETHING FAR MORE THAN A REGIONAL CITY. Far more than a regional city: in other words, Chicago serves a national role. And if that was true when Bu-Luhod did her research, it is more true today. I am fairly certain she would not be questioning Chicago's inclussion on any level if the book were being published today. Chicago is not only a global city; it's one of the few cities whose importance makes America work, makes America tick. SO THAT LEADS ME TO WHAT'S DISCUSSABLE: WHAT EXACTLY IS CHICAGO'S ROLE, ITS PLACE IN AMERICA? HOW DOES CHICAGO SERVE A NEED FOR AMERICA? Look, with no sense of put down, there is no unique role in our country for Kansas City, Cleveland, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, or Baltimore. They're imporant. But they serve no national role. However, Chicago does. We have a role, just as certain other cities do: New York does in finanace, in theatre, in fashion, in advertising, (and many more spheres, as well). DC has the obvious role in government. Miami serves the US as our link to Latin America. LA controls the dream machine; it also serves us as a window on the Pacific. We look to Boston in its role in higher education. Vegas dominates our naughty side. Detroit served our country in its day as the automotive capital. I could think of a number of rolls Chicago fills for the US, but I'll remain silent. Since I brought the topic up, I'd rather hear what you think it is.>