Chicago--not enough handouts/rehabs/infrastructure/stop whining?

We are always predicting the end when we talk about Chicago, even though on the surface many of us are very optimistic. There is always a fear that, when eras change, Chicago's doom will finally occur. So far that hasn't happened... Regarding this thread, we all often complain about the financial problems the city is having. This guy or this agency is not giving the city enough money to fund its infrastructure, etc, and then we point fingers. Frankly, as somewhat of an outsider, I have to be honest. I never learned about Chicago's problems until I really started to read the local news and talk to you forumers. Up until that point, based upon my experiences in Chicago and seeing all of the development, etc, here was my impression: I thought "wow, this city is loaded with money! This city has totally got it made!" Now I realize that, underneath the surface, it is a city that is struggling to keep up its standards. Some of Qwerty's insights come to mind. He notes that northern and northeastern states get far less than a dollar back for every dollar they pay in federal taxes, while this excess proportion is going out to the less developed southern and mountain states. However, I can't help to wonder. Is this a real problem? For example, Chicago is in the midst of a nearly 2 billion dollar rehab of its entire heavy rail system. 2 billion dollars! All from the federal govt. That is not chump change, and most cities in most countries would kill for this kind of money. The US is so wealthy, however, that perhaps 2 billion is perceived as "not enough". Also, it just got 100 million dollars from the federal govt for "homeland security" money--a bunch of wasted GWBush bullshit that would be better used bailing out the CTA. Either way, this and many other things are getting state and federal funding. Sure, Chicago is not getting back what it has put into the govt, but should it? After all, aren't the great cash cow cities there for a reason--to generate cash? Are people in Chicago whining too much? Because perhaps Chicago exactly is the city I once thought it was. A rich as hell city that just plain has it MADE!>