Politicians nationwide, including here in Baltimore City, are performing artists - dare I say magicians - and have mastered the art of sleight of hand.

Sleight of hand refers to the way that a performer is capable of blending reality with a desired and awes-inspiring illusion.

In its most simplistic sense, this part of their craft is the ability to get individuals so fascinated in what they see that they are truly ignorant of what is actually going on around them.

Liberal politicians who have decimated Baltimore for a half century are the penultimate magicians.

Regardless of the atrocities that have fallen upon our city, members of the Democratic Party continue to win elections (often in landslides), promising something different while remaining intent on their true mission: keeping the city of Baltimore irreparable. Sadly, liberal politicians want Baltimore to fail.

Baltimore did not become a leader in homicides per capita by accident.

Baltimore did not become a leader in opioid addiction and drug dealing by accident.

Baltimore did not become an uneducated and squeegee kid citizenry by accident.

Baltimore did not become a land of failed businesses and a city known for lack of financial opportunities by accident.

Baltimore did not take on the appearance of a war torn, third country by accident.

Many of those people who have recognized the glaring issues in city government, and who have been resourceful enough to succeed despite the best efforts of the Democrat Party, have fled the city.

This exodus, ironically, is exactly what strengthens the crooked liberal politicians and their agenda.

Unfortunately, some of those who remain residents of the city, in the poorest of conditions, do so because they can not see a brighter future ahead for themselves.

They are often defeated and stay loyal to their roots, often times unaware that the votes they freely give to Democratic politicians are what keeps them confined to their daily struggle.

If they could see the forest through the trees (so to speak), they would see that Baltimore's economic, academic, and societal decline is by design.

Many crooked developers donate to the campaigns of Democrats in order to keep control of the city. Politicians like Sheila Dixon, Kwasi Mfume, and Nick Mosby (just to name a few) have all been gifted donations by large companies that actually show an increase in profits when communities fail.

Additionally, these politicians also collectively maintain and enforce a high tax rate - including obscene taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, food, junk food, real estate, and even rain.

These aggressive taxes are used to further drive people and potential business opportunities to leave the area and forces those who cannot into deep poverty and disparity.

Their mastery of the use of sleight of hand, however, allows the Democratic elected legislators to take advantage of those left behind in the city without losing political power.

They cover up what they are doing by staying socially "relevant".

They hook their talons in, and ride the coattails of, the mainstream media. They cling onto liberal propaganda of issues related to racism, sexism, and white supremacy.

They sell their “belief” in building a better community by doing food drives, bar b ques, and school supply giveaways. They paint the trending murals, march for justice, and follow public outcry and rejection of the president.

Best believe though, they do all of these things only when people are watching and reporters are around.

Elected Democrats of Baltimore tell the underprivileged, undereducated, and undervalued citizens of the city to look over here (at the things they want people to see) while they perform their real dark magic through sleight of hand deals, selling the city out to the well connected (including developers) behind their back.

It’s time for real change in Baltimore.

As a Baltimore City resident, I am crying out for the people of Baltimore to stop voting for an illusion and to start voting for those offering transparency.

I implore you all to vote for me, Jovani Patterson.

I am not a performer with the deep pocket connections, but I am Amman with the correct plan ready to be put in place and am ready to make some real magic - magic that won’t line my pockets but will make Baltimore a thriving city again, a city that many people would wish they could call home.

There is no white rabbit under my hat, only the best intentions in my heart and grease on my elbow.