While New York has its faults, and it does in spades, people still come here, internationally and domestically, to make it in their field. And if they don’t like it here, they can move to any state in the country that fits them.
Having met Louis myself, I can say he really is a genuinely nice guy. There are many people in New York like him, just waiting for the political system to change with the next election for a restoration of a more business and safety oriented environment. The city ebs and flows with the political changes. It’s chaotic but also somewhat responsive to the will of the people, albeit slowly and only after some crisis has forced the issue.
New York’s infrastructure doesn’t reflect the wealth being generated here, which is better seen by looking at the healthcare services (which my Chinese-American colleagues say lags behind in Mainland China). We could do with a better subway system, but spending the requisite money has to be overwhelming supported because everyone knows they will have to pay for it in their taxes.