Traditionally I would say that the Mafia was more than a gang. But as of today I have to kind of concur. They don't have the power that everyone wishes they did and the sum of their actions can be compared to any other gang. So formally, are they more well structured than a gang, yes. Power wise, I'd say they are equal with some gangs.
what gangs do you think are as powerful as the five families are in the tri state area, please name me one black, latino, russain, albanian, chinese, or whatever the fuck, that is more diversified and has more reach into legitimate industries as the italians do(in the tri state area). Now philly is a different story, i think since merlinos reign began they could pretty much be categorized as a gang. Theyve had little to no involvement with unions, and have been brought down to a street operation where over the past 15 or 20 years they have been the most active in shaking down drug dealers, gambling, and putting money out on the street. Now does any1 really think the five families are on the same level as philly?
Hell's Angels for one I think would give them a run for their money. All of your talk of unions and branching into legitimate business is for the damn birds. Last big time legit business was the crap in Texas and they are all about to get ass reamed for doing it. Your living in the past, the Italians are no where near as strong as they used to be. You like to watch the Sopranos and Goodfellas and say "oh man look at the power they have" when in reality they have been reduced to bird shit.
im not looking for an argument here and I'm no fanboy, IM A STREET GUY! lol jk, but for real i am a (lowly) union worker in nyc, now for the record, my union is for the most part pretty clean(free of mob influence), but within certain aspects of the construction industry LCN presence is just a way of life. and im not talking about them taking over and extorting legitimate business and companies(at least not on a large scale), i said "reach into industries". it is well documented of the mobs involvemnt in garbage hauling in the city, westchester county, conneticuit, and all over north jersey and on the waterfront in new york, new jersey and florida(and yes im talking about recently,not the past
http://nypost.com/2013/01/17/feds-snare-30-in-mob-garbage-sting/, just one of many examples). Now i understand perfectly what your saying about how the mob isnt as strong as some people on here wish it would be(im not one of those people) but its getting to the point where some people are so intent on not being seen as a "fanboy" that your completely missing my point. now im not saying it is like it was in the 70s and 80s or hell even the 90s, but i get the impression you think im saying theyre this all powerful and all knowing organization, and your saying they're "birdshit", come on man there is plenty of middle ground. And i see very little evidence that the hells angels could "give the mob a run for their money" as the most powerful oc group in the tri state area. do they have their own niche in the drug and extortion rackets? of course, and plenty other of stuff, they even work with italians sometimes when its mutually beneficial, but i just dont see the evidence that they have the reach the mob does.
