It isnt a city simulator. Its a dictator simulator. In fact half the fun is making your city not work but making your personal bank balance increase.
In sim city you open up your advisor and look at problem areas and fix them. In Tropico you find people who disagree with you and assassinate them, or excommunicate or otherwise make them suffer. Then you burn their shack down for good measure.
I dont believe you could build CD bootlegging plants in sim city either. Or a space program. Or nuclear missiles.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.