Which is worse east or west Baltimore (Cumberland: credit card, neighborhood)

[westsideboy]

I don't think either political party gets a free pass, but the globalization of the economy isn't a political issue as much as it is an economic one. It sucks that Americans don't have jobs, but it is great that I can go to Walmart and by cheap goods made overseas. It is a bit of a double edged sword - more jobs or more spending power for the dollar.

I think the liberals in government and the media are more blameworthy on the "white guilt" issue. The intention was good, the results weren't very well thought out. Again, the vaccuum created by the tearing down of historic white heroes and the vilification of their actions in founding this country had to be filled by something. What filled the gap was the ghetto culture of anger towards those with more, promotion of ill-gotten gain, and violence as means of gaining credibility among peers. I think the previous model was better, I would rather poor kids look up to and try to emulate the Bill Gates and rich fat cats of the world than sink down to the message that the poor are powerless and should be angry, violent, and self-serving because of their financial condition.

[Zea mays]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

I think the liberals in government and the media are more blameworthy on the "white guilt" issue.

In your mind only. I had no historical role models. My models were my mom and dad, my older sister and brother. I grew up in the unit block of Luzerne Ave. We were blue collar and poor. My parents never owned a car, as was the same for all of my East Baltimore friends. We never had a TV until 1950. Yet I was able to graduate from JHU. I had a state scholarship, but I would have been able to attend Hopkins on my dad's meager earnings even if I did not have a scholarship. Few kids growing up in East Baltimore could do that today.

In those Eisenhower years unions were strong, and top income rates were 90%. We were poor, but I never felt there was a great gap separating me from the middle class, no ceiling to what I could accomplish. Three decades of Republican "trickle down" economics has turned this country backwards. I am truly fortunate to have been born during the Roosevelt administration.

[westsideboy]

No, I assure you it isn't just my mind. You grew up many years ago. Maybe you haven't seen the changes in the last 15 years as clearly as I have because I was in the school system and part of "youth culture" as I saw it happen. My guess is that if you went back to elementary school or high school today you would be very surprised to see what is being taught and the general attitude of teachers and students alike. As a substitute just watch some "youth" oriented TV channels. Try MTV. Even for someone in my 30s it is appalling trash that is poison to the minds of white youth.

Again, I don't have all the answers, but I know what I saw, I remember the before and current PC era, and I know enough about the past to see the agenda from Algers to Dylan to Clinton. The liberals are the ones that wanted a class based culture, they got it. I think it sucks personally and it isn't just me that sees these things.

[ReefAreCoolToo]

Definitely the west side is worst...you have Hopkins buying properties from Caroline St towards Bayview...sooner or later, all of those area will be clean out except maybe those Sect 8 houses...

[Northwindsforever]

Dont know about crime, but east side looks more visually blighted. Much more boarded up houses and vacant lots that are full of trash, than west side. The areas around The American Brewery on the east side rivals Detroit, North Philly, Camden and East St. Louis.

[bmoregrimey]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

No, I assure you it isn't just my mind. You grew up many years ago. Maybe you haven't seen the changes in the last 15 years as clearly as I have because I was in the school system and part of "youth culture" as I saw it happen. My guess is that if you went back to elementary school or high school today you would be very surprised to see what is being taught and the general attitude of teachers and students alike. As a substitute just watch some "youth" oriented TV channels. Try MTV. Even for someone in my 30s it is appalling trash that is poison to the minds of white youth.

Again, I don't have all the answers, but I know what I saw, I remember the before and current PC era, and I know enough about the past to see the agenda from Algers to Dylan to Clinton. The liberals are the ones that wanted a class based culture, they got it. I think it sucks personally and it isn't just me that sees these things.

excuse me?? i dont know of a liberal that wants a society based on class, if anything republicans have done everything to make sure the working poor stay just that the working poor...the policies of reagan and the 2 bushes have been the worse for working people and have set many working people back not that i think the democrats are better, the govt needs to repeal nafta

[westsideboy]

Oh, come on, liberals pander to class consciousness, just like conservatives blindly wave around flags and appeal to patriotism. If I had a dime for everytime our liberal president said 'Don't worry, these tax increases only effect the rich," I would be in that top tax bracket!

[Zea mays]

Originally Posted by bmoregrimey

excuse me?? i dont know of a liberal that wants a society based on class, if anything republicans have done everything to make sure the working poor stay just that the working poor...the policies of reagan and the 2 bushes have been the worse for working people and have set many working people back ...

you got that right, bro

Originally Posted by westsideboy

Oh, come on, liberals pander to class consciousness ...

westsideboy is too young to know the difference between the modern liberal (as he defines them) and an FDR, Truman, Johnson Democrat like me. The Republicans are trying to shift Medicare and SS onto a privately administered voucher plan, while further reducing taxes on the wealthy. Other items on the Republican agenda:

• Republicans expect to pass bills to cripple the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• House Votes to Limit Access to Abortion
• House Blocks Money for Constructing School-Based Health Centers

Unless you are making more than $250,000 per year and/or are a religious nut, the Republicans are screwing you, oh ever so gently.

As this is a forum on Baltimore, I'll cut it off here. Send me a PM westsideboy, if you like, and we can continue it from here.

[westsideboy]

If my options are the slow bleed from the GOP, or watch the Dems complete the country's transformation into an entitlement welfare state. I will take the former.

[Zea mays]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

If my options are the slow bleed from the GOP, or watch the Dems complete the country's transformation into an entitlement welfare state. I will take the former.

You'll get the slow bleed. Check back in 15 years.