Seattle (still) looks awful (Rochester: violent crime, house, neighborhoods)

[Transmition]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

The City needs to post a couple cops right on the sidewalk, on foot. I can't believe they aren't doing that now.... it's a no-brainer.

The current police policy seems to be to allow visible signs of crime, with selective policing in some areas. It seemed to begin around the time that the "defund the police" movement got going and a lot of cops moved to the surrounding forces instead of waiting for whatever the result would be. A bit like when they decided to stop pursuing criminals because the new rules said that they needed a reason, and it was too risky for them to use their own common sense. It might just be complete coincidence that this all occurred and that people are suddenly more willing to put more money into the police department, but people can decide for themselves.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by TheTimidBlueBars

I think we aren't as willing to pay for things like this as we used to be. We've had marginal tax rates for the highest income brackets as high as 91% in the past, and 70% before Reagan; it's only 37% now. It's hard to say how much of this is Republicans' skill at maintaining power vs. cultural shifts towards individualism, but Republicans have been much better at pushing the low-tax line than Democrats have been at pushing against it.

THIS! We are no longer a wealthy country! Or we're no longer a country that spreads the wealth around for the greater good. We're teetering on the brink of 3rd World status. Robbing the federal budget to give ever more tax breaks to people who don't need them is a hallmark of 3rd World countries. Where would the money come from to build psychiatric hospitals from scratch? Which federal agency's budget? What federal agency (besides the military) even has a functional budget anymore?

Building hospitals, then staffing them, and coming up with money for salaries, benefits and retirement plans can't be done without adequate tax revenues.

The mentally ill are right where the wealthy want them: in the streets, not under the care of professionals in hospitals, where the wealthy would be taxed to maintain them.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by ncrunner77

I think the root cause of this in America (not unique to Seattle) is a mind-set mix of individualism and apathy (i.e. selfishness). It is "me, me, me" and "not my problem". Look at how many people and families in America strive to use every penny to afford that second home (mountain/lake cabin or beach condo). It is glorified on TV and presented as "the norm".

In other cultures/countries, the Scandinavian nations are often held up as gold-standard examples, it is more a collective mindset of "we, we, we" and "my neighbors problem is my problem is our problem". Having a 2nd home (and boat, and jet ski, and 4 cars), while your neighbor has to sleep in their vehicle, is seen as selfish and as "hoarding resources". It is very much frowned upon, almost to the point of shaming, as it seen as going against the good of society. Society is valued over the individual; they even have a word for it janteloven [url]https://www.lifeinnorway.net/what-exactly-is-janteloven/[/url]

It is interesting that the two states with the highest proportion of Scandinavian/Nordic heritage, WA and MN, also tend to rank highest in surveys/rankings (for what they are worth) of best American states to live in d/t their "good numbers" in quality of life, education, and healthcare. Keep in mind, relative to other states.

The fact that America is so large and diverse while such other countries are relatively small and homogenous contributes to some degree. In Norway, the "clan/tribe" is the country.

Are you suggesting if we homogenize our country and segregate all the white people, black people and brown people back into exclusive communities and live like clans we will stop seeing homeless drug addicts taking over downtown?

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

THIS! We are no longer a wealthy country! Or we're no longer a country that spreads the wealth around for the greater good. We're teetering on the brink of 3rd World status. Robbing the federal budget to give ever more tax breaks to people who don't need them is a hallmark of 3rd World countries. Where would the money come from to build psychiatric hospitals from scratch? Which federal agency's budget? What federal agency (besides the military) even has a functional budget anymore?

Building hospitals, then staffing them, and coming up with money for salaries, benefits and retirement plans can't be done without adequate tax revenues.

The mentally ill are right where the wealthy want them: in the streets, not under the care of professionals in hospitals, where the wealthy would be taxed to maintain them.

Dori Monson reports often that we've spent a billion dollars over the past 10 years to fight homelessness. I don't know if it's true or not. If we did, I think the money was grossly mismanaged.

A billion could easily go towards the construction and maintenance of couple facilities.

It's not just about money, but also approach. We changed how we deal with the mentally ill. We believed that locking people up was inhumane. Maybe we need to revisit that approach.

[flyingsaucermom]

I agree we've become close to a third world country. My husband said the same thing as we were driving through Portland this weekend and he's from Mexico and has seen it all.

All you have to do is add children to the dumps. Once we start seeing intact families in the squalor we know we have arrived...

[87112]

You don't even need to pay your very expensive car tabs anymore unless you want to sell your car. Isn't it against State policy for police to stop cars for expired tabs now? Correct me if I am wrong.

I can see people with car tabs in the hundreds and hundreds not paying. Why should they? Most of the money us Seattle driver's tab fees goes to paying for a light rail system that no one rides anymore due to the changing work habits since covid started. Does anyone need or desire to go to Downtown anymore unless they have no choice. I can see hoping on it to go to the airport or a Seahawks game and that's really it.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

It's not just about money, but also approach. We changed how we deal with the mentally ill. We believed that locking people up was inhumane. Maybe we need to revisit that approach.

This.

[Diana Holbrook]

Contrary to the opinions here, even WITH all our troubles, we are nowhere near a third world country.

Life has NEVER been easier... anywhere, or any time, than it is now. Trouble is we're spoiled and lazy. If we can blame someone else we don't have to fix it. Well, I don't believe that. We ARE a wealthy country, and when we get tired of looking at blue tarp garbage villages, and when we get tired of being hapless victims of petty thieves, we'll do something.

We have spent billions, and continue to spend billions, on ideas that don't work. We're taxed plenty, just spending it on the wrong things. Maybe we meant well at the time, that doesn't mean we keep doing it if it's not working. Try, watch, evaluate results, learn, Try again with something else. Keep at it.

[Natnasci]

Originally Posted by Returning2USA

Lots of informative info in the post.

Another example of Ruth being one of, if not thee most, knowledgeable posters here.

She is a good poster, but please see my post about the incorrect information about Vancouver.

I'd hate for anyone to think Vancouver was that cruel.

[Guineas]

Originally Posted by 87112

You don't even need to pay your very expensive car tabs anymore unless you want to sell your car. Isn't it against State policy for police to stop cars for expired tabs now? Correct me if I am wrong.

I can see people with car tabs in the hundreds and hundreds not paying. Why should they? Most of the money us Seattle driver's tab fees goes to paying for a light rail system that no one rides anymore due to the changing work habits since covid started. Does anyone need or desire to go to Downtown anymore unless they have no choice. I can see hoping on it to go to the airport or a Seahawks game and that's really it.

That's why there are ton of cars here driving with expired out of state plates.