This morning, the team of Democratic senators working on a voting rights measure that could meet the demands of conservative Democratic West Virginia senator Joe Manchin released their bill.
Trump's niece- the estimable Mary Trump- called him the most dangerous man in the world. Unfortunately, she wasn't exaggerating. The revelations contained in Woodward and Costa's new book are terrifying and should increase the resolve of the democrats to pass the For the People Act. Thanks again, Heather, for being such an articulate witness to these events and thanks to the voters of California for helping Americans dodge another bullet.
If you step back and think about Grump's obsession with Biden winning, you can find evidence in the first impeachment. His desperate need to have someone publicly disparage Biden and family by manipulating a foreign government. He was allowed to do this, and he escalated his fears and obsessions until he left office.
I am a new subscriber to HCRs letters and I value their factual, non partisan, basis more & more every day - and i hold a doctorate in Public Policy. What a treasure trove of historical politics.. not just for today but for those who will read these same letters in the future!!
Today's distinction between voter fraud & election fraud is exactly on point.. it should be published on the front page of enery news paper - but of course we know 80% are owned by 15 billionaires and the 6 corporate entities they own. So very disturbing that this is the state of American Disinformazia. Thank you HCR for your vital contribution to offsetting that imbalance.
KS “ 80% are owned by 15 billionaires” - to this point we are now in the Age of Neo Feudalism. The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of about 100 families, most outside the well known Bezos, Musk, Branson, Zuckerberg and Koch sphere are out to preserve their dynastic wealth forever. The way is transform government and society to the model that suits their needs, and they have.
Asked about my political views twelve years ago, I simply said how deeply I disliked and mistrusted “the new feudalism”, also noting that, unlike its medieval forebear, there's not even a trace of reciprocity in it… apart from racketeers’ extortion: “Nothing will happen to you if you do as I say…”
Usually, I’m pleased when an idea of mind becomes common currency. Anything but pleased now.
I’m remembering the horrible feeling I got on entering the council chamber of the Counts of Flanders in the dark fortress that stands in the middle of Ghent. The place where decisions were taken. A room with bare walls. Nothing in it but a large table. Far worse even than all the vile torture instruments on show elsewhere in the castle—a corner of hell.
Welcome to the most amazing community gathered online. Thanks for your insight. Join and share. Peace and Courage in these strange yet encouraging days.
KS, welcome to the family! Looking forward to what you have to say. We could use a public policy doc around here! Teach the amateurs like me a thing or two....
As for starters in this mob, it helps if you're crazy-- you'll fit right in and do fine....
Not insanely so, though, because you are mad for very good reasons. Here's hoping the Freedom to Vote bill will pass with flying colors and we can all feel a glimmer of hope, maybe even well being.
Hi, KS. Welcome. You'll find some variety here and strong interests in learning as well as concern for the country. There are a few humorists, too. Gus, for one, introduced himself and there is 'some' truth in what he told you. I look forward to exchanging information, ideas and raising questions with you. Salud!
Thanks Dr Richardson for another brilliant letter. Remember when Joe Biden won the last election last year and we were all so relieved we wouldn’t have to live every day wonder what t***p and his minions were going to do next? It feels like that day will never arrive.
Grateful for the California victory, but that recall was a ruse all along. I’m betting the Rs knew there’s was not a chance of overturn. The only intention being to set up a scenario in which they can point their little fingers and cry “voter fraud”. And now they will travel around the country, screaming red-faced that the election was rigged again and elections must be more secure. Newsome’s victory was also a Republican victory.
Diane hang in there. CoVid is an Equal Opportunity Disease. It won’t just touch Dem’s or Independents children. I’ve heard and read that the medical cost ,even with Insurance are very high.They will catch on. I can not control a person who has no respect for his or her Freedom. I can only Respect, Protect and cherish mine and those like minded. And above all never ever abuse it or take it for ‘Granted ‘. Sugar, don’t let them take up to much Rent space in you’re head. What they are doing is Stupid ! You just do what it takes to keep you and your’s safe.Have mini Vaca’s. Like a hot Bubble bath, candles and perhaps an Adult beverage.TV is not important . Rest is. We need you Refreshed. All of us.
A charge of a Felony removes that.From what I read most if not all TFG’s sales of Hats , Memorabilia, etc. Not sure where they are getting their Confederate Flags from, came from across the Pond. My Flag was made in the .U.S.A.
I agree, Sharon. I think most reasonable people are tired of all the stunts and shenanigans by the R performative politicians to get attention. The wilder, the crazier, all the better. Their antics remind me of stories straight out of my 5th grade creative writing class.
If a suspect charged with a crime put up such a defense as “the system is rigged,” that would never be successful in a court of law. Oh wait! That very idea was defeated at least 60 times in lawsuits across the country. Whining does not win the day in court.
What huge numbers of people would have to be involved in election or voter fraud? Can anyone even imagine that fraud schemes of such magnitude could be kept quiet?!
Everyday in the current situation is a reminder that “you can’t make this $&!@ up!”
All reasonable people are fed up with Republicans. Unfortunately, we have 74 million unreasonable people in our electorate. They haven’t gone anywhere, and they haven’t suddenly become reasonable. Even in California, they comprise a third of the electorate. In the South, in Idaho, in Nebraska, and in more than a dozen other states, it’s a solid majority including 70% to 80% of white voters (and almost nobody else).
Indeed. Voter suppression is much more prevalent than voter fraud, and a more urgent issue to address. And chasing this idiotic conspiracy theory is such a huge waste of resources and money when there are so many other things in the country that we urgently need to address!
Rachel Maddow pointed out in her show Monday that Larry Elder's website was already conceding defeat and fraud. He asked people to join him in demanding a special session of the legislature to toss Newsom out despite the vote.
That “revenge” thing is what is terrifying. He is a sociopathic child, wanting to get even with anyone who he thinks has wronged him. Even his words to Pence “I won’t be your friend anymore “ sound like a 6 year old. If the Republicans won’t see how very dangerous this is, there is no hope for them. Everyone should vote against any and all Republicans from now on.
In the tradition of the Black Church, I simply want to raise my hand and say "AMEN!" No impulse control at all, a spoiled toddler who is only interested in what HE wants, and he doesn't even want to be President, he simply wants the power and the adulation of his cult.
I'll bet the website broke not long after Maddow on Monday night. I wonder if Rachel's comments brought a flood of curious people trying to access the website causing it to go down?
He also indicated violence would be acceptable. How is it if I go outside and incite violence I get handcuffed and go to jail but when politicians do it it’s just another day?
Yes, they list "the soap box," "the ballot box" and "the ammo box" as solutions for politics. They've already declared war on the rest of us and we need to treat them as The Enemy.
Buck up, Sharon. It's a long slog from here to 2028, and the R's are going to need to be beaten like a drum at each one. Losing is the only way to wring the crazy out of them.
It is baffling that grown-up, educated people covered up for Loser 45 because they were so afraid of losing their own power. No recognition of serving their constituents at all. Another question is - where are the moderate Republicans? They are silent, and should be truly ashamed.
There aren’t any. NO Rethuglican support (according to McConnell) for the new voting rights bill. Marco Rubio calling for Milley to resign. Mitt Romney castigating Secretary Blinken in the hearings yesterday. I could go on and on. They have shown us who they are.
Yes, you ask a good question, “ where are the moderate republicans “ well, there ain’t none!!! They are afraid to be, because to be moderate would surely lead to being out primaried for the next election, although, the question could be asked , “ where are the moderate republican voters “ as well???
The Lincoln Project is still going, pretty active actually. Do they have no influence? Where IS everybody? It's all very well to be in our liberal bubble, but how can normal right-leaning people be shown where this is all heading, that they have to protest at the way their party is being led? Don't hey understand that we are living in very dangerous times?
Lincoln Project has much influence, especially targeting those moderate republicans. Their podcasts are informative, sometimes harsh, so if you are offended by profanity, understand it comes from a place of frustration. Recently they replayed an interview with Steven Hassan titled ‘The Cult of Trump’. Check it out.
Also, their videos are many things, from uplifting to calling out the dangers of some of the loudest mouthpieces. Also interesting is The Franklin Project. Addresses civics awareness. Or lack thereof. ;)
Considering the new book by Woodward and costa, moderate republicans could take a tip from Ed Koch, who called himself “a democrat, with sanity.” Meanwhile, moderate voters usually don’t vote in primaries, but a word like “sanity” might get them going.
They don’t care whether their candidates are insane or not. All they care about is electing people who pledge themselves to preserve the advantages that white Americans have over those with non-European ancestors. They don’t care are how their advantages are preserved, either. A white autocracy (or worse) is just fine with them.
What is it that the moderate republicans want to return to? It seems to me the answer is just less extreme version of what we currently have. CrueltyGreedPower Lite.
It was news to me that Pence did indeed make an effort to do what DJT wanted: to derail the proceedings. I shouldn't be surprised but I am disappointed. Silly me.
I am stunned that of all the people he would seek out for moral and legal guidance he would go to the man who failed to be able to spell the word "potato."
So Pence was considering whom to ask to determine if as Vice President he had the power to overturn the results of a free and fair election and he said to himself, who would be the most knowledgable person about Constitutional Law and the Powers of the Vice President of the United States? And his answer was ... I know Dan Quayle, the former VP of the U.S. who was widely ridiculed for being ... well politely put, certainly never the smartest person in the room.
With a nod to BruceC, the following is a non-fiction account of the Pence -Quayle connection. They are both Republicans from Indiana and have even more in common. Pence and Quayle were VPs of presidents who lost their elections. Quayle is the only such living VP, (except for Pence) who's experience parallels Pence's, with reference to presiding over the counting of votes by state delegates to the Electoral College. Who best for Pence to call for advice?
Now, you have two differing accounts to choose from. They each have their strong points.
Dan Quayle's response to Pence could not have been better. Going back to 'potato' and a negative opinion of him in the days of yore didn't resonate with me or appear useful after the man did the right thing. As for Bingo cards, funny that they have a place in this consequential matter. BruceC, I also look for you comments because they are very thoughtful. We are brushing against each other on this one. I appreciate our exchange here and will continue to be a fan.
Clearly, from that exchange with Pence, we may have underestimated him. Anyone know what he did during his vice-presidency other than preside over the Senate?
I'm not sure it is worthwhile to try to assess the inner mental state of Republicans in power. We can only judge from what they do.
So what do they do?
What strikes me as key, is that they vote and speak as a bloc. They've been doing this for decades. I remember commenting back in (I think) the 1990's, that the Republicans had lost touch with democracy, because their party is so clearly authoritarian. That has only gotten worse: I would now use the word "totalitarian." So what a Republican says is NOT what that Republican thinks. It is what the party-line "thinks."
Exactly who sets the "party-line" is not clear. Mitch McConnell is the face of the party: does he define the party-line? Is it some silent triumvirate of Senators that includes McConnell? Is it some organization on Think Tank Row in Washington? The American Legislative Exchange Council? The National Prayer Council? The Fox Network? A secret brotherhood within the Senate? (smiling) The Trilateral Commission? The Rothchilds? I mention these last just to point out that we're deep into conspiracy fodder here, but there DOES appear to be some kind of conspiracy among the Republicans: SOMEONE crafts the agenda they all get behind, and they get behind it. Even when they know (and admit) it is overtly fraudulent. The defections are rare. Liz Cheney. Mitt Romney.
Without knowing who or what is setting this agenda, we're left to piece together the shape of the GQP Elephant from touching parts of it in a dark room. Is it a snake? A fan? A tree trunk?
You are right, of course. Very depressing. But what about the GOP voters? The people who put them there, the party workers and volunteers, and so on? Are they truly blind to what is happening?
I am hoping California will re-examine it's recall laws. While a recall effort would seem appropriate in a democracy, the construction of this one is scary indeed. The recall itself should be separated from the election of a replacement. I'm not sure exactly how, but if a sitting governor were to be removed, the election for a replacement should occur with enough time for both parties to hold primaries to determine who should run in the next election. The Lt Governor would assume the job during the interim to maintain stability.
The current arrangement is less about selecting the best person for the job and more about "overthrowing" the party in power. And look at what could have happened.
If we hadn't had Jerry Fuckwit Brown in the governor's office back in 1975, there would never have been a Prop 13. Homeowners really did need relief, and with a 2/3 D legislature, my boss Willie Brown wrote a bill to protect homeowners while keeping commercial property at market rates. He needed Brown to cajole some Central Valley Ds and it'd be done. But ol' Jer' was too busy taking Linda Ronstadt to Africa and pontificating with the Marin Mafia about how "small is beautiful," and he had the attention span of a mayfly. So it didn't happen, and the next year we lost the 2/3 legislative majority, and Jarvis came along with Prop 13 - and today, the property that is mostly unprotected (because it sells often) is homeowners, and the property mostly still paying the lowered rates (because they don't sell) are commercial property. So any time you want to know who screwed you, it was Jerry Brown. Who I never voted for again after that first mistake in '74.
As a public employee (library), I immediately saw the likely harm to all public services supported through property taxes, borne out immediately at the beginning of the 1978/79 fiscal year in San Diego. As I feared, public services supported by property tax revenue took major hits including the public libraries and schools, parks & recreation departments and municipal employees.
Ironically, the real estate market heated up right about then in many places, rapidly increasing property tax revenue as, around San Diego for instance, massive new housing developments and rapid turnover of homes and condos created higher taxes. Revenues grew so rapidly that Jarvis & Co. hit the road again, in 1979(?), with a new initiative measure which placed a cap on the property tax revenue that a jurisdiction was allowed to keep. Never quite knew where the overage went but by the mid-80s, jurisdictions were being allowed to enact local measures to allow a 5-year exemption from Jarvis #2.
TCinLA - please offer any corrections if I've misremembered some of this, and can you explain why Jarvis #2 is no longer in force - did it sunset?.
One proposed CA recall reform is to put all candidates on the ballot, including the incumbent. Then the one with the most votes is the next governor for the remainder of the term, and it might be the incumbent.
That's bad too. What's needed is a larger percentage of the electorate signs the petition. And a list of the grounds on which a governor can be recalled.
Sounds good. This simple recall ballot was the idea of former Gov. Gray Davis on an NPR program. At least he didn't whine. Or claim "fraud."
"Davis — who served from 1999 to 2003 — didn’t survive his recall challenge. In 2003, he was removed from office by 55% of voters in a do-over election that brought Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose “Terminator 3” had just been released, into power."
Having been forced to deal with the Brown Administration and its baloney in the 70s, I came up against Gray Davis several times. Didn't vote for him for governor, but didn't vote "yes" in the recall, though I was glad to see him go and thank goodness he's had the decency to disappear since. Arnold was not bad as Governor. He's the guy who gutted the California Republican Party by getting the independent redistricting commission adopted. I met him a couple times here in Hollywood and I have to say I was impressed both times. He's one of the actual Smart Guys I ever met in the business.
Man, they strategized the hell out the game, to try to gain control of CALIFORNIA through an underhanded "loophole." They have carefully plotted (and nearly achieved) to control each state's legislature to take away federal powers and ultimately take away rights (we all know the list, so I won't bother naming them individually).
Anyone who didn’t see the Jan 6 insurrection coming a mile away or see Trump losing his temper and wanting to use nukes as punishment, were in serious denial. I knew he would be a nightmare. I cried when he won.
I agree is was such a writing on the wall. I wrote a FB post after it was official that simply said “Welcome to autocracy.” While not a prolific FB user, I did draw the line on my own relatives trying to rudely argue using that medium last spring. Deleted my account. Have not missed it a bit.
Actually, I don't delete such accounts. I keep 'em and don't use 'em. If you delete them the only parties that have your posts are the services (such as Facebook). Data on the interwebs is forever.
You can request that FB provide your data in a downloadable file. Takes a couple days for them to gather it.
Want privacy from FB? Use Safari (only on Apple devices) or Firefox with the "Facebook container" extension. Otherwise they track you all over those web sites that have the little blue "f" on them.
Same. I am not a hysterical person but when I got up in the morning and saw who had won, I became nearly catatonic with shock for several hours. My husband was so worried about when I went off to work that he texted both our kids to make sure they checked in on me during the day.
We've got our hands full, not just with the GOP in US and state senates, but in SCOTUS, and we cannot rest easy.
This quote attributed to Daniel Webster is included in the "preserving the principles" section of my pocket-size U.S. Constitution and is well worth reflection every day:
"There are men, in all ages...who mean to govern well; but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters... They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves...
The love of power may sink too deep in their own hearts."
Hey, memorize his dates and then make 'em part of a password you have to remember and type in manually (like an Apple ID password or a password manger master password).
DanlW(1782-1852)patrotYAY!
Long (more than 20 characters, no personal info included, capital letters and numbers in groups for easy typing on small devices), and memorable.
The Whiner Party, of course, complained that there was voter fraud before the election results were in. This is their typical cry now. Then we get another typical “no” from their leader, Mitch McTurtleneck, as to passing a new revised bill Manchin had a strong hand in. Dems must be brave and strong-willed if Manchin is unable to get the 10 Repubs he needs. The filibuster must be destroyed and those Dems on the fence, can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!
Then there’s no excuse for not getting rid of it! The whole concept of bipartisanship has been destroyed by the last 12 years of Republican intransigence, which the filibuster has strengthened.
Gov Newsom dodging a recall and gaining support is cause for hope. We need to overcome the bullies in our system and have more level headed decisions. My two cents is abolish the filibuster. It’s just been used to thwart any progress!
Did they not see dumpty as always unhinged? He’s just a big baby! Send him back to kindergarten. A kindergarten teacher knows how to handle that mess!
Of all the information contained in the call between Speaker Pelosi and General Milley, my favorite is where she referred to those in Tramp’s inner circle “kissing his fat butt”.
OMG ! I just laughed so hard at the ‘Dumpty’. Because ‘Humpty ‘ came to mind . Got that whole visual . Had to stop typing cuz now I’m LOL and tears are messing up my eyes. And then remembered the Children’s poem. Waaay to early for that visual ! So dang funny ! But the poem is a possibility. Thanks.😂
More like trying to make the abnormal appear to be normal for way to long Karen.There was no president Ever that made us look so weak to the World than TFG. We personally may still be suffering. But the World knows we have someone in charge again.I’m a 100% positive that leaders around the world that have had conversation W/Boxer Biden first words were” Man are we glad to see you !”Equally so are the Republicans. They don’t respect TFG.They don’t want him in Office again. The hint there is the Washington Hotel TFG owns is up for sale. The one with the suite that has Bullet proof glass , Kevlar walls and it’s own private entrance and exit. Remember him calling the White House a Dump ! He’s just a useful Idiot to them now. And most likely out of Debt now with Benefits . They more that comes out the less they will fear him.I really wish 1 person from his ‘Base ‘ could tell me how he made our’s or theirs better ? When you make millionaires into billionaires paying less to nothing or lower than the Tax’s you’re paying shouldn’t that be a “ Light Bulb “ moment for them ? Great trade off to carry a gun ?No matter how you slice it or dice it they remain the working poor.1-2 paychecks from ruin.Those #’s have increased if they were really paying attention.
I think they've forgotten all of that as they've joined "Cult 45". I have a few friends who did not vote for him in 2020 after seeing what he did in his first 3 years, but far more who supported him even stronger after seeing what he did in his last year.
Sigh. My daughter said the same thing on the morning of Tramp’s 2016 election while I was sobbing on the phone. Unfortunately she has not seen the light yet. 😞
Yes, it turns out a constitutional democratic republic only works when everyone voluntarily accepts the rules of the system. If they don't, the whole fragile edifice comes crashing down.
They cannot work when you have an entire party in cahoots with the crazy man. He should have been impeached twice. None of our systems worked, because republicans chose power over democracy.
Then choose to write a snail mail letter, email, and/or phone script.
Dear Senator/Representative ____________,
I am your constituent.
First order of business is to do what it takes to pass the Freedom to Vote Act.
We have also seen that our two Constitutional safeguards to remove a dangerous President are not sufficiently protective. What are you doing to address this issue?
Republicans cried foul even before the election was called. While many are concerned by this practice, and it's right to feel that way, there is a limit to the number of times they can cry wolf when there is no wolf.
I would like to see a lot of reporting about the folly of this practice regarding this election in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. There was never a path to victory for them when Newsom still had high favorability numbers. The media has to start treating this anti-democratic practice for what it is and not as just another tool in the GOP's utility belt.
This should, however, serve as a shot across the bow for a Governor who showed extreme hubris by flaunting his own rules to dine at what I've read is the most elitist eatery in the state. Now he needs to put up by solving the housing debacle that is plaguing the Golden State and prove his party is truly working for all of the people. Make this a learning moment!
California, as with most of the country, is facing a monstrous housing crisis. I don't think any governor can solve it with a magic wand. And if eating at a fancy restaurant was his greatest sin, I'd say he is close to sainthood.
The housing crisis won't be solved until we all accept some new ideas. We will need to change our ideas about zoning. That is usually accomplished on a town by town basis. Housing will need to be more dense and diverse. But that will only happen if we embrace the rights of every American to live decently and affordably vs worshiping the suburban dream of a certain sized lot with a big patch of chemically fertilized golf course quality lawn.
The housing crisis is complicated - but it's solutions are blocked by NIMBY.
Make no mistake, housing shortages are coming to a city near you. Affordable housing shortages are growing and most solutions are pathetic. While many major cities and high tech. cities in particular are experiencing a severe housing crisis, it’s not limited to them any longer.
Cities attempting to build their way out of shortages spend too much per unit on projects. They tear down old neighborhoods where housing is cheap and build new expensive condos. They give developers the keys to the city - and big write offs - in exchange for a small percentage of “work force” units.
They give lip service to affordable housing, but, tax base is their North Star.
Been a huge problem here in NH for years now, in all areas of the state, rural, suburban and the little urban we have. Sometimes I think this is going to be the issue that causes a revolution.
Your comment on people wanting that “big patch of chemically fertilized golf course quality lawn” is also part of a larger problem especially in states like New Mexico where I live, where we are dealing with extreme drought. Water is going to continue to be a huge problem in the future. Just having adequate water to sustain exsisting communities is a growing problem. Desalination of brackish water or water with things like arsenic in it are being studied, but currently they are extraordinarily costly to do. And then there is an issue with what you do with all the salt or chemicals you pull out of the water. And we have the NIMBY issue here as well. We also have a growing homeless population here in NM. It seems to me we will have to have a bigger conference table to discuss all the issues including but not limited to developers, legislators and scientists. And how will it be funded?
Wherever you live, if you spot one of those little signs tacked on a telephone pole - "We buy homes for cash" - that's a local realtor shilling for a hedgefund. Hedgefunds now own 40% of single-family housing, which they turn into rentals. And they're the landlord from hell. Pay by the 2nd or get an eviction notice on the 3rd and repairs - who, us?
In 1970 I did a pilgrimage to San Francisco. Shared a room in a flat on the edge of the "Fillmore Ghetto" for $80 a week. I had left a studio apt in New Orleans for $50 a month. Housing seems to have always been in short supply in the Bay Area.
Yesterday an organization posted that people could come by and learn about very small shelters(and i mean small) that people could choose to adopt. It is simply about information and a way to help should one choose. The comments that followed were something to behold. Many were in favor, but a loud few were not and we had all the usual nonsense about the unhoused. The last person simply said "Close the borders." When I answered, she said the same thing. I haven't looked this am, but she may be a last worder and then I will block her. Right now here in Salem we have one such small shelter place and of course, it is in north Salem. And likely if more places are found, it will not be in south Salem where the money resides.
California. Is a complex state. Governor Nelson was villainized for pandemic maskless dining in a fancy restaurant and became the target of a temper-tantrum recall campaign. Ted Cruz, who, during a massive Texas power failure, fled with his family to Cancun, is still cruising along (Texas style).
Regarding housing ‘shortages,’ some relatively minor ameliorations may be possible. However, I don’t foresee major solutions of what some call ‘a monstrous housing crisis.’ I served in Mayor Lindsay’s New York City housing administration. The availability of affordable housing was not enhanced by rent control (initiated in 1943). One issue was affordability, another was supply and demand. A middle-class worker could spend up-to-30-to-35-percentage of his/her income on housing. This clashed with LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. We did have Mitchell-Lama and Section 8 housing, but this provided only a sliver of the desired housing. Public housing, over time, was of marginal help. An offer to move families to a facility at Fort Dix was summarily rejected: preferred location trumped a distant alternative.
A ‘builder’s remedy,’ in which a portion of a development project is set aside for affordable housing, has made a minor difference in NYC, New Jersey (Mt. Laurel II NJ Supreme Court), and elsewhere. Battling NIMBYS and increasing housing densities would alleviate housing needs only slightly. Were the federal government ready to throw trillions of dollars into ongoing housing subsidies, I believe that people would still be talking of a ‘monstrous housing crisis.’ Sad but true.
Are you indicating that there is no solution or only a very small about of improvement in housing for Americans? What about a federal housing plan in conjunction with states and cities. Old so-called remedies need not be the only options to consider.
'Between 2001 and 2019, median rents rose faster than median renter incomes in nearly every state, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. In only 7 percent of counties can a minimum-wage worker afford a one-bedroom rental.'
'So why hasn’t more housing been built? The rising costs of labor and lumber are one reason, according to a recent report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. But as Vox’s Jerusalem Demsas explains, supply issues also stem in large part from restrictive regulations — such as single-family zoning, minimum lot sizes and parking lot requirements — that artificially limit the amount of housing that can be built. These regulations, which have historically served to entrench segregation, can in turn be used by vocal citizens to block new development, a phenomenon known as Nimbyism: not in my backyard.'
'Nimbyism is a bipartisan disposition, but some of its most acute harms are felt in liberal cities and states. In California, for example, where anyone can object to new construction under the guise of a 1970 environmental protection law, around one-quarter of the cost of building affordable housing goes to government fees, permits and consulting companies. “It’s not uncommon for a project in California to be mired for many years in paperwork over zoning or objections by other property owners before ground is broken,” The Times’s Thomas Fuller explains. As a result, San Francisco has the highest overall construction costs in the world: A two-bedroom apartment of “affordable housing” costs around $750,000 just to build.' (NYTimes)
I am watching an incredible boom in high density, high rise (for us) buildings around the U of O campus area. Some of these places are basically glorified quads (4 private units which share two bathrooms and two kitchens) that go for about $900 per month. Others are luxury apartments. There have been three of these completed in the past year.
We had a local developer (who has taken an incredibly long view; at least 35 of the nearly 40 years I've lived in Eugene) who has built a "destination location downtown" with a high end mini-mall, the most expensive Inn in town rate for tonight ($299) and one just across the street (overnight for tonight ranged from $219 to $425). A friend of mine (who is committed to downtown living) looked at leasing a studio from the second place; $1500 per month.
We also have over 200 people sleeping in tents in each of two "authorized" sites, with probably 10 times that number of people sleeping in unauthorized locations.
The west coast really needs to rethink how they house people. Yesterday.
Even in Morgantown, WV, the rental prices are insane. When searching for grad school housing my daughter, who lived in Denver at the time, imagined that she'd be able to rent a decent place for a reasonable amount of money. Not so. Rentals were outlandishly high. She ended up buying a 2 bedroom condo with a mortgage, including insurance, of $500.00 per month. A rental in the same building is $1000.00 per month, plus, plus. She was very fortunate to have the wherewithal to buy rather than rent.
Besides the University, the other factor driving up prices is, of course, tourism. The close proximity to several lovely state parks and forests, etc., makes it ripe for rent exploitation. Air B&B, VRBO, etc., have taken their toll on the area as well.
Who in the world would imagine that housing costs in West Virginia would be so high? In one of the poorest states in the Union, how do low income people manage to live a healthy, secure life? The short answer seems to be, they can't.
Same in NH. So much of our state is a tourist attraction, the scant seacoast we have, the mountains and lakes. I used to be a big fan of Airbnb but now I see how they help to destroy the long term housing prospects of young people. It's not the only cause but it's a big contributing factor.
We did wonder about the new construction near the UO as we were going to Matt court to see the women play. I guess we thought it was student housing of some kind. We did graduate work at the UO many years ago and lived way west, but could afford our little apartment. I would hate to try to find a place there now.
There are two grad students (a couple that may soon have custody of a niece) in the SOMD (music school) that were able to rent a house out in Bethel for less than they could find anywhere close to campus.
Westmorland is no longer grad student housing, but a mix of owner occupied baby condos and some form of supported housing that appears to be working fairly well.
I have no idea how the University is still supporting these residential units. They tear down 2 or 3 old rental houses and build monstrosities. Most of the students that live in them have a high level of financial support from their parents. Like, HIGH LEVEL.
When our niece came to Eugene in 2012 to go to Lane Community College (her family had relocated to Germany and she was changing majors in college from architecture to pilot training) she and my sister-in-law could find an apartment farther west than we are (City View) for $1200 a month. We had a spare room, and ended up having both nieces live with us for a couple years each. After COVID (when youngest niece moved out) they found a spot in an apartment complex off of Baily Hill (the old Rexius lot) for about $1000 per month; this was the most luxurious apartment complex I had seen in quite some time...
In my current “backyard” vacation rentals have decimated workforce housing, and I understand it’s a problem in New Orleans, New York, San Francisco et al. Real estate investment corporations are running roughshod over the rental market.
On the coast here in Oregon, there is a election concerning the large number of number of houses being used as short term rentals. It will be interesting to see how that goes.
Fern I share your frustration with an housing issue that exists in America and in many countries around the world. (Boris Johnson currently is being targeted for his ‘inadequate housing initiatives). When I worked in Japan in the mid-1970s, for many the commute to work in Tokyo took four hours round trip.
After working in housing in Mayor Lindsay’s NYC administration, subsequently I spent 15 years in local municipal government [When the Mt. Laurel II ruling initiated ‘development remedy’ affordable housing] and published a book on New Jersey growth management. Subsequently, I have been an observer of the housing conundrum. Through HUD there have been a plethora of housing programs intended to expand affordable housing, especially for lower income families. This includes major funding for public housing. Of course under HUD Secretary Ben (999) Carson, such initiatives were scaled back.
In my previous posting I touched on some of the reasons why I think that, at. Best, there can be a modest amelioration, rather than a major ‘solution’, for the national (and international) disparities in housing. Clearly the NIMBY situation on housing in San Francisco highlights some of the worst housing situations. On a practical level, I have witnessed what has been occurring in Princeton, adjacent to my home. Modest houses are. Being purchased, destroyed, and tricky-tacky $1+ million homes are being constructed. I witness the same occurring in Greenport, NY, once a middle-income town. In both Princeton and Greenport teachers and others can not afford to live in the towns they serve.
During the pandemic, a wealthy sliver of NYC’s population could afford to move at least temporarily to the suburbs. This was not an alternative for those obliged to live and work in the city. Virtual connections have led to an increasing number of people able to work far from their offices—some folks have moved from Silicon Valley to less costly abodes in Utah and elsewhere. This, however, is a small splash in the housing ocean. Sadly, I believe that we have a better (though slim) prospect of addressing climate change than the housing discrepancies in America and elsewhere.
I live in NYC, where almost 34,000 died of covid (+ Trump's negligence). 1 in 245 people in the city have died and 1 in 8 infected. The highest rates of infection and deaths were in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens The minorities, particularly Brown and Black were hit the hardest. I bring this up Keith because along with lack of access to health care, co-morbidity, age, nature of work - housing played an important role. Unless you live in NYC, you cannot imagine the number of family members, different generations, squeeze into the small rooms of poorly maintained, rundown, roach infested buildings. You know, Keith because you lived here -- it got worse since you've been gone. If you move around the forum today, you'll run into some other stories. In sum, look what this country has done to many millions of very hard working innocents.
Hello Keith. I reread your comments about housing this morning and appreciated your elucidation of the hard facts. A picture of the vast majority of people at the margins, and we know where the poor are left is as you wrote 'frustrating'. It is a bedeviling issue. I would appreciate any reading recommendations on housing for this lay person. It is the big picture that most interests me. Although an able reader, I could easily sink in the technical details and will understand if nothing appropriate comes to mind. Thank you, Keith
Fern I am coasting on what remains in my brain. Georgia and I are still out in Long Island (Orient) away from my NJ library. We are awaiting word from Servpro regarding when they can ‘remediate’ the damage from over 2’ feet of water in our basement. I have read various articles on housing in the NYT, the NY Review of Books, The Economist, The Atlantic, and elsewhere, of which remnants remain in my head. I would recommend Dr. Google, using several imaginative questions. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. My last ‘hands on’ dealing with the housing issue was over 30 years ago. I remain more knowledgeable on what I taught at a history/economics from from age 58-to-80. I do have some current knowledge of NYC housing, since I have a daughter who has lived in Queens for over two decades and a son who has just moved to the suburbs after more than two decades in Manhattan. P. S. I love some of your posts.
Keith, Oh, the water and the fire.. My very best wishes to you and to Georgia as remediation of the damage done to your basement and, perhaps, elsewhere gets taken care of. When first noting your comments on the Forum, I knew a great gift had been delivered. Your teaching chops draw and inspire us. Thank you for your guidance about sources concerning the housing crisis. I am a reader of the NYT and the Atlantic and will look further. You have been coasting very well, Keith, and thank you again.
Another growing problem is converting homes into short term rentals. It not only stresses residential neighborhoods, it drives up prices.
As an annual rental, I could get about $1800-$2000 a month for my modest 2 bedroom home. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath pool home next door is now an Airbnb renting for $3200 weekly/ $12,000 monthly. The buyers outbid everyone else because they were buying income not a house.
Yep. The almost identical home to the one I sold last year is $145K higher in expectation of vacation rentals. This happened pre 2008 also, then came the bust...
When the Florida legislature passed a law forbidding local zoning from preventing short term rentals in residential neighborhoods, they gutted any enforcement.
Yet for all the hollaring about state’s rights the rights of localities is ignored. See also cruise ships in Key West where the locality voted in restrictions which were overturned by DeSantis. Big business then, bid business now, big business forever. Time for change.
You are so right, some of these fees associated with building permits are there for only one reason, and that is to generate revenue as they serve no tangible purpose in the building, or permitting process!!!
Good points, Christopher. The Republican Party has become the The LIE Machine. It is a deceive/control/manipulate/erase memory program. There are other horrifying examples of its use. Election recalls are another avenue for examination. Both parties to it. Now, with its frequency, how destructive is it to the body politic and the bedrock of democracy -- free and fair elections -- that the people can depend upon?
It's kinda like Tucker Carlson admitted about lying but for the GOP, it's a mandatory practice to win at all costs which them have to do because they lack the number of votes as evidenced in, what is it, 5 out of the last 7 Presidential Elections?
I don't think that 'they' have to do it. There are other options. The Republicans adopted the BiG LIE approach following in Trump's steps. It is a program familiar to those of use acquainted with fairly recent German history.
There's a reason why, way back in 1948, Harry Truman opined that "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." They have been bad for a loooonnng time. Go read Richard Hofstadter, "The Pseudo-Conservative Revolt." Written in 1954, and it describes the majority of the Republican party today.
You are correct. People keep attributing the collapse of the Republican party to Donald when, in fact, it has been a den of vipers for a very long time. Do I believe Donald brought the venomous nature of people out into the open? Yes. But the aggressive, rabid right wingers today were just as rabid 6 years ago. They just did a better job of hiding it. Part of our problem as a party (the Democrats) is that we've let the Republican Party play hardball and smear us for decades. We frown on fighting dirty, we take the high road all the while the Republican Party effectively craps all over the We The People, including their own constituency. Do I have a solution? No. Do I think continually trying to shove the onus on to Trump is the answer? No. He's a problem but a bigger problem are the people he's empowered and enabled from the grassroots up. Those are the people we need to focus our attention on by putting up good, solid Democratic candidates who are reliable and honest. That and getting out the vote.
Both parties may be doing it, but the republicans do many, and much more of it than the democrats do, and when they do it , they are usually just plain frivolous actions!!!
Republicans should recall that several lawyers have been subjected to a judge's recommendation of censure and/or disbarment for using court time and resources making claims of voter fraud without evidence. I hope such Republican claims of fraud will find themselves without lawyers and having to represent themselves before a judge.
A View on the California Recall Election from Texas
California Recall Election is a Victory for California Public Education
The results of the California Gubernatorial Recall election are in and the recall of Governor Gavin Newsome was rejected. Despite an almost 30 point margin in the recall defeat, the leading Republican candidate claims the election had widespread voter fraud … you know, that whole fraud thing about letting every registered voter actually vote and accurately counting the ballots.
It seems one of the important things learned from the election results that we may not have realized before is the quality of public education in California. It seems that it proves the vast majority of Californians actually believe in science and support reasonable public health measures like mask and vaccine mandates. Remember that when people scream, “Don’t California my Texas.” Maybe we should at least want to work harder on that whole belief in science thing like California.
We also learned that Californians are pretty good at paying attention, believe in data, understand and can interpret simple statistics, and have no trouble counting ballots. They also understand how to run safe and secure elections while making it as easy as possible to vote.
You would think there might be more enthusiasm for that whole California my Texas thing. At least as it pertains to public health measures and conducting elections making it as easy as possible for everyone to vote.
Public Health and Public Education are two institutions that help perpetuate our democracy. These institutions have been under attack since 1980 only magnified by the pandemic. We should all work a little harder to support both. I think thats the take home from Newsom’s success in CA.
Education has been under attack since the 1960s, when Brown v Board finally started to take effect. It took the inanity of Trumpism to kill public health.
Technically, you’re right. Science is about models that are consistent with observations. But “belief in science” is a reasonable catch phrase for reliance on those models, despite the fact that they aren’t “truth” per se. What makes science science is refutability, not irrevocable beliefs.
Thanks. I myself don't want to rely on "belief" and what various people think that means. Maybe that means that I am less enthusiastic about things I understand about the world, and some folks think that my coolness about these matters means that I'm less trustworthy as a witness to those things.
Worth thinking about (saith Socrates. Or was it Abraham Lincoln??) <grin>
I have a particular reason now for fearing that such things could happen in America -- although this could just be my dirty mind. I saw a film last week, a hallucinating film. After I'd watched it, I began to fear that some of those who have been tearing America apart might move to do to the unfortunates in this film what Hitler did to those deemed unfit to live.
The likes of what this film showed I have seen nowhere in the world, a seemingly endless YouTube film of Kensington Avenue in Philly.
"Streets of Philadelphia, Kensington Ave., 'Highlights' in August". A longer, more complete version of this:
rhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRqQ6-ANjL4
Garbage, garbage, and innumerable junkies. Seems to be in great part a direct consequence of the opioid epidemic. (Did no important people go to prison for that?)
I've seen life, I've seen misery in India, in Africa, in the Philippines. Crippled beggars, people sleeping on sidewalks, poverty. Nothing remotely like this.
One gets the impression of a society of total indifference. Garbage and human beings reduced to garbage. The dead and dying by the roadside, on and on and on...
Hell on earth.
I hope I am completely mistaken in fearing such "solutions" but... there have been too many precedents. Consider the horror, the enormity of the challenge to all of us.
And I apologize for bringing this to the attention of the sensitive.
So thankful CA voters turned out to stop the recall. Elder had his “fraud” team lined up far in advance, because this was never about what Californians wanted; it was an effort to game the system.
Yeah, it's "fraud" that there are two Democrats here for every Republican. We ought to pay them to move to Greater Utah, where the fact they're white morons won't be so blindingly obvious.
The geographic distribution of the vote results is always interesting. The Central Valley essentially voted Yes and the rest NO; two different societies cohabiting in the same State.
The Central Valley is Oklafornia. The only thing good I used to be able to say about it when I was in Sacramento was that the flying weather was generally good and you were never out of gliding range to a little airport if necessary.
Great idea—the Democrats from the blue states go forth and multiply in Utah, Wyoming, the Dakotas FL Mississippi etc— probably faster action than getting rid of the electoral college.
I agree. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if Elder & Co now use their cries of "voter fraud" to scam their voters out of money, just like the former guy. Running two scams in one. SMH.
It is time perhaps to get down to the question of fundamental values. The current trumpite version of the GOP believes that winning is all that counts and any means you have to use to get there is fine by them; the ends justify the means.
It must be said that this "value" has been considered "American" and has been applied massively in the economy for a very long time and society has always valued the "winners" without much regard for how they got there; the climb to the top being less interesting than what is done with the loot once you've got to the top. We are a society that heaped praise on the "philantropists"....the Rockefellers, the Van der Bilts, the Morgans etc of the past and the Silicon Valley Moguls of today. It is said that cultural life in Chicago depended on 3 families' "good works" one each for the orchestra, the museum and the opera. Look for a moment at the craziness at the Met Gala a few days ago. Winners take all...and damn the hindmost.....barring a few crumbs left behind to distract the "envious". Inglorious competition!
This "value" is now being applied to politics with glee and success by the GOP and with an apparent incomprehension of why it is so largely unacceptable to the people. They rode roughshod over the people on the economic issues....so why not the social and political. After all money and its accumulation is the only game in town worth playing.....for them. This is a logical outcome of the way the aging capitalist society has been ordering and reordering itself....as a massed body of worker/consumers controlled by a monied elite and not as a People with a collective culture, individual dreams and humane values which only survives together on this planet by cooperating with, tolerance of and respect for the complementary other...as part, and not above and in control of, Nature. We have not moved on that far from the the 19th C argument between arrogant slave owners and salaried slave abusers that brought us the Civil War. We are engaged in a battle of civilizations and are still facing a "Revolt of the Elites" who don't want to pay for society any more.
The Met gala excesses remind me of the excesses that permeated Versailles. Each outfit cost the GNP of a third world country. And in 2050 there will most likely be a new international museum built so humans left from the oceans rising can gaze at them in amazement.
I looked at the photos they posted on the NYT, they revealed a preening, self centered, group of people in love with themselves, they were the usual suspects who obviously had too much money, so they spent quite a bit of it on hideous combinations of, it’s hard to use the word fabrics, that made them for the most part look 👀 totally clueless. I’m rich, look 👀 at me was on full display, it was disgusting and nauseating at the same time.
I think Anna Wintour was responsible initially for the collaboration which served the fashion industry and Vogue— remember The Devil Wears Prada? This made getting the invitation to this event highly competitive for the opportunity to outdo the other guests.
That's how Louis X1V kept control of his aristocracy and effectively ruined them by useless vanity. It's also one of the reasons why the Scottish clan system fell apart as the Clan Chieftains copied the social expenditures of the English nabobs who copied.....their French co-elitists.
Hey! Is this not the second anniversary of Letters from and American? Thank you for everything HCR! Happy Anniversary!
Where's the party?
I'm in!
I'm down to PARTY!!
I’ll bring a giant bowl of guacamole. We can tell ourselves is “good fat” while scarfing it down.
Diane, I'm telling myself that same thing with the fist full of M & M's I'm eating today. 😆
🙋🏽I’ll bring homemade chili and Fritos for chili bowls. And mixins’ for martinis. 😃
I loooove martoonies~
U a Gona have to make that a ‘Road Trip’ Christine. When should I expect you. Yum Yum !
I'll bring tamales & molé (homemade, of course).
🍾🍾🍾🥂😉
🙋♀️ I'll bring a pasta salad ! 😉
My husband's homemade hot sauce; peppers from Antigua, West Indies.
OMG, yes! I'll bring crema to cool the palate!
Perfect!
Beer
Just list your brand here...
Corona Lite, please.
I'll bring a chocolate cake! You wouldn't believe the things I can do with chocolate...
Oh, yum!
Double yum!
Mmmmmmmm!
I'll bring 2 pies! Apple, and raspberry cream.
Be still my salivary glands!
OMG.
All from scrstch
Scratch I mean. Farm fresh eggs for the pudding...
I'd like a piece of each, please.
No one would want anything I might make. My mother's cooking genes completely bypassed me.
Fine
A good party needs singers, dancers, and storytellers more than good food.
Actually you can party big without food...Just singers, dancers, storytellers, and drink.
Let the Celebration begin!
Mim, bring fruit. We're going to need it!
Okie dokie.
2 years? My God where does the time go?
Time flies when you're saving democracy. Or as the frog said, "Time is fun when you're having flies...."
Groan
😂
😂
"Time flys like an arrow, flys like a banana" G. Marx
😂
Good catch, Rebecca!
Happy anniversary HCR and LFAA! 🎉 🇺🇸
Trump's niece- the estimable Mary Trump- called him the most dangerous man in the world. Unfortunately, she wasn't exaggerating. The revelations contained in Woodward and Costa's new book are terrifying and should increase the resolve of the democrats to pass the For the People Act. Thanks again, Heather, for being such an articulate witness to these events and thanks to the voters of California for helping Americans dodge another bullet.
General MIley an American hero.
If you step back and think about Grump's obsession with Biden winning, you can find evidence in the first impeachment. His desperate need to have someone publicly disparage Biden and family by manipulating a foreign government. He was allowed to do this, and he escalated his fears and obsessions until he left office.
I am a new subscriber to HCRs letters and I value their factual, non partisan, basis more & more every day - and i hold a doctorate in Public Policy. What a treasure trove of historical politics.. not just for today but for those who will read these same letters in the future!!
Today's distinction between voter fraud & election fraud is exactly on point.. it should be published on the front page of enery news paper - but of course we know 80% are owned by 15 billionaires and the 6 corporate entities they own. So very disturbing that this is the state of American Disinformazia. Thank you HCR for your vital contribution to offsetting that imbalance.
KS “ 80% are owned by 15 billionaires” - to this point we are now in the Age of Neo Feudalism. The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of about 100 families, most outside the well known Bezos, Musk, Branson, Zuckerberg and Koch sphere are out to preserve their dynastic wealth forever. The way is transform government and society to the model that suits their needs, and they have.
😬
“We are now in the Age of Neo Feudalism.”
Asked about my political views twelve years ago, I simply said how deeply I disliked and mistrusted “the new feudalism”, also noting that, unlike its medieval forebear, there's not even a trace of reciprocity in it… apart from racketeers’ extortion: “Nothing will happen to you if you do as I say…”
Usually, I’m pleased when an idea of mind becomes common currency. Anything but pleased now.
I’m remembering the horrible feeling I got on entering the council chamber of the Counts of Flanders in the dark fortress that stands in the middle of Ghent. The place where decisions were taken. A room with bare walls. Nothing in it but a large table. Far worse even than all the vile torture instruments on show elsewhere in the castle—a corner of hell.
Sorry! An idea of MINE…
"The place where decisions were taken..."
Welcome to the most amazing community gathered online. Thanks for your insight. Join and share. Peace and Courage in these strange yet encouraging days.
Welcome aboard! Your point on voter fraud vs. election fraud is spot on.
I’ve been here a while, but want to agree completely with your comment — what a treasure trove!
KS, welcome to the family! Looking forward to what you have to say. We could use a public policy doc around here! Teach the amateurs like me a thing or two....
As for starters in this mob, it helps if you're crazy-- you'll fit right in and do fine....
Speak for yourself, Gus. The rest of us are politely insane.
Is being mad still considered a form of insanity?
Because I am mad a lot of the time, really, really mad.
Not insanely so, though, because you are mad for very good reasons. Here's hoping the Freedom to Vote bill will pass with flying colors and we can all feel a glimmer of hope, maybe even well being.
Hear! Hear!
Hi, KS. Welcome. You'll find some variety here and strong interests in learning as well as concern for the country. There are a few humorists, too. Gus, for one, introduced himself and there is 'some' truth in what he told you. I look forward to exchanging information, ideas and raising questions with you. Salud!
Could u list the 15? Put them on notice!
CBS Corporation, Comcast, Time Warner, 21st Century Fox, Viacom, and The Walt Disney Company and their billionaire owners.
I'm taking notes...
Welcome, KS!
Thanks Dr Richardson for another brilliant letter. Remember when Joe Biden won the last election last year and we were all so relieved we wouldn’t have to live every day wonder what t***p and his minions were going to do next? It feels like that day will never arrive.
Grateful for the California victory, but that recall was a ruse all along. I’m betting the Rs knew there’s was not a chance of overturn. The only intention being to set up a scenario in which they can point their little fingers and cry “voter fraud”. And now they will travel around the country, screaming red-faced that the election was rigged again and elections must be more secure. Newsome’s victory was also a Republican victory.
Omg. I’m so tired.
I’m putting up another “Trump lost again” banner dated 9-14-2021.
I’d be afraid of being shot. How sad it’s come to this.
I would put Freedom Wins Again and the date . The post above you made a good point. Name is Sharon.Just a suggestion.
I want to agree Marcia, but, Republicans have even sullied the word “freedom” with all their Covid resistance. It’s exhausting.
Diane hang in there. CoVid is an Equal Opportunity Disease. It won’t just touch Dem’s or Independents children. I’ve heard and read that the medical cost ,even with Insurance are very high.They will catch on. I can not control a person who has no respect for his or her Freedom. I can only Respect, Protect and cherish mine and those like minded. And above all never ever abuse it or take it for ‘Granted ‘. Sugar, don’t let them take up to much Rent space in you’re head. What they are doing is Stupid ! You just do what it takes to keep you and your’s safe.Have mini Vaca’s. Like a hot Bubble bath, candles and perhaps an Adult beverage.TV is not important . Rest is. We need you Refreshed. All of us.
Good advice Marcia!
Propaganda: "Freedom". But is it 'freedom from' or 'freedom to'?
Freedom. Patriot. The USA flag. All co-opted.
A charge of a Felony removes that.From what I read most if not all TFG’s sales of Hats , Memorabilia, etc. Not sure where they are getting their Confederate Flags from, came from across the Pond. My Flag was made in the .U.S.A.
Take back the language! As in the "Freedom to Vote Act."
I agree, Sharon. I think most reasonable people are tired of all the stunts and shenanigans by the R performative politicians to get attention. The wilder, the crazier, all the better. Their antics remind me of stories straight out of my 5th grade creative writing class.
If a suspect charged with a crime put up such a defense as “the system is rigged,” that would never be successful in a court of law. Oh wait! That very idea was defeated at least 60 times in lawsuits across the country. Whining does not win the day in court.
What huge numbers of people would have to be involved in election or voter fraud? Can anyone even imagine that fraud schemes of such magnitude could be kept quiet?!
Everyday in the current situation is a reminder that “you can’t make this $&!@ up!”
This stunt cost CA taxpayers 300M.
Why doesn't the people who started the recall have to pay?
By the way, before the 2016 election I didn't like republicans, now I loathe them.
All reasonable people are fed up with Republicans. Unfortunately, we have 74 million unreasonable people in our electorate. They haven’t gone anywhere, and they haven’t suddenly become reasonable. Even in California, they comprise a third of the electorate. In the South, in Idaho, in Nebraska, and in more than a dozen other states, it’s a solid majority including 70% to 80% of white voters (and almost nobody else).
Unreasonable?
Isn't that rather too polite a word for it?
I prefer General McAuliffe's word.
Me too, but the comment I was responding to used the milder term.
JennSH;
“Oh wait! That very idea was defeated at least 60 times in lawsuits across the country. Whining does not win the day in court.”
So then they changed the court! The Cali recall was only a battle won. Im afraid the war is far from over.
Indeed. Voter suppression is much more prevalent than voter fraud, and a more urgent issue to address. And chasing this idiotic conspiracy theory is such a huge waste of resources and money when there are so many other things in the country that we urgently need to address!
What truth you write!
Rachel Maddow pointed out in her show Monday that Larry Elder's website was already conceding defeat and fraud. He asked people to join him in demanding a special session of the legislature to toss Newsom out despite the vote.
His website was a joke. I went there Monday and it was broke. No matter what you clicked on, you ended up right back where started.
As someone who was in the tech industry, one look at his site and I knew he would run the state like his website.
So glad CA, my previous home did the right thing.
By the way, you might want to look at what's going on PA.
Republicans want to subpoena personal info about voters, including partial ss#'s.
We are in deep doo Doo and too many people don't seem to be aware or care.
I will say this, this quote from Woodward/Acosta book should scare the shit out of every sane person.
"He doesn't see it as a come back, he sees it as revenge."
That “revenge” thing is what is terrifying. He is a sociopathic child, wanting to get even with anyone who he thinks has wronged him. Even his words to Pence “I won’t be your friend anymore “ sound like a 6 year old. If the Republicans won’t see how very dangerous this is, there is no hope for them. Everyone should vote against any and all Republicans from now on.
This kind of behavior is what works with Republicans and Republican-leaning independents.
They "win" and everybody else loses.
In the tradition of the Black Church, I simply want to raise my hand and say "AMEN!" No impulse control at all, a spoiled toddler who is only interested in what HE wants, and he doesn't even want to be President, he simply wants the power and the adulation of his cult.
Thanks for the alert about PA.
Welcome.
I'll bet the website broke not long after Maddow on Monday night. I wonder if Rachel's comments brought a flood of curious people trying to access the website causing it to go down?
He also indicated violence would be acceptable. How is it if I go outside and incite violence I get handcuffed and go to jail but when politicians do it it’s just another day?
Elaine, THAT is a very good question.
That does indeed seem to be the current state of America.
Yes, they list "the soap box," "the ballot box" and "the ammo box" as solutions for politics. They've already declared war on the rest of us and we need to treat them as The Enemy.
the pre-election "concession" is straight out of 45s handbook. He was crying foul MONTHS before the election tuo set the stage for legal challenges.
Buck up, Sharon. It's a long slog from here to 2028, and the R's are going to need to be beaten like a drum at each one. Losing is the only way to wring the crazy out of them.
TC, I'm about as bucked up as I can be!! But yep - I agree, we're in this fine mess for the long haul.
Orrin Heatlie who started the recall ball rolling has now had Covid TWICE!
https://ktla.com/news/politics/inside-california-politics/prominent-newsom-recall-proponent-orrin-heatlie-discusses-gop-prospects-in-recall/
Exactly. 😪
It is baffling that grown-up, educated people covered up for Loser 45 because they were so afraid of losing their own power. No recognition of serving their constituents at all. Another question is - where are the moderate Republicans? They are silent, and should be truly ashamed.
There aren’t any. NO Rethuglican support (according to McConnell) for the new voting rights bill. Marco Rubio calling for Milley to resign. Mitt Romney castigating Secretary Blinken in the hearings yesterday. I could go on and on. They have shown us who they are.
When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time.
Saint Maya Angelou
Yes! Play that on a loop.
Then put on your/our protest march shoes and let's vote to save democracy!
Annette, have no Republicans refuted that?
Yes, you ask a good question, “ where are the moderate republicans “ well, there ain’t none!!! They are afraid to be, because to be moderate would surely lead to being out primaried for the next election, although, the question could be asked , “ where are the moderate republican voters “ as well???
The Lincoln Project is still going, pretty active actually. Do they have no influence? Where IS everybody? It's all very well to be in our liberal bubble, but how can normal right-leaning people be shown where this is all heading, that they have to protest at the way their party is being led? Don't hey understand that we are living in very dangerous times?
Lincoln Project has much influence, especially targeting those moderate republicans. Their podcasts are informative, sometimes harsh, so if you are offended by profanity, understand it comes from a place of frustration. Recently they replayed an interview with Steven Hassan titled ‘The Cult of Trump’. Check it out.
Also, their videos are many things, from uplifting to calling out the dangers of some of the loudest mouthpieces. Also interesting is The Franklin Project. Addresses civics awareness. Or lack thereof. ;)
The moderate Republicans have become either independents or Blue Dog Dems.
Considering the new book by Woodward and costa, moderate republicans could take a tip from Ed Koch, who called himself “a democrat, with sanity.” Meanwhile, moderate voters usually don’t vote in primaries, but a word like “sanity” might get them going.
They don’t care whether their candidates are insane or not. All they care about is electing people who pledge themselves to preserve the advantages that white Americans have over those with non-European ancestors. They don’t care are how their advantages are preserved, either. A white autocracy (or worse) is just fine with them.
What is it that the moderate republicans want to return to? It seems to me the answer is just less extreme version of what we currently have. CrueltyGreedPower Lite.
It seems they were voted off the island along with the sane and responsible Republicans.
Their “social” /affiliation death is more real than their physical death.
It was news to me that Pence did indeed make an effort to do what DJT wanted: to derail the proceedings. I shouldn't be surprised but I am disappointed. Silly me.
I am stunned that of all the people he would seek out for moral and legal guidance he would go to the man who failed to be able to spell the word "potato."
So Pence was considering whom to ask to determine if as Vice President he had the power to overturn the results of a free and fair election and he said to himself, who would be the most knowledgable person about Constitutional Law and the Powers of the Vice President of the United States? And his answer was ... I know Dan Quayle, the former VP of the U.S. who was widely ridiculed for being ... well politely put, certainly never the smartest person in the room.
I wonder how much losing his friendship with DJT has crushed his spirits?
I think they're all robots, so not too much.
With a nod to BruceC, the following is a non-fiction account of the Pence -Quayle connection. They are both Republicans from Indiana and have even more in common. Pence and Quayle were VPs of presidents who lost their elections. Quayle is the only such living VP, (except for Pence) who's experience parallels Pence's, with reference to presiding over the counting of votes by state delegates to the Electoral College. Who best for Pence to call for advice?
Now, you have two differing accounts to choose from. They each have their strong points.
Alternatively, he might have called Al Gore?
Call a Democrat? Ha!
Well, I get your point. But I have to say I agree with Rep. Ted Lieu. Dan Quayle being the one to save our Republic was not on my Bingo card.
Dan Quayle's response to Pence could not have been better. Going back to 'potato' and a negative opinion of him in the days of yore didn't resonate with me or appear useful after the man did the right thing. As for Bingo cards, funny that they have a place in this consequential matter. BruceC, I also look for you comments because they are very thoughtful. We are brushing against each other on this one. I appreciate our exchange here and will continue to be a fan.
Yup. That sounds about right!
Quayle spelled the right answer.
I think Pence spells it the same way.
Clearly, from that exchange with Pence, we may have underestimated him. Anyone know what he did during his vice-presidency other than preside over the Senate?
Really. The stunning just never ends!
🤦♂️
I'm not sure it is worthwhile to try to assess the inner mental state of Republicans in power. We can only judge from what they do.
So what do they do?
What strikes me as key, is that they vote and speak as a bloc. They've been doing this for decades. I remember commenting back in (I think) the 1990's, that the Republicans had lost touch with democracy, because their party is so clearly authoritarian. That has only gotten worse: I would now use the word "totalitarian." So what a Republican says is NOT what that Republican thinks. It is what the party-line "thinks."
Exactly who sets the "party-line" is not clear. Mitch McConnell is the face of the party: does he define the party-line? Is it some silent triumvirate of Senators that includes McConnell? Is it some organization on Think Tank Row in Washington? The American Legislative Exchange Council? The National Prayer Council? The Fox Network? A secret brotherhood within the Senate? (smiling) The Trilateral Commission? The Rothchilds? I mention these last just to point out that we're deep into conspiracy fodder here, but there DOES appear to be some kind of conspiracy among the Republicans: SOMEONE crafts the agenda they all get behind, and they get behind it. Even when they know (and admit) it is overtly fraudulent. The defections are rare. Liz Cheney. Mitt Romney.
Without knowing who or what is setting this agenda, we're left to piece together the shape of the GQP Elephant from touching parts of it in a dark room. Is it a snake? A fan? A tree trunk?
You are right, of course. Very depressing. But what about the GOP voters? The people who put them there, the party workers and volunteers, and so on? Are they truly blind to what is happening?
I am hoping California will re-examine it's recall laws. While a recall effort would seem appropriate in a democracy, the construction of this one is scary indeed. The recall itself should be separated from the election of a replacement. I'm not sure exactly how, but if a sitting governor were to be removed, the election for a replacement should occur with enough time for both parties to hold primaries to determine who should run in the next election. The Lt Governor would assume the job during the interim to maintain stability.
The current arrangement is less about selecting the best person for the job and more about "overthrowing" the party in power. And look at what could have happened.
We need to reverse Prop 13, too. It makes it impossible to put together effective and fair taxation measures.
If we hadn't had Jerry Fuckwit Brown in the governor's office back in 1975, there would never have been a Prop 13. Homeowners really did need relief, and with a 2/3 D legislature, my boss Willie Brown wrote a bill to protect homeowners while keeping commercial property at market rates. He needed Brown to cajole some Central Valley Ds and it'd be done. But ol' Jer' was too busy taking Linda Ronstadt to Africa and pontificating with the Marin Mafia about how "small is beautiful," and he had the attention span of a mayfly. So it didn't happen, and the next year we lost the 2/3 legislative majority, and Jarvis came along with Prop 13 - and today, the property that is mostly unprotected (because it sells often) is homeowners, and the property mostly still paying the lowered rates (because they don't sell) are commercial property. So any time you want to know who screwed you, it was Jerry Brown. Who I never voted for again after that first mistake in '74.
Wow, the solution was the exact opposite of the need. Tragic.
Jarvis was a Republican - what else could happen? He was always in the service of the corporations, they just hid it under worrying about homeowners.
Sizzlin’, TC, sizzlin’.
As a public employee (library), I immediately saw the likely harm to all public services supported through property taxes, borne out immediately at the beginning of the 1978/79 fiscal year in San Diego. As I feared, public services supported by property tax revenue took major hits including the public libraries and schools, parks & recreation departments and municipal employees.
Ironically, the real estate market heated up right about then in many places, rapidly increasing property tax revenue as, around San Diego for instance, massive new housing developments and rapid turnover of homes and condos created higher taxes. Revenues grew so rapidly that Jarvis & Co. hit the road again, in 1979(?), with a new initiative measure which placed a cap on the property tax revenue that a jurisdiction was allowed to keep. Never quite knew where the overage went but by the mid-80s, jurisdictions were being allowed to enact local measures to allow a 5-year exemption from Jarvis #2.
TCinLA - please offer any corrections if I've misremembered some of this, and can you explain why Jarvis #2 is no longer in force - did it sunset?.
Not sure - I think (don't hold me to it) that Jarvis 2 got tossed by the courts. But the rest is sure exactly what happened.
I couldn’t agree more! Prop 13 basically destroyed the excellent public education I got in the late 50s and 60s.
Three degrees here, and not a dollar of student debt ever. I think California got a pretty good return on it's investment, considering what I've done.
One proposed CA recall reform is to put all candidates on the ballot, including the incumbent. Then the one with the most votes is the next governor for the remainder of the term, and it might be the incumbent.
That's bad too. What's needed is a larger percentage of the electorate signs the petition. And a list of the grounds on which a governor can be recalled.
Sounds good. This simple recall ballot was the idea of former Gov. Gray Davis on an NPR program. At least he didn't whine. Or claim "fraud."
"Davis — who served from 1999 to 2003 — didn’t survive his recall challenge. In 2003, he was removed from office by 55% of voters in a do-over election that brought Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose “Terminator 3” had just been released, into power."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/column-what-does-the-only-other-california-governor-to-face-a-recall-vote-e2-80-94-gray-davis-e2-80-94-have-to-say-now/ar-AAOsM1U
Having been forced to deal with the Brown Administration and its baloney in the 70s, I came up against Gray Davis several times. Didn't vote for him for governor, but didn't vote "yes" in the recall, though I was glad to see him go and thank goodness he's had the decency to disappear since. Arnold was not bad as Governor. He's the guy who gutted the California Republican Party by getting the independent redistricting commission adopted. I met him a couple times here in Hollywood and I have to say I was impressed both times. He's one of the actual Smart Guys I ever met in the business.
Man, they strategized the hell out the game, to try to gain control of CALIFORNIA through an underhanded "loophole." They have carefully plotted (and nearly achieved) to control each state's legislature to take away federal powers and ultimately take away rights (we all know the list, so I won't bother naming them individually).
Anyone who didn’t see the Jan 6 insurrection coming a mile away or see Trump losing his temper and wanting to use nukes as punishment, were in serious denial. I knew he would be a nightmare. I cried when he won.
Is there a concern about a 9/18/21 attack on the Capitol?
Yes, the Capitol is being fenced off for the Justice for J6 rally. And, you can be damned sure there will be adequate police presence this go around.
https://businessinsider.mx/capitol-police-fencing-ahead-of-918-justice-for-j6-rally-2021-9/?r=US&IR=T
A different Commander in Chief makes all that difference in the world.
Morning Daria!
Indeed it does! Very good afternoon to you, Christine!🌷
I agree is was such a writing on the wall. I wrote a FB post after it was official that simply said “Welcome to autocracy.” While not a prolific FB user, I did draw the line on my own relatives trying to rudely argue using that medium last spring. Deleted my account. Have not missed it a bit.
I deleted my FB account too. I don’t regret it.
Actually, I don't delete such accounts. I keep 'em and don't use 'em. If you delete them the only parties that have your posts are the services (such as Facebook). Data on the interwebs is forever.
You can request that FB provide your data in a downloadable file. Takes a couple days for them to gather it.
Want privacy from FB? Use Safari (only on Apple devices) or Firefox with the "Facebook container" extension. Otherwise they track you all over those web sites that have the little blue "f" on them.
Ditto.
Same. I am not a hysterical person but when I got up in the morning and saw who had won, I became nearly catatonic with shock for several hours. My husband was so worried about when I went off to work that he texted both our kids to make sure they checked in on me during the day.
I was sick at heart for a month. Then I was scared for his entire WH occupancy.
We've got our hands full, not just with the GOP in US and state senates, but in SCOTUS, and we cannot rest easy.
This quote attributed to Daniel Webster is included in the "preserving the principles" section of my pocket-size U.S. Constitution and is well worth reflection every day:
"There are men, in all ages...who mean to govern well; but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters... They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves...
The love of power may sink too deep in their own hearts."
I’m sure you notice it’s all written using masculine nouns. Men, masters
Precisely.
He wrote it in 1850. Check out what was going on then.
Daniel Webster (1782 – 1852) Zeitgeist?
Hey, memorize his dates and then make 'em part of a password you have to remember and type in manually (like an Apple ID password or a password manger master password).
DanlW(1782-1852)patrotYAY!
Long (more than 20 characters, no personal info included, capital letters and numbers in groups for easy typing on small devices), and memorable.
And no dictionary words in any natural language.
That goes both ways, both parties.
All parties.
The Whiner Party, of course, complained that there was voter fraud before the election results were in. This is their typical cry now. Then we get another typical “no” from their leader, Mitch McTurtleneck, as to passing a new revised bill Manchin had a strong hand in. Dems must be brave and strong-willed if Manchin is unable to get the 10 Repubs he needs. The filibuster must be destroyed and those Dems on the fence, can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!
Carving out voting rights legislation from the filibuster could work......similar to budget reconciliation and Supreme Court nominations.
Can the Senate do that with a simple majority? Or are changes to the filibuster subject to the filibuster?
They only need a simple majority to change/overturn the filibuster.
Then there’s no excuse for not getting rid of it! The whole concept of bipartisanship has been destroyed by the last 12 years of Republican intransigence, which the filibuster has strengthened.
Thanks, Diane.
Gov Newsom dodging a recall and gaining support is cause for hope. We need to overcome the bullies in our system and have more level headed decisions. My two cents is abolish the filibuster. It’s just been used to thwart any progress!
Did they not see dumpty as always unhinged? He’s just a big baby! Send him back to kindergarten. A kindergarten teacher knows how to handle that mess!
Thanks Heather!
Emotional age of 3 max.
Insult to the 3 yr olds I know!!
Agreed!
3 max may be too old.
Gets him into kindergarden. He lies. About everything else, why not his age?
Of all the information contained in the call between Speaker Pelosi and General Milley, my favorite is where she referred to those in Tramp’s inner circle “kissing his fat butt”.
Yes, that really resonated for me. I love knowing her thoughts!!
OMG ! I just laughed so hard at the ‘Dumpty’. Because ‘Humpty ‘ came to mind . Got that whole visual . Had to stop typing cuz now I’m LOL and tears are messing up my eyes. And then remembered the Children’s poem. Waaay to early for that visual ! So dang funny ! But the poem is a possibility. Thanks.😂
He had a great fall and all his jackasses and b**tt kissers couldn’t put it back together again! 😆
👍 Denise Stop ! Still on first cup of coffee and cleaning it off my phone. So funny.
I think we’re all becoming hysterical 😵💫
More like trying to make the abnormal appear to be normal for way to long Karen.There was no president Ever that made us look so weak to the World than TFG. We personally may still be suffering. But the World knows we have someone in charge again.I’m a 100% positive that leaders around the world that have had conversation W/Boxer Biden first words were” Man are we glad to see you !”Equally so are the Republicans. They don’t respect TFG.They don’t want him in Office again. The hint there is the Washington Hotel TFG owns is up for sale. The one with the suite that has Bullet proof glass , Kevlar walls and it’s own private entrance and exit. Remember him calling the White House a Dump ! He’s just a useful Idiot to them now. And most likely out of Debt now with Benefits . They more that comes out the less they will fear him.I really wish 1 person from his ‘Base ‘ could tell me how he made our’s or theirs better ? When you make millionaires into billionaires paying less to nothing or lower than the Tax’s you’re paying shouldn’t that be a “ Light Bulb “ moment for them ? Great trade off to carry a gun ?No matter how you slice it or dice it they remain the working poor.1-2 paychecks from ruin.Those #’s have increased if they were really paying attention.
It sounds like those two Constitutional "safeguards" to remove a dangerous President don't really work at all.
Much like the checks and balances we learned about as school children only work when all participants are ethical, good faith actors.
This! What my friends said about checks and balances when trump was elected. I hope they now realize how very wrong they were.
I think they've forgotten all of that as they've joined "Cult 45". I have a few friends who did not vote for him in 2020 after seeing what he did in his first 3 years, but far more who supported him even stronger after seeing what he did in his last year.
Good on you for keeping those friends! Necessary but so very difficult!
You keep traitors as friends?
To keep an eye on them. This is Facebook land only. Former coworkers, mostly.
Sigh. My daughter said the same thing on the morning of Tramp’s 2016 election while I was sobbing on the phone. Unfortunately she has not seen the light yet. 😞
Yes, it turns out a constitutional democratic republic only works when everyone voluntarily accepts the rules of the system. If they don't, the whole fragile edifice comes crashing down.
The Constitution predates baseball - no umpires behind the podiums, calling "Foul" and "OUT!"
They cannot work when you have an entire party in cahoots with the crazy man. He should have been impeached twice. None of our systems worked, because republicans chose power over democracy.
The politicians who support Trump were thugs before he came on the scene. Most just chose to hide it. Then of course you have McConnell...
And there is no next step if the VP refuses to certify the election as Pence was considering, we now know.
We all thought that Pence had a shred of decency when he refused Tramp’s demand. Now we know he was even more of a coward, looking for a loophole.
First, you can find your Congressional representatives:
https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
Then choose to write a snail mail letter, email, and/or phone script.
Dear Senator/Representative ____________,
I am your constituent.
First order of business is to do what it takes to pass the Freedom to Vote Act.
We have also seen that our two Constitutional safeguards to remove a dangerous President are not sufficiently protective. What are you doing to address this issue?
Respectfully,
[your name and address]
Not when the Cabinet and Congress are corrupt.
Republicans cried foul even before the election was called. While many are concerned by this practice, and it's right to feel that way, there is a limit to the number of times they can cry wolf when there is no wolf.
I would like to see a lot of reporting about the folly of this practice regarding this election in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. There was never a path to victory for them when Newsom still had high favorability numbers. The media has to start treating this anti-democratic practice for what it is and not as just another tool in the GOP's utility belt.
This should, however, serve as a shot across the bow for a Governor who showed extreme hubris by flaunting his own rules to dine at what I've read is the most elitist eatery in the state. Now he needs to put up by solving the housing debacle that is plaguing the Golden State and prove his party is truly working for all of the people. Make this a learning moment!
California, as with most of the country, is facing a monstrous housing crisis. I don't think any governor can solve it with a magic wand. And if eating at a fancy restaurant was his greatest sin, I'd say he is close to sainthood.
The housing crisis won't be solved until we all accept some new ideas. We will need to change our ideas about zoning. That is usually accomplished on a town by town basis. Housing will need to be more dense and diverse. But that will only happen if we embrace the rights of every American to live decently and affordably vs worshiping the suburban dream of a certain sized lot with a big patch of chemically fertilized golf course quality lawn.
The housing crisis is complicated - but it's solutions are blocked by NIMBY.
Make no mistake, housing shortages are coming to a city near you. Affordable housing shortages are growing and most solutions are pathetic. While many major cities and high tech. cities in particular are experiencing a severe housing crisis, it’s not limited to them any longer.
Cities attempting to build their way out of shortages spend too much per unit on projects. They tear down old neighborhoods where housing is cheap and build new expensive condos. They give developers the keys to the city - and big write offs - in exchange for a small percentage of “work force” units.
They give lip service to affordable housing, but, tax base is their North Star.
Yes, indeed, to all you said. It is certainly true in Massachusetts.
I staffed a municipal zoning and planning board for over 20 years in a supposedly progressive city in central CA. Diane’s comment is completely true.
Also, the price of property is so high it makes no financial sense for a builder to put a "starter home" on it.
Been a huge problem here in NH for years now, in all areas of the state, rural, suburban and the little urban we have. Sometimes I think this is going to be the issue that causes a revolution.
Your comment on people wanting that “big patch of chemically fertilized golf course quality lawn” is also part of a larger problem especially in states like New Mexico where I live, where we are dealing with extreme drought. Water is going to continue to be a huge problem in the future. Just having adequate water to sustain exsisting communities is a growing problem. Desalination of brackish water or water with things like arsenic in it are being studied, but currently they are extraordinarily costly to do. And then there is an issue with what you do with all the salt or chemicals you pull out of the water. And we have the NIMBY issue here as well. We also have a growing homeless population here in NM. It seems to me we will have to have a bigger conference table to discuss all the issues including but not limited to developers, legislators and scientists. And how will it be funded?
Wherever you live, if you spot one of those little signs tacked on a telephone pole - "We buy homes for cash" - that's a local realtor shilling for a hedgefund. Hedgefunds now own 40% of single-family housing, which they turn into rentals. And they're the landlord from hell. Pay by the 2nd or get an eviction notice on the 3rd and repairs - who, us?
In most states those signs are illegal and can be torn dorn. Enjoy!
It's like pulling up dandelions while they're in bloom.
In 1970 I did a pilgrimage to San Francisco. Shared a room in a flat on the edge of the "Fillmore Ghetto" for $80 a week. I had left a studio apt in New Orleans for $50 a month. Housing seems to have always been in short supply in the Bay Area.
Landlords learned to gouge in the Bay Area back in 1849, The first to arrive put up buildings and gouged the second to arrive.
I've read they also rented rooms on ships in the harbor in 1849. Not much has changed.
Yesterday an organization posted that people could come by and learn about very small shelters(and i mean small) that people could choose to adopt. It is simply about information and a way to help should one choose. The comments that followed were something to behold. Many were in favor, but a loud few were not and we had all the usual nonsense about the unhoused. The last person simply said "Close the borders." When I answered, she said the same thing. I haven't looked this am, but she may be a last worder and then I will block her. Right now here in Salem we have one such small shelter place and of course, it is in north Salem. And likely if more places are found, it will not be in south Salem where the money resides.
In St Petersburg, small shelters are tents on a fenced off lot on the outskirts of town beyond any public transportation. Out of sight, out of mind.
NIMBYS : Not in My Backyard Phenomenon.
California. Is a complex state. Governor Nelson was villainized for pandemic maskless dining in a fancy restaurant and became the target of a temper-tantrum recall campaign. Ted Cruz, who, during a massive Texas power failure, fled with his family to Cancun, is still cruising along (Texas style).
Regarding housing ‘shortages,’ some relatively minor ameliorations may be possible. However, I don’t foresee major solutions of what some call ‘a monstrous housing crisis.’ I served in Mayor Lindsay’s New York City housing administration. The availability of affordable housing was not enhanced by rent control (initiated in 1943). One issue was affordability, another was supply and demand. A middle-class worker could spend up-to-30-to-35-percentage of his/her income on housing. This clashed with LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. We did have Mitchell-Lama and Section 8 housing, but this provided only a sliver of the desired housing. Public housing, over time, was of marginal help. An offer to move families to a facility at Fort Dix was summarily rejected: preferred location trumped a distant alternative.
A ‘builder’s remedy,’ in which a portion of a development project is set aside for affordable housing, has made a minor difference in NYC, New Jersey (Mt. Laurel II NJ Supreme Court), and elsewhere. Battling NIMBYS and increasing housing densities would alleviate housing needs only slightly. Were the federal government ready to throw trillions of dollars into ongoing housing subsidies, I believe that people would still be talking of a ‘monstrous housing crisis.’ Sad but true.
Are you indicating that there is no solution or only a very small about of improvement in housing for Americans? What about a federal housing plan in conjunction with states and cities. Old so-called remedies need not be the only options to consider.
'Between 2001 and 2019, median rents rose faster than median renter incomes in nearly every state, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. In only 7 percent of counties can a minimum-wage worker afford a one-bedroom rental.'
'So why hasn’t more housing been built? The rising costs of labor and lumber are one reason, according to a recent report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. But as Vox’s Jerusalem Demsas explains, supply issues also stem in large part from restrictive regulations — such as single-family zoning, minimum lot sizes and parking lot requirements — that artificially limit the amount of housing that can be built. These regulations, which have historically served to entrench segregation, can in turn be used by vocal citizens to block new development, a phenomenon known as Nimbyism: not in my backyard.'
'Nimbyism is a bipartisan disposition, but some of its most acute harms are felt in liberal cities and states. In California, for example, where anyone can object to new construction under the guise of a 1970 environmental protection law, around one-quarter of the cost of building affordable housing goes to government fees, permits and consulting companies. “It’s not uncommon for a project in California to be mired for many years in paperwork over zoning or objections by other property owners before ground is broken,” The Times’s Thomas Fuller explains. As a result, San Francisco has the highest overall construction costs in the world: A two-bedroom apartment of “affordable housing” costs around $750,000 just to build.' (NYTimes)
It it time for a national plan?
I am watching an incredible boom in high density, high rise (for us) buildings around the U of O campus area. Some of these places are basically glorified quads (4 private units which share two bathrooms and two kitchens) that go for about $900 per month. Others are luxury apartments. There have been three of these completed in the past year.
We had a local developer (who has taken an incredibly long view; at least 35 of the nearly 40 years I've lived in Eugene) who has built a "destination location downtown" with a high end mini-mall, the most expensive Inn in town rate for tonight ($299) and one just across the street (overnight for tonight ranged from $219 to $425). A friend of mine (who is committed to downtown living) looked at leasing a studio from the second place; $1500 per month.
We also have over 200 people sleeping in tents in each of two "authorized" sites, with probably 10 times that number of people sleeping in unauthorized locations.
The west coast really needs to rethink how they house people. Yesterday.
Even in Morgantown, WV, the rental prices are insane. When searching for grad school housing my daughter, who lived in Denver at the time, imagined that she'd be able to rent a decent place for a reasonable amount of money. Not so. Rentals were outlandishly high. She ended up buying a 2 bedroom condo with a mortgage, including insurance, of $500.00 per month. A rental in the same building is $1000.00 per month, plus, plus. She was very fortunate to have the wherewithal to buy rather than rent.
Besides the University, the other factor driving up prices is, of course, tourism. The close proximity to several lovely state parks and forests, etc., makes it ripe for rent exploitation. Air B&B, VRBO, etc., have taken their toll on the area as well.
Who in the world would imagine that housing costs in West Virginia would be so high? In one of the poorest states in the Union, how do low income people manage to live a healthy, secure life? The short answer seems to be, they can't.
Same in NH. So much of our state is a tourist attraction, the scant seacoast we have, the mountains and lakes. I used to be a big fan of Airbnb but now I see how they help to destroy the long term housing prospects of young people. It's not the only cause but it's a big contributing factor.
We did wonder about the new construction near the UO as we were going to Matt court to see the women play. I guess we thought it was student housing of some kind. We did graduate work at the UO many years ago and lived way west, but could afford our little apartment. I would hate to try to find a place there now.
There are two grad students (a couple that may soon have custody of a niece) in the SOMD (music school) that were able to rent a house out in Bethel for less than they could find anywhere close to campus.
Westmorland is no longer grad student housing, but a mix of owner occupied baby condos and some form of supported housing that appears to be working fairly well.
I have no idea how the University is still supporting these residential units. They tear down 2 or 3 old rental houses and build monstrosities. Most of the students that live in them have a high level of financial support from their parents. Like, HIGH LEVEL.
When our niece came to Eugene in 2012 to go to Lane Community College (her family had relocated to Germany and she was changing majors in college from architecture to pilot training) she and my sister-in-law could find an apartment farther west than we are (City View) for $1200 a month. We had a spare room, and ended up having both nieces live with us for a couple years each. After COVID (when youngest niece moved out) they found a spot in an apartment complex off of Baily Hill (the old Rexius lot) for about $1000 per month; this was the most luxurious apartment complex I had seen in quite some time...
In my current “backyard” vacation rentals have decimated workforce housing, and I understand it’s a problem in New Orleans, New York, San Francisco et al. Real estate investment corporations are running roughshod over the rental market.
It's actually hedgefunds that are buying up housing and "monetizing" it.
TC are these the REITs?
Not REITs, Hedgefunds - the scum of finance.
On the coast here in Oregon, there is a election concerning the large number of number of houses being used as short term rentals. It will be interesting to see how that goes.
It will indeed.
This is another problem; not as much here locally, but my Aunt and Uncle in Los Gatos, CA have said that is a huge problem in their area.
Airbnb should be destroyed. Like almost everything else from Silicon Valley, they make life worse.
Fern I share your frustration with an housing issue that exists in America and in many countries around the world. (Boris Johnson currently is being targeted for his ‘inadequate housing initiatives). When I worked in Japan in the mid-1970s, for many the commute to work in Tokyo took four hours round trip.
After working in housing in Mayor Lindsay’s NYC administration, subsequently I spent 15 years in local municipal government [When the Mt. Laurel II ruling initiated ‘development remedy’ affordable housing] and published a book on New Jersey growth management. Subsequently, I have been an observer of the housing conundrum. Through HUD there have been a plethora of housing programs intended to expand affordable housing, especially for lower income families. This includes major funding for public housing. Of course under HUD Secretary Ben (999) Carson, such initiatives were scaled back.
In my previous posting I touched on some of the reasons why I think that, at. Best, there can be a modest amelioration, rather than a major ‘solution’, for the national (and international) disparities in housing. Clearly the NIMBY situation on housing in San Francisco highlights some of the worst housing situations. On a practical level, I have witnessed what has been occurring in Princeton, adjacent to my home. Modest houses are. Being purchased, destroyed, and tricky-tacky $1+ million homes are being constructed. I witness the same occurring in Greenport, NY, once a middle-income town. In both Princeton and Greenport teachers and others can not afford to live in the towns they serve.
During the pandemic, a wealthy sliver of NYC’s population could afford to move at least temporarily to the suburbs. This was not an alternative for those obliged to live and work in the city. Virtual connections have led to an increasing number of people able to work far from their offices—some folks have moved from Silicon Valley to less costly abodes in Utah and elsewhere. This, however, is a small splash in the housing ocean. Sadly, I believe that we have a better (though slim) prospect of addressing climate change than the housing discrepancies in America and elsewhere.
I live in NYC, where almost 34,000 died of covid (+ Trump's negligence). 1 in 245 people in the city have died and 1 in 8 infected. The highest rates of infection and deaths were in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens The minorities, particularly Brown and Black were hit the hardest. I bring this up Keith because along with lack of access to health care, co-morbidity, age, nature of work - housing played an important role. Unless you live in NYC, you cannot imagine the number of family members, different generations, squeeze into the small rooms of poorly maintained, rundown, roach infested buildings. You know, Keith because you lived here -- it got worse since you've been gone. If you move around the forum today, you'll run into some other stories. In sum, look what this country has done to many millions of very hard working innocents.
Hello Keith. I reread your comments about housing this morning and appreciated your elucidation of the hard facts. A picture of the vast majority of people at the margins, and we know where the poor are left is as you wrote 'frustrating'. It is a bedeviling issue. I would appreciate any reading recommendations on housing for this lay person. It is the big picture that most interests me. Although an able reader, I could easily sink in the technical details and will understand if nothing appropriate comes to mind. Thank you, Keith
Fern I am coasting on what remains in my brain. Georgia and I are still out in Long Island (Orient) away from my NJ library. We are awaiting word from Servpro regarding when they can ‘remediate’ the damage from over 2’ feet of water in our basement. I have read various articles on housing in the NYT, the NY Review of Books, The Economist, The Atlantic, and elsewhere, of which remnants remain in my head. I would recommend Dr. Google, using several imaginative questions. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. My last ‘hands on’ dealing with the housing issue was over 30 years ago. I remain more knowledgeable on what I taught at a history/economics from from age 58-to-80. I do have some current knowledge of NYC housing, since I have a daughter who has lived in Queens for over two decades and a son who has just moved to the suburbs after more than two decades in Manhattan. P. S. I love some of your posts.
Keith, Oh, the water and the fire.. My very best wishes to you and to Georgia as remediation of the damage done to your basement and, perhaps, elsewhere gets taken care of. When first noting your comments on the Forum, I knew a great gift had been delivered. Your teaching chops draw and inspire us. Thank you for your guidance about sources concerning the housing crisis. I am a reader of the NYT and the Atlantic and will look further. You have been coasting very well, Keith, and thank you again.
Another growing problem is converting homes into short term rentals. It not only stresses residential neighborhoods, it drives up prices.
As an annual rental, I could get about $1800-$2000 a month for my modest 2 bedroom home. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath pool home next door is now an Airbnb renting for $3200 weekly/ $12,000 monthly. The buyers outbid everyone else because they were buying income not a house.
Yep. The almost identical home to the one I sold last year is $145K higher in expectation of vacation rentals. This happened pre 2008 also, then came the bust...
When the Florida legislature passed a law forbidding local zoning from preventing short term rentals in residential neighborhoods, they gutted any enforcement.
The Florida Legislature - finest criminals money can buy. They stay bought.
Yet for all the hollaring about state’s rights the rights of localities is ignored. See also cruise ships in Key West where the locality voted in restrictions which were overturned by DeSantis. Big business then, bid business now, big business forever. Time for change.
Airbnb, Uber, Lyft - every "invention" the little creeps in Silicon Valley come up with makes life WORSE.
You are so right, some of these fees associated with building permits are there for only one reason, and that is to generate revenue as they serve no tangible purpose in the building, or permitting process!!!
Good points, Christopher. The Republican Party has become the The LIE Machine. It is a deceive/control/manipulate/erase memory program. There are other horrifying examples of its use. Election recalls are another avenue for examination. Both parties to it. Now, with its frequency, how destructive is it to the body politic and the bedrock of democracy -- free and fair elections -- that the people can depend upon?
It's kinda like Tucker Carlson admitted about lying but for the GOP, it's a mandatory practice to win at all costs which them have to do because they lack the number of votes as evidenced in, what is it, 5 out of the last 7 Presidential Elections?
I don't think that 'they' have to do it. There are other options. The Republicans adopted the BiG LIE approach following in Trump's steps. It is a program familiar to those of use acquainted with fairly recent German history.
There's a reason why, way back in 1948, Harry Truman opined that "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." They have been bad for a loooonnng time. Go read Richard Hofstadter, "The Pseudo-Conservative Revolt." Written in 1954, and it describes the majority of the Republican party today.
You are correct. People keep attributing the collapse of the Republican party to Donald when, in fact, it has been a den of vipers for a very long time. Do I believe Donald brought the venomous nature of people out into the open? Yes. But the aggressive, rabid right wingers today were just as rabid 6 years ago. They just did a better job of hiding it. Part of our problem as a party (the Democrats) is that we've let the Republican Party play hardball and smear us for decades. We frown on fighting dirty, we take the high road all the while the Republican Party effectively craps all over the We The People, including their own constituency. Do I have a solution? No. Do I think continually trying to shove the onus on to Trump is the answer? No. He's a problem but a bigger problem are the people he's empowered and enabled from the grassroots up. Those are the people we need to focus our attention on by putting up good, solid Democratic candidates who are reliable and honest. That and getting out the vote.
Both parties may be doing it, but the republicans do many, and much more of it than the democrats do, and when they do it , they are usually just plain frivolous actions!!!
It must be made a felony to claim without evidence that an election result is fraudulent, tantamount to sedition, with a similar penalty.
Republicans should recall that several lawyers have been subjected to a judge's recommendation of censure and/or disbarment for using court time and resources making claims of voter fraud without evidence. I hope such Republican claims of fraud will find themselves without lawyers and having to represent themselves before a judge.
And that the Bar Associations will actually disbar all the lawyers so censured.
They definitely should be dis barred.
Including bill (dis)Barr!!
And they should be made to pay for all court costs for frivolous lawsuits.
YES!!
Even before the election day has come.
A View on the California Recall Election from Texas
California Recall Election is a Victory for California Public Education
The results of the California Gubernatorial Recall election are in and the recall of Governor Gavin Newsome was rejected. Despite an almost 30 point margin in the recall defeat, the leading Republican candidate claims the election had widespread voter fraud … you know, that whole fraud thing about letting every registered voter actually vote and accurately counting the ballots.
It seems one of the important things learned from the election results that we may not have realized before is the quality of public education in California. It seems that it proves the vast majority of Californians actually believe in science and support reasonable public health measures like mask and vaccine mandates. Remember that when people scream, “Don’t California my Texas.” Maybe we should at least want to work harder on that whole belief in science thing like California.
We also learned that Californians are pretty good at paying attention, believe in data, understand and can interpret simple statistics, and have no trouble counting ballots. They also understand how to run safe and secure elections while making it as easy as possible to vote.
You would think there might be more enthusiasm for that whole California my Texas thing. At least as it pertains to public health measures and conducting elections making it as easy as possible for everyone to vote.
Public Health and Public Education are two institutions that help perpetuate our democracy. These institutions have been under attack since 1980 only magnified by the pandemic. We should all work a little harder to support both. I think thats the take home from Newsom’s success in CA.
Education has been under attack since the 1960s, when Brown v Board finally started to take effect. It took the inanity of Trumpism to kill public health.
Bingo Ted! Which is why Rs have taken aim at them and infiltrated their boards. Our trust and complacency have put us in great peril.
Thus the name of the book on everybody’s mind today.
Out next week...
"Belief in science." Hm. Something in that phrase is amiss.
I prefer "I trust that science will lead us to verifiable truths. Better 'n' better truths as time goes by."
Technically, you’re right. Science is about models that are consistent with observations. But “belief in science” is a reasonable catch phrase for reliance on those models, despite the fact that they aren’t “truth” per se. What makes science science is refutability, not irrevocable beliefs.
Thanks. I myself don't want to rely on "belief" and what various people think that means. Maybe that means that I am less enthusiastic about things I understand about the world, and some folks think that my coolness about these matters means that I'm less trustworthy as a witness to those things.
Worth thinking about (saith Socrates. Or was it Abraham Lincoln??) <grin>
Thanks Abe
70% of white Texans are a scourge on humanity. Too bad the Orkin man doesn’t have a solution for the blight they comprise.
Hey, hey, let’s get the % right. It’s only about 60%. Some of us weren’t born here. We run towards danger and try to fix it.
Thank you Bruce (and everyone else doing so)
I am bothered by statements that some people are unworthy of life and need extermination.
I prefer the rabbi's blessing for the Tsar: "May G-d bless and keep the Tsar.... far away from us."
And I prefer working to "vote them out."
The nurse in me can't abide extermination. But I'll pitch in for their flights to Timbuctoo.
How about shipping them off planet? I’d send the worst of the lot to Mars and the rest to authoritarian countries of their choice.
Thank you for making that very important point.
I have a particular reason now for fearing that such things could happen in America -- although this could just be my dirty mind. I saw a film last week, a hallucinating film. After I'd watched it, I began to fear that some of those who have been tearing America apart might move to do to the unfortunates in this film what Hitler did to those deemed unfit to live.
The likes of what this film showed I have seen nowhere in the world, a seemingly endless YouTube film of Kensington Avenue in Philly.
"Streets of Philadelphia, Kensington Ave., 'Highlights' in August". A longer, more complete version of this:
rhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRqQ6-ANjL4
Garbage, garbage, and innumerable junkies. Seems to be in great part a direct consequence of the opioid epidemic. (Did no important people go to prison for that?)
I've seen life, I've seen misery in India, in Africa, in the Philippines. Crippled beggars, people sleeping on sidewalks, poverty. Nothing remotely like this.
One gets the impression of a society of total indifference. Garbage and human beings reduced to garbage. The dead and dying by the roadside, on and on and on...
Hell on earth.
I hope I am completely mistaken in fearing such "solutions" but... there have been too many precedents. Consider the horror, the enormity of the challenge to all of us.
And I apologize for bringing this to the attention of the sensitive.
It’s exactly why I believe in showing no mercy to the worse of those psychopathic scum.
Actually it's about 65%, but the good 35% is REALLY GOOD, because that's harder to do down there.
So thankful CA voters turned out to stop the recall. Elder had his “fraud” team lined up far in advance, because this was never about what Californians wanted; it was an effort to game the system.
Yeah, it's "fraud" that there are two Democrats here for every Republican. We ought to pay them to move to Greater Utah, where the fact they're white morons won't be so blindingly obvious.
The geographic distribution of the vote results is always interesting. The Central Valley essentially voted Yes and the rest NO; two different societies cohabiting in the same State.
“two different societies cohabiting in the same State.” That is true in most states.
Certainly true in Florida where gerrymandering is rampant.
The Central Valley is Oklafornia. The only thing good I used to be able to say about it when I was in Sacramento was that the flying weather was generally good and you were never out of gliding range to a little airport if necessary.
Grapes of wrath all over again.
Great idea—the Democrats from the blue states go forth and multiply in Utah, Wyoming, the Dakotas FL Mississippi etc— probably faster action than getting rid of the electoral college.
I agree. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if Elder & Co now use their cries of "voter fraud" to scam their voters out of money, just like the former guy. Running two scams in one. SMH.
It is time perhaps to get down to the question of fundamental values. The current trumpite version of the GOP believes that winning is all that counts and any means you have to use to get there is fine by them; the ends justify the means.
It must be said that this "value" has been considered "American" and has been applied massively in the economy for a very long time and society has always valued the "winners" without much regard for how they got there; the climb to the top being less interesting than what is done with the loot once you've got to the top. We are a society that heaped praise on the "philantropists"....the Rockefellers, the Van der Bilts, the Morgans etc of the past and the Silicon Valley Moguls of today. It is said that cultural life in Chicago depended on 3 families' "good works" one each for the orchestra, the museum and the opera. Look for a moment at the craziness at the Met Gala a few days ago. Winners take all...and damn the hindmost.....barring a few crumbs left behind to distract the "envious". Inglorious competition!
This "value" is now being applied to politics with glee and success by the GOP and with an apparent incomprehension of why it is so largely unacceptable to the people. They rode roughshod over the people on the economic issues....so why not the social and political. After all money and its accumulation is the only game in town worth playing.....for them. This is a logical outcome of the way the aging capitalist society has been ordering and reordering itself....as a massed body of worker/consumers controlled by a monied elite and not as a People with a collective culture, individual dreams and humane values which only survives together on this planet by cooperating with, tolerance of and respect for the complementary other...as part, and not above and in control of, Nature. We have not moved on that far from the the 19th C argument between arrogant slave owners and salaried slave abusers that brought us the Civil War. We are engaged in a battle of civilizations and are still facing a "Revolt of the Elites" who don't want to pay for society any more.
The Met gala excesses remind me of the excesses that permeated Versailles. Each outfit cost the GNP of a third world country. And in 2050 there will most likely be a new international museum built so humans left from the oceans rising can gaze at them in amazement.
I couldn’t agree more. Very dumb. Not tolerating this display of excess at all well this year. ❤️🤍💙
Aesthetically though I had to see them but really and truly it’s much too much vanity on display.
I looked at the photos they posted on the NYT, they revealed a preening, self centered, group of people in love with themselves, they were the usual suspects who obviously had too much money, so they spent quite a bit of it on hideous combinations of, it’s hard to use the word fabrics, that made them for the most part look 👀 totally clueless. I’m rich, look 👀 at me was on full display, it was disgusting and nauseating at the same time.
Yes especially disgusting in this year of Covid and global disasters.
I think Anna Wintour was responsible initially for the collaboration which served the fashion industry and Vogue— remember The Devil Wears Prada? This made getting the invitation to this event highly competitive for the opportunity to outdo the other guests.
That's how Louis X1V kept control of his aristocracy and effectively ruined them by useless vanity. It's also one of the reasons why the Scottish clan system fell apart as the Clan Chieftains copied the social expenditures of the English nabobs who copied.....their French co-elitists.
The Hunger Games comes to mind.
Yes, there is a lot here to remind me of Versailles... And, "Let them eat cake."
Fashion Week(s) would fall into a similar abyss of excess, methinks.