🚀 go-pugleaf

On Mon, 23 Sep 1996, Fringe Ryder wrote:

> John Kawakami (johnk@crl.com) wrote:
> : In article <fringeDxxnM7.540@netcom.com>, fringe@netcom.com (Fringe Ryder)
> : wrote:

> : Well, the city of BH has four times more police per-capita than the city
> : of LA.  The cities you mentioned are rich and can afford private security
> : patrols, good education, excellent public services, and a hopeful outlook
> : for the future.  Factor that stuff in.
>
> You're right - they are "rich".  Factor in the loss of tax revenue as Raul
> eagerly drives them away, and that's my point - they will lose their
> security.

First, people like those living in BH and Palos Verdes are a very small
minority- tax revenue from these people is not as much as you'd like to
believe, especially with the tax breaks they get, regressive federal tax
system, and the way they protect themselves (creating small cities, etc).
The bulk of the money comes from the "middle class," which usually own a
house and thus pay property as well as income, and other taxes.  And
poor people pay disproportionately more, for everything.  BH people
_don't_ have anything to lose, because they are well protected, in all
facets of life, and even if they "lose" something, I gaurantee it's
insured.

> : > Lack of graffitti is also open to loss.  Although that problem has gone down
> : > since Masters shot the stupid taggers.
>
> : Masters didn't have much going on in his head either.
>
> Perhaps not, but graffitti has gone down since then.

masters had nothing to do with the decline in graphitti that you've
notice.  And besides if he's so tuff, why'd he need a gun?  Any _real_
tagger would have beaten him down so bad, that _he_ would be writing on
the walls.

>
> : The presence of police deters graffiti.  See above for the possible causal link.
>
> Lots of things deter graffitti, including rain and cold weather, stronger
> public morality, better lighting, and killing taggers.

You are a really sick kid.  Rain and cold weather I'd give you, but
"public morality?" What the hell is that?  Killing taggers?  Now you're
being silly or stupid- which one?  How about killing smokers?  After all,
they do cost the country more money (in health care costs) than all
taggers.  (but this idea would be just as silly as yours...right?)

>
> The lotto is not delivering much economic freedom.  Mathematically, your
> chances of success are slim no matter what percent of your income it
> represents.  I ahve been dirt poor (or smog poor - I couldn't afford dirt.)
> I am no longer, and discipline with what limited money I had helped.  (I
> could not have made it if I had kids though, which is a substantial
> difference.)  Part of that discipline was NOT playing lotto, not smoking or
> drinking, and indeed not buying expensive groceries such as red meat.  That
> money went to education, transportation, and appearance, facilitating my
> continued move up in the world.  It's a conscious decision and choice.

GREEEAAAAT story.  Now, write it up, pitch it as a made-for-tv movie, and
let me know when it will air, so that I don't turn on my television.


> Which is off the point that L.A. IS in a decline, and the Mexican block
> party Raul was lauding is not a sign otherwise.
>

It's a sign that Mexican people have a great spirit and are proud enough
to stand together and stand tall, even where they know they are not wanted
(but know they belong).  Which still makes me feel proud to live in Los
Angeles and be close to South Central LA, East LA, Huntington Park, and be
familiar with Santa Monica, San Pedro, the Valley, and see positives in
*all* these areas and their people.  I guess I'm just an optimist.

Raul....			c/s

 .
. .


> Regards
>
>