draft plan presents housing and transportation options that encourage creation
and revitalization
of communities that are bike and pedestrian friendly, affordable and sustainable,” SCAG says. “This will result in people spending less time
in their cars and thereby reducing
traffic congestion and pollution and benefiting from a healthier environment.”
those headed by younger adults in their economic well-being over the
past quarter of a century.”
“In 2009, households headed by adults ages 65 and older possessed 42% more median1
net worth (assets minus debt) than households headed by their same-aged
counterparts had in 1984. During this same period, the wealth of
households headed by younger adults moved in the opposite direction. In
2009, households headed by adults younger than 35 had 68% less wealth
than households of their same-aged counterparts had in 1984.
“As a result of these divergent trends, in 2009 the typical household
headed by someone in the older age group had 47 times as much net wealth
as the typical household headed by someone in the younger age
group-$170,494 versus $3,662 (all figures expressed in 2010 dollars).
Back in 1984, this had been a less lopsided ten-to-one ratio. In
absolute terms, the oldest households in 1984 had median net wealth
$108,936 higher than that of the youngest households. In 2009, the gap
had widened to $166,832.”
Kids with college degrees and huge loans for their education are living with their parents — unless they have joined the armies of Occupiers who know they are being screwed even if they aren’t really sure who it is that is screwing them.
A lot of people are figuring it out, from the Tea Party to the Occupiers.
“One of the immutable laws of American politics has been that while
voters typically loathe Congress, they tend to tolerate their own
lawmaker. Now, with ratings for that institution in the root cellar and
approval of individual lawmakers heading there, members of Congress and
analysts are beginning to wonder if that law could be repealed next
year,’ the New York Times reported last week.
“According to a New York Times/CBS News poll
in September, only 33 percent of registered voters believe their own
member deserves to be re-elected, and a mere 6 percent said the same
about most members of Congress, both the lowest figures since The Times
started asking this question in the early 1990s.
“Along with the dismal poll ratings, two special elections in New York
this year have vividly illustrated what an angry electorate is capable
of. In one, a Democrat captured a Republican stronghold; in the other, a
Tea Party-leaning Republican won in a traditionally Democratic district.
“As those results suggest, most operatives and analysts do not expect the
2012 election to be the kind of mainly partisan wave that flipped
control of the House in 2006 and again last year.”
We can only hope that in California, fairer districts for Senate and Assembly seats and open primaries will drive the scoundrels from the state Capitol.
But I’m skeptical until I see signs of people refusing to vote for the same old, same old crooks and stooges
Every indication is that the crooks and stooges will come in No. 1 and No. 2 in the election Tuesday to succeed Janice Hahn on the City Council despite the experiment in providing triple matching funds to candidates who qualify.
The money of the unions and special interests and the passivity of voters likely will put the hacks into a runoff of no consequence.
This is an admirable analysis of our predicament tody. Actually is quite an editorial. Thank you. I am asking people to share it with their
families, friends and neighbors.
Of course, those who are partaking of today’s
situation made to order by them will have many unkind things but they cannot hide the truth.
Today I drove down Canoga Avenue, perfect example
of what you discussed in a local environment. go north from Sherman Way to Lassen.
We know whom to blame for the mess that Ron so clearly describes. It’s the DemoGOP’s. In other words, Pogo was correct, we are the enemy.
One example: Look at the fools who voted for Fat Tommy. While he has been in office, over $1.5 Billion of property tax dollars disappeared into the CRA and his “solution” was to give more money to the CRA! He won by 55%.
He supported that an additional $1 B per year away from education and giving it to corrupt real estate developers. He won by 55%.
He supported AB 2531 to bring Kelo Eminent Domain to all of Los Angeles. He won by 55%.
He downsized the 2 acre FS 82 to 1/2 acre and placed it at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway, reducing response times to the Hills. He won by 55%.
He supported giving Billionaire Eli Broad $52 Million dollars while opposing a children’s park in Hollywood. He won by 55%.
The corrupt incompetents who run LA reflect the consciousness of the people.
The City of the Angeles needs a name change to Ciudad de los Babosos.
Appreciate you commentary, Ron!
And, yup, years ago a family could make it on the salary of one spouse.
Perhaps one answer is; to apply the same rules to elected officials, that I have to abide by. That is: no gifts accepted! Not one!
Let them truly serve the public, in exchange for an honest days pay. Otherwise, let them become a capitalist, and use their smarts, to start a business, instead of leeching off the taxpayer.
david barron, civil servant
I suspect the transportation figures quoted are actually “half a trillion” dollars (half a billion is only $500 million which does not go far statewide for roads). And I suspect the SCAG figure is actually $425 billion over 25 years (not $425 million listed). You may want to correct the article if I am right….
I suspect the transportation figures quoted are actually “half a trillion” dollars (half a billion is only $500 million which does not go far statewide for roads). And I suspect the SCAG figure is actually $425 billion over 25 years (not $425 million listed). You may want to correct the article if I am right….
Ron you are the bomb.
Yes, you are right about the High Speed Train. Meanwhile back in the City, Town, Village, people are truely suffering.
When will the City of L.A. take upon itself austerity measures necessary to reduce borrowing, debt, and on top of all of that comes the legal battles to come to build such a high speed train.
Each year from the mark, interest is due and owed, to payforward the annual debt owed on pensions and each councilman also borrow money for their districts with interest.
This up-front borrowing really puts citizens behind the curve. Our councilmen, our elected representative have come to prefer the smell of money and pussy, ask Herman Cain and Villaraigosa. (fallen nature) And to recoup the tax reduction, they Prey upon the Poor, the Majority of Latino’s and Latina’s with parking fees, such a fallen nature, by pushing down others to climb on top, raped up in apartment flipping visa-via 2006 Capitalization Program sanctioned by Villaraigosa, and now that some residential investors (boys with money) who thought they were going to pull a fast one are now begging like a whore, asking to suck Villaraigos Off, to get a SCEP FEE from the poor.
The House in 2012 will return to the Democrates. 55% of Tea Party supporters want the Government to raise taxes on the rich. The GOP will get what they deserve.
Forget about fair districts. It’s better to retire and get away from all the distractions that drive everyone crazy, including myself.