I was reading the latest edition of the Sacramento Bee when I stumbled across an editorial that made my blood boil. Alvie Lindsey is her name, and her article reads like any other article you can find on the inter webs or print… we need to do something. It talks about the Bee doing an investigation (LOL) and asking the hard questions (LOL) then being transparent with the answers given (LOL). Since I didn’t die of laughter, I guess I’ll continue my commentary below.
First of all, Alvie, you work in a dead profession, not dying, dead, so I question your sanity. Journalism died when you guys went all in on left wing politics and policies. Ask yourself this, how can you possibly hold Joe Biden, Gavin Newsom, or any other elected in California/US accountable when you did nothing but pump them up while running for office? You can’t. Sorry, not sorry.
When I was in college 2004-2008 Gavin Newsom (yes that one) was mayor. His reign lasted through 2011. During that same time span, a politician named Kamala Harris (again, that one) was District Attorney, then she elevated to be Attorney General of CA.
My point in naming these two is simple, the Bee and other publications have supported their motives for years, since 2004 to be exact. Never have either of these two done anything to draw the ire of any news organization in CA. In fact, you doubled, and tripled down to support them. But on to the homeless issue to make my point.
California is very rare in that we have a massive state, home to massive corporations, also we have three very different, distinct regions. All three, however, are very progressive, and seem to be racing each other to the bottom.
Through my time in California, I never used to witness much homelessness, even when in high school and I had to volunteer at Loaves and Fishes there were not a “ton” of homeless, more like a few hundred. I went to college in Marin County, and the problem was substantially worse. This was circa 2004-2008. My time there I got introduced to San Francisco/Oakland/Bay Area this was an eye opener. Open air drug markets (Civic Center, SF) tent cities (Oakland) and massive crime (any area with mass transit). Things have gotten progressively worse, in all 3 phases. Now the homeless crisis has taken over our state with Sacramento County claiming to have 10,000 homeless alone.
How did we get here?
Well, it’s a combination of things; there is no sole answer or cause. To understand one needs to realize humanity is not perfect, but it is resourceful. What I mean by that is while homelessness may be avoidable for some, others have chosen homelessness. First and foremost, I would say 75-80% of most folks have zero saved up for an emergency. Thus, when something happens (health, layoff, car/house repair) occurs they have no means to afford it. Thus, some are pushed into homelessness due to circumstances out of their control. I include in these folks evicted/foreclosed on, as they typically have no viable options. Drug/alcohol abuse is also a large cause of homelessness, a friend of mine (RIP) lost his house, due to his alcohol addiction, he was foreclosed on. Abuse leads to loss of employment that turns into loss of residence. Others just want to live underground and avoid paying for things.
Sure, there are some who are down on their luck, lost a job, had major health scare etc., and for them I hope they are able to get into transitional housing and start work again. I really do and I feel this blog’s staff feel the same. California has spent millions on this type of housing, and I see zero results, the problem is actually getting worse. Getting worse due to decisions made by left leaning elected that the news media went in the tank for. Gavin Newsom has raised the minimum wage, built low-income housing (even sued local cities to force them to build), waived most permit and environment rules, decriminalized drugs and low-level crimes, all in the guise of “helping folks out of poverty.” It hurt the problem. Honestly very few of these tiny homes have been built, and when they have been, the units end up trashed, due to you guessed it drugs, alcohol, and more disturbing sex trade. Most of these “camps” are staffed with a medic, security, and social workers… added amenities include showers, toilets, and community areas. Yet somehow these units end up in a state of disrepair. Who knew people who don’t have any purpose in life or have no fear of consequences will trash the place?
Here is my solution: Warning it is not constitutional and will never be allowed but understand my take.
We round up all homeless in each county. Yup, I said it. You have two choices, you want to better yourself, get out of homelessness? You go one way, board a bus and live in a tiny home compound. You have access to social workers, but most importantly you apply for jobs, entry level, who cares, the goal here is you have a safe place to live temporarily, and getting a paycheck coming in. This is the best, easiest and most effective way to get out of homelessness. You have a place to live, a safe one at that, bathrooms and shower facilities, and a schedule. There will be no, drinking, sex, or drugging at this place. PERIOD. The other group of folks who want to drink, drug, and have sex like crazy they get on a different bus, and go to a compound away from society. They can live their lives out over there, away from a civilized society.
I know what folks are thinking, how can I be so cold, low hearted, and call myself a Christian? I do, and I can. I sleep just well at night as well by the way. Recently I morphed into an angry white male, I took a look at the taxes I pay and I’m sick. I’m sick because I see billions being spent on homeless liberal BS and it isn’t working. I see/read stories of tons of trash, destroyed property, and the like, it’s my damn taxpayer money being spent on liberal BS. And by the way the GOP supports it out here as well. San Francisco is a wasteland; a once proud city is destroyed. Downtown Sacramento, near where this blog is headquartered (for now) is trashed. I was there for a Spartan Race (I’m kind of a big deal) K street and L street smelled like piss, and scat, of the human variety. In front of our new basketball arena, which was supposed to turn the area around, they were blasting music at 6am…. yes, to ward of the homeless folks who want to camp out.
It’s time for a new idea, no more liberal BS maybe try my idea?
The Chief
Editor’s Note: In the 1980’s, it was alleged by Mitch Snyder and parroted by a willing media that there were 3 million homeless in the United States. At the time the government (U.S. Census Bureau) claimed about 300,000 homeless. Since the media (including the Sacramento Bee) are always truthful, let’s use their number of 3 million. Why is it that there were no tent cities or poop on sidewalks? In fact, sightings of homeless people were infrequent in many areas. Currently the number of homeless is allegedly 582,462. This is one sixth the number of homeless that liberals claimed existed during the Reagan Administration. Why is the problem now so much worse? Why is homelessness a crisis in areas governed almost exclusively by Democrats?