[rjbertsche]

Saying that construction is a 'basic job skill' is kind of an amazing way to say you don't understand what is going on there at all. Or that somehow it's just magic to you. Most jobs have a depth to them, and most people have to learn quite a bit to do them successfully.

[kposehn]

Agreed. Based on the author's description, I think he basically is talking about what he sees from CalTrain or the 101 without actually looking into the areas he says are broken.

I live north of San Mateo in one of these "broken" areas. It is most definitely not broken, and nor are the people. But if you go down by the CalTrain line you'll see some trash strewn about and some houses that look run down. But go 200 feet away and it is no longer that.