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by jelliclesfarm 2645 days ago
“Calling leaving room for young people to make their way, "altruism?" Arranging society to allow for the next generation is "Altruism!?" Sorry, but that's just good governance. When a society transforms, such that about the only people who can gracefully afford being 20-something newlyweds are 40-something professionals, that society has become truly ossified. In most times and places throughout history, there are places where young lower and working class people can be thrifty and make their way. It's disappearing from a lot of California.”

Altruism : altruism noun al· tru· ism | \ ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm \ Definition of altruism 1 : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others charitable acts motivated purely by altruism 2 : behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species[..]

governance noun gov· er· nance | \ ˈgə-vər-nən(t)s \ Definition of governance : GOVERNMENT the challenges of national governance [..]

I am not saying no one should care about the next generation. I am saying that even ‘caring for the next generation’ has to be sensible and rational. How is overcrowded schools ‘caring for the next generation?” Or being away from your child due to long commutes? How is worsening air quality and high cost of living and increasing pollution..all attributes of high density cities...’better for the next generation’?

You are saying a child raised in Visalia is worse off than a child raised in Palo Alto. It’s not because of housing density. It’s because of governance that doesn’t provide for good schools in Visalia and not enough support to alleviate school pressure in Palo Alto.

High density housing does NOTHING except generate taxes for the government that spends most of it for the care and feeding of employees and to cover unfunded pension liabilities.

For what it’s worth, CA will not allow container mother in law units in the backyards. It won’t bring in as much property tax as building a three story 2400 sq ft matchbox home on a 3000 sq ft lot for a million dollars price tag to get $12k property tax per annum.

This..THIS..is the reality of California.

1 comments

unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others

Taking care of the next generation is an enlightened form of selfishness.

I am saying that even ‘caring for the next generation’ has to be sensible and rational.

I agree.

How is overcrowded schools ‘caring for the next generation?”

I'm for school choice.

High density housing does NOTHING except generate taxes for the government that spends most of it for the care and feeding of employees and to cover unfunded pension liabilities.

[citation needed]

In New York, it seems to have created a vibrant and diverse society. (While housing price pressure seems to be undoing that there as well.)

For what it’s worth, CA will not allow container mother in law units in the backyards.

Didn't Fresno pass favorable legislation?

This..THIS..is the reality of California.

Shortsighted self interest? No disagreement.

Fresno is not the Bay Area. I am all for building high density homes in Fresno. Not so much in Bay Area because we are full capacity.

California is more enlightened and egalitarian than most other states in the country. If making rational choices is ‘shortsighted self interest’, I can see how I am comfortable live that.

California is more enlightened and egalitarian than most other states in the country.

That's the narrative California tells itself. The reality is a bit more nuanced than that. The visible income inequality in the Bay Area puts me in mind of France before the revolution. (Another wine growing world power with world renowned culture and upper classes concerned with fripperies in the midst of incredible squalor.)