[systemvoltage]

I've always been a Democrat but lately, I am reconsidering my position. I am not a single issue voter but UBI might be the reason to not support the Democratic party for me (if it ever gets on the ballot). Thankfully, most Democrats I know oppose UBI. The reason I am reconsidering is to do with how the entire west-coast is run - living in Seattle, Bay Area, LA and Portland feels like a third world nation. I'll probably continue to vote for Democrats in the presidential election, but local and county elections it will be the Republicans or Libertarians.

[bananabreakfast]

You've very clearly never been to an actual third world country.

Having homeless people and a high crime rate does not == 3rd world. In fact, it only means many, many people want to live there due to the overwhelming economic prosperity that is clearly not equitably split.

Also fun fact: the three "third world" states you mention have a combined GDP higher than EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD after the US, China and Japan.

[systemvoltage]

Hold on a sec, cut down the all caps. No need to shout. I grew up in a third-world nation and it's far better than the feces ridden shithole that is SF and Oakland, largely the bay area. Needles on walkways, crime through the roof, plastic trash on the road sides, feeling terrified of walking on the street at night, car thefts, the whole 9 yards. It is indistinguishable from a third-world country, I'd argue it is worse.

Sure, GDP is higher, thanks to big corporations and wealthy NIMBYs camping out in their caves, voting for their own demise.

> many people want to live there due to the overwhelming economic prosperity

No one wants to live in Bay Area. In fact, most engineers I've talked to want to leave and they have been leaving in droves.

[nostrademons]

The Bay Area is much larger than SF and Oakland. The Peninsula is lovely, no needles, no shit, good schools, beautiful homes in the hills, we actually support our police departments who generally come when you call them, etc. Even South Bay is great, modulo housing expenses. I never felt unsafe in Sunnyvale, and it and Fremont have some of the lowest crime rates of cities > 150K pop in the U.S.

[vineyardmike]

> living in Seattle, Bay Area, LA and Portland feels like a third world nation

UBI would help a lot with homelessness and blight. Also seattle is not nearly as bad as the rest of those places in 90+% of the area.

[nostrademons]

If it's coupled with actually building houses. Add UBI to existing zoning & construction regulations and you'll just see rent increase.