Letter to the Editor: With yet another subdivision, there goes the neighborhood

Dear Editor:

Well yet another subdivision is being developed in my neighborhood. In the last 28 years there have been at least seven subdivisions built on 218th, between 84th and 92nd. Most of the original homes on our street are one-story ramblers and date back to the early 1950s.

Your development is named “Shaw Lane” after the family you purchased the land from. I have watched in the last nine days a beautiful 1.45-acre greenbelt and a home completely cleared of EVERYTHING, for six new homes that will be built on 8,000-square-foot lots.

So my question is directed to the developers. Do you ever consider the character of a neighborhood or care what your vision is doing to an area? Is your only focus, care and concern how much money you stand to make? Why does there need to be “complete” destruction for your vision in a community you don’t live in? A classic “There goes the neighborhood.”

Julene Gradwohl
Edmonds

  1. Julene, our region has adopted policies that direct growth of new housing and jobs to already developed areas where we have existing roads, sewers, water, power and gas lines and other utilities as well as the fire, police and hospitals necessary. If this growth went to the edge of our urbanized area as some of it still does, it would require much higher fees and taxes from all of us. It would cause higher levels of congestion and pollution. It would destroy forests, streams and meadows that remain good quality habitat, far superior for wildlife than 1 acre remnants in the midst of sprawling suburban lots, many of which are over run with invasives. Also, any 1 acre lot left with such proximity to Seattle would be affordable only to the very richest among us. I have nothing against that, but it’s also important for there to be housing for working people within a reasonable commute to thier jobs. Edmonds is a wonderful place, and it would be better still if it were a more welcoming place. Some of the Salish tribes may wish thier homes still graced that land instead of 5 50’s ramblers, but things change. We will live without change when we stop breathing.
    I understand it must be hard to see such a dramatic change and I share a concern for preserving the feel and character of Edmonds. That is what drew us here and we need to manage change so it’s slow and incremental. New buildings aee going to be built by developers because people just don’t build thier own anymore. Developers take big risks that sometimes pay big and sometimes lose big. It’s not just about profits. Building more in existing communities adds to thier vibrancy and tax base with new residents bringing new talents and resources, starting businesses attracting others, and supporting the ones we have, joining our churches and civic/philanthropic organizations, volunteering to help out. Won’t it be great to have 6 middle class neighbors looking out for you and able to contribute rather than just one multimillionaire behind gates?
    The street you would have seen in 1950 or 60 would have had those cute houses surrounded by cleared land. Half a century later you can barely tell. Whoever built your house or sold you the materials likely made a profit. We have to pay people for thier work because the alternative, where people are not paid for work, is slavery. We have to welcome new neighbors, because the alternative is more sprawl, higher costs, isolation, stagnation and decline.

  2. For CONGLOMERATE DEVELOPERS to think they are ahead of the Salish Tribe or any other Native American for that matter is something else….WOW! ……What a line……

    We do not have to “welcome” our “new neighbors” ,the developers, who are only interested in one thing, and THAT is to make a PROFIT by destroying more of our environment.

    Developers have no idea of the soul of land and nature……and the DESTRUCTION they are leaving in their path across the United States is quite unbelievable…….I would also like to add that there are MILLIONS of developer’s houses sitting EMPTY across the United States…..We can thank the developers for that……THIS type of change is also what is causing GLOBAL WARMING……this type of “change” is why Native Americans are almost extinct!

    Edmonds has been on the development trajectory for 37 years that I see, and hey, WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY $$$$ from this great development!!!……We can’t even fix our streets or sidewalks., bridges, infrastructure, etc….

    Again, what a line!

  3. Julene– Just a note to support the context of commentary by Mr. Goodman above. What most people don’t recognize- or fail to acknowledge, is that it’s the PROPERTY OWNERS of these land parcels/legal lots that choose tosell their land to others who will subsequently redevelop those properties in accordance with the zoning and building codes applicable to those lots. Everyone needs to understand that it’s not the City that creates these changes in your neighborhood, it’s your current neighbors who are enabling these developments by selling their properties to others who through applicable land use regulations, guidelines, and codes undertake controlled and predictable growth to our fair city on the sound.

  4. I agree with Tere – I don’t have to welcome my neighbors. I likely will, but I don’t have to. We chose our neighborhood a long time ago for many reasons including its character. My new neighbors will be choosing something very different than I chose – i.e., nothing in common at least in the beginning.
    I agree with Phil – I don’t begrudge developers or even the sellers. The failure lies in the evolution of local planning and zoning which creates these opportunities for developers and development that transforms the character of neighborhoods.
    Government planners generally strive to increase density and the local tax base. They would prefer that we lived in high density multi-family boxes, worked close to home and only used public transportation – kind of like Russia in the 1960’s.
    On another note, I never understood why cutting down a tree in a city is preferred to cutting down a rural tree.

  5. Eric and Phil–you have accurately and eloquently stated the case for development in urban areas, including our beloved Edmonds. Julene, what you feel is understandable. But it would be interesting to check in with you in a few years to see how your new neighbors worked out for you.

    Despite what some would wish, further development of Edmonds is inevitable. And why not? Edmonds is a very desirable place to live, and it is a very desirable place to live in a metropolitan area of more than 3 and a half million people. We have heard the arguments that Edmonds is “maxed out” and cannot absorb more growth. But Edmonds’ density is comparable to Lynnwood, Shoreline, Montlake Terrace, and other surrounding and growing communities. Can and should we shape that growth? Absolutely! However, there will continue to be pressure to develop undeveloped and buildable areas in Edmonds, as well as to redevelop areas that are underdeveloped (in compliance with current development codes). There are no city gates we can shut to keep out the people who desire to live and work here, nor should we want to. It remains our job (and that of the city’s mayor, council, staff, and residents) to ensure that future growth and development is responsible, in-scale (although I and many others might argue what that scale might be), and of overall benefit to the community.

    I, for one, reject the tired and vacuous arguments that all development is for the profit of the very few. We collectively build for profit, we run businesses for profit, and we conduct our families’ affairs to end up in the black. To do otherwise would be counterproductive and, frankly, unconscionable. And this “profit” allows us to build our parks, our community amenities, our infrastructure, our donations to those in need, and our overall quality of life. Our great nation and our fair community has been built and improved largely through the distribution of private and corporate (oh, yes, that dirty word) profits. Consider our wonderful Carnegie library.(the museum), the ECA, the Edmonds Theater, our great recreational facilties and enhanced beach, the Port waterfront, our business and arts community…shall I go on? The people who outright built, or supported these amenities through taxes, were “profiteers” all. And we should thank them, you, and all of us for their collective contribution to our city.

    Edmonds is a great community with even greater things ahead. Sure, we should fix our roads, mark our crosswalks, elect even better elected officials (although we have some good ones), and continue to look out for each other,

    But Edmonds is going to grow, and hopefully grow well. If you live here because you love the charm–good! If you live here because you think nothing will change–good luck! Edmonds is a great place, and we will share it with other new residents and businesses going forward.

    Development is inevitable. Let’s work together to assure it continues to be to our community’s benefit.

  6. Yes, we’ve seen what the “PROFITEERS” have done to other communities……Kirkland comes to mind as a prime example, Ballard, etc. MORE development is NOT “inevitable”……..You guys must think you’re MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE or something…….

    Years of heavy development in Edmonds and I notice that NONE of the developers give a ratz you know what that our streets and sidewalks are totally degraded……..We don’t have enough money for BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE, but we’re gonna let YOU DEVELOPERS all just sail in here again and again and make more profits off of our city and walk away. …….”Let’s work together to assure it continues to be to our community’s benefit”…….Looking at our streets and sidewalks it doesn’t appear that ANY developers have been considering the community’s benefit…..Well, except for maybe 15 feet of sidewalk in front of some their developments

  7. During the October 25, 2005 City Council meeting, former Development Services Director Duane Bowman commented he had been describing the need to update the Zoning Code since he was hired in 2000. The comment was also made that the City’s code dated to the 1980s and piecemeal amendments make it difficult to use and administer.

    It is now 2014 and we are still using many parts of this difficult code that has needed to be updated since the year 2000, possibly earlier.

    Is it proper and ethical for the City to approve further development for years and years while the City has full and complete knowledge that its City Code contains numerous errors, ambiguities and inconsistencies?

    Does the public have any idea how many historical “staff interpretations” are utilized by staff during the development code compliance process that have never been codified?

    Has the public been notified that the City has intentionally violated State and City laws related to development efforts in the past? How does the public protect itself in the event that the City chooses to do so again in the future?

    Why would staff state the following in an email?:

    “…. should we mention something in the letter about the requirement to have one (a valid state contractor’s license) to perform work in the City right-of-way or do you want that to come out when he submits for his right-of-way permit?”

    What motivates such staff consideration? Does an open and transparent government consider hiding information so that it will “come out” later?

    Staff did not publish new Critical Areas Ordinance No. 3527 for 79 days, delaying the effective date of that huge new law without City Council approval.

    How does the City Council determine if staff has provided it complete information before the City Council votes on issues? How could the City Council possibly ascertain this?

    Why would Council vote on draft Ordinances missing exhibits before the Ordinances are even finalized?

    Sadly, for many reasons trust has been greatly impaired.

    I believe we need strong, courageous leadership willing to address past wrongs in an effort to rebuild trust.

    I believe we also need leaders devoted to completing an excellent, comprehensive rewrite of the entire Code as soon as possible. I continue to believe that the Code Rewrite should be the City’s top priority.

  8. Foundation., foundation, foundation……..We need a comprehensive foundation for an HONEST., trustworthy and fair government……We do not have that now…..CODE and LAW is EVERYTHING……..We are not some backwoods entity……No one is above the LAW

  9. When I began attending Council meetings in the mid 90’s I remember Duane stating a number of times that our codes needed to be updated and rewritten as Ken R. has stated. That vision has not been realized. Until that happens we will continue to muddle through with unwanted results. It is very important that each citizen reach out to Council members, the Mayor and the Planning Board to express your concerns and work with all parties so that Edmonds can grow in a healthy and benificial way. I remember someone saying to me that if the legal notice is posted at a site, your are to late. I saw the legal notice for this property in the newspaper and investigated what was proposed. Although I did not like the idea of an acre being leveled to cram mulitple houses onto it, I knew that little could be said to the Hearing Examiner to sway the decision to not have those houses built. I did go to the Hearing but not because of this property but one that was on Sierra Place. Nobody spoke at the meeting about this development. It was a slam dunk for the proposal. On the other hand there were a number of citizens that spoke about the Sierra Place property and in the long run that development was denied.
    Take a look at the housing tract that is known as “The Preserve” in north Edmonds. When I saw that, I left shaking my head. I am not sure of the total acreage but it is at least 5 acres of land that was totally cleared and then houses stacked on top of each other. Edmonds will continue to grow and it is imperitive that citizens take the time to let their voices be heard.

  10. I still say it could be very hard for those in our government to remain objective

    when a very large sum of money was given from an entity in Chicago for campaign

    help money…….help to get elected in our small town.

    In order for Real Estate companies to continue to make profits, there must be

    constant house turnovers, building turnovers, construction and DEVELOPMENT.

    https://www.realtor.org/articles/my-realtor-party-from-member-to-politician

    https://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/tools-and-

    resources/mrp/assets/WashingtonREALTORSMayoralVictory.pdf

    “Earling has also received two independent expenditures from the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors Fund for $26,720. Independent expenditures are donations that are not sought by candidates”……….Edmonds Patch News, 11/03/2011

    PDF File onlin for donations

    As recently as a month ago, I came across an online webpage for Coldwell Banker Bain

    Real Estate on 5th Avenue South, Edmonds, with the name of Daivd Earling as the

    “Manager” at that website for the real estate company listing. There was also a

    phone # for David Earling that is the SAME phone number for that real estate

    company. The bottom of the webpage listed David Earling and was dated “2014”. I

    guess I wonder if our Mayor can do real estate transactions while Mayor of Edmonds

    and be objective in regards to real estate business in our town, development and

    construction. I have saved the website listing…..just have not been able to find

    the file right now…..I Will show the link when I find the file.

    I guess I’m old fashioned, but I probably would like our Mayor to explain how he as

    Mayor (which I thought was a full time position) keeps these current connections

    from drawing a conflict of interest in regards to business and economic development

    in our town, commisions, etc. that seems to ONLY point in one direction always….

    It has been interesting to me that immediately after the election (I believe the

    following Monday) we received a huge, slick flyer for development at Harbor

    Square…..

    With all of this, and the City of Edmonds not having CODES UP TO DATE and CURRENT,

    staff winging it, one can see where there could be major problems, and issues of

    TRUST particularily when our basic infrastructure is in such a bad state, and we don’t have ample street signage from what I see.

    1. I wanted to check into this myself so I asked Mayor Earling for some feedback. Here’s what I learned:

      He did receive independent expenditures during the his campaign, which as you noted candidates have no control over. I do remember him mentioning that during his campaign.

      He said that he and his wife own the building where Coldwell Banker has their business and Coldwell Banker makes lease payments to them. But he added that is the only business relationship he has with Coldwell Banker.

      In addition, Mr. Earling confirmed he is a full-time mayor and said he has not had a real estate license for the past several years. He noted it is illegal to accept commissions without a license and illegal for Coldwell Banker to pay a commission to a non-licensed person, under state law.

      According to the mayor, the Chamber website that says he manages Coldwell Banker is outdated and incorrect, and should be corrected by the Chamber or Coldwell Banker.

      1. There was no law against the Mayor returning the $26,000…..This was a lopsided huge amount of money for a campaign in this small town compared to other donations for other people. Just having the Mayors NAME and that phone number on the business says something……….the web page is dated 2014……….There is also another website that has the same information and it is not the Chamber……I guess more than one entity has made the same error. These should be corrected. I thought the Mayor owned his own realty company when he was doing transactions as a realtor

      1. I am traveling and don’t have reliable wireless to allow me to look up deleted comments – but to paraphrase it was related to our current mayor’s trailing the former mayor in the polls before he got donations. That is not true.

        1. As I have put a link to the article Real Estate Party, you can see they say Dave Earling was down 11 points, so they helped him , generally speaking regarding this…..wow, this is like deja vu from a year ago and always the same questions regarding my “allegation” by the same people. …….I also recently saw the ad for the real estate company still online at two places……Perhaps some things just cannot be removed online once put up…….Perhaps that company should have put behind the name that he owned the building and was not the “manager” of the real estate company, although the phone number next to the name was the same phone number of the real estate company

          Again, these are not “allegations”, they are statements of facts, and AGAIN I dont make up things and lie

        2. The story is false. It says that Dave Earling was trailing 7 months before the election. He only became a candidate 2 months before the August 2011 Primary in which he received 33% more votes than Mike Cooper.

  11. Tere, I hope you find the web site listing for all of us to see and back up your allegations.

    1. I don’t lie so you can be assured that I saw this page. I also saw a reference to it at a search engine. I also showed this page to at least one other person and spoke to another Edmonds resident about it. I have no reason to make this up…..I was quite shocked to see it

    2. Here is a link for one of the websites dated for 2014 for Coldwell Real Estate lisitng with I assume the Mayor’s name (“David Earling”) at the bottom of the page, with the same phone number as the Coldwell office in Edmonds on 5th, and “Contact” information for Coldwell real estate. . This is a listing with the Chamber.
      There was also another one online for the real estate company with the Mayor listed as the “manager” with the real estate office downtown phone #, but this was another one I found

  12. Everyone seems to talk around “the elephant in the middle of the room” – “THE” Economy!

    At this point in time, it matters not our opinions regarding “THE” Economy – we are all dependent on it for our lives; everything we need to survive is intimately involved with “THE” Economy.

    The now Global Economy, paraphrasing and adding to Bobby Kennedy, is not only about everything except what makes life worth living, a healthy – growing – economy is always about more efficiently destroying, poisoning what is necessary for life as we know it.

    while We can easily start blaming profit and greed, it IS necessary for a healthy, growing economy.

    I highly suggest reading “Imperial San Francisco, Urban Power, Earthly Ruin” by Gray Brechin. Everything there is applicable everywhere.

    I could easily back up my claims above, and would love to meet with anyone interested in doing something about “THE” Economy, to make it – life friendly.

  13. Yes, the elephant in the room is the one percent…….It is an issue of class and this is the global elephant…….Capitalism we clearly see NOW only WORKS for the select few……..the “economy” isn’t t really about the masses globally……..profit and greed rules…….THIS is not a “healthy economy” unless of course you are on top with the rest of the one percent……profit and greed

  14. My daughter lives in Kirkland and LOVES IT..So the growth there seems to be okay by the people. I also knot alot of people who LOVE Ballard..and yes they are developing both cities. But by the choice of the majority of the people. Edmonds can not longer live in a high price bubble. IT has been paid (taxes) for years by condominium building..well I believe that tax benefit has ended. We are losing Top Foods, we are losing the Waterfront Antique MaLL..There are probably more coming up on the chopping block. No one will want to live here if the taxes go sky high no matter how quaint it is..

  15. The growth there is only liked by the people that moved into these types of big box structures….This is well known… I. grew up in Ballard and still have all of my original ties to Ballard and I can say there is no question in regards to the general population (not big box people.) They are very angry with these type of developers…..

    Many have left Kirkland and some have moved to Edmonds…..Irony of that

  16. I have only two comments.
    1) Joy stated that her daughter lives in Kirkland and Loves it. I believe that. Young people have a different view of where they want to live in this day and age. They are not as interested in the the History or “Quaintness” of the town or Neighborhood but want to have a cool, modern space to call home. This is the future.
    2) I agree with what people on both sides of this discussion are saying but I also feel there could be compromise. Instead of 6 or 8 houses crammed into one lot with no yard or privacy, why not 2? Or 3? I can tell you that people that buy these “affordable” ($400,000.00 +) homes do not stay there long as it isn’t a Home, it is just a house.
    I for one have lived in Edmonds for a number of years and love it! However, seeing the direction it is taking, I doubt I will live here for years to come. I am sure that once Walgreen, Chase, Key and the others have their way and I can no longer have “An Edmonds Kind of Day” I will be on my way so a developer can put a bank or a drugstore or 5 short term, shabbily built, ugly shoehorn houses on my lot. How did that song go? “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”.
    Thanks for the Memories Edmonds…..

    1. Joe,

      you remind me of days – growing up in Los Angeles . . . it was called “white flight”

      “they” are getting some money and want to move into “white” neighborhoods…

      the concept of “flight”…

      this time around – density, always more density – it’s required for a “health, growing” economy and “jobs”

      back in the 1960’s, Bobby Kennedy made a statement about the gdp measuring everything except what makes life worth living…

      it’s actually, “the economy” is about destroying what is necessary for life as we know it . . .

      while i’m sick and tired of people complaining about “climate change”, i rarely hear mention of deadening of the oceans, polluting sweet water, destroying more and more “local” environments, in the name of “clean, green energy” (which is a farse!)

  17. I know this will probably turn into some sort of bizarre exchange and links to websites I don’t care to visit, but I feel compelled to offer a response to Tere Ryder.

    First, if you were on top of your game, you would realize the term “Global Warming” is no longer even used. The hoax is now called “Climate Change”. The earth has not been in a warming trend for well over a decade.

    Second, if you were truly concerned about global “Climate Change”, you would be directing your efforts toward effecting change in China and India. As their contribution to carbon emissions is dramatically worse than here in the US. There are far more people. cars and flatulating cows in the US than there has ever been, but our carbon emissions keep diminishing. Hmmm…how could that be?

    Third, before denigrating the 1%, as if that income bracket were some sort of pariah on society, you should acknowledge that that same 1% pays more in taxes than the remaining 99%. Those taxes fund all your precious government sponsored programs.

    I’m all for better streets, more sidewalks and police officers, but the fact they don’t exist isn’t the result of the 1% you love to belittle.

    I appreciate your passion and dedication, but just because you read or say something doesn’t make it true.

    Take care.

    1. Ed,

      1st – re: climate change

      i’m sick and tired of hearing about it!!! both from scientists and others! have you listened to any scientists? looked at the data they’re looking at? have you heard about other parts of the world where farmers are having to move up the mountain? i highly recommend the book “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert

      there are SOME scientists and others that acknowledge this planet has gone thru several cycles of warming and cooling – you might recall there were glaciers in this part of the world, which melted… these just hope to make it slightly “gentler”

      while i believe the planet IT going to continue to warm up for long after you and i are no longer memories, i think it’s become a major distraction!

      2nd – the 100%

      regardless you opinion on “the” economy, we’re stuck with it unless there is a MAJOR revolution, in which case the new faces would probably just go back to the same economy, with themselves as “the 1%”

      also – i’m of the belief, regardless of how much or how little you have, NO ONE wants someone else to take ANYTHING! you may decide to give it all away, but that’s very different from someone else taking 1 penny! taxes take…

      3rd –

      while i’m no economist, i’ve read and listened to economist Ellen Brown and her Web of Debt. between “fractional reserve” and interest on money, along with some other stuff, our economy is a ponzi scheme of the highest magnitude! designed to concentrate money/power

      as far as absolute tax dollars paid vs related to what a person has… while you may be correct… i’ll never forget my discussion with a microsoft lobbyist, with my state lawmaker right there . . . basically the conversation was . . .

      MS: we don’t get any subsidies!

      MS: we don’t pay taxes

      then of course, several years back, “the state” wasn’t willing to pay boeing enough, so boeing moved it’s headquarters. “the state” is willing to give much more of our tax dollars to boeing, and the other major, international corporations, any corporation with a larger budget than the state.

      have you ever thought about it . . . i’m not aware of any source of revenue governments have other than taxation, pretty lame to me!

      i also recall not long ago, the state had a method, other than taxation for income – sell booze. costco put up a few million dollars to reap that cash cow.

      one last issue – a “state bank”

      all of the taxes our governments hold, the monies constantly flow in and out, but they all have some money – is held in a major bank, which uses that money to get more money…

      a “state bank” would allow the state to use that money, as well as interest from loans to help the coffers

      but – i hear too often

      we don’t want that!

  18. Hi Victor, thanks for the recommendation on a book I should read.

    Regarding your 1st point – Your acknowledgement that the earth has gone through warming and cooling cycles throughout it’s existence, proves my point. Even if humans/population growth are the creators of an accelerated warming and cooling cycle, shouldn’t our efforts be directed toward those that aren’t carrying their fair share of the load regarding carbon emissions? Or is your suggestion we just continue to stifle our country and economy to say, “well at least played nicely in the playground”?

    Regarding your 2nd point – taking others people’s money to give it to others that haven’t earned it, also aligns with my point. The state, let alone the city has not proven they can effectively utilize the taxation money they already receive. So, why would any reasonable person sponsor more of the same failed processes? When your children repeatedly waste their allowance, do your increase their allowance?

    Regarding your 3rd point – to me, your talking about corrupt politicians taking the easy way out. They should be selling western Washington, all of it’s glory and the intellectual talent that resides here. Instead, pockets are lined with campaign cash to deliver favors and power continues to be consumed accordingly.

    I love your spirit and passion. America is great! Spirited debate is allowed and welcome.

    Take care,

    Ed

    1. Ed Peterson commented on Letter to the Editor: With yet another subdivision, there goes the neighborhood.

      in response to teresawippel:

      Dear Editor: Well yet another subdivision is being developed in my neighborhood. In the last 28 years there have been at least seven subdivisions built on 218th, between 84th and 92nd. Most of the original homes on our street are one-story ramblers and date back to the early 1950s. Your development is named “Shaw Lane” […]

      Hi Victor, thanks for the recommendation on a book I should read.

      Regarding your 1st point – Your acknowledgement that the earth has gone through warming and cooling cycles throughout it’s existence, proves my point. Even if humans/population growth are the creators of an accelerated warming and cooling cycle, shouldn’t our efforts be directed toward those that aren’t carrying their fair share of the load regarding carbon emissions? Or is your suggestion we just continue to stifle our country and economy to say, “well at least played nicely in the playground”?

      Regarding your 2nd point – taking others people’s money to give it to others that haven’t earned it, also aligns with my point. The state, let alone the city has not proven they can effectively utilize the taxation money they already receive. So, why would any reasonable person sponsor more of the same failed processes? When your children repeatedly waste their allowance, do your increase their allowance?

      Regarding your 3rd point – to me, your talking about corrupt politicians taking the easy way out. They should be selling western Washington, all of it’s glory and the intellectual talent that resides here. Instead, pockets are lined with campaign cash to deliver favors and power continues to be consumed accordingly.

      I love your spirit and passion. America is great! Spirited debate is allowed and welcome.

      Take care,

      Ed

      hi Ed,

      i appreciate your response.

      writing this, i notice it becomes rather lenghy, but i’ve got a lot built up inside me regarding what i refer to as a ponzi, suicide, slave economy! and the language used to promote it

      i’d love to sit and have an opportunity to discuss it!

      – v

      re: 1st point, 2nd point and 3rd point

      the common thread, and what is fundamental to this society, “THE” Economy!

      Regardless of whether or not we like it, the whole world is now a slave to “THE” Global Economy.

      This Economy, a so-called “free” market economy is dependent on constant growth, and more dependence on people people that are indifferent to the needs of others.

      it’s temperature/health is measured – as Bobby Kennedy basically once said – on everything except what makes life worth living. Looking at the state of the world – the need to always “balance” – my – health and well-being, not even health, of the masses, against – economic prosperity (for the few). And yes, we are told, will make our lives better – “job”s, etc.” In the name of “jobs” around the world people and this “compromise”, more and more people are accepting more and more toxins in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the stuff we ingest.

      i will claim that we are dependent on a ponzi, suicide economy in order to survive.

      re: 1s point
      who pays the price regarding carbon emissions? THIS country has benefited from vastly more carbon emissions than all of the world combined for much if not most of the 20th century. while i can’t blame China and othe countries for wanting to – catch up – the Chinese people are currently suffering the most from being forced into cities working for multi-national corporations, breathing air that was concidered too toxic when the world attention was focused on China during the Olympics. They breathe daily toxic air.

      who carries the load for lower carbon emissions? in the way of health of the society? or health of “THE” Economy?

      THE Economy is designed to concentrate financial wealth and power always into fewer hands – and yet, we are all dependent on it.

      i’d be glad to sit down with you over coffee and discuss – this ponzi, suicide economy!

      2nd ponit: taxation

      i’m not aware of ANY way, other than taxation for the government to acquire any income – and yet, it is dependent on income in order to due anything!

      I remember just a few years back, Boeing complained that it did not get enough tax dollars, and moved it’s headquarters to Chicago. Since then, the state lawmakers have been sure to always give more money, in one form or another, to the major corporations, which are then able to show their goodness with donations here and there…

      until a few years ago, the state was able to bring in some income through the sale of alcohol, but it was too lucrative a situation for costco to let the state have it. costco, in essence “bought” that right.

      for the past several years, there has been a movement to open a “state bank”, currently all the income is stored with the major banks which of course receive all the benefits. no surprise there is a major push back. a state bank would allow the state to utilize all of that money

      the masses have been led to believe it’s better in the hands of these major corporations – which were also bailed out a few years ago after causing a major economic collapse.

      3rd point – corrpution

      while i’d love to agree with you on the amount of “corruption”, i also recognize, “THE” Economy is in part based on taking as much as you possibly can, today, and don’t worry about tomorrow. What good is having more money at your disposal than the government if you can’t control the government??? and get more?

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