San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities

Liberal west coast cities like to act very compassionate towards  the homeless population. Unfortunately, these cities have also seen a steady increase in people living on the street along with a decreasing quality of life for all. There are a multitude of reasons given. Some see it as just a problem of lack of housing. Others point to mental health or drug use. Alas, solutions are hard to find.

The progressive mentality often is too focussed on trying for the best rather than making improvements. People are allowed to live in squalor because very nice housing is not available. Shelters are shunned as inferior to a nice apartment. While this is true, it is also true that shelters are much better than a spot on the street. The advocates pushing for the housing end up diverting funding from providing basic shelter for a many to the hopes of providing fancy shelter for a few. Similarly, limited psychiatric services are available. Mentally ill were removed from inpatient treatment and integrated into society - often on the streets. Huge amounts are then spent to provide for emergency services for them rather than provide a long term solution.

There is also a strong desire to see homeless as victims. They are seen as incapable of controller their situation. They may be left out due to racism, poverty or some other problem. Laws are seen as part of the police/prison complex and not enforced against them. They are allowed (and even encouraged) to engage in drug use. Generous public assistance is given without strings. People learn how the system works and how to get food, drugs and place to sleep. Many are on their way to die rather than get better. People from other locations seek out the "progressive" locations that will let them engage in their antisocial behavior.

Many progressive western cities have a case of "pathological altruism". There is heavy criticism against anything that takes away from the ability of the homeless to do whatever they want. This goes together with a western belief in extreme individualism. The "altruistic" can feel that they are helping because they put up a Black Lives Matter sign and support funding for homeless. At the same time, they will advocate for nimby positions against more housing near them. Even cleaning up "skid row" is seen as a negative form of gentrification.

Many cities provide huge amounts of homeless services. However, they don't require anybody to use it. Many homeless people would rather take advantage of the abundant vices than struggle to get their life in order. With a little push they would be willing to be helped, but that is not easy. Other countries, such as Netherlands and Portugal have decriminalized drug use but also limited their availability. They have built new housing and helped get people off the street. While the south may have a "prison-industrial complex", the west has a "homeless-industrial complex". In each case huge amounts of money are spent while people suffer and families are torn apart.