In a message dated 8/6/2003 4:15:15 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Yes, the patrol is starting in Jordan, and yes many of the resources are > coming to Jordan, but the long-term approach is to have a mechanism in place > that will "leave no neighborhood behind". Sorry, couldn't resist. The problem is that urban renewal programs generally move poor people, crime, etc., out of one poor neighborhood into another. A long-term approach that will "leave no neighborhood behind" must include steps to enforce fair employment and housing laws, which will help to deconcentrate poverty citywide, investment in affordable housing in blighted neighborhoods, which will generate some good jobs, and better schools that will eliminate a motive for "middle class" people to flee to the suburbs. I also think that a big part of the gang, crime, and drug problem is a consequence of the "war on drugs." The prohibition of recreational drugs drives up the price, drives many drug addicts to engage in criminal activities to pay for their habit, creates an economic niche for gun-toting gangs, and has been filling half of the prison beds with people convicted of using or selling drugs. Illegal recreational drugs would be the source of far fewer social problems if they were legalized and regulated. -Doug Mann TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
