Blue States Can’t Have Nice Things

[Trumpetman]

Why Blue States Can’t Have Nice Things

In the tangle of outsourcing, no one is actually in charge.

www.persuasion.community

It was jarring, in the best way, to see a public space so well-run. Admission is free. Kids walk right up to cows, goats, sheep, and chickens. They climb on old tractors, go on wagon rides, race through open fields.

After a busy morning, we bought $2 Uncrustables and $1.50 popsicles from the gift shop and sat for lunch. At one point, my 3-year-old wandered over to a chicken coop that had been converted into a playhouse. He was inside when a mom rushed over—her son was bleeding. He’d been nicked by a loose plank that had come down in the coop.

Red states actually deliver services. Blue states pat themselves on the back for their empathy for charging double but delivering half as much in services.

But L.A.’s dysfunction reveals something deeper about how we’ve come to think about government. The way we talk about public goods is fake: it’s a debate between Republicans, who believe nearly everything should be privatized, and Democrats, who also believe nearly everything should be privatized—except routed through nonprofits, quasi-public agencies, and for-profit subsidiaries of nonprofits. A city that once boldly built a 230-mile-long aqueduct to steal a river now asks itself: should zoo concessions go to SSA or Aramark?

But L.A. isn’t alone. Even nominally “public” solutions get laundered through the nonprofit/industrial complex—because nobody, not even socialists, want to actually run things. Zohran Mamdani’s much-derided proposal for city-owned grocery stores in New York City in all likelihood wouldn’t involve the city owning grocery stores. His single-paragraph “plan” links to a New York Times article summarizing similar efforts: In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson paid a nonprofit which in turn paid a consultancy to study the feasibility of city-run groceries, only to conclude absolutely nothing at all. A failing Kansas City store is operated by a for-profit subsidiary of a nonprofit that relies on constant cash infusions from the city government.

Even at their best, Blue cities only achieve competence by admitting they can’t govern. The most effective public-private partnerships—Bryant Park, the High Line, LACMA, the Hollywood Bowl—effectively cede control of the public good to private organizations.

I don't want to quote the entire article but it's a good read and starts to get to the bottom of why so many services in so many blue states and cities just can't seem to be delivered. Lots of direct links to what is referenced in this story as well that are quite illuminating, especially with regard to how well those state run grocery stores are likely to work. The nonprofit/industrial complex makes it so no one is accountable, no one delivers much of anything, but everyone gets paid while the constituents suffer.

 

[americanwoman]

If Los Angeles was such a shithole, why exactly does the writer continue to live there? High prices? Crappy public services? Hmmm........


HAHA all I had to do was go back - the write is a ticket scalper and "very occasional" writer. So yes, @Trumpetman take a ticket scalper as an expert opinion on how individual states are run.

 

[Michael Cole]

Los Angeles is not a blue state much less blue states. Any argument that proceeds from this is fallacious on its face.

If I show a month of free Artown exhibits and activities, does that mean swing states are run exceptionally well?

 

[BirdinHand]

Hmm…looks around my blue state where life is pretty damn happy and

Yeah…it’s awful here. I suggest all MAGA types stay in their red states.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I live in a blue areas and red areas. Red areas were depressing with nothing to do unless one wanted to go "muddin'" while the blue areas are lively with culture, interesting places to eat, museums, theatre, and other interesting amenities that provide for a high quality of life. I felt constantly depressed when living in red areas and have not felt that way when living in blue ones. I think largely it stemmed from being bored and under-stimulated while living in red areas.

 

[americanwoman]

Hmm…looks around my blue state where life is pretty damn happy and

Yeah…it’s awful here. I suggest all MAGA types stay in their red states.

Just wait until you visit a red state's playhouse and the loose nail that injured a child gets............. fixed.

 

[BirdinHand]

Just wait until you visit a red state's playhouse and the loose nail that injured a child gets............. fixed.

Yeah, our playgrounds are all relatively new here - equipment that doesn’t have any “nails” - and many have resurfaced the playground areas and gotten rid of the annoying wooden mulch that kept getting in kids shoes and replaced it with rubber surfaces.

It’s a tough life I tell ya

 

[Trumpetman]

If Los Angeles was such a shithole, why exactly does the writer continue to live there? High prices? Crappy public services? Hmmm........


HAHA all I had to do was go back - the write is a ticket scalper and "very occasional" writer. So yes, @Trumpetman take a ticket scalper as an expert opinion on how individual states are run.

So what information in the article do you disagree with and what information was false?

Hmm…looks around my blue state where life is pretty damn happy and

Yeah…it’s awful here. I suggest all MAGA types stay in their red states.

Massachusetts population by year, county, race, & more

The ages, races, and population density of Massachusetts tell a story. Understand the shifts in demographic trends with these charts visualizing decades of population data.

usafacts.org

You've got to give it to them. They've barely run a deificit, barely lost population and wow they sure seem to have some magical and innocuous way of keeping all the people they don't like out of the state. I mean look at the lack of ethic change there compared to everywhere else.

It's quite the little secret they've got happening.

 

[americanwoman]

So what information in the article do you disagree with and what information was false?

The whole premise. We have to rely on the writer a ticket scalper, that his experience at two places that cater to children gives him credibility to preach on government run public places. Especially when he obviously loves shitty things, since he continues to live in the hell hole otherwise known as LA.

 

[Slartibartfast]

The whole premise. We have to rely on the writer a ticket scalper, that his experience at two places that cater to children gives him credibility to preach on government run public places. Especially when he obviously loves shitty things, since he continues to live in the hell hole otherwise known as LA.

Its the typical house cat mentality. People enjoy all the nice stuff being provided to them, but find a reason to complain anyway.

 

[BirdinHand]

Massachusetts population by year, county, race, & more

The ages, races, and population density of Massachusetts tell a story. Understand the shifts in demographic trends with these charts visualizing decades of population data.

usafacts.org

You've got to give it to them. They've barely run a deificit, barely lost population and wow they sure seem to have some magical and innocuous way of keeping all the people they don't like out of the state. I mean look at the lack of ethic change there compared to everywhere else.

It's quite the little secret they've got happening.

Beautiful state. Can’t say I’d ever want to live there. Brutal winters.

 

[Decypher]

When I think of governmental services, trips to a farm aren’t exactly top of the list.

 

[element94]

Why Blue States Can’t Have Nice Things

In the tangle of outsourcing, no one is actually in charge.

www.persuasion.community

Red states actually deliver services. Blue states pat themselves on the back for their empathy for charging double but delivering half as much in services.



I don't want to quote the entire article but it's a good read and starts to get to the bottom of why so many services in so many blue states and cities just can't seem to be delivered. Lots of direct links to what is referenced in this story as well that are quite illuminating, especially with regard to how well those state run grocery stores are likely to work. The nonprofit/industrial complex makes it so no one is accountable, no one delivers much of anything, but everyone gets paid while the constituents suffer.

Political Leaning: Other. Hmm, what could it be?

 

[Trumpetman]

The whole premise. We have to rely on the writer a ticket scalper, that his experience at two places that cater to children gives him credibility to preach on government run public places. Especially when he obviously loves shitty things, since he continues to live in the hell hole otherwise known as LA.

You could rely on the information. What problem do you have with the information presented? Was he lying about the state of the LA Zoo?

When I think of governmental services, trips to a farm aren’t exactly top of the list.

Which services do you think blue cities are providing that are done well? For example is the NYC subway system, clean safe and on time? Do you thing the infrastructure in say LA is modern, safe, efficient and effective?

Political Leaning: Other. Hmm, what could it be?

Competence.

 

[element94]

Competence.

I needed a good laugh.

 

[americanwoman]

You could rely on the information. What problem do you have with the information presented? Was he lying about the state of the LA Zoo?

He could have been for clicks, it certainly worked on you.

I just don't find a ticket scalper to be the most reliable source, you obviously do.

 

[Hari Seldon]

If Los Angeles was such a shithole, why exactly does the writer continue to live there? High prices? Crappy public services? Hmmm........


HAHA all I had to do was go back - the write is a ticket scalper and "very occasional" writer. So yes, @Trumpetman take a ticket scalper as an expert opinion on how individual states are run.

You can only be a ticket scalper where people want to go see something and are willing to pay higher prices. Like in all the big cities.

 

[Decypher]

Which services do you think blue cities are providing that are done well? For example is the NYC subway system, clean safe and on time? Do you thing the infrastructure in say LA is modern, safe, efficient and effective?

The NYC subway was fine when I lived there, and on subsequent visits. Comparable to the Tube or the Metro. Which mass transit systems in red cities are you contrasting it with?

I was last in LA in 2023. Lots of construction going on for the upcoming Olympics. Which red cities have the comparable infrastructure to host an international sporting event?

 

[Trumpetman]

The NYC subway was fine when I lived there, and on subsequent visits. Comparable to the Tube or the Metro. Which mass transit systems in red cities are you contrasting it with?

Why don't you compare your anecdote with reported news and ridership numbers?

I was last in LA in 2023. Lots of construction going on for the upcoming Olympics. Which red cities have the comparable infrastructure to host an international sporting event?

That's the standard? We can't take out the trash or put out fires but we won the Olympics?

BTW as someone in California those events aren't just held in LA.

Los Angeles map shows 2028 Olympics venue locations

Newsweek has created a map of the venue locations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics venues.

www.newsweek.com

Unless you consider Temecula as part of Los Angeles.

 

[Trumpetman]

He could have been for clicks, it certainly worked on you.

I just don't find a ticket scalper to be the most reliable source, you obviously do.

You haven't addressed a single piece of information yet. It's crazy how bad the left source trolls.

It's like you can't even process information unless an authority tells you that you can process it.

 

[americanwoman]

You haven't addressed a single piece of information yet. It's crazy how bad the left source trolls.

It's like you can't even process information unless an authority tells you that you can process it.

Lol and you need a ticket scalper to inform you.

What is there to address? One person's supposed experience at two different places is somehow indictive of everything wrong with government services? GTFO and no wonder you get trolled, your sources suck.

 

[americanwoman]

Why don't you compare your anecdote with reported news and ridership numbers?

Says the guy whose source (that he complains that I am bitching about) for this whole discussion are anecdotes!!

Why don't you support your OP about government services in red/blue states with actual reported news, numbers, and statistics? Then perhaps we could have a good discussion about the topic.

 

[Decypher]

Why don't you compare your anecdote with reported news and ridership numbers?



That's the standard? We can't take out the trash or put out fires but we won the Olympics?

BTW as someone in California those events aren't just held in LA.

Los Angeles map shows 2028 Olympics venue locations

Newsweek has created a map of the venue locations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics venues.

www.newsweek.com

Unless you consider Temecula as part of Los Angeles.

If you have a point to make about the subway, let’s hear it.

So you agree that the infrastructure in LA is sufficient to host the Olympics. I can’t see where you have provided examples of better run transit systems in red cities or mentioned which red cities have the infrastructure to host international sporting events. Sounds like they do have good petting zoos, though.

 

[Trumpetman]

Lol and you need a ticket scalper to inform you.

What is there to address? One person's supposed experience at two different places is somehow indictive of everything wrong with government services? GTFO and no wonder you get trolled, your sources suck.

There were numerous linked primary sources. You focus on who linked them.

Can Kansas City keep this struggling grocery store open? It's spent millions trying

Crime around the Linwood Shopping Center is steering customers away from the Sun Fresh grocery store at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue. The store's operators say the city needs to address infrastructure and public safety improvements in the area.

www.kcur.org

That is about the grocery store failures.

L.A.'s historic Griffith Park Pool won’t reopen. Here’s the $28-million plan to replace it

Built in 1927 and once the largest aquatic facility in Los Angeles, the pool has been dry since 2020.

www.latimes.com

That is a link to how the city needs 8 years to replace a pool.

Again you can't even begin to process the information.

There's a dozen more links like this within the article. You aren't aware because you refuse to read.

 

[Trumpetman]

Says the guy whose source (that he complains that I am bitching about) for this whole discussion are anecdotes!!

Why don't you support your OP about government services in red/blue states with actual reported news, numbers, and statistics? Then perhaps we could have a good discussion about the topic.

The OP had a dozen of them. You refused to interface with the information from all of them.