As you said, the decline was well underway when Reagan was elected to enact solutions. There is no evidence that the decline would have reversed itself. The middle quintile of not-even-high-school jobs that paid a living wage were eliminated by ever-improving automated manufacturing. This reduced the cost of manufactured hard and soft goods by the amount of those no-skill-required salaries, leaving more for the upper quintile to spend on housing. At the same time communities sought to suppress "sprawl" and thus limited the natural outward growth of cities, additionally juicing the cost of the existing housing stock.
This whole piece seems to be a belief that we can just magically return to the good old days. Melt down those robots. Put humans back in those toxic auto paint booths. Yes, lives will be shorter and sicker but there will be more room in the existing capital regime because people will be around for fewer lifetime days.
Meanwhile, don't ask the auto workers in right-to-work Alabama whether they are happy. To get that answer will require chasing them down on their 40 acres and an ATV - possible because land is cheaper there. Limitations of the natural human desire to spread out are many fewer - just one example of the good intentions gone bad world now upon us. Most of the troubles the piece lists are the results of attempts to hold back the ambitions and desires of the very people the piece laments.
Thanks, Frank - I believe that is the most thoughtful feedback I've received in the nearly two years I've been labouring away in Substack obscurity. It seems we have some disagreements or at least misunderstandings – I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords, especially if they come bearing fully automated luxury communism – but all those points are excellent and I shall be pondering them.
I saw this piece featured on Freddie's subscribers writings. It is great! When people ask my politics I've been saying I'm a radical New Dealer for the last several years. Nothing gets my goat on the Left more than the identity crowd trying to "problematize" the New Deal with a poor understanding of statistics and base rates.
As you said, the decline was well underway when Reagan was elected to enact solutions. There is no evidence that the decline would have reversed itself. The middle quintile of not-even-high-school jobs that paid a living wage were eliminated by ever-improving automated manufacturing. This reduced the cost of manufactured hard and soft goods by the amount of those no-skill-required salaries, leaving more for the upper quintile to spend on housing. At the same time communities sought to suppress "sprawl" and thus limited the natural outward growth of cities, additionally juicing the cost of the existing housing stock.
This whole piece seems to be a belief that we can just magically return to the good old days. Melt down those robots. Put humans back in those toxic auto paint booths. Yes, lives will be shorter and sicker but there will be more room in the existing capital regime because people will be around for fewer lifetime days.
Meanwhile, don't ask the auto workers in right-to-work Alabama whether they are happy. To get that answer will require chasing them down on their 40 acres and an ATV - possible because land is cheaper there. Limitations of the natural human desire to spread out are many fewer - just one example of the good intentions gone bad world now upon us. Most of the troubles the piece lists are the results of attempts to hold back the ambitions and desires of the very people the piece laments.
Thanks, Frank - I believe that is the most thoughtful feedback I've received in the nearly two years I've been labouring away in Substack obscurity. It seems we have some disagreements or at least misunderstandings – I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords, especially if they come bearing fully automated luxury communism – but all those points are excellent and I shall be pondering them.
Solid stuff well done
Thanks!
I saw this piece featured on Freddie's subscribers writings. It is great! When people ask my politics I've been saying I'm a radical New Dealer for the last several years. Nothing gets my goat on the Left more than the identity crowd trying to "problematize" the New Deal with a poor understanding of statistics and base rates.
Thanks for your kind comments, Brian! Hopefully New Deal 2.0 isn't too far off.
great summary !
Thanks! (I seem to remember it was you who reminded me of Obama's pitchfork remark!)
ha - yeah I like that one :)
I tried - but couldn't find it on a T-Shirt :(
Did you try Red Bubble
I did thanks
My go to for political t shirts!
Loads of Scotty from marketing :p