Third World America!

[L124C]

I started another thread concerning the deteriorating conditions at my marina. My specific concern was the failure of navigational aids in the channel leading to the marina. Some of the responses I received were basically; "get over it", "move if you don't like it ("Capitalism at work")" or "take the initiative to mark the channel yourself". The problem is, I see this as a pattern throughout the country.
I know Adriana Huffington recently came out with a book titled "Third World America", but I've seen it coming for years (and have used that exact phrase). Anyway, I found myself struggling to stay on topic in the other thread, so I thought I would open the topic in a general sense here. Do you educate yourself on the issues (my motivation for the other thread) and fight the good fight, to preserve what was a nice marina, park, school etc., or just move on (as I have already done once) until there is nowhere decent left to go? Personally, I think we are screwed as a country, and that we screwed ourselves due to apathy, spawned by greed! On that note - Merry Christmas!

Here is a link to the other thread if anyone is interested.
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...er-lights.html

[ssneade]

fix the marina. it's the only logical answer. hotels come and go, so do department stores and sports arenas. they just build new ones. marinas on the other hand, not so much. the environmental impact of building new marinas would be horrific. just because the old one is getting tired and run down? sorry, don't work that way for marinas. alot of folk aren't doing much fixin' up lately due to the economy, but as things get better, so will yer marina........

[L124C]

Originally Posted by ssneade

fix the marina. it's the only logical answer.

Obviously, I agree with you. However, logic often doesn't seem to factor in. For example; I don't have any kids, but I've always thought education should be the "third rail" for politicians ("touch it, and you die"), rather than Social Security. Yet, they hack away at it, apparently without repercussions (in this country anyway). Seems extremely short sighted for the good of the country. I'd pay more taxes, or cut elsewhere to make education (and teachers) a priority. Oddly, I seem to be in the minority. Though of course, most give it lip service i.e., "No Child Left Behind".
I think the same applies to the marina. Apparently, the "just move on" folks don't see the issue coming to their marina. I've experienced it twice now (once, well prior to the economic downturn, in affluent, Marin County, CA!).