Working Poor

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts) Tue Dec 22, 2015, 07:47 PM Dec 2015

When John Edwards, warts and all, spoke of the two Americas

he spoke of the place that I have been privileged to visit over the least few years. This is the place where the poor live and mostly trudge on. This is also the place where sometimes the poor organize, and get things done.

Today I went to the homes of people living in poverty in my city. (If you think it is limited to my city I got a nice bridge for sale incidentally) A place that the city threatened to condemn (with good reason mind you) after one of the residents sent the city code enforcement inspector on them.

Here is the article if anybody is interested. There are plenty of photos if again, anybody is interested in visiting that America, one that many people still believe does not exist in the United States. Yup, warts and all, but Edwards was speaking of a reality that has just gotten worst in may respects with the gap in income inequality growing.

http://reportingsandiego.com/2015/12/22/housing-and-landlords-in-san-diego-when-things-may-get-fixed-up/

GD http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027468704

Poverty http://www.democraticunderground.com/1118989

7 replies

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When John Edwards, warts and all, spoke of the two Americas (Original Post) nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 OP

What usually happens here in Arkansas is code enforcers kick everyone out, the residents are now LiberalArkie Dec 2015 #1

That is one issue I raised nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #2

I agree people are trying to bring public attention to the slum lords. They used to try that LiberalArkie Dec 2015 #3

These are the kinds of things that will lead sooner or later to a social explosion nadinbrzezinski Dec 2015 #4

The landlord laws I think are new in the last 5 years or so. Republican legislature. ACORN was found LiberalArkie Dec 2015 #5

people can only be told so many times...to eat cake w0nderer Dec 2015 #7

K & R w0nderer Dec 2015 #6

LiberalArkie

(16,500 posts)

1. What usually happens here in Arkansas is code enforcers kick everyone out, the residents are now

Reply to nadinbrzezinski (Original post)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 08:03 PM

Dec 2015

homeless. The owner guts the place and rebuilds and now the rent is 10 times or more what it was. It gets so bad for the poor that the last thing you want is a code enforcer to come around...

Slums are cheap but at least the person has a roof (sometimes not much of one) and a place to bath and cook. Maybe a doors and windows that can be locked.

I don't think the US does public housing any more. I guess one war too many.

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)

2. That is one issue I raised

Reply to LiberalArkie (Reply #1)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 08:06 PM

Dec 2015

if the property was condemned what or where they were going to go to?

When we do these stories we always raise the issue of retaliation as well. I use the old motto, do no harm.

My feeling is that we are getting to the point where people are starting to lose their fear, if you get me drift. and are tired. That can be some powerful explosive force right there.

LiberalArkie

(16,500 posts)

3. I agree people are trying to bring public attention to the slum lords. They used to try that

Reply to nadinbrzezinski (Reply #2)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 08:14 PM

Dec 2015

in NYC so the landlords just burned the building down, didn't care if people were in it or not. Arkansas has a law now on the books where the landlord is always right. If you paid him yesterday for the next month. He can sign an eviction notice that same day, no court or anything. The sheriff comes out that day or the next and throws you out in the street. Makes no different if he owes you. The landlord is always right.

Little Rock is closing down a whole low to medium rent housing complex in January and evicting everyone because of code violations.

I am glad I have my little house out in the country. Not much of one, but it is cheap to heat and cheap to cool.

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)

4. These are the kinds of things that will lead sooner or later to a social explosion

Reply to LiberalArkie (Reply #3)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 08:17 PM

Dec 2015

And I guess in Arkansas we would be even more careful. CA has much stronger tenant rights laws. but a lot of the tenants are not educated on them.

LiberalArkie

(16,500 posts)

5. The landlord laws I think are new in the last 5 years or so. Republican legislature. ACORN was found

Reply to nadinbrzezinski (Reply #4)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 08:35 PM

Dec 2015

founded in Little Rock and did get the life line power, gas and telephone rates for the poor. Acorn is still active here, but with so much money against them it is hard.

Here is a great page and a great radio station. Community radio at its best.

http://www.kabf.org/?page_id=170

We may be a poor state, but we do sometimes accomplish so amazing things.

w0nderer

(1,937 posts)

7. people can only be told so many times...to eat cake

Reply to nadinbrzezinski (Reply #4)

Thu Dec 24, 2015, 03:28 PM

Dec 2015

before they get the urge to shave people

w0nderer

(1,937 posts)

6. K & R

Reply to nadinbrzezinski (Original post)

Thu Dec 24, 2015, 03:27 PM

Dec 2015

thanks nadinbrzezinski

great post

yeah frequently it's a 'don't complain, cause if you do, they'll fix it and then rent goes up'

keep fighting the good fight!

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