Letter of the week, 3/10/08: Bulldoze downtown Meriden!

[David]

Bulldoze downtown!
Editor:

I am sick and tired reading about City Hall bragging about downtown Meriden. Have these people ever actually been downtown? The way they talk about it, I’m surprised they don’t have tour buses. They could start at the abandoned post office and go all the way to the corner of Maple Street.

While I agree with Mayor Mark Benigni that there are some good things happening in town, downtown is not one of them. With the exception of the senior center, police department, courthouse and the YMCA, they should bulldoze the rest of “downtown” on both sides. Build new modern buildings that would give store owners, etc., a reason to believe in downtown.

Now when do the tour buses start?
WALTER McGRATH, MERIDEN

[Fit 2 Print]

I've just read the above letter, and I wonder how many other people agree. What else is on the plus side of worth saving downtown other than the buildings he names?

[leherissierm]

I dont agree. Many buildings do need improvement, but I think there are several buildings on Colony Street that both look decent and are good buisnesses...the strip across from First Congretional Church has a spanish bakery, barber shop, pizza place...I think these building are all good businesses.

[jma]

The police department and court complex never should have been built downtown. We should have used the old Jefferson school instead. Driving by the court complex on a Tuesday morning, seeing the line of people waiting to get into court doesn't exactly beckon shoppers. Downtown is not "user friendly" unless you're a local, and know exactly where you're heading. The only thing that will revitalize it will be big-name stores to bring in outsiders. Only then will they realize the value in the little shops.

[eds]

This guy is off his rocker. Let's just throw in the towel. Throw out the baby with the bathwater as they say. Yeah that's a "great" idea. He mentions nothing about "The Mills". Now that's a better idea if you're itching to get your bulldozer started.

[collie]

Middlesex College is being left out. I agree re the Colony Street building with the pizza parlour, spanish bakery and barber shop - they take care of the building, for one thing, whoever owns it and I do get my pizza from the shop, have occassionally patronized the bakery as well. I enjoy the buildings that are old and well kept - Lagana's, the Travel Agency, Barrister's Court, the old aluminum diner on West Main, the building Lester D. ran a museum out of ... Seriously, I think the letter writer was exaggerrating a wee bit to make a point and I laughed out loud when I read it. It made me think wouldn't it be funny to make a postcard of Meriden with the building on Colony Street, 19 I think it is - the old Hamrah Building that looks like its been bombed in a world war for the past six months, a gutted mess where one can see straight through the building from State St. to Colony. Anyways, to borrow the City's pet expression on this postcard, run the banner Meriden on the Move. We could sell the postcards at the Daffodil Festival to raise money for a historical preservation non-profit in Meriden. I really think the city needs to step up its enforcement of the blight code. The view from the parking lot at the train station (facing the backs of the buildings on Colony Street) is disgustingly neglected and makes a terrible impression.

[billd531]

Guess there are a few of you new to Meriden. Big named stores? Many moons ago, before Meriden Square, there was Meriden Hub. I seem to remember there being a Bradlee's and Stop & Shop along with many other smaller stores.
What happened to them? They built the Mills Apartments. Soon after that all the stores pulled out because of the shoplifters and lack of business. It was about this time that downtown became a ghost town and they have been trying to bring it back from the dead since then!!!!

[jma]

I remember the Meriden Hub very well, thank you. You make it sound as if there are nothing but shoplifters and criminals living in the Mills. Trust me, there are just as many teen girls from Cheshire ripping off stores in the square. It never fails to amaze me how ignorant people are of that complex. Unless you personally know someone who lives there, get off the bandwagon against the Mills.

[collie]

Plus, I think the Mills was there first, if memory serves me right!

[eds]

Unless you personally know someone who lives there, get off the bandwagon against the Mills.


No thank you. But thank you for playing. I don't need to know anyone there. I have read articles on the Mills in the R-J about how many people throw trash in the hallways and treat the area with disrespect. I drive by there and see the types of people that are in and around that area. I hear plenty of comments. Am I biased? Sure am! Biased against unappreciative people. Being poor does not mean being filthy. There are no excuses for that type of behavior. None. Sure some don't do that. Chalk that up to collateral damage. One bad apple will ruin it for everyone concerned. Whether they were they're first or not, matters not. Clean it up or clean it out. That would be another positive step in bringing back the downtown area.

Those people need to have a little more pride in their neighborhood and in themselves. They need to start taking care of themselves better, getting educated, and getting a career that can pay for a decent lifestyle. I've heard all the excuses and I don't believe any of them. They range from "I've got two kids" "I'm a single mother" "I didn't graduate high school" "I can't afford college" etc. etc. etc. Blah blah blah.

Whether you believe you can or you can't, you're right. That's a saying I once read on a desk accessory. And it holds true here. If you really want to get yourself out of the situation you're in, you can. There are ways. It will be damn hard and challenging at times. But you have to persevere until you're goals are met. The time to start is now. By keeping the Mills we are only enabling failure and not providing the correct motivation to get themselves up and out of that situation.

[jma]

Certainly, there are some people living there who fit your description. There are also some very wonderful people living there, trying their best to make it. What ****es me off is a bunch of middle-class snobs, looking down their noses at "those people". I'd love to see every one of those snobs lose their friggin shirts, and end up on the other side of the coin. Try looking at "those people" with your heart, and not your narrow mind and you might be surprised at what you see.

[collie]

Luckily the City has to comply with federal law when it comes to the white flight fantasy of tearing down the Mills and confiscating the property for "economic development." Too bad the feds can't do something similar to the Cambridge Report the BOE just received. No coincidence to me that the original downtown building facade program intended to use federal money allocated to Meriden for down-payment mortgage assistance to those coming up from the Mills and Section 8. It was referred to as money lying around, not being used which was not the case and I think shows that the prevailing attitude in city hall towards our low income people, very similar to EDS's sentiments.

[jma]

God forbid we give "those people" a helping hand! They might move to "GASP" our neighborhoods! Doesn't say much for our leaders, does it?

[billd531]

I for one am getting sick and tired of hearing about what Meriden should do with downtown. For one reason only, it cost money! If they could get commercial ventures to build up downtown, fine! Instead it's the town spending tax money and, low and behold, they end up raising taxes!
People, all forms of our Governemnt, don't make money! We do and they spend our money. I don't care if it's "for the people or the children ", it's money out of our pockets. Think back to the days of our parents ( or in some cases - grandparents ) where a family got along on one income. How? The Governments ( town, State and Federal ) weren't taking close to 50% of thier pay.

[eds]

We should never just give to the poor blindly! We need to HELP the poor. Give them job training, give them down payment assistance if they are working hard, teach them about financial management and investing. Help them to re-integrate into proper society. They need to be re-educated. We are not doing anyone any good by just giving people handouts blindly without requiring some form of motivation on their part to ensure that they are working hard to get back into society. I am not against helping GENUINELY poor people.

Even Jesus said not to blindly give to the poor, lest your seed fall on a rock. There are faithful servants and poor stewards. If you are a poor steward you will get nothing and will lose everything. That's the parable of the tenants.

Free money entitlements and handouts become drugs that are very hard to wean people off. I hear of people on state aid, getting pregnant. If you are on state aid, you should be forbidden from having more children that tax payers then need to pay for. There should be income requirements to having children. If you can't afford to take care of yourself, then how can you take care of a kid? With more state aid?! Not with my money.

Unfortunately you cannot separate "those people" from the ones who are genuinely trying to make it back into society. That is why I am against ANY FORM of government aid. I give money to charity. If the government stopped redistributing wealth to the poor, I might be able to better decide which charities get more of my money. Let charity take care of the people who genuinely need help. Not taxes. Charities have the time and dedication to one purpose that a multi-purpose government does not.

You know "those people" drive some rather nice cars. If you are on state aid, the value of your vehicle must be under $3000! Drive the Mills parking lot. How do they afford cars that cost more than that and be on state aid? Well...they registered it under another person's name. It happens all the time. Don't be naive to think that these people are genuine. Most of them are gaming the system. One such person I know of is a client of a lawyer I know. Owns a Cadillac Escapade, is on state aid, and is in trouble now because the car was involved in an accident.

I know "those people" as not genuinely destitute. They choose to be. I saw a person in Danbury standing on the side of the road near Exit 10 I-84 with a sign that said "disabled, can't work, need money for food". I watched this person come from the Microtel down the street and answer their cell phone. Do you realize that panhandling is a way of life that helps to earn money tax free and off the books? So that then they apply for state aid without any income and basically rip off the tax payers.

I have observed people in the Mills using cell phones. I have seen them wearing expensive clothes. I have seen people in line pay for food with food stamps while talking on the cell phone. They're nails and hair are well manicured. A simple haircut is all you need for a job interview, not highlights at a salon. A simple bottle of nail polish is just fine. You don't need acrylics and a French nail. "Those people" apparently can modify there cars too and put expensive shiny things all over them, lower them, put expensive rims on them, thin tires, etc.

Open your eyes. If you want to know destitute just look at any poor African nation and then tell me, who is worse off.

No. My tax dollars should not be funding someone's lifestyle while they game the system. I know it makes people feel all warm and fuzzy inside helping the poor, but don't waste your time on those who don't deserve it.

There was a story about a guy who jumped the border, came to the US from Mexico, worked a dishwasher for 11 years and saved over $50,000. He lost most of it when trying to fly back to Mexico for not declaring the money. But why is it that people from other countries come here with absolutely nothing but the shirts on their back and make money when "those people" here in the U.S. can't make a dime? Maybe the chip on their shoulder is holding them back perhaps?

[collie]

Well, my friend, if you are utterly opposed to government aid, how do you justify a downtown building facade improvement program? I should think you would expect the building owners downtown to step up, pull themselves up by the bootstraps and fix their neglected, blighted properties themselves. Or put them on the market. I personally have more empathy for low income residents of housing projects because I had to pull myself up and work really hard. One never quite recovers emotionally or feels secure - as someone noted, one catastrophe and anyone might need public housing. It's probably not likely that a nation built on taxation to provide public services can totally eliminate all aid. There would go the military, for one thing! And a public school system, too.

[eds]

I should think you would expect the building owners downtown to step up, pull themselves up by the bootstraps and fix their neglected, blighted properties themselves.

Yes I would. But in lieu of that the facade program is not a hand out. Welfare is a hand out because they never pay it back and keep taking and taking. They have to pay it back with interest. So its a decent compromise. Just because I agree with the compromise does not change my initial opinion that they should do it themselves.



I personally have more empathy for low income residents of housing projects because I had to pull myself up and work really hard. One never quite recovers emotionally or feels secure - as someone noted, one catastrophe and anyone might need public housing.


Congratulations! You are proof that it can be done. You have a highly desirable skill in nursing which you spent countless hours studying and perfecting, am I right? You can pay your own way. Nice house on a cul-de-sac, etc. etc... So why can't everyone do that?

Sure a catastrophe can happen. But you can prevent many from becoming nightmares. The folks who loose everything say to a fire because they have no insurance, the folks who loose everything because the main bread winner dies without life insurance, are folks who caused they're own issue. Many times people are they're own worst enemy. Taking out huge mortgages on houses they can't afford. Gambling. Drinking. Drugs. That sort of thing.

Do true catastrophes happen, sure they do! And Hurr. Katrina is not one of them either! I am not against helping those people who truly need it. But today we just hand out money continuously beyond the point at which any hard working person would need it. We continually take money from the "haves" and give it to the "have-nots" simply to garner votes and create a society beholden to politicians who use the money as a drug to get voters "hooked".

It's like the guy who needs a place to crash and 5 years later is still mooching. There's a difference. These people aren't trying very hard. We need to help the people, sure! I am not saying to abandon them. But we need to give these people a clear path and clear way out and make it highly desirable to do so. Any civilized society would not allow people to simply waste away eating government cheese, so to speak.

[eds]

It's probably not likely that a nation built on taxation to provide public services can totally eliminate all aid. There would go the military, for one thing! And a public school system, too.

There should be no public school system. Co-operative school systems, private school system, sure. That way my money goes to my kid in school, not someone else's. And I can choose what my child learns, when they learn it and how they learn it. My money, my kid, my choice what they learn and where they learn it.

Abolish the US BOE and all BOE's and we would have a better time of it.

As for the military read this link from the Manhattan Libertarian Party website:

http://www.manhattanlp.org/faq.htm

In it are details about what the Libertarian Party feels is the way to fund services which are public today but could be private tomorrow.

[collie]

I don't believe Libertarians would support the building facade program - the 2,500. "grant" for design would be tax money wouldn't it? And the city funding the money for the loans would be the same. I think a Libertarian would agree that the fastest way to get from point A to B in this case is to enforce the blight ordinance. The city would make money then and if owners don't want to fix their buildings they can sell them to someone who hopefully will - or the city can fine them too. And I say those things for the sake of argument because I am not a Libertarian. But I do agree with Libertarians when they recognize that even if things are not funded directly by local funds but involve grants, state and federal, it is still tax money. I prefer a judicious use of tax money myself based on my values that would certainly include a public education system. And when I hear the people of the Mills being called lazy, crooks, dirty, looking for a handout (not exact words but close enough) I wonder why the building owners downtown aren't referred to in the same way? I think it's stereotypes and negative suppositions.

[eds]

I would agree regarding the blight ordinance were it not for basic Libertarian tenant of property rights and the unalienable right to do as one wishes with their property. Without any private covenants, blight is unenforceable in a Libertarian society. Only violations of contractual obligations between property owners are actionable.

Under a Libertarian approach, purely, then the citizens of that area would have to come to an agreement, some type of covenant, invoked privately on the condition of maintenance and recourse for lack thereof.

Essentially Libertarians believe in collective agreements, rather than governmental ordinances. Blight ordinances are entirely un-libertarian.

In lieu of that, and in lieu of a purely libertarian government, one must compromise as mentioned.

And regarding the differences between the mills and the property owners downtown, there is but one. The property owners are being helped and will repay the town. Were it the same for the mills residents, then all would be the same. It is not. The business owners will be required to spend the money on building improvements only, not cell phones, manicures, and car parts. I am sure you can find one mills resident who does not fit that stereotype. But I suspect that case to be rare indeed.

I would think for those who do fit that rare case, they should be quite offended by their counterparts who engage in fraud and remove from service, any money that may be used to help those genuinely in need. "Those people" are doing a greater disservice to those in need than any rich man could.

[collie]

I was opposed to the blight ordinance when originally proposed because I knew it would not be applied even handedly and I also felt it was an invasioon of property owners rights. However, I think the fact that it passed was enough of a compromise. Now that there is a blight ordinance, it should be enforced.
As someone who routinely attends Meriden Housing Authority meetings, I'd say you are completely wrong in your assumptions about people in the projects getting over; the MHA strictly enforces income guidelines and investigates fraud. Residents are required to be working or enrolled in family self sufficiencey programs. I know several people who came up from the projects and have contributed back quite a bit to the city in terms of property taxes, service to the community, etc. More than I ever will, as a matter of fact and I do try to give back. Your description of the Mills residents sounded like a bad Archie Bunker imitation.

[eds]

Ah Carroll O'Conner! The great actor! I may, according to your claim, sound like Archie, but I claim you give credence to every member of that project which as much words. Few there deserve or have earned as much. For every one of yours I will show you ten of mine. The overall nature of that place breeds poverty and we as a civilised society do nothing but continue to feed that habit with tax dollars without remorse. We do an injustice to everyone living there. Until we as a town provide the necessary motivation to relieve oneself of that condition, we will never rid our town of the tremendous cost of this injustice. I am sure if given a chance, many would rather live elsewhere but are incapable of providing that chance to themselves. Continuing the flow of tax dollars provide what type of motivation? The motivation to do nothing.

The MHS investigates fraud with the same contempt they do those who throw trash in the hallways I am sure. Fraud is as rampant as the trash; of that you can be certain. As I recall, isn't the MHS understaffed and therefore handicapped in their efforts?

Requirements for employment are often circumvented by feigned emotional issues manifesting themselves as medical conditions, which prevent that work from being performed; much of which involves so-called depression. Though many do work, I am sure, to earn enough for the basics in life: cigarettes and beer, many work at jobs which will never provide a decent income to be self-sufficient. There are those that do not, surely there must be, though they number fewer than greater. I am sure Big "S" liquors being right nearby in fact relies heavily upon that behavior. I can only attribute this behavior to having less than the required motivation, of which you posses, to achieve a greater status in life. If not then tell me why there are more liquor stores per square foot in impoverished areas such as where the Mills is located. These people meet the work requirement, sure, but they only meet that requirement in a minimalist fashion, content with the mediocrity of their social condition, and my tax dollars, subsidizing their way of life as a permanent human condition. These subsidies come without encumbrance and to that is where I direct my objection.

I am sure you, collie, at one time were a nursing neophyte. You enrolled in training and received a hard-won education for a career which any reasonable person would assume would give a decent way of life. You even own a home. Why you were able to do that and not everyone is beyond me. Perhaps there will always be a small percentage of those who choose to remain in their condition. "The poor ye have with you always", Jesus said.

There are people living in the mills and in similar locations all their lives without any desire to improve themselves and with a multitude of excuses. Poverty is a hereditary disease for which I would not pay were it not for taxes.

[collie]

Poverty is a cycle broken by education. They are doing good things at the MHA through apprenticeship programs. Poverty is also fed by hatred. I would hate to be facing the, in addition to poverty, obstacle of such stereotypes. I'm sorry, but I fear I will need to be treated for depression myself if I continue this dialogue much longer. We are at an impasse apparently and you know neither one of us will budge ...

[eds]

Except that I agree with your first statement. "...broken by education". Education and training involving skills other than job skills, but also life skills. Ignore stereotypes. They are only a distraction to the goal.

My intent is not to make you change your mind. I had hoped others would join offering another viewpoint, though you seem to be the only one with the fortitude. Thank you for making me think and evaluate my core values. Everyday that I do not test myself, is a wasted day. This was not a wasted day for me.

[bodhigirl]

Congratulations! You are proof that it can be done. You have a highly desirable skill in nursing which you spent countless hours studying and perfecting, am I right? You can pay your own way. Nice house on a cul-de-sac, etc. etc... So why can't everyone do that?

Sure a catastrophe can happen. But you can prevent many from becoming nightmares. The folks who loose everything say to a fire because they have no insurance, the folks who loose everything because the main bread winner dies without life insurance, are folks who caused they're own issue. Many times people are they're own worst enemy. Taking out huge mortgages on houses they can't afford.:eek: Gambling. :eek: Drinking.:eek: Drugs. :eek:That sort of thing.

Do true catastrophes happen, sure they do! And Hurr. Katrina is not one of them either!.

Wow, first day on the boards and I am :confused: I wonder if, now that the ne'er to be mentioned 'recession' is hitting full force, if someone here don't maybe have a teensy bit more empathy for people who have hit hard times...

Or are you one of the FEW who are NOT two paychecks away from financial trouble?

Because I am hearing a judgmental elitist with a tagline in Latin likely designed to enhance the appearance of intellectual prowess...:rolleyes:

This is why I cannot stand PWSB ...the references, like statistics, are used to justify uncivilized behaviors...

PWSB= People Who Spout Bible.

I welcome your response. But since I dont spend as much time on these boards, and do not fancy myself an expert on every topic enough to post to every string, I will likely not be able to respond right away.

Enjoy your day of Independence!~

[eds]

Why am I elitist? Because I understand a modicum of Latin? If you want to learn Latin, buy a book. Because I am highly educated holding a master's degree? If you want to get an education like that, enroll in college. Because I am definitely not two paychecks away from financial ruin? If you want financial freedom learn how to manage money. Because I worked hard to achieve success, why does that make me elitist? I am not stopping anyone from achieving that which I have achieved.

I will not apologize for my success. Everyone in this world is given the same opportunities to succeed. It isn't easy. Nobody gave anything to me for free. But it can be done and it can be done by anyone in this country. I read about a Polish immigrant who took his pick of 18 universities 7 of which were Ivy League. He picked Harvard, and achieved a full scholarship to that school. Why? Because he worked very hard for that. He came here from Poland to achieve the American dream. And so can anyone.

You see there are two kinds of people in this world. Those who succeed and those who make excuses why they can't succeed.

You see while some may look upon the Bible with disdain as you seem to do, and call some people who quote from it, as you so cleverly put it, People Who Spout Bible, I listen to what it says and I do put 10% of my firstfruits into my storehouse for hard times so I am not two paychecks away from financial ruin.

How many who are on hard times now saved 10% of their money to build up personal wealth? How many made excuses why they couldn't? How many had no home insurance, no flood insurance, no life insurance that are now in financial ruin because of lack of forethought?

And if you care to know what my "elitist" Latin phrase means, it means this: Not my will, but yours be done. It was what Christ prayed as he prayed to the Father upon the rock in the woods. It means that although Christ felt weak He did the will of His Father because the will of the Father must be done. My life is not mine to live. My life and all my wealth I owe to G-d! When you realize this, and turn your life over to Christ, all your wants and desires will be met as well. Christ offers salvation and I took His offer. It's a personal religious choice. Don't hate me because I made that choice. Again, anyone can accept Christ's gift.

Should I be poor? Should I give every last cent I own to anyone who has less than me just because they have less and are poor? Christ did not come to save the poor and make them financially wealthy. Christ came to make us spiritually wealthy. It is from spiritual wealth that financial wealth will come. Everything that we need will be provided to us once we make that leap of faith and live our lives as G-d wants, not as we want.

But even if you don't believe that. Even if you don't believe in G-d at all, when stupidity strikes, whose fault is it? If you drive without a seat belt on and hurt yourself so bad you can't work, loose your job and then your car and house are repossessed. Whose fault is that? Is it G-d's fault? Is it my fault? Am I elitist because I wore my seat belt? Sometimes people can be their own worst enemy.

If you strike up a deal with the devil, take out a mortgage you can't afford, with no money down and no saved money in the bank, loose your job and you can't pay your mortgage, whose fault is that? Why did you buy such a big house; such a big car? Was it because you coveted what thy neighbor had? House ownership is a privilege for those that can afford it and work to keep it.

But I do not pass judgment on those who are their own worst enemy. I feel sorry for them, for they know not what they do. Sometimes one needs to provide tough love to not enable their failures any further by not just giving them hand-out after hand-out without any incentive to change their ways. I am not an enabler.

I help those who genuinely need it. I can't afford to help everyone so I let Christ lead me to those He wants me to help. And I do. Those who did not waste their resources but fell upon hard times through no fault of their own. Not those who wasted what they were given. But if Christ led me to one who was sloth it may not be for financial help, but spiritual.

I will never deny Christ. He has provided me with everything I have ever asked of Him, including my salvation. If that makes me a PWSB, an elistist pig who in your words show's no empathy, then so be it. Worse was done and said about Christ. Interesting it is that the Bible is the Word of G-d and you despise those who "spout" G-d's Word. So you despise those who profess G-d's Word? Do you despise G-d? These are not my words. They are G-d's.

[eds]

Y para los que hablan español...

En caso de que usted se preguntan, mis abuelos vinieron a este país de El Salvador. Soy segunda generación de latinos en este país y yo estoy haciendo muy bien. ¿Por qué no todos?

Si puedo hacerlo, cualquiera puede. Como he dicho antes de que usted puede tener éxito si desea o puede hacer excusas. Cuando los tiempos son buenos, el productor almacena grano para cuando los tiempos son malos.

Es demasiado malo que el huracán Katrina azotó la costa del Golfo. Pero el huracán Andrew fue igual de malo y reconstruido. ¿Por qué no puede el pueblo de Nueva Orleáns? ¿Por qué la gente de allí despilfarran el dinero que se les dio?

¿Dime por qué esto es? Es lo que es. No me importa. Alguien soy yo.

[collie]

Perhaps I will be able to read more of that soon; am finishing an advanced physiology course and taking two semesters of Spanish next! The four years of Spanish I had in high school aren't enough for my nursing job.

And in terms of the economy, I needed to add college tuition to the list of bills like I needed a hole in the head, but it helps to advance oneself.

Don't know about everyone else, but I'm hustling all the work I can get. Will probably do seven days/week when the flu shot season starts. $683. for a half a tank of oil? Good God almighty, let's hope it doesn't get any worse and let us try to donate to our local food bank or something when we can. And encourage others, no matter their age or obstacles, to continue their educations. It opens doors for work. Growth is good for the soul and we all have gifts to contribute.

My kids were asking me if this was a depression. I said no, because there's still work out there. Let's hope it doesn't dry up.

[eds]

It is not easy for all of us including myself. collie you are a hard worker. For you I have consideration. And for all the hard working people out there I have consideration.

Two things that bother me are (1) those who would complain about other honest hard working people who happen to have more than they do and (2) those who scam the system and live off others people's money for no good reason. That's like stealing money from my pocket.

Here is what I said above.

Y para los que hablan español...
And for those that speak spanish

En caso de que usted se preguntan, mis abuelos vinieron a este país de El Salvador. Soy segunda generación de latinos en este país y yo estoy haciendo muy bien. ¿Por qué no todos?

In case you wonder, my grandparents came to this country from El Salvador. I am second generation latino in this country and I am doing well. Why isn't everyone?

Si puedo hacerlo, cualquiera puede. Como he dicho antes de que usted puede tener éxito si desea o puede hacer excusas. Cuando los tiempos son buenos, el productor almacena grano para cuando los tiempos son malos.

If I can make it, anyone can. Like I have said before that you can have success if you desire or you can make excuses. When the times are good, the farmer stores grain for when the times are bad.

Es demasiado malo que el huracán Katrina azotó la costa del Golfo. Pero el huracán Andrew fue igual de malo y reconstruido. ¿Por qué no puede el pueblo de Nueva Orleáns? ¿Por qué la gente de allí despilfarran el dinero que se les dio?

It is a shame that Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf coast. But Hurricane Andrew was just as bad and they rebuilt. Why can't the people of New Orleans? Why did the people there waste the money that they were given?

¿Dime por qué esto es? Es lo que es. No me importa. Alguien soy yo.

Tell me why this is? It is what it is. It is not important to me. I am someone.

What this is saying is that I essentially I am not happy with those who waste and then ask for more and more money. Laying a guilt trip on you because you have money and they don't. I have issues with people who would call me elitist because I am very religious.

I am not against anyone who works hard and struggles everyday, just like I do, and then has problems. This economy is bad, yes, but times are bad. We have to do what we can. My grandparents were not wealthy. One was a tailor and one was a mailman. My parents were not wealthy either. And now me, second generation here started with zero dollars as well. My parents and grandparents didn't give me anything. I am the first one to go to college in my family. My father didn't go, my grandparents didn't go. And for that I am elitist? Because I worked hard and earned what I have, people stereotype me as elitist.

[eds]

2 Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 10:

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

No one is justified in helping the lazy. No one should help anyone that is not willing and able to work for their own survival.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.

Gambling, drinking, drugs, prostitution. While people have free will to do as they wish and I will not stop them from it, I will say that unless they turn from their wicked ways they will not achieve success in this lifetime. I cannot help these people with money. Giving them money only contributes to their failure. I can help them by giving them the Word of God. The Word is everlasting and Jesus gives the water of life that will never leave you thirsty.

[eds]

For those that build houses in hurricane zones and under sea level...why?

People in Alaska build houses that can withstand earthquakes. In 1964 a large earthquake hit Anchorage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday_Earthquake They build houses there now to withstand another earthquake. But people have been building houses in areas where the land has sustained so much damage no amount of engineering can help it. When their house falls down in the next earthquake, whose fault is it?

What about those who continually rebuild in areas prone to wildfires whose houses have burnt down multiple times? Why should taxpayers continually foot the bill for that? What about the people who bought houses in a new development that was a former bombing range? It happened in Orlando. Every one locally there knew about the bombing range except the new homeowners. Did no one think to ask around and find out what the land was used for before? The land was leased by the Department of Defense from the landowner. A quick check with the former land owner asking what the land was used for would have uncovered that. It's called due diligence.

Some parts of N.O. fared very well and the parts that were built under sea level and were newer developments did not. But the French Quarter was ready in time for Mardi Gras! Why is that?

I don't know what else to say. We try to warn people not to build in certain areas, they don't listen and then they want help. We warn them again, they still don't listen and want more help. When does it end?

[alwaysright]

eds- get off your high horse. so, you managed to save money. lots of people do, contrary to the news about people losing houses.
But this bible stuff is just too much. gawd didn't give you the money. you worked for it. prayer will get you nowhere.

keep your religion to yourself.

[eds]

Subject: point remains- who wants religion in their neighborhood?
I wouldn't move into a neighborhood with an existing place of worship- and I certainly would protest with vigor if one tried to move into it now. worship if you must- but don't block MY driveway or clog my road. Don't hand out your crap literature either.



Now it all makes sense...

[collie]

I don't think what EDS said was religious necessarily. Remove the concepts from religion and the common sense still is reasonable and wise. Simply because someone invokes the name of Jesus doesn't mean what they said wasn't good advice.

I have a few friends who made bone headed choices and believe me, nobody crashes at my pad or gets me to cosign on anything. That's common sense. But give somebody a ride, something to eat, encouragement, that's what friends are for. And complete strangers too when we have the opportunity.

But then again, I loved Jesus from childhood. Who cares if religions spun him into greedy empires fomenting wars? As long as my money isn't going into their coffers, I will continue to find solace in the teachings of Jesus.

Remove religion all together and think of helping others move up to some kind of a financially secure life, without of course, alowing yourself to be conned or used. You help no one end a cycle of poverty if you allow them to get over on you. All you did was perpetuate that cycle of poverty for them.

[eds]

very well put collie...thanks.

[Fit 2 Print]

Speaking of Meriden and "sea level," did everyone see the front page story (R-J, 7/7, numerous photos on website, too) about "subterranean Meriden"?

Way to go, Andrew Perlot and Johnathon Henninger!

[UNiRAC]

Speaking of Meriden and "sea level," did everyone see the front page story (R-J, 7/7, numerous photos on website, too) about "subterranean Meriden"?

Way to go, Andrew Perlot and Johnathon Henninger!
I wouldn't want go down thar',,, I will celebrate opening up that Flood-Zone

[whalers44]

we are wasting too much time with the downtown area.....just bulldozer it over and use it for something else....i won't go down there no matter how much the crime has dropped....maybe we put too much emphasis on the downtown and that is why crime has dropped....i can't even get a cop to check on speeders on my street because they are too busy downtown....

[Fit 2 Print]

Downtown is the heart of the city. If it needs a transfusion to enliven and uplift daily life in Meriden, I'm all for it!

[UNiRAC]

Speaking of Meriden and "sea level," did everyone see the front page story (R-J, 7/7, numerous photos on website, too) about "subterranean Meriden"?

Way to go, Andrew Perlot and Johnathon Henninger!
I was almost sad to see that fencing come down 'cause I wanted to let my dawgs loose [ without them running away many,many city blocks]
They would probably find that buried flood river and I would be the one to , get bitten by spiders,bats & rats, or Gators & snakes , or even LEECHES ! At least I won't DROWN in the dis-functional Water Fountain on Main St. ;)

[UNiRAC]

eds- get off your high horse. so, you managed to save money. lots of people do, contrary to the news about people losing houses.
But this bible stuff is just too much. gawd didn't give you the money. you worked for it. prayer will get you nowhere.

keep your religion to yourself.
AR, you are on the Money as to Ed's Diatribe ! [ as to post #26 & # 30 ]
''Jus' th' Factz, MaMe ! end quote [ not the KJ version but MyTV ] :cool:

[Falls Plain Resident]

Oy, how much do I have to listen to?:eek:

Yes, I once made lots of money and was pretty smart and educated, too.
Then I wound up in a bad situation with an insane boss who made my life miserable. Naiively, like eds sounds, I thought, "If I just go in to work every day and do a good job, I'll be OK." WRONG!!:(

I ended up in the psych ward, needing meds for the rest of my life, just like a guy with PTSD, shell-shocked by the horror of what they did to me at work and devastated that no law or anyone protected me. They even tried to get into the psych ward without me knowing "just to get a look" so they could see if I were FAKING IT!:eek: My whole world crumbled in a very short time, and after it was over, I didn't even recognize myself.

For years, I sat here alone, not being able to care for myself, but keeping it very simple and just doing the best I could. I felt so guilty about not working.:o So the first opportunity that came along, I went flying back to work, two levels below what I used to do, at half the pay. And I discovered I couldn't remember things, I cried when stressful things happened at work, and eventually got fired.:( It happened again and again, at more and more menial jobs. And I was very sad.

Finally, I got mad :mad: that I had done that to myself just because other people could not see the thing that had gone wrong with me, deep in my brain. I decided that I DID have a right to live, that I deserved to be happy, because THIS was the only life I was ever going to have, and I DID NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS ILLNESS. :p

Anyway, press Fast Forward a few years to where I have learned to accept that there is something quite wrong with me, something that does not show, yet something that completely altered my life--- and if I believed what eds says, ruined it. But I don't believe it!:D

I found peace in my wonderful home in this city, planted flowers:) , devoted the rest of my life to accepting myself with this disability and to help others who have a similar affliction.

I try never to judge other people, because one cannot always tell from what someone wears, where they live, or what they do all day what they have in their heart.

I try to be humble. It's been made sort of easy for me, since we who have spent time in a psych ward seldom put on many airs!:D I don't make many proclamations these days about knowing what's best for everybody.

I saw the topic headline about "bulldozing downtown Meriden" and had to chuckle. I used to admonish my parents when they came down to see me ,"Don't EVER take a left-hand turn out of the driveway!" I was afraid they would end up in downtown Meriden and god only knows what would become of them.:rolleyes:

For myself, I have learned that the best decisions come through slow evolution...not rushing in, nor dictating, nor forcing things to happen.

I figure if we give it some time and bulldoze the things that ought to be bull-dozed, clean up the things that are worth keeping, we'll know the right direction to go in.

In this economy, maybe people will realize we don't need to go spending tons of precious resources all at once trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

But more important, I'll bet some people might have a new-found empathy for the Have-Nots, having become the newest inductees into that class through job outsourcing, foreclosure, illness, or accident. It can happen to anyone, without warning.

We need to embrace ALL of our citizens in order for them to be successful, as defined by their own feelings of self-worth.

[catnap]

Oy, how much do I have to listen to?:eek:

Yes, I once made lots of money and was pretty smart and educated, too.
Then I wound up in a bad situation with an insane boss who made my life miserable. Naiively, like eds sounds, I thought, "If I just go in to work every day and do a good job, I'll be OK." WRONG!!:(

I ended up in the psych ward, needing meds for the rest of my life, just like a guy with PTSD, shell-shocked by the horror of what they did to me at work and devastated that no law or anyone protected me. They even tried to get into the psych ward without me knowing "just to get a look" so they could see if I were FAKING IT!:eek: My whole world crumbled in a very short time, and after it was over, I didn't even recognize myself.

For years, I sat here alone, not being able to care for myself, but keeping it very simple and just doing the best I could. I felt so guilty about not working.:o So the first opportunity that came along, I went flying back to work, two levels below what I used to do, at half the pay. And I discovered I couldn't remember things, I cried when stressful things happened at work, and eventually got fired.:( It happened again and again, at more and more menial jobs. And I was very sad.

Finally, I got mad :mad: that I had done that to myself just because other people could not see the thing that had gone wrong with me, deep in my brain. I decided that I DID have a right to live, that I deserved to be happy, because THIS was the only life I was ever going to have, and I DID NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS ILLNESS. :p

Anyway, press Fast Forward a few years to where I have learned to accept that there is something quite wrong with me, something that does not show, yet something that completely altered my life--- and if I believed what eds says, ruined it. But I don't believe it!:D

I found peace in my wonderful home in this city, planted flowers:) , devoted the rest of my life to accepting myself with this disability and to help others who have a similar affliction.

I try never to judge other people, because one cannot always tell from what someone wears, where they live, or what they do all day what they have in their heart.

I try to be humble. It's been made sort of easy for me, since we who have spent time in a psych ward seldom put on many airs!:D I don't make many proclamations these days about knowing what's best for everybody.

I saw the topic headline about "bulldozing downtown Meriden" and had to chuckle. I used to admonish my parents when they came down to see me ,"Don't EVER take a left-hand turn out of the driveway!" I was afraid they would end up in downtown Meriden and god only knows what would become of them.:rolleyes:

For myself, I have learned that the best decisions come through slow evolution...not rushing in, nor dictating, nor forcing things to happen.

I figure if we give it some time and bulldoze the things that ought to be bull-dozed, clean up the things that are worth keeping, we'll know the right direction to go in.

In this economy, maybe people will realize we don't need to go spending tons of precious resources all at once trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

But more important, I'll bet some people might have a new-found empathy for the Have-Nots, having become the newest inductees into that class through job outsourcing, foreclosure, illness, or accident. It can happen to anyone, without warning.

We need to embrace ALL of our citizens in order for them to be successful, as defined by their own feelings of self-worth.

I Heart this post :)