marxianthings

marxianthings t1_jadursr wrote

We have contributed to the situation in Ukraine. We are the reason Putin and his oligarchs are in power in the first place! We have nearly a 1000 military bases around the world! We have a torture prison in Cuba! We are helping Saudi Arabia commit genocide in Yemen!

Forget about Putin for a second and look at what we're doing and have done for the 70 years.

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marxianthings t1_jacshb4 wrote

Yeah the defense industry lobby is strong. And its fortified by obviously people who rely on those jobs.

The change would have to come from a federal level. That is why I liked the idea of the Green New Deal because it would have injected tons of money into building infrastructure, energy, etc. that we need and might've given us an alternative to defense sector jobs.

It will take a massive cultural and economic shift for sure.

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marxianthings t1_j3k3ojf wrote

I agree but we were able to win this so far: https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/inclusionary_zoning_3

Hopefully we can continue to take the fight to Yale and build on this.

I think YIMBYs are wrong to trust the market to magically fix housing costs when in reality so much development leads to gentrification and displacement but If we are converting useless and ugly strip malls and parking lots into mixed use developments that actually add affordable units then that’s good. We can continue to force rents down through our political work.

Get involved with New Haven Rising and Recovery for All (and cpusa) if you are interested in community organizing.

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marxianthings t1_j25bhn7 wrote

Guys, stop saying “drivers need to slow down and get off their phones!” Yes they do but this larger trend of pedestrian deaths is a systemic issue that requires political action.

We need:

Narrower roads that slow down traffic and are easier to cross.

Separate bike lanes that protect riders.

More usable sidewalks and better lighting.

More walkable and denser developments that encourage walking. More people around means drivers are more cautious.

More stringent regulations on car design! SUVs and trucks are bad for pedestrians. Cars need to be smaller, slower, and less deadly.

Better public transit so there are less cars on the road.

Get involved in your local political organizations. This will not be solved by scolding drivers or more policing and fines.

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marxianthings OP t1_iwrojtd wrote

The big dig makes Boston nice but is really completely unnecessary unless we are committed to the car-based paradigm. Just rebuild the intricate trolley network that took everyone everywhere easily, build trains and buses, build walkable communities, get rid of highways through cities completely.

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