Seattle residents blame inefficient elected officials for homeless problem, say they've 'lost faith' in system

[Lexy]

SEATTLE -- The richest man in America calls Seattle home. So do thousands of others who are forced onto the streets because they are too poor, too addicted or too detached from reality. At night, the city's homeless sleep wherever they can -- in tents crammed in parking garages, in parks or under highway overpasses. Some feel victimized by a society that has moved on without them. Others feel preyed upon by politicians eager to push pet projects and scattered initiatives that make themselves look good but do little else. Sick of stepping over used condoms, broken lighters and needles, residents say they are heartbroken to see the city they've loved turn into a dangerous, drug-infested den of filth and human misery.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/seattle-resi ... -in-system

[Momto2boys973]

Well, putting aside the complete misleading statement that Jeff Bezos lives in Seattle (he lives in Medina), and the attempt at emotional responses by suggesting hypocritical economic differences (which happen everywhere and Seattle’s issues are definitely not Bezos’ or Gates’ fault), I’m thinking these situations don’t happen because of one factor and certainly don’t happen overnight unless the aliens from Independence Day come over. So they keep pointing fingers at everyone else they can think of and has that finger ever pointed at themselves? At the factors they can change? At the mistakes they’ve made? Because of course it’s not their fault if the government provides inadequate basic services like security and hygiene. But they can’t blame the government for using drugs. That’s a completely personal choice. Both parties seem to have some responsibility in the problem, both need to be part of the solution.

Now, the article says that the city is spending $1 billion to fight homelessness- $100,000 for every homeless person. So it seems to me the government IS doing something, the question is, why isn’t it working? Could it possibly be that the population is now expecting the government to fix it all and they’re not contributing? After all, the pastor’s letter to his congregan really says it all: he asked everyone to “pray that, in the days ahead, we will be able to find the balance we need in order to be not only a welcoming place, but a safe place." Ok, sure, that should do it!

I like what Michael Miller says at the end of the article. That is the right attitude to have.

[CherryTreez]

We didn't live in Seattle, but close by. We moved away because of all the homelessness and drug use. It wasn't a safe place anymore. I hate how the area has been destroyed.

I don't know how to fix the problem. They need to do something better. Kids should be able to play on a park without worrying about drug needles.

[ReadingRainbow]

The elected officials can't fix much without stepping too far into "socialism"... So they're kind of screwed.