A New American Dream

[JohnH]

For instance, safe walkable neighborhoods, a sense of neighborhood, and public schools were all very good where I lived in Berlin.

I wonder what differences between Berlin and American cities led to this? Would you care to speculate?

[Bootstrap]

For instance, safe walkable neighborhoods, a sense of neighborhood, and public schools were all very good where I lived in Berlin.

I wonder what differences between Berlin and American cities led to this? Would you care to speculate?

Some of this really is urban design. Berlin has walkable neighborhoods, common public space, and strong public transportation that people across income levels actually use.

In some ways, the design of German cities goes back to when royal centers shaped the urban core, so you get dense, integrated neighborhoods rather than car-centered sprawl. Berlin feels like a bunch of villages that grew together over time, each with its own character. Some of the castles are still there! Zoning laws also tend to promote mixed-use, livable areas.

There are also social policy differences. Low-income people are generally less desperate because there’s a stronger safety net. Poverty isn’t as concentrated in one place. Criminal justice focuses much more on rehabilitation, and the outcomes are very different. Police are trained differently. Gun laws are different.

And more broadly, there’s a strong sense that schools, transportation, and public space are worth funding. That significantly shapes everyday life.

[JohnH]

Some of this really is urban design. Berlin has walkable neighborhoods, common public space, and strong public transportation that people across income levels actually use.

In some ways, the design of German cities goes back to when royal centers shaped the urban core, so you get dense, integrated neighborhoods rather than car-centered sprawl. Berlin feels like a bunch of villages that grew together over time, each with its own character. Some of the castles are still there! Zoning laws also tend to promote mixed-use, livable areas.

There are also social policy differences. Low-income people are generally less desperate because there’s a stronger safety net. Poverty isn’t as concentrated in one place. Criminal justice focuses much more on rehabilitation, and the outcomes are very different. Police are trained differently. Gun laws are different.

And more broadly, there’s a strong sense that schools, transportation, and public space are worth funding. That significantly shapes everyday life.

Can you think of any other factors?

[Bootstrap]

Some of this really is urban design. Berlin has walkable neighborhoods, common public space, and strong public transportation that people across income levels actually use.

In some ways, the design of German cities goes back to when royal centers shaped the urban core, so you get dense, integrated neighborhoods rather than car-centered sprawl. Berlin feels like a bunch of villages that grew together over time, each with its own character. Some of the castles are still there! Zoning laws also tend to promote mixed-use, livable areas.

There are also social policy differences. Low-income people are generally less desperate because there’s a stronger safety net. Poverty isn’t as concentrated in one place. Criminal justice focuses much more on rehabilitation, and the outcomes are very different. Police are trained differently. Gun laws are different.

And more broadly, there’s a strong sense that schools, transportation, and public space are worth funding. That significantly shapes everyday life.

Can you think of any other factors?

I really do think these are the major factors. But if all you have is a hammer ...

[temporal1]

For instance, safe walkable neighborhoods, a sense of neighborhood, and public schools were all very good where I lived in Berlin.

I wonder what differences between Berlin and American cities led to this? Would you care to speculate?

boot’s description could have described much of the U.S. before gov became the go-to for answers.

Thomas Sowell has written+spoken directly to this. i just added a new interview, P.2 / https://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.ph ... 8&start=10

i’ve viewed it twice.
i intended to view again, take notes for time stamps.
a transcript would be great.

he even speaks to the problem of AI hijacking his voice and words!! NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.
i ran into it and was dismayed. it’s extremely realistic. i’m glad he’s living to formally voice his complaints.

he’ll be 96 this year, still on point and vibrant. he’s lived it, IRL, IRT.

yes, he is aging. still capable.

[JohnH]

Some of this really is urban design. Berlin has walkable neighborhoods, common public space, and strong public transportation that people across income levels actually use.

In some ways, the design of German cities goes back to when royal centers shaped the urban core, so you get dense, integrated neighborhoods rather than car-centered sprawl. Berlin feels like a bunch of villages that grew together over time, each with its own character. Some of the castles are still there! Zoning laws also tend to promote mixed-use, livable areas.

There are also social policy differences. Low-income people are generally less desperate because there’s a stronger safety net. Poverty isn’t as concentrated in one place. Criminal justice focuses much more on rehabilitation, and the outcomes are very different. Police are trained differently. Gun laws are different.

And more broadly, there’s a strong sense that schools, transportation, and public space are worth funding. That significantly shapes everyday life.

Can you think of any other factors?

I really do think these are the major factors. But if all you have is a hammer ...

Lots of America has walkable neighborhoods. For example, Baltimore, or basically any other American city, come to think of it. Common public space, public transportation (light rail via Light RailLink, heavy rail with MARC, a comprehensive bus system, and so forth). People "across all income levels" can use these things; there are subsidies for people who can't afford them.

It is simply false that Europe has a "strong safety net". The income for the poverty line in America is significantly higher than equivalent measures in Europe. Food stamps, Section 8 housing, Medicaid, heating/electricity assistance, and so forth are quite a bit more generous. America has one of the most generous, well-developed welfare states there is, particularly in Medicaid expansion states, which is most of the country.

Schools, transportation, and public space in America are also considered "worth funding". Berlin spends significantly (14,000 euros) more than Germany does on average (about 9,000), but that's not anywhere close to Baltimore spending per student, which is north of $20,000 per student per year.

With that in mind... what do you think the other differences are?

[Bootstrap]

JohnH, I think we have each expressed our opinions on this. See my signature.

[Judas Maccabeus]

I'd never be able to tell you who sung it, but I know that line just from grocery stores. Radio's in homes or cars is not the only source.

PPM and John Denver if I recall. I think maybe the Mamas and Papas did it as well .

[Judas Maccabeus]

We used one of Peter, Paul & Mary’s songs in our wedding (brother in law sang it) - the Wedding Song- “There is Love”

We had it sung at our wedding. It seemed like everyone used it at their weddings back in the 70s. Even heard it at a couple of weddings in the 80s. I still like it. It's way better than Puff the Magic Dragon.

It was so popular in evangelical circles that people noticed when it was not sung at ours.

[Judas Maccabeus]

Some of this really is urban design. Berlin has walkable neighborhoods, common public space, and strong public transportation that people across income levels actually use.

In some ways, the design of German cities goes back to when royal centers shaped the urban core, so you get dense, integrated neighborhoods rather than car-centered sprawl. Berlin feels like a bunch of villages that grew together over time, each with its own character. Some of the castles are still there! Zoning laws also tend to promote mixed-use, livable areas.

There are also social policy differences. Low-income people are generally less desperate because there’s a stronger safety net. Poverty isn’t as concentrated in one place. Criminal justice focuses much more on rehabilitation, and the outcomes are very different. Police are trained differently. Gun laws are different.

And more broadly, there’s a strong sense that schools, transportation, and public space are worth funding. That significantly shapes everyday life.

Can you think of any other factors?

As the article says “Lack of faith in America’s future.” If I were 30 years younger, i would go.