Let's say U.S. becomes more and more of a banana republic - how would life in DC area change?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I am curious how people who have given this any thought - especially people with experience living in increasingly unequal, corrupt and dysfunctional places - see things unfolding in the DC area in that kind of scenario.
My guess is that crime would increase, the few affluent folks and the dwindling numbers of middle-class people live increasingly isolated lives in their secured homes because they are afraid to venture out as much, and many homes would be turned into boarding houses as a way to help make ends meet. I don't know why in some other cities like Paris, the slums are on the outskirts, whereas in many faded American cities, the areas that went downhill first are close in - maybe zoning? Another difference I can think of is that the social fabric in the U.S. is generally weaker than in most other cultures where people are less mobile and extended families are closer knit, so that might make things unfold a little differently too. |
Anonymous
| “Few” affluent folks? Where are you from? |
Anonymous
| In the DC area The rich is the middle class , the ultra wealthy is the rich |
Anonymous
|
More of America's poor now live in the suburbs than the cities: https://qz.com/1001261/american-poverty-is-moving-to-the-suburbs/
Cities everywhere are undergoing gentrification, and housing prices are rising considerably. So it's an interesting question, but it should look at a whole region and not just the District. I expect the affluent will remain within 5-10 miles of the city, and poverty will grow in places like Gaithersburg, Rockville, Laurel, Burtonsville (I don't know Virginia at all though). |
Anonymous
|
It wouldn’t change much, if at all. DC is basically a banana republic now:
-corrupt, inept local government -horrible public services -high crime -litter all over the place -anarchy on the roads on no traffic enforcement -a broken, unreliable train system -one-party rule -statutes and buildings honoring a crack-smoking, hooker-hiring mayor -police who don’t show up -emergency response system so bad that a man died on the sidewalk outside a fire station a couple years ago -unsafe buildings that cause hazards and sometimes collapse, with little to no DCRA action -a broken criminal justice system that encourages violence and crime Really, what else is there? |
Anonymous
| It would be advisable to save your money and buy into a gated community. |
Anonymous
The white...I mean wealthy South Afrikaners did this. They built hundreds of communities where poor non-whites can go only if they work there and even then, only during very restricted hours escorted by security. Of course, the residents swear this has nothing to do with race. |
Anonymous
| Why is US so filled with trash and litter all over. I did not expect a 1st world country to be so filthy? |
Anonymous
How much time do you have? |
Anonymous
We have a lot of 3rd world citizens and illegals. |
Anonymous
Have you seen the way some white people litter? -A white person |
Anonymous
| You have more or less described this area in the 1980s. |
Anonymous
No person is illegal. |
Anonymous
|
Kidnappings
A big profit center |
Anonymous
|
Gated communities
Learning to be more savvy regarding inflation that changes daily. (DH who has lived in "banana republics" likes to say maids in those country are more money savvy than most Americans) Distrust of banks Tangible things like gold worth more than cash. |