City's wants

Dear Editor:From the items in the most recent Downey Patriot and the not-too-distant past, it seems as though there are a lot of WANTs in this city... Some want a greater "Cultural Identity". Some want more police enforcement for safer streets. Some want fewer police enforcement for skate boarders. Some want fewer police staff at a scene. Some want a place for teens to hang-out. Some want the teens to stop trashing the Warren High campus. Some want their coffee with a smile. Some want condoms to be given out. Some want pot to be dispensed. Some want more Mexican restaurants. Some want an art museum. Some want to litigate as to whom should manage it. Some want housing provided that is affordable. Some want to avoid the riff-raff which they believe that it will attract. Some want to tear-down and replace old buildings. Some want to retain and refurbish old businesses. In order to accomplish this, it would appear that what we would need is more government legislation and bureaucracy to control, create, manage and enforce... the number of police at a scene, the smile on the coffee wait-staff, the location, quantity, and ethnicity of food service facilities the distribution of pot and contraceptives the opening of hang-outs the construction of living spaces the continuation of failing businesses the additional taxes needed to support these efforts All of which would seem to virtually sum up to approaching the need for one city worker for every resident, in order to provide accommodations as per their individual needs, wants and desires. However, caution should be used in asking for government services, because of an oft-quoted observation that a government that is big enough to give you all you want, is also big enough to take it all away. George Orwell and Karl Marks would be happy to see some of their predictions reinforced. As for places that have a greater cultural identity, like Manhattan which is beloved by some, my general feeling when I'm in such a place is one of distrust, insecurity, crime and uncleanliness. Downey isn't perfect, but what we really need is tempered regulation, fortitudinous responsibility and enterprise, prudent enforcement and reasonably deployed justice. - Hugh T. Hoskins, Downey

********** Published: December 25, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 35