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My point is that these things can be morally ambiguous depending on the society you talk to. There are many places on earth that don't allow gay marriage to this day (or anything gay at all).

One of the main problems with democracy is that it incentives politicians to buy voters, rather than use principled judgment. Everything becomes "politicking" to the lowest common denominator, because they have the most votes, and are most influenced by emotion.

Every system has it's flaws, and ultimately, I believe the problem is the people, not the government. If people were more principled, they wouldn't be susceptible to this emotional rhetoric. Monarchies are not inherently unjust, although many of them have been.

One additional problem with democracy, at least in the US, is that it sells out to the highest bidder. The masses are easily manipulated with TV and other propaganda, and they are the ones who elect the winner. It's like an oligarchy - the politicans are beholden to big money.

But people blame the politicans, not the oligarchs. They vote out "bad" politicians, only for new puppets to take their place, protecting the true masters (business interests, wall street, etc).

In a true oligarchy, people eventually go for blood. It's a joke to think that the riots on Jan 6th would do anything - kill the puppets, and the puppeteer brings in a new prop.

If you find this topic interesting I highly recommend Plato's Republic available free: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1497

Glad to hear you live in a country like that, I wish I could say the same. But these are core difficulties with the United States that aren't going away any time soon.

The nation is very divided and there's no hope of overthrowing first-past-the-post here.

And when the nation doesn't agree on things, allowing the majority to rule can be terrifying.

If you want your children to live there, perhaps allowing newcomers isn't the best idea? Our housing prices go up up up as does our population, and the only approved solution seems to be to lower our quality of life.

Unless you think living in an apartment with no garage, no yard, no storage, and no way to stockpile food (save costs) is a quality of life increase?

Our children will probably not have children if forced to live this way at this price.

Personally I don't really get it, but I don't live in San Francisco.

Because the residents are Bad(tm) and need to be punished.

These standards only seem to apply to America and Europe.

Does anyone have a counterexample outside of America or Europe where the underclass is allowed to live side-by-side with the rich? I've never heard of one but perhaps I'm ignorant. Most countries seem dead-set on rejecting any and all immigrants that don't bring $500k+ along with them.

So "torch the will of local citizens" instead? Why should the rest of the state get to decide what they do in their neighborhoods?

As long as you agree with the majority of the state, it works out for you, but it's a bold power grab that may not end well in other situations.

Most likely they chronically overspend, just like any other organization with chronic budget issues. The people there seem to think that everything comes for free, and as long as the city can secure additional debt, they're right.

But it's not sustainable, and imo, downright evil.

I think your analysis is spot-on. Those existing NIMBY's bought their house with an expectation, and they vote accordingly.

I don't think there's really a way forward without torching rule of law. They don't want the place to be amenable to new/young people, and they make the rules.

It's unfortunate that big tech decided to make this place their home, perhaps with covid and remote work it will go back to a dreamy boomer-land.

It's unfortunately a self-feeding circle... in the US, if you see a felon, it's likely they will go on to commit more felonies, so you won't want to hire them.

But if you don't hire them, they may be forced to commit other felonies... tragedy of the commons I suppose, just like shopping at Walmart is bad for the community but good for the individual.

It's hard to overcome these effects without legislation, but noone (sane) wants to be in the community that starts it.

That's a good point, I forgot about the outdoor link. People who spend more time indoors are probably more likely to a. have an interest in computers/knowledge work and b. more likely to have ample space to spend time indoors comfortably.

In many places with multi-generational (cramped) housing, it's common for young people to spend much more time outdoors to get away from their parents.