Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
This is a bad take and a bad interpretation of everything that has been said.
As for the bolded, how could you come to that conclusion? You don't think we're aware that it would be incredibly expensive to house and care for people during rehabilitation? I want to be taxed more to pay for this.
But Russic, many of these people have given up much of their humanity and are singularly focused on feeding their addictions. These aren't your buddies who maybe snorted a couple lines on a Friday and sobered up for work on Monday. We're talking about people jumping on cars, stabbing people on their lunch break, killing fathers, etc. I think you're portraying those of us who are actually looking at solutions - and are willing to pay for them - in way too negative of a light.
I also recognize that some people are beyond help. I've known them and been there when we've laid them to rest. For those, yes, let's get them out of Calgary and keep them out.
"Investment in families." Okay, to whom do I make out the cheque? What does that even mean? I respect you and your takes and I consider you a hero for real (that wolf thing was literally a selfless act of heroism and you're on a pedestal in my mind forever because of it), but I don't think you've really digested what some of us have been saying.
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The claim of mine you bolded was that most people don't want to make the sacrifices (financial or otherwise) necessary to address this problem, and I'm going to stand by that. You and I are in total agreement that we'd be fine to be taxed more to handle this problem. Are we the majority though? I'm open to the possibility we are, but I can't say I'm confident. Just look at this thread... we aren't exactly all on the same page here about what the problem even is, let alone how to best address it.
I was too harsh in labelling people in this thread as uncaring. Some are (and I understand why), but not everybody, so I apologize if my umbrella was too big.
To me "investment in families" is a massive undertaking that goes far beyond finances. If there was a cheque to cash that would fix that, we'd likely have done so by now. What we likely require is a total societal shift around how we view people and problems.
I'm aware I'm leaving myself wide open to criticisms for not offering tangible solutions, and part of that is because I find the problem so damn complicated. People are here offering up tons of options that have been tried endlessly with very little success. I recall my wife's uncle (a cop) being put in charge of moving the homeless out of Kelowna 15 years ago. Anybody want an update on how that went? Turns out the neighbouring communities had some opinions of his plan.
Solutions I think that might move the needle (that conveniently align with my personal philosophies and life experience):
- A continued focus on quality affordable daycare for everybody
- An approach to mental healthcare in the same way we treat medical healthcare
- Early childhood resources similar to what's seen in some European countries where families with newborns are checked in on and given supplies they lack
- A trauma-informed recovery-based incarceration system
As for solutions to our current issue that won't take 20 years to bear fruit and won't cost 20 gajillion dollars, probably strict incarceration for people who are posing a violent risk. It won't work long-term and they'll likely emerge worse than before, but maybe that's just what has to happen while the long-term strategies can be shaped.