Detriot comes to Los Angeles?
Two days ago, I pointed out the similarity between recent events occurring in Palm Beach Florida, and how they are reminiscent of the beginning of the decline in the nations most depressed city; Detroit. The idea is to make readers aware of the fact that the decline of society is visible not only in Detroit, but in all areas if you are paying attention. Today I continue that theme by pointing out some events occurring in Los Angeles, in just one days worth of news.
In February, I wrote a few blog posts about the coming catastrophe because of cuts in municipal services. I described how cities and counties would 
become less safe as restaurant inspectors, occupational licensing, and even law enforcement resources are cut because of budget issues. It looks like the mainstream media is noticing this potential transformation of society. In todays Los Angeles Times, more than 5 months later, the lead story predicts that the countries largest state would become more dangerous and decrepid because of the budget deficit. The story includes this passage: “The state will be reshaped …into a domain that is …noticeably shabbier…and possibly more dangerous.” Possible symptons mentioned in the piece include a plan to reduce the state’s prison population by nearly 27,000 inmates by granting inmates early release.
The health, welfare, and education of citizens in the Golden State will be affected at all levels the report notes. “These cuts are real, they’re going to be felt, they’re going to be seen,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.
In the same edition, other stories describe how more dead bodies are going unclaimed as families can’t afford to pay for funerals. The LA County morgue has seen a 25% increase in bodies left behind.
And not to beat a dead horse (sorry, bad metaphor….), but the same LA Times edition has another story next to these, which describes how 
hundreds of airline pilots are living in campers in the LAX airport parking lot, because they cannot afford to keep an apartment in the city. This is no joke, the article has a picture of one such airline First Officer lounging in the bunk of his camper, with a departing flight visible out the open door of the RV. This is a man who we entrust to fly hundreds of people in a several ton jet at 400 mph, but who is relegated to living in a trailer while on duty. The pilot in the picture to the right is Todd Swenson who lives in a 1973 Coachman trailer. The 23-foot metal box is as cramped as economy class, with just enough space for a double bed, a television and a La-Z-Boy recliner. There is a galley kitchen and a bathroom about the size of an airliner lavatory.
These stories are just a handful from todays news. Since the name of this blog is Aware Brain, it is important to remember that the intention of what I write is to connect data, facts, and stories in a way which makes readers AWARE of trends which might not be apparent on the face of things. By looking for similarities in events at different times, in different places, and between different people, you can start to see that some facts which seem remote from one another, actually provide excellent intelligence about major transformations which will affect your life.
