But GOD FORBID we say the dreaded P-word (progressive) in what is allegedly the "liberal" city in Indiana.

Pshh. We aren't liberal at all. I can find more progressive action elsewhere in Indiana - South Bend, Lafayette, Indy.

But they're happy to take the students' money to pretend.

I'm continually gobmacked at this town. Do those who run it think everything will just stay the same forever? We lost 5,000 people during COVID, and more each year as the CoL crisis pushes many of us out.

Even I can't afford to work locally and live here. I work online.

Those "historic neighborhoods" NIMBYs keep harping about? I rented in one, down the street from the old mayor. Most of the houses were rentals, families like mine who were paying too much for a house that was falling apart around us or worse... drunk students who wanted to party into the night.

Do you remember that cool Garden Walk Btown used to host? I do.

Those homeowners are now in nursing homes or have moved on. Their houses were often bought by landlords, and those gardens are now gone.

TL;DR: the "character" Bloomington says it loves is being erased by a cost of living crisis.

Well, they require that HOMEOWNERS are buying shit to take care of their homes, which they own.

The slumlords renting out the homes aren't doing it - they often ban even painting, let alone gardening. They're not investing in contractors, landscapers, etc most of the time.

So here's where I'm getting at with all this:

This is killing local businesses.

Bloomington Hardware? i'd be surprised if it eeks out another year.

Mays' is doing well... for now. Houseplants keeps 'em going.

Contractors and landscapers are leaving, though.

What do they have in common?

Again, this is BLOOMINGTON. Our total pop is what, 80,000? 85,000? Much of that # is students and there's not a lot to do here. We only have two library locations, a few theaters, and not even a Costco.

Most of our rentals are owned by one of five-ish VC firms + a smattering of local slumlords

Yet 1 bedrooms are $850-$2000, and 3 to 4 bedrooms (what I rent) are $2500-$5000. Some houses are even more than that. The only people who can "afford" that are students, whose parents (or student loans) pay the deposits and monthly fees to split a house up into per-room rent.

So pay around here is between the minimum wage of $7.25 to around $15. You can get in the 20s to 30s at Catalent and what-not, but those jobs are becoming more scarce. Professors make six figure, but those jobs are declining too.

Doubly so given that they didn't take any precautions necessary for a building that old which might have been filled with asbestos, etc.

Well said

And also, probably, holding ethics standards in a little bit higher regard and perhaps even enforcing them!

HEAR HEAR! People act like we're crazy for demanding that America have a functioning, well-intentioned, non-corrupt government which works for the people. We shouldn't have to beg to have necessities or for our leadership to not be corrupt.

You are not entitled for expecting your government to serve you as a citizen. It literally exists to provide for you the resources necessary for a functional life. That’s why it’s there- its entire purpose. You are not greedy for asking more from your government; it IS their half of the agreement.

Congratulations!

Agreed 100%

Well said, and great post, and also you're an inspiration and your books rock.

How can I help?