A quiet corner of Connecticut
More on the transformation of one of the (soon to be formerly?) beautiful and historic spots in New England: eastern Connecticut. The New York Times features the economic transformation of the region in today's edition.
In Connecticut, one quiet cornerThe story mentions that the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos—two of the biggest in the world—have created 60,000 jobs. It reports that the threatened closure of the New London Submarine Base would erase 31,000 jobs for skilled workers. It doesn't mention that the majority of new jobs from "gaming" are low-paying, no-benefit jobs: maids, croupiers, waiters. So the pauperization of eastern Connecticut continues; but that's what the gaming industry is all about: tricking the poor and middle class into throwing their savings away and giving in return as little as possible to the community.
The big idea for economic development in Cleveland now is ... a casino! That's how far this once-great industrial city, with world-class cultural institutions, has declined. And that's how clueless municipal and regional governments are in the face of globalization.
posted by Andy Lang @ 3:10 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
But there would be *two* low-paying, service oriented jobs gained for every *one* skilled industrial job lost! And those people have the option of *choosing not to accept the low-paying jobs* if they wish! That's what's great about America, man!
Yes, I am kidding.
Hi Andy -
It will not end until our civic authorities go back to being actual leaders who take a long-term view of progress, rather than any short-term "solution" that requires no creativity or the expending of political-capital. Think about the doublespeak that is so pervasive nowadays.
I fear that most of the United States will descend into pauperism in the coming decades - stratification continues it's onward march. Casinos and WalMarts - boy!
By the grace of God, I am so glad that I do not need to look to this nation-state and this socio-economic system for my sense of worth and satisfaction.
Update: the base closing commission voted today to reject the Navy's recommendation to close New London Submarine Base. One retired Air Force general on the commission said it was the "flagship" of the U.S. submarine fleet. The fear of a growing submarine threat from China was an issue.
I had thought the closure was a done deal, but apparently not. I'm glad that the economy of Southeastern Connecticut won't be further devastated, though I think the military threats we face today hardly require a large strategic submarine force.
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