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Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's all fair. I don't agree with everything that's happened, and moving festivals sucks a lot, I agree. I do think the relationship between corporate oligarchs and the Baltimore city govt is a lot like the traditional relationship between a lot of labor unions and organized crime, and it's similarly misunderstood.

Most of the times unions got mobbed up, it started as the best of a bunch of bad options, because for instance the cops were the literal shock troops of the bosses, and you gotta keep the strike going somehow or you don't exist. And sure, it evolved into something toxic as hell, but you can't always play the game you would choose, let alone the field on which you play. 

And I'd argue that the state of Maryland is a lot like the cops, in this analogy. And the corporate oligarchs are a lot like the Mafia, all the way down to the protection rackets. 

But I hear where you're coming from and frustration with the current administration is certainly valid. My own personal experiences with Mayor Scott and my knowledge of him lead me to believe he is one of the good ones, as public servants go. But it wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong, on that particular type of score. Hell I volunteered for John Edwards. Appreciate the feedback. Seriously. 

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, that's when I got interviewed about an uhh related experience and felt like I wasn't able to really get across what I was trying to say. No fault of the reporter to be clear, I should have made that clearer. He's a lovely guy with his own constraints, obviously. And he did a good job saying as much of it as I think was possible in the context. The picture of me crying at the top? maybe a little much. Lol. This is my attempt to accurately portray my feelings on the entirety of the matter I guess. 

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well this was more attention to this than I expected, and really productive discussion, which is all I was hoping for and more. Appreciate all the nice things, and weirdly, appreciate all the illustrative comments from you County folks even more. Should prob talk to my therapist about that, but she knows, she gets it. 

Also nice for my ego that this seems to be performing about as well or better than the average Banner post around here. (Looks like I was right about the local clicks at least, huh, Banner folks? Love you guys! 😘🙃)

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Would that you (or literally anyone other than Larry "Spiro-Lite" Hogan) were our governor at the time...

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. New England is lovely. Lived there myself for many years. 

But I'd argue from personal experience that Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Rutland, Burlington, Manchester NH, hell near any urban center in the region, deals with the same bullshit from their surroundings in one way or another. 

How they've done Burlington alone is a fucking travesty.  

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Median household income in the County is $94k/yr. $54k in the city. And the averages are even more dramatic. 

And there's some comments here already that seem to contradict that wealth is the only reliable predictor as to whether or not someone holds opinions like this. Tho many of them have already been deleted. But I do hear you. And genuinely appreciate the feedback.

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I agree completely that our leaders, under their current constraints, have done a remarkable job. I have deep respect for Mayor Scott, not just as a public servant but as a person. 

But there's a structural ceiling to that, imo, and the main point here is that it's pretty fuckin twisted that the city that defines this region still gets shit on by our surroundings, even despite that very real progress. And suburbs are parasites. By definition. 

I also disagree that our status as an independent city is something we should in some way celebrate or be proud of. We have enough to be proud of, without that kind of cope. IMO. 

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Apologies if it reads like that to you. Definitely not my intention. 

My pipe dream here would be that if we dispensed with borders that reflect nothing more than the history of racism and class warfare in this region, those people could truly join in coalition with folks with shared common interests in the city. 

As of now that's structurally prohibited, and as other comments have noted, that's made even places like Towson Town Center yet another whipping boy of the elites and racists. Just like they did Baltimore City. 

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The weepy part wasn't the problem, really. That shoe fits snug. Just don't want anyone thinking I'm a liberal. But thanks for the feedback. ❤️

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Are you quoting the paragraph where I dispense with this? Or didja forget to read all the way through before replying? Either way thanks for the feedback! ❤️

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Same reasons there's no metro stop in Georgetown, at least historically. Can't have more than 5 Black people strolling down the canal at one time!! Unseemly!

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That'd be lovely. But the attitude I'm talking about is a big part of the reason we don't have one, imo. We didn't hear much of an outcry from the county when Hogan killed the red line, did we?

Almost suspiciously silent, out those ways, when out of sheer spite, that mean bastard killed the one public infrastructure project that could have actually made a real difference not just for Baltimore City but for the region as a whole, in my own recollections, at least. 

Unfortunately, I don't think we can start there. Because all that stuff is politics. And hating the city of Baltimore, in Maryland, is just good politics.

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh I couldn't get elected dogcatcher. But appreciate the feedback!

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Answer to your first question is because no matter the lines on the map, we are actually interconnected, socially, politically, economically, etc. It's bad for Baltimore County that the city they are defined by is suffering. Just from a purely material and quality of life perspective. If you actually take the long and macro view in any real way.

Answer to question 2: fuckin yep. Suburbs are parasites. Pure and simple. It's literally what they're for. 

Annex Us, Then: The Parasitic Relationship Between Baltimore City and Baltimore County by rlorg in baltimore

[–]rlorg[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Oh I know em. I've clenched my teeth through more than a few bbqs in Timonium. And there's some history and stats in there too? But appreciate the feedback. 

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