3 Chapter 3: Logic from Dog Shit to Aircraft Carrier
In 2018, San Lodo was still relatively decent.
The falling leaves of late autumn were beautiful, even more so if you ignored the trash strewn all over the ground.
Due to inadequate municipal budgets, sanitation spending had been reduced, leading to a decrease in cleaning frequency in certain neighborhoods, resulting in a corresponding decline in hygiene standards.
Twice a week was considered excellent, once every two weeks was acceptable.
From a small perspective, this was seen as an issue of sanitation or societal quality.
But from a larger perspective, it indicated the gradual collapse of America's basic public service systems.
Although America had its own national conditions and each state had autonomy over budget decisions, from the collapse of Motor City to the outflow of industrial capital to low-cost industrial countries in Asia, from the "no-man's land" in the center of Detroit crowded with the impoverished to the downtown Los Angeles teeming with homeless people, the price tags on all these destinies were apparent.
Lying on the dividends of the financial system, capital flourished abundantly, as delightful as being on drugs.
But what was the cost?
Shrinking real industries, unemployed industrial workers, and stagnant middle-class growth.
In too many fatal details lay the devil.
Arriving from 2023 to 2018, Asahi looked at the dog shit on the sidewalks of Los Angeles and sighed.
"If this continues, no wonder eleven aircraft carrier battle groups are being held back by their own shipyards, even if another twenty are added, they'll be worthless!"
Sani looked at Asahi with surprise.
The black girl didn't quite understand.
"Hi, man, are you serious? We're both thick-skinned street roamers, who doesn't know that? You haven't washed your socks for days, and here you are sighing about American aircraft carriers?"
Asahi truly gave her an unprecedented feeling.
That kind of feeling where you walk together on the street, and you can't help but step away a few steps and pretend not to know each other.
This was Asahi's old habit.
Middle-aged men, in their spare time, liked to study military affairs, which was quite normal, right?
In fact, the United States could only form up to six aircraft carrier battle groups from its eleven aircraft carriers, with the rest needing maintenance and repair.
One carrier group would be deployed for four months, requiring a total of eight months in dry dock or port for maintenance (taking the average of all carrier deployment times as an approximation).
After the decline in manufacturing, the American shipbuilding industry lacked vitality, with only a few large docks capable of repairing and maintaining carriers, resulting in a several-month-long queue for carrier repairs.
This, in essence, was similar to Asahi queuing for alms.
Richard, a well-known acquaintance, had his ship catch fire due to inadequate repairs.
Incredible.
Even more absurdly, by a certain point in 2024, the combat-capable aircraft carrier battle groups in the U.S. military might be reduced to just one.
Similar to Britain's nuclear submarines, a bunch of submarines all undergoing repairs, checking their deployment, only one is available.
Is that special?
It's like working in an office where there are eleven colleagues in your department.
When it's time to work, ten people are comfortably massaging their feet, watching you do all the work.
It can only be said that the great America is too busy.
"God, my..."
A nondescript old man stood on a wooden stool, holding a scripture book, preaching.
In front of him was a long line of people waiting for aid.
This was a relief point set up by a church, where certain supplies could be obtained for free.
Usually, it was food, with occasional miscellaneous items.
Sani's shoes, for example, were obtained from such a relief point.
Sounds good, right?
Wait in line for an hour, not necessarily getting anything.
The cost is borne by the whole society.
A hundred dollars are given out above, the lords behind the congressman take a big chunk, the organizations run by the congressman's family take a few bites, and there are kickbacks in specific purchases.
How much reaches the hands of the homeless?
Welfare?
Wrong! We're all getting rich together!
Regulation?
Who dares to complain against me?
File a complaint in Washington?
Don't be ridiculous, child, the referees, ball holders, witnesses, organizers, co-organizers, they're all my people, how are you going to play with me?
The reason why California's sanctuary law could pass in the state assembly?
The costs for businesses and households are too high.
Employee benefits for businesses are too high, to the point where companies cannot harvest global profits.
Apart from the top companies in various fields, a considerable number of mid-sized companies are suffering.
Household service expenses are too high, with a quarter of the monthly income going to taxes, leaving little money for other expenses.
The Chen-Ping Inequality sounds funny, but behind it lies a certain objectivity (it's not mindlessly for or against any side, you'll see).
California needs cheap labor to sustain its economic development, such as allowing local middle-class families to enjoy low-cost maid and gardener services.
But the state government is unwilling to reform the tax system and laws, so it can only resort to a compromised labor supplementation method.
Sanctuary law?
No, labor reform law!
Want to live with dignity?
Come to California and do some black work, kids!
