"Brexit" Parallels to Lakewood

[Michael Deneen]

I see some interesting comparisons between last night's "Brexit" vote and our hospital situation here in Lakewood.

In the UK, "Brexit" proponents convinced the public that they don't need the EU.
Here in Lakewood, City Hall and its allies convinced the public that they don't need Lakewood Hospital.
In both cases, advocates for these moves made a lot of big promises to sell their case.
In both cases the vote was 52-48.

Reaction to the UK's vote was swift....markets falling around the world, the pound heavily devalued.
In less than 24 hours, "Brexit" proponents are already backpedaling on their promises of spending former EU dues money on UK Health Care.

Blowback from Lakewood's election has been much slower. Impact of the lost jobs and health care has been felt more gradually, but will continue to grow.
How long before our local politicians backtrack on their pre-election promises regarding the hospital?

When all is said and done, the loss of Lakewood Hospital will be just as catastrophic to Lakewood as EU departure will be for the UK.
Will anyone here accept accountability?

[Stan Austin]

Mike-- I don't think these two issues are comparable. While there are some similarities the X's just don't align correctly.

[cmager]

Mr. Deneen, I think there are plenty of similarities with the lack of real education on the issues, the disinformation, the appeal to people's fears and not their aspirations, the demagoguey, the love of power over love of community, the misuse of power, the privateering, etc. What the generations before us built for all, we instead destroy for the few. Welcome to the world where we cannot have nice things.

To your question of accountability...they hope to delay and delay and greedily scurry for the exit long before justice and history can act.

But hey, Trump says it's great because more people will play on his golf course. And we have Solstice Steps!

[Tim Liston]

There's a parallel alright. When TPTB tell you that something is in your best interest, it's probably not. And in the case of Brexit, TPTB are "proving" that it was a "mistake" by driving stock prices down and gold prices up. But of course they've been quietly selling stocks and buying gold for a while now.

They're throwing away the baby with the bathwater today. I'm busy all day Saturday but will be doing some homework on Sunday....