JK: All that happened is the middle class was enabled to live like the rich used to. That is called increased standard of living, something that the planners are trying to turn around.

JK: Better quality of live in the dense city? Most people prefer the lower crime, less crowded, better schools of the burbs. People also tend to prefer a back yard to a court yard.

Dan: I read your posts JK. You talk about standard of living all the time. The unfortunate fallacy in all of your arguments is that you seem incapable of understanding that other people have different definitions what constitutes standard of living or quality of life. I DON'T WANT to live like the rich. I don't want a big house with a big yard. I don't need or want a personal car. I don't want the anonymity and safe sterility of living in the burbs. In many ways, the vision you promote as a quality standard of living is nearly the exact oppposite of what I call a quality standard of life. I live in Portland because it has exactly what I look for when I think about the standard of living and quality of life that I envision myself enjoying. I would venture to gather that the majority of Portlander's would agree with me, considering the type of elected officials we have democratically put into place.

You and your cronies on this site should stop being so authoritarian in your statements regarding what constitutes quality of life and standard of living. Think maybe, just for a minute, that other people have different opinions and thoughtsin regards to the quality standard of living. Maybe other people don't want what you want. Maybe other people don't want to live like you want to live. As for me, I've found exactly what I'm looking for, am content with the quality of life my city provides me, and am optimistic for it's future based on the plans I've seen. Maybe its time you find the place that gives you the quality of life that YOU are looking for! Just please stop laying claim to standard of living as a concrete term that you've defined for everyone else.