Public Enemy No. 1: The War on Common Sense

Public Enemy No. 1: The War on Common Sense

This article critiques San Francisco's policies that prioritize ideology over practicality, leading to worsening homelessness, crime, and educational challenges.

Vince Vanguard

Vince Vanguard

Public Enemy No. 1: The War on Common Sense

In the bustling streets of San Francisco, a city once renowned for its innovation and cultural vibrancy, a new kind of public enemy has emerged: the war on common sense. This battle isn't fought with weapons or armies but with policies and ideologies that defy logic and reason. It's happening right now, in 2023, and it's turning one of America's greatest cities into a cautionary tale of what happens when ideology trumps practicality. The culprits? A group of policymakers and activists who seem more interested in virtue signaling than in solving real problems.

Let's start with the homeless crisis. San Francisco has become a haven for homelessness, not because of a lack of resources, but because of misguided policies that prioritize feelings over facts. The city spends over $1 billion annually on homelessness, yet the problem only worsens. Why? Because instead of addressing the root causes, like mental health and substance abuse, the city hands out free needles and allows tent cities to flourish. It's a classic case of enabling rather than solving, and it's driving residents and businesses away in droves.

Then there's the issue of crime. San Francisco's approach to law enforcement has become a parody of itself. The city has decriminalized theft under $950, leading to a surge in shoplifting and petty crime. Stores are closing, and neighborhoods are suffering, all because the powers that be have decided that enforcing the law is somehow unjust. It's a slap in the face to law-abiding citizens who just want to live in a safe community.

Education is another battleground in this war on common sense. San Francisco's schools are more focused on teaching woke ideology than on preparing students for the real world. Critical race theory and gender studies have taken precedence over math and science, leaving students ill-equipped to compete in a global economy. Parents are pulling their kids out of public schools in record numbers, opting for private or homeschooling options that actually prioritize education over indoctrination.

The city's infrastructure is crumbling, yet the focus remains on green initiatives that do little to address the immediate needs of the population. San Francisco's roads are in disrepair, public transportation is unreliable, and the cost of living is skyrocketing. But instead of investing in practical solutions, the city pours money into projects that make politicians feel good but do nothing to improve the lives of everyday citizens.

And let's not forget the tech exodus. Once the epicenter of innovation, San Francisco is now watching as tech companies flee to more business-friendly environments. High taxes, burdensome regulations, and a hostile political climate have driven giants like Tesla and Oracle to seek greener pastures. The loss of these companies means fewer jobs and less economic growth, but the city's leadership seems unfazed, more concerned with maintaining their ideological purity than with fostering a thriving economy.

The irony is that San Francisco's decline is entirely self-inflicted. The city has the resources, the talent, and the potential to be a beacon of prosperity. But as long as it continues to prioritize ideology over practicality, it will remain a cautionary tale. The war on common sense is not just a San Francisco problem; it's a warning to the rest of the country. When policies are driven by ideology rather than reality, everyone suffers.

So, what's the solution? It's simple: return to common sense. Prioritize policies that work, not those that sound good in a press release. Focus on solving problems, not on scoring political points. It's time to put the needs of the people above the desires of the few. San Francisco, and indeed the entire nation, deserves better.