Cynically, the answer that a lot of wealthy people have to the problem of inequality is to cut the lower tier loose - loose from bail, prisons and restrictions.

Cynically, the answer that a lot of wealthy people have to the problem of inequality is to cut the lower tier loose - loose from bail, prisons and restrictions. Cut them loose from prosecution. SF and NYC, two cities with Progressive badging, have much bigger problems than cities with smaller budgets but wiser (and national) housing, healthcare and child care systems. Has anyone asked themselves why it's legal in California to pitch a tent on a sidewalk or shoot heroin on the sidewalk (in NYC, too, now), but stuff like this is barely seen in cities like Paris, London and Lisbon? And why we ceased prosecuting property crimes, with predictable results? The answer, I think, is that Progressives in the American cities wear their homelessness and drug problems like a badge of honor. The messaging appears to be: look at how tolerant we are, and if you want to blame someone you can blame the rich. They should do better to learn from our European friends how to spend tax dollars to help the needy.