Let’s Talk About Crime
If you’re typical of the people who were questioned for a survey that was reported in Monday’s Spokesman-Review, crime is your biggest concern.
The scientific poll, taken in recent weeks among 408 local residents, showed two-thirds of the respondents think the Spokane area’s crime situation is getting worse. That bleak finding is in contrast with the otherwise generally upbeat attitudes reported by the survey takers. Here’s your chance to elaborate.
What are your experiences with crime in Spokane County? Is the situation as bad as the survey response indicates?
If so, who’s most at risk? Where? When?
And if Spokane is a place where you feel unsafe, what would it take to restore your sense of security?
North poll
Speaking of polls, one taken for U.S. News and World Report magazine found that 9 percent of adults believe in Santa Claus. And nearly half, 48 percent, said the Santa myth (if it is a myth) detracts from the religious aspect of Christmas. Twenty percent said Santa actually enhances the religious celebration.
Where do “Bagpipes” readers line up? Too much Santa? Too little Santa? Any Santa?
Nancy Reagan school of consumer economics
Does the mail carrier have the answer to your seasonal budget problems? Loan offers? Credit card deals?
What’s a shopper to do?
“Take Economics 101,” says Wells Longshore, Spokane, “and just say no.”
“Christmas is only one day and the newness of gifts soon wears off,” says James A. Nelson of Spokane. “The monthly payments will still be there, and if your position is such you had to borrow to give, you are doing yourself and others no favors.”
Hoot, hoot, hoot at the home team
Nelson, by the way, prides himself in never having spent a dime to see either the Seahawks or Mariners play in Seattle’s Kingdome. And he believes he has lots of company in that category.
So he’s not interested in seeing state government help build new stadiums for those professional sports franchises.
“There are multitudes of areas where tax moneys could go throughout municipalities and states,” he said. “Certainly, spoiled sports players and multimillionaire owners should be at the bottom of any list.”
, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone, or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.