Residents of one of the wealthiest, most liberal counties in the United States are freaking out over a measure to increase the availability of affordable housing in the area — yet another example of how rich liberals readily abandon their alleged commitment to social and economic justice when given the opportunity to actually follow through on said commitment in their own backyard.
The New York Times reported on the anti-affordable housing protests that took place at a recent council meeting in Montgomery County, one of the richest areas in the country with a median income of nearly $100,000; the median home price is more than $400,000. The cost of living is so expensive that, according to a recent survey, nearly half the county's employees live elsewhere. It's also among the most liberal counties in the United States, voting for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016 by a margin of 4 to 1.
The protestors were up in arms over a modest proposal to increase the availability of affordable housing units by allowing homeowners to establish small apartment in their backyards or in the basements of their residence. The measure passed, but not without vocal opposition from wealthy homeowners who worried that the increase in affordable housing units could lead to "flophouses," and "boxcars" with loud music, or an especially horrific scenario involving "strangers walking by your house all the time." More than 1500 people signed an online petition to block the "dramatic" changes that would "alter the appearance, density and value of our neighborhoods."
One county resident, Katherine C. Gugulis, wrote a letter published in the Washington Post denouncing the "shortsighted proposal" using language offensive enough to warrant a condemnation from the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club, among others, which took issue with her use of "harmful racial and economic stereotypes" that have historically been used to advance segregationist policies.
"Allowing campers, trailers and storage containers to be put in a neighbor’s backyard to house low-income residents is a slap in the face to those people who have worked hard to build a comfortable home and neighborhood," Gugulis wrote. "Just because others flee crime-ridden and poverty-stricken areas doesn’t mean Montgomery County has to be turned into a slum to accommodate them."
Another resident, retired Army lawyer Aleksandra Rhode, used similar language to express her opposition to the housing measure. "You work hard, and you get to go live in Montgomery County," she said. "Does that mean it has to be the first place you live? No. You can drive a little further and work your way up to it."
It's a familiar story that has played out in numerous wealthy liberal enclaves across the country. Earlier this year, for example, rich libs in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district in San Francisco launched a GoFundMe for the purpose of financing a lawsuit to block the city's plan to build a 200-bed homeless shelter near a wealthy waterfront neighborhood.