I can echo this. I loved the bay when I first moved here 8 years ago, but the political dynamic of the area, and the ever growing drug/homelessness crisis said dynamic is completely unable to deal with, both have just worn my enthusiasm away.
We as a people have failed to create a society with space for these people to exist in peace, happiness, and good health. Now we can’t let ourselves conveniently overlook their humanity due to the inconvenience their state creates for us as a whole.
I had a coworker who visited sf. A homeless person threw a bottle of urine all over him.
Do you think that made it more or less attractive? Seriously we all suffer, but most of us suffer in such a way that we don't make the world too much worse for others.
8 years of liberal politicians claiming to care, and 8 years later it is significantly worse. I could excuse the lack of progress if the city government wasn't rolling in money the entire time. If they can't solve the problem with the way things were, they are going to have a hell of time doing it with the way they are headed.
Edit: I'd also like to point out society does not exist to gift every person peace, safety, and health. A just society offers opportunities, not guarantees.
Tell that to the people who made a mistake when they were younger, got a criminal record, and are now vilified for the rest of their lives and are turned down from the vast majority of jobs. Is it any wonder you see those people turn to crime to make a living?
In that case I won't guarantee not to nick your stuff, just give you the opportunity to not have it nicked.
Go volunteer to tutor at-risk middle school students if you don’t believe me. Many of them can barely read. Do you think they have an equal opportunity to successful higher education in fields that are worth getting degrees in?
Helping to guarantee things like physical safety is one of the fundamental parts of the social contract. Laws governing those areas are covered by the Constitution (depending on how you interpret “peace”)