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STRONG Salem is for everyone who wants to help and participate in getting Salem, Oregon, to quit chasing Growth Ponzi Scheme plans and instead become a resilient, fiscally responsible place that lives by the wisdom that "Communities exist for the health and enjoyment of those who live in them, not for the convenience of those who drive through them, fly over them, or exploit their real estate for profit."
Interesting. I was at Salem Hospital last week and walked by the new facility after parking. Quite posh! There is a fountain, a sculpture, beautiful stone-lined paths. Also, the curved glass windows are supposed to help the staff feel good about their jobs from what I surmised from an article I read in the S-J. The board member interviewed said they did their best to hire local contractors. It's amazing how people can try to rationalize decadence. The board member was feeling quite proud of the new addition, but to me, I saw foot traffic at the hospital and the people did not seem to be seeking a high-brow experience. They appeared to be of very modest means, only there because they had to be. The decadence was shocking not only to me, but noticed and independently mentioned by a family member who I met up with there.
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