Development Astroturfers to People on Fixed Incomes in Berkeley: "Thanks for Playing! Buh Bye!"

[daredtowork]

One of the local news venues in Berkeley in plagued by astroturfing trolls that seem to represent big property development interests and the wishes of newly minted tech millionaires to swarm in and seize all "desirable" property. Occasionally regular Berkeley citizens will drop in and try to offer some debate so the place won't just stand as unmitigated propaganda for property speculators, but it is wearisome and ultimately pointless.

For instance, this is the response you get to the idea that the elderly and disabled on fixed incomes are being displaced by market rents far above what they have to work with:

> fixed income renters

The terms of renting are very very clear to any adult. You're in a desirable area. If you get priced out, you move on. Detroit is very cheap and your fixed income is portable. Why is this so hard for you to understand? You knew the terms of the deal when you decided to rent. Thanks for playing! Buh bye! (source here)

Why is it "so hard to understand" that Berkeley is an International center for the Independent Living Movement, and that means there is a large constituency of disabled people here who are long term residents. But being on fixed incomes all their lives, many NEVER had the capital to buy a house! It's the fact they have lived here for decades and have significant ties to the community that makes Berkeley their home.

I have an idea, Mr. Buh bye - why don't YOU move to Detroit! And take your frigging property-flipping troll army with you!