Other things might do more for L.A.

Re “A real estate bust would boost L.A.,” Current, Jan. 28

Joel Kotkin’s opinion that a real estate bust would be good for Los Angeles is moronic. Wealth destruction would surely have an overall dampening effect on the economy, costing jobs at every level of the socioeconomic strata. It is true that affordability represents a challenge for our society. This manifests itself in dense traffic. Instead of wishing for a housing crash, how about calling for a rail system from the less expensive suburbs to our work centers? And, if some businesses relocated and people left, so what? Maybe Los Angeles isn’t set up to be a massive commercial city. Are we better off with a model of Los Angeles circa 1970 or modern Bangkok?

ETHAN PENNER

Santa Monica

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In addition to the sound of the real estate bubble popping, staunching Los Angeles’ middle-class exodus also requires that Angelenos hear the sound of public transportation improving and public education functioning. A high mortgage is a challenge. A high mortgage plus the cost of private school plus the emotional cost of a tough commute every day is a deal breaker. I can testify that when the local public school isn’t a viable resource for a family, or when a daily commute might take someone away from his family for up to four hours, the region is pouring salt into its own wound.

ALLISON GOODMAN

La Crescenta