The ultra orthodox have an admirably close knit, high trust community. There are at least a few downsides - they are supposed to settle all disputes in house, not with civil authorities. They’ve handled the problem with pedophile rabbis and teachers as poorly as the Catholic church handled its pedophile problem.
They also shun the outside world. In Lakewood the little children would not even look at me when I walked by on the street, I’ve never seen anything like it. IMO, the u.o. are indifferent to the welfare of the outside community.
Lakewood could have turned out for Hillary if that’s what the leaders said. New Square voted for her en masse when she ran for Senate in NY while Kiryas Joel went for Lazio. An online search just revealed the Satmar and Skver leaders supported Hillary in 2016.
“IMO, the u.o. are indifferent to the welfare of the outside community.”
That is a common criticism; unlike the Amish (who are very self-reliant), the UO have a very real financial impact in terms of taxes - which is the basis to the opposition in central NJ and Rockland County NY. A lot of money is spent on the busing services, while many of the students are in tax-exempt religious housing.
This issue is driven by finances, not faith.