The Elitism Of Open Space Laws

Moralists are pulling up the drawbridge and outsiders - like young adults and families - can't get in.

1 minute read

April 25, 2005, 7:00 AM PDT

"People who are sufficiently affluent can afford to move into places with severe restrictions on building. Those who bought their homes years ago, before these housing restrictions were enacted, are able to stay while the value of their homes rise.

...None of this just happened. Nor is it a result of market forces. What has happened essentially is that those already inside the castle have pulled up the drawbridge, so that outsiders can't get in. Politically, this selfishness poses as idealism.

Much of this exclusionary agenda is pushed by people who inherited great wealth and are using it to buy a sense of importance as deep thinkers and moral leaders protecting the environment."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: The elitism of open space laws

Sunday, April 24, 2005 in The Christian Science Monitor

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