Category Archives: Tea Party

Are Property Rights Sacrosanct?

Posted on August 7, 2011 by admin

One gets the impression from reading Tea Party literature that property rights are inviolable, sacrosanct, handed down from on high, and unchanged since the birth of our nation.  But America’s history differs from that interpretation. When we were a young … Continue reading →

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Liberty through Sustainable Development

Posted on August 6, 2011 by admin

For the sake of argument, let’s assume we agree that members of our community, whether or not they own property, deserve the liberties of free speech, religious choice, voting in elections, privacy in their homes, freedom from fear of bodily … Continue reading →

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Property Rights and Liberty

Posted on August 5, 2011 by admin

Liberty is a cherished American ideal, guaranteed and protected by the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the focus of countless legal and political debates.  Recently, Tea Party activists are making troubling claims that sustainable … Continue reading →

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Dear Board of Supervisors

Posted on July 30, 2011 by admin

Dear Supervisors, I am writing this letter to express my support for sustainable development planning initiatives in our region. Sustainable development, for me, boils down to wise investment in our community’s infrastructure: the systems that provide us food, water, energy, … Continue reading →

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The Upside of Sustainable Development and the Downside of Tea Party Idealism

Posted on July 28, 2011 by admin

Imagine a house with unconnected water pipes and drains, wires transmitting electricity and information to only a few rooms, and no steps connecting the front door to the street.  Ridiculous, you say?  The builder might save money up front by … Continue reading →

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Tea Party: Deeper Issues Simmering Below the Surface

Posted on July 27, 2011 by admin

The critiques of sustainable development by Tea Party activists are many and I review the specifics elsewhere. Here I summarize and critique five deeper issues that seem to simmer just below the surface and motivate many of the concerns: 1)   … Continue reading →

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SUMMARY: Tea Party Critiques of Sustainable Development

Posted on July 25, 2011 by admin

Tea Party activists are raising serious concerns about community-based planning efforts promoting sustainable development, smart growth, green infrastructure, comprehensive planning, sustainable agriculture, local foods, and related outcomes.  The issues being debated are significant, and bear upon not just how our … Continue reading →

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Tea Party: Confusion and Fear

Posted on July 23, 2011 by admin

I attended my first tea party meeting.  It confused me. Discussion ranged over a wide range of topics including sustainability, local economic development, food security, sustainable agriculture, protecting farms, forests, and other open spaces, reducing tax burdens caused by unplanned … Continue reading →

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Freedom, Liberty, and Environmental Regulation

Posted on July 21, 2011 by admin

Freedom is a core American ideal, defended with blood and treasure. But its meaning is contested, and perhaps distorted, especially by special interests trying to protect and enlarge their economic and political power.  These loud voices mistakenly and perhaps deliberately … Continue reading →

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