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Higher Ground in the Tea Party Sustainable Development Debate
The intense focus on sustainable development by the Tea Party creates a valuable learning opportunity. It exposes core values and unstated assumptions, forcing us to be honest about our own motivations, hopes and dreams and to learn about the motivations, … Continue reading
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged freedom, language, neoliberalism, pluralism, property rights, smart growth
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We Need More Democracy, Not Less Government
The Tea Party is partly right. Democracy is faltering. But at this difficult juncture in America’s history we need more democracy, not less government. Tea Party laser-like focus on the size of government and the taking of private property … Continue reading
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged freedom, neoliberalism, pluralism, property rights, regulation, responsibility
1 Comment
Values and Assumptions Embedded in Sustainable Development
In the last few blogs I’ve focused attention on the assumptions and values hiding behind the Tea Party critique of sustainable development. Here I focus attention on the assumptions and values hiding behind sustainable development. I do this because I … Continue reading
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged freedom, language, liberty, neoliberalism, pluralism, property rights, regulation, responsibility, smart growth
1 Comment
Liberty through Sustainable Development
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
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged freedom, liberty, neoliberalism, pluralism, property rights, regulation, smart growth
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Property Rights and Liberty
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
Posted in Philosophy/ethics, Tea Party
Tagged ethics, freedom, liberty, neoliberalism, property rights, regulation, smart growth, sustainability
1 Comment
Dear Board of Supervisors
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
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged Fear, freedom, neoliberalism, pluralism, property rights, regulation, smart growth, sustainability
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The Upside of Sustainable Development and the Downside of Tea Party Idealism
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
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged freedom, neoliberalism, property rights, regulation, responsibility, smart growth, water
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Tea Party: Deeper Issues Simmering Below the Surface
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
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged equity, Fear, freedom, humility, neoliberalism, pluralism, regulation, religion, smart growth, sustainability
3 Comments
SUMMARY: Tea Party Critiques of Sustainable Development
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
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged equity, freedom, language, liberty, neoliberalism, pluralism, property rights, regulation, smart growth, sustainability
23 Comments
Freedom, Liberty, and Environmental Regulation
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
Posted in Tea Party
Tagged equity, freedom, guilt, neoliberalism, pluralism, regulation, responsibility, smart growth, sustainability
1 Comment