Oregon's Property-Rights Revolt

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 06 December 2004

[DugwayDuke]

Actually, we should open it up to the people, letting them, rather than a bunch of radical environmentalists, decide what is good growth.

I'm sure that if Intel wanted to open a factory in Oregon, even the environmentalists would allow it. The problem is, they would coercise Intel to buy up a large section of land donating it to various land trusts in order to get their approval. Now, if Joe Blow wants to build a house on his land, he would be unable to bribe the environmentalists like the major corporations can.

[B Knotts]

Hmmm? Intel already has a big presence in Oregon.

[fritzz]

Not to worry. The courts will figure out what the people really wanted.

[untenured]

I agree people in the Urban areas tend to become liberal and liberals plan the city and its infrastructure to prevent sprawl.

And also, if they are homeowners, to raise their property values by increasing the scarcity of local housing.

[Lorianne]

Now, if Joe Blow wants to build a house on his land, he would be unable to bribe the environmentalists like the major corporations can. That's only part of the problem. Actually, if Joe Blow wanted to build 6 houses on his property, the NIMBY neighbors and the zoning board would not allow him.