Green 'Disparate Impact'

[Terri]

By Thomas Sowell
January 15, 2008

It was front-page news on the January 14th issue of the San Francisco Chronicle that blacks by the tens of thousands have left the San Francisco Bay area since the 1990 census.

Since my book Applied Economics analyzed this situation a few years ago, it was nice to see that the information has finally reached the San Francisco Chronicle , though they have yet to explain the politics and the economics behind the exodus.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not peculiar to the San Francisco Bay Area and blacks are not the only group being forced out of upscale liberal communities in California. It is much the same story in Monterey and Los Angeles, for example.

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[FlaJim]

One of the bases upon which this country became so successful was private property rights. Those have been slowly eroded since our founding with the erosion going quick-time over the past 30 years with the abuse of eminent domain, etc.

Only when we return to a truly free market economy that enshrines property rights will this problem be resolved. When a property value increases because of its desirability, that's perfectly understandable; when it's because their are no alternatives as a result of government interference, it's not.

Isn't it ironic that this seems to happen most often in the Democrat paradises of the self anointed guardians of the 'little man'?

[vivalamigra]

At some point, a "free" market ultimately bumps up against political reality. And, let's not trivialize the term "political" because EVERYTHING that affects people's lives is by DEFINITION "political." Take a look around communities that are desireable places to live and raise kids - that is, places where it's great for CHILDREN to live! They inevitably share things in common, such as a small-town character where families know one another and get involved. There are community assets - beaches, parks, playgrounds, recreation centers - that parents value because they give their kids something worthwhile to do. Now, look at urban - and increasingly inner suburban! - areas overrun with dense development. You have congestion, urban blight, poor schools, drug traffic, official apathy - everything that makes it difficult for parents to keep their kids on the right path. Remember that if "zoning regulations" are preventing development it's the local voters and CITIZENS who are setting those policies and just maybe they have good reason for doing so. Hey, maybe we can put a McDonald's on YOUR front lawn! That'd be great for the economy, right?

[azwhitewolf]

Mother Earth is happy, so who cares what people of color think?

The city is progressive, people. The important thing is that everyone drives a Prius, nobody uses plastic bags, and people don't drink out of plastic water bottles.

Euphoria has a price. Pay up or beat it.