This was a good, insightful piece, Helen, thank you for your perspective on it. I think Polis and a lot of urbanists have a mindset that is all-too-common among individuals in positions of public power: they are convinced that they know best and will exercise their influence and leverage (and legislative/executive muscles) to implement policies that give off the signal of moral virtue to those who are just like them. I don’t think they care about the well-being of their constituents, especially those who think differently than they do, but rather, their overriding narcissism and sense of superiority almost mandates that they do such actions, and never admit error when they are proven wrong.
It’s an authoritarian impulse they have, which is why it’s of the utmost importance that we elect people who are committed to the agency and political/financial/religious freedom of others who they disagree with, not just those who agree with said prospective politician’s views. Polis and others in positions of elite status will never suffer from the consequences that you have described here, only those they consider beneath them, a sad state of affairs. Hopefully, this can be resolved in a manner which benefits the people who will be most adversely affected.
Thanks Bill. It's a small matter in the grand scheme of things. However, it serves as a poignant example of how liberal elites formulate policies--decisions that seem to be driven by a desire for self-affirmation, as long as they remain insulated from the negative consequences. They may claim to be the epitome of compassion, but they often fail to consider the real-life impact of their policies on individuals who are particularly vulnerable and lack the necessary safeguards to protect themselves from the fallout of these policies.
I remember many years ago reading about the interconnected relationship between healthy Aspen tree stands, elk ( that feed on Aspen shoots and bark), and wolves ( who feed on the elk). Reintroducing the gray wolf to keep elk numbers lower to save the Aspen trees sounds great on paper, but is not at all an easy thing to pull off without other unintended consequences occurring.
Getting the government involved in increasing wolverine numbers sounds like a really bad idea to me:). What could go wrong?
This was a good, insightful piece, Helen, thank you for your perspective on it. I think Polis and a lot of urbanists have a mindset that is all-too-common among individuals in positions of public power: they are convinced that they know best and will exercise their influence and leverage (and legislative/executive muscles) to implement policies that give off the signal of moral virtue to those who are just like them. I don’t think they care about the well-being of their constituents, especially those who think differently than they do, but rather, their overriding narcissism and sense of superiority almost mandates that they do such actions, and never admit error when they are proven wrong.
It’s an authoritarian impulse they have, which is why it’s of the utmost importance that we elect people who are committed to the agency and political/financial/religious freedom of others who they disagree with, not just those who agree with said prospective politician’s views. Polis and others in positions of elite status will never suffer from the consequences that you have described here, only those they consider beneath them, a sad state of affairs. Hopefully, this can be resolved in a manner which benefits the people who will be most adversely affected.
Thanks Bill. It's a small matter in the grand scheme of things. However, it serves as a poignant example of how liberal elites formulate policies--decisions that seem to be driven by a desire for self-affirmation, as long as they remain insulated from the negative consequences. They may claim to be the epitome of compassion, but they often fail to consider the real-life impact of their policies on individuals who are particularly vulnerable and lack the necessary safeguards to protect themselves from the fallout of these policies.
Hi Helen,
I remember many years ago reading about the interconnected relationship between healthy Aspen tree stands, elk ( that feed on Aspen shoots and bark), and wolves ( who feed on the elk). Reintroducing the gray wolf to keep elk numbers lower to save the Aspen trees sounds great on paper, but is not at all an easy thing to pull off without other unintended consequences occurring.
Getting the government involved in increasing wolverine numbers sounds like a really bad idea to me:). What could go wrong?
I liked reading your essay……..