The government is getting that fiat money as fast as possible from the Federal Reserve and sinking you ever deeper in debt. But there's always money for that $50 million bike path or the new stadium 'for economic growth.' Yet you'll hear that this is the age of the New Frugality. That's what the American Planning Association calls it.
Now that the American Planning Association has held their 'Communications Boot Camp' for planners they'll tell you that smart growth (now they call it quality growth) is all about the economy. Here's what they say now: 'Planning is pivotal to the return of American prosperity and economic strength.' They also say 'Planners are the guardians of the future.'
Does that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? What do they say about us? They advise planners to 'cultivate elected officials and 'influentials' who can push back.'
They also advise keeping elected officials briefed and inoculated--that's the word they use--against our arguments and facts. They subject the elected officials to pressure and plant articles in the newspaper about them if they don't go along to get along.
Shame and embarrassment, and threats of job loss, peer pressure, reprisals. They'll shame you and embarrass you in those visioning meetings; that's the way Communitarianism works. They'll try to make you feel ashamed or frightened of what people will say. But you won't be intimidated. Then they'll want to bring the police into their meetings so that we don't disrupt them. We have many ways to break the stranglehold--here is one:
The Tennessee legislature is about to pass a bill (it passed in the House) that will call a halt to this officially. Like the Republican National Committee's resolution, it repudiates UN Agenda 21 and ICLEI. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kevin Brooks, a Republican. It passed with 8 Democrats joining in. The Senate counterpart bill is sponsored by Senator Mike Bell. Let's be sure to thank those elected officials who have the courage to brave ridicule and disinformation in order to bring UN Agenda 21/Sustainable Development out of the shadows and into the light. To begin that hard task of breaking its grip on every city, county, and state in the nation.
We can do it. We're getting stronger every day, and it's because you are speaking out. Thank you--keep it up.