I recently had the opportunity to play a small part in the design of some large scale infrastructure projects. I won't disclose to much, as not to give away my position, but long story short I was called in to give an opinion on a waterfront development project, which include a mix of private and public enterprises, like hotels, shopping malls, public parks, transportation, etc.
One thing that struck me is just how much influence the very rich have over basically all aspects of public development. The ability to buy up large pieces of land, influences everything about the community that the land is near. The ability to invest in construction projects on public land (freely given to those who have the money to build on it, and "create jobs"), requires that public officials only take the investors views into account. Which city-owned land is turned into a park, which land is turned into a high rise, a shopping mall, or an amusement park is entirely decided by a small group of people who have access to bank credit on a scale that can construct those projects. The development and planning of a city is not a democratic process, even when the city government is elected democratically.
Citizens views were also sometimes heard, but never taken seriously, because a citizens ideas have zero merit if they don't also have the resources to implement them. The only development ideas that matter are rich peoples ideas. Per sq foot, luxury developments that exclude people net more profit, and so that's why you see a lot of public land turned into expensive retail or resort space. Even when there is significant public investment or credit guarantees.
MemeSpammer
Community
1st post here?
But republicans also suck, amirite?
Who's excited to say "but republicans also suck" after every single message to really hammer the point home?
Imagine the horror if someone reading about how lame the democrats are, doesn't see the regularly requested "but republicans also suck" token phrase.
