Here in Massachusetts, there is an effort to put in a very large natural gas pipeline. Now, on the one hand, better distribution of a truly American resource is likely a good thing for the economy, and as a capitalist, it is something that I would tend to support. However --
The pipeline will pass through a lot of private property. Just about all of the property owners do not want the pipeline. TOO BAD!! This is America -- you don't have property rights. You can't stop the pipeline -- you're just a peasant.
The pipeline will pass through many Massachusetts towns. Just about all of the towns have taken votes and overwhelmingly opposed the pipeline. TOO BAD!! This is America -- you don't have municipal rights. You can't stop the pipeline -- you're just a local government.
NOTE: This is not a federal project. It's not a highway. It' something so that a private business can make some money.
I like energy.
I like private business.
I like profit.
The fundamentals of politics and economics have been changed so much that the Fascist collusion between Big Government and Big Business becomes awkward to oppose, because -- superficially -- it looks kind of like what conservatives have always wanted. But it isn't.
Everything has changed. The whole nature of business has changed. No one behaves in a free market manner -- it's not supply and demand. It's all about political pull. That's the only skill you really need. And we're reaching the point where that isn't enough.
I’m not taking a side either way on the pipeline, but I will say this. The pipeline is a utility similar to the electrical grid, we all enjoy electricity and the rights of way the National Grid uses for bulk power transmission were once private property too. Some in the Berkshires opposing the pipeline may feel differently about their decision when they are shivering in the dark because dwindling generating resources cause rolling blackouts or there is another ice storm in Canada and Hydro Quebec can no longer make up for our own lack of energy resources.
What people fail to realize is how much base load generation New England has lost between coal plant closures and the closing of VT Yankee that has yet to be felt as they are just now ramping down generation to cold shutdown in Jan.
Grew up their, was back for a week last week. I got to hear the resistance to this on the radio. And Mass has what energy Sources? And the 1500MW unit that is closing in ( Chatham? ) is going to be replaced with? Seriously we can't fix stupid, where are G-ds name are the citizen's in the State of MA going to get their are compromises to be made and you have to pick and Energy Source because their is no Magical Unicorn Farts to keep them lit and warm. And don't even get me started with the wood-refuse plant they want to build in Ludlow (if my memory is correct) and they are up in arms about that too!
The citizenry continues to luxuriate at the dangerous intersection of no critical thinking, Utopian Statism, and lack of common sense that will make them fall further in the arms of the apparatchiks on Beacon Hill as they surrender more Liberty cloaked in the illusion of fairness and what is good for the environment.