[HairOfTheDog]

LF: McMansion neighborhoods surrounded by WalMart-Kohls-Target-Home Depot shopping centers, with the same chains of restaurants: Olive Garden, TGI Fridays, Starbucks, Red Lobster...

BL: I don't find that disturbing at all.

I do find it sad that communities and regions that used to be unique and quaint are fading. Instead of the Ma and Pa cafe that we used to make a point of stopping at on the way to Reno, there are the same fast food places we have at home. We can travel anywhere in this country now, and never see anything new, at least in terms of architecture and services. This land has great diversity in landscape, but the towns are all the same. It ~is~ a loss.

Here at home we still have a few local businesses... our local grocer who now has huge chain groceries on all sides of him. We'll shop there as long as he stays open... because I like that I know the name of the man who owns it, and went to school with his kids. It means something to me.

[bfree]

I do find it sad that communities and regions that used to be unique and quaint are fading. Instead of the Ma and Pa cafe that we used to make a point of stopping at on the way to Reno, there are the same fast food places we have at home. We can travel anywhere in this country now, and never see anything new, at least in terms of architecture and services. This land has great diversity in landscape, but the towns are all the same. It ~is~ a loss.

A loss to you on your vacation, but not to those who live in those areas. If people didn't WANT these things, the stores and restaurants would go broke. What is it about free choice that bothers people? Why do you think everyone should share your vision of what should be?

[BenLurkin]

I understand the sentiment and I imagine thee are many, many people who as they travel our nation are looking for unique local shops and diners. Speaking for myself, I prefer the predictability of eating somewhere that I'm familiar with the product.

But the real issue is liberty. No matter what the result I am disinclined to place unreasonable limitations on business development and instead favor capitalism.

Similarly, it is hard for me to get upset about people owning homes even if the tracts at first are drearily similar. (And even that changes over time).

You I'm sure are different, but I suspect that some people are REALLY complaining about the expansion of minority population into formerly all white areas. The liberals in particular prefer a world where they can live in all white enclaves and claim to value "diversity". When diversity shows up on their suburban doorstep they now need a way to shove it back into the urban confines. Opposing "sprawl" is the way.

[metesky]

Instead of the Ma and Pa cafe that we used to make a point of stopping at on the way to Reno, there are the same fast food places we have at home.

Blame zoning, MADD and the anti-smoking campaign for shutting down all the decent and unique little bistros, bars and saloons.