Articles and Editorials

Small Towns - Talk to anyone about what is quintessentially American, and more often than not, small towns feature prominently in peoples’ hearts and minds. Considering this appreciation for community life, isn’t it odd that it is illegal to build small towns in America?

Gas Prices - Even without the recent rise in fuel prices, automobiles would still be a severe drain on every Americans' bank account. Simply by having no other viable transportation options, each America family will spend a whopping $560,000 over a thirty-year span just on automobiles.

Evacuation Crisis - As images from Rita and Katrina showed, American cities are strategically vulnerable to evacuation in times of crisis. What makes this situation so ironic is that the interstate system that Congress bought in the late 1950s was intended to enhance the evacuation potential of American cities during the threat of nuclear attack in the Cold War.

September 11 - On Sept. 11, 2001, 2,973 innocent Americans lost their lives in a series of cowardly attacks. However, that number pales in comparison to the 30,000 Americans who are murdered every year. Even without Al Qaeda-sponsored terrorism, the U.S. is a frighteningly violent place to live.

Serial Killers - Besides having the most murders, rapes, and assaults per capita of any developed nation, the United States is also home to 76 percent of all serial killers. Such predators have become commonplace in this country.

Community Life - Each of us has the power to change the world, one person at a time; but if we are unable to connect with one another in genuine communities, much of that power dissipates. Genuine communities are what connect people physically and spiritually, and are a necessary ingredient for a healthy and safe society. But since sprawl emerged in 1945, the possibility for community development has been almost completely eliminated.