Symbolic gestures are a critical component of politics. Usually, they are deployed to show progress or growth – think of ribbon cutting ceremonies or dedications of new buildings. Opening things implies the future is getting better – and you have politician X to thank for it.
What, then, are we to make of the new wave behind banning new construction? In California and elsewhere, the new political symbolism is to ban openings of things like gas stations because they represent an “addiction” to a failed, dirty, destructive past.
One could also say the movement, such as it is, is devoted to a dour, dystopian view of what’s to come.
The so-called “Safe Cities” movement is leading the way in banning new gas station construction in places like California. The thinking: the state is going to ban the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035, so why not end new gasoline infrastructure, too?
There’s a kind of logic to that – never mind whether the grid in places like California will be able to handle the strain of an all-electric populace. But getting rid of gas stations is merely the most symbolic part of the larger movement:
States and cities have taken aim at banning oil drilling and prohibiting new developments like power plants and oil refineries; others are mandating cleaner buildings and banning gas stoves. Together, these policies have become all the more urgent following the Supreme Court’s decision last week to limit the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to limit power plant greenhouse gas emissions.
“For a lot of folks who are interested in cleaning the air or getting off of fossil fuels, or both, it’s frustrating seeing failures at the national level,” Krogh says. “And when we turn to where we really do have power, it’s in our backyards.”
Not just “their” backyards. Your backyard, too. And those of your neighbors as well. The nosy, officious scold will be looking over your fence, into your garage, shed and grill, looking for ways to make you a part of their vision. Whether you like it or not.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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Kalifornicate Kookoos.
As screwed up as that state’s left wing liberal political situation happens to be, it’s a wonder that every taxpaying citizen doesn’t move from there. From what is in the papers and on the internet there are many people and businesses that have wised up and are leaving that state, good for them.
PLEASE, just don’t send any more of them to North Carolina!
Many of them ARE leaving Kaliforniastan, in fact in droves. They are ordinary Americans who just can’t take it no more. Problem is, they move into RED states and oft engage in the same kind of voting that destroyed the lace they fled.
Liberal greenies are like the fellow who notices water is filling his boat. He starts drilling holes in the bottom to let it out.
No Construction=No Homes
No Energy= wont meet 2035 goals
Okay, so libtards re too stupid to dress themselves. We already knew that. If you’re a border state, shut down your border and do not ever let this CA scum out.
I always tell the nosy greens with complaints to see Mrs. Wait – who prefers to be called Helen, so they can go to Helen Wait.