06-28-2014, 09:48 AM
Consider the following thought experiment as it relates to "sustainability" and "ethics".
A bill is brought before the County Council which would allow farmers' markets as a "permitted agricultural use" in private subdivisions. The goal is to foster "sustainability" by encouraging access to locally-grown produce.
County simply refuses to hear the bill, so it dies on the table.
Later, some constituents raise this issue with their State representative, who decides it's a great idea, and drafts a State bill which seeks to require the counties to allow farmers' markets in private subdivisions.
A different contingent of that same constituency declares that the representative has behaved unethically by introducing a bill that would allow big-box retail stores to be built in the middle of private subdivisions.
Meanwhile, the people have to drive to town ("sustainably", of course) for everything...
A bill is brought before the County Council which would allow farmers' markets as a "permitted agricultural use" in private subdivisions. The goal is to foster "sustainability" by encouraging access to locally-grown produce.
County simply refuses to hear the bill, so it dies on the table.
Later, some constituents raise this issue with their State representative, who decides it's a great idea, and drafts a State bill which seeks to require the counties to allow farmers' markets in private subdivisions.
A different contingent of that same constituency declares that the representative has behaved unethically by introducing a bill that would allow big-box retail stores to be built in the middle of private subdivisions.
Meanwhile, the people have to drive to town ("sustainably", of course) for everything...