GROWTH: Treasure Valley, Idaho
Almost everyday we are told that growth is good, because our economy needs to grow so we will all have a better standard of living. We are constantly reminded that unemployment is the lowest ever, and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is climbing upwards. The future of the Treasure Valley is vibrant. Yet, none of our governmental officials seem to be concerned that there are limits to growth, in land, water, energy, and biota, as well as in quality of life.
World-wide there are 6.5 billion people, which is expected to double in less than 50 years. In the U.S. the Census Bureau’s population clock shows we have over 303 million people. We add another person every 11 seconds, or 2,866,908 people per year, of which 1,051,200 are migrants. These figures are likely much higher because government tends to shy from the truth. Can we sustain such growth in population with our finite resources?
It has been reported that each American consumes more than 50-times more goods and services than the average Chinese citizen. Our per capita standard of living is twice that of Europeans, average $26,000 vs. $12,300 per person per year. This has been possible, because America was blessed with abundant fertile cropland, water, and fossil energy, but with continued population growth expect severe resource shortages as being experienced in China and Africa today.
And, nationally, statewide, and locally Chambers of Commerce, politicians, and corporations all cry for more people. With more people we continue to put more demand on the land and our ability to care for our people. Senator Craig remarked that we need 500,000 more [tax paying] people each year to insure that social security will be funded. We lose, worldwide, 10 to 35 million hectares (1 ha=2.47 acres) of land to urbanization and highways per year, and one-half is arable land. (Piemental et al., 1999). Because of expanding populations there is greater demand for water particularly in areas where water is already in short supply. We are already seeing increased demand for fossil energy worldwide. It is estimated that we lose 150 species each day due to increasing human population and certain human activities. Can we continue to grow our population for the fallacious goal to grow the economy?
As we look about the valley we see more businesses, more subdivisions, more schools, more cars, more road construction, larger governments, and greater frustration. Should we believe those economists that espouse population growth as being necessary for our financial well being? Or should we consider an economy based on a steady state of population? Who will really suffer, the CEO, the President, the farmer, or the elderly by restricting population growth and particularly legal and illegal immigration? Are we really better off for all this growth, while our quality of life, freedoms, and liberties diminish as rapidly. Think about who really benefits from growth as you are being replaced by a foreigner, or your job is being outsourced, and your future trashed.
Unhappy Americans
Additional immigration information: http://www.allaboutillegalimmigration.blogspot.com/
World-wide there are 6.5 billion people, which is expected to double in less than 50 years. In the U.S. the Census Bureau’s population clock shows we have over 303 million people. We add another person every 11 seconds, or 2,866,908 people per year, of which 1,051,200 are migrants. These figures are likely much higher because government tends to shy from the truth. Can we sustain such growth in population with our finite resources?
It has been reported that each American consumes more than 50-times more goods and services than the average Chinese citizen. Our per capita standard of living is twice that of Europeans, average $26,000 vs. $12,300 per person per year. This has been possible, because America was blessed with abundant fertile cropland, water, and fossil energy, but with continued population growth expect severe resource shortages as being experienced in China and Africa today.
And, nationally, statewide, and locally Chambers of Commerce, politicians, and corporations all cry for more people. With more people we continue to put more demand on the land and our ability to care for our people. Senator Craig remarked that we need 500,000 more [tax paying] people each year to insure that social security will be funded. We lose, worldwide, 10 to 35 million hectares (1 ha=2.47 acres) of land to urbanization and highways per year, and one-half is arable land. (Piemental et al., 1999). Because of expanding populations there is greater demand for water particularly in areas where water is already in short supply. We are already seeing increased demand for fossil energy worldwide. It is estimated that we lose 150 species each day due to increasing human population and certain human activities. Can we continue to grow our population for the fallacious goal to grow the economy?
As we look about the valley we see more businesses, more subdivisions, more schools, more cars, more road construction, larger governments, and greater frustration. Should we believe those economists that espouse population growth as being necessary for our financial well being? Or should we consider an economy based on a steady state of population? Who will really suffer, the CEO, the President, the farmer, or the elderly by restricting population growth and particularly legal and illegal immigration? Are we really better off for all this growth, while our quality of life, freedoms, and liberties diminish as rapidly. Think about who really benefits from growth as you are being replaced by a foreigner, or your job is being outsourced, and your future trashed.
Unhappy Americans
Additional immigration information: http://www.allaboutillegalimmigration.blogspot.com/
posted by Unhappy American at
9:18 PM
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