Comment by pascalxus
9 years ago
He's proposing UBI but with a better name. But, before we go with that approach, let's just create wealth out of thin air. It really is possible. Just take all the land in CA that is locked up and undevelop-able and give it to the people. Those people can then sell it to developers and earn a huge amount of money. Now, I know, the way I've laid it out, has a lot of problems to overcome: mostly logistical and political. but the core idea of using unused land is quite sound, here in CA, where we deny ourselves the use of land. Most of the cost of housing is due to the cost of land, which need not be expensive in rural areas where unused land is found in every direction you look.
Is a lot of rural land locked up? By whom/what?
Presumably they're referring to lands held in public trust, like National and State Parks, National Forests, BLM land, and National Monuments.
I question the sense in developing large stretches of arid wastelands (among other biomes) that feature beautiful, unique and delicate ecologies.
No, it makes far more sense to appropriate all existing developed land and rebuild as extreme density. The original owners can inhabit the top floor of each new building.
We could even graduate the heights of each new building according to existing property values, ensuring the continuity of our arbitrary class system. The taller the building you inhabit and the further up it, the more remarkable you must obviously be as a person.
My modest proposal maintains these unique landscapes held in public trust for future generations while ensuring that the wealthy can continue to look down on the rest of us.
Win-win!