Matt,
I heard or read recently that our great thinkers can always conceptualize superior ways to organize our economy and culture than through markets and capitalism. But for thousands of years, these same folks have not been able to put any of these into practice. Theory and practice are two entirely different things.
I have no such notion that markets are either absolute or perfect. Indeed, they are very messy, specially at the micro level. However, for all their faults, they are just a whole hell a lot better than you, Sean, David, or me making decisions for the masses.
For the last time, I am not opposed to government getting involved in needed or desired services if the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide them. This, of course, is predicated on government doing so only if it is done effectively and efficiently, AND that the costs are largely borne by those enjoying the benefit. A few exceptions would be included in this last qualification, golf not being one of them.
I do think that in areas of extremely expensive land prices, highly affordable courses are not feasible. Perhaps government can step in by streamlining the regulatory process, waiving all sorts of permit and impact fees, and otherwise open up lands without many higher alternative uses for development. Joint-ventures with the private sector have been done in a number of places, often resulting in the developer agreeing to keep the green fees lower on area residents than the market would bear.
That is not the problem in many areas of the South and Southwest, yet we see government all over the place getting involved in the more snazzy segment. From the standpoint of the cities and their employees, I can fully understand that it is a lot more fun building and working at an upscale facility than the traditional put-your-ball-in-the-tube muni. I just don't believe it is a good deal for the taxpayer, the golfer in the long run, or the industry.
Sean A.,
I am a very big President Bush supporter, and couldn't disagree more with your comments. My family is from northern Spain and my European cousins were saying ---k the USA 30 years ago. Of course, like many of our domestic malcontents, the little bastards lived of my uncle's very productive teat and never knew hardship in their life.
Tio Julio would apologize for their ignorance and envy, and admit in private that the burr up the asses of many Europeans was wedged in by the knowledge that they once had what we have and they pissed it all away. He also attributed the ill feeling to envy that a country with only two hundred years of history could become not only the leader of the world, but a constant reminder of the malaise of European socialism. My uncle passed away some five years ago, but very fortunately for his family, he left their cupboards very well stocked.
So, Sean, without any offense directed at you personally, if Mr. Bush indeed says screw Europe (he doesn't resort to extreme vulgarity in public to express his sentiments and intellect ala Hillary, Kerry, et. al.), he is just mirroring what we've been getting from the Europeans for decades. If it doesn't set well in Europe, being the sophisticated, culturally superior people that they purport to be, it should not come as a surprise that it hasn't played well here either. As a person who knows both cultures fairly well, take it from me that the U.S. has no monopoly on arrogance and bad manners. Not that we have an excuse, but at least we saved the Europeans' assess in two world wars, helped to rebuild their economies, and continue to provide them with defense so they don't have to pay for a larger military. I guess that no good deed should go unpunished.
BTW, why is it that in the European utopia there are so few affordable courses? For the most part, UK probably being the exception, why is golf only generally played by the well-to-do?