Re: [Paddlewise] Public beaches - was Saturation Point

Outfit3029_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> Paddlewisers, the "common man's right" is a nice concept, however, aren't the
> Scandinavian countries socialist nations?  Blessed as we are in this, the
> greatest of all lands, I doubt that the majority would forget democracy and
> capitalism in order to secure better access to paddling and camping spots.

Capitalism isn't so great.  And it's not particularly democratic
either.  Looking around it seems to me that political influence comes in
proportion to the amount of capitol one controls.  Access to beautiful
land is also in proportion to the amount of capitol one controls.  We
are all told that we have equal chance to gather capitol, but that is
just not true.  Fortunately, the masses are able to band together, for
interest groups, and through a government that, more or less is honest,
wield some power.  But only because together they represent capitol.

This is such an ingrained american belief that many people don't see
alternatives.  Or associate alternatives with loss of personal freedom. 
So american's don't see how their need to amass capital restricts their
personal freedoms.  One complaint I've heard in this discussion has been
how people don't have time to travel to remote and less crowded
destinations.  I assume this is because they have to work.  I'm also
restricted from using some beautiful beaches because they are privately
owned.  

There aren't enough beaches for every one to own their own, so only
those with enough capital will be able to.  Ones ability to enjoy
uncrowded beaches is in proportion to capital.

Now, we do have a lot of resources here.  Enough that we were able to
set aside vast stretches of wilderness.  At least they seemed vast when
they got set aside.  Now they are just rather larger and being picked
away.  Even if they get no smaller, just because of population increase
they will seem small and over used.  

Would it not be better if our right to use land was more in proportion
to our presence as an individual on the planet?  (well, if you already
have a lot of capital it's not better that way.  Fortunately for you
your capital gives you more voice in keeping the system the way it is.)

Now, I know of the tragedy of the commons - where shared resources get
trashed because of selfish individual use.  Shared fishing grounds are
an example.  Actually, just about any unpatrolled and maintained public
space in america would be trashed by individuals.  There are instances
of individuals owning and protecting land.  This is a good thing.  But I
think the reverse is far more common, where individuals or corporations
develop or exploit land.  

I'd rather have things owned in common.  Then hope that common ownership
made individuals feel more responsible for taking care.

Tom.
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