I live in a cocoon, a time warp almost.

[cali]

I live in a rural village in Vermont that hasn't changed much in decades. And Vermont has some of the strictest land usage laws in the country. With the exception of the greater Burlington area, there aren't big box stores or housing developments, and even there it's to a much lesser degree than other places. Sustainability isn't a new concept in this state; it's been worked on for over 30 years and it's working. I'm sure this isn't the only place where that's true.

When I leave here, I'm always, and I mean always shocked, by the pace in other places, by billboards, malls and housing developments, by McMansions and the endless trappings of the consumer society which constantly demands more and different.

I am always struck by how unsustainable this growth is. I don't celebrate the end of a flawed system because I know the suffering it will cause, but it's unrealistic to think that the disposable society can go on forever.

This financial mess may or may not mark a seismic shift, but sooner or later the unsustainable lifestyle most people in this country live, to some degree or another, will end.

[givemebackmycountry]

1. That's a GOOD post Cali...

I've never been to Vermont, but I hope to soon.

I'll kick it -

[cali]

2. thanks.

it's an interesting place.

[4 t 4]

3. As well as it should

the divide is way to wide. Some people get 20 million for making a movie and the MAJORITY of the rest of the people can barely eat & buy gas. This class warfare big-time and their killin us.

[cali]

4. one of the things I like most about living here is that

the gap between rich and poor is much smaller, an in small villages and towns, everybody mixes with everybody.

[deaniac21]

5. It's just a jump to the left

And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,

[blm]

6. I feel much the same and have for many years. Once you see an empty big box store in decay with

cracked asphalt and cement spanning what once was a many-acred parking lot, it's hard to not see what a fucking waste it all was and is. Hey...but the NEW - - - just opened down the road and its shiny and new....and the cycle repeats.

Then, of course, if you want to buy that old property, WalMart Realty rears its head to squeeze all it can out of the deal.

[cali]

7. yeh, that is a very creepy site; an abandoned big box

strikes an unpleasant sci-fi bell.