BANANA

Most of us have heard of NIMBY, i.e. Not In My Back Yard

Turns out, NIMBY is quaint and antiquated. The new guiding principle for busybodies is BANANA, i.e. Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything. In other words, it’s not enough for people to decry progress when it affects the view out their windows – they resist it no matter where it occurs. I read it in a Michael Barone review of Philip Howard’s new book.

We lament the loss of manufacturing in this nation. We lament the lack of real, wealth-producing jobs. We decry our crumbling infrastructure. But, when it comes time to point fingers of blame, it’s all too common to hear about “greedy” corporations who are offshoring American jobs. Yet why would any company go through the regulatory and litigious hell that goes along with any new endeavor in this nation when it can start that endeavor in a place that welcomes jobs, industry and investment?

From Barone’s article:

A bridge blocking New York’€™s harbor from the newest supertankers can’€™t be elevated without 47 permits from 19 government agencies, and environmental groups will bring lawsuits at multiple stages.

This brings to mind Ronald Reagan’€™s pithy observation:

Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.

The GOP, in the midst of a fight over what its identity is going to be in the next couple elections, should seize upon the sclerosis that over-regulating has plagued the nation with, and make a central theme of getting government out of the way. It should eschew technocrats who think that government can be a force for good if only directed properly (yes, you, Mr. Romney) and embrace those who grasp, appreciate and champion the cause of limited government.

• About the Author

About Peter Venetoklis

I am twice-retired, a former rocket engineer and a former small business owner. At the very least, it makes for interesting party conversation. I'm also a life-long libertarian, I engage in an expanse of entertainments, and I squabble for sport.

Nowadays, I spend a good bit of my time arguing politics and editing this website.

If you'd like to help keep the site ad-free, please support us on Patreon.