Dear HCN,I found the latest cover
story about gated communities (HCN, 11/11/02: Behind the gate),
both amusing and sad. Bob Arrigoni and the other “simple, low-key”
Stock Farm residents like him exist in a different reality, and it
reinforces my theory that in most cases, the more money people
have, the less practical they become.
More
alarming is that this scenario appears to be the way of the future,
as ultra-wealthy poseurs buy their way into “Western Lifestyles” of
gated communities, golf courses, private fishing, and
million-dollar “cabins” – it’s ego-pumping capitalism at its
best.
The pillage and balkanization of the West
is well under way, as evidenced in Hamilton, Mont., and many other
select spots in the West. I’m merely an “average” American, trying
to carve out my “simple, low-key” existence on sub-six-figure
annual earnings. Someday, I’d like to have a little parcel of land
to live on and take care of, but if elitists like Arrigoni and his
ilk are potential “neighbors,” I think I’d pass. I’m sure they’re
nice enough people, but I’d rather live among hard-working common
folk than pampered wanna-bes.
Money and greed are
king, and this will never change. This “New West” sucks more and
more with each passing day.
Mike Huffman Longmont, Colorado
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Ego-pumping capitalism at its best.
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