> The idea that landowners should be allowed to extract every bit of profit possible out of land -- a public, limited good -- no matter what the consequences, is absolutely reprehensible to me.
And this idea has led to strict rent control, which in turn has led to NIMBYism, which together have led to the clusterfuck that is San Francisco's housing market. Privileged groups act first and foremost to preserve their privilege, and rent control works by creating a privileged group. Hilarity ensues.
You said you wanted to gain in understanding. I think you should internalize that before going on. It's critical to the whole issue.
In short, you need to consider that attempting to put your ideals into policy may have resulted in creating the problems you fear.
And this idea has led to strict rent control, which in turn has led to NIMBYism, which together have led to the clusterfuck that is San Francisco's housing market. Privileged groups act first and foremost to preserve their privilege, and rent control works by creating a privileged group. Hilarity ensues.
You said you wanted to gain in understanding. I think you should internalize that before going on. It's critical to the whole issue.
In short, you need to consider that attempting to put your ideals into policy may have resulted in creating the problems you fear.