"Charter Cities:" A Great Idea, But Not A New One. Just Read The US Constitution

This is, in broad strokes, the concept of the American state, so apparently the framers were way ahead of the times! Of course the Constitution as written is honored in the breach, but the idea of independent states with their own peculiarities and laws is the bedrock of our country. From it flows the electoral college and barriers to federal interference in states' business.

Give Charter Cities a Second Look

Ten years ago, in a TED talk, economist Paul Romer introduced the concept of charter cities, newly created municipalities governed by a nation other than the one in which its borders are contained. Writing in City Journal, Romer and Brandon Fuller described how charter cities would be set up: “A host country would provide land; a source country would provide residents; and a guarantor country would provide the assurance that the new city’s charter would be respected and enforced.” These cities, the theory held, could serve as models of good governance and wealth creation for their often poorly run host countries.

How they will defend this idea from the SJWs who will claim it is nothing more than modern-day colonialism is beyond me. But I look forward to the fight!

Posted by: CBD at 12:15 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Best of luck.

Posted by: Ever at September 08, 2019 12:13 PM (ZZDMQ)

2 I agree the SJWs won't let that happen.

Posted by: Ever at September 08, 2019 12:14 PM (ZZDMQ)

3 Just remember to sign a long, long-term contract.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Literate Savage at September 08, 2019 12:14 PM (kQs4Y)

4 Too early for an OT?

WeaselZippers is swamped with ads now. Any way to avoid that?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Literate Savage at September 08, 2019 12:15 PM (kQs4Y)

5 Interesting...

Posted by: Krusty at September 08, 2019 12:16 PM (P1+Yz)

6 newly created municipalities governed by a nation other than the one in which its borders are contained. "

So West Berlin or Kaliningrad?

Posted by: Anon a mouse at September 08, 2019 12:16 PM (6qErC)

7 I expect SJWs might like the idea of charter cities populated by people from China and various 3rd world countries on US soil. Depends on how you present it to them.

Of course, they are getting that already.

Posted by: TomP at September 08, 2019 12:17 PM (HfMAs)

8
East St. Louis becomes Trumpopolis. In 2 years it becomes a yuuuge, classy town everyone clamors to move to.

But the admissions criteria are high. Net payers of taxes. No one who worked in a city or state job in a Democrat-run place.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:18 PM (7rVsF)

9 Too bad cities are wholly dependent on the Not City to survive.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at September 08, 2019 12:19 PM (1g7ch)

10 Can we do this in Greenland?

Posted by: freakeddd at September 08, 2019 12:19 PM (Tnijr)

11 I am unfamiliar with the concept and haven't researched it so take this for what it's worth: Could the source country provide the dregs of it's society (to export/get rid of them) as easily as providing the best of it's culture/society to serve as a model?

What is the downside to the source country if it chooses to unload it's irritant/treasonous scum?

Posted by: Tonypete at September 08, 2019 12:20 PM (Y4EXg)

12 Too bad cities are wholly dependent on the Not City to survive."

We'll grow all we need on a rooftop!

/

Posted by: Anon a mouse at September 08, 2019 12:20 PM (6qErC)

13
These cities, the theory held, could serve as models of good governance and wealth creation for their often poorly run host countries.

These cities, in practice, would be invaded and despoiled by their poorly-run host countries, who would accuse them of theft.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:21 PM (7rVsF)

14 Top 20!

Posted by: Thanatopsis at September 08, 2019 12:22 PM (9A/SK)

15 Even if this happened -- and successful cities established -- I'm not sure that it would cause host country residents to see a model of good governance, so much as provide an easy target for host-country politicians. It doesn't matter how successful the city is -- host country politicians will drum up support by talking about how the city exploits the host country, discriminates against host country citizens, is neo-colonialism, or anything really, so long as it provides the politician with political support.
Many issues that we a have are "solved" issues -- we know how to solve them. They remained unsolved because politicians do not want to solve them. They would rather keep the issue for political use than solve the problem.

Posted by: Revenant at September 08, 2019 12:23 PM (bD2Jh)

16
Maybe Brazil can set aside some land in the Amazon jungle so that our Leftists can set up a charter city run on impeccable progressive principles.

In 5 years, it would be a desert.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:24 PM (7rVsF)

17 Someone please check to see if Venezuela hasn't already done that here in San Francisco and Portland.

Posted by: Roy at September 08, 2019 12:25 PM (ABjxW)

18 "16 newly created municipalities governed by a nation other than the one in which its borders are contained. "

So West Berlin or Kaliningrad?"

Or Jonestown

Posted by: DamnCat at September 08, 2019 12:29 PM (T4phK)

19 *sets up private toll booth on road leading in and out of the "city"*

A very heavily armed and deeply sandbagged toll booth.

And I've got all the guards on a percentage-of-take "bonus" system, on top of their salaries.

Now, let's "negotiate" with that wee city, and determine just who shall pass, and not?

Oh, and the fees. Not so much a negotiation there, as a "here's the fee schedule. Like it, live it, LOVE it, 'cause it ain't goin' away."

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at September 08, 2019 12:32 PM (QzJWU)

20 you mean like hong kong?

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 08, 2019 12:33 PM (Pg+x7)

21
*sets up private toll booth on road leading in and out of the "city"*

The William J. LePetomaine Toll Booth?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:35 PM (7rVsF)

22 The article mentions Hong Kong.
How's that working out currently?
Yeah. So much for that as a model.

So just stick to host countries that can never pull shenanigans like that - like Kinshasa and Congo.
Thing is, Kinshasa is currently about 2/15ths the total population of Congo. If it grows as noted in the article, it will be over 1/3rd. Think of the problems we have in States dominated by cities in the U.S. Now magnify that with the city being a quasi-autonomous city-state itself. And never mind that Kinshasa is also the capital of Congo. Imagine if Washington D.C. had a population of 50 million and was a subsidiary of some foreign country of lobbyists and what not.
Yeah. And yet people wonder why small countries will never sign off on such a deal.

Nice in total abstract theory.
Total non-starter once you take the first step past that.
N

Posted by: Sam at September 08, 2019 12:35 PM (ohyxL)

23 You didn't build that charter city.

Posted by: Baracky O'Cracky at September 08, 2019 12:36 PM (EgshT)

24 I can see the SJWs inviting people from 3rd world shitholes to own such cities and pillage the greater US. Then they'd return to the sanctuary of the charter city. I fear these could turn into quite the disasters as they would establish these cities within the US border.

Posted by: CN at September 08, 2019 12:36 PM (U7k5w)

25 ...The William J. LePetomaine Toll Booth?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:35 PM (7rVsF)

Could be the Hadrian the Seventh Toll Booth, for the right price.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at September 08, 2019 12:36 PM (QzJWU)

26
Like many resorts or foreign corporate headquarters out there, except a city. Payment in dollars only, no natives except those who have passed stringent tests to obtain coveted employment within, etc.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 08, 2019 12:37 PM (13CQC)

27 I thought the new thing was to secede the fly over areas from the cities like the the State of Illinois saying good bye to Shitcago.

That sounds like a much better idea.

"Pitting Red against the Blue, There were none more brave than you, Illinois, Illinois,
There were none more brave than you, Illinois."

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at September 08, 2019 12:38 PM (Z+IKu)

28 In 5 years, it would be a desert"

So yes, Jonestown

Posted by: Anon a mouse at September 08, 2019 12:38 PM (6qErC)

29 I'm not sure Jonestown isn't happening in real time here.

Posted by: Infidel at September 08, 2019 12:39 PM (BLFnH)

30 23 You didn't build that charter city.

Posted by: Baracky O'Cracky at September 08, 2019 12:36 PM (EgshT)

We built that charter city on rock & roll!

Posted by: Starship at September 08, 2019 12:39 PM (DTX3h)

31 Who would trust any nation to guarantee the charter? I can't think of any that have the power to do so that haven't proven that they can't be trusted to uphold obligations. The US included.

Posted by: lurker (the other one, but spelled with a P) at September 08, 2019 12:39 PM (67XdO)

32 ... all the niceties may be observed by the first generation, but the state's compulsion for power will find a way to overcome boundaries. look at the history of all the fine civil divisions in the u.s., increasingly overridden by the federal government.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 08, 2019 12:40 PM (Pg+x7)

33
Someone please check to see if Venezuela hasn't already done that here in San Francisco and Portland.
Posted by: Roy

======

Heh.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 08, 2019 12:40 PM (13CQC)

34 24 I can see the SJWs inviting people from 3rd world shitholes to own such cities and pillage the greater US. Then they'd return to the sanctuary of the charter city. I fear these could turn into quite the disasters as they would establish these cities within the US border.
Posted by: CN at September 08, 2019 12:36 PM (U7k5w)

Yep.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 08, 2019 12:41 PM (NWiLs)

35 Don't we already have some charter cities that don't recognize the Constitution and are governed by a hostile foreign power? Where personal freedom and private property rights don't exist. Where you can't walk the streets in peace, free from attack.

Like Portland. And the muzzie enclaves in Minnesota that spewed forth the America-hating Omar POS and somehow got it installed in Congress. The Founders would be spinning in their graves to see that today.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy - #PurgeProgressivism at September 08, 2019 12:43 PM (HaL55)

36
Who would trust any nation to guarantee the charter?

Posted by: lurker (the other one, but spelled with a P)

======

Any peace and prosperity would be irresistible. The whole city would be expropriated.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 08, 2019 12:44 PM (13CQC)

37
Sean Spicier @sean_spicier
9m
We need decorum back in the WH so vote for the guy who went halfway around the world just to cheat on his wife

Posted by: Deep State is in Deep Shit at September 08, 2019 12:45 PM (BqBId)

38 ...Who would trust any nation to guarantee the charter?

Posted by: lurker (the other one, but spelled with a P)

======

Any peace and prosperity would be irresistible. The whole city would be expropriated.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 08, 2019 12:44 PM (13CQC)

"I have altered the deal. Pray that I do not alter it, further"

Sound familiar?

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at September 08, 2019 12:46 PM (QzJWU)

39 35
Don't we already have some charter cities that don't recognize the
Constitution and are governed by a hostile foreign power? Where personal
freedom and private property rights don't exist. Where you can't walk
the streets in peace, free from attack.

Like Portland. And
the muzzie enclaves in Minnesota that spewed forth the America-hating
Omar POS and somehow got it installed in Congress. The Founders would be
spinning in their graves to see that today.
Exactly, they only introduced this idea to further carve up bits of the US. They wouldn't allow us to do it in other places.

Posted by: JoshO at September 08, 2019 12:46 PM (Z9wz+)

40 Zing.

Posted by: Infidel at September 08, 2019 12:46 PM (BLFnH)

41
I thought the new thing was to secede the fly over areas from the cities like the the State of Illinois saying good bye to Shitcago.

That sounds like a much better idea.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy

=======

Pretty much the concept behind the Two Californias. Or the Six Californias.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 08, 2019 12:47 PM (13CQC)

42 Yeah, let's destroy the entire concept of "local rule" where we can see and talk to the people we elect.

Oh wait...we can't do that now. Nevermind.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy - #PurgeProgressivism at September 08, 2019 12:47 PM (HaL55)

43
We need decorum back in the WH so vote for the guy who went halfway around the world just to cheat on his wife

Sorry to sound obtuse, but to whom is he referring?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:49 PM (7rVsF)

44 Sean Spicier @sean_spicier

9m

We need decorum back in the WH so vote for the guy who went halfway around the world just to cheat on his wife

Posted by: Deep State is in Deep Shit at September 08, 2019 12:45 PM (BqBId)

The third stooge has officially entered the race. And all three of them are Joe Besser

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 12:49 PM (lFIgG)

45 Blonde Morticia, sorta like Colorado. Sec. of State rejected a ton of recall signatures, low and behold, the 2nd chance didn't go thru either.

I'm sure it it had nothing to do with the Sec. of State being a flaming lib.

Denver is just telling the rest of the state to pound sand.

Posted by: Infidel at September 08, 2019 12:50 PM (BLFnH)

46 21
*sets up private toll booth on road leading in and out of the "city"*

The William J. LePetomaine Toll Booth?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:35 PM (7rVsF)

Gonna need a shitload of dimes.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 08, 2019 12:50 PM (NWiLs)

47
Sorry, it's Sanford. Thanks anyway.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:51 PM (7rVsF)

48 Sorry to sound obtuse, but to whom is he referring?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at Se

Mark Stanford is going to run against Trump.

Posted by: Infidel at September 08, 2019 12:51 PM (BLFnH)

49 Sorry to sound obtuse, but to whom is he referring?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:49 PM (7rVsF)

Mark Sanford officially announced his waste of time and money campaign. His uncle Fred says, He's a great big dummy

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 12:51 PM (lFIgG)

50

I just read an AP story about Mugabe. He was the greatest thing ever until the mid 90s when he went anti-gay then he was the worst thing ever.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 12:53 PM (lFIgG)

51
Aren't most of these vanity campaigns just money-hoovering operations?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:53 PM (7rVsF)

52 24 I can see the SJWs inviting people from 3rd world shitholes to own such cities and pillage the greater US. Then they'd return to the sanctuary of the charter city. I fear these could turn into quite the disasters as they would establish these cities within the US border.
Posted by: CN at September 08, 2019 12:36 PM (U7k5w)
---
Didn't some knuckleheads want to invite China in to "invest" in Detroit?

Have these people no shame? (I know, I know)

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Literate Savage at September 08, 2019 12:53 PM (kQs4Y)

53 Yeah, just ask Hong Kong how that is working out.

Posted by: Don Q at September 08, 2019 12:53 PM (NgKpN)

54 16
Maybe Brazil can set aside some land in the Amazon jungle so that our Leftists can set up a charter city run on impeccable progressive principles.

In 5 years, it would be a desert.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:24 PM (7rVsF)

Commies are expert at turning lush and verdant regions into deserts.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at September 08, 2019 12:54 PM (e1mEI)

55 Commies are expert at turning lush and verdant regions into deserts.
Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at September 08, 2019 12:54 PM (e1mEI)

As are "Palestinians."

Posted by: Insomniac at September 08, 2019 12:56 PM (NWiLs)

56 Like Joe Walsh the only reason Sanford is doing this is to get some love from the media and rehabilitate his relevance in politics. Both of them are a joke and would have been treated like a joke even by the leftist media twenty years ago.

Posted by: lowandslow at September 08, 2019 12:56 PM (gNCcC)

57 So, the host country defends it, and helps it prosper, but cannot TAX it to support those expenses.

Uh, no.

You would end up with the Cities reaping the benefits, and the country and rural folks paying for it?

Now, a more interesting question, can city folk win a WAR, over country folk?

Posted by: Don Q at September 08, 2019 12:57 PM (NgKpN)

58 Didn't some knuckleheads want to invite China in to "invest" in Detroit?"

Yeah. It was right after the 83rd "Detroit is Back, Baby" announcement...

Posted by: Anon a mouse at September 08, 2019 12:58 PM (6qErC)

59 Sanford and Son, now there is a show that could never be made today.

Posted by: Infidel at September 08, 2019 12:58 PM (BLFnH)

60 Just remember to sign a long, long-term contract.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Literate Savage at September 08, 2019 12:14 PM

Listen to Eris, kids.

Posted by: Hong Kong at September 08, 2019 12:58 PM (rBtIz)

61 It's a shame states can't control their own borders. Was that the case pre Civil War?

Posted by: kallisto at September 08, 2019 12:59 PM (rQe9y)

62 That suckah was a good boy.

Posted by: Zombie Aunt Esther at September 08, 2019 01:00 PM (EgshT)

63
Commies are expert at turning lush and verdant regions into deserts.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew

Even large bodies of water.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aral_Sea

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:00 PM (7rVsF)

64 Just remember to sign a long, long-term contract.

*nods vigorously*

Posted by: Hong Kong and the New Territories at September 08, 2019 01:01 PM (yQpMk)

65 Palistinians are a Commie subset.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at September 08, 2019 01:01 PM (e1mEI)

66 52: Invest is one thing, colonize is another. Yet we have illegal alien enclaves, and muslims setting up sharia whenever possible.

Posted by: CN at September 08, 2019 01:02 PM (U7k5w)

67 I do hope PDT tweets Sanford to take a hike.

Posted by: freakedd at September 08, 2019 01:02 PM (Tnijr)

68 Pay for it all (whatever it is) by scrapping and selling the UN.

Posted by: klaftern at September 08, 2019 01:02 PM (RuIsu)

69
*nods vigorously*

Posted by: Hong Kong and the New Territories

Also: Macao, Goa

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:02 PM (7rVsF)

70 Even large bodies of water.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aral_Sea
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Not our fault comrade.
Is fault of Climate Change

Posted by: Bruce at September 08, 2019 01:03 PM (vd8XM)

71
Former vice president Joe Biden continues to hold a lead among
Democratic presidential aspirants, a new poll showed Sunday, despite
recent questions about his age and mental clarity.
"I just think Biden is
declining," Ohio congressman Tim Ryan told a Bloomberg News reporter in a
phone call. "I don't think he has the energy. You see it almost daily.

"And I love the guy."

Just give him some pre-teen girls to grope and you'll see some energy

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 01:03 PM (lFIgG)

72 Downstate Illinois has been dominated by the Chicago Outfit way too long ... and the abuse is getting worse. An older guy was down here the other day, (I'm related to him in two ways, heh) but I was surprised to hear him tell me there was a meeting coming up about the secession, or whatever they are calling it.

Much of downstate IL voted 70% Trump ... cleave off all the big cities, they can be their own sanctuary nation, the rest of us can move our assets out of BigCity centralized control. Many big cities were central ports, which is still true, but the BigMoney is now in Finance (WallStreetGambling) and fiat trillions made out of thin air. The rich got richer while the country got raped/pilfered, at least from the Finance side.

Posted by: illiniwek at September 08, 2019 01:03 PM (Cus5s)

73 PA is getting infested with NY/NJ libs.

Posted by: kallisto at September 08, 2019 01:03 PM (rQe9y)

74 Yeah. It was right after the 83rd "Detroit is Back, Baby" announcement...

Posted by: Anon a mouse at September 08, 2019 12:58 PM (6qErC)

I found out "Detroit is back" one day last week....I'm uninformed.

Posted by: BignJames at September 08, 2019 01:04 PM (X/Pw5)

75 Aral Sea has been shrinking since the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted by Soviet irrigation projects.

The shrinking of the Aral Sea has been called "one of the planet's worst environmental disasters".The region's once-prosperous fishing industry has been decimated, bringing unemployment and economic hardship. The Aral Sea region is also heavily polluted, with consequential serious public health problems.

Gee, I wonder if they see the correlation.

Posted by: Infidel at September 08, 2019 01:05 PM (BLFnH)

76 PA is getting infested with NY/NJ libs.
Posted by: kallisto

Hey, this looks like a nice place to start up a shithole!

Posted by: Bruce at September 08, 2019 01:05 PM (vd8XM)

77 "It's a shame states can't control their own borders. Was that the case pre Civil War?"

Yes, the founders envisioned us being able to migrate to another state if your current state wasn't governed as you liked. Easier said than done if you were poor, kinda holds true today.

Posted by: lowandslow at September 08, 2019 01:05 PM (gNCcC)

78

Not our fault comrade.
Is fault of Climate Change

The dark night of environmental catastrophe is always descending on capitalist countries but lands on socialist ones.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:06 PM (7rVsF)

79 The dark night of environmental catastrophe is always descending on capitalist countries but lands on socialist ones.
---
This is worth repeating across multiple sites.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Literate Savage at September 08, 2019 01:07 PM (kQs4Y)

80 I'm still a proponent of states seceding in place. We need a prosperous state to throw off the golden shackles of the Federal government. Just quit taking Federal money. Almost everything that we hate is imposed upon us as a condition of federal money and not as a federal law. Quit taking medicaid money from the feds and run your dole however you want to. Quit taking federal highway dollars. Quit taking education money and build a rational, efficient, and affordable school system.

Just say No.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at September 08, 2019 01:08 PM (yQpMk)

81 76. Yes. Every smart parasite knows you're not supposed to kill the host. Blue state invaders are not so smart.

Posted by: kallisto at September 08, 2019 01:09 PM (rQe9y)

82 That is called a Ghetto

Posted by: Lochnar at September 08, 2019 01:10 PM (q/R49)

83 So when a city fails, I believe, its state can revoke the city charter, or whatever it takes to shut the city government down. Please correct my ill-knowlege as needed.

But the point is, I wonder if the Constitution lets the federal government - the states - do the same to a failed state.

I think it is fair to say that California is road kill. Or soon will be.

Posted by: Oh look there's a nazi squirrel. at September 08, 2019 01:10 PM (64PZ4)

84
Just say No.

Posted by: Grump928(C)

"You take the King's shilling, you become the King's man." - Judge Kahanamoku

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:11 PM (7rVsF)

85 The dark night of environmental catastrophe is always descending on capitalist countries but lands on socialist ones.

---

This is worth repeating across multiple sites.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Literate Savage at September 08, 2019 01:07 PM

Don't bother. The left just vomits up the "bringing their glorious socialist countries into the industrial age was the priority, not the environment...now that they've caught up they'll totally be about a clean environment. Any day now. Seriously" excuse. It's breathtakingly stupid.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 08, 2019 01:11 PM (rBtIz)

86 Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 12:51 PM (lFIgG)
*******
NAH all 3 are Grifters, take money from NeverTrumper Billionaires & lose in historic fashion

Posted by: Deep State is in Deep Shit at September 08, 2019 01:12 PM (BqBId)

87 "No one who worked in a city or state job in a Democrat-run place."

Well, guess I'm screwed then. Probably not welcome in any haven the Horde might come up with.

Posted by: Secret Square at September 08, 2019 01:12 PM (9WuX0)

88 http://bit.ly/2ZRiU2Y
*******
Did Robert Mueller Help Saudi Arabia Cover Up Its Role in 9/11 Attacks? | Trending

Posted by: Deep State is in Deep Shit at September 08, 2019 01:13 PM (BqBId)

89
Well, guess I'm screwed then. Probably not welcome in any haven the Horde might come up with.

Posted by: Secret Square

Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. I don't want people whose idea of "public service" is maximizing their pay while minimizing their work.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:15 PM (7rVsF)

90 "Almost everything that we hate is imposed upon us as a condition of federal money and not as a federal law." Grump

But the feds can throw "free money" at the other states, while states can't print money out of nothing. (how do crypto currencies even do that?) ... For now "free stuff" wins elections, as does the 40 years of money getting easier (lower rates, now zero or negative considering inflation). ...

imo, the "just say no" to fed money is like "just start your own Google" ... there is a big thumb on the scale, put there by globalists, mostly. (DeepState, whatever) We can't even indict Hillary, as we fund the coup ... after voters "just said no". Big Change has to come in Trump's second term, or we just go commie via monetary policy of infinite debt.

Posted by: illiniwek at September 08, 2019 01:16 PM (Cus5s)

91 If Musk and his fellows have any foresight Mars will be a charter city.

Posted by: torabora at September 08, 2019 01:18 PM (t9HS2)

92 Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. I don't want
people whose idea of "public service" is maximizing their pay while
minimizing their work.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:15 PM

I keep telling people that I think I've found the only state gig that isn't infested with hacks and payroll patriots. People actually work hard, focus on the public and try to save the state money. I'm still wondering how this has been allowed here.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 08, 2019 01:18 PM (rBtIz)

93 "I don't want people whose idea of 'public service' is maximizing their pay while minimizing their work."

Well, that's NOT my idea of public service either. I often go beyond what my immediate job description requires, and I do not demand extra perks and have never asked for a raise (though I've been around long enough to have gotten several).

At the time I took my state job, I was working for minimum wage (having unexpectedly lost a much better paying job 2 years before) and driving 60 miles each way every day while paying $4 a gallon for gas. We were sinking ever deeper into a hole of debt that it took years to get out of. I could not go on like that forever so when the opportunity to get better pay, decent health insurance, and be able to walk to work, instead of constant super-commuting, came up, I took it, because I would have been a fool not to. If that means I'm "maximizing my pay while minimizing my work," so be it.

Posted by: Secret Square at September 08, 2019 01:22 PM (9WuX0)

94 The dark night of environmental catastrophe is always descending on capitalist countries but lands on socialist ones.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:06 PM (7rVsF)

Comrade, that's because of racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, transphobia, and imperialism.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 01:23 PM (PZ7zc)

95 Will there be poop maps in the charter city?

Posted by: torabora at September 08, 2019 01:24 PM (t9HS2)

96 Speed the day of the Dillon-Wagoner Graviton Polarity Generator.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at September 08, 2019 01:24 PM (yQpMk)

97
Well, that's NOT my idea of public service either. I often go beyond what my immediate job description requires, and I do not demand extra perks and have never asked for a raise (though I've been around long enough to have gotten several).

I was generalizing, of course. Just look at the DMV to see the kind of people I mean.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:25 PM (7rVsF)

98 What is the most effective way to fight cultural Marxism?

Seems to me this is the question, the challenge, of our time.

Posted by: Dan Smoot's Apprentice at September 08, 2019 01:29 PM (H8QX8)

99 I think Horde Sourced "Public Service" types would be completely acceptable in Alextopia.

They'd be especially adept at sniffin' out the typical goldbricking behavior and "productivity" of the stereotypical DMV drone.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at September 08, 2019 01:30 PM (QzJWU)

100 What is the most effective way to fight cultural Marxism?

Seems to me this is the question, the challenge, of our time.

Posted by: Dan Smoot's Apprentice at September 08, 2019 01:29 PM (H8QX

Air Pinochet

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 01:31 PM (PZ7zc)

101 Judge Kahanamoku"

Related to Komoniwannalaya?

Posted by: Anon a mouse at September 08, 2019 01:31 PM (6qErC)

102 Reverse evolution. City states were tried a long time ago.

Posted by: NOT THAT GUY at September 08, 2019 01:31 PM (sMKe4)

103 Gitmo works well

but only because it is guarded by land mines on one side and shark-infested waters on the other

Posted by: Retard Strength Trumps Smart Power at September 08, 2019 01:32 PM (RKQ/v)

104 I don't fault any anti-Leftist who works for the gov. We need more of us in there, euen tho' we'd have to work under deep cover.

Posted by: kallisto at September 08, 2019 01:33 PM (rQe9y)

105 David Koch Lives

Posted by: Quilp at September 08, 2019 01:36 PM (Bf3hj)

106 Not to be a downer, but isn't this what we already have de facto in places like Dearborn, MI and the like?

Posted by: bluebell at September 08, 2019 01:36 PM (Xzy69)

107 IIRC Honduras had charter communities of ex-pat Europeans.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 08, 2019 01:37 PM (/+bwe)

108 "Just look at the DMV to see the kind of people I mean"

Yeah, I do know what you mean, and I know I shouldn't take it personally. The job I have is kind of unusual in that it's a legislative (not executive) branch position; it's not under the control of a single officeholder such as the governor; and it's not unionized, whereas 95% of other state jobs in IL are unionized.

Even my own boss/director -- an old-school liberal Dem (from the era when people were actually taught to respect both sides of an argument) who has spent her entire life working for the General Assembly in some capacity -- complains about the "state worker mentality" at times.

We do have truly diverse viewpoints among our staff; at least two that I know of would fit right in to the Horde (for all I know they might be lurking here) but we also have one -- very much your stereotypical Millennial -- who plans on being a DNC delegate next year (for which candidate, I haven't asked him yet). And believe it or not, they all get along just fine! Which is one reason I stay here, plus, at age 55 it's kind of late to be switching gears....

Posted by: Secret Square at September 08, 2019 01:38 PM (9WuX0)

109 Been to Charter City and didn't like it much. Gonna tip.

Posted by: Hank Johnson at September 08, 2019 01:38 PM (EgshT)

110 It is exactly the libertarian swine telling Americans for decades that anyone who would work for the govt is a leftist, and simply cannot be on the right...that gave us the deep state we have today.

Please young Americans on the right, consider a job in public service. Do not listen to those who on the one hand decry all things govt, but rent seek out of their other ass cheek every chance they get.

We abandoned the public work space to the left- what did you think would happen?

#nevertrustalibertarian
not ever
not even a little bit

Posted by: Quilp at September 08, 2019 01:39 PM (Bf3hj)

111
Which is one reason I stay here, plus, at age 55 it's kind of late to be switching gears....

Posted by: Secret Square

Fight the good fight and check six.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 01:40 PM (7rVsF)

112 Posted by: Quilp at September 08, 2019 01:39 PM (Bf3hj)

The only way a real conservative can serve the Government today, is if they shut up until they reach actual positions of power.

Any hint of original non PC thought, and you will be sidelined, not promoted, or in many cases, not hired for that new position.

I watched it happen in the military in the 80's and 90's, and I'm SURE its much worse now.

Posted by: Don Q at September 08, 2019 01:42 PM (NgKpN)

113 I know I'm looking forward to living downwind, and down river from a charter city of people that don't speak the same language, hold the same values, care about the environment , or adhere to agreements like those in my community.

But oh the opportunity for freeeeeeedom (in my best Mel Gibson) Let me guess, their borders would be sacred...ours, still not so much?

Posted by: Quilp at September 08, 2019 01:43 PM (Bf3hj)

114 Anyone want to join me for lunch? I have POOP on the menu!

Posted by: Kurt at September 08, 2019 01:46 PM (p+2P+)

115 Sounds like Sharia Zones:

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/2530/

denmark-sharia-hezbollah

Posted by: Lizzy at September 08, 2019 01:48 PM (bDqIh)

116 Back under the stairs, Dunce.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at September 08, 2019 01:48 PM (yQpMk)

117 108 I suppose I should apologize for being a teacher.
Kinda a trash thing to say there buddy
Military is government employees so you must be referring to Nevergiveup and T9 and SMH and redc1c4
Kinda a dumb trash thing to say there buddy

Posted by: MAxIE, mentioned in dispatches at September 08, 2019 01:49 PM (9TR2V)

118

Posted by: Kurt at September 08, 2019 01:46 PM (p+2P+)

Oh lookee, it's our resident stock market expert. He's just as wise on foreign affairs as he is on the markets

Posted by: TheQuietMan at September 08, 2019 01:50 PM (+WF2S)

119 Pay no attention to Soros' singing eunuch.

Posted by: Convalescing Author A.H. Lloyd at September 08, 2019 01:51 PM (cfSRQ)

120 The one thing I do worry about is what will happen when our director retires (she is in her late 60s). If she's replaced by a hard-charging prog SJW type who insists on stamping out any trace of wrongthink among the staff, a bunch of us are going to be screwed. I could, legally, retire in less than 5 years (age 60) but since I wouldn't have Social Security or Medicare yet, it would probably not be the smart thing to do at that point.

Posted by: Secret Square at September 08, 2019 01:52 PM (9WuX0)

121 I wouldn't look forward to it, because the first thing that will happen is the SJWs will use it to invite the UN or China or Iran in to serve as the guarantor.

Posted by: SDN at September 08, 2019 01:52 PM (lkl+P)

122 113
I know I'm looking forward to living downwind, and down river from a
charter city of people that don't speak the same language, hold the same
values, care about the environment , or adhere to agreements like
those in my community.

But oh the opportunity for freeeeeeedom (in my best Mel Gibson) Let
me guess, their borders would be sacred...ours, still not so much?

Posted by: Quilp at September 08, 2019 01:43 PM (Bf3hj)

---
Once you understand that libertarians are sociopaths with no concept of loyalty to:

Family
Culture
Faith

You can understand why they come up with such stupid ideas.

An ideal libertarian state would feature slavery, drug use and no age of consent with rules enforced by private armies.

Basically, Borgia Italy without the great works of art.

Posted by: Convalescing Author A.H. Lloyd at September 08, 2019 01:54 PM (cfSRQ)

123 Imagine if Washington D.C. had a population of 50 million and was a subsidiary of some foreign country of lobbyists and what not.

Washington DC may not have a population of fifty million, but the city sure as Hell is a foreign sovereign nation.

There isn't a soul in that God forsaken den of iniquity that cares for even a nanosecond for the US Constitution or for We The People.

They treat the "host nation" like a Plantation.

Posted by: Blue Bird of F'ing Joy at September 08, 2019 01:57 PM (lD3vL)

124

China, now how much will you pay for this city?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 08, 2019 01:58 PM (aKsyK)

125 Interesting. But not sure any Americans, Canadians, British, French, Russians, Chinese, Africans, Europeans, Indians, Arabs, Persians, Turks, South Americans, or Central Americans have any recently demonstrated competence in running a city ... so maybe the Japanese? Singaporeans?

Posted by: Frankovich's Monster at September 08, 2019 02:00 PM (dYe5S)

126 Feel good story

Vegans Storm Spanish Rabbit Farm, Surprised When Farmers Fight

https://nationalfile.com/vegans-storm-spanish-rabbit-farm-surprised-when-farmers-fight-back/

Posted by: Vlad the implaer, whittling away like mad at September 08, 2019 02:00 PM (dmoiP)

127 Basically, Borgia Italy without the great works of art.
Posted by: Convalescing Author A.H. Lloyd at September 08, 2019 01:54 PM (cfSRQ)

Except that Borgia Italy was a time when the Cities did rule the countryside.

Just lots of cities constantly fighting OVER that countryside, to the point it became a game.

The Conditteira (spelling probably wrong) era was rife with almost ritualized warfare between mercenary armies.

Posted by: Don Q at September 08, 2019 02:02 PM (NgKpN)

128 Almas Veganas, a vegan group from Girona, Spain, are an anti-speciesist and transfeminist group who were recently seen in a viral video separating hens from cockerels and smashing eggs because they didn't want the hens to be raped.

Guess peak insanity is still a long ways off.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 08, 2019 02:04 PM (EgshT)

129 Except that Borgia Italy was a time when the Cities did rule the countryside.

Just lots of cities constantly fighting OVER that countryside, to the point it became a game.

The Conditteira (spelling probably wrong) era was rife with almost ritualized warfare between mercenary armies.

Posted by: Don Q at September 08, 2019 02:02 PM (NgKpN)

---
No, they were fighting pretty much everywhere and always, ever faction out for their own gain.

That's the libertarian ideal - a world free of constraints so they can get their freak on with fellow sociopaths.

What never occurs to them is that *they'll* be the ones wearing the halters around their necks.

Posted by: Convalescing Author A.H. Lloyd at September 08, 2019 02:05 PM (cfSRQ)

130 >>Feel good story

Vegans Storm Spanish Rabbit Farm, Surprised When Farmers Fight
- - -
Brunch with a friend yesterday and she wondered aloud: what do these Democrats think will happen if they try to limit our consumption of meat? Poaching, farm thefts, etc. They will unleash chaos and harm the very animals they claim to want to protect.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 08, 2019 02:11 PM (bDqIh)

131

Eat moar wabbit!

Posted by: The ducks at September 08, 2019 02:13 PM (aKsyK)

132 Which thread has football?

Posted by: Cosmic Charlie at September 08, 2019 02:13 PM (PUmDY)

133 Who exactly would run these Special Cities? Article says it would be several institutions ... but clearly they want central planning, and insiders would have the inside track. Same as it ever was.

I couldn't find the link, but there are iirc, three countries in East Africa, trying to develop an economic zone with all the features needed to succeed. maybe this could work, with outside investment, and a lot of centralized power, but some sort of "economic constitution" that would keep the outcome geared toward "the people". Is that communism/capitalism mixed for "the greater good"?

One of the magical things about fiat currency and easy money, is financing can pop up out of nothing, and things do get built. But if money is too easy, only those using high leverage come out on top, while the more prudent get buried. (AMZN losing money for 20 years is my favorite example, as they bought market share from GoGo market free money, not profits, like the old brick and mortars had to rely on).

The problem with the "capitalism" side of this central planned city, is that those that direct the policy end up making the profits from the loans and the build out. Those that knew the government would bailout the banks got very rich (Morgan, in TheBigShort). They made bad bets but still got very rich, knowing their pals in BigGov were going to bail them out. Other banks got bought by BigWorldBanks, or even got prosecuted or failed. isn't that special.

But there is no doubt that creating trillions out of nothing can spur investment and building and we just need 50 million more illegals to come here, so we can give them credit cards to buy all the stuff we made out of the free over capacity. USA will go deeper in debt, the oligarchs will smile as they run the NWO.

Posted by: illiniwek at September 08, 2019 02:16 PM (Cus5s)

134 My apathy allows me to sleep right through hen rape.

Posted by: klaftern at September 08, 2019 02:46 PM (RuIsu)

135 Hong Kong is a Charter City. Remember all that "One Nation, Two Systems" crap from 1999? President Xi doesn't.

How's that working out for them!

Posted by: rd at September 08, 2019 02:59 PM (+0uDE)

136 13
These cities, the theory held, could serve as models of good governance and wealth creation for their often poorly run host countries.

These cities, in practice, would be invaded and despoiled by their poorly-run host countries, who would accuse them of theft.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 08, 2019 12:21 PM (7rVsF)

This. In the end Mao was right - "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun"

Posted by: Ace's liver at September 08, 2019 04:08 PM (h2Bdk)

137 Sounds like a Home Owners Association on Meth.

Posted by: TxMarko at September 08, 2019 08:36 PM (IjobB)

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