Comments on: An attack on condo conversion control http://www.somervillevoices.org/2008/10/31/housing/an-attack-on-condo-conversion-control/ An independent, open forum for reports and opinions about life in our city. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:14:31 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Knut Dorker http://www.somervillevoices.org/2008/10/31/housing/an-attack-on-condo-conversion-control/comment-page-1/#comment-401 Knut Dorker Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:12:59 +0000 http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=360#comment-401 Your argument of "something has been done forever, it makes it ok "is invalid, I hope I don't have to point out why. And despite of what you want to call it, taking away or manipulating private property for the benefit of greater good is socialist/communist idea, just like eliminating habeas corpus and a right to free trial for the greater good/security of the country is fascism.. Please read the proposed ordinance: http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=72 and you'll see it doesn't deal with zoning. It asks for such things ask giving money to tenants to move out(2,000) -- i think that's pretty ridiculous. Your argument of “something has been done forever, it makes it ok “is invalid, I hope I don’t have to point out why. And despite of what you want to call it, taking away or manipulating private property for the benefit of greater good is socialist/communist idea, just like eliminating habeas corpus and a right to free trial for the greater good/security of the country is fascism..

Please read the proposed ordinance:
http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=72 and you’ll see it doesn’t deal with zoning. It asks for such things ask giving money to tenants to move out(2,000) — i think that’s pretty ridiculous.

]]> By: Steve Roix http://www.somervillevoices.org/2008/10/31/housing/an-attack-on-condo-conversion-control/comment-page-1/#comment-400 Steve Roix Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:36:05 +0000 http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=360#comment-400 "But placing governmental controls on private property to achieve social goals is communism" I find this to be a ridiculous statement. Every modern nation does this. The United States has had a federal income tax since 1913 and has taken private land for railroads starting as early as the 1840's. We do these things to "achieve social goals" - it's called modern civilization. If you can't argue against a particular zoning ordinance without calling it "communism" it's going to be difficult to convince me that your argument should be taken seriously. “But placing governmental controls on private property to achieve social goals is communism”

I find this to be a ridiculous statement. Every modern nation does this. The United States has had a federal income tax since 1913 and has taken private land for railroads starting as early as the 1840’s. We do these things to “achieve social goals” – it’s called modern civilization.

If you can’t argue against a particular zoning ordinance without calling it “communism” it’s going to be difficult to convince me that your argument should be taken seriously.

]]> By: Knut Dorker http://www.somervillevoices.org/2008/10/31/housing/an-attack-on-condo-conversion-control/comment-page-1/#comment-398 Knut Dorker Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:40:23 +0000 http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=360#comment-398 Clearly you have not read the proposed 2008 ordinance. You can find it here as a PDF. http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=72 Most of it deals not with zoning but with the fact that an owner has to basically provide welfare to his/her tenants - such as relocation benefits and all other nonsense. But you're probably right, most Americans are heading toward the mental state where they believe that the government owes them payments and benefits, without regard for the health of the economy or the country itself. Clearly you have not read the proposed 2008 ordinance. You can find it here as a PDF. http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=72

Most of it deals not with zoning but with the fact that an owner has to basically provide welfare to his/her tenants – such as relocation benefits and all other nonsense.

But you’re probably right, most Americans are heading toward the mental state where they believe that the government owes them payments and benefits, without regard for the health of the economy or the country itself.

]]> By: Jonathan Rich http://www.somervillevoices.org/2008/10/31/housing/an-attack-on-condo-conversion-control/comment-page-1/#comment-392 Jonathan Rich Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:25:04 +0000 http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=360#comment-392 If you equate zoning regulations with communism, then I guess I'm a communist, as are most Americans. BTW, I just got a follow-up robo-call indicating that the hearing had been cancelled and would be rescheduled for after the holiday. If anyone finds out a new date, please post it. If you equate zoning regulations with communism, then I guess I’m a communist, as are most Americans. BTW, I just got a follow-up robo-call indicating that the hearing had been cancelled and would be rescheduled for after the holiday. If anyone finds out a new date, please post it.

]]> By: Knut Dorker http://www.somervillevoices.org/2008/10/31/housing/an-attack-on-condo-conversion-control/comment-page-1/#comment-391 Knut Dorker Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:55:07 +0000 http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=360#comment-391 I'm glad you posted this because otherwise I wouldn't have known about the BOA meeting. However, it is the condo conversion control that is an attack. Attack on civil liberties - and that's when the government can tell you what and what you can do with your property. Having controls to ensure safety is one thing (and that's in place.) But placing governmental controls on private property to achieve social goals is communism. I’m glad you posted this because otherwise I wouldn’t have known about the BOA meeting.

However, it is the condo conversion control that is an attack. Attack on civil liberties – and that’s when the government can tell you what and what you can do with your property.

Having controls to ensure safety is one thing (and that’s in place.) But placing governmental controls on private property to achieve social goals is communism.

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