The same phrase; the same viewpoint; the same hate; the same target: over and over – dulling the mind into obedience. Everything else is secret. EVERYTHING is Doctrine. One Thought – One Taught – One Voice – One Choice.
But this is not the end: the end is coming because their Doctrine is unable to handle any emergency. And pushing back the decisions; is just stacking up the disasters.
Form Based Codes are the way out? Just like a fly zapper: the blue skies of freedom hide a grid of death within. Form Based Codes bring the power and streamlined approval process of a dictatorship; to one of the last remaining areas of publicly participatory government — no wonder politicians and planners are eager to close zoning’s loophole of liberty. It’s the difference between doing what you want; and doing what they want. A 50 foot leash is still a leash – and they can retract it whenever they want – to a chokehold.
When there is only one belief; there is no need to look any further. Tompkins County’s doctrine pure don’t try to understand anything different; because it cannot be important – and it’s wrong. When there is only one belief; self-examination is unnecessary. When there is only one belief; there can only be believers. The Urban Colonialism of “New Urbanism” supporters sees only one form of living; spreading from one central seat of power – everyone and everything must conform – or be discarded. We’ve seen this kind of thinking before . . .
Form Based Thinking does not lead by example; it leads by regulation; by Law; by forcing people to conform; by intimidation. Form Based Thinking sees gender and race as a way of compartmentalizing actions – in a way that directly contradicts every ethical and humanitarian precept.
Form Based Thinking is the thinking of the powerful: If you can divide people into the forms you choose; and regulate the attributes of those forms – you can ensure your position and power.
Form Based Thinking does no see humanity; it sees order — it’s diversity from a single viewpoint. Nobody is left behind . . . and nobody can leave their compartment.
Just as manufacturers create molds to define shape their product; Form Based Codes allow politicians and bureaucrats to define the shape of the community that residents must conform to. Form Based Code proponents spend a lot of time trashing previous Zoning processes; but they are reticent in revealing their own:
Form Based Codes give unprecedented and unarguable power into the hands of authorities – PERIOD. There is no other certainty. There is no guarantee of public meaningful participation, there is no practical way to change or prevent any Form Based Codes that are handed down. The “streamlined development approval process” ensures that there is no way for the public to block any development that authorities want.
Form Base Codes are a tool of the “New Urbanism” – a manifesto of Urban Colonialism – a city-centric mono-viewpoint that architects have offered to gain a place in the power structure.
Form and Conform meet in Form Based Code regulations – first, the streets outside you home – then, the rooms inside your home – then, the thoughts inside your head — is there a limit to “form based” regulations? Is there a limit to the craving for power?
“Only a fool would assume they won’t abuse their power.” Don’t we know it. It seems like wisdom has become old fashioned – with so many cautionary tales about people who expect to retain power while renouncing their authority; and those who give over their authority for the promise of thoughtless ease – it’s surprising that today’s uber-naive demand that their government act responsively; when they’ve already given up the power to demand anything.
“Form Based Codes: If you think they’re not authoritarian; Try to get them changed.” Form Based Codes have the following attributes:
1. They give government a much greater regulatory power over where and how people are allowed to live.
2. Developers get a “streamlined” approval process.
3. Most descriptions of the advantages of form-based codes are only statements without any actual proof.
Are Form Based Codes right for your community? Do you wear a sign on your back that says “Kick me!”?
“The politicians elect the voters.” It’s not such a reach as it seems – by controlling the community’s environment; politicians attract and select those who will fit into their template of society. Form Based Codes, lock-step bureaucracy, and intransigent, hand-picked policy making ensures that no opposition larger than an individual can be sustained.
You might think that these signs are acknowledging a government by the people — but you’d be wrong: It’s the acknowledgement of a subservient population to an all-embracing theocracy — The Revealed Church of Secular Self-interest.
Don’t tell me you still think there’s any meaningful public participation in government?!
Power AND Control: that’s why authorities are authorizing Form Based Code Planning as their template for the future. Controlling behavior through controlling the environment is the sterile dream of Operant Conditioning and “Skinner Box” societies.
Form Based Code proponents are very much like their Code: intolerant of anything different, and gaining power from an intransigent authority.
You’re not some misplaced “square peg in a round hole”; there are no “square holes” — so you’ll just have to fit.