Falsely equating population with prosperity

William A. Collins • published December 6, 2008 12:15 am

Some newspapers here in the Northeast are in despair. Our population is stagnant, development has slowed, and we are in danger of losing still more Congress members to the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed states of the Intermountain West. Colorado, here we come.

Those bright-eyed and bushy-tailed states meanwhile, are busy touting their mountains, clear springs, bustling industry, new housing and more Congress members. No, they don’t want California’s or New England’s huddled masses, but they do invite anyone with skills, ambition, and a little capital. Though less publicized, it would also be helpful if, in Tom Lehrer’s classic admonition, they magically “don’t drink the water and don’t breathe the air.â€