Can Capitalism Save Huntington Station?

Provided they can accurately define the differences between the two, most Americans would prefer to live under a capitalist economic system rather than a socialist one.

To clarify, in a capitalist society the means of production are privately controlled.

Under socialism, the means of production are controlled by the group.  
While one system maximizes the freedom of the individual, the other demands conformity and sacrifice – usually by force.

The very idea that some type of ‘Master Developer’ is needed in order to ‘revitalize’ Huntington Station should tell us that we are going in the opposite direction of where we should be going.  In other words, we’re turning left instead of right.

How can a Master Developer (or ‘master mind’, if you prefer) such as Renaissance Downtowns, possibly coordinate all the millions of decisions and activities that will be needed in order to revitalize even a community as small as Huntington Station?

Economic growth is more than just putting up a few buildings on a couple of municipal lots and then sitting around waiting for the subsidies to grow.  It takes a system of free and voluntary exchanges between individuals who have their own interests in mind in order to sustain a viable economy.

So, does it come as any surprise that the town government of Huntington, through the EDC, the CDA and the Planning Department, has failed to produce any type of substantial revitalization of Huntington Station over the past 30 years by taking from Peter to pay Paul?  (the miniature golf course doesn’t count)

In addition, according to town spokesperson A.J. Carter, the millions of dollars spent by the Economic Development Committee has failed to yield even one job. 

In my opinion, the key to Huntington Station’s revitalization lies in a free market framework, where government is limited, property rights are protected, incentives for investment are high while individuals are free to compete and bear their own consequences.  Since councilwoman Berland has pointed out that it does not cost the town anything to talk to Renaissance Downtowns, I think she should allow the town board to hear a counter proposal from SaveHuntington.com. 

Peter Nichols is co-founder and vice president of Save Huntington, a non-profit organization that advocates limited government and the protection of property rights.  You can visit the website: www.savehuntington.com