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What happens when this. ...becomes this?. Rumor has it that Peter Minuit bought Manhattan for $24 worth of trinkets.
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Rumor has it that Peter Minuit bought Manhattan for $24 worth of trinkets The “sale” of Manhattan was a misunderstanding.... At that time Indians did everything by trade, and they did not believe that land could be privately owned, any more than could water, air, or sunlight. But they did believe in giving gifts for favors done. The Lenni Lenape—one of the tribes that lived on the island now known as Manhattan—interpreted the trade goods as gifts given in appreciation for the right to share the land. —Georgetta Stonefish Ryan (Delaware Indian)
Astor Hotel, ca. 1903 "If I could live all over again, I would buy every square inch of Manhattan." — John Jacob Astor An 1834 Astor purchase in Manhattan
Office space in this neighborhood is down (in 2009) to about $50 per square foot. One-bedroom apartments are renting for $2,000-$2,500 per month and selling for $1 million Yet nobody wants to build on this corner lot, beside a subway station? It's been a parking lot for over 20 years!
Eliminate wasteful hoarding of land, and increase production, reduce infrastructure costs, and raise wages! Without the dead weight of land speculation, the community can afford to provide infrastructure and services, even where the land is free!
How do we divide the fruits of labor?
“Right Wing” “Left Wing”
“Middle-of-the-road” The Georgist Proposal
Political Economy has been called the dismal science, and as currently taught, is hopeless and despairing.... Freed, in her own proper symmetry, Political Economy is radiant with hope. — Henry George, Progress and Poverty