I believe the image below is the future of our country, say 150 years from now. In a few words, too many people, a trashed environment, and dare I say it, an abundance of foreign nationals.
It is taken as a given by our political leaders that double-digit, annual economic growth is "healthy". The way to achieve that, they believe, is with more people. More people to consume products, pay taxes, and contribute to GDP. They especially like that tax revenue.
But most folks I know don't care about endless growth. Most folks would rather things remain stable and at equilibrium. Everyone I know wants the rural West to stay open and uncrowded.
I don't know how to stop the population explosion, but it's coming. And it really bothers me.
Is it possible to have a healthy nation without endless population increase? Or that just a hippie fantasy?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=563034&nseq=41