Babbitry: n. behavior characteristic of a self-satisfied middle-class person (also babbittry)

Boosterism: the act of "boosting," or promoting, one's town, city, or organization, with the goal of improving public perception of it

What kind of boom is this?

Going around the countryside in the last few weeks, it was obvious from a number of for sale signs that something happened recently affecting a whole lot of people. In certain range cities, the boosterism and worshipful praise of the coming boom are at nauseating levels, even for a cynic. This project, that project and other such blather. The typical money eating sociopaths showing up ( if there is one thing I have discovered about certain Range cities, it is they have refined nepotism and insularity to an art so refined it rivals the old Chinese imperial city). And, they are the very definition of Babbitry, a term long since forgotten but still oh so applicable. Sinclair Lewis' writing is still the truthful essence, from Elmer Gantry, and Babbitt to Arrowsmith. All should be required reading , especially for city councilors and mayors. I would add a new character, a combination Gantry and economic development consultant advocating TIF districts and stripmalls.

There is another matter. While some woo retailers and look to plat out land, there is another entire reality which seems to be in another world far removed from this candy mountain. This is the year 2008, and since 2001, the number of decent, stable jobs lost in the area is still down by the thousands. Ainsworth in Cook and Grand Rapids are long since shut down. Because of that, the logging industry looks like the old cliff divers on ABC's old Wide World of Sports. I hate to guess on what fuel costs are doing to the remainder when the main buyers are now on the regional outskirts and diesel is over four dollars a gallon. The rural economy is in the tank unless you are a lake property developer.Those still living there but commuting to other work will soon be crushed by fuel costs. LTV, a long since forgotten and hideous memory is still only 6 and 1/2 years removed. Despite the building, it still remains the fact that over 2000 once stable jobs disappeared in the last few years, and only the depression like early 80's can rival what has gone on. Yes, there are the projects being built and within view, but it remains that at best on a local regional scale there is still a long way to go just to replace what was last in those last several years. Any statement respecting growth should be viewed as wasted vapor. Growth would be defined as long term stability, not applicable in an area so utterly dependent on inherently unstable extraction industries. A few construction boomers with out of state license plates is not the solution.

This is one reason I hate boosterism. Boosters are usually the local elite, touting pet projects they often benefit from or working within the government structure and thus having stable incomes. They also ignore the reality of the locals forced to become Walmartians and living without healthcare while still eligible for public housing, often now commuting at four dollars a gallon due to ill designed cities.

So, the next time I am stuck in some meeting listening to the vacuous drivel which flows from their mouths, I am going to refer them to this speech from long ago...The Untold Delights of Duluth, but add whatever range city I happen to be in at the moment.