22 March 2024

The Rich Get Richer (and you know the rest)

Years ago, I saw reporting that the cost of living on Nantucket had gotten so out of hand that the service workers couldn't afford housing any longer and were commuting from Hyannis. Haven't, and didn't, made an effort to verify that with other reporting. But it certainly wouldn't surprise me. As they say about the Orange Jesus, everything he touches dies, and the same is true when the Rich invade someplace and evict the regular people. Alas, these same knuckledraggers continue to support the self same folks who exploit them.

Now, we find my beloved (but decreasingly so) Block Island moves another step closer to a terminal case of Nantucketitis. As a reminder: the Island is about 12 miles from Point Judith on the mainland which makes for a one-hour (car carrying) ferry ride. In season, you can get there in about the same hour (sans auto) from New London, Newport as well, at least. So what is the damn gummint of Rhode Island doing with its precious taxes? Paying to expand (paywall, but you get the gist) the airport on the Island. Bet you didn't know there was an airport?

I mean, the Rich want no part of an hour on an olde ferry chock-a-block with hoi polloi to get to their McMansion. The runway can accommodate a smallish Lear type; with just 2,500 feet of runway, your Boeing Business 787 is out of the question. They really need more space at the airport, now don't they? We haven't been there in season more than once or twice; too many obnoxious mainlanders. Deep 'shoulder season' is more better.

Wasn't it Fitzgerald who said the Rich really are different?

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