I first noticed the blue marks on the grassy verge last week. That's odd. Is it just us? Nope. Blue lines and crosses had been carefully painted at selected points in several streets. The marks seemed to target spots free of underground electricity cables. Very strange. As householders, we don't own the footpath or verge bordering the road, as local government claims that bit. So I rang them and they (of course) had no idea, but faithfully promised to find out. (They rang back a few days later, and professed not to know.)
A day or two later, cheery flyers and leaflets appeared. Another obscure branch of the very same local government (that still didn't know what the blue marks were) was organising a "free" tree planting. The blue crosses marked where they would go. The idea was to create beautiful "shadeways" along our streets, where people could walk in the peace, harmony, and carbon-absorbing shade of gloriously tree-lined boulevards. Our trees would inhale all the noxious CO2 we humans selfishly exhale into Gaia's beloved atmosphere.
I was a bit confused. These messages of "free" and "voluntary" greening were from the same elected body that reminds us to trim trees. Other bodies tell us they will actually remove trees if they see fit. There even is, amazingly, an Australian standard on Tree Pruning, AS 4373, "Pruning of Amenity Trees."
So whilst it didn't make much sense, I was now better informed of my obligations under AS 4373.
Come the joyful day of planet-worship, I was away for most of the morning with other commitments. I returned to find the doubtless cheerful volunteers had dug a hole, planted something (there was no tag attached), and tied it to stakes six feet high. It was less than 2 feet from the gutter, very close to the road. But I didn't ask for this. I didn't want it. It looks really ridiculous. It would be churlish to be grumpy. Wouldn't it?
I spent an entire day wondering what to do with it. If today we are lumbered with tree planting (in our best interests, and paid for through taxes), what will governments foist on us tomorrow?
I have to conclude that we are deceived if we believe the State acts in our best interests. The chaos on Wall Street is just the latest example of socialising costs and privatising profits. Whether it is greening our neighbourhoods, the rising cost of living or the money and credit crisis, the grubby hands of the State and its closest friends will destroy incentive, invade property rights, negate liberty and hand you the bill.
But back to the coercive tree planters. Did they ask residents if they wanted these? No. Our mail deliverers ride small motorcycles along footpaths. Did someone ask them about their feelings? No. If we all objected, would they have done it anyway? Probably. But this is the principle of force. Government is all about coercion, and using force. Unfortunately, we have come to believe that coercion is acceptable, when done in the name of the state.
Planting trees where they aren't wanted is a populist policy response to pseudo-scientific tree-huggers, who'd prefer to wipe most of us out. Maybe our governments will get around to that next week, after which it will be duly reported on the national broadcaster. But don't hang around your letterbox awaiting an announcement, as local governments don't always know in advance what they will do next. It's a bit disappointing really; even the Vogons gave fair warning.
Personally, I think we deserve better.
September 26, 2008
