Web Letters: McMansions Meet the Mortgage Crisis

A few years ago, Nevada was at or near the top of the real estate bubble, with speculators leading a real frenzy. The bubble has now burst, and Nevada now leads the country in foreclosures. Some developments are like ghost towns. So it wasn't surprising to see my town of Henderson (a suburb of Las Vegas) mentioned in Barbara Ehrenreich's excellent article. She quotes Newsweek about the sorry state of Black Mountain Vista, a gated community in Henderson. I thought about going over to Black Mountain Vista to look at the empty houses, but I can't, because it's gated!

John Farley

Henderson, NV

I live in Arizona where the proliferation of gated communities have, for me, always provided a striking and simple case study of the political views held by the people who choose to live in them. My conclusions are as follows:

Conservatives will build a 12,000 square foot house next to a golf course. This development is in what was once a pristine area with incredible vistas and home to our state's most desirable flora and fauna. They will tell you they can do this because they are rich. They will also imply that they are smarter and more ambitious, so this just proves that our economic system really works.

Then, they will notice my clothes and mode of transportion and begin to question my reason for being there.

A progressive will erect a similar house next door although they may put up some solar panels. They will not tell you they live on a trust fund but, instead, reveal they are able to devote all their time to causes like the environment, animal rights and immigration.

After criticizing me for driving an older model 4WD pickup with a gun rack, they will notice I am white with no gardening tools and begin to question my reason for being there.

Ms. Ehrenreich, you are doing great work.

Robert Stephens

Flagstaff , AZ

Thank God for Barbara Ehrenreich. Truly the best at social commentary for the the ills that beset our working class and indeed our country. Her writing is anything but nickel and dime.

Michael McKinlay

Hercules, CA