By David Hughes
It has always been and will forever be the goal of all Americans to have a home of their own. All Americans include renters, Landmarks Commissioners, and city officials (whomever and wherever they may be).
Having your own home means more than land speculation. It means pride of ownership, security, a dream house for parents, something they can give their children, someplace children can be proud of having lived in, the bedrock of American society, the reward thrifty people can give themselves after a lifetime of saving and sacrifices, the epitome of individualism and creative expression, even a reflection of the Declaration of Independence “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” in a home of our own.
Homeowners don’t set out to build home that would someday be “extremely important and architecturally significant buildings.” If the Landmark Commission wants that, they can build replicas and leave the social experimentation for something else.
Freedom of choice should be kept open for the minority and private, unfettered home ownership should not be sacrificed on the alter of the majority.
YES on Prop. A.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 21, 2003. Read the original PDF.