Why can't one of Canada's towns transform into a utopian socialist colony?

Question

In the United States, not nicknamed "The Crade of the best and the worst" for nothing, we actually have some socialist-like colonies called ecovillages and intentional communities. One of the best is "Twin Oaks" in Virginia, look it up.

Intentional Communities originated in Denmark where co-ops are owned in common, built around green space, shared facilities for children and families, and often blocked to motor vehicles.

Each community has its own system and the ultimate goal is 100% sustainability such that everything you need, including work, is provided inside the small community. The most sustainable ecovillage on earth is Crystal Waters, Australia, where all food is grown, shared, and managed by the community, and there's no need to ever leave the foundation.

Why can't Canadians try to create something like this in Manitoba or Ontario and work with the First Nation to enhance survival skills and beat around the global economy by escaping from it completely?

Why can't Canadians do this out of a greater good?

In the USA, the taxcode has section 501(d) which exempts equal income-sharing foundations, along with religious institutions, with population above a certain size, from having to pay property tax.

Answer 1

That does not sound like the kind of place I would like to see Canada transform into, even if it is only a select few areas. I don't even like that I live in a gated community. It sends the message that "you are not good enough, nor are you wanted, stay on your side of the fence." Nor would I want to try and escape property taxes, as that is what funds public schools, road maintenance and such.  No need to ever leave the foundation? That sounds like a cult, or a religious compound, or even a Mennonite community. I prefer that I live just outside a medium sized city, of about 75, 000, who all contribute to our societal goals, even if it is via taxes.  

Answer 2

"Why can't Canadians do this out of a greater good?" Who's greater good? Even Kat Kinkade wasn't all that happy with what she had helped create and it sure didn't do anything to stave off her cancer, did it? This system tries to negate individual thinking and that, in my book, makes it a cult.

Call me jaded if you will but Twin Oaks sounds more of the same old cult stuff the others started out as. And longevity doesn't make them any less cultish. My interests are varied and these communes do not seem to have a lot of room for individuality.  It may work for some but I sure don't want to live in that sort of environment.  Like someone else said - we have freedom of thought and I like having it without having that kind of rule imposed by others on how I will live. Utopia is as much a frame of mind as a plan for life. Communal living does not fit into my plan for life. Nope! You can keep your "Utopia" down there as far as I am concerned. Not even a little bit interested!

Answer 3

The U.S.A. did try this, it was called "The Monroe Doctrine". I thought you Canucks tried it too, but I must be wrong. I thought it was called "Prince Edward Island".  

Answer 4

There are already communities in Canda like that, mainly in BC, but with limits. Seem happy enough.

Answer 5

I agree wholeheartedly with ~*ajidamoon*~

And Utopia does not exist - not even in these so called 'perfect' communities. Just watch Bill Kurtis' American Justice and take note of the crime that emanates from some of them. The Solar Temple, Branch Davidian, and Heaven's Gate are among the most notorious but there are many others.  And 'perfect' communities never will exist as long as people have free will and the ability to think independently. In fact it seems that these human characteristics have been the downfall of most of the 'Utopias' that are now history. The other thing they all seem to have in common is a control freak at the helm.

There is also the problem of some of these communities - they usually get away with calling themselves religious communities - of genetics. I think there is more than enough scientific evidence that you can only recycle genes so many times before you start producing offspring (Or future followers) who have mental and/or physical defects. We have a few such organizations here already and there is not a line up of intelligent people waiting to get admitted.

Not paying taxes? I don't think so! Paying taxes made it very easy for me to drive across this huge country on easy to navigate highways. It makes it easy for me, financially at least, to live with and fight cancer which I do. It means if I work late and have to come home after dark there is a cheap means of transport, well lit streets and police patrols to keep me safe. And if someone happens to get through all of that and do me some personal damage, those same police will track down the bad guys and others will keep them locked up. It isn't perfect but it works better than any other system that has ever been put forth. No! No! No! Keep your Utopia. Keep your control freaks. Keep our tax free society where I have no personal freedoms.  Not even a tiny bit interested.

It is definitely not the Canadian way.