The 982-acre island would be developed into a U.S. commonwealth or city-state of 35,000 people with its own laws, customs and currency.
City officials are likely to reject the plan. But on Jan. 21, supporters including Mackinac Center for Public Policy senior economist David Littmann, retired Chrysler President Al Sperlich and Clark Durant, co-founder of Detroit's Cornerstone Schools, will present the Commonwealth of Belle Isle plan to a select group of movers and shakers at the tony Detroit Athletic Club.
It's interesting that the government working for its own ends (rather than the public good) is called "corruption," but the private sector working for its own ends is called "innovation," or some similarly Hayek-styled argument.
But then, some people think that a society managed by the private sector would not turn into the Gilded Age all over again. Because this time would be different.
I can understand why people want to have some sort of gated community, why is there a need for a separate currency?
If you want to create an island nation, do it somewhere else. I like the idea of the DNR taking over Bell Isle and making it a state run park. If the city council weren't so corrupt, it would actually have happened.
This is actually an interesting idea. As a semi-independent commonwealth they would have a degree of "flexibility".
Belle Isle straddles Canada so it could attempt to become a pseudo-free trade zone (FTZ). Since they could label their products "Made in U.S.A." but have a minimum wage below the federal rate and possibly exert control over customs and immigration enforcement.
One by one the best scientists and entrepreneurs will begin vanishing...Who is John Galt?