The article in question might be the case of a writer not knowing what he is talking about, and speaking more from personal prejudices than from a position of knowledge.
What is argued is that “homesteaders” or others who live ‘off the grid’, that being highly self-sufficient and rather low-tech, are a drain on society as it is alleged that they frequently take advantage of social services and the other things modernity provides without contributing anything of value to society.
It’s a poor argument that is riddled with errors – containing only a bit of truth. What is the author’s motivation? Difficult to say. Perhaps he has a prejudice against those he sees as “country bumpkins.” Or maybe he was just lazy when it came to researching this topic. In any event, he misses the mark more often than he hits it.
More on page two.
There is a family living in Alaska that have already made their fortune, they are building a property that can survive winters on their own without having to fly 60 miles into town every few weeks for supplies. With modern technology added to old concepts like Chinese Passive Solar Greenhouse concepts built into both main house and greenhouses, Vertical Axis Windmills that move all working components inside, Wood Chip Gassifier Generators that use wood to run a normal generator (while replanting trees as they are cut), Passive Solar Water Heaters, etc… you can make a new construction on a property self sufficient even in the harsher conditions. Properties that are self sufficient tend to not need utilities to provide daily services and are lobbied against by Utility Companies but are perfectly reasonable and feasible, whether you believe in Global Warming or not. The Utility companies would loose, but the companies that build and make the components would thrive.
https://energyfarms.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/solar-greenhouses-chinese-style/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas_generator
http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/vertical-axis-wind-turbines-zmaz08fmzmcc
http://www.climatemaster.com/residential/how-geothermal-works/
I think they are Heroes !!! I wish we could do that but we are too old !!!!
I love this place
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006TZ0O88/ref=asc_df_B006TZ0O885122194
A dictionary and the ability to reason and see the truth!!!
how in the hell can they be moochers—what in the hell are they mooching? they are living off of the land like this country did from the beginning.