Leave it to "JHK" to get the cynicism just right. And you know, he is right... rather than public parks dictated by wise zoning rules, we have (in my area) car dealerships, car repair facilities, and restaurants jammed up against each as tight as could be arranged and to maximize the dollar return on the land. How could a society be healthy when that is the environment into which it places its children, and forces its adults to live?

I recently rented the Film Mosquito Coast with Harrison Ford and River Phoenix. At the beginning of the film Ford's Charachter Allie Fox explains to his 12 year old son via a rant the truth about America. For a 26 year old story by Paul Theroux I think that The unfortunate Mr Fox may have been prophetic after all. Worth a look if just to see Harrison Ford:

"Look around you Charlie, How did America get this way?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S4VLFPLXGM