Tom Nevins finds my criticism of smart growth and the Growth Management Act polarizing (Letters to the Editor, Dec. 5). Truth often polarizes.

Throughout history, dealing with reality before it becomes undeniable has always been difficult. The reality is that the higher population densities smart growth requires intensifies both air pollution and traffic congestion, retarding the quality of life for all. But smart growth also polarizes, through the housing cost increases that inevitably follow from rationing land. The result is less opportunity for home ownership, as elitist “haves” deny “have nots” entry to the escalator of economic growth.

Wendell Cox. Principal
Demographia
St. Louis