So-Called "Utopian" Communities Popping-Up

We live in strange times, indeed.  Twice, this past week, I found myself contacted with questions about what seem to be very unusual communities popping-up.  First, there's what is being referred to as "The Citadel:" a seemingly Libertarian housing community that is being built.  I have to admit, that actually sounds a bit like Heaven to me... if it weren't in Idaho or thereabouts.  

It is being constructed in the "American Redoubt," which covers all of Idaho as well as eastern Oregon and Washington and most of Montana and Wyoming; and, as I'm sure everyone who's reading this blog is aware, that particular area is a big deal right now among our little Prepper subculture.  Lots of our kinda folks (and, sadly, some fringe crazies) are gravitating in that direction these days.  For my money, though, if I ever move from where I am now (which is doubtful -- I'm a property owner and I have deep roots here), it sure as heck won't be to go anywhere colder.  

Also, I doubt I'd sign on, until I could be sure of the intentions of the folks organizing things.  If it is as advertised, it sounds great, but there's a lot of potential for later issues to arise.  I'm fairly Liberal on social issues -- to each his own as long as it doesn't adversely affect others is my basic rule of life.  I'd hate to commit to such a community, only to discover after it's too late that they're more "Bible-thumper" and less classic Libertarianism in their philosophies.  If I was rich, I'd buy a big plot of land, and do the same thing somewhere hereabouts.

Meanwhile, Glenn Beck has announced the creation of a self-sustaining community / theme park known as Independence Park, USA, the inspiration for which is apparently owed to Walt Disney.  It is to be a multi-denominational community with its own free-market economy and a goal of producing more local food than they can consume -- all on a farm / ranch where locals will work and learn how to farm.  Sounds fairly decent.  Like anything else, though, I am skeptical.  I'd never be among the first to relocate there, and I'd want to talk to folks who had experienced it first-hand before I did. 

Maybe I'm just too paranoid, but you have to wonder if the folks who hopped those planes to Jonestown didn't think they were on their way to utopia too.