I'll just say it. Commodification of housing is stupid and is a sign of cultural sickness. We can do better. If housing was protected from market forces, then

I'll just say it. Commodification of housing is stupid and is a sign of cultural sickness. We can do better. If housing was protected from market forces, then increases in productivity would actually be realized instead of spending all the gains we make over time as a society back into ever-increasing housing prices. Capitalism is supposed to make things cheaper over time. It does not with housing, because housing cannot be "produced" more efficiently and is in somewhat limited supply. Because housing is also necessary (unless you find living in a van sufficient), then I believe it makes sense for all apartments, condos, duplexes, etc that are 4br or less to be municipally-owned. We should reap the rewards of our gains in productivity, not increase our spending to match our income. EDIT: As an addendum, we should also start trying to stabilize our population. The Earth ain't gettin any bigger.