I’m happy to see mass transit, weatherization and education get some much needed love in the recently passed stimulus bill. I wish one more item got some attention though. It never comes up in political conversation, and hardly ever in casual conversation either, but I think if it made a comeback it would help strengthen our communities. This once important American fixture would at once increase neighborly discourse and ease our neuroses.
Yeah, I’m talking about the front porch.
I have not done the research but I bet one could chart the decline of American civility with the gradual replacement of the front porch with the two car garage. Garages used to be relegated rightly to the back of houses but over the years have crept forward so much so that they are often the primary element of any modern facade.
I for one think we should once again park our cars behind the house and bring back the porch. You know, a nice big one with the romantic swing and lets all have a beer in ear shot of our neighbors. It might just be what the doctor ordered.
