I was driving back from my parents house and couldn't help but notice a few signs along the way: "For Sale, 12.4 acres, Zoned for Commercial Use, New Development Soon, Future Home of the Big Ass Fucking Church That Doesn't Need To Grow Any Further (16.5+ acres)". As the miles clicked off and the signs did too, I was reminded of an experience I had ten years previously.

When I was sixteen, I volunteered to be a Governor's Page for two weeks for the city of Raleigh. Even though I was assigned to work in the Agriculture Department, I still received the opportunity to meet the current governor and, if I remember correctly, that was Governor Hunt.

I stood behind his chair with a few other classmates, gave an obligatory though weak smile, and had my picture taken. I was handed a certificate as well for "Outstanding Service to the State of North Carolina".

My classmates filed out of the room, happy with the certificate and the limp handshake we each received from the governor at the door. I was last in line. As I took that aged hand in mine, I decided I should speak my mind to someone who could, perhaps, take me seriously in an intellectual capacity - as a concerned citizen with a voice to be heard.

I explained that I was worried about the rapid development that was encroaching on our state. I was concerned about the negative impact that would be had upon the local environment due to the incessant urban sprawl that was unfolding before our very eyes year after year.

The governor nodded, smiled and with a slight condescending pat informed me that the local government knew what it was doing and that I should trust in that.

I reflected and pondered some more as I continued to drive past small patches of land earmarked for development and large subdivisions that seemed to spring from the very ground even before my car managed to accelerate away.

I suppose government does know best, after all. Each year, more people move here. More buildings are erected. More taxes are imposed. The coffers swell, the payrolls increase. But our available land declines, the smog grows more noticeable with each passing day. Two lane roads have swollen to four and then six. Our population in this state has exceeded the carrying capacity of our water supply - we exist in a perpetual state of drought, a state which thousands ignore.

Yet the government knows best. We have growth and growth is translated into economic gains for the state and a larger population means a larger vote and voice for federal affairs. We also have a sunset that continues to become more and more awe-inspiring every year, thanks to the air pollution.