It is more than a little irritating to be told I should be thankful for the development of The Villages. Since their existence, my taxes have doubled, the fragile ecosystem is being damaged, crime has dramatically increased as has traffic, and one is embarrassed to admit they live near them. Between the loofas and STD jokes, the fake history, the unnecessary roundabouts where trucks and emergency vehicles struggle to fit, the ticky tacky houses, the drunks on golf carts, and it’s embarrassing politics, and, of course, this paper which is obviously biased, the irony of being told to be grateful is astounding.