POTTED HISTORY. India West takes issue with Guardian and Times of London commentary on a Fabian Society (hey, Dean's World recently noted the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was still up and about, why not the Fabians as well?) pamphlet to the effect that abundance is a failing of capitalism. India West's comments are about spot on. The perception that people have of traffic congestion today is probably wrong. "Private consumption is no guarantee of greater freedom, they argue, singling out the car as the most obvious example. It brought the freedom to travel that only the wealthiest had previously enjoyed. But when most households exercise that freedom the result is congestion, pollution and streets that are no longer safe for children to walk. A series of perfectly rational individual choices has led to an outcome nobody wants." Compared to what? Pick up any history of the streetcar systems or the L lines (heavy rail rapid transit, for those of you outside Chicago) and look at the pictures of pedestrians, drays, hansoms, trolleys, and flivvers jockeying for position. While you're looking at those pictures, contemplate the north ends of the southbound horses.