AlterNet: What's so great about gated communities?

Earlier this month, author Barbara Ehrenreich posted a story on AlterNet which asks if, "When we live in gated communities, are we keeping things out or just fencing ourselves in?"

Ehrenreich cites studies that show that not only are crime rates no lower in gated communities than in non-gated ones, but foreclosure rates also have been equally brutal inside the fences.

The article resulted in 73 comments, and not everyone agrees with her. Sometimes the most insight comes not from the story, but from the comments of readers.