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Where do we go from here? I think we have all heard the
cries of the people who say this Republican administration
is working to rape the land and steal the environment for
big business profits. Indeed, there are some who frequent
FAOL who really believe that's the case. If you believe
everything you hear from these guys, the environment will
be a total loss by the end of President Bush's term in
office.
Some of their concerns are valid. We need to be concerned
about water quality, salmon runs, toxic waste and other threats
to our environment. Runoff from mines and logging operations
should be controlled and monitored. Wildlife and wild fish
should be a concern we are willing to work for.
On the other side of this discussion are those who treasure
the free access to public lands that the Republican Party
seems to support. To the chagrin of those who believe public
land should be off limits to private enterprise, this
administration supports multiple use as most Republican
administrations have in the past. That includes access
to natural resources considered valuable to our nation's
economy or independence, and access to renewable resources
like timber.
This view also supports access for handicapped visitors and
others who prefer to drive to wild lands or otherwise can't
visit public places that are off limits to anyone who can't
hike long distances to enjoy it. It supports stream access
via roadways for those who wish to fish public streams with
road access. In other words, they tend to keep public lands
public for everyone. That's something many of us are
concerned about.
So, where do we go from here? What side of this discussion
are you on? Remember; this is an election year and you'll be
asked to support your views with your votes. Are the
Republicans going to destroy the environment and economy as
some would have you believe? Are the Democrats going to tax
everything from those who are willing to work and give it all
to those who won't or can't work? Are the Democrats willing
to lock up our public lands to anyone who can't afford a guide
or hike long distances to access them? I doubt either view
is accurate.
Ultimately, this is your choice and mine. We'll make our choices
with our votes. We'll base those choices on the facts as we see
them and the issues that are important to us, or we'll base our
votes on the slant the candidates or media offer. I think there
is a little slanting of the facts on both sides. However, there
are a few things that weigh heavily on my mind and will impact the
way I vote.
I can't forget the US Fish and Wildlife Service scandal under
the Clinton administration. I won't forget that millions of
dollars designated for fisheries enhancement and access, and
paid for by tax dollars imposed on fishing gear, was diverted
by that agency and administration into the coffers of
anti-hunting and anti-fishing groups like PETA. I won't
forget that anti-sportsmen groups and radical environmentalist
groups rallied behind Mr. Clinton and the party he is a member
of, donating many thousands (actually millions) of dollars to
that party and his campaign. They knew what he and his party
supported, and it was what they supported too.
I won't forget that the other side has a poor record when it
comes to safeguarding the environment. I also won't forget
that they aren't always on the side of clean water or fisheries
management (salmon runs). I'm not satisfied that they would
protect road-less areas from development, especially if that
development was industrial. Neither side is a knight in
shining armor.
I won't forget those who have supported the things I view as
important. That includes those from the Democratic Party who
support my views. In other words, I'll pay attention to the
issues and who stands for what in their campaigns. I don't
vote a straight party line because I believe the issues a
candidate supports are more important than the party he/she
is a member of. Although I am rather conservative in my
views, I have voted both ways before and I'll do so again
in the future.
Right now we don't even know who the candidates will be in
most cases, but we do know what's important to each of us.
I'll be looking at the voting records of incumbents and
those looking for a higher office. I'll be checking out
who supports each candidate to see if I support those groups
or if their supporters are opposed to what I hold dear.
(You know, candidates will support those who supported them).
By the time the primaries are finished, I'll know who supports
what I think is important. I won't rely on the statements
of opponents or the campaign promises of candidates to
formulate my opinions. I won't let the press tell me who
is the right candidate. I'll actually know what these guys
support and know if they are worth my vote. And, I'll vote;
it's the only honest way to support those who support what
I believe is important.
I know where I'm going; but I still don't know where you'll
go from here. Do you? ~ AC
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