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??????? I will admit that I am torn when it comes to the debate over climate control. Intuitively it makes sense to me that the increasingly rapid industrialization of the planet is adversely impacting the environment. But on the other hand there seems to be a strong body of evidence that the doom and gloom global warming alarmists like Al Gore have overstated their case in order to scare citizens into joining their crusade.
What has always made sense to me is the idea that the Republican Party has badly fumbled away the issue of the environment to Democrats. I know of no Republicans who fail to cherish clean water, fresh air, beautiful coastlines, lush forests, magnificent mountain and desert vistas, and a vibrant park system. Yet Democrats have successfully portrayed Republicans as against and a danger to all of those things.
Republican governor Mark Sanford from South Carolina authors an interesting piece today in which he calls for conservatives to make a case for protecting?the environment as a matter of stewardship and personal responsibility before liberals convince the public at-large that intrusive, government-led solutions are required. Given the fevered pitch at which the scare mongers are working (and can anyone doubt that liberal Hollywood is about to bestow an Oscar on Al Gore for his documentary?) and the degree to which the public is beginning to realize how energy concerns are impacting the global war on terror, the time seems ripe for the Republican Party to get in the game when it comes to environmental issues. Both Mayor Giuliani and Senator McCain have campaigned recently about the need to address climate change; Speaker Gingrich has always spoken out on the need to protect the environment. I think there is a strong chance that environmental issues?will play a pivotal role in the 2008 presidential contest – on both sides of the political aisle.
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I agree Republius, but I may go a step farther than you. Currently, the Democrats deservedly hold the image of being the ones willing to take action (though their methods are at times in question). I wish Republicans would do more in this regard…the environmental stewardship and ignorance to climate change displayed by generic Republicans is one of my greatest regrets about our party. Solving the challenges of the future should be conservatism’s natural strength, but many would rather pretend the challenge does not exist. Indeed, if I were to ever switch parties, THIS would be the reason…it’s better to have a flawed solution to a problem than no solution to a problem.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
– Mitt Romney
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Environmental_Debate
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Conservatives are going to have to find ways to address this issue or risk
being the charge of being irrelevant. The easy way (that unfortunately some Republicans have taken) is to adopt the same solutions that liberals propose.
That strategy will backfire, not only because the liberal policies are flawed and damaging, but because it elevates and validates the likes of Al Gore & company. Republicans who sign on tothis agenda a) give creedence to what the liberals espouse and b) make it appear as if there is a growing bipartisian consensus.
As Sanford (my governor) says, conservatives are going to need to step out front, present the
conservative viewpoint of the issue, and then propose workable conservative solutions.
Much easier said than done, and we have our work cut out for us…
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
sorry for the error in my previous post:
What I meant is :
…address this issue or risk the accusation of being irrelevant.
My text box scrolls off screen when I’m typing and I can’t see all that I type…any suggestions?
Thanks!
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:07 pm
2008 Presidential Race…
One of the problems with the GOP is that it has a tendency to cede certain issues to the Democratic Party. President Bush has started to solve this problem by……
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
There are plenty of free market solutions to global warming and other environmental issues that will not shackle our economy and grow the government. For example, if a consensus is reached that the US needs to cut its carbon emissions, simply raise the gas tax and offset that tax increase with a mix of tax cuts for all income classes (maybe expansion of earned income tax credit, eliminate the AMT, and cut income tax rates slightly). Or, maybe the government can streamline the process for building nuclear power plants. You could tax corporate carbon emissions and simultaneously reduce the corporate tax rate. The possibilities are endless and none of them need to require a government mandate or an increase in government size and regulation.
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Robin, if you hit full screen (F11) twice it shrinks the text box until you type in it again.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:09 pm
“My text box scrolls off screen when I’m typing and I can’t see all that I typeany suggestions?”
Or you can switch to Firefox. You won’t be sorry you did.
February 24th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Republius
Whenever I hear someone say that we “need to address climate change” followed by anything other than umbrella, heavy coat, air conditioning and the like availability; and/or preparations for small island and coastal evacuation 100 years from now, I seriously question the speaker’s judgment and/or honesty.
Bill Clinton’s big scare line is that MMGW could cause us to lose 50 ft of Manhatten in 50 years.
Half of the State of SC was under the Atlantic before the first Chevy traversed Route 66.
get it?
The presumptuousness.
Yes, we lost the environment argument in 1978 and since when we surrendered to communists turned greenies and haven’t built a new nuclear plant or oil refinery since, and worse, have tied our hands and not opened up new oil feilds until last year.
The dems imposed for free what the USSR and al qaida would have conspired to accomplish.
Yes, lets reduce pollution and get energy independent which involves drilling for oil in the US in new places.
Let’s not surrender to kooks and destroy our economy at the behest of the flat earth kooks.
February 24th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Sanford joins the kooks that think man warms the earth to any significant degree.
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:28 am
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