Not really, but that was the message from Kim Coble of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in a Daily Times op-ed.
Environmentalists like Coble will argue that Rep. Andy Harris’ (R-MD) vote to cut funding for this program or that is a clear sign that he somehow wants to rape the environment and poison our water.
… in February he voted to slash funding to clean up pollution that causes those dead zones. In June, he voted to cut conservation funding to help farmers reduce pollution and then, he supported a bill that would severely restrict the federal government's ability to protect water quality from pollution.
This most recent vote -- to overturn key elements of the Clean Water Act, which established a federal safety net to protect and restore the nation's waters -- is a clear statement about his position on water quality and the environment.
The only evidence for such a belief relies on a giant assumption – all government programs are good and any attempt to hold back the Leviathan is evil.
Leftists such as Coble believe that bureaucrats in Annapolis, Richmond, and Washington, along with special interests such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, can somehow design a grand scheme to clean up the Bay. Perhaps they can (although history is not on their side).
In science, a theory is tested time and again to determine its validity. In the world of environmental pseudo-science, grand theories move from the left-leaning mind straight to picking the pockets of the average citizen.
Harris’ Eastern Shore constituents, particularly farmers and those employed by agribusiness, are being asked to pay a disproportionate cost for the sins of those across the Bay. As far as groups like the CBF are concerned, that is how it should be.
Like the government bureaucrats that they love so much, the CBF believes that those of us who live and work on Maryland’s Eastern Shore are a bunch of rubes, chickens to be plucked for our tax dollars. We need only look back to their actions in the attempt to strip Wicomico farmers of their property rights.
If you live in Wicomico, chances are you received one or more mailings from the CBF claiming that the attempt to down zone the county’s agricultural district was a good thing and that they were only concerned about “preserving our agricultural heritage”. At around the same time, the CBF was mailing its Western Shore constituents claiming that their goal was to rid the Delmarva Peninsula of “factory farms” (translation – poultry farmers). That’s preservation for you!
If the government, and groups like the CBF, want to persuade the average citizen it would be advisable to launch pilot programs and measure the results. Something tells me that conservatives such as Harris would support a plan like that. But why should we validate a theory when we can throw taxpayer money at a problem and use the jackboot of government to force our citizens to accept a lower standard of living.
When that happens the same people will blame that on Republicans as well.
Can anyone tell me the point of voting anymore? Every politician wants to become elected, obviously or they wouldn't run. They will say whatever it is you need to hear to get them votes. From our local government on up. No one has lived up tho their campaign speeches and slogans for a decade or so now. What is the point in having these elections, not one politician doesn't lie ....
ReplyDeleteIf you look the definition of Fascism up, you will see that these environazis fit that description very closely
ReplyDeleteFor over thirty years CBF has promised a cleaner Bay. Every time tests showed it was getting worse they demanded more money and called people nasty names who didn't support their agenda. The Bay is now worse than ever and CBF is demanding, again, more money to support the failure they have fostered for 30 years. Like the Salisbury organization that has sapped taxpayer dollars for ill thought out, failing, dumb efforts, CBF needs to have it's legs cut off - above the waist.
ReplyDeleteThe CBF has always been most interested in helping Democratic politicians and building large, expensive buildings for themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhy does THe CBF retain its tax exempt status?
Is the bay really dirtier than ever, or could that just be more CBF propaganda? Forty years ago, the Patasco River was the color of milk from the discharge of the papermill at Ellicott City. Sparrows Point was discharging directly into the harbor. All of that is now stopped and according to CBF the water quality in the bay is worse. To me something is very fishy and the jobs and salary levels on the people keeping score is dependent on a dirty bay.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion that is the main reason that there is no progress towards improving the bay.