I would like to thank the folks at EcoBlog for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this blog. Although I am a libertarian at heart, I am also concerned about the state of the environment. Thus, while I like what this blog is basically trying to do, I have some big problems with its emphasis.
My first thought is that far too many of the blog entries here are little more than leftest propaganda. There is too much time spent complaining about George Bush, the war in Iraq, and greedy American corporations. How about talking about solutions to our eco problems rather than simply setting up straw men to bash.
My second thought is that there is no talk at all in this blog about market-based solutions to threats like global warming. We have seen that government regulations and heavy-handed approaches simply don't work. Let capitalism work the way it's supposed to and you will see American businesses embrace green technology. Government, as Ronald Regan said, is the problem, not the solution.
I looking forward to contributing to this blog in the future and adding a sane voice to some of these discussions.
My first thought is that far too many of the blog entries here are little more than leftest propaganda. There is too much time spent complaining about George Bush, the war in Iraq, and greedy American corporations. How about talking about solutions to our eco problems rather than simply setting up straw men to bash.
My second thought is that there is no talk at all in this blog about market-based solutions to threats like global warming. We have seen that government regulations and heavy-handed approaches simply don't work. Let capitalism work the way it's supposed to and you will see American businesses embrace green technology. Government, as Ronald Regan said, is the problem, not the solution.
I looking forward to contributing to this blog in the future and adding a sane voice to some of these discussions.
I concur that there is entirely too much finger pointing and bashing going on in today’s media instead of presentations of potential solutions. Quite frankly, I’m less interested in whose fault it is and more concerned with how we are going to mend our ecological problems.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I sincerely disagree with your statement that capitalism will cause American companies to embrace green technology. Although there are companies who exist for the sole purpose of creating green technologies and many investment funds that invest in these businesses, the industry of green technology simply isn’t yet profitable enough to cause major companies in the American economy to jump on board. A corporation’s primary responsibility is to its shareholders, not the environment. And right now the eco business isn’t something that’s going to net big returns for investors and shareholders.
Also, I would fear for the environment even more if there were no government regulations in place. I could only imagine what would happen if there were no pollution or carbon emissions laws in place. If a corporation could cut costs but dumping another 6 tons of carbon into the atmosphere, it’s a safe bet that’s exactly what would happen.
I agree what has been said yes there may be “too much finger pointing and bashing going on in today’s media instead of presentations of potential solutions”. However we as whole are not doing anything about it, I myself included. If we are not helping to solve the problem we in our selves are also part of the problem. We as a Nation need to be more aware and if want to change. We need the right people in the fore front heading us towards these goals. As much as I think people are worried about the environment we live in. The large talk of our problem is about economy and how its doing. Not to take away from anything but and to get side tracked. This is America the land of big dreams and get rich quick earn money and live a high style life. Not will our solar ice caps melt and global warming. We all like to say money does not control us, I believe different.
ReplyDeleteNarcissus says:
ReplyDelete"My first thought is that far too many of the blog entries here are little more than leftest propaganda."
Did you mean to say "leftest?" Does that mean, like, the most left?
Or do you mean "leftist?" That would be something bad, I assume from your overall tone. Oh, well, propaganda is bad all by itself and so leftest propaganda must be the most baddest of all.
But enough about leftest propaganda, let's talk about your propaganda. Your strawman argument argument is a strawman argument. To the extent that Bush adminstration policies have deepened and strengthened, rather than eased, our dependence on foreign oil, he is a prime target for eco-criticism. To the extent that he jettisoned Kyoto (while ignoring a National Intelligence Estimate titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in the United States"), he is a legitimate target for eco-crit. In terms of the Strawman argument -- um -- scenario, there is no there there (to quote Gertrude Stein).
And these sentences: "...there is no talk at all in this blog about market-based solutions to threats like global warming. We have seen that government regulations and heavy-handed approaches simply don't work. Let capitalism work the way it's supposed to and you will see American businesses embrace green technology." THIS kind of rhetoric is NOT the shameless spawn of propaganda???
Wow...I don't know whether to laugh at that statement or to cry for all who believe it -- thoughtlessly.
We create laws precisely because conservation and ecological responsibility are not profitable. Let (unregulated, laissez faire, "free-market") capitalism work "the way its supposed to" and you'll have sweat shops, pollution, child labor, and high unemployment for everyone.
Ronald Reagan, God said, is the problem, not the solution.
I look forward to reading your contributions. I will pray that those contributions may, from time to time, be characterized by a sane voice.
You're not off to a good start.