Big Government: Now Better Than Mother Nature

Publius' Forum ^ | 07/18/08 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Teddy Roosevelt impressed the nation with his focus on conservation and while he was president was responsible for pushing to conserve our nation's wilderness in the form of sundry national parks, mostly in the western U.S. This was a worthy enterprise, few can deny. But what is the true purpose of these conservatories but to set aside tracts of land away from developers so that nature can prevail? Is it not a given that these lands should be governed by nature and but set aside by government?

So, we all agree that government may take the unspoiled wilderness and save aside a portion of it to be left to the machinations of Mother Nature so that future generations might see what our landscape looked like untouched by man's industry. Well and good.

But, what if Mother Nature isn't so kind as Uncle Sam? We have here a perfect example of what happens when government gets involved in anything and it's what the military calls mission creep.

The AP reported this week that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing warnings that the nation's second oldest wildlife refuge is deteriorating and "needs" restoration. This alarming rhetoric should get the most concerned conservationist's attention. "Deteriorating" is quite a frightening term after all.

But, why is it "deteriorating"? Is it industrial encroachment? Is it human neglect or pollution?

Not really.

So what is it?

See the rest at Publius Forum...

[Mobile Vulgus]

What a story that reveals that once a government agency or tax or task is created, it NEVER goes away even when the REASON for it does.

[The Great RJ]

A few years ago a major storm passed through the Boundary Waters Wildness area in northern Minnesota and thousands of trees were felled. Tree huggers insisted that no efforts be made by loggers to harvest these felled trees. Instead they were left to rot and created new dangers for forest fires and havens for insects carrying tree killing diseases. In this case private enterprise would have done the clean-up.

[marktwain]

When we look at “virgin wilderness” we find that there really is no such thing in temperate climates. All the lower US was modified by man for his purposes before Columbus.

I have no trouble in maintaining “wild” areas for our recreation and pleasure, but the idea that they have to be “virgin” or “pristine” is simply wrong and based on false premises.

Conservation should be our motto (it was Teddy’s) not the false “Preservation” of the green fascists.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Here is a map showing the *percentage* of land in each State *taken* by the federal government from the people for federal government purposes.

Isn’t it time for the actual physical States to be reserved for the States, or the people?

The US government is acting like Muslims, obsessed with increasing the amount of land under their control.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Oops, sorry. Here’s the map:

http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/map-owns_the_west.jpg

[iopscusa]

It is time for the States to get their land back, screw the commie Federals!