To those politicians who seem to be oblivious to the tax payer revolt of November 2, 2010, rest assured that 2012 is not far off. If business as normal continues in Washington, Congressional approval will look lofty at its current 17% approval record.
If there is a pending legislative action that epitomizes the hyper liberal feeding frenzy that Congress has created, it is the Omnibus lands bill. Up to this point, there are 120 separate bills that have been approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, and the Commerce Committee. The environmental community, the public land grab industry, is strongly urging passage of the bills before the 112th Congress is seated. The opportunity for this grand “Class C” larceny maneuver will not last long.
The messages coming out of the land grab growth industry remain committed to the rights of the American people to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature regardless of the damage it does to those Americans who actually still make a living on legitimate pursuits on these lands. The difference this time is the sanctioned support of American taxpayers who see no abatement in the assault on their lives and long term wellbeing. The Omnibus land bill is a continued expansion of inept federal management. The indicator is money.
In reviewing a cross section of individual bills within the scope of the Omnibus package, it is interesting to review who sponsored the bills. Of the 15 reviewed by the National Parks Traveler, four were from Republican and 11 from Democrats. The four Republican driven bills were expected to cost American taxpayers $11.05 million dollars over the next five years. The 11 dropped by Democrats were expected to cost $143.45 million with two of the group still not assessed by CBO.
What is being created for the peace and quiet opportunities of Americans in this $154.5 (plus) million price tag? Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) needs $32 million to transfer New Mexico’s Valles Caldera National Preserve from Forest Service management to Park Service management. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) needs $17 million for acquisition of 30 acres to be added to Jimmy Carter’s Historic site. Donna Christensen (D-VI) needs $36 million over the next several years and another $19 million within 10 years to add Castle Nugent on the island of St. Croix to the park system.
One of the more interesting components of the 2010 land grab spoof is the $24 million request by Paul Tonko (D-NY) in order “to make a variety of changes to policies and procedures of the National Park Service as well as to laws governing NPS property management.” Huh? Does this mean that the Park Service’s current management strategy and policies are inadequate? Does that mean that Senator Bingaman’s effort to load more management on a less than capable Park Service is misguided?
The other remaining 105 potential bills, 25 of which come from Republicans and 78 from Democrats, will make the first $154.5 million investment look like a bargain, but there is a huge consolation. The grandiose scheme will affect 30 states directly and 50 states indirectly. Yes the big surprise is out. All 50 states will share in the tax burden that will be used to fuel this exercise for the expansion of peace and quiet in nature! Those folks in the 20 states stiffed will just have to travel to another state to view and enjoy their investment.
If you listen to the left, the debate over budget constraints is just a matter of hand wringing. It seems that people with environmental leanings need not be burdened with discussions that are irrelevant to the greater picture. The Wilderness Society’s Paul Spitler speaking to the prospects of the bill’s passage with the price tag and the additional unknown operational price tag down the road believes there is still enough courageous leadership in Congress to pass the legislation. He points out that, after all, “a huge number of bipartisan authors (that) have put their time and energy into developing these proposals and see them through the legislative process.”
The problem is the American people now know full well how the hyper liberal agenda has embraced any suggestion of bipartisanship. More importantly, they understand how this monstrosity is going to be paid for and they are no longer content to watch their lives shredded with federal abuse and perpetually expanding fiefdom. The greatness of the American model, though, allows hope and ingenuity. In a place least likely to produce a rational thought, an environmental blog respondent suggested the following:
“Why not just make the entire U.S. a National Park and be done with it . . . ?”
If you think about it, that suggestion is an absolutely brilliant idea. Why not go ahead and get it all done in a single package. Create a sovereign land designation and call it the United States of America. Terminate the services of the federal land agencies and give the keys back to the people who make it all possible, the American taxpayers.
A good place to start is to watch the actions of Congress in this lame duck session. If the Omnibus lands bill comes to a vote, tally the votes. Every yea vote on this dinosaur should be elevated onto the 2012 watch list. For those who must clear their throats and venture back to the local stage in order to remind the folks how much they care about their wellbeing, they need to be reminded of the midterms of 2010. Those who supported the long term health of our society will be rewarded. Those that didn’t can take their retirement packages and go sit in the sun . . . on the Arizona border . . . courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.
Stephen L. Wilmeth is a rancher from southern New Mexico. He is the grandson of Albert Wilmeth, who, as a Republican in Grant County, New Mexico, never missed a vote, but never voted in a single primary in his entire life. Elder Mr. Wilmeth, now long deceased, was number two on a list of only 16 Republicans in his precinct. Asked why he didn’t register as a Democrat so he could at least be involved in the process, he stated emphatically, “It is matter of principal. If a man doesn’t stand for what he believes in, he is not a man.”
8 comments:
Go sit on the Arizona border, yes! May I suggest Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge? How 'bout the Coronado National Forest? Be sure to take your Spanish dictionary with you, though. You'll need it when you are trying to bargain for your conjones!
Jeff Bingaman must go. Simple as that. He is a menace to our society. He has no allegiance at all to the traditional industry participants of his state. He has a nose ring tied to Big Green.
I am telling you people that you have it all wrong. Let them have their parks and fund it from a voluntary trust. No fund. No money. Also, make sure that for every acre they get the United States must release three to help mitigate the damage.
Make it a sovereign land and call it the United States of America! DuBois, can you make sure that Bingaman gets this? Remind him that we are going to send him packing in 2012! Tell him that he needs to make sure his schedule is posted for southern NM. We will be sitting in the front row!!!
Angry American? I don't believe he is any more angry than the rest of us. The difference is we are now hearing from Americans who make a difference rather than the majority of the press that has lost all touch with the high road and the real world. Drop your subscriptions, folks, and read DuBois.
An interesting thing is happening. The money pits of the environmental movement are no longer sweeping aside the voices of normal folks. If the Omnibus Bill fails, a whole bunch of Big Green managers ought to be turned out. They wielded millions of dollars pushing these bills and somebody somewhere ought to be very unhappy with their return on investment. The opposition, well, I will bet they didn't have a budget. Normal Americans who have finally had enough of being unrepresented in Congress!!!!
Good job, Frank. Keep the heat on Washington. Maybe they will want two week breaks instead of four day weekends.
There is a real story emerging here. Let's see if the press gets it. It is no wonder that the Albuquerque Journal, the El Paso Times, and, especially, the Las Cruces Sun News are all struggling. They are bent to the left so far that they are smelling themselves rather than the real trail. I agree with the fellow that says to let your subscriptions run out!
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