The West can find its own solutions, Democrats can lead Idaho, The Big Strategy

The Idaho Statesman had an interesting oped earlier last week about a piece of environmental legislation written by easterners that has a big impact on Idaho:

As Westerners, we can fuss and foam and fret about an out-of-the-region vision of Big Wilderness; the bill's lead sponsors are Reps. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Christopher Shays, R-Conn. But it isn't enough just to say no. It's more important, and more persuasive, to unite and say yes to workable, consensus-based wilderness bills developed close to home.

...

These lands are the region's backyard; that's why a 23-million-acre "solution" makes many Westerners suspicious and angry. But these lands belong to all Americans; that's why these kind of big-score bills resurface every congressional session. Westerners should view the latest version of this bills not as a threat, but instead as a call to local action.

Its obvious to see why Western Republicans can easily paint Democrats as the big evil. They're the ones who are legislating a way of life from back east, with little or no input from the people who actually live out west. But, the paper also points out a positive solution to the problem, a Western answer to intrusive eastern legislating.

Great idea, but the problem is that Idaho's uninfluential and close-minded congressional delegation is unlikely to come up with solution for the West, rather than just saying "No."

Emmett O'Connell | April 29, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: The West can find its own solutions, Democrats can lead Idaho, The Big Strategy

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