The Mindset Reaction

Thank you for so many responses to the Monday column, ”The National Mindset.” There were several hundred comments from the various distribution outlets that carry them. Without getting too far in the weeds, it appears that the reactions were nearly evenly split. All responses and comments are welcome, but there were a few of them that seemed especially noteworthy. As a preamble, I see my writing as something akin to poking a stick into the hornets’ nest. If you accept my premise and my argument, your task is to collect the hornets and put them in a different (and better) nest.

One of the most common responses that I get from many of my articles is “Sure you can fire your verbal missiles, but why don’t you shut up and do something about the mess we’re in?” Valid point. Thirty years ago as a member of the Ohio Legislature I often illustrated how government had grown too large and unwieldy. Back then I was considered an extremist, and when I looked behind me, no one was there…particularly not the one who criticizes my “inaction.” Another critique suggests that I treat the Tea Parties and similar groups too harshly. The diversity of the various groups is both strength and a weakness. The broad array of goals, methods and priorities minimizes the potential for “group think,” but the lack of central organization does dilute the power of the movement. I’ve used this example quite often in the recent past: In November of 2010 there were believed to be some 84 “Tea Party” candidates elected to the House, but with the very first meaningful vote only 22 GOP members held fast on the debt ceiling tally….and a few of them were incumbents. Thus, one has to assume that actual Tea Party power in the Congress turned out to be relatively minimal. That’s not a huge fault line in the movement, but it does to a degree illustrate the naiveté of the activists. Just because someone claims to be a small-government Republican doesn’t make it so. Until the various Tea Party organizations can consistently deliver small-government constitutionalists to office we will be marginal players on the political field. Most Republican candidates will seek our favor, but few will deliver. The Tea Party movement must be proactive…find potential  candidates, vet them thoroughly, and go to the wall to elect them.

Some writers respond that my columns are either too simple or too complex. Yes, they are. If you are a political sophisticate, then the columns will seem simplistic and obvious to you. On the other hand if you are relatively new to political and constitutional studies, the columns hopefully provide something of value. I view them as teaching tools rather than marching orders. I do not know how dedicated you may be, how much time you have available or what your personal priorities may be. Those factors are yours to assess. My personal priority is individual liberty….first, foremost and forever. Yours may be a sounder fiscal situation or a more moral society. This short little segment illustrates why “Tea Parties” have NOT become the dominant force in politics….diffused priorities.

It is extremely difficult to goad an indifferent person into productive political activity. It is much easier to assist the eager activist who’s seeking to identify a center of focus. Besides, the indifferent drones do not scan the sites where these columns appear. My purpose, therefore, is to incite anger, passion, awareness and commitment for liberty. When I am successful, individual liberty gains another convert….someone who understands that illegal immigrants, over spending, excessive borrowing and perks for government employees are not the real foundational issue(s). The issue is that government has exceeded its bounds, and our personal freedom becomes more limited every day. If we do not attack the problems of governments’ usurping our inalienable rights, any victory we win will be shallow, temporary and marginal. We may win on an issue, but like water seeking its own level, it will return at a different place under a different name. Statists and power-seekers are relentless. If we thwart their designs but leave our corrupted system in place, they will merely change their point of attack. We must strip our nation down to its structural roots, restore The Constitution as the supreme law of the land, and re-establish the Declaration of Independence as the principled beacon for our national journey.

So, critics are welcome because their involvement suggests some level of thought and active engagement. Even if a critic believes that one particular issue or party holds the key for our national restoration, that’s “OK.” A first step is vital for the trek to get underway. It is my fervent wish that people who become seriously engaged in the restoration movement look beyond the symptoms (issues) to the causes (limiting liberty and violating the Constitution). The issues are the kindling that stokes the fires of passion, but the principles and the bedrock fundamentals are the elements that feed the passion and allow it to carry on.  To the critics and to those who are complimentary…….carry on. As for me, my weapons of choice are the keyboard and the microphone…..for now.

Comments:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

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Leery Erie

Those of us who live in Ohio should be aware that the Lake Erie eco-system is threatened again. As the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie seems susceptible to every potential fresh-water malady. Unlike the alarmism spread by the chicken-little earth-is-melting crowd, the Erie threats are visible to anyone who chooses to look. Invasive species and highly toxic algae are the headliners of the choking attempt to strangle Lake Erie. This challenge is not Ohio’s alone because 3 other states and the province of Ontario access the lake. Aside from Ontario, Ohio does enjoy the largest coastal area.

Last week I sat in for Brian Wilson, the afternoon host at WSPD, Toledo, and the topic of Lake Erie’s precarious position was one that we discussed. The danger from the invasive species and the algae is so great and so imminent that proactive measures must be initiated promptly. If they are not, the combined threats could prove to be devastating for the lake. State officials are aware of the lurking danger, but have spent the bulk of their efforts pleading for federal help and intervention. Given that Ohio is now controlled lock, stock and barrel by the Republicans, the EPA under an extremely partisan Democratic administration will not soon be rushing to the rescue. That is a fortunate development because the Environmental Protection Agency   is an out-of-control, sometimes-rogue element of the federal government.

The proliferation of algae is related to the phosphate discharges and runoffs in the Lake Erie Basin Area. Because of the federal EPA’s propensity for overreaching, it seems likely that their remedy for restoring the balance of the lake would include severe restrictions on watershed agriculture and more stringent discharge allowances for the many municipalities and water/sewer districts that use the lake and its feeders and tributaries as repositories for effluent. The typical heavy-handed EPA approach is to levy massive fines, issue “cease and desist” orders and require massive disruptions in policies, procedures and practices of the affected industries and political subdivisions. Clearly the lake must be preserved for a number of obvious reasons. First, good stewardship requires that we protect a valuable resource such as Lake Erie. Second, the lake is an outstanding economic factor for the state and the region as a source for fresh water fish and a recreational bonanza. In addition, Lake Erie provides a shipping and transportation resource that serves the entire Midwest region of the United States. There may be other critical reasons for protecting Lake Erie, but the final one that I wish to address at this time is the lakes’ fresh water. The Great Lakes’ water is a huge valuable resource that is coveted by other regions.

Because the federal EPA is so strident and restrictive, it is best if the states and Ontario can address and resolve Lake Erie’s problems. In a sense the coordinated effort could be similar to “passive nullification.” Even though political considerations have led to EPA foot-dragging regarding the condition of Lake Erie, if the feds observe an active approach from the states, they will attempt to intervene to protect their turf. The states should respond with a “thank you, but no, thank you.” I fear, however, the state legislature has already sought federal assistance and will submissively yield to any federal effort to assume control. The state political class will once again fail to do its duty and place the people and the economy of Ohio in peril.

From the point of view of a native Ohioan Lake Erie is a precious resource that should be protected and preserved. It is too important for federal government interference. If our state legislators lack the will to tackle the lake’s problems without federal intervention, the resource will eventually be lost to the state, the neighboring states and the region. The federal government will either make the situation worse or assume total control of Lake Erie and eventually the other four Great Lakes plus Lake St. Clair. The State of Ohio must stand firm, defend and restore Lake Erie. It’s a civic duty and a constitutional necessity. We are already drowning in a sea of big federal government statism. We do not need to watch our lake go underwater as well. It is time for the private sector interests who are stakeholders in the lake such as the shipping industry, the recreational businesses and agriculture to band together for solutions. In addition the private sector entities should insist on state action and resist any federal involvement. The attitude that the federal government will come to the rescue is mistaken and costly.

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 1370 WSPD, Toledo   www.wspd.com