So very true. I've gotten weary of loosing, so I decided to put my money where my mouth is and bought a Prius. It is a WONDERFUL car, whisper quiet even when the gas motor is running and it has no key, just a power button that operates only when it's chip is near. Here's a question.... what's the difference between a farmer who uses toxic chemicals to control weeds and an "environmentalist" who does? Stumps me... Peggy Murdock At 03:18 PM 10/5/2005, Bill Witt wrote: >Dear Cindy, > >I don't consider it so much a matter of Iowans not caring as one of >special interest political leverage. As you well know--and thanks, >always, for being such an effective and patient advocate--the decade from >1983 to 1993 saw Iowa rank as one of the most progressive states in terms >of conservation, environmental protection, ahd energy law and policy >development. Since the Republicans retook control, we have largely been >fighting rearguard actions against the advances of David Stanley, ABI, >Farm Bureau (decade in, decade out, the single greatest obstacle to >progress in Iowa), CAttlemen, Pork Producers, Ag Chem dealers, and many >other corporate interests. > >Working with/for these groups, and heavily funded by them, the Republicans >have not only assaulted environmental policy, they have changed the >dynamics of political campaigning: money-powered media machines dominate >electoral "communication." (It is foolish to call much of it "discourse" >any longer.) > >The influx of national political money has also risen dramatically as >Iowa's caucuses have gained unwonted repute in the Presidential candidate >selection process. > >Democrats are not immune from this infection, either, and the last time I >checked, they were nearly as money-driven and the Republicans. However, >they are inherently less able to spin the money-go-round the way the >Republicans can. > >A dozen years ago, the average House candidate spent about $9000 to >$11,000. What is the average now? $28,000 to $32,000 or more? And >high-profile State Senate races now rack up as much spending as >Congressional campaigns chewed through a little over a decade ago. > >There's a kind of Gresham's Law of Politics operating here. Driven by >ever greater volumes of cash and outside interest, our political process >is becoming coarser and more simplistic, even as the tactics used become >more complex and sophisticated. > >I think a correlation can also probably be developed along the lines of >greater economic stress on average lower-middle and middle-class families >reducing interest in civic participation. > >There are doubtless other factors. > >Bottom line, fewer of us have the time or resources to get involved the >way we once did; we're getting more worn down and stretched thin, to >actively care for the things we still care about. > > >Bill > > > > To any Iowa Sierrans who have the time and interest, especially those with > > long experience in Iowa: I may be asked by a journalist in the near > > future why > > Iowa seems to show less concern about the environment (in terms of > > spending > > and regulations) than some neighboring states. I may also be asked > > whether that > > situation may change in the future and what, if anything, might change > > it. I > > may also be asked which Iowa environmental issues are or will be the real > > hot-button issues to watch in the near future. > > > > I'd appreciate other opinions than mine. (And if you feel that the above > > characterization of Iowa is unfair or inaccurate, please say so.) I grew > > up in > > Michigan, so even after 28 years in Story County, I don't understand Iowa > > culture from the special perspective of having grown up here and/or from > > having > > lived in other parts of the state. > > > > Thanks very much in advance to anyone who responds, and please feel free > > to > > do so privately. And of course you'll be off the record for any > > journalistic > > purposes. I just want to gain a better perspective so I can provide one > > when > > asked. > > > > Cindy > > > > > > Cindy Hildebrand > > [log in to unmask] > > Ames, IA 50010 > > > > "We landed one time only to let the men geather Pappaws or the Custard > > apple > > of which this Country abounds, and the men are very fond of." (William > > Clark) > > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: > > http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp > > > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: > http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]