Robert Kennedy Jr.: Free Market Can Save the Environment

[babylonsister]

http://www.pensitoreview.com/2007/07/12/robert-kennedy-jr-free-market-can-save-the-environment/

Robert Kennedy Jr.: Free Market Can Save the Environment
Buck | Jul. 12, 2007, 1:14 pm

In a rousing and wide-ranging luncheon address at the Florida Summit on Global Climate Change in Miami, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reminded those of us old enough to remember his father and brother how much we miss those masters of the public address. Speaking without notes or a teleprompter, Kennedy fired up the audience with the power of his intellect and the depth of his passion — and drove a dozen or so conservative Republicans from the room.

Kennedy began by saying that environmental activism should not be a partisan issue, noting that Republicans like Theodore Roosevelt and Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have been strong proponents of environmental policy. “The worse thing that could happen to this issue,” he said, “is for it to become the provenance of one party.”

But he also noted that some Republicans have “taken the ‘conserve’ out of ‘conservatism.’”

Kennedy noted that the U.S. government has been the principal obstacle to change in environmental policy. He cited the $17 billion in direct subsidies and $834 billion in indirect subsidies the oil industry receives annually. He also pointed out that the Bush administration has rolled back every major piece of environmental legislation passed in the last 30 years.

“It is almost impossible to talk about the environment today without criticizing President Bush and his administration,” he said. “This is the worst environmental record of any presidential administration ever. They have put polluters in charge of every critical agency.”

Between subsidies and loading the administration with cronies and representatives of the worst of the polluters, the Bush administration has cheated Americans out of their birthrights to clean air and water, said Kennedy. But, he said, the solution is to end government subsidies and let the free market take care of the environment.

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[Totally Committed]

1. I love this young man!

“My father used to say to me that our country was the first country in the world that was founded on an idea,” said Kennedy. “The current administration simply does not understand that idea.”

He has done his father and his family proud.


TC

[onecent]

2. Why doesn't he run for President?