Dear HCN,
I am a
third-generation Western Republican troubled by recent letters
accusing HCN writers of “divisive rhetoric” and
a “socialist or even communistic view” (HCN, 12/23/02). I had hoped
that the incoming Bush administration would have the courage and
leadership to promote economic growth and ecological
sustainability. Instead, the administration launched an aggressive
campaign to weaken, circumvent or abolish many important
environmental and public lands protections. This anti-environment
bias permeates all policy decisions. Unfortunately, the
Administration is very adept at achieving their goals quietly
through rule changes and administrative actions that do not require
legislative approval or public input. I would urge conservative
Republicans to put aside Limbaugh-style rhetoric and malice toward
environmentalists and honestly evaluate the long-term consequences
of administration policies on the West that we will pass on to
future generations.
Richard Lisle
Reno,
Nevada
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Republicans should take an honest look at Bush.
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