In his
piece in today’s Journal, John Fund notes that “It is
deeply symbolic that this epic battle over the direction of
government is taking place in the Badger State. Wisconsin was the
birthplace of the modern progressive state in the early 20th
century under Gov. Robert “Fighting Bob” LaFollette, who championed
progressive taxation and the nation’s first worker’s-compensation
system. In 1959, Gov. Gaylord Nelson made Wisconsin the first state
to grant public employees collective-bargaining
rights.”
Yesterday, Paul Taylor’s Eco-Politics
column was titled and explored how “Enviros back unions in
Midwest budget battles”.
Both recalled for me how it was indeed then-Sen.
Gaylord Nelson who started Earth Day, chosen to fall each year when
it does, April 22, we are told, by sheer 1/365 coincidence.
Mmmm. Yes.
Enjoy this excerpt from an
excellent book by another CEI colleague, Iain Murray, nailing
the point:
“[T]he instinct to broadly and aggressively apply the tools of
Marxism—central planning and government control—lives on.
The instinct is the same as it was when Marx articulated it in the
19th Century, but the old justification just doesn’t fly. Free
enterprise has proven itself not to oppress the working man, but to
free him.
If the working man is no longer oppressed, the central tenet of
Marxism no longer applies, but surely there must be another victim
of capitalism to take its place? Women and minorities
have advanced themselves under free enterprise just as surely as
have the working man, and so they are not ideal
candidates.
Luckily for the Left they have a victim ready on the
shelf. This time it is one that will not exercise free choice
in rejecting the ministrations of those who claim to speak for
it. In the leftist’s world view, the worker has been replaced
by ‘the Environment.’
The transition was seamless, because of a long history of
co-operation between Marxists and environmentalists. Earth
Day is held every year on April 22nd, a date deliberately chosen
because it was Lenin’s birthday. R.J. Smith, the veteran
champion of free-market environmentalism and private conservation,
told Human Events:
‘It is no accident it is on Lenin’s birthday, April 22,’ he
said. ‘It wasn’t a coincidence. I knew some of the kids involved .
They thought, “What better day than Lenin’s birthday because
capitalism destroys the environment?” Most environmental ecologists
believed the source of environmental degradation was the
selfishness of capitalist owners. So we had to have a socialist
system with a manager instead of an owner. Some of the
constitutions of Communist states expressly forbid pollution….’
(Joseph A. D’Agostino, Conservative Spotlight: RJ Smith, Human
Events, Oct 29, 2001)”
Eric Cartman| 2.26.11 @ 3:53PM
"What better day than Lenin's birthday because capitalism destroys the environment?"
Oh, I know! The former Soviet Union was sssssoooooo CLEAN! And the air in China! SNIFFFF! YUM! It's to die for! Lets all give the Socialist Democrats what they so richly deserve!
Occam's Tool| 2.26.11 @ 5:11PM
Eric,
you stole my line. Chernobyl=Commie Environmentalism. Doggone it, that line was stolen by patriot.
Commie=starvation and famine and filth.
Patriot| 2.26.11 @ 4:41PM
Communist countries are the worst environmental offenders there are.
China's air is filthy and Chernobyl is still toxic.
Marxists are power mongers who don't care about the environment, women or minorities.
It's all about power and control with these losers.
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 2.26.11 @ 5:49PM
What's really funny about this is, the everyday average Union Worker, doesn't want to have anything to do with these Tree-Hugging, Pot Smoking, save Gaia-Mother Earth Hippies, they hate them, because they cost Union Workers jobs. You want build a new plant here? You can't, there's an endangered bush living here. You want to drill for Oil here? You can't, the Reindeer might walk into the pipeline in the middle of the night, on their way to the bathroom. Union Workers "tend" to be regular Patriotic Americans, who'd hate to be on the same side as the Anti-War Protesters, and these so-called Environmentalist (and they "are" the exact same crowd by the way), but the Union Workers "are" on their side this time (go figure?). The State House in Wisconsin must smell like a bunch of Hippies by this point (imagine what the bathrooms must look like?), it's going to take a crew of Union Painters months to cover over that stench. You really want to save American jobs for the Unions? Help destroy these watermelon Enviro-Nazis, before they destroy Union jobs permanently, don't team up with them, beat them up, like a good Union Worker used to do, like the Hard Hat Riot back in 1970 (WTF-Union Workers, WTF?).
irish19| 2.26.11 @ 6:18PM
The public employee unions Walker is attempting to check are not the same as trade or private industry unions. The latter indeed hate the tree huggers for the very reasons you state. The former are in lock-step behind them, because the gov't programs to address the enviro complaints are staffed by ........ wait for it ........ public employee union members.
West Houston| 2.26.11 @ 5:57PM
Yep. So "green" was the Soviet Union that there are places today where the maps have been altered to show no roads or habitations, where once were cities and farms. I am talking BEFORE Chernobyl.
Communism is the antithesis to stewardship of the planet.
Patriot| 2.26.11 @ 6:10PM
Communism is godless, it's the antithesis of life.
I can't stand them now and I couldn't stand them when I was just a kid in the '60s. I'm stiil traumatized by memories of fetid hippies.
Their faux moral superiority is what chaps me the most.
Richard Baker| 2.26.11 @ 6:09PM
Occam:
Agree totally with your message. If there is a more destructive way to do anything than via Communism, I'm not aware of it. Knew something was up when Gorbachev became a big wheel in the environmental movement when he lost his leadership gig in the USSR.
Pelligrino| 2.26.11 @ 7:44PM
Mr. Baker, please include Al Gore as a Gorbi (Wannabe?) follower from his VP gig to movie honcho for fake enviro science.
Earlier it was emphasized: YES, public union workers ARE in like-minded lockstep with the wacko, holier-than-thou enviromentalists.
Not the private unions. Despite their many ills, private unions find little to no common ground with the flower children.
CalMark| 2.26.11 @ 6:46PM
And the mainstream media aids and abets the fraud. Even media outlets that have no business preaching environmentalism.
In late 2008, Golf Digest wrote a glowing tribute to Chinese golf, quoting commisars who were ranting, Khruschev-like, that they will bury us in golf, and featuring numerous pictures of golfers in China's dark yellow air. Journalistic treatment: of the commisars, deferential, nearly worshipful; of the horrific pollution (thick, YELLOW air, in which big globs were floating), nonexistent. Yet Golf Digest constantly spews sanctimonious, anti-American leftist propaganda, especially the "Green" type.
Guess who didn't renew his subscription. No doubt the prophesied legions of Chinese golfers are a-linin' up to subscribe, taking the place of conservatives like me, whose money Golf Digest/ESPN clearly regard as dirty as the U.S. environment.
Patriot| 2.26.11 @ 7:00PM
The LameStream Media are Commie apparatchniks too. They're just as red as all the other useful idiots in our country sucking up to Mao and Stalin.
jharp| 2.26.11 @ 7:34PM
I did my part today in Indianapolis. Turnout was good.
And good God those teabaggers are a bunch of racist idiot rednecks. They were out protesting Obama's tax cuts. You had to see it to believe it.
Where are those morons going to figure out that Obama cut their taxes?
DRed| 2.26.11 @ 9:23PM
Give it a rest, jharp, you're embarrassing us Commies!
jharp| 2.26.11 @ 9:49PM
Give what a rest?
The truth?
Never.
God you people are stupid.
NoLib| 2.26.11 @ 10:38PM
lol. You Commies wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on the butt.
Pelligrino| 2.26.11 @ 7:51PM
I must agree with Occam, Patriot, and Mr. E. Cartman:
The dirtiest countries I ever spent time in were either currently or (just) formerly communist countries in Europe. It was terribly obvious. The air often horrid to breathe (think the brown coal burning of E. Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.) Gross, weird, strange refuse piles behind corners, buildings, fences, in ditches. Water pools and waterways looking like something could walk on them they were so thick.
So...Lenin's birthday, huh? Now I know.
Just had been with Chinese friends over the holidays. They were so thrilled to be away from their massive very poluted city. They were positively drinking in the air here.
Clint| 2.26.11 @ 7:57PM
Now, The Rest Of The Story.
"Here's the political catch. All but the clean car credit would be "refundable," which is Washington-speak for the fact that you can receive these checks even if you have no income-tax liability. In other words, they are an income transfer -- a federal check -- from taxpayers to nontaxpayers. Once upon a time we called this "welfare," or in George McGovern's 1972 campaign a "Demogrant." Mr. Obama's genius is to call it a tax cut."
jharp| 2.26.11 @ 8:01PM
"The dirtiest countries I ever spent time in were either currently or (just) formerly communist countries in Europe."
I guess you've never been to Texas. Or Memphis.
And not only can you savor the filth of the city but you can also take the most racist ugliest pack of our citizenry, the teabaggers.
Momma Harp| 2.27.11 @ 9:44AM
Don't mind Junior nice readers of American Spectator.
I raised Him in Camden, New Jersey & Detroit, Michigan. He's suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Momma Harp| 2.26.11 @ 8:26PM
JUNIOR !
Fix the cinder blocks under our house trailer & leave the white people alone.
And get momma another malt liquor.
jharp| 2.26.11 @ 9:05PM
Nice. So you've decided to quit hiding the fact that you are a racist.
I do respect that you openly admit it. Even though I hate what you stand for.
And you people are a pox on the earth. The worst.
NoLib| 2.26.11 @ 9:21PM
Unfortunately for you, harp, you liberals are aborting yourselves out of existence. Guess that means a cleaner environment for the rest of us!
BTW better watch that hate, it gives you cancer.
jharp| 2.26.11 @ 9:54PM
"you liberals are aborting yourselves out of existence. "
You are an idiot.
You're not born liberal nor conservative.
Those who get an education turn out liberal and those who don't, conservative.
That's why conservatives hate college educations you big dummy. And that's why conservatives are trying to destroy public education.
Education is the worst enemy of conservatism.
NoLib| 2.26.11 @ 10:36PM
Between Liberal women's high abortion rate and childless homosexuals, your numbers are decreasing. Live by the sword, die by the sword, democrat doofus.
20% of Americans self identify as Liberals and 40% self identify as Conservatives. The numbers don't lie.
jharp| 2.26.11 @ 10:44PM
"Between Liberal women's high abortion rate and childless homosexuals, your numbers are decreasing."
"20% of Americans self identify as Liberals and 40% self identify as Conservatives."
And that's how we elected a liberal President in a landslide? Right?
Again, you are a moron and a liar.
There is no evidence, none, zero, nada, zilch, that liberal women have more abortions.
Conservative women , who refuse to use birth control on the other hand....
And homosexuals are hardly childless.
Do you try to be this stupid or does it just come naturally?
Clint| 2.27.11 @ 12:05AM
As of 2005, per the CDC, the states with the HIGHEST rates of abortion are: Connecticut, Delaware, Mass., Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington. Table 3: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/previe.....ss5713a1_e
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 12:12AM
Liberal women are more likely to be promiscuous, too. Stick that in your coke pipe and smoke it. Face it, you democrats are immoral and immorality kills.
jharp| 2.27.11 @ 1:43AM
"Liberal women are more likely to be promiscuous"
That has not been my experience by a long ways. But if you have any scientific data to support it I'd be interested.
Though I am sure you don't and you're just like the other retards here and are just making sh*t up.
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 5:45PM
Spoken by a pimply pock marked virgin still living in its step-mom's basement.
Everyone knows liberals eschew morals--hell, it's what you're all about.
jharp| 2.27.11 @ 1:39AM
"As of 2005, per the CDC, the states with the HIGHEST rates of abortion are: Connecticut, Delaware, Mass., Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington."
According to the study it was a VOLUNTARY survey you dumbsh*t. From your link.
"Methods"
"For 2005, CDC compiled data that were voluntarily provided from 49 reporting areas in the United States:"
God you people are stupid.
Clint| 2.27.11 @ 9:28AM
Harp bloviates."There is no evidence, none, zero, nada, zilch, that liberal women have more abortions."
Answer: "As of 2005, per the CDC, the states with the HIGHEST rates of abortion are: Connecticut, Delaware, Mass., Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) is a United States Federal Agency under the Department of Health and Human Services .
CDC began abortion surveillance in 1969 to document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions.
The President of the United States appoints the director.
The Director of The Center of Desease Control and Prevention is Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH appointed by ObamaBoy Harp's Own Obama.
Aaaaand, Now Harp can't handle it & wants a "Do-Over".
jharp| 2.27.11 @ 2:26PM
"As of 2005, per the CDC, the states with the HIGHEST rates of abortion are: Connecticut, Delaware, Mass., Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington."
From YOUR link.
"For 2005, CDC compiled data that were voluntarily provided from 49 reporting areas in the United States:"
Are you so stupid that you don't even understand what a scientific study consists of?
Never mind. It's quite obvious that you are.
Good God you people are stupid.
Clint| 2.27.11 @ 10:28PM
Harp Can't Handle It.
Tell It To Your Boy Obama & His Executive Branch's CDC, ObamaBoy.
Nobody has ever rebutted The CDC's 40 Years Study.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) is a United States Federal Agency under the Department of Health and Human Services .
CDC began abortion surveillance in 1969 to document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions.
"As of 2005, per the CDC, the states with the HIGHEST rates of abortion are: Connecticut, Delaware, Mass., Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington."
Put Up or Shut Up, ObamaBoy Harp.
Clint| 2.27.11 @ 10:44PM
" Data obtained from the Alan Guttmacher Institute shows that the 31 states that were won by George W. Bush in the 2004 election had an average abortion rate of about 12 abortions per thousand women of childbearing age. The 19 states that John Kerry won had an average abortion rate of over 20. The results were similar when data from the Centers for Disease Control was used.
Furthermore, the five states where John McCain received the highest percentage of votes in 2008 had an average abortion rate of 6.9. The five states where Barack Obama received the highest percentage of votes in 2008 had an average abortion rate of 22.6. Overall, it seems clear that politically conservative states have, on average, lower abortion rates, than their more liberal counterparts."
Juan lee hidgalgo Yamaguchi| 2.27.11 @ 1:54PM
These white cracker crap for brains are the ones who will bwe the minority in 2030.
They do not understand simple demographics, and most other subject matter either.
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 5:31PM
You assume minorities will remain liberal--they won't. If and when they acquire wealth they won't want to throw it away on ne'er-do-wells either.
Sorry.
jharp| 2.27.11 @ 6:34PM
"These white cracker crap for brains are the ones who will bwe the minority in 2030."
I hope I live long enough to see it.
The racist conservative republican white trash is in for a huge surprise.
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 9:47PM
You racist demoncrats enslaved Black Americans 200 years ago and we Republicans fought a war to free them. Lincoln was on OUR side.
Your racist policies are responsible for 6 abortions out of every 10 pregnancies in NYC today.
Your garbage liberal ideology has destroyed the black family.
Your hatred will kill you long before your dream comes true.
Clint| 2.27.11 @ 10:32PM
You Trash Talkin' Shuck & Jive ObamaBoys Got Your Same Trash Talk Stuffed In November's Elections.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Bring It Shuck & Jive ObamaBoy Chump.
Momma Harp| 2.26.11 @ 9:25PM
Didn't Momma tell you to stop going to Rev Wright's Black Liberation Church.
Now, get off Momma's Computer & leave those nice White People alone.
Daddy Harp| 2.27.11 @ 1:59PM
Yo get you cracker ass in here.
We got's to get to the most segregated place in America.
That being church. We uns was and alway's will be hypocrite Jesus whores whjo profit on that pulpit.
Baker, Swaggart, Koresh the child molester, and his followers who are evil demons.
Now do what i be sayin', for i is the boss of yo mamma. That be's what da BIBLE be done hat sayin.
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 5:34PM
Obama is a hypocrite Jesus whore who has profited greatly from Wright's pulpit.
Black Grandma Harp| 2.27.11 @ 5:38PM
Now, Just Who You Callin' A Cracker Oreo Daddy.
I Never Told Ya That Your Father Is Bubba Clinton.
Now, Go Tell Jesse & Al That Yo Mama Says Ya Can't Hang Around Them No Mo.
NoLib| 2.26.11 @ 9:44PM
I noticed the rioting union thugs in Wisconsin were all white. Racists! Filthy, foul mouths, too.
Dale Cord| 2.27.11 @ 11:31AM
We will suffer a great tribulation and millions of us will die because of the lunatics that are at the controls of America's fate in Washington.Obama will be known as the "out of control little dictator" who brought our nation to ruin and our cities to rubble.A power drunken child who should never have been in the running for any political office in America, let alone elected.Our intrusion and completely oblivious mentality of the consequences of being the world police, is staggering and the epitome of arrogance in the face of any country in the history of the world to even think they could achieve world dominance.We can go back as far as Woodrow Wilson who started this caravan down the road to Americas extinction, by starting the farce called the "United Nations"LOL.The blame for the certain death of our nation lies more than with Obama.Look in the mirror for your worst enemy,Our future is inevitable as that of Sodom and Gomorrah.Do not worry about who will be elected as President in 2012 for our country will be gone and just a memory to those who will follow in our same arrogance and mental disorder of world dominance.
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 5:37PM
"People get the government they deserve." Thomas Jefferson
Kind of explains it all.
axbucxdu| 2.27.11 @ 8:30PM
Too bad that there will always be some that are more deserving than others.
NoLib| 2.27.11 @ 9:49PM
No one is spared when the crap hits the fan.
axbucxdu| 2.27.11 @ 8:23PM
Yes indeedee, thank Woody for getting the stone rolling. Progressive ideas rarely depend on anything else but the free lunch, so it's no surprise that their artifice requires a fiat monetary system and confiscation of the citizenry's income. Wilson was conniving enough to see that.
The hell of it is, spot the progs on both the left and right free Fed money and the theft of ALL of our income, and they still can't balance the books!