Editorial: Things Normal in Washington—All Screwed Up

President–elect Obama’s choice of Sen. Ken Salazar (D–Colo.) to head of the Department of Interior had environmentalists irked. That alone should indicate that perhaps Obama has made a good choice. It is reported that Obama is getting cautious praise from the mining industry. Well, mining includes coal, and coal requires transportation, so we should be pleased as well.

According to the New York Times, Salazar said, “that his job would be to try to balance protection of public lands with the continued development of domestic sources of coal, oil and natural gas.” There have been mixed reviews of his past efforts to deal with climate change, land and water issues, the Times reported.

It seems to us that Salazar recognizes fully the seriousness of achieving oil independence and getting the yoke of paying high costs for foreign oil off our necks. This places the focus where it should be. Ridding us of that yoke will require depending upon alternative energy sources. His explanation of what his job will entail indicates he plans to travel down the right path, provided his course doesn’t get skewed.

Important, as it relates to the job of our interior–secretary–to–be, is that a recent survey of energy executives (reported by the Associated Press) indicates that during the next 20 years “oil and gas will lose top ranking as the world’s most affordable energy sources.” Understanding the crucial role of energy in our lives is an issue we cannot afford to ignore.

Tied directly into this issue are recent federal changes the Bush administration made to relax rules related to protecting animal species. Industrialists are hopeful and somewhat pleased. However, Obama has promised to reverse some of these changes at the first opportunity.

Obama’s goal, however, should not be only to please those who elected him but to help the U.S. prepare for energy demands, which inevitably will continue to grow in the future.

Our capitalistic society depends literally upon growth, expansion of industry, finding newer and better ways to accomplish those things necessary to provide decent life styles. Environmental groups seek maintenance of the status quo and a regimen that would reduce progress. Such an approach is unsatisfactory if we want a society where people are able to afford the lifestyles that are rapidly becoming unavailable due to the current financial woes of the country.

We have no assurance that Salazar will follow what he tells the press any more than we can be assured that Obama will be all that he promises to be. But being more focused on what is good for the country rather than one’s own political welfare is an attribute we would like to see in all of our leaders. When the possibility presents itself, we should vote accordingly.

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