Stewardship

I am one of those few Americans who rates environmental issues as a top priority. If you look on national political polls you'll usually see folks like me indicated by a little 1 or * somewhere towards the bottom of the listl.

This has always confused me. After all, what group of values holds that it is okay to poison the resources I use to live, or strip them away so that they won't be there for the future? I'm not militant in the traditional hyper-eco way, I just believe that good stewardship of our resources and environment is good policy. Good for health, good for jobs, and good for the future. I see it as similar to putting money in the bank. A small capital investment now, for a more bountious future.

So, it is very heartening to read that religious organizations are finally beginning to step into the fray as described in this article in the New York Times (registration needed, but worth it). Particularly interesting is the following:

"We're not adverse to government-mandated prohibitions on behavioral sin such as abortion," he said. "We try to restrict it. So why, if we're social tinkering to protect the sanctity of human life, ought we not be for a little tinkering to protect the environment?"

It looks like the secret weapon of the right is about to take up a cause that is distinctly left wing. And, the era of meaningful discussion about small government seems to be passing as well. It looks like the shift has already begun.