What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
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Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#2When I was younger, I honestly believed in the explanation that left to their own devices, free enterprise will work to protect the environment, as anything that hurts the market will hurt profits. What I didn't take into account was that this argument doesn't work for enterprises run by beings with limited lifespans. All except the most empathic humans will not incur any cost to avoid consequences that are beyond their lifespans (or, in some cases, beyond their immediate offsprings' lifespans). That is why I believe that Adam Smith's invisible hand will fail to help the environment...
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#3Americans love their freedom. Which is more important: the freedom of corporations to innovate in extracting natural resources, or the freedom of citizens to pursue happiness without being poisoned by drinking water?
The last photo on that page shows Mary Workman holding a glass of well water that the Hanna Coal Company rendered undrinkable. Something to remember for those who pine for the days of "great coal jobs" and that unrestricted American entrepreneurial spirit of the 1950s.
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#4This same EPA?
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/us/navajo-nation-sues-epa...
Don't get me wrong, I think the EPA is a net gain. But let's not pretend they're prefect simply because their mission is good.
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#5That's without even showing the Cuyahoga river burning, the oil slicks and dead animals in Newtown Creek, or any superfund sites.
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#6
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#7When I was younger, I honestly believed in the explanation that left to their own devices, free enterprise will work to protect the environment, as anything that hurts the market will hurt profits. What I didn't take into account was that this argument doesn't work for enterprises run by beings with limited lifespans. All except the most empathic humans will not incur any cost to avoid consequences that are beyond th…
Even most libertarians recognize that in situations where the very physical nature of something (like air) means that pollution won't stay where it was created, it's an unavoidable tragedy of the commons. Free markets are much better at avoiding such situations in most circumstances, but when the tragedy of the commons is inescapable, regulation is the only weapon we have.
Now issues with the current form of the EPA may arise, but the notion of removing it with nothing to fill the void doesn't even fly with my Any Rand loving self.
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#8I've never really understood why conservatives are so reluctant to look after their environment, after all they get to live in it as well.
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#9When I was younger, I honestly believed in the explanation that left to their own devices, free enterprise will work to protect the environment, as anything that hurts the market will hurt profits. What I didn't take into account was that this argument doesn't work for enterprises run by beings with limited lifespans. All except the most empathic humans will not incur any cost to avoid consequences that are beyond th…
The problem is the modern 'corporation'. First govermnent allows anonymous structures like this that are free to pursue maximum profitability with minumum legal responsibility for the individuals behind this structure. Then afterwards it needs to regulate that which it allowed in the first place.
Re: What America looked like before the EPA, in photos
#10This is sort of a contentless post.
Certainly the EPA performs a valid role, however that is not to say that any attempts to constrain its increasing creep of scope and overreach of power is automatically bad.
Is it possible to find pictures from the late 60s showing pristine beautiful nature shots?
Is it possible to find pictures from late 60s showing clean and tidy small town streets?
Is it possible to find pictures from 2018 showing residents holding dirty water (ie. Flint, Michigan)?
Is it possible to find pictures from 2018 of dirty filthy slums?
Therefore, whats really the message? Let me guess....someone wants more money for their budget?