Richard Nixon, environmentalist

In the Palmerton library today, I happened to stumble across the October-November issue of National Wildlife, a magazine published by the National Wildlife Federation.  The issue featured a Q&A with George McGovern and Richard Nixon, candidates for the presidency.

Both men were asked about a “no growth” concept as a way to protect the quality of life.  Nixon, in his answer, quoted his 1970 State of the Union speech.  Here’s what he said:

We no longer can afford to consider air and water common property, free to be abused by anyone without regard to the consequences.  Instead, we should begin now to treat them as scarce resources, which we are no more free to contaminate than we are free to throw garbage in our neighbor’s yard.  This requires comprehensive new regulations.  It also requires that, to the extent possible, the price of goods should be made to include the costs of producing and disposing of them without damage to the environment.

I never thought I would say this, but I kind of miss Nixon.  I also want to thank him for signing the bill to create the E.P.A.  What ever happened to the Republican Party?