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Environment
I believe that there is a consensus among most Americans that the environment has improved over the last 25 years and that the country has benefited from this improvement. The real question concerning environmental policies is not whether or not we believe our forests, lakes and dunes are worth protecting but how to accomplish this in the most effective and cost-efficient way.
For too long our nation's environmental policies have been operating in a 1970s command and control model run by those in Washington, DC. These sorts of programs assume that problems and answers will remain the same regardless of where they occur or the populations they effect. A new environmental vision must look beyond this static approach and toward a system that fosters cooperation and ends in real or measurable results.
Environmental problems are not all the same. Most problems involve distinct qualities that make them unique and different from those of another city, state or region. For this reason, Congress must concentrate on providing local communities with the necessary resources for solving these problems at the local level. This process involves creating an environment in which individuals, community groups and businesses can work together to solve their problems in a mutually beneficial way.
We live in a dynamic world and the quality of our lives is affected greatly by our natural environment. This issue is viewed as a struggle between economic and environmental interests. This is exactly the type of rhetoric we need to avoid if progress is going to be made on this issue. We need to improve both our environmental and economic quality of life if we are going to leave a better world for future generations.
Related
Documents:
Press Release
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Hoekstra Seeks to Prevent Overly Restrictive EPA Regulations for Ottawa, Kent Counties
11.21.2008
Press Release
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Hoekstra Expresses Concern over Reports of Garbage Washing up on Shoreline
7.15.2008
Press Release
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Hoekstra Votes to Override Presidential Veto of Bill to Guard against Invasive Species
11.6.2007
Press Release
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Hoekstra Votes against Raising Taxes to Increase Energy Costs
8.4.2007
Press Release
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House Approves $215,000 to Finalize Transfer of Camp Swampy to Huron-Manistee National Forest
6.27.2007
More Documents...
Related Files:
Ballast Water Statement
Hoekstra's Comments on 8-hour
EPA Letter
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