[drm]

The conflict between those who live immediately adjacent to public lands and how they want it managed, or disposed of, vs the interests of those who live far away, is pretty obvious, and certainly not unique to Utah. I don't resent it when representatives represent the interests of their own constituents more than those in other districts, that's their job. That's why we have our own representatives, and for any particular issue, the latter will greatly outweigh the former. I do believe that in many cases these representatives actually represent the interest of extractive industries, which usually are based a long ways away, rather than local people. Those industries, which sometimes provide local jobs, can play very powerfully on cultural issues. Distant environmentalists are legendary for being tone deaf to local culture and are easy prey for such industries and end up being scapegoats for things these industries do, like blaming environmental rules for job losses that may be more due to automation. So will Chaffetz get a job with one of these industries as a lobbyist in DC? If so, he won't be spending so many days in Utah like he says he wants to.

[KekistaniProphet]

My guess is this guy got caught up in the fallout from Pizzagate or is worried he will be linked to it..... Have you guys seen all the pedophilia ring raids they have been doing since Trump came into office? High profile people getting caught up in them......"drain the swamp" http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-sets-5-year-lifetime-lobbying-ban-officials-n713631 Should have extended that order to all government officials. It would take the monetary incentive away from politicians.

[fairweather friend]

Chaffetz is the representative for UT-03, a district that does, in fact, include a large swath of rural land including the Canyonlands area and Bears Ears National Monument. But the majority of his constituents are not "rural folk" battling evil environmentalists from coastal metropolitan areas, they are city folk from Provo and suburbanites living in the bedroom communities sprawling southward from SLC. So in terms of square miles, UT-03 is a rural district. In terms of constituents, however, it is an urban/suburban district. Very, very few of these urban/suburban folks work in resource extraction and, like urbanites everywhere in the world, they want to preserve outdoor recreation areas close to home. I do not believe Chaffetz is representing the majority of his constituents by opening up public lands for resource extraction. And while this district is likely to replace Chaffetz with another Republican, there is a very good chance that person will not be in such a hurry to throw away thousands of jobs in the outdoor recreation industry for a handful of jobs in the resource extraction industry. The former spreads wealth throughout the entire area, the latter generates wealth primarily for out of state bankers, lawyers, brokers, corporate executives, and stock owners. For a state representative who truly wishes to be "representative," it's a no brainer... unless you plan to make big bucks on the deal.

[MtnGoat]

Or actually value the many, many benefits the resources bring after being extracted. Benefits to producers *and* their customers as proven by sales. The things we use don't spring from the forehead of Zeus.

[fairweather friend]

One of the primary goals of opening up these public lands for resource extraction is the mining of uranium ore. We already have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the earth many times over and solar energy has proven to be more cost-effective, at a fraction of the risk, than nuclear energy. Moreover, energy derived from a nuclear reactor comes from one centralized source and thus requires a whole distribution system of power lines and substations. Solar energy, by contrast, is widely dispersed and is generated by the very company or household that uses it. I have always found it strange that the same people who glorify "living off the grid" are so often fooled into electing representatives who are trying their damnedest to prevent the spread of solar power.

[MtnGoat]

Regardless of the prognostications or who or why or their motives, public resources should be available to public parties and groups for use in industry just as they should be available for other uses such as recreation. I'm not sure how grid living, on or off became part of the discussion. Uranium extraction is either commercially viable for whatever reason or it is not, grid living status is beside the point. I don't care about solar one way or the other, other than opposing subsidizing it.

[fairweather friend]

[MtnGoat]

[MtnGoat]

[fairweather friend]

"Some might say..." was one of George W. Bush's favorite lines. I happen to agree with you, it is deplorable for it's slanderous implications while offering no supporting information. My apologies. I'm sure you found it highly disturbing when W said this line over and over again during his two terms. I also applaud your consistency is opposing government subsidies of all kinds. That is a very rare stance to take these days. Personally, I think that subsidies can do a lot of good to both support industries that we can't afford to lose (farming, for example) and fostering industries that benefit our economic strength (solar power, for example.) The problem is that subsidies never seem to go away once they are no longer needed to achieve those objectives. Back on topic: Chaffetz now says he might retire early. I think this is really good news for the people in his district, but it makes you wonder why he is in such a hurry to get out of Congress. I don't quite buy the "I'm 50 years old and I'm tired of sleeping on a cot," line. He fought for a two year extension and six months later, he can't wait to quit. Breaking story from the AP

[MtnGoat]

I'd never question your right to use words as you see fit. Or the criteria you apply. It doesn't mean I can't toss in my take on identifying the tactics and implications taking place when you do so, right? Yes, I have a higher opinion of the bill than most here. IMO it's unconscionable that such a vast amount of the American west has it's title held by the govt rather than it's private citizens. Alaska well, that's even worse.

[Ski]

[MtnGoat]

[MtnGoat]

[fairweather friend]

Now the rumor is that Chaffetz will resign by Friday.