Will the USA stay red, white and blue or become U.N.-Green?

"There is a certain stoic quality to the people of the Hi-Line, definitely rugged self-reliant individualism up here. A lot of traits in the character of the people up here that used to exist in America. That, perhaps, no longer exist, a culture of no complaints; it's old-school up here no doubt" — Michael Cole Set Photographer in an advertisement for the recently shot movie, 'Winter in the Blood.' — September 2011

Rick Dow

"And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." — Then-Senator Barack Obama April 11, 2008

"In this sense, the theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property." — Communist Manifesto 1888

"To keep global resource use within prudent limits while the poor raise their living standards, affluent societies need to consume less. Population, consumption, technology, development, and the environment are linked in complex relationships that bear closely on human welfare in the global neighbourhood. Their effective and equitable management calls for a systemic, long-term, global approach guided by the principle of sustainable development, which has been the central lesson from the mounting ecological dangers of recent times. Its universal application is a priority among the tasks of global governance." — Our Global Neighborhood, United Nations 1995

To say that our country or even our planet is at a crossroads has become a very tired cliché. It is, however, true. The first two paragraphs of this column present discordant descriptions of the same phenomena. Are people self reliant and able and willing to help their families, friends and neighbors when challenges arise or do they need the paternalistic hand of government to care and to guide them? The second two paragraphs simply contrast a concise explanation with a verbose explanation of the same goal.

President Barack Obama signed an executive order that establishes the 'White House Rural Council' in June of this year. It brings 25 agencies of the federal government together to help achieve this stated goal: "Sixteen percent of the American population lives in rural counties. Strong, sustainable rural communities are essential to winning the future and ensuring American competitiveness in the years ahead." At first glance this goal appears good, even a tad magnanimous. This warm feeling, however, quickly collides harshly with reality. As Ronald Reagan deftly said, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."

As our national debt increases exponentially and heavily subsidized "green energy" companies such as Solyndra Solar declare bankruptcy, should greater stewardship from the federal government be regarded as a positive development? Will more federal grant money be made available in exchange for an accelerated ceding of power to pass local policies without federal approval? Most importantly from who will the feds seek approval since 40 cents out of each dollar that they currently spend is borrowed?

Why are "public-private-partnerships" so prevalent among the "green energy" consortia? For example, if you look on the MCAI Group website, MCAI is a partner in the proposed biofuels plant here, you will see numerous references to UNESCO and CIECIE. UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. CIECIE is the Centers of International Excellence in Collaboration, Innovation & Education.

"In June 2010, MCAI, presented to several UNESCO Chairs at a conference in Russia, the idea creating a global network of CIECIE locations. The UNESCO Chairs were enthusiastic and supportive of the idea of partnering government, education, and private business. They offered their ongoing support, and have invited MCAI to present this concept at several other UNESCO conferences."

"We know the value of tying the public and private sectors together to create sustainable business opportunities."

It would be wise to ask, "If the potential for biofuels is so great, why not leave it to the more efficient American private sector?" The "green movement" always demands more government actions and less personal freedoms. Is the UN or the USA built on the bedrock of personal property rights and freedom of speech? The answer to Americans who understand history is self-evident. The next question that we must ask is, "Will the USA stay red, white, and blue or become UN-green?

(Rick Dow is a freelance writer from Havre.)