Liberty Matters News Service

3/29/99

What’s the Matter With Republicans?

Since the beginning of the year, the President and Vice President announced the establishment of the "Lands Legacy Initiative" setting up a permanent multi-billion dollar slush fund to buy up private property in America. Not to be outdone, Republicans in Congress have been clamoring to out ‘green’ them at our expense. Don Young, chairman of the House Resource Committee and Frank Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee (both Republicans from Alaska) have begun a series of hearings for their "destruction of America" bills. Don Young’s hearing (HR 701, 798) in Washington earlier this month scheduled testimony from 23 in favor and only two in opposition. He has announced field hearings for Alaska and Louisiana, two of the states that will receive the most money under the proposal. Murkowski will hold hearings on S. 25, S. 446, S. 532 and the Lands Legacy Initiative on April 20th, 27th, and May 4th, all in D.C. Murkowski has allowed for more opposition testimony than Young did, but we are still out numbered. Once again, it is up to the grassroots to hold the line on this issue. This Congress wants to dedicate one-quarter of the annual offshore oil and gas revenues to buy out the prime productive private property of rural America making us a nation of consumers instead of producers. Republicans ran on limited government, lower taxes and liberty. Ownership of private property is the only way we can limit government and preserve our liberty. Republicans don’t deserve to be in power if they insist on participating in this wholesale sell out of America. They are only looking at the short term gain of money, power and bigger government. We cannot afford to let this pass in any form. There can be no compromise. Call your Congressman and Senator and object to this destruction of our country. Faxback Docs. 398, 399

Interior Department Now Accused of Destroying Records

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, has ordered hearings into accusations that documents sought in a lawsuit concerning the Department’s oversight of American Indian Trust funds were deliberately destroyed. Babbitt was charged with contempt of court last month when the agency refused to turn over records in the case. An audit by the accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, has determined that the BIA cannot account for $2.4 Billion in trust funds.

Bill Filed to Protect Water Rights

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) filed S. 685 March 23rd, the State Water Sovereignty Protection Act in response the federal government’s increased challenge of western water rights and state supremacy. There is one co-sponsor, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) and the bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. For bill text, order Faxback Doc. 396

Congress Responds to Public Outcry Against EO’s

After months of complaints by voters all around the country, in response to Clinton’s program of "Government by Executive Order", Congress has responded with a great deal of sound and fury…but no teeth (unfortunately signifying nothing). On February 10 the House introduced HCR 30 which "Expresses the sense of Congress that any Executive Order that infringes on the powers and duties of the Congress under Art 1, Sec 8 of the Constitution… is advisory and has no force or effect unless enacted as law." While intentions are good, the problem with a Concurrent Resolution, is that it does not compel the President to do anything. HCR’s by definition are only advisory statements. Faxback Doc. 397

Minnesota House Approves Hunting Season on Wolves

On March 17 a bill calling for a hunting and trapping season on wolves cleared the MN House. The Senate is currently considering two bills. The legislation would allow hunting the Gray Wolf once it is removed from the Endangered Species list. Delisting is expected in less than 18 months. Needless to say, the Enviros are howling. For more info on wolf re-introduction