The United EPA of America

[RoanDurham]

I don't recognize state's rights. I'm an American. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America; not Texas. It's not the 'state's resources'-- they are collectively the resources of the American people. We can obtain food nearly anywhere. Once wildlife is extinct, there is no going back. I find it ironic that topics such as sustainability, preservation, and conservation seem to be such foreign concepts amongst rural-residing residents. An objective outsider would think those individuals would be at the forefront of the issues-

So you give the US government total control of your water and I promise you they will tax you into poverty so they can buy more votes. By the way, the water in Texas is not controlled by the state. In our county we voted against water control and we do not have it. Other counties voted for the control. Capitalism made this country what it is today. Even with it's faults there has not been a better system found.

What do you think will happen when a few individuals privately own the water supply?

When your wells run dry, who will you call?

Capitalism is better than feudalism or slavery I agree, but as you see w/ our country's progression, a mixed-economy offers the most efficient allocation of resources.

 

[cow pollinater]

I don't recognize state's rights. I'm an American. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America; not Texas. It's not the 'state's resources'-- they are collectively the resources of the American people. We can obtain food nearly anywhere. Once wildlife is extinct, there is no going back. I find it ironic that topics such as sustainability, preservation, and conservation seem to be such foreign concepts amongst rural-residing residents. An objective outsider would think those individuals would be at the forefront of the issues-

So you give the US government total control of your water and I promise you they will tax you into poverty so they can buy more votes. By the way, the water in Texas is not controlled by the state. In our county we voted against water control and we do not have it. Other counties voted for the control. Capitalism made this country what it is today. Even with it's faults there has not been a better system found.

What do you think will happen when a few individuals privately own the water supply?

When your wells run dry, who will you call?

Capitalism is better than feudalism or slavery I agree, but as you see w/ our country's progression, a mixed-economy offers the most efficient allocation of resources.

Our ongoing(the short term is a natural drought)drought here in CA is caused by the feds. They continue to bicker over what is best for a little fish that is non-native while farmers have proven through their own privately funded studies that the feds are full of shyt. Our fresh water goes out to sea while we sit here and watch it go. I promise you that water here would be better handled by individuals than by politicians. None of us in the private sector want anyone to go without and we're realistic to each others needs.
And, my previous offer still stands... I'll post picks of everything I have if you'll go away.

 

[RoanDurham]

"None of us in the private sector want anyone to go without and we're realistic to each others needs"

That's because you're talking about a few good ol'boys in Barneyville. The individuals controlling the water supply aren't going to give two shits about what you think is realistic or about your needs.

 

[Shanghai]

This is what happens when the populations needs exceed the resources
When people don't have food or water, the real fight will start

 

[cow pollinater]

"None of us in the private sector want anyone to go without and we're realistic to each others needs"

That's because you're talking about a few good ol'boys in Barneyville. The individuals controlling the water supply aren't going to give two shits about what you think is realistic or about your needs.

No, we're trying to feed the world. I have plenty of water for MY family.
And my offer still stands.

 

[RoanDurham]

Oh it will happen long before the needs exceed the resources. Plenty are content to sit on excess while others go without Resources will be reserved until a certain price point is reached. There's no reason to think the market wouldn't work the same way it does with any other scarce resource.

 

[cow pollinater]

You're ignorant. Come on out and talk to those of us that do it for a living. Conservation is what the farmers are talking about and the government has yet to quit watering the lawn at their offices. You're ignorant.
My offer still stands.

 

[Caustic Burno]

I don't recognize state's rights. I'm an American. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America; not Texas. It's not the 'state's resources'-- they are collectively the resources of the American people. We can obtain food nearly anywhere. Once wildlife is extinct, there is no going back. I find it ironic that topics such as sustainability, preservation, and conservation seem to be such foreign concepts amongst rural-residing residents. An objective outsider would think those individuals would be at the forefront of the issues-

So you give the US government total control of your water and I promise you they will tax you into poverty so they can buy more votes. By the way, the water in Texas is not controlled by the state. In our county we voted against water control and we do not have it. Other counties voted for the control. Capitalism made this country what it is today. Even with it's faults there has not been a better system found.

Water is the next big battle in Texas the guy running for our US Rep didn't even live in the district lived in Harris county.
A guy from our district defeated him they want our water. We know we are going to have to send it west sooner
or later. At least we have a US Rep candidate that was born and raised here and they will have to come to the table and not just take.

 

[RandyZie]

I don't recognize state's rights. I'm an American. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America; not Texas. It's not the 'state's resources'-- they are collectively the resources of the American people.

Boy did I start steaming when I read these words. You do understand states joined/formed the US with the EXACT expectation that they retain their rights. Heck, I can go even farther to say you're correct there is no 'states rights' just as there is no 'federal rights' only individual rights. Aka an individual has the rights to do ANYTHING as long as it doesn't harm another person, their property, or break any contract they signed.

Someone has all right to own a lake/waterway, they are under more pressure to use the resource more efficiently then the government. How often does a bureaucrat lose money or his job? If it's privatized and they hoard it all, allowing no one to access it then the whole community should boycott any interaction with said person and punish them for their actions.

Boy, federalists sometimes scare me as much as commies/socialists.

 

[djinwa]

I have mixed feelings about this. I see water as a common good and the capitalist mode of production doesn't do a very good job of efficiently allocating common-goods. There's a country in south America that just went through a similar tale-- all the water rights were privatized and a few obviously very wealthy people bought ALL the nations water supply. It was at their discretion who would receive water and how much they could receive. Or if any water would be extracted at all. Same with oil-- if you have oil on your property, most could care less if their neighbor has running water much less fuel. Surely you can see this same outcome is possible w/ water; individuals hoarding water to manipulate prices all while exploiting their neighbor of what should be the commons.

This is funny. There are still many who worship the government as our savior. Just give politicians responsibility for everything and life will be fair and prosperous.

The reality is that the wealthy are the ones who buy lobbyists who write regulations that our politicians rubber stamp. We head further toward corporatism. So not only do the wealthy get their way, but they can use government paid thugs to enforce their interests.

Here is a Google list of stories of lobbyists writing regulations.

https://www.google.com/#q=lobbyists+write+regulations

Of course, the solution would be for our "leaders" to take their oath of office seriously and ignore the lobbyists, and for 'we the people' to hold them accountable. Problem is, government schools have taught the country to not question.

By the way, the oath of office says to defend the Constitution, which was intended to restrain government. But everywhere we look it grows more and more. Every possible excuse is made for more government. And of course, since they can print any money they need, spending and power is unlimited. Take from the poor through inflation, and give to the rich, then warn against the damage the wealthy can do in the private sector! Everything is the opposite of what we are told. A complete scam.

As Jefferson said,

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground."

"A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities."