Letter: Think our way to better future

EDITOR,
In response to Paul Taylor’s letter in the March 9 issue (“Changes on the horizon,” Letters, Page 6), I must voice an objection to his prophesy. I have no quibble with conservation of resources, but would let outcomes be decided by market forces rather than an oppressive, progressive dream-reality (my nightmare, actually).
Mr. Taylor’s vision of editing our constitution to retain the parts he likes, what technology can remain, and restricting food and lifestyle options is opposed to our historical freedoms. If he chooses to live out his vision, he can do so with my blessing. However, freedom redefined as permitted activity is not freedom at all. Permitted activity by the few upon the many is not freedom but tyranny. Instituting a “no-child-left-alive” policy is abhorrent and the most intrusive attack on personal freedom ever devised. Mr. Taylor would deny Life (one child per family, enforced), Liberty (politically correct lives, please) and Property (taxes, uses, etc). Perpetrating Mr. Taylor’s vision under the guise of “helping the poor” is an old, failed, transparent attempt of the few to control the many. I have yet to hear of any successes of a plan like this one, and history is full of its failures. To propose a system to destroy our freedoms and culture via a government-defined lifestyle and hope to retain our freedoms and culture is beyond absurd.
I would suggest an alternate future where our government is prevented from the ridiculous overregulation frenzy of the past few decades. Let the “better mousetraps” succeed in a free market, and let political correctness be abandoned in favor of common sense. Turn our collective brain loose. Let’s figure out the problem before we spend $15 trillion. I am convinced that our energy problems can be solved, but they will be solved neither by political debate nor by social activism. It is going to require hard work by smart people (this is the characteristic lacking in the former groups). Stridency is not fact. Attack is not truth. Politics is not life. There is hope if we can return to facts, truth and life.
Randall Brackett, Santa Cruz