Trump’s illegal evisceration of our national monuments is disturbing. Tribal nations finally had a seat at the table, and with the stroke of his Sharpie, Trump did away with years of work and promises. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante were vast, expansive lands bordering on sacred; beautiful, peaceful and a respite from the noisy, cluttered lives we live. Like other public lands, usually free to access, they sequester huge amounts of carbon, provide habitat for a variety of species, provide travel corridors to insure wildlife can procreate, protect watersheds, and allow us to learn more about our ancestors, science and our world.
Teddy Roosevelt recognized the importance of protecting large swaths of land for future generations. Previously, Congress realized lands had value in themselves and did not need to be developed. The Trump administration and many Republicans have lost that lesson. Though outdoor recreation brings in $1.3 trillion in gross economic output and provides 5.2 million jobs, Trump would rather give our land to private developers and corporations so a few already wealthy people can be wealthier. There are already 72 mining claims in Bears Ears and he is trying to hand off public lands to private developers.
With war, tariffs and broken promises, the Trump administration has raised prices for all of us. His disrespect for the value of public lands and dismantling them will make our lives even poorer.
It is important we show our disapproval of his actions, and the inactions of those who have stood by and watched as he has taken so much that is good in America and destroyed it. Vote Democrat.
Patricia Becnel, Ogden