I was at the Rivers Coalition meeting in Stuart last night. I learned a few things that I did not know. I was very heartened to see that the turnout had filled the chamber. It is important that we keep the pressure on our elected state and federal representatives. But I can’t help but feel that they are paying lip service to the cause. Not one official above the county level has done more than talk about the plight of our waters.

While they introduce bills, have ideas and blame the other guy for the problem; so far the only boat they have rocked is ours. Mr. Judah from Lee County in his presentation stated that to complete the flow way south we would only need 7% of the Agricultural District. That to me shows that this is quite doable except for an unwillingness of our elected officials to confront Big Business and Big Agriculture. They are afraid of losing the money they are paid to continue talking, studying and meeting to keep us quiet and hopeful.

It is a sickness that pervades our political establishment becoming worse as you get closer to Washington. The powerful use government given subsidies, tax breaks, quotas and insurance (ultimately borrowed from abroad or paid by us) to keep the gravy train flowing unimpeded while “contributing” to the very people who are supposed to look after the people’s interest. That is one reason why to most of the world we look like a failed state and not the supposed great one that many of us continue to think we are. Actions, perceptions and results are what matter not bluster, talk and rhetoric.

This has led me to the conclusion that the only way we can save our waterways is to insist that Washington do away with all agricultural subsidies and supports. We consider ourselves a free market economy and a get the government out of the way society. The “Bigs” continue to spout that official line but fill their pockets with government provided welfare and they will fight to the death if those perks are challenged. Maybe by championing the end to those subsidies, etc. we can keep a few more tax dollars in our pockets and save our waterways.