I know, I know, it's hard not be cynical and pissed off by the fact that our democracy has slid even further into the hands of vastly moneyed interests. It's more than a bit frustrating that those same interests can outspend every citizen's initiative, trying to convince people to act against their own best interests. But eff em', I say.
Big Oil, King Gold, and the usual cast of characters have spent a lot of money to convince Alaskans that the Coastal Zone Management Program will cost jobs. Which is bullshit. And completely ignores the continuing high price of oil, and gold, and copper, and... wait. Oh, that's right, everyone has been making a s*** ton of money in those industries.
The Coastal Zone Management Program worked. It gave communities some control over development on their doorstep -- and given the way the world is rushing to develop the crap out of the Arctic -- we are going to need some control in the coming decades.
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