What Happens in the West Now?

Last week's reelection of Obama will be looked upon as historic for many reasons.  Healthcare for all Americans is here to stay.  The GOP's complete lack of connection with reality is chronicled.  The right wing wackos in this country may not recover for decades as they are literally dying off along with their racist and homophobic views.  All of this and more is a good thing for this nation.

One more item could be added to this list.  And that is the enlightenment of the White House on western issues revolving around natural resources extraction, watershed protection, landscape preservation and nurturing of wildlife.  So far these issues have been practically ignored by the President, as evidenced by his abandonment of climate issues during his first four years.  Now, the President has taken everything the coal and oil boys could throw at him and he still won another four years.  Now, he can decide they can be added to the ranks of being just one more interest group, instead of the only important interest group.

We will be sending Martin Heinrich to the Senate soon.  He is the embodiment of responsible western land use policy.  And the president needs to listen to inspired young people like him instead of Shell Oil and their ilk.  Maybe Martin could even request the President add some one to his upper White House staff that understands these issues.  It would be a good start.