For the week of April 7, 1999 thru April 13, 1999 |
Marvel exposed Idahos economic hypocrisyCommentary by PAT MURPHY The conventional spin is that Idaho government is a refuge from awful liberal thinking and a beacon for those in search of a pure free enterprise haven. Well sir, the Idaho Supreme Court took care of that nonsense last week, unanimously overturning a law that in fact mocks free enterprise. The state high court ruled that the State Land Board can't give preference to ranchers in selling or leasing state land to benefit Idaho schools. For now, this ends one of the oddest range wars in western history, waged by Hailey architect and environmental gadfly Jon Marvel and his Idaho Watersheds Project against Idahos executive and legislative branches and ranchers. Although he outbid ranchers for state land, Marvel has been turned down in attempts to control grazing acreage. The rationale of the Land Board seems to have been that Marvel would retire the land from grazing and-- horrors!-- preserve it as natural environment, while ranchers would use the land productively for the economy, even if the state profited less. Isnt this a form of liberal economic affirmative action that Idaho conservatives, especially ranchers, find outrageous in federal programs? Suppose Idaho somehow could get away with preferred non-competitive lower lease rates for ranchers, but then also demanded the authority to impose price ceilings on meat, and implement lease rates that fluctuated up when market prices improved? My bet is ranchers would claim thats also unfair. Idaho ranchers and Idaho conservative politicians arent alone in this hypocrisy. I knew one of the nations largest chain auto dealers who was a spellbinder with speeches demanding "government get off our backs." Except, of course, when his self-interests were involved: he successfully convinced a western states Legislature to require state approval for anyone seeking to open a new car dealership. His argument, which thinking people denounced but witless politicians parroted, was to "protect" consumers. Sure. A first year civics student could see who was being protected with this law, and it wasnt the consumer. Another ultra-conservative "free enterprise" disciple Ive watched over the years couldnt make a public appearance without ranting about liberals, welfare programs and government regulations. He also gave generously to politicians who promised to shut down welfare programs. He also joined notorious ultra-conservative groups that relentlessly denounced spongers on government programs. But when he built a new national corporate headquarters, he financed it through a low-interest community development program of the federal and city governments, surely a form of sponging off government. Jon Marvels concept of outbidding ranchers isnt home free yet. Ranchers will hope for some sort of preferential law from the next session of the Legislature. Win or lose in the long run, Jon Marvel at least has performed the minimum service of challenging and exposing the "free enterprise" hypocrisy that Idaho lawmakers preach, but dont practice. Murphy is the retired publisher of The Arizona Republic and a former radio commentator.
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