| First, very few environmental matters are subject to referendum, which means that the main lobbying action in on the Hill or in the State House, not on tv. Second, there is a synergy on the Left, where it is presumed that on most things, environmentalists, feminists, gay rights activists, unionists, and so forth walk hand in hand, and all contribute to the election of "progressive" candidates. Third, every cause has the ability to publicize itself, raise money, and grow. If environmentalists are doing a poor job gaining support and contributions, it is not up to the legislature to hobble the opposition. Fourth, the amount of free publicity that can be generated through large demonstration, a friendly press, sympathetic politicians, and celebrities willing to lend their names to causes is much greater for the "do gooder" side of an issue, rather than the "self- interested" side. Thus, I am still dubious that there is an issue sufficiently dire to warrant the abridgment of First Amendment rights........ |
