For those who hold political office, an oath of responsibility to ensure that no action taken may cause harm to or favor individuals, institutions public or private, and that the laws we abide by are upheld, is sworn on Day One of every term. Donors may not be given special favor. Nor may any form of discrimination be practiced against individuals who may look, pray or love differently be permitted. Public health and equality are paramount and legally guaranteed.
So, for example, if a population or life-supporting environmental feature is already suffering from the effects of overdevelopment and climate change, those citizens — taxpayers all — would rightly expect that any action taken by their government would only act to remediate negative impacts and improve quality of life. They would not expect their government to do the exact opposite and propose building a huge pollution generating “port” near their homes that would only act to dramatically exacerbate their current condition.
Or, after building a highway directly through neighborhoods and priceless wetlands, and then agreeing to offset that action by limiting generated noise and pollution and including what has become a significant quality of life amenity to those affected — in this case a public trail utilized daily by children and families that connects to the longest recreation/non-motorized trail in the region — make the decision to negate primary aspects of that agreement thereby subjecting residents and trail users to significant noise and toxic air pollution and the threat of environmental disaster. For no other reason than to provide a more direct route for transport of toxic crude oil through their neighborhoods or simply to enhance commerce and profit.
It’s hard to imagine more blatant examples of social and environmental injustice than business as usual by Utah politicians. Clearly, they just don’t care.
Dan Mayhew, Salt Lake City
