4

nanotimes Editor‘s Letter

11-08 :: August 2011

“completely hijacked by hypocritical big government nanny staters”*. The activists care more about an ideological agenda than the environment itself.

David McElroy** has documented the story of Ronnie Bryant on his website, who operates coal mines

in Alabama. In a public hearing, Bryant is so annoyed by commentaries and barriers erected by “environ- mental concerns” that he comes to the conclusion**:

“(...). And as I stand here today, I just … you know … what’s the use? I got a permit to open up an un- derground coal mine that would employ probably 125 people. They’d be paid wages from $50,000 to $150,000 a year. We would consume probably $50 million to $60 million in consumables a year, put- ting more men to work. And my only idea today is to go home. What’s the use? I don’t know. I mean, I see these guys – I see them with tears in their eyes – looking for work. And if there’s so much opposition to these guys making a living, I feel like there’s no need in me putting out the effort to provide work for them. So as I stood against the wall here today, basically what I’ve decided is not to open the mine. I’m just quitting. Thank you.”

David‘s report led to many reactions and commentaries especially from company owners. Their expe- riences are surely not restricted to the US-market and can therefore be applied to Europe, as well. People need jobs, new challenges every day – that creates innovation and progress. No government transfer pay- ments can do that.

Thomas Ilfrich

*Comment by “JakeTaylor”, July 25, 2011, In: David McElroy: “I’m just quitting”: A scene right out of “Atlas Shrugged” in Birmingham: http://www.davidmcelroy.org/?p=1586

**© David McElroy: “I’m just quitting”: A scene right out of “Atlas Shrugged” in Birmingham: http://www.davidmcelroy.org/?p=1586