Letter to the editor: Democrats’ work ultimately boosted N.D.’s economy

In an Aug. 2 letter in The Jamestown Sun, Frank Klein of Dickinson, N.D., attacked Democrats who criticize North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk as “seeking to destroy our way of life.” Klein asserts that Kalk is immune from criticism because of his status as a “Marine veteran of two wars.”

Well, as a U.S. Marine veteran, albeit with service in only one war, I strongly disagree with Klein and the Republican Party operatives he fronts for. First of all, Kalk has been on the PSC for less than two years, and he is not responsible in any way for North Dakota’s clean air, budget surplus or booming energy industry. Former Gov. Art Link, who made the energy companies clean up their act back in the 1970s, and who, together with current Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, wrote, campaigned for and passed the oil extraction tax, Measure No. 6, back in 1980, is far more responsible for setting the stage for North Dakota’s current good fortune than are any of the Republican politicians now claiming credit for the work of others.

Many of us, including myself and members of our congressional delegation, are not convinced that “cap and trade” setting up one more commodity exchange for the wealthy to play in is a good thing for America or North Dakota. Yet, it is a proposal aimed at lessening our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and foreign sources of oil, and Klein, Kalk and the Republicans have proposed no alternative other than continuing to do nothing.

Even if the Bakken Formation in western North Dakota is producing at full capacity, the U.S. will still be dependent on imported oil — much of it produced in countries controlled by people who hate us and seek our destruction — for most of our gasoline and diesel fuel. As a Marine veteran, one who knows the cost in lives, blood and treasure of defending our country, Kalk should know the danger of encouraging continued dependence on a source of fuel controlled by our enemies.

The Marine motto, “Semper Fidelis,” means “Always Faithful.” Kalk should also recognize the folly of placing our faith in the multinational oil companies that have no loyalty to anyone or anything except profit, to secure our energy future. Kalk and I share a proud military tradition, and I honor his service, as I expect that he honors mine.

However, if Klein, Kalk or anyone else thinks that being a Marine means that you are always right, they have another thing coming. Just ask my wife.

Bill Anderson

Rutland, N.D.

Tags: north dakota, opinion, letters, economy, democrats, kalk