I am concerned about existing jobs and not jobs based on the speculative Canadian PolyMet proposal. PolyMet is a proposal based on unproven technology in the sulfide-mining industry, an industry with a horrible legacy of environmental destruction and economic dislocation.
There are areas that have produced sulfide minerals in the past and that are better suited to produce them in the future. Taconite mining has shown environmental law is unenforced in Minnesota. We have been polluting our waters for more than 100 years to provide the world with minerals, more than our share of the burden.
The endorsement process of the Democratic Party has proposed an abandonment of the party heritage of environmental protection to favor special interest. Democratic voters need to abandon the party endorsement in order to advance their principles. Psychologist Yvonne Prettner Solon running with Mark Dayton: coincidence? I think not.
Sulfide mining is a net job killer in tourism, logging, agriculture and public employment. Pollution diminishes recreational opportunities; kills wildlife; increases health-care costs and public clean-up costs; increases electrical costs; causes widespread property devaluation, reducing government revenue; and concentrates costs on surviving businesses for 1,000 years. Wisconsin law considers PolyMet a public injustice.
Dennis Szymialis
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Duluth
