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Roadless and Republican Values

by REP Director Tom Pelikan
delivered at a press conference, Washington, DC; May 1, 2001

Good morning. My name is Tom Pelikan. I serve on the board of directors of Republicans for Environmental Protection. I've worked the polls, handed out “vote Republican” balloons at county fairs, served on a county GOP Executive Committee, and chaired John McCain's campaign in the middle third of Pennsylvania.

I'm here to talk about Roadless and Republican values.

Republicans believe in sound economics.

The old system of building taxpayer-funded roads in our national forests for a handful of logging companies was so wasteful that Richard Nixon proposed scrapping it 30 years ago. Roadless gives the good men and women working in the Forest Service a chance to get its fiscal house in order. With it, they can look each taxpayer in the eye and say "we are spending your money wisely." THAT is a Republican value.

Republicans believe in a government that listens to its citizens.

Roadless wasn't some back-room, inside-the-beltway deal. Nobody had to hire a lobbyist to come here to get their point across. One point six million Americans came to town halls from Maine to Montana, and everybody--from the highest-paid lobbyist to the guy supporting his family on working man's wages--got equal time and equal say. Ninety percent of those who came out--two thirds of Republicans--support Roadless.

And the government listened. That's "small d" democracy at its finest... and THAT is a Republican value.

True Republicans value the environment.

From Theodore Roosevelt, Barry Goldwater, and John Chafee in the past to present-day heroes such as Sherwood Boehlert, Jim Greenwood, Connie Morella, and REP America member Christopher Shays, the true leaders of our party have also been fierce fighters for the health and beauty of our public lands.

Roadless will protect our land for generations to come. THAT is a Republican value.

Finally, Republicans value loyalty.

It's painful for me, for REP, and for many other Republicans to oppose our President. But loyalty has to be earned, not just expected.

When President Bush recognizes the fiscal conservativism of Roadless... when he honors the wishes of the overwhelming, not-so-silent majority of American people who support it... and when he follows in the great Republican tradition of responsible stewardship... we will stand shoulder to shoulder with him, standing up for the environment and for Republican values.