Principles in Practice: The Blog of the Objective Standard

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Endangered Species Act Should Be Revoked

Posted by ARI Media at 10:30 PM

Irvine, CA—Bush administration officials said Tuesday that they were reviewing proposed changes to the way the 34-year-old Endangered Species Act is enforced.

Environmentalists have already protested the suggested changes on the grounds that they would reduce protection for "endangered" species and their habitats.

But according to Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, "this immoral law should be revoked.

"For decades the Endangered Species Act has been used to victimize property owners, to take away their land, their assets and their livelihoods. In the name of preserving animal life, the Endangered Species Act has enabled the violation of individual rights in every corner of the country, rights that our government was instituted to protect, not trample upon.

"Because of this Act, farmers have been prevented from cultivating or building on their own land; because of this act, housing complexes have been blocked—to mention just two examples.

"This corrupt law sacrifices people for the sake of animals. The Endangered Species Act should be revoked, not reformed."

Labels: Environmentalism, Individual Rights and Law