Counties & Municipalities
At GOLDENCO.ORG we believe that environmental sustainability makes economic sense and means good government. We're not alone. Below you will find a list of local governments whose web pages reflect the philosophy that quality of life and conservation of nature count for more than the mere increase of sales tax revenues. We've also included the City of Golden's and Jefferson County's web sites so that readers can view the contrast for themselves.Burlington, Vermont
Overcoming the Culture of (Corporate) Dependency
One of the big political stories these days is the confluence of fiscal conservatism and respect for nature. Environmentalists have been slow to understand that government is the primary developer. The entire cost, for example, of platting a subdivision or building a road is absorbed not by private industry but by the taxpayer. Fiscal conservatives have known this for years, and environmentalists can learn something from their concern about the politics of direct and indirect subsidy.The Cato Institute ("Ending Corporate Welfare as We Know It")The Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) ("Stop the Sprawl")
The Corporate Welfare Shame Page
Envirolink ("Model Laws to Curb Corporate Welfare Abuse")
The Independence Institute ("Growth")
The Utne Reader ("Ralph Nader Talks About Why It's Time to Take Big Business off the Dole")
Environment
This is an assortment of links. The unifying theme is that it's smarter to live off environmental income than off environmental capital.Banneker Center for Economic JusticeCenter of Excellence for Sustainable Development
Citizens Involved in the Northwest Quadrant (CINQ)
Earthside (GOLDENCO.ORG's Counterpart in Arvada)
Front Range Mountain Backdrop Project
General Agreement on a New Economy
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) On-line Industrial Ecology Bibliography
Forces of Babbittry and Boosterism
"All labor agitators who try to force men to join a union should be hanged. In fact, just between ourselves, there oughtn't to be any unions allowed at all; and as it's the best way of fighting unions, every business man ought to belong to an employers' association and to the Chamber of Commerce. In union there is strength. So any selfish hog who doesn't join the Chamber of Commerce ought to be forced to." (Sinclair Lewis, Babbitt, 1922) Quickie Quiz: What member of the Golden City Council has served on the boards of three of the four entities listed below? Sorry, you won't win a ham on this one, but you can post your answer in the Virtual Town Hall.Golden Civic FoundationGolden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA)
Historic Preservation
Historic preservation, i.e., the creative reuse of buildings, makes economic and environmental sense. More than that, historic preservationists conserve the bricks-and-mortar story of who we are as a community.Golden Landmarks AssociationColorado Preservation Information Network
Self in Community
"What can I do as an individual?" Well, glad you asked. First of all, remember that you're never alone in a good cause. Second, change your life so that you you're less complicit in the culture of social and environmental deficit. We promise you'll have more fun. Here are a few links to help you get started (or encourage the adept).Adbusters