Cochise County Rose, the Chief propagandist for unregulated water speculators in greater Arizona, published quite the screed this week— criticizing the thoughtful proposal from advocates of greater water regulation in rural Arizona.
Cochise Rose’s propaganda fails one giant and significant test which must not be ignored by policymakers or the public. Her proposal would continue to permit those wealthiest interests; water speculators, giant corporate agricultural interests, and anyone who wishes to monetize Arizona’s rural water markets from digging the deepest well, pumping to their pocketbook’s content, and draining their neighbor’s wells dry.
As I pointed out earlier this week, her stance fails both the Golden Rule and the fundamental principle of common sense: treat your neighbor as you would yourself.
If the Chairman of the House Natural Resource Committee really wanted to address the problem of rural water scarcity and usurpation she would do right by Arizonans. That’s not something we see much of in today’s politics, but the Speaker—a former pastor—surely understands the divine command to love thy neighbor. Perhaps he can remind his colleagues of a higher purpose.
We all know what became of Tokyo Rose. What fate awaits her Cochise County counterpart remains to be seen. Here’s hoping that, even in today’s dystopian landscape, the principle of loving your neighbor still holds weight.
God bless us all.