Open Forum: Ombudsman wants to know what's missing

NPR Ombudsman blog invites feedback. Here's my response (part of a series of responses to this periodic feature):

I want to chime in on several of these comments. But my mind is so completely boggled by an apparent willingness to let pass an opportunity to create a sustainable and just civilization. 'Just' as in more egalitarian. 'Just' as not so much disparity between rich and poor. No one in extreme poverty.

'Sustainable' perhaps. I suppose that, even if we limit impacts to what most people would say is acceptable, we might exceed capacity... (more likely as we delay the transition).

Shouldn't this be a starting point? The result of the functioning of the political process ought to be to bring about those limits in reality of levels of pollution and rates of taking of natural resources that the largest number of people would say is about the right amount. This ought to be recognized as a primary function of government, but it is not even talked about as a policy option.

Of all blog communities on the web, NPR might be among the best places to come for some comment or feedback on this proposal:

http://gaiabrain.blogspot.com/2007/09/gaia-brain-integration-of-human-society.html

and on the idea that the problems and solutions relating to economic externalities ought to be discussed, and ought to be a normal part of the reporting process.