Insane economic policy

John McCain, the man who wants to be president, allowed his environmental policy to escape today saying he won't "shirk the mantle of leadership" on important issues.

We'd be better off if he did.

McCain loves the idea of companies buying pollution indulgences. Under that plan, if Company A doesn't pollute as much as it is allowed to, Company B can buy credits allowing it to pollute more than the law allows. Laws also set the overall limits pollution.

"That's good economic policy," says McCain.

Which is why we should all be scared. McCain believes that our environmental needs should be balanced with business concerns. Such thinking is insanity. Climate change threatens the future of the planet and there should be no compromise on doing what it takes to repair the problem as best we can.

Saving the planet is the best policy -- both economic and environmental. Suggesting that compromise is reasonable shows how little he understands the urgency of the situation.

    -- Jim Grinstead