No matter how hard House Democrats and some environmental special interests might wish for the eventual demise of mineral extraction on public lands in this country, it still takes minerals to produce a hybrid car, control the emissions from a smokestack, or purify the water to even make a dent on pollution. Minerals fashion the networks to deliver food and consumer goods to Americans, to convey electricity and water into their homes, to build the plane that flies a politician back home to the voters, and makes the cable which provides the broadband internet that enables special-interest NGOs to gain members and raise funds.
Can a U.S. economy afford to take the risk the politicians and special interests would take in relegating its raw material production, i.e. minerals and metals, to foreign sources, some of which are managed by politically unstable or corrupt governments?
Lightning cracks the blackened sky,
Hear the thunder chariot ride
All brave men with hearts of war
Ride the path of mighty Thor
