Recently, I listened to Gov. George W. Bush make light of a provision in Vice President Al Gore’s energy and environmental proposals. These proposals would provide incentives to folks who install efficient and renewable energy systems in their homes and businesses.

Governor Bush was cute in his bumbling attempt to pronounce the word photovoltaic. I chuckled. Unfortunately, this is no laughing matter. Our earth is in trouble, and it’s time we get serious about living more honorably with it. I’m frightened by Gov. Bush’s environmental naivete, a naivete that sometimes seems to border on arrogance.

I had the good fortune to serve as Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (our nation’s premier private lands conservation agency) during the Clinton-Gore administration and can tell you that Vice President Gore understands the importance of good stewardship of our natural resources better than any presidential candidate our nation has seen since Teddy Roosevelt.

We have an important decision to make on Nov. 7. Please, Iowa, take this election seriously. And no matter who our next president is, let’s all try harder to treat God’s creation with more respect. It’s our only home.

Paul W. Johnson

Resident

Decorah