Writing a letter to the editor is a tried and true method for informing fellow citizens. Following are real letters submitted to nationally prominent newspapers on subjects related to the steady state economy. Some have been published, but remain useful as templates. One may expect a publication rate of 10 to 30% with letters such as these (tip: USA Today is one of the easier national newspapers to get a letter published in). The topics addressed by these letters tend to reappear in newspapers. Feel free to work with the samples to construct your own letters:
Why the Environmental Movement’s Agenda Is Faltering. Response to “For green movement, a change in climate.” Story appeared on 08/30/10 in the Washington Post.
Growth is not the Prescription for Unemployment. Response to “Growth too slow to drive up hiring.” Story appeared on 07/31/10 in the Washington Post.
Economic Stabilization for Climate Stabilization. Response to “Economics of climate change in forefront.” Story appeared on 10/28/09 in the Washington Post.
Florida and the Opportunity of Population Stability. Response to “For Florida, ‘end of an era’ of population growth.” Story appeard on 8/31/09 in USA Today.
Geo-engineering the World for More Candles. Herman Daly’s rebuke to the American Enterprise Institute and others who support geo-engineering solutions to climate change (prompted by Samuel Thernstrom’s article in the Washington Post on 6/13/09).
Growth That Costs More Than It’s Worth. Response to “Rx for Global Poverty,” Washington Post, May 28, 2008.
The Catastophe’s Here. Response to “Hold the Hysteria (for Now),” Washington Post, March 26, 2008.
A Recession’s Green Upside. Response to “The Upside of Recission,” Washington Post, April 25, 2007.
300 Million Americans, Including Insufficiently “Stirred” Environmentalists. Response to “U.S. Population Set to Hit 300M on Tuesday,” Washington Post, October 15, 2006.
Why a “Good” Economy Doesn’t Help Politicians. Response to “A Backlash Against Bickering,” Washington Post, October 3, 2006.
Immigration and Economic Growth. Response to “Immigration Reform Won’t Give Average American Job Security” by Tom Daschle, Chicago Sun-Times, July 10, 2006.
Eminent Domain for Economic Growth? Response to “States Review Eminent Domain,” USA Today, February 20, 2006.
The Economy: Bigger Not Better Response to “Bush Welcomes Good News on Economy,” USA Today, December 2, 2005.
Economic Growth vs. New Orleans Response to “Largesse in Louisiana,” Washington Post, September 8, 2005.
Land the Natural Resource – Prices Up, Up, Up Response to “The $10,000 Question,” New York Times, August 23, 2005.
Climate Change – “It’s the Economy, Stupid!” Response to “Panelist Who Dissents on Climate Change Quits,” New York Times, August 23, 2005.
Cleaner Technology Doesn’t Clean Up the Whole Mess Response to “Designing the Future,” Newsweek, May 15, 2005.
Consumer “Confidence” a Wall Street Ploy Response to “Stocks Hit New Low for 2005”, Washington Post, April 16, 2005.
Ecoterrorism and Consumerism Response to “Inferno in Indian Head”, Washington Times, December 7, 2004.
Big Dog, Small Tail Response to “Study: U.S. Teens Have Big Hopes, Average Skills” (which entertains an argument that economic growth is an indication of a successful higher education system), USA Today, September 13, 2004.
“Sippers” are Real American Patriots! Response to “Sippers [gas-saving cars] Gaining on Heavyweights”, Washington Post, May 20, 2004.
Relationship of War and Economic Growth Response to “As War Ends, Economy’s Footing Will Be Tested”, USA Today, April 30, 2003.
Environment as True Source of Wealth Response to “Bush Unveils Budget”, USA Today, February 2, 2002.
Patriotic Shopping Response to “Shoppers Splurge for Their Country”, USA Today, October 3, 2001.
Military Expenditure and Economic Growth Response to “U.S. Resumes Bombing”, Chicago Tribune, October 25, 2001.
Public Lands Conservation and Steady State Economy Response to “Refuges’ Resurgence Faces Uncertainty”, Washington Post, February 7, 2001.