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November 24, 2009

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Ensign calls environmental leaders socialists

Monday, April 20, 1998 | 9:06 a.m.

"They are about collectivism, socialism," the Nevada Republican said Saturday at the Wise Use Leadership Conference.

"If you look at what modern environmentalists have become, they have become not about protecting the environment, but they have become about big government and regulations and putting things out of the hands of private citizens."

Ensign, who's challenging Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., received a standing ovation from about 100 supporters of the Wise Use Movement, whose three-day conference ended Sunday.

The movement consists of loggers, miners, ranchers and others who advocate expanded use of America's natural resources.

They spent much of Saturday criticizing the Clinton administration's clean water and air policies, and public land stances.

During his appearance at the Sparks Nugget, Ensign was given a "champion of property rights certificate" by the League of Private Property Voters for his voting record in last year's Congress.

Reid was branded an "enemy of property rights" by the organization.

Some environmentalists "believe the Earth would be better off without people on it," Ensign said. "Folks, the Earth is here for us. We are to be good stewards; we are to take care of it."

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