Every few years an Albuquerque Newspaper prints a column by Robert Redford advising us in New Mexico to use solar energy.  Of course we already do in thousands of ways but Redford has certain uses he thinks deserve grants, tax credits and other subsidies.   When I read him I take it personally because I suppose he wants to help companies like Zomeworks (though he has never bought anything from us). I want to return the favor but the newspaper has never published my letters advocating tax credits for those who sit through Robert Redford movies. All Western American movie actors, and Redford is an experienced one, know how to play a Western hero.   Why can’t Redford remember this in civilian life? The old fashion hero gets word of trouble, rides into town, finds the bad guys, kills them or runs them out and leaves the grateful citizens to go about their lives.   When all is straightened out the hero goes on his way. That’s the movies - in real life Redford has an approach that could not be more different.  There may be some scowling at fossil fuels which today receive large subsidies but the main act for Redford, as with other new heroes, is not a show down with evil where bad subsidies are taken away it is setting up more subsidies, “leveling the playing field.”  You don’t ride into town with your six guns.  Why shoot bullets at the bad guys when you can lob other people’s dollars at the good guys? Redford is one of a line of forward observers for a new order.  The artillery he directs delivers money to one group then another.  Not as they buy and sell from each other but as directed by lobbyists, legislators and planners. The problem is taxes are higher and higher and higher and inflation goes up and up and up.  The townspeople cannot go about lives manipulated by lobbyists, legislators and planners. Just as in the old Western the new hero leaves town when his work is done but not because he is uncomfortable accepting gratitude.  He’s got to get back to Hollywood, a think tank, foundation or one of the subsidized businesses that thrive as the towns collapse. Steve Baer 02/07/06