One reason for the "economy vs. the environment" mindset is . One reason for the "economy vs. the environment" mindset is . that environmental policies generally are oppressive and cost more money than they save that industrialization has had several positive impacts on local ecosystems that people may not foresee the long-term savings when having to make the necessary up-front investments the difference in salary between environmental watchdogs and corporate CEOs that CEOs are usually Republican and environmental advocates are Democrats