THE STATE OF THE CLIMATE IS: In what was dubbed a Climate State of the Union, Sen. Bernie Sanders joined the climate activists at 350.org to kick off a campaign for states and cities to ban new fossil fuel projects and make a "fast and just" transition to 100 percent renewable power. Sanders quipped that Trump didn't mention climate change in his speech Tuesday, but "we should not be surprised because Donald Trump, one of the great scientists of our time has determined after years and years of exhaustive study that climate change is a hoax by China." Sanders said climate activists will have to take on the fossil fuel industry and money in politics. "My request of you is please get involved in the political process," Sanders said. "Start running for office. You can do it. You can run for school board, city council, state legislature, Congress or the Senate. Trust me. I work in the Senate. I know, and you can do it."
Senator Sanders raises many good points during his rebuttal speech which can be viewed by clicking here. In the excerpt above, Senator Sanders touches on a very important point. In his satirical description of "Donald Trump, one of the great scientists of our time has determined after years and years of exhaustive study that climate change is a hoax by China" -- raises an appropriate alarm regarding the Trump Administration and science in general.
One of the overarching questions I have for the President is this (plus a follow up question):
Why do you have such an issue with Science? Why is your cabinet not have a 'scientist' on it?
To see a cabinet without a science adviser is extremely troubling in my mind. Science should be incorporated into policy decisions. Seeing how in many instances in the past, history has shown that science is critical to success as a nation. Science is broad reaching and touches on every aspect of our lives. To leave out the voice of science is to leave out life. The President in doing so is literally 'flying by the seat of his pants' -- which is dangerous for the health of the rest of us.
With the realization that certain groups are being left out of policy making decisions, the responsibility is up to the American people to step up and defend democracy. Each of the elected members of congress are supposed to look out for the people -- which they represent. Some are and some are not -- clearly. Who is looking out for you? If you are from a state like Kentucky and voted for Senator McConnell and are on medicaid, does he have your best interest in mind? No. Because he decided to incorporate into the new tax law the provision to let states repeal certain parts of the Affordable Care Act -- which provide for medicaid recipients. What? Yep, if you live in Kentucky, say goodbye to medicaid for certain people. Amazing.
The time has come to retake our position in the world and in our nation. Unfortunately, our elected officials are struggling to make this happen. The voice of the American people needs to be heard. Loudly -- very loudly. Each of us should be involved in the political process at some level as suggested in the excerpt above. I sit on a neighborhood council and vote on issues which in turn get translated to a 'letter of support' or a 'letter of opposition' from the neighborhood - regarding a development of law issue.
Ask yourself the following question:
What am I doing to help shape democracy?
If the answer is nothing, then ask yourself -- why? Do you not care? Lets change the reckless course on which we are headed. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of Americans who feel we are on a 'right course'. If so, get out there and defend (by conversation - respectful conversation) your positions and concerns too. Each of us deserve clean natural resources. Each of us deserve to live in a civilized society protected by our mutually agreed upon first responder's (police, fire fighters, EMT, etc.). Lets get behind them and do our part in supporting the decisions which affect our environment. Join us.
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