Tag: Climate Change

Opinion on climate change

Opinion

Go big, or go home

President Biden has plenty of work to do, and so far he has done the job of restoring faith in our republic and his leadership of it. The president has been clear in stating what he wants to do and how he will go about trying to achieve bipartisan support. The Republicans want to pretend that the insurrection, and their attempts to hobble the Obama administration before wasting money on a tax cut for the rich with Trump did not happen. President Biden saw all of it and knows that he cannot waste time negotiating with people who have only bad faith towards him achieving anything for the American people. The president knows that he has to play both the long and the short game to be successful and if anyone can do it, he can. The administration’s job right now is to help those who are in jeopardy from the pandemic before moving on to climate change, racial injustice, immigration, infrastructure, and healthcare for all Americans. Many of these issues are interrelated whether Republicans realize it or not. America’s enemies will attack us where we are weak, which right now is our societal divisions and lack of a strong healthcare system. If COVID was an attack it was successful, and the next attack could be stronger and more devastating. America needs a robust healthcare system that services every citizen. The next four years will require a lot of money to be focused on strengthening our society to compete for the future.

Opinion

Feeling Hopeful

President Joe Biden is showing Americans what leadership looks like. He is talking and acting like a person of character and conviction about COVID19, climate change, racism, infrastructure, and making work pay. President Biden cannot do everything he wants without the help of Congress, but by using executive orders he is not sitting around waiting for them to act. The Biden/Harris administration is sending the signal that citizens matter by exhibiting transparency and answering the questions of the press. Our government is not supposed to solve all of our problems, but it is supposed to set the stage for the success of our efforts. With numerous challenges for America we now have adults in charge who know that leadership in government matters for the future and success of hard working citizens. When Biden talks he is optimistic and focused on our issues; not talking about himself and lying about bizarre issues like inauguration crowd size. I do not believe everything will be perfect now, but we have good reason for hope. Let’s keep paying attention and sorting out truth from fiction because the ultimate decision makers are us.

Opinion

Moving forward

The Democratic controlled House of Representatives and Senate is where the action is for rebuilding the base of the republic. Joe Biden has told us what he wants to do, but he needs congress to make it a reality. Trump has been impeached but now should be convicted and banned from ever holding office again; unless we want to see more like him in the future. The COVID19 pandemic threatens to morph into a new threat with variants overtaking vaccines if we do not act quickly to finance the fight against it. Assistance for people financially damaged by the pandemic and the rest of the economy is needed sooner to prevent more damage later. Civil rights for all Americans to be treated with dignity is urgent as our society battles extremism and hate. Climate change has it’s own timer and does not care if we respond or not, but if we care for future generations the time is now. Democrats have been given control and now must show supporters that they really care about the issues important to voters. I am hopeful that we will see boldness from congress and the Biden administration. Stay focused and be ready to provide feedback and support to your representatives and the administration.

Opinion

Toxic Trumpism

The Republican leadership have accepted the outcomes of their races, but are not openly asking the current president to accept his. In fact republicans encourage the undermining of our elections if you believe gather Georgia Secretary of State (a republican), who says Lindsey Graham asked if he could throw out some Biden votes. When it comes to Trump reality is warped and any failure, corruption, criminality, or bad news is unacceptable and not his fault. The giant Trump baby balloon should be flying non-stop near the Capitol until the election is conceded by the current occupant of the White House. No one knows whether the undermining of the elections is the end of our republic, or a crippling blow that could destabilize it. The longer the Republicans fight the presidential results; the more people will feel emboldened to defy laws passed by elected representatives leading to chaos. If Trump was robbed in a rigged election, who else was? We are already dealing with virus, climate change, and vaccine deniers creating societal jeopardy. Time is running out on many levels for our modern society. The divides in our country (and other developed nations) threaten the collapse of our republic. Every responsible thinking person needs to make sure that they are not on the sidelines during this time of crisis. Volunteer, communicate, donate, or march to protect our republic and the progress we deserve toward a brighter future.

Opinion

Moving forward

People my age are hearing the great Ray Charles singing Georgia On My Mind, the The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP), or Viva Las Vegas as the returns come in bringing a hoped for end to the Trump presidency. Many people believe that we will start to deal with COVID19, climate change, healthcare, and race relations in rational fashion. Trump made it a point to make everything about himself and stir chaos while seeming to get away with everything he could as we were distracted. Two months are left on the current administration. Every citizen must keep eyes peeled for corruption, criminality, and debasement of the republic as the Trump regime packs up to leave. God willing the end is near for this administration, but the damage they can do is not over. Make sure that you retain your power and research to vote in every election! Thank you to the voters who recognized the malignant threat of Trump mania and participated in this election! Hope followed by actions can move mountains!

Opinion

So much left to do

After participating in the elections, very voter should feel good about their concern for their world, country, and community. Voting is a very important tool in creating the world we would like to see, but it is not the only tool that we have. As citizens and people who care we should advocate for our values and hopes for a better future. We can use our influence with friends and family, we can contribute our time to causes and groups, and we can give resources to further the policies or movements we want to succeed. There was not a wave in any direction in this election, and there is a lot of work to do on justice, climate change, and healthcare to name a few. COVID-19 is raging in our country and we must continue to protect ourselves and others. If Joe Biden wins the presidency he will need a lot of help to get anything done. Consider getting the Five Calls app to contact your legislators and advocate for bills you want enacted into law. Every citizen who cares should vow to find ways to stay informed and involved in building a better future while continuing to protect our republic. Develop a plan to support your values while staying safe and focused.

Opinion

Warriors not Worriers

Time has almost expired for everyone who recognizes the threat of Trump, to confront your concern with a plan. Scientist say that some are born with a genetic predisposition to worry, but these worriers can change by modifying their behavior. Making a plan and working that plan when confronted by fear or anxiety can change a worrier into a warrior. Warriors are not just those who go off to fight in war, they are people who use their minds and determination to overcome adversity or challenge. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fanny Lou Hamer, Gandhi, John Lewis and others are examples of those who did not use violence, but their minds and abilities to turn fear or despair into hope. We see examples of warriors today in people like Stacey Abrams, Lebron James, and Alicia Garza. Become a warrior for truth and justice; as John Lewis said make “Good Trouble” and stand up when you see wrong. The election of 2020 is just the first step in a long road to save humanity and the environment that makes our civilization possible. Everyday citizens will have to get engaged and stay that way with the determination to not just be bystanders. If you have not already voted, plan your vote and be prepared for resistance, but do not give up on your rights or your voice.

Opinion

The vote for the future

There has been a lot of information shared about the election of 2020. Many people feel that politics does not change anything, but I feel their numbers are falling. Trump and the COVID pandemic have shown rational people that leadership matters, but a large number of people seem to base their choice on a few specifics like abortion, judges, and immigration. It is interesting that these specifics involve controlling other people. I think that Trump voters want a world where they feel entitled and advantaged over other people. Trump provides these people with constant attacks and others to hate; he even encourages mistreatment of certain groups while maintaining deniability with claims he is not serious. The issue that lies below all the talk from Trump is the corrosion of the rule of law, science, and decency. Trump pushes the idea of the law as a tool for some against others who are not part of the group. Trump’s practices represent an end to the ideas that are central to the ideals United States Constitution. The election of 2020 is pivotal to not just the United States but the future of mankind as dictators and authoritarian regimes appear to be on the rise. Democracy and human rights used to be supported by the United States but this is in decline under Trump. The American citizen is the last bulwark against a wave of selfishness, corruption, and degeneration. Research and vote because as the saying goes “Eternal Vigilance is the price of liberty”.

Opinion

Multiple crises and no leadership

Americans are facing multiple crises due to COVID19 and the cascade of issues that stems from a failure of leadership. We have been asked in the past ‘Who do you want to have a beer with?” to choose a leader. The question was always disingenuous because it asked people to feel comfortable at a level that disregarded the capacity to manage something as complex as the executive branch of the US government. It used to be said by politicians such as John F. Kennedy that you could not trust someone who did not drink. Donald Trump doesn’t drink, but too many Americans chose him because they felt he was a change. Now we exist in an absurd time where people at home and abroad are shocked at the incompetence of an America that has no rational answers for anything. We have a president that adversaries want to see victorious because he strengthens their goal of being dominant in the world as American influence collapses. We do not lead or trend in the right direction on climate change, response to COVID, race relations, or anything important. America faces a defining choice in the election of 2020. Make sure you research and vote your values in this and every election!

Opinion

Struggling to breath, now and later?

Selfish Americans love Trump. 45 feeds their ego either through short-term stock market gains, or perceived social status as hatred of minorities is mainstreamed. The world can go to hell and selfish Americans don’t care as long as they get what they want. The administration sells illusions of toughness while allowing COVID-19 to run rampant and kill as it sees fit. Trump does not own it all because he sends mixed messages; some in the administration say wear a mask while others don’t wear one and say it is not a big deal. America has one of the worst governments for handling COVID-19 and our death toll continues to be the horrific. Trump has a similar strategy for Climate Change; just speak from both sides of the mouth and fight or ignore science. Americans are dying from the virus struggling to breathe and the president does not seem to care. In coming years Climate Catastrophe will cause difficulty surviving if we continue to dither as Trump does today. The price of the current administration is devastation for America now and later. Research and vote this year, and every vote like your life depends on it; it does.