Politics are killing us
Well, it has been just over a year since I moved to DC. During that time the politics of this country have become ever more present in my conscience … who's the lucky boy? I have spent several days on the Hill visiting with various senators and congressional representatives, both Republican and Democrat. I have listened to my colleagues rant and rave about one party or the other. Most recently, I endured such a tirade about the injustices of the current Republican administration — and yes, there are many. (Note: that MAY be the understatement of the year). However, there have been injustices in every administration because government has totally lost the plot. The role of government is to balance out the inequities and greed of the individual. By proxy, that includes the corporation, as it is often merely the ugly, albeit necessary, extension of the base desires of the individual. When over $20 billion is spent a year on 500 or so people in government, clearly we lack a check and a balance somewhere. (Note: that IS the understatement of the year). So, we suffer on and our great nation grows weaker and, unfortunately, nothing suffers quite like the social-environmental movement.
For example, take the recent $64 billion tax breaks to oil companies, which are already making record profits. What got slashed instead? Public works projects like the levies that were supposed to protect New Orleans, or the restoration of the wetlands along the coast that could have absorbed much, if not all, of the storm surge. The result? Thousands of people potentially dead, and hundreds more suffering unspeakable hardship, citizens just like you and me, neglected and abandoned by the very government whose foremost responsibility is to protect their freedom, liberty and happiness — three fundamental tenets of our society that seem to be fading away with each passing year, regardless of which party is in power.
You see, all too often these issues are politicized and they shouldn't be. I am always dismayed when the realm of social-environmental stewardship becomes a partisan struggle.
A healthy environment, clean air and water — these are the roots of a just and equitable society, of safe communities and healthy families. They are not political rhetoric — they are necessary for life and the very foundation of a great nation.
As Teddy Roosevelt, himself a Republican, once said:
“The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.”
Just remember, it's your future at stake. Stewardship of this planet is not a luxury: it is a vital necessity of life. As citizens in a republic, it is our duty to be outraged by the injustice and gross abuse of power such as I described above.
Think about it …
