My Fellow Citizens,
I recently sent a letter to the Republican Party to voice my concerns over their contributions to the lack of progress being made on a climate change/energy policy and their seeming indifference on a variety of environmental issues. I know the Democratic Party has been a vocal leader in calling for a substantive energy policy that limits emissions of greenhouse gases and that you have also been strong in calling for protections on wildlife and other natural resources within the country, as well as globally. However, I feel it is your turn to receive a letter that encourages you to do better.
It is the last quarter of 2011 and this country still does not have an energy policy that quits favoring the fossil fuel corporations and starts favoring alternative, renewable, clean forms of energy. The Democrats held a majority in the House and in the Senate for the first two years of President Obama's current administration, and you let this important issue slip by. At the very least, you have had the opportunity to limit and have stricter regulations on emission, but - again - this moment was squandered. Cap and Trade legislation was the best you guys could come up with and you couldn't even get that to the table. Granted, cap and trade is not even a good starting point in the fight against climate change and man-made global warming. We've long since past the time where we can just let other countries pollute the air with greenhouse gases and then buy up what ever "allotment" they don't use so we can continue polluting. This party is supposed to be made up of the smartest guys, let's come up with better, effective legislation and get it passed.
A recent New York Times Op-Ed confirmed that there is still too strong of a link between the fossil fuel corporations and the Democratic Party. I have come to expect this of the Republican Party, but I definitely expect better of you. Why do you think there is such a negative view of Washington by citizens on both sides of the aisle? We need to be able to trust those who time and time again promise us that they will fight to limit human damage to the environment and the atmosphere. Stop giving ear to the lobbyists from these corporations and really fight for what matters. Your base will rally behind you.
I understand that things need to be economically sound, especially in this economically unsound time, but I know that it is possible to both be economically sound and friendly to the environment. Both political parties have milked at the teats of these corporations for way too long and it needs to stop. Be the better party and get away from this practice immediately.
Now, I am thoroughly grateful at the fact that the Democrats retain the Senate majority and the White House so that the outrageous bills being passed by the Republican House that strip funding from the EPA and protections from the environment can be stopped dead in their tracks. I want your party to continue to stand strong against this onslaught. In fact, I want your party to show some real leadership and help to put better teeth in the EPA's regulatory mouth. They can't do what is even expected of them with outdated and horribly corrupt laws such as the Toxic Substances Control Act. Show your commitment, and don't give in. I, and many others, are afraid that the trend will continue that important things will be lost just so the Republicans will be appeased and something can get done. Do not let that happen.
I, like just about everyone else in this nation, am tired of the political war going on. I'm tired of the rancor and I'm tired of seeing everything getting held up. I'm tired of getting let down time and time again. We can get out of this mess, but only if your party members in elected position stop shooting themselves in the proverbial foot. Every time you do something foolish, or cave to an outlandish request of the other party, you give them more power. Yes, there needs to be compromise. Yes, we need to work together. No, you don't have to give up your platform or principles in order to get that done.
I am confident your party can get out of this rut. I'm confident it can start being a leader on environmental values and create a policy which puts this country back in the forefront of climate leadership. I'm confident our nation can keep its people happy and healthy as well as treating the environment with a sense of deep respect. Let's think of the future generations, instead of just when you're going to be re-elected. If your party members want my vote in next year's election, they need to show that they deserve it. Get to work.
Sincerely,
Richard Walton
Horticulturist
I recently sent a letter to the Republican Party to voice my concerns over their contributions to the lack of progress being made on a climate change/energy policy and their seeming indifference on a variety of environmental issues. I know the Democratic Party has been a vocal leader in calling for a substantive energy policy that limits emissions of greenhouse gases and that you have also been strong in calling for protections on wildlife and other natural resources within the country, as well as globally. However, I feel it is your turn to receive a letter that encourages you to do better.
It is the last quarter of 2011 and this country still does not have an energy policy that quits favoring the fossil fuel corporations and starts favoring alternative, renewable, clean forms of energy. The Democrats held a majority in the House and in the Senate for the first two years of President Obama's current administration, and you let this important issue slip by. At the very least, you have had the opportunity to limit and have stricter regulations on emission, but - again - this moment was squandered. Cap and Trade legislation was the best you guys could come up with and you couldn't even get that to the table. Granted, cap and trade is not even a good starting point in the fight against climate change and man-made global warming. We've long since past the time where we can just let other countries pollute the air with greenhouse gases and then buy up what ever "allotment" they don't use so we can continue polluting. This party is supposed to be made up of the smartest guys, let's come up with better, effective legislation and get it passed.
A recent New York Times Op-Ed confirmed that there is still too strong of a link between the fossil fuel corporations and the Democratic Party. I have come to expect this of the Republican Party, but I definitely expect better of you. Why do you think there is such a negative view of Washington by citizens on both sides of the aisle? We need to be able to trust those who time and time again promise us that they will fight to limit human damage to the environment and the atmosphere. Stop giving ear to the lobbyists from these corporations and really fight for what matters. Your base will rally behind you.
I understand that things need to be economically sound, especially in this economically unsound time, but I know that it is possible to both be economically sound and friendly to the environment. Both political parties have milked at the teats of these corporations for way too long and it needs to stop. Be the better party and get away from this practice immediately.
Now, I am thoroughly grateful at the fact that the Democrats retain the Senate majority and the White House so that the outrageous bills being passed by the Republican House that strip funding from the EPA and protections from the environment can be stopped dead in their tracks. I want your party to continue to stand strong against this onslaught. In fact, I want your party to show some real leadership and help to put better teeth in the EPA's regulatory mouth. They can't do what is even expected of them with outdated and horribly corrupt laws such as the Toxic Substances Control Act. Show your commitment, and don't give in. I, and many others, are afraid that the trend will continue that important things will be lost just so the Republicans will be appeased and something can get done. Do not let that happen.
I, like just about everyone else in this nation, am tired of the political war going on. I'm tired of the rancor and I'm tired of seeing everything getting held up. I'm tired of getting let down time and time again. We can get out of this mess, but only if your party members in elected position stop shooting themselves in the proverbial foot. Every time you do something foolish, or cave to an outlandish request of the other party, you give them more power. Yes, there needs to be compromise. Yes, we need to work together. No, you don't have to give up your platform or principles in order to get that done.
I am confident your party can get out of this rut. I'm confident it can start being a leader on environmental values and create a policy which puts this country back in the forefront of climate leadership. I'm confident our nation can keep its people happy and healthy as well as treating the environment with a sense of deep respect. Let's think of the future generations, instead of just when you're going to be re-elected. If your party members want my vote in next year's election, they need to show that they deserve it. Get to work.
Sincerely,
Richard Walton
Horticulturist
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