Most people's political concerns this year seem to be focused either on Iraq, terrorism, or the economy.
Now, Bush has an agenda that clearly destroys the environment.
Let us take the following:
Air Pollution: Today more than over atleast, I would say, 150 million Americans-almost half the population-are exposed to unhealthy air
pollution levels. We have emissions from industrial zones, power plants, etc that are linked to a myriad of public health problems such as asthma
attacks, slow neurological developments, and stunted lung development.
President Bush has partnered with industry lobbyists to begin a vast rollback of Clean Air Act protections. His so-called "Clear Skies" initiative
will result in higher pollution levels while doing nothing to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that cause global warming. This Act
allows for more sulfur emissions, increase of nuclear energy power plants, allows for more smog, etc. As we all know, the United States is not part of
the Kyoto Protocol. So, there is no help there either...
Water Pollution:
We also have Bush mentioning that the water problem will take care with the EPA's effort. It not only takes the EPA!
In November 2003, the Bush administration proposed to allow treatment facilities to "blend" wastewater, diverting raw sewage and other pollutants
directly into streams, rivers, and during rain seasons..what is that? What does it cause?
Obviously, more ocean pollution as well. There is marine life, you know? What about the wetlands? The nation's isolated waters-wetlands, streams, and
ponds-are vital for flood control, filtering pollutants from our waters, and providing habitat for wildlife, as well as for commercial fishing and
shellfishing, among many other uses. The Bush administration has jeopardized this vital resource.
Global Warming:
I mentioned the Kyoto Protocol. This is an international agreement that binds all industrial nations together in an effort to reduce ghg (greenhouse
gas emissions), and Bush refused to be in it, because it would hinder "industrial development". We have enough industrial development for our
current time.
Americans also know the solution: applied American ingenuity and new technologies that can curb this pollution while creating good-paying jobs and
strengthening America's economy. We also know that this will not happen without presidential leadership--
With a president that calls global warming "junk science"...that is a scary thought.
Bush calls the (Kyoto) treaty "ineffective, inadequate, and ... a bad deal for America and Americans." Here is the source for the claim:
www.freerepublic.com...
With all the worry about terrorism threats, the environment is left alone...
[edit on 07/13/2004 by Aquarian1]