I realize that when most people are concerned about their jobs, healthcare, the state of the economy, whether terrorists will attack again and what is going on in Iraq it is hard to think long term. I believe that is why a candidate's position on the environment is rarely important, but as the debate on domestic issues approaches I think it is important to dicusss this (even though I'm sure it will get little to no attention).
There is a great article in the
SF Chronicle today that compares the position of both candidates on key environmental issues. The difference could not be greater, and it is very clear that Bush is no friend of the environment. As an example:
QUOTE
Energy
Bush: Proposed an energy bill offering tax breaks and regulatory relief for the coal and oil industries and subsidies for nuclear power and ethanol. Opposed a federal mandate requiring utilities to produce 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Favors developing small nuclear plants. Has committed $2 billion for clean-coal technology.
Kerry: Opposes Bush's energy bill. Supports a federal mandate on utilities to produce 20 percent of their electricity from such renewable sources as solar, wind and geothermal by 2020, already a requirement in California. Promises $10 billion for clean-coal technology. Opposes permanent storage of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Promoted higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks.
Superfund
Bush: Opposes the "polluter pays" principle, a tax on oil and chemical companies to pay for the cleanup of abandoned toxic-waste sites, in effect since the program's start in 1980. Congress allowed the tax to expire in 1995, and last year the trust fund ran out of money. Cleanups have fallen by nearly half since Bush took office. The budget projects nearly all cleanup funds coming from taxpayers.
Kerry: Supports the polluter-pays principle, and wants to reinstitute the tax on oil and chemical producers.
Questions for debate:
1. Is the environment an important issue that we should be addressing? Why or why not?2. Politicians are notorious for only thinking as far as the next election, is lack of long term planning on many issues (not just the environment) a danger to our society? Are we selling our future for near-term economic gains?3. Do you agree or disagree with the positions of the candidate you intend to vote for? Why or why not? If you don't agree with their positions does it shake your resolve to vote for that candidate?