Lucia
de Vernai
Read Lucia's bio and previous columns
October 1, 2007
So Now Bush Wants to
Fight Global Warming? Right . . .
It’s long been said that in maintaining economic growth and
environmental protection in the U.S. is another example of our
determination to have our cake and eat it too. You’d think we would have
learned our lesson by now. Some things, like freedom, have to be
sacrificed for the sake of others, like security.
This past weekend President Bush told delegates from 16 of the largest
world economies that lowering greenhouse emissions and increasing
economic growth at the same time is possible, and representatives of the
international community were irritated. The sentiment intensified as
Bush revealed his plan to work with the United Nations. The last time
Bush brought his logic in front of the UN, he started a world-scale
conflict.
The international community had not forgotten this and Bush’s lack of
concrete plan of when and how much to contribute – but firmly insisting
that other countries have an obligation to pony up the funds.
Bush’s misspending has contributed significantly to our country’s
soon-to-be $10 trillion national debt. On principle, it may be better
not to hand over money to the administration that counts Mexico as its
fifth largest creditor.
And the sudden change of heart toward the UN is suspicious at best.
Essentially, we’ll be taking them hostage. There is a strong correlation
between economic power and contribution to the UN (except in our case,
of course), so the nations Bush wants on his side are closely tied to
the organization.
As the Bush administration does its shady work, some commission with a
confusing acronym will work as its shield. The U.S. will pull the puppet
strings and the international community will scramble to find a
solution. It’s a lot easier to turn against the war-mongering giant than
the gentle Belgian scientist.
This, of course, works well for Bush. The abstract language, the shift
from “with us or against us” mentality all buys time.
Whatever emissions decrease plan Bush comes up with, he will be long out
of office when the abstract is no longer enough. Who gets to pick up the
pieces? Likely a Democrat who also has to fulfill his or her promises
about universal health care while mitigating Iraq. All with the help of
a red Congress we are bound to get as a result.
Brilliant.
The culmination of the Bush administration’s mistakes, including his
venturing to the typically Democratic greenhouse-gas-free turf, sets a
perfect agenda for the upcoming elections. It’s really a very classy way
to leave the Oval Office. Some people like cigars, some people like
emissions. Pick your poison.
Bush’s addition of yet another problematic policy is a move to shift
attention to another in a string of his blunders, while the big-picture
strategy fixes the election. If he plays his cards just right, the talk
of vision and cooperation to improve the environment will soften the
image of the right while strengthening its chance for victory in 2008.
Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
© 2007 North Star
Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.
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