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Lucia

de Vernai

 

 

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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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