Political views traverse along a rocky path from the Ultra-Liberal Democrats to the MAGA Right Republicans. Differences in “party politics” can quickly become inflamed and even harm relationships great and small. Between these polar opposites in ”political views” lies the self-interested citizen, used here to describe any individual in any city, in any town, anywhere.
We live in an industrialized society and most often do not know how to exercise our “self-interest” in regards to government, institutions, commercial products or the large companies that produce them. Any news about problems -from contaminated food to dangerous politics and its out- of-control leaders – may frighten or upset us, but we generally do not how to respond to the lack of accountability on the part of those most responsible for these problems. Political polarity draws attention away from needy issues. But Americans need direction on how to “care more.” We live in a throw away culture- we don’t pine for the pine which may have been used to create our morning coffee cups.
Can a broad spectrum of Americans be convinced to abandon or at least temporarily sideline some deeply held beliefs and make an emergency effort to “get to the center” . What would it take, theoretically? A Hollywood disaster movie? Because the damage to the climate is now a true Hollywood disaster movie in the making, the horrors of which we have all yet to encounter. What we pay money to have acted out in front of us for an hour and a half is stupidly happening before our eyes in real life and it’s name your poison on which way one wants to go: starvation, heat waves, thirst, fire, disease.
Therefore, there is a deep need to be centrist and to get the most qualified people into those important roles before it is too late. We are simply not scared enough right now. We all have to face our own roles in contributing to climate change, as well as the even more pitiful fact that we do not have any leaders even close to facing the climate change crisis with the urgency it warrants. The time to face our collective failure is now: politics did cause this.
The writer of this piece doesn’t vote and never has. Why ? Having never exercised the right to vote is a protest. It means the person has a complete lack of faith in “politicians” of any
kind, regardless of their politics, or perhaps sometimes because of their politics. Is it an exercise in a new kind of peace not to vote, or is it wishy-washy and irresponsible?
In lieu of voting, the writer of this piece is a nonprofit founder, and has adopted the position that if all goes well, then all will have been “given at the office.”
Today, our leaders are so poorly equipped for the “real world” of climate change that it is almost laughable. Former Washington Governor Jay Inslee is said to be one of the most environmental of politicians, but truth be told he is eons behind, as are we all, because we believed -and unfortunately still do -in our ability to elect qualified leaders, whereas by environmental standards we don’t elect “qualified” people.
Donald Trump is a good example of what happens when we “trust” elections and when half the country doesn’t know or believe in the value of science. But Trump is only the latest president who didn’t “address” climate change. What is the problem? The problem stems
from the politics and the politicians themselves, because somehow these capable extroverts of all varieties cannot and do not rise to the level of mature responsible adults, certainly when it comes to the environment, but also in regards to other serious subjects.
Much of it has to do with how ignorant we are to the the harm caused by industry. We do not know what it is like to live in a petrostate. This is especially true in Washington State, where industry is monitored more closely by the Native tribes and others , unlike other states like Alaska or the Gulf states, where big oil and gas cast their ominous presence and cause the poor quality of life of their neighbors.
Life doesn’t occur on television, the internet or in the newspapers, but these talented and capable extroverts seem to believe it does, and present life on television as reality to the unsuspecting public. With these distractions, Americans may never get a clear understanding of the dangerous outcomes stemming from our role as consumers, or of how to coalesce in a mature and responsible way. It is going to take soul searching on each individual’s part, as well as a new form of leadership where a host of “qualifications” is required. Right now we suffer from a lack of “qualified” leaders.
We treasure the democratic process wherein anyone can lead, but now we have a breach so deep and wide that it will take a new consciousness of our utter interdependence to bring about changes that lead to a better life for everyone.
Mountain Lake lives in Olympia
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