I support Sen. Bernie Sanders for president because he is the candidate I trust most to mobilize us, nationally and globally, to address the climate crisis in time to save our planet. He is also our best bet at beating President Donald Trump, especially in those fickle purple states that determine elections.
With California ablaze, and ice sheets melting in Greenland and Antarctica, why aren’t we taking action to halve global carbon emissions over the next decade, before escalating climate catastrophe becomes irreversible? The answer: Over several decades, politicians have become increasingly beholden to the wealthiest Americans, many of whom have deep ties to the fossil fuel industry. Our current government represents the fossil fuel industry more than American citizens.
Sanders’ campaign is completely funded by citizens, like the 26,000 people who came to hear him speak in Queens on Oct. 19, the largest rally of this primary (you may not of heard about it in mainstream media). Throughout Sanders’ political career he has consistently spoken truth to power. This is the ideal resume for a presidential candidate at this unprecedented time in human history, when our survival depends on rapid and dramatic structural changes in our energy, food and transportation systems, in defiance of the fossil fuel industry.
Sanders’ authentic messages about economic and environmental injustice make him highly electable: He beats Trump in most polls and his diverse base has more women and nonwhite people than any other candidate. As journalist Keith Spencer explained in Salon in June, “nominating centrist Democrats who don’t speak to class issues will result in a great swathe of voters simply not voting,” or voting for far-right “xenophobic nationalists” who pretend to care about working people. Sanders, by contrast, authentically inspires working people, as well as youth concerned about their survival on a climatically unstable, burning planet.
Bernie Sanders can defeat Trump and herald an era in which we unite behind the Green New Deal to grow America’s economy, create good-paying jobs and preserve our children’s future.
MIRIAM R. OSOFSKY
Hanover
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge may be under siege by big oil within a couple of months.
ANWR, in the northeastern portion of Alaska, is America’s last true wilderness. Drilling for oil would endanger not only precious wildlife species like polar bears and caribou, but it would also threaten the native Gwich’in tribe, whose members have lived sustainably on the land for thousands of years.
Despite this, the Trump administration intends to sell or lease drilling rights to three large energy producing companies, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil. The Union of Concerned Scientists has rated these companies based on their concealment of the known harmful effects of burning fossil fuels. Chevron was rated “Egregious.” ConocoPhillips was rated “Poor.” Exxon Mobil was rated “Egregious.”
The tactics used by these corporations are like those used by big tobacco: Deny any harmful effects of the product for as long as a profit can be made.
These companies need to hear from the public. Please consider taking action by placing a tag on social media using #ProtectTheArctic, or contact them directly by writing letters to their corporate headquarters.
Please help give the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge the voice and protection that it desperately needs.
KATHARINE P. RILEY
Orange
We have lived on Tenney Hill Road in Ascutney for more than 50 years. Back then, there were just open fields, a barn and ongoing construction for Interstate 91.
We have always felt lucky to live in the best neighborhood in town.
Last week’s storm shut off our electricity and water supply. Soon, two Ascutney fire department members knocked on our door to check on our welfare. They offered a free motel room. Then they went back to the fire station and brought us five pails of water, which they carried to our bathroom and kitchen.
Our town is very lucky to have had such great volunteers looking out for us over the years. We need to listen to them and show our appreciation.
DEL and SANDY CHASE
Ascutney