That wasn’t so hard, was it?
We and most Democratic activists know this, but does the general electorate appreciate it yet? I haven’t heard any candidate at a debate say this in quite these terms. I haven’t seen ads say it like this. At the debates, the candidates have (when asked) talked about the “existential” threat of climate change, But they have not sufficiently tied it directly to the danger of Trump’s re-election.
It’s beyond time to raise this alarm in no uncertain terms.
Trump’s Re-election will be catastrophic for all Americans and the rest of the world. Not just Democrats, not just “coastal elites,” not just the young, not just the old, not just women, not just men, not just urban, not just rural: Everyone.
Part I: Climate Change
Trump’s re-election will mean four more years of policy domination by fossil fuel interests, even as fires, floods, drought and famine proliferate. Over the last few months, we’ve seen our own future in the Australian fires. On 12 November 2019, catastrophic fire danger was declared in the Greater Sydney region for the first time since the introduction of this level in 2009 and a total fire ban was in place for seven regions, including Greater Sydney.
But even before the fires, solid majorities of Americans believed in the urgency of the issue. All of these polls pre-dated the worst of the Australian fires in November-January 2019-20.
65% of Americans believed environmental protection should be given priority over economic growth in March 2019.
67% said the US is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change, including 39% of Republicans in October 2019.
By 62% to 38% Americans believed climate change is having at least some effect on their local community in October 2019.
74% of Americans believed climate change is a crisis or a major problem in July-Aug. 2019.
56% believed climate change needs to be addressed right now and 13% in the next few years in September 2019.
And younger demographics’ percentages are substantially higher.
Vivid, frightening images of the Australian fires will only increase these percentages in the next group of polls.
The public is on our side. It’s not a split issue, like abortion or taxes. There is little risk in connecting Trump to the coming catastrophe when increasing majorities are with us. 60-70% of people reject the MAGAT’s ravings, like calling climate change a “religion,” viciousness toward Greta, or hysteria about “cattle bans.”
Because of Republicans, we have squandered the first 19 years of the 21st century:
- Eight years of W. Bush’s hostility to action;
- Eight years of obstruction of Obama plans;
- Three years Trump’s insane evisceration of pollution control and complete submission to fossil fuel domination.
Mel Brooks’ and Carl Reinder’s 2,000 year old man lays out the strategy:
REINER: What was the means of transportation then?
BROOKS: Mostly fear.
REINER: Fear transported you?
BROOKS: Fear, yes. An animal would growl — you would go two miles in a minute. Fear would be the main propulsion.
The ads write themselves: Show the picture of fires above: “Coming here soon, if you re-elect Tump.”
Coming:
Re-Election of Trump will be Catastrophic for you, your Children and your Grandchildren:
Part II, Healthcare