Here in NY-20 we have had the great good fortunate to see one of Bush's sleaziest enablers in congress, John Sweeney, replaced by an enthusiastic and very capable young congresswoman, Kirsten Gillibrand.
Ms. Gillibrand, however, is like nearly all other elected Democrats in that she seems to see climate change as one issue among many, something we'll get to eventually when and if her great supporter Hillary is elected.
Back in January I spoke to her personally at the local grocery store and gave her a packet of information on climate change. I also urged her to work with our neighboring congressman, John Olver, one of the few real scientists in our party and one whose lead Kirsten should follow on this issue.
Today I sent her the following letter and informed her I was posting it on Daily Kos. I urge fellow residents of NY-20 to join in pressuring this otherwise excellent new congresswoman into providing more than the the usual Democratic lip service on this overriding issue of our time.
Dear Ms. Gillibrand,
You may recall that I spoke with you at your first "corner office" at the Price Chopper in Hudson. At that time I gave you a packet of information and cover letter on global climate change and urged you to work closely with our neighboring congressman, John Olver, one of the few scientists in the congress and a longtime leader on this issue.
I never received a response from you.
Climate change is not simply one issue among many on which we Democrats have a more reasonable position that the Republicans. But that is the way it is being treated by both our presidential contenders and our majority in both houses of Congress.
According to the UN, the world has less than ten years to act to keep inevitable warming from reaching catastrophic proportions. I urge you to read the linked article from Reuters http://www.alertnet.org/...
Certainly, your work as our representative has been laudable and a wonderful contrast to the criminal shenanigans of your predecessor, John Sweeney. However, these are not ordinary times and even extraordinary constituent service such as yours will not suffice.
Every day that this country does not take the lead (or at least follow the lead of other countries) in rapid carbon reduction is a day closer to disaster for us and our children.
Again, Ms. Gillibrand, I urge you to take action, to be a leader on an issue that transcends all partisan or sectional lines.
I am posting a copy of this letter on the Daily Kos website.