Where are Progressives on Climate Change?
Source: Daily Kos – Berkeley,CA,USA
By A Siegel
Published: June 06, 2009
In the health care debate, progressives are calling for single payer and made it quite clear, in a united fashion, that a (good) public option is an absolute minimum requirement. They’ve put a public bottom line front and center. And they appear to be making progress on it.
Where is that similar call when it comes to Energy / Energy Efficiency / Global Warming legislation?
At the America Future NOW conference, after hearing strong statements from Representatives about the need to keep demanding what is right (single payer) on health care, that pressure “from the left” made it easier to negotiate a better deal, I asked “What about energy? What about similar calls for strong legislation on climate to help make Waxman-Markey stronger?”
The response, in essence, ‘this is the best we can get …’
Well, a number of Progressive institutions chose to speak out yesterday … and we should strengthen/echo their call.
At America Future, NOW, Representative Jared Polis stated, essentially (from memory, not transcript), “Congressman Waxman is a progressive. He is one of us and an excellent legislator. If this is the best he could do, this is the best that could be done and I will support it.”
The bill is still developing.
Will strident calls like Polis’ increase the chance for a stronger bill or keep the door open for weakening measures?
Should we just be accepting scraps at the legislative table?
Or, is another approach called for? Should we calling for what is necessary, highlighting weaknesses, and fighting to make it stronger?
When it comes to the Waxman-Markey ACES, the “progressive” voice has been muted (if existent) even as the bill has been modified, time and again, in favor of entrenched polluting interests.
Perhaps the figures are somewhat muted in impact after TARP and ARRA, but we’re talking $trillions of implications over the next few decades and, truly not to exaggerate, the viability of having a decent chance for a progressive society in the decades ahead. (In face of catastrophic climate change, it is hard to see how “progressive” issues will receive resources or even be seriously on the table.)
Has the tide turned? Are Progressives about to come to the table …
On May 29, a number of groups sent a combined letter to Speaker Pelosi calling for floor amendments to strengthen the bill. A good letter … a very good letter …
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