Friday, September 27th is another worldwide climate strike.
I remember when Severin Suzuki made an angry speech at the UN.
I remember when Severin Suzuki made an angry speech at the UN.
People shared the video for a while, and some people were inspired to become more environmentally aware.
Now we have Greta Thunberg and a group of young climate activists leading the Fridays for Future and Climate Strikes. As you probably already know, Greta has been doing this for a year, gathering cooperation of many environmental groups. Evidence of changing extreme weather patterns will have to result in more action from our elected leaders. If I manage to become one, I will definitely do my best to facilitate positive actions.
I find it odd that although the change in climate affects us all, regardless of political party affiliation, it has become a partisan issue. It's difficult to imagine that the "Green" party had to exist outside the Democrat and Republican parties for so long. We are part of nature. It makes no sense to try to separate ourselves from it. I remember the days when Republican elected officials actually passed legislation to preserve and protect the environment. Those days seem so far away.
That said, the environment is one of the main reasons I am running for POTUS (President of the United States.)
So far, my campaign is not making much traction, which is expected, since I have done my best to stay out of the limelight, preferring to work behind the scenes (except when I am singing, obviously.)
Solutions:
So, how about that "Green New Deal" proposed by the Bernie camp? I am all for a radical shift in priorities backed with action and funding, but solutions to the challenges facing our society are already being implemented in various parts of the US and worldwide. In many ways, they are site and situation specific, although many are scalable. Let's take a deeper look before we just sign onto some book that evokes nostalgia while promising to solve problems that are in a constant state of flux.
What type of leader does America need? My take is, we need someone to find those solutions and raise awareness so they can be duplicated, by concerned citizens, in their own communities. What we do NOT need is more top down "feel good" policies driven by a lot of money sitting in an "improvements" fund.
I take issue with top down, cookie cutter "solutions," especially when they inspire people to ask for things they don't really need and would not ask for if they wouldn't be given away for "free."
Let's start by solving problems we know we have, like retraining workers in the fossil fuel industry to lay pipe that will deliver clean water, not dirty oil. Flint, anyone? And retraining coal workers to raise bees.
I take issue with top down, cookie cutter "solutions," especially when they inspire people to ask for things they don't really need and would not ask for if they wouldn't be given away for "free."
Let's start by solving problems we know we have, like retraining workers in the fossil fuel industry to lay pipe that will deliver clean water, not dirty oil. Flint, anyone? And retraining coal workers to raise bees.
Speaking of radical shifts, how do we expect to accomplish significant change when we keep doing the same things, electing the same type of representatives the same way. Representatives who spend so much time in the political world, their constituents in the real world have a hard time relating and vice versa.
Things will not change unless and until we change the way we do things.
I hear many people saying "Get money out of politics" but still, we all keep receiving emails asking for money, because that is what is apparently needed to win an election in this country.
Why are we raising millions of dollars for political ads? Where is the real journalism?
Why are we raising millions of dollars for political ads? Where is the real journalism?
In order for these changes to happen, I need your help. If you don't want to or can't donate, that's fine, because this campaign is different. If we want to get money out of politics, the best way to show that it can be done is to run a campaign on very little money.
The challenge with this is, money seems to be the barometer of a successful political campaign and success in our society.
The way I see it, we define our own success. What does it mean for you?
The challenge with this is, money seems to be the barometer of a successful political campaign and success in our society.
The way I see it, we define our own success. What does it mean for you?
I chose to throw my hat into this ring because I believe we need a radical change in how our government and society approaches political problem solving.
Do we need a lawyer for a President?
Not really, but we do need someone who respects the law, understands people and uses their powers for good.
Do we need a lawyer for a President?
Not really, but we do need someone who respects the law, understands people and uses their powers for good.
Obviously, we still have a long way to go.
That is all for now.
Thanks for reading.
Best,
Mari
