The presidential race has already begun, and Representative Michele Bachmann (R. Minn) has already declared herself as a contender. She also promises to target organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency and all restrictions on oil and "soften" pollution and greenhouse gas regulations. Somehow (probably in the same way tobacco industries have done it in the past), there is a small group of people who have convinced vulnerable Americans and perhaps even believe that the EPA and other environmentalist groups are acting only on some political basis. They are making rules and regulations and limitations simply to attack Republicans and big oil companies and the rich folks (who are often the ones emitting the most carbon). Yes, it's a political move.
Except, probably not. Bachmann, who claims to love the environment and clean air and water, would really love it if the EPA was actually bad for the economy. She appears, however, to have the ability to only see what is right in front of her. Overwhelming reports show that, although initially some jobs will be lost, the new regulations under Obama's EPA will actually create jobs. That is, 1.5 million in the next five years. (In fact, far more jobs have been created under the Obama administration than under Bush. So if we really want to talk about it, let's talk about it.) If Bachmann really wants to keep the environment clean, then she needs to act like it. How is attacking clean-air regulations keeping the air clean? Climate Change is not a myth that Democrats created to form some sort of movement in efforts to take over the country. It is fact. And all people, regardless of political affiliation, will suffer the consequences of the government's reaction to it.
Tourists and avid outdoors folk alike love to take pictures and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Few people, it seems, are willing to go beyond the surface and do more than simple tasks, like recycling paper and plastic bottles and turning off the lights (which are all great things), to keep the environment around long enough for their children and grand-children and great-grand-children to enjoy it. It is because of those children that I believe Bachmann is the wrong candidate to run a country in dire need of an environmental revolution.
From http://thehill.com:
"Bachmann targets EPA ahead of 2012 launch"
From http://mediamatters.org and U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Unemployment/Employment Numbers Biannually
Unemployment Rate Biannually
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