Why We Need Courageous Leaders Now: Part 1 Our World

I woke up the other day to see this headline in the Washington Post:

House GOP readies bill to restrict EPA’s regulation of carbon emissions

“Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is expected to unveil draft legislation Wednesday that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act….”

I am going to admit something here. I was so annoyed that I didn’t even read the article. My first reaction was: these people still exist? These are many of the same people that assert themselves as religious with deep morals and values?

I am going to tell you something – they are not. Whether it’s corporate funded politicians, or so called right wing, religious “leaders” who are commonly in bed with special interests, there is always a common theme: money and cowardice.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves”, (Matt: 7:15).

Many could interpret this quote to mean that one should ignore false prophets. I think it should be interpreted to mean that we need to be very vigilant. Our world is at stake, and the lives of our loved ones, and an entire planet full of animals and vegetation.

Listening to Kojo Naamdi’s show last a couple weeks ago, I heard two experts, Peter Hildebrand from NASA and Mark Hertzsgaard talk about how it’s actually too late to undo the damage that we will see for the next 50 years, and that the urgent need now is to focus on adapting to the change that is underway.

Don’t our “leaders” realize that not only our quality of life is at risk, but also our economy? The longer that we bury our heads in the sand, the larger the lead many countries around the world have over us in innovating to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. At Davos last week this dominated much of the discussion. European Union Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard warned that U.S. businesses are losing out: American business should be aware that we’re up here saying this is a race,” Hedegaard said. “It’s bad economics, it’s bad business not to be among the front runners but to be hesitating. I hope that even more American business people would understand that they need to put the pressure on their politicians.”

So I am joining others of late, to call on the moderates and liberals to regain the moral high-ground (and I am seeing more of this). To stop being afraid of the repercussions on Fox News, The NY Post etc. and tell the American people how it is, without pulling punches. Our health, well-being, food supply, financial stability, security and and economic future is tied to taking the right moral stance and speaking up. You don’t have to be a visionary at this point, just have the courage to speak the truth. The time is not the future, it’s now, and it’s do or die, folks.