[GPSCC-chat] article ties together the Pope, Bernie Sanders and ACD

[Rob Means]

Hi Folks,

The following article was printed in this week's Milpitas Post. 
--
Other Voices article printed in July 24, 2015 Milpitas Post


You probably heard about Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care
for Our Common Home). The Encyclical is a remarkable document addressed
to everyone of conscience. Pope Francis pulls wisdom from his Church’s
teachings, principals of modern physics, an understanding of the
complexity of the global ecology, and above all our moral obligation to
our young. With particular attention to global warming or Anthropogenic
Climate Disruption (ACD), the Pope wrote: “14. I urgently appeal, then,
for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We
need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental
challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us
all.” 


Last year marked the 37th consecutive year of above-average global
temperature. And, it was another year that the rich and powerful have
prevented a transformation of the U.S. energy system away from fossil
fuels and into energy efficiency and sustainable energies. As the Pope
noted “181.A healthy politics is sorely needed, capable of reforming and
coordinating institutions, promoting best practices and overcoming undue
pressure and bureaucratic inertia.”


More recently, while in Bolivia, Pope Francis said time was running out
to save the planet from perhaps irreversible harm to the ecosystem. "Let
us not be afraid to say it: we want change, real change, structural
change."


Within a month, the Dalai Lama endorsed the Pope’s encyclical on climate
change. The Buddhist leader spoke at a panel on climate change, praising
the encyclical and saying it was the duty of everyone to “make more of
an effort, including demonstrations. … It is not sufficient to just
express views, we must set a timetable for change in the next two to
four years.”


Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders also commended the Pope. He was
“delighted that the Pope has recently made this into an encyclical and
told the world how important this issue is. … We have to take on the
fossil fuel industry and transform our energy system.” (Listen to his
3-minute audio at MeansForDemocracy.org/bernie-acd.mp3) 


Bernie doesn't just talk about the need to transform our energy system,
he proposes sensible legislation. In 2013, Sanders introduced — along
with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) — the Climate Protection Act. It
would tax carbon and methane emissions and rebate three-fifths of the
revenue to citizens, then invest the rest in energy efficiency, climate
resiliency and sustainable energy (including investments in wind, solar,
geothermal, biomass and plug-in vehicles). Recently, he put forth a bill
aimed at making it easier for low-income families to take advantage of
solar power. 


In the words of environmental activist and founder of 350.org Bill
McKibben, Sanders is “the ultimate what-you-see-is-what-you-get
politician. … Bernie’s been in the forefront of all the crucial
environmental fights of recent years, always willing to knuckle down and
do the hard work of fighting the big corporations.”


Frankly, when I first heard about Bernie running for President, I
doubted his chance to win either the Democratic Party nomination or the
Presidency. Now I think differently - because the 2016 election is not
about Bernie. It is really about creating a popular movement to change
the direction of our government. 

In the first major speech of his campaign, Bernie said: "Here is my
promise to you for this campaign. Not only will I fight to protect the
working families of this country, but we're going to build a movement of
millions of Americans who are prepared to stand up and fight back."

Milpitas residents stood up and fought back against the casino and the
landfill expansion. Let's come together now as part of a movement that
promises free college, equal pay for women workers, clean energy,
more/better jobs, health care for all, and a tax system where the rich
pay their fair share. 

Are you ready to start a political revolution to save our country and
our planet? If so, attend the local kickoff meeting for Bernie's
campaign.


Perhaps,though,you question whether Bernie is the right candidate for
you. Then, “Take the Quiz” at http://www.isidewith.com/ to discover
which of the 15 announced presidential candidates most agrees with your
policy opinions. If you find, as I did, that Bernie best represents your
views, plan to join other Milpitas Bernie Boosters at the home of Rob
Means, 1421 Yellowstone Avenue on Wednesday, July 29, at 7:00pm. Please
register to attend at https://go.berniesanders.com/page/event/share/wsw

-- 
Rob Means, Vice-President
Santa Clara County Democratic Club
408-262-0420  rob.means at electric-bikes.com
1421 Yellowstone Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035-6913
www.democraticclub-scc.org/  a progressive organization
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