Looking to 2018!
As we begin this new year, my hope is, we might expand our interest in what the future will bring. Our selfish greedy ways have been adversely impacting the natural world we depend upon for life, far too long. We are so focused on wealth and fluency, that we seem blind to the impacts we are having on our planet. Many, including several of our political leaders, are even unwilling to accept the fact that human demands are creating major environmental problems, some which may not reversible. There can be only one reason for ignoring the obvious facts that are rapidly destroying our natural world. We have allowed short term economic gains to become more important than long term adverse impacts on human life and, our political process is now focused on these economic short term goals! Frequently, while I was assigned to Legislative Affairs during the Reagan era, I over-heard politicians talking about their constituents, “as voters with very short memories”. 2017 has provided numerous examples that immediate gains now far outweigh long range problem resolutions. We are bragging about setting a record for the elimination of rules and regulations intended to protect our environment and to prolong life while we are ready to dispose of public assets such as; public forest and range lands, national parks and national monuments, by transferring them to the States where they will be sold to help balance budgets. We keep transferring major issues to the States where funding is inadequate and the number of tax payers to spread the costs over can be as small as a half million or as high as 40 million. State populations vary so widely that many are unable to provide the funding required for resolution of large issues and wide inconsistencies between states, attempting to solve the same issue can cause unacceptable and even detrimental impacts on the public. There is no question that as companies, corporations and public agencies expand the opportunity for in-efficiencies increases but, simply transferring the responsibility does not result in resolution. Somehow, we must focus on problem definition, including magnitude and cost, before deciding what level of government can best implement an acceptable solution. Searching for solutions before agreeing on the problem, usually results in failure!
The problem is; we are focused on the individual rather than the whole. Our worldwide corporations are focused on individual profits and individual’s success within the company, even religion is focused on redemption of the individual at the expense of creation. We educate our youth to succeed as individuals in a complex society, rather than the need for team solutions and public benefits. Our founding fathers set up a democratic system where elected representatives are supposed to solve issues for the good of the whole however, today’s political process appears to have changed direction considerably. Running for a political office today costs millions, even billions, resulting in the major focus now being on raising the funds required to win an election. The result has been to change the focus from the public to the individuals that provide the funding required to run a successful campaign. Even our science and technology tends to focus on new ways to improve our life style for the individual with little, if any, consideration for long term effects on the natural elements that sustain life. We continue to be told not to worry about the future as science and technology will provide the answers, yet history shows us that advancements in science and technology tends to accelerate the destruction of our life sustaining natural world!
What can we look forward too? Will we ever be able to change our selfish concerns for ourselves and begin to consider what this world will provide for future generations? Can we resolve to make a difference in 2018?
The changes we are talking about will take time, for there are no over-night fixes. Continuing with our current life styles will only limit or reduce our options and abilities to resolve life sustaining environmental issues! Time is working against us! My hope is 2018 will provide the opportunity to convince more people of the importance of becoming involved in searching for the solutions that will improve the outlook for life on this planet! The story of creation is far more complex than most of us have ever considered, and requires in-depth study and understanding if we are to make logical choices for the future. We simply cannot properly manage our natural world for the benefit of human life, until we can appreciate our connection and dependency upon that natural world!
What can you do? Search for truth and knowledge, spread the word, particularly to our youth and above all USE the power of your vote. MONEY MAY BE OVERLY INFLUENCING OUR CURRENT POLITICS BUT, MONEY CANNOT BUY OUR VOTES!
CHANGE WILL OCCUR WHEN WE FIND THE WISDOM TO RECOGNIZE MOTHER EARTH AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE, NOT A RESOURCE!!!
The problem is; we are focused on the individual rather than the whole. Our worldwide corporations are focused on individual profits and individual’s success within the company, even religion is focused on redemption of the individual at the expense of creation. We educate our youth to succeed as individuals in a complex society, rather than the need for team solutions and public benefits. Our founding fathers set up a democratic system where elected representatives are supposed to solve issues for the good of the whole however, today’s political process appears to have changed direction considerably. Running for a political office today costs millions, even billions, resulting in the major focus now being on raising the funds required to win an election. The result has been to change the focus from the public to the individuals that provide the funding required to run a successful campaign. Even our science and technology tends to focus on new ways to improve our life style for the individual with little, if any, consideration for long term effects on the natural elements that sustain life. We continue to be told not to worry about the future as science and technology will provide the answers, yet history shows us that advancements in science and technology tends to accelerate the destruction of our life sustaining natural world!
What can we look forward too? Will we ever be able to change our selfish concerns for ourselves and begin to consider what this world will provide for future generations? Can we resolve to make a difference in 2018?
The changes we are talking about will take time, for there are no over-night fixes. Continuing with our current life styles will only limit or reduce our options and abilities to resolve life sustaining environmental issues! Time is working against us! My hope is 2018 will provide the opportunity to convince more people of the importance of becoming involved in searching for the solutions that will improve the outlook for life on this planet! The story of creation is far more complex than most of us have ever considered, and requires in-depth study and understanding if we are to make logical choices for the future. We simply cannot properly manage our natural world for the benefit of human life, until we can appreciate our connection and dependency upon that natural world!
What can you do? Search for truth and knowledge, spread the word, particularly to our youth and above all USE the power of your vote. MONEY MAY BE OVERLY INFLUENCING OUR CURRENT POLITICS BUT, MONEY CANNOT BUY OUR VOTES!
CHANGE WILL OCCUR WHEN WE FIND THE WISDOM TO RECOGNIZE MOTHER EARTH AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE, NOT A RESOURCE!!!
