“There’s been a lot of talk about “shared sacrifice” as American lawmakers try to button down the spending that many blame for the nation’s problems.
Personally, I don’t understand why the discussion seems to be entirely about entitlement programs, with no talk about the defense spending. I am perpetually perplexed about our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan, which seems to be as much of a moving target as the terrorists we’re chasing, while the money flies out of the Treasury as if a giant vacuum were sucking off the conveyor belt (Want a visual? Check out CostofWar.com’s ticker.)
I get it that many government programs could stand some tweaking and scrutinizing. But Congress seems to be taking a hedge clippers to the lawn ornamentation, while a tornado bears down on the horizon.
Why would we give the EPA’s budget a buzz cut while we stand on the brink of climate disaster?
When it comes to things like this, I have to conclude, as I sometimes do in my household populated by teenagers, that we’ve landed in “upside-down world”, where our priorities have been flipped – by special interests, the heedless drive for profits, myopia, short-term thinking – and so we pursue our own selfish goals at any cost. At least that’s how it works at my house. And at the House of Representatives.
While we’re in upside-down world, we’re failing to find the path of common sense.
I’d like to suggest a way back. Go to a green festival this week. It’s Earth Day (April 22) and there’s almost certainly something going on near you.
There, I promise, you’ll find a wealth of common sense. It’s intrinsic. It’s practically the definition of sustainability. Some think green living is about more…groan… shared sacrifice. But don’t believe these naysayers. It is about choosing a promising and clean path to a future that conserves energy and resources, ultimately making our lives easier, not more difficult.
OK, I’ll say it. Give Green a Chance.”
READ MORE: This Earth Day get to a green festival! via Barbara Kessler – ABC Green Right Now
