bush to move U.S. from powerhouse to greenhouse

by Robert DeFrance

Published: April 22, 2008

With President Bush’s poll numbers wavering just below 20%, he is undergoing a political metamorphosis. For one, having never offered another country anything other than rounds and missiles, last month he offered Africa humanitarian aid to curb HIV/AIDS and malaria. Next, on Wednesday April 16^th, Bush demonstrated classic 2^nd term disassociation from his constituents by suggesting the need for the U.S. to “halt the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025” (CNN). How far he has fallen to attack his own economic interests in a failed effort for increased popularity. It seems as though Bush has forgotten the secret to his success fueling the U.S. economy - in spite of the environment. It’s a shocking turn of events, considering his proactively-destructive policies toward the environment; however, he has recently affronted the U.S. economy with his pro-environment, greenhouse-gas emission statement.

Thus, Bush has moved from being the president of an economic powerhouse, to the commander in chief of a greenhouse. Given what his administration has done to kill the earth, this new position assaults the logical senses. The Bush administration will go down in U.S. presidential history for:

Cutting key sections of the Clean Water and Clean Air Act (Motherjones)

Crippling the Superfund Agency, which cleans up toxic waste (MJ)

Cutting funding to the EPA by 1/5, the lowest level ever (MJ)

Decreasing fines against polluting corporations (MJ)

Reducing criminal prosecutions against polluting corporations by 1/3 (MJ)

Opening 1 million acres to logging in Arizona, Utah and California (MJ)

Walking away from the Kyoto agreement (Motherjones and NRDC)

Censoring scientific reports (MJ)

Putting forth the “Clear Skies Act,” which allows for increased air pollution (MJ and NRDC)

Claiming nuclear power is good for environment (NRDC)

Opposing renewable energy (MJ)

Rolling back air-conditioning energy efficiency standards (MJ)

All of this work has been a tremendous advantage to the oil industry, among others. But, now, Bush makes this drastic proposal, which is really just empty rhetoric—unless he actually signs it into law (and even then…). He outrageously calls for emission reduction by 2025. That means we could reduce emissions as soon as five presidents from now! However, this speech is less surprising than some may think - Bush originally campaigned under the promise to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which makes me wonder how a tree-hugging hippie like Bush could even get elected in the first place.

About Bush’s proposal on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Sierra Club Executive Director said, “under the president’s plan, we’ll need a real miracle to save us from global warming.”

Well, it’s a good thing Bush is no stranger to prayer. Maybe it will work this time. (Please see his unfettered optimism about the Iraq invasion).

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