To further set the tone of his environmental agenda, Bush has nominated New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R) to head the EPA. As governor, Whitman cut her state's environmental protection budget by 30% and promoted voluntary compliance with environmental regulations. In New Jersey, a heavily industrialized state with the nation's highest concentration of Superfund sites, Whitman's Department of Environmental Protection tried to persuade polluters to mend their ways voluntarily. It has collected few fines and filed few lawsuits, relying heavily on the polluters themselves to monitor their own emissions, even approving a "grace period" for businesses caught out of compliance. Whitman also removed more than 1,000 chemicals from the state's right-to-know list.
Showing his oily ancestry, Bush nominated outgoing Senator Spencer Abraham (R-Michigan) for Energy Secretary, a choice that has infuriated environmentalists and renewable energy advocates. Abraham, who lost his Senate race last fall, tried to abolish the Energy Department while in Congress. Abraham also fought to block higher fuel-economy standards for sport-utility vehicles, lower the federal gasoline tax, and open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas drilling. He opposed increased funding for renewable energy research and received a zero percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters in the last Congress.
Extending his middle finger to social justice advocates, Bush nominated Linda Chavez as his choice for Labor Secretary and John Ashcroft for Attorney General. Chavez has a long record of opposition to gay rights and affirmative action, and strong ties to the religious right. Her nomination was withdrawn when it was revealed she once hired an illegal immigrant. Elaine Chao is the new nominee. John Ashcroft, who lost Senate re-election in November to a dead man (former Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan), is a longtime hero of the Christian right for his record on civil rights, his unwavering opposition to abortion rights and strong support for the death penalty. Ashcroft has opposed federal gun control legislation, and he sponsored a landmark program contained in the 1996 Welfare Reform Act that allowed states to provide services through religious groups. He sides with Bush in opposing a moratorium on executions due to concerns over the racial composition of state and federal death rows. Ashcroft has shown little interest in aggressive enforcement of civil rights laws, environmental protections and antitrust regulations.
Whether or not these nominations are approved, Bush has closely aligned his administration with the far right, the corporate and the intolerant. He has removed any pretense of bringing America together. Seemingly oblivious to the will of the majority of citizens, he is acting as if he has a mandate to rule. His government is of the plutocracy, by the corporation, and for the established status quo. We'll have to contend with off-shore oil leases being re-opened; further threats from big timber; additional degradation to air and water quality, denial of global warming; loosening of environmental standards regarding endangered species; pesticides and genetic engineering; and intolerance of people's sexual orientation, race and non-Christian beliefs.
Don't mourn! Organize!
For years many of us have defended social and environmental justice. We have just been kicked in our collective butts. This is not the time to "turn the other cheek." It's time to go on the offensive. Grassroots education and organization are our greatest weapons. The MEC has the organizational abilities, resources, alliances and connections to educate and organize our community. We welcome activists to use our facilities for their campaigns.
Money is a problem. They have it and we don't. The term "Fight fire with fire" comes to mind to explain our need for the evil stuff. The opposition, both government and corporate, is well funded. Money is needed now to fund campaigns and community forums. Whether you donate time or money, please dig deep. Together we are powerful and growing stronger. If there is a particular issue that you want to help fund or work on please contact us. Future generations are counting on us all.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2001
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited