As the 2008 Presidential election is approaching America is once again looking for a savior ? a leader ? and the usual suspects are performing their usual good cop-bad cop routines.
Perhaps we should realize that each of us is the leader he or she has been looking for ? that for America to adapt to new world and environmental conditions, we must change, particularly change our lifestyles. The party is over; the long period of irresponsible behavior is ending, and the rent is due. We can no longer live like spoiled brats who take whatever we want from the earth and give back trash and toxic waste without a thought for the future generations.
No President, no administration is going to force a change on us, particularly when controlled by industries that profit so much from despoiling the environment. We must ? each of us ? find the vision and the courage to change and lead our government away from hyper militarization and the exhaustion of resources, which are suicidal trends that can only lead to global war. Only then will we achieve a valid world leadership status to ask China, for example, to curb its pollution, which is presently reaching Canada and is expanding beyond all reason.
Raphael Montoliu
Lakeport
