Watch out. We may be putting a price on the very air we breathe.
Lake County offers a perfect view of the night sky and more stars than I have seen from anywhere else in the world. It doesn”t matter who you are, how much money you make or where you live in Lake County, we all see the same black/blue velvet blanket peppered with constellations that most people have to go to planetariums to view.
Nature is so non-discriminating.
One of the most wonderful attributes of this county is the clean air; the cleanest in the state and the third cleanest in the country, according to the state”s Air Resource Board.
Proposition 23, “Suspends implementation of air pollution control law (AB 32) requiring major sources of emissions to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for a full year,” according to the Official Voter Information Guide.
The unemployment rate in California has only been at 5.5 percent or less for four consecutive quarters, three times since 1970.
It is likely that the state”s unemployment rate will remain 8 percent or higher for a minimum of the next five years.
The American Lung Association calls Proposition 23 a serious threat to public health and states, “It would allow polluters to avoid laws that require them to reduce harmful greenhouse gases and air pollution.”
So who would want to pollute California?
Proposition 23 is backed by millions of dollars by Texas oil giants, Valero and Tesoro. It may be in the best interest of those companies to repeal clean energy and air pollution standards, so that they are less accountable for what the companies put into our air.
People are afraid though. Fear motivates often. The proposition claims it will bring back jobs.
I respectfully disagree.
The state”s green job market is motoring, with growth occurring faster than any other state. Roughly half a million people in the state are employed by clean technology companies. These people could potentially lose their jobs. That”s a lot of jobs. Additionally, more than 12,000 clean energy businesses may need to close up shop.
I have been told that people are motivated either by love or fear.
I love clean air. I love seeing Orion”s Belt, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper and the Milky Way. I typically steer clear of voicing political opinions, but every once in a while, I must. But, please vote with your own conscience and based on your own priorities, these are mine.
When I was younger, my father told me, “Choose the mountain you”re going to die on.” In other words, pick carefully what is meaningful to you, instead of arguing everything. When you champion a cause or position, do it with confidence and gusto.
As for me, I choose to die on Mount Konocti staring at the stars.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
