The price of freedom, a decent job and a sustainable environment is eternal vigilance.
Upholding democracy at home and abroad is an immediate concern. The period of reduced geopolitical tension following the breakup of the Soviet Union is over. Russia wants to resurrect the Soviet empire and China wants to expand its influence throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Ukraine-Russia crisis and the Taiwan-China situation demand support from the West, including defensive weapons. The U.S. and the EU need to increase defense spending.
The weakened middle class is threatening American democracy. Sending manufacturing jobs to China was a mistake. Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. is necessary both to reduce social polarization and to boost national security. The current labor shortage and greater union activism are enabling large wage increases, which could take some financial pressure off the working class. For national security, Congress is working on the CHIPs Act and the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act.
Drought, wildfires and reduced water allotments are becoming the norm in the western U.S. Other parts of the U.S. face increasing risks from hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and extreme temperatures. Same picture globally. If we want the Earth to sustain our lifestyles, we need to sustain the Earth. That requires changes in water use, agricultural practices and transportation as well as adequate supplies of oil and gas.
Effectively addressing these issues requires bipartisanship by politicians and by voters. Please vote for candidates of whatever party that commit to work cooperatively.
Tom DeHudy
Durango
