Can we dare to hope?

[independent_uk]

Michael McCarthy writes: Can you hear it, the great unlocking sound? It's the sound of the door swinging open at last after nearly eight long years of being bolted and barred, the door that leads to progress in the world's attempt to grapple with the biggest problem it has ever faced: global climate change.

Barack Obama's statement of intent about

Comments

[tina06]

As much as I would love to believe that massive change is coming, I have to be realistic. No matter how well put together any legislation is, be it health care reform, or Kyoto Pact reform, the republicans won't be happy. And, yes, while the Democrats control the house and senate, the republicans will do anything and everything they can to change, halt, or otherwise impede any reforms they don't like.

[pariskan]

Isn't that rather the point of a dual- or multi-party system? The legislature is set up to prevent a tyranny of the majority.

No one political party is any smarter than another, and all have different ideas, often about how to achieve the same goals. Most are worth listening to and considering.

I'm not saying that I like the various ways in which compromise is often reached (pet projects here, bullying tactics there), but balance and compromise are essential in the governing of a country as large and diverse as the United States.

[allhatnocattle]

The economy has to be job#1 as dealing with that (or failure to) will effect all other decisions, from the war front to the environment to healthcare reforms.

The environment crisis is still very much disputed and far from conclusive. Both parties have folks on both sides of the issue and I'm not sure what decisions will result.

However if the issue is framed as an answer to the energy crisis, the economic crisis and global trade, the environmental issue can be swayed to respond more favourably. I believe this might be the tactic Obama might be willing to follow.

[mechers]

You mean we might finally start operating on the precautionary principle?

Dammit, Obama, stop tempting me to hope.

[wackinessensues]

Wowsa!

My comments to Change.gov, while about many things, had one underlying message...The US *must* Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Moving forward with an even more comprehensive and far-reaching effort is made of WIN!!!!

GObama!!!

We can all express the relevant hopes here:

[shustrik]

http://fearsandhopes.com/
It's a non-partisan site.