I want to share a story. For all of you who think that you cannot participate in the political process, for all of you who think that there is no point in participating in the political process, and for all of you that still have faith in the political process, but could use a little refresher, I retell last nights events. As you all know, I am lobbying for a revenue neutral carbon fee and dividend. You also know that I have written to the incumbent, Chris Gibson -R, several times, addressed him in letters to the editor many times, and have submitted questions for him in interviews. Last night, he happened to call my house. He was conducting town hall meetings by phone. My house was just randomly on the list. He gave an introduction and then took questions from those of us that wished to submit them. I managed to be second in line for my question. Now, you must understand, I am a little phobic of phones. Ask Ed, he will tell you how reluctant I was to talk with him in the beginning of our relationship. So, I submitted my question. I wasnt sure if I would be asking the question of him directly, or if the staffer would. I wasnt sure if I wanted to be the one to ask, so that I could word it correctly, and with my own passion, or if I would prefer the staffer ask, so my sweaty palms and racing heart wouldnt betray me. As it happened, I was to ask the question directly. I took a deep breath, and remembered that what was truly important to me was conveying to him what I thought I had to say. That I personally have something to say to him that I thought would have meaning for him. That what really mattered was that he heard that I think we need a leader to take command of climate change and that I thought he could be that leader. What hubris, to think I can know that or say that. But that is what I believe, so onward I went. I laid out what I know of his position. I appreciated his strong desire to ensure that poor and working class citizens are not saddled with high energy costs. I told him I appreciated his sincerity, which is truly valuable and very rare. Then I reiterated that the bottom two thirds of earners get back more in the dividend than they pay in the fee. I recognized his acceptance of science and acknowledgment that human caused climate change is real and needs to be addressed. I also recognized that he believes we are making progress already. I pointed out that the IPCC report and scientists world round agree that we are not doing it fast enough to avoid 2C change in average global temperature. Then I told him that I really appreciated that he has said he will continue to consider the revenue neutral carbon fee and dividend. And that I sensed that his biggest concern with it was that Congress would mess it up, and it wouldnt end up being revenue neutral. I said that we need someone to take command of climate in Congress to ensure that we both reduce our emissions and protect our economy. And then I told him that I thought he might be the man that could do that. And then, I asked for his comments on all of that. Phew. I think my blood pressure dropped at that point and I tried to write down what he wrote. He told me that I had been eloquent. He said that I had pretty much represented exactly where he stands. And then he elaborated on each point. He explained how his familys personal experience when he was a kid with high energy prices was a difficult one. That no family should experience it. So, yes, that was a high priority to him. He expressed some concerns about our area being rural and having long drives, being cold and having extra heating. He then went to my second point. Yes, climate change is clearly upon us. He related how his office has been inundated with extreme weather event issues, including flooding. He named the nameable storms, and added some storms that didnt get names. He raised the military experience and droughts and fires across the country. And, yes, we are making great strides. He pointed to solar production here in NY. He talked about envisioning a day when everyone who was replacing their roof could add solar. He pointed to the great energy independence and democratization that would bring. And for my final point, he said, yes. Congressional process can really mess things up. He does not want to see a legislative mess like what occurred with the ACA. He assured me that he was, indeed, still willing to look at the revenue neutral carbon fee and dividend. He needed to know more about its mechanisms and it was too unformed as of yet (that was not his word; I cannot recall the word he used). And then, he told me that he knew who I was. That he has read my letters and Facebook posts (I think he meant messages, not posts, but, who knows?). And that the eloquence I had shown did not disappoint his expectations. He spent 15 or 20 minutes on my question. He is not where we environmentalists want him. But imagine. Imagine if a Republican decided to lead on this. His challenger is in no position to make this happen. Sean Eldridge, while he has expressed some vague support for a price on carbon, is too young, disorganized, and inconsistent to truly lead. But Chris Gibson, with his experience already and his ability to cross the aisle, could be in a position to make it happen. And here is what I have only recently learned. First, the political process is not dead. It is slow as slugs. But it is not dead. Second, even Republicans can be sincere, honest and forthright as well as thoughtful and insightful. (He was also incredibly gracious to me). And, third, I can talk on the phone. Congressman Gibson, I have tagged you so that you have the opportunity to correct me if I have misrepresented anything that youve said. Thank you again for your thoughtful answers, your graciousness and your sincerity.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 20:57:40 +0000
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