To the Editor:

As the undeniable scientific evidence of climate change and its causes and consequences mount, it is unfortunate that extremist conservatives denounce any mention of a proposed Green New Deal. New leadership and a common national purpose that can rise to this great challenge are needed. The president and Republicans are failing us.

 When Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the presidency in 1933 the country faced a crisis that is hard to fathom today. My grandparents never forgot it nor did their children. One quarter of the country was unemployed, there was no social safety net  —no Social Security, no Medicare, no Medicaid, few agencies to regulate banking, commerce or public health. The Dust Bowl was destroying the “bread basket of the world.” Many were hungry and afraid. Fascism was on the rise. Totalitarianism appeared to be an attractive alternative to capitalism and democracy. It was a global crisis of unprecedented proportions. 

In spite of the daunting challenges FDR had unwavering confidence in the American people and in himself. The New Deal, while not perfect, saved the country and placed the United States in a position to help save the world from tyranny.

Roosevelt, crippled by polio, did it all from a wheelchair. “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” he confidently reassured the American people. Quite a contrast to the current state of leadership in the country.

Conservatives fought President Roosevelt every step of the way, accusing him of socialist policies, communism and worse. They included his wife, Eleanor, in their criticism, an important American herself and our greatest First Lady. Even today, strong women pose a threat to some of our male politicians. The same fear mongering will be used against a proposed Green New Deal.  

Bold action and leadership with great vision will be needed. Many will cry hoax and scream that it’s all a socialist takeover.  Absurd. We must come together. As Lincoln foresaw, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” The crisis is upon us and it’s not going away. Citizens of all political persuasions ought to able to rally around sustainable solutions to a national and global crisis. The social, economic and environmental benefits could be tremendous.

“Men and nature must work hand in hand. The throwing out of balance of the resources of nature throws out of balance also the lives of men.” – FDR

Jeff White

Waynesville