A: How do you stop the U.S. from taking action on a global threat whose existence has been documented through the peer-reviewed, published research of 97% of the scientists who’ve studied it?
B: Label all attempts at dealing with this issue a “tax” and get soulless politicians to pledge to oppose any action.
Such has been the strategy of the Koch Brothers in directing their wholly-owned subsidiary, the Republican party. Their “No Climate Tax” pledge has attracted the signatures of 411 political hacks, only 3 of whom were Democrats — and every one of whom needs to be politically targeted with the goal of ending their political careers, for the sake of a healthy future for our kids.
You can see the list of signatories here. I’ve listed Virginia signers below, to put all our allies on notice of the need to work hard to send these losers into involuntary retirement.
A few points:
– Note the presence of Republicans like Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Rep. Scott Rigell, who have sometimes been alleged to be “moderates” — but clearly not when the money and support of the Koch brothers and Fossil Fuel Lobby are at stake.
– This list underscores the importance of finding strong Democrats to run against potentially vulnerable Republicans on this list, like Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel.
– Interesting that a coastal community like Virginia Beach would actually have a City Councilwoman (Rosemary Wilson) willing to let it bear the ravages of sea level rise and more violent and frequent storms.
And here is the Commonwealth’s Climate Rogue’s Gallery:
US House
Scott Rigell – U.S. Representative – 2nd District
Robert Hurt – U.S. Representative – 5th District
Eric Cantor – U.S. Representative – 7th District – Majority Leader
Morgan Griffith – U.S. Representative – 9th District
State Officials
Bill Bolling – Lieutenant Governor
Ken Cuccinelli II – Gubernatorial Candidate
State Senate
Steve Martin- State Senator – 11th District
Frank M. Ruff Jr.- State Senator – 15th District
Jill H. Vogel- State Senator – 27th District
State House
Lacey Putney – State Delegate – 19th District
Tommy Wright – State Delegate – 61st District
M. Kirkland Cox – State Delegate – 66th District – Majority Whip
Brenda Pogge – State Delegate – 96th District
Local
Rosemary Wilson – City Councilwoman, Virginia Beach
Evict them all!
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
