McKinney Represents Green Party in 2008 Presidential Election
Even politics can go green. Like the economy and health care, our environment is a crucial issue in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The news media has turned all its attention to the contest between McCain and Obama. For those wanting another perspective, one that is finely tuned to the issues of environment, the Green Party has chosen Cynthia McKinney.
McKinney’s nomination was announced on Sunday, but her dedication to environmental issues was clearly evident at the nation’s first Green Presidential Debate. Her campaign centers around six central environmental solutions, as seen on the following YouTube video.
In summary, the solutions she has on her agenda are:1. “Leave the oil in the soil” –Initiatives to end dependence upon petroleum must be taken seriously to succeed.
2. “Utilize and grow existing green technologies” – We have the technology it is time we started using it.
3. “Develop green jobs in underdeveloped communities” – outsourcing and a stressed economy have reduced the job bank. Green collar jobs will give back to nature and the community’s finances.
4. “Encourage Organic Farming” – Pesticides aren’t just unhealthy for human consumption, but they unnaturally reduce the insect population.
5. “Just Say ‘NO’ to Genetically Modified Foods” – Many of the foods we enjoy today have been genetically altered in one way or another; however, it is still debatable that these processes are unhealthy for humans and the earth.
6. “Implement Sustainable land and water use policies” – Ensuring clean water and ecologically conscious construction/building procedures can be sustained for years to come.
It’s evident that none of these initiatives are truly revolutionary ideas. Environmentalists have been clamoring for this type of action for years. If nothing else, McKinney can serve to represent those who take the earth’s future to heart and at the same time put the pressure on both Obama and McCain to remember the future green economy is a powerful issue not to be taken lightly.