The two issues that most threaten the existence of humanity and other life on earth are the proliferation of nuclear weapons and climate change exacerbated by the continuing, unregulated extraction and use of fossil fuels. With the selection of Donald Trump, these threats are greater than ever for America and the planet.
Trump wants to greatly expand our nuclear capability to bring other nations to their senses. Nothing like one of his tweets to provoke a new nuclear arms race. Why not, it's great for business. To understand Trump and his cabinet, just follow the money. We were all warned not to let the Siberian candidate near the nuclear codes.
Russia and the United States each have 7,000 nukes. That's enough to destroy the planet and all life on it several times over. Of course, Comrade-In-Chief Trump and his billionaire cabinet probably have underground bunkers that could sustain them and their families for months or years. They could care less about the rest of us melting on the surface from radiation or freezing to death from nuclear winter. While previous presidents worked to reduce the total number of nuclear weapons, Trump and his plutocrats want to increase them thereby raising the risk of total nuclear destruction.
On climate change, President Obama made major strides to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere with the Paris Climate Agreement and EPA regulations on coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions. Trump and his oligarch cabinet plan to gut all regulations designed to protect the climate and the environment. He is off to a great start by nominating someone to the EPA who is a paid lackey for the fossil fuel industry. Say goodbye to sensible climate and environmental regulations to protect our air, water and biosphere. Say goodbye to our pristine public lands and national treasures as they become sludge pits to further enrich the Trumps and other oligarchs in his administration and the fossil fuel industry.
Nuclear war and climate disaster are now more likely under a Trump administration. Only in America can you win the popular vote by 3 million votes and lose the election. So enjoy Russia's choice for President of the United States as humanity and other life on Earth moves closer to extinction.
David J. Iacono
Westminster
