Jesh Foundation

Most pre-boomers, as kids, were fed a steady dose of patriotism and became tools in supporting the war effort. Things like War Bond drives and collecting tin cans and newspapers to raise money at home to support the troops overseas were promoted in the public schools. After the war, civic programs like Community Chest and Red Feather charities grew through the help of the education system. But is pursing the “green” agenda more propaganda than it is education?

There’s no doubt that those of us born between 1930 and 1945, today’s New Seniors, want our grandchildren and great grandchildren to be good citizens. Just as we were taught. As kids, we grew “victory gardens,” participated in the springtime “clean up, fix up, paint up” neighborhood beautification campaigns and learned about nutrition and eating better foods. But the way government is approaching the green subject seems politically orientated at best and at worst is tantamount to brain washing.

“What about global warming?” you ask. What about it? There are too many scientists on both sides of the issue for anyone to claim victory. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago when the cover of Time Magazine warned of the dangers of global cooling. A few years back, the former vice-president of this country hooked up with global warming activists and investors to promote the notion of selling carbon credits to control and discourage excessive energy use, assuming emerging and developing countries will comply.

This commercial venture has moved forward in the USA via a program to tax energy usage (Cap and Trade), and a bill has made it through the House. The Senate is next and then presidential approval. This will not only increase the cost of energy for all citizens, it means raising the price for products manufactured in this country and for transporting all goods, no matter where they come from. Why push for an energy tax that would put American companies at a competitive disadvantage and cost all consumers more when global warming is being downgraded as an environmental threat?

“Global climate disruption” is the new buzz phrase designed to make us aware of the problems associated with mankind not taking care of the planet. Disruption sounds more immediate and devastating than global warming, particularly to young impressionable minds. It suggests a major catastrophe. You know, like the images conjured up during the Cold War when kids had to practice hiding under their desk in case the Russians decided to drop a bomb on your school.

The government seems to want to indoctrinate upcoming generations about the poor job their parents and older generations have done to preserve the environment and admonish us for not jumping on board the greening of America bandwagon. Maybe those behind the school program hope the children will embarrass us into submission, as was the case with the anti-smoking effort. In the meantime, many of us can’t help but wonder if the green agenda could be an important stimulus, one that could make this country whole again. Or, will it just take our collective eyes off the real problems?