By Don  C. Reed

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.—Thomas Payne, December  23, 1776

Famous words: written when America’s future hung in the balance, and shoeless patriots left bloody footprints in the snows of Valley Forge.

We  are more comfortable  today, with our slippers on,  in front of our TV sets,  but the threat to our  Democracy is no less.

Some say,  “this is the most important Presidential election of our lives”.

And they’re right.  This is the decisive vote of our generation.

As I write this, the rain is flooding down, in Los Angeles of  all places: too much water,  in places not  prepared  for it. It has also  rained  like  crazy  in  Northern  California–  to  dry into tinder  for forest fires–Can anyone doubt  the existence of global  climate  change? Trump does.

Former President Donald J. Trump considers global  climate change a “hoax” and has given massive  tax credits to polluters— should he be in charge of protecting the  environment?

Are we not  better off with the man who challenges the  polluters,   who will literally  make them pay? (1)

Check  this  out: According to the  EPA:  Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. (Of these gases) methane is the number one cause of global warming  pollution.

If you are  a big polluter,  under  Joe Biden you literally will pay for it—under the Methane Emissions Charge. As it  becomes more  expensive  to pollute, pressures mount to develop  and  utilize  clean energy.

Biden knows it will   take money  to bring  change; that’s why he  has dedicated $370  billion  to battle climate  change: more than all previous  Presidents combined. (2)

I don’t  agree with Uncle Joe on everything,  that’s  for sure.  But when do two people ever completely agree?    I am a progressive, from the liberal wing of the  Democratic  party.  Of course, I will have  to compromise; I will not get my way 100%  on anything.

But  I also know the guarantee of failure:  if I  stay home and do nothing.

As a  Californian, I have three elections to keep  track  of:

  • Presidential Primary Election – March 5, 2024
  • Congressional District 20, Special Primary Election – March 19, 2024
  • General Election – November 5, 2024

No matter what state  you live in,  if you have questions, call the Elections  Assistance Commission (3):  (toll-free)  1 (866) 747-1471)

California makes voting  easy, sending out paperwork, so I can vote from home, if I want: I already  have some background materials. If I want more,  I go here:

https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/contact-information/

If I want  an actual  person to talk to—916-653-6814

I wanted  to find out my  voter status, so I clicked on:

https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/

It said: “Active” so I was happy  about that.

As soon  as the official voting envelope  arrives,  I  will put it  to good use: checking the boxes for the people  I want, the issues I support.

I will do it right away; wanting my vote counted as soon as possible. There is a  reason  for this; once my  vote  is “banked” (recorded) my  party  won’t have to keep spending as much money on me,  sending fliers  to my  address.

Suggestion: whatever differences  we may  have, now is the time to set them aside, to work together toward our  shared goals. We  can make Earth   better  for everyone.

Or,  we can sit home and complain. If  we do that, and throw away our sacred right to organize  and vote—we will deserve  what happens next, when an enemy without limits takes  control.

Trump is at the gates right now; do we give him the  keys to  the  city?

Or  do we share  the fight,  side by side with Uncle Joe?

1.    https://blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/2022/08/23/the-new-methane-emissions-charge-one-limited-but-important-stick-in-the-inflation-reduction-act/

2.    Biden celebrates as climate law marks first year

3.    https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state

Don C. Reed is the author of four books on the California stem cell program,  including most recently: Science, Politics, Stem Cells and Genes: CALIFORNIA’S WAR ON CHRONIC DISEASE, from World Scientific Publishers Inc., available at a discount from:

https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/12997#t=aboutBook

Visit his website at: https:www.stemcellbattles.net

Reed has also written numerous books and award-winning articles on sharks, dolphins, eels, seals and killer whales, based on 15 years as a professional diver for Marine World Africa  USA. His books are available at Amazon.com.

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