I am starting to worry that the government is incapable of addressing long-term problems. Political will is both heavily polarized and dominated by the problem of the week. Issues that are more abstract and that will emerge gradually just don’t energize most citizens and hence offer little leverage for politicians taking one position or another. I would hope our politicians would act on principle, but most seem more followers of public opinion than leaders.
Climate change and the reaction of politicians makes a great example of this type of problem. The United Nations just released a study showing that while climate change is too often regarded as a “future problem” we are now within a 20-year window to prevent major impact. Politicians may have positions on this issue, but understanding what such positions might require that voters have deep insight into individual candidates. Consider the ads that appear in this election season. So many are negative and I bet the 30-second spots informing the choices you and I must make makes mention of the issue of climate change. Will this candidate raise your taxes? Does this candidate embody the “state name” values that you supposedly endorse? Will this candidate encourage economic growth by removing government protections?
Trump’s promotion of coal industry jobs, questioning established science, and attacking multi-nation organizations such as the U.N. shows how easy it is to attack long-term goals. It is like the famous “marshmallow” test – it is easy to be tempted by an immediate benefit that commitment to a long-term advantage. If only the outcome of many important issues were simply the number of marshmallows we could consume.
Educators and parents take notice. I think you are our only hope. Where else will the leadership promoting principles and long-term values come from. It appears we cannot count on politicians or commercial interests to look beyond the next election or the next quarterly report.