WHY DO REPUBLICANS LIKE FOSSIL FUELS AND NOT CARE THAT MUCH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Above is the title I used for one of my Huffington Post articles nearly five years ago.  Today in the Star Advertiser Richard Brill said something similar, but in a politically sensitive manner:

  Distrust of science grows along with partisan divide

For those who choose not to click on either posting, here is what Brill said:

• In 1974 50% distrusted science
• In 2009:  50% of liberals distrusted science, 40% of moderates and 38% of conservatives
• He hints that, perhaps, President Ronald Reagan might have spurred this attitude with statements like "A tree's a tree.  How many more do you need to look at."  He also removed President Carter's PV system from the roof of the White House and almost killed solar energy.

• Many conservatives, meaning largely Republicans, do not subscribe to the science and humanity associated with global warming, evolution and gay rights.

In a poll earlier this year, 69% of Democrats and 32% of Republicans said protecting the environnment should be a top priority.  The average American is at 52%.  38% of Democrats and 13% of Republicans listed climate change as a top priority.  The masses?  28%.

Brill provides no solutions.  My recommendation in my HuffPo was to vote for Barack Obama over John McCain.

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