Clean energy boom is leaving U.S. behind
The Energy Department aims to cut billions meant to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to “Energy cuts hit red states next,” AJC, Oct. 13. Who cares? Those grants waste resources and were never meant to solve our carbon pollution problem in the first place. It is a distraction that only delays the phaseout of fossil fuels. Same thing for subsidies to “hydrogen hubs.” Hydrogen is made from burning methane gas.
The article misses the bigger picture. We already know how to solve the problem without needing any new technology. The U.S. has wrung its hands during the so-called “debate” over the clean energy initiative. Even the Biden advancements were too little, too late. If the Democrats had stopped pandering to the “other side” that denies reality, declared a climate emergency and got busy deploying the existing technology today, it would have shown real leadership.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world is moving on and is cashing in on the clean energy boom. I fear that when historians tell the story of 2025, it will be about the passing of economic and political leadership from the U.S. to China.
JOHN DUKE, COLLEGE PARK
We must vote against tyranny to save democracy
In 1775, the British Parliament imposed taxes without representation, sent troops to occupy Boston and stripped Massachusetts of the power to govern itself. Our country was then founded on the bravery of those who rose up, crying, “Enough is enough.” Patriots fought this tyranny, prevailed and gave us our Constitution, which has grounded our democracy for 250 years.
The Constitution is being callously disregarded by an authoritarian president, “his” Supreme Court and venal Congressional Republicans in thrall to him, thereby jeopardizing our very democracy. Troops sent into “blue” states as retribution, under the guise of fighting crime. Unreasonable tariffs (taxes) are levied without Congressional approval as required by the Constitution, and American families will pay an average of $2,700 more annually. Families are already stretched and stressed by rising costs of food, medicine, rent and utilities.
The passage of the Big Beautiful Bill heaps indignities on those less fortunate by cutting health care and food programs. This is tyranny. Enough is enough!
We must rise up, organize, demonstrate our patriotism, be brave and vote against tyranny. Vote despite gerrymandering. Vote despite active voter suppression efforts. Vote no matter what obstacles are thrown at us. It’s the only way we can preserve our democracy, Constitution and freedom.
KATHLEEN COLLOMB, DECATUR
