Opinion | Don’t let politics get in the way of good environmental policy

Second, the committee assumes that Republicans refuse to engage on climate issues, even through market-based mechanisms and trade policy. Democrats do not have a monopoly on environmental policy. The Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which I co-sponsored with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), proposes charging certain imported industrial and energy products based on their emissions intensity relative to similar domestic products. Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who served in multiple Republican administrations, has advocated using U.S. trade policy to make China pay for its pollution.

The Foreign Pollution Fee Act would not only reduce global emissions, but also spur job creation, promote innovation, strengthen global supply chain security, and enable U.S. companies to compete fairly on the international stage without imposing a domestic carbon tax, which I firmly oppose.

In light of the above myth-busting, it is necessary to avoid unnecessarily politicizing the issue by maligning Republicans. These actions undermine the potential for Congress to work together to enact meaningful policies that advance U.S. national economic interests and hold the world’s largest polluters accountable.

The author is a Republican and represents Louisiana in the U.S. Senate.

A recent family trip to Washington D.C. affected me much more than usual. I’m always inspired when I go to Washington, but this trip was special.

Like many people over the past few years, I absorbed the negativity and cynicism projected by many politicians and the media, but being in Washington changed my perspective. Everyone I saw seemed so energetic, positive and hopeful. There’s something in the air, and it’s not just the cherry blossoms (so beautiful!).

That’s something deeply American: possibility. cooperate. Innovation. hope. Renew. transformation.

At one intersection, dozens of bronze naval statues vividly illustrate the courage, tenacity and ingenuity of Americans in the face of mortal danger. The buildings, steps, pillars and tall windows around me exude the history of overcoming obstacles, making compromises, and moving aggressively toward a more inclusive country.

DC spoke to me. It changed my perspective from small and fearful to big and hopeful.

My new, more hopeful perspective gives me confidence that we can overcome our nation’s problems. We have overcome greater threats.

We are not destined to succumb to tyrants. We are not destined to lose our democratic soul. We are not destined to be consigned to the dustbin of history as many would like us to believe. America has reserves of strength at our disposal because that strength is built on confidence, diversity, and hope.

The first order of business then is to project that confidence outward and reach those who don’t feel it.

Today, many working class people feel forgotten. They have no hope. They do daily, hands-on work for our country, but they don’t feel like they’re trusted or appreciated. This atmosphere fosters division, acrimony and mistrust.

With the election coming up, President Biden can make workers feel less invisible and make them feel valued, but I think he has to talk about them every day.

The more Mr. Biden points out the contributions of workers, the more he emphasizes their value to our country, and the more he emphasizes their importance, the more workers will feel remembered. The more they will feel appreciated. The feeling of being appreciated is strong. It can help lift our country up and resist our divisions and vitriol.

I believe that, as a nation, we can work together to create a positive, innovative and fulfilling future. A future where all our children can reach their full potential.

Daniel Wasik, Fanwood, New Jersey

Climate is a family business for everyone

It’s no surprise that Katherine Murdoch avoids discussing the family business, as reported in the April 10 Style article, “An upbeat vibe.” She worries that today’s young people have a feeling that the future is already determined but there is nothing they can do about it. One of the reasons scientists are sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change is to counter the climate denialism of Fox News.

For years, Fox News hosts such as Tucker Carlson, Jesse Waters, Laura Ingraham and others have tried to debunk the scientific consensus about climate change. According to Media Matters, Fox News hosts, anchors and guests are spreading misinformation and false narratives almost daily aimed at hindering efforts to address the climate crisis. Perhaps Ms. Murdoch can work on behalf of her own family and encourage them to stop climate denialism and start working on positive solutions to the most important problems we face today.

Abortion double standards

I am getting increasingly angry about the abortion issue. At the moment, the abortion debate seems to be about punishing women. We no longer see that person (or sperm donor).

If we were only talking about creating IVF, then you could reduce this discussion to a completely scientific discussion, but then there would be no need to punish anyone except the scientists involved. This may still happen.

Apart from the Bible, women do not experience perfect conception. So, what about men?

What if we proposed legislation making it illegal for men over 50 to get anyone pregnant? What about making it illegal for men to take erectile dysfunction drugs? If a man is convicted of rape, incest or sexual assault, should he be required to be forcibly castrated?

Contraception is almost always viewed as a woman’s responsibility. But we know that’s not the case. Measures such as the above are unlikely to pass our male-dominated legislative bodies at the state or federal level.

These measures would punish men in the same way they punish women in terms of reproduction. Moreover, the subject is reproduction, not abortion.

Julie van Egmond, Naples, Florida

I don’t understand why the Arizona Supreme Court punishes women for having abortions but not the men who get them pregnant. In this case, I think it is only fair to ban Viagra immediately.

Sharon Ostry, fort worth