Letter to the Editor: Time For A Grand Idea

Many have scoffed at grand ideas. But what is the harm in discussing grand ideas? We didn’t have national parks until a Republican president acted. Teddy Roosevelt initiated a “grand” idea to preserve and protect American land providing national parks for all our citizens to enjoy. Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower had the “grand” idea to have an Interstate Highway System. Folks didn’t concentrate on how we could afford these ideas but focused on making these ideas realities and part of our American way of life. The New Deal implemented by Democratic President Roosevelt had a lasting impact on the economy and social fabric of the U.S.

Now we have an opportunity to embrace another grand idea for the future of our country. We can repeat the previous successes with another grand idea!

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has the idea of a top marginal tax rate of 70 percent for those earning over 10 million dollars in a single year to use the extra revenue to achieve two ambitious sets of goals. Her plan is called the “Green New Deal” which envisions a 10-year transition to clean energy supported by well-paying jobs. The House Resolution creating the “Green New Deal” notes the effort needed is comparable to the effort behind the original “New Deal” of the 1930s.

The stated goals of the “Green New Deal” are “to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission through a fair and just transition,” “to create millions of good, high-wage jobs,” “to invest in the infrastructure and industry of the United States,” “to secure for all people of the United States [a healthy environment], and “to promote justice and equity [for all people].”  

These goals when achieved will greatly benefit the United States and its citizens and its citizens’ children and grandchildren.

This grand idea is of vital importance to maintaining a viable future on our earth. According to the Pulse article “By the numbers” Feb. 15-22 , 81 percent of registered voters support the Green New Deal which includes 92 percent of Democrats, 88 percent of independents and 64 percent of Republicans.

Let’s have a national conversation about the Green New Deal.  How can we make improvements on the plan? How can we pay for it? How can we support its passage? Let us not shut out the new grand idea! Please let your elected representatives know your support for the “Green New Deal” and ways you think it needs to be improved.  

Judy Brodd

Sister Bay, Wis.