Water: A VERY Big Concern, But . . . .

The sign above is popping up around Sanibel.  There are three things you might consider as you vote, it seems to be saying, whether or not someone is a Republican, a Democrat, or concerned about water, but water is most important.  It is, in many ways, the overriding concern here on the island these days. 

This past summer our waters were turned virtually poisonous by red tide.  And across the Causeway in Fort Myers and beyond, canals, streams and parts of the Caloosahatchee River were covered with blue green algae. Dead fish covered our beaches, as well as turtles, manatees and even dolphins.  The birds that normally flock here were often missing.  I can't tell you when I last saw a pelican.  The human cost has hit many a pocket book as tourism virtually disappeared.  Millions and millions of dollars were lost by island businesses and those they employ.  It has been an economic and environmental disaster.  Make it your chief concern as you decide who to elect to office, the signs imply, and first and foremost ask, "Where does this candidate or that one stand on the water issues?"

Which is, indeed, vital.  We absolutely must elect candidates who are committed to the environment, committed to resolving the water issues and committed to addressing the other pressing ecological concerns like climate change.  But, and this is an important but, most if not all the candidates I've read about, heard about, listened to, at least here in Southwest Florida, seem to fit that criterion.  They are all saying we need to address the water issue. We can (and should) weigh out the depth of their commitments by examining their track records. We should ask questions about their ideas and plans for addressing the problem.  But ultimately any politician worth his or her salt, realizes this is non-negotiable for most all of us living here.  Water is not the distinguishing issue--not for most candidates.  Rather other matters are.  

Said another way, while it is vital that any candidate you vote for be committed to resolving the water issue, the responsible voter needs to look at other issues as well.  Where does a particular candidate stand on other environmental issues?  How do they suggest addressing the concerns of the poor?  What's his or her position on guns?  What has he or she said about race relations?  What is his or her position on immigration?  Education?  Women's rights?  Trade?  And perhaps most importantly, how willing is a candidate to reach across party lines to solve the issues that face us as a society?  Which may, in the end, be what the sign is trying to say.

Having the franchise, being a voter, should mean being willing to do a little work before you head for the polls.  Whomever we elect as Governor, Senator, and for all the state and local offices, isn't just going to be involved in decisions about water--they are going to make policies or cast votes on a wide array of issues.  Yes, I along with so many others, want action on the water issue and I want it now, but we all have a whole plethora of other concerns and issues as well.  Let's not forget them when we vote!

   

This past summer our waters were turned poisonous by red tide.  And across the Causeway in Fort Myers and beyond, canals, streams and parts of the Caloosahatchee River were covered with blue green algae. Dead fish covered our beaches, as well as turtles, manatees and even dolphins.  The birds that normally flock here were often missing.  I can't tell you when I last saw a pelican.  The human cost has hit many a pocket book as tourism virtually disappeared.  Millions and millions of dollars were lost by island businesses and those they employ.  It has been an economic and environmental disaster.  Make it your chief concern as you decide who to elect to office, the signs imply, and first and foremost ask, "Where does this candidate or that one stand on the water issues?"

Which is, indeed, vital.  We absolutely must elect candidates who are committed to the environment, committed to resolving the water issues and committed to addressing the other pressing ecological concerns like climate change.  But, and this is an important but, most if not all the candidates I've read about, heard about, listened to, at least here in Southwest Florida, seem to fit that criterion.  They are all saying we need to address the water issue. We can (and should) weigh out the depth of their commitments by examining their track records. We should ask questions about  their ideas and plans for addressing the problem.  But ultimately any politician worth his or her salt, realizes this is non-negotiable for most all of us living here.  Water is not the distinguishing issue--not for most candidates.  Rather other matters are.  

Said another way, while it is vital that any candidate you vote for be committed to resolving the water issue, the responsible voter needs to look at other issues as well.  Where does a particular candidate stand on other environmental issues?  How do they suggest addressing the concerns of the poor?  What's his or her position on guns?  What has he or she said about race relations?  What is his or her position on immigration?  Education?  Women's rights?  Trade?  And perhaps most importantly, how willing is a candidate to reach across party lines to solve the issues that face us as a society?  Which may, in the end, be what the sign is trying to say.

Having the franchise, being a voter, should mean being willing to do a little work before you head for the polls.  Whomever we elect as Governor, Senator, and for all the state and local offices, isn't just going to be involved in decisions about water--they are going to make policies or cast votes on a wide array of issues.  Yes, I along with so many others, want action on the water issue and I want it now, but we all have a whole plethora of other concerns and issues as well.  Let's not forget them when we vote!