Republican Congressman Steve Pearce represents the second congressional district in New Mexico. The effect of climate change on nearly every aspect of life have been noted, and are predicted to be profound unless action is taken (reports ). However, Pearce’s head is deep in the White Sands , because he’s convinced that:
– Debate with Rep. Wilson (R-NM01), April 29, 2008, Los Alamos, New Mexico (video)
It’s even sadder that his view is shared by 74% of his fellow Republican lawmakers.
Here are the results of a recent National Journal “congressional insiders poll “, in which both Democratic and Republican lawmakers were asked:
Do you think it’s been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the Earth is warming because of man-made pollution?
In contrast:
Some quotes from Democrats:
“Only the loonies think otherwise.”
“Yes, it’s time to move beyond this debate and do something about it!”
Some quotes from Republicans:
“In the ’70s, the ‘consensus of scientists’ was that we were beginning global cooling. Now it is global warming. Excuse me if I am skeptical of this newest form of secular religion. Perhaps we should pause and take a breath before we drink the new Kool-Aid!”
“The Earth is warming, but we don’t know whether it’s caused entirely by humans or whether human actions can change it.”
In summary: Democrats prefer science and solutions, whereas the free market-touting Republicans are stumbling around their personal flat Earth, blissfully wallowing in Inhofian logic.
As New Mexico GOP Representative Heather Wilson said to Steve Pearce at the debate in Los Alamos:
I’d rather be in that circle than yours, Heather.
