Local action will counter Trump’s reckless acts

Dear Editor, “If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” — Founding Father Samuel Adams

Since last November, we patriots have had our work cut out for us. And we’ve risen to the occasion with marches, phone calls, attendance at town halls, letters to the editor, donations to organizations in the business of resistance and, thankfully, in a good many cases, a commitment to run for office.

The work continues with renewed outrage. Trump’s willful withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, despite entreaties by world leaders, environmentalists, Goldman Sachs, GE, IBM, Tesla, DuPont, Hewlett Packard and others, weakens America’s global leadership and undermines our status in the world. Trump justified his actions with distorted, discredited reports, something we have come to expect.

Withdrawal from an agreement meant to unite 195 countries of the world in a battle against the devastating affects of rising world temperatures is morally reprehensible and threatens our world and future generations. To be included with Syria and Nicaragua as a non- participant in this worldwide agreement is humiliating.

Local towns, counties, cities and states are fighting back and pledge to enact reductions in greenhouse emissions that exceed those proposed by President Obama. Once again, local action will counter the craven actions of an irresponsible and reckless administration.

We should elect Democrats to local seats who reflect our values and will enact laws in accordance with those values. They will become the “bench” for higher office we so desperately need in our county boards, our state legislatures and beyond.

Our country is being dismantled one brick at a time. Let’s start rebuilding from the ground up. Barbara Sides Gardiner, N.Y.