Portman has led way on responsible climate solutions
Climate change is one of the most defining issues of my generation. As the chairman of the Ohio College Republican Federation, I can say that, unequivocally, the next generation of conservatives are ready to see Republican legislators in Columbus and Washington lead on this issue.
Earlier this year, a Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of millennial and Gen Z Republicans, between the ages of 18 and 39, believe the federal government is doing too little to reduce the impact of climate change. Fortunately, Ohioans have strong leadership on conservation, energy efficiency and climate solutions in Sen. Rob Portman. Republican leadership like Portman’s is proof that climate is not a partisan issue.
Clean energy creates opportunity.
Despite being one of the fastest growing employment sectors, the clean energy economy in Ohio has taken a serious hit due to COVID-19. Last year, the clean energy sector provided jobs for more than 100,000 Ohioans and more than 3.3 million nationwide; today, 13% of those workers in Ohio are still out of a job. Investing in, as well as expanding, clean energy production and energy efficiency efforts would help put these workers back on the job while ensuring America continues to lead on reducing carbon emissions.
It is time for real action that will spur the development of cleaner forms of energy to help mitigate the impacts of climate change while creating American jobs and powering a stronger American economy.
David Kalk, president, Ohio College Republican Federation, Columbus
Election couldn’t be clearer: democracy or socialism
We will be voting soon. Whom we vote for will determine what changes will occur in our lives and for the lives of our descendants.
The choice must be carefully debated and in the best interests of the American people. We can choose to live with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that our forefathers gave us, and which we have defended for over 200 years. The other choice is socialism, which has been a government choice for other countries.
The differences are clear-cut: freedom or promises. Leadership in the world or be like sheep waiting for food and care.
John A. Hughes, Columbus
Candidate Biden doesn’t abide by Catholic beliefs
Whether Joe Biden can be described as a “devout” Catholic is unknown to me. However, I do know that Biden’s stand on abortion is very clearly in direct conflict to Catholic doctrine. The U.S. Conference Catholic Bishops write, “Since the first century, the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say abortion willed as either an end or a means, is gravely contrary to moral law.” The bishops go on to affirm that this teaching is consistent with the Church’s teaching that every single human life has “inherent dignity.”
Further, the USCCB writes that “No public official, especially one claiming to be a faithful and serious Catholic, can responsibly advocate for or actively support, direct attacks on innocent human life.” Not surprisingly, Pope Francis agrees.
Joe Biden stands in direct opposition to these Catholic teachings. Not only does Biden support codifying Roe v. Wade, a move that would remove state choice in the matter, he has vowed to reverse the Hyde Amendment, which would allow federal tax dollars to fund abortions.
So please do not ignore this very fundamental difference between Catholic beliefs and Biden.
Marytherese Croarkin, Columbus