Politics and Polar Bears

It's been a whirlwind week. I feel like that is how I start out a lot of my posts, but it keeps getting "whirlwindier"...if that is not a word, I just made it one. WELL...I took part in something amazingly historic this week. I was a co-organizer of a tax payer tea party in Beaverton, OR. It's been all over the news, but if you haven't heard, there were protests all over the nation on tax day. We were standing up against the wasteful government spending in the new stimulus bill which will inevitably lead to higher taxes and will leave future generations in crushing debt. The tea party parallel was of course, paying homage to our forefathers that dumped tea into Boston Harbor protesting the King's high taxes.

I've never taken part in a protest, much less organized one. I always thought that you crossed the line into being one of the "nut jobs" if you were a protester...honestly! But when you look back in time, early American's were just "nut jobs" from the British perspective, taking on an almost unwinnable fight, standing up for the rights of man. It was truly one of the most exhilirating experiences of my life. We had a crowd estimated at 800+ show up for this event, and we didn't really even get heckled by the opposing side, save of course for the tyrannical security guard who threatened to tow all of our cars if we didn't move them from the shopping center parking lot where we started. Our protest group was polite, not at all unruly, and surprisingly happy! Spirits were high. I expected a lot of anger but I was proud of the group. They handled themselves with so much class AND got the message across. It is possible to remain dignified while expressing a radical opinion, and I'm glad we were able to accomplish that.

Only an hour later, I was on a flight to San Francisco to testify in favor of off-shore drilling in California. Americans for Prosperity sent myself, my friend and co-organizer Marc, Richard (whom I've mentioned before) and his fiance Natasha down to represent the organization. I didn't know what to expect. I'd never testified before ( a week of firsts for me!) and it turned out I wasn't going to. The even was part of a movement to be more "transparent" about politics and open up these issues to public comment. It was organized by the Department of the Interior and several elected officials, Senator Barbara Boxer and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, were there among others. This public forum became nothing more than a sounding board for elected officials. I don't even know how many of the public actually got to speak. Plus, from the look of the crowd, there were not many people who supported our point of view. All around the hearing room, there were people dressed up like jelly fish and anemones, protesting the effect that drilling COULD have on the environment (though there is not much data to support this). On our way out of the building, I was feeling a little tired and a lot frustrated. I couldn't even speak my mind in there and give an opposing viewpoint. But my chance was coming, though to a different crowd that I had anticipated. To our left was a young woman in a polar bear suit. The had the head off, so I guess you could say she was polar bear from the neck down. Richard walks by and quips "kinda hot in there isn't it?" To which she replys..."Oh yeah, and so is my habitat! Its shrinking and melting and I can't find food, please help me!!!!" It doesn't help the fact that her voice is so incredibly annoying and whiny. I am getting grumpier and grumpier. We sit on a wall waiting for the rest our our group from National AFP to show up, and I see the polar bear rejoin her group, which consists of one girl guarding a jellyfish suit, a surfer dude, said polar bear, and another guy dressed up as a sea otter. OK. I cant' take it anymore. I have to say something.

Me to Polar Bear: Excuse me, may I ask you a question?
PB: Yeah.
Me: I'm from Oregon, and we had the coldest winter I can ever remember. 16 inches of snow. How does that fit in with global warming?

PB: Oh yeah, I heard that you guys had a cold one up there. Well, extremes in temperature, hot or cold, can mean global warming.

Me: Do you know that for a fact or are you just speculating?
Surfer Dude: Well its all just a theory.

Me: Let me ask you, does it bother you that the leaders of your movement, like Al Gore and others, are often the worst offenders, driving gas guzzling SUV's and living in ginormous houses?

SD: Yes, actually it does.

Me: So, in your opinion, who lives a life that is the perfect example of being environmentally responsible?

SD: Honestly, subsistence farmers.

Me: Ok, you do know that all of us can't live like that, don't you?

SD: Yes, I do know that.

Me: So what are we supposed to do?

SD: Well, I think that overpopulation is actually one of the main reasons we are in the mess, and over consumption of resources.

Me: So what on earth are we supposed to do about overpopulation?

SD: We can all consume less and I honestly think that high energy prices are a good thing so that we are forced to look at other options ( of course he would, because he lives in San Francisco, and I couldn't afford a shoebox there, I think...but I bite my tongue)

Me: I don't think so. Because that will cripple our economy and starve out low income families. I don't think its right to watch poor people suffer because of the principle of the thing. Besides, why can't we take contol of the natural resources we have in this country, which could stabilize prices WHILE CONTINUING to look for alternative sources of energy? Just because we use oil, it doesn't mean we cant' be looking elsewhere at the same time. What is wasteful to you?

SD: Well, for instance, if you take a job that is 40 miles away from your house, that to me is wasting fuel and energy.

Me: Ok, in my state, we are experiencing double digit unemployment. I know from experience that you have to apply for at least three jobs a week, or you can lose your unemployment money. If you refuse a job you are offered, you can also lose your unemployment. Now, I will tell you, if I have a family to feed, and I am offered a job that is 40 miles away, you better believe I am taking the job, and worrying about gas consumption won't change my decision for the good of my family.

At this point, the argument started to taper off. But I was left in amazement. It was a suprisingly civil conversation. I never lost my temper with these people, or called them idiots, tree huggers, or socialists. I approached them with curiosity. They had no idea what side I was on in the beginning. Is it possible that they are so sheltered in their world view that they never considered the cost of utopia to the common man? I am so tired of pie in the sky philosophies that don't make anyone's life better, on either side of the political aisle. I hope I made them think a little deeper about what they believe and why. If they still feel the same way, then good for them. It means that they have conviction. But in order to have true conviction in your beliefs you have to know WHY you believe them. Not just because they are chic, trendy, and of the moment. Not even because they make you feel better, but because that is what you actually believe with all your heart.

Anyway, I guess that is what you get when you discuss politics with polar bears.